Katarina, Duchess of Bavaria, sat at a writing desk, the scratching of her quill the only sound.

She was composing her first letter to her father, Duke Wilhelm, detailing the truth of the bankrupt estate they had just reckoned.

A sharp knock interrupted her thoughts.

"Enter~" Katarina commanded.

Her guard captain, a scarred veteran named Gregor, entered and bowed. "My Lady. Lord Konrad asks for you in the hall. He says a dinner is set to seal our new pact."

Katarina raised an eyebrow. A formal dinner in this smoky village seemed almost comical. She had seen the coarse pea-bread the commoners ate.

"Very well, Gregor," she sighed, standing and smoothing her dress. "Let us see how a Swabian warlord entertains."

She descended the stairs to the hall. It was a stark contrast to the Bavarian court in Munich. There were no tapestries of battle, no silver candleholders, and the hearth was unlit to save fuel.

Konrad sat at the head of the table. To his right sat Elise, his younger sister, looking terrified. The chair to his left was pointedly empty... the seat once held by his treacherous uncle.

As Katarina approached, Gregor trailing behind, Konrad stood and gave a precise nod.

"Lady Katarina~" Konrad said, gesturing to the seat opposite Elise. "I ask pardon for the lack of pageantry. Our wealth is currently given entirely to the forges and our defense. Yet, I believe you will find the fare hearty enough."

Katarina took her seat, scanning the young lord. He made no apologies for the bare stone. He viewed beauty as an unneeded thing.

"I did not travel from Munich expecting a grand ball, Lord Konrad," Katarina replied. "I came for the wheel-locks. As long as those numbers are met, I care nothing for your tapestries."

Konrad nodded. "The first forty locks will be loaded in Vesper’s cart by morning. The Alpine coal must begin arriving within the week."

As he spoke, servants entered bearing platters...

Katarina braced for peasant fare. But the scent that met her was entirely unexpected.

The platters were piled with thick, pan-fried cuts of pork, crusted in bread and fried golden. Beside it were mounds of tiny egg noodles in a rich brown gravy, and a roasted duck glazed with honey.

It was a staggering display of richness and craft, completely out of place in the Swabian valley.

Katarina stared, stunned. "This is... unexpected, Lord Konrad."

"It gives strength to the workers." Konrad explained, using an iron fork to serve the pork.

"The pace of the forge demands heavy meat to keep the men strong. I ordered the kitchens to cook our beasts to yield all their worth."

She looked at Elise, who ate quietly with a look of terror, stealing nervous glances at Katarina’s armed captain.

"Your sister seems distressed, Lord Konrad," Katarina noted, her voice softening.

Konrad didn’t look up. "Elise suffers great fright from the recent strife and the constant sight of foreign swords. Her fear is foolish, given our watch, but it is a natural humor."

Katarina frowned. She had never heard a brother speak of his sister’s fear so coldly.

"She is a child~ Lord Konrad," Katarina sharpened her tone. "Perhaps offer her reassurance rather than a scholar’s lecture."

Konrad finally looked up, his dark eyes meeting hers.

"Comfort without truth is a lie, Lady Katarina," Konrad countered evenly. "If I tell her she is safe when Uncle Lothar actively plots our ruin, I am blinding her to the true danger. She must know the reality of our world to survive it."

Katarina stared. The delicious meat turned heavy in her stomach. He was entirely devoid of courtly graces.

"You are a harsh man... Lord Konrad."

"The Swabian League will not be stopped by kind words or comfortable lies." Konrad replied, sipping his watered wine.

The rest of the meal passed in silence.

When the duck was cleared, Katarina stood.

"The feast was grand, Lord Konrad," Katarina said. "I will finish my letter to the Duke tonight. We ride for Munich at first light."

Konrad stood, offering his nod. "A safe journey, Lady Katarina. See that the coal arrives~"