In contrast to the massive reception produced at the gates of Stalsburg, Oakleaf’s travelling warband gained admittance to Badendorf with a minimum of ceremony. They were met at the South Gate by a unit of blue and red clad troops, armed with large two handed swords. Ten such soldiers had emerged from their guard tower, once scouts had observed the approach of Oakleaf Gilderwood and his entourage. Welcomed and acknowledged by the captain of the tower guards, the group entered through the South Gate and made their way towards the center of the city. In front of the palace of Kaiser Willhelm Frederick. An honor guard awaited them.

  Amazingly, Celeste rode up beside James as they entered the South Gate. It had been several days of shallow conversations with bawdy, foul mouthed Knights, that was all James had to show for the journey between Stalsburg and Badendorf. Oakleaf Gilderwood was lost in quiet contemplation and seldom spoke with anyone. Celeste had been cold, aloof and efficient throughout the last portion of their journey but all that changed as they entered the city. James’s ill timed comments about enemy regime leadership seemed forgotten, as well as Celeste’s fixation on the travails of the Empire. In Badendorf Celeste seemed to glow with beauty and enthusiasm, anticipating the adventure of the city. The common folk of Badendorf seemed to respond to her as well. While it was normal for the common citizens of the Empire cities and villages to pay special attention to the great Emerald Wizard, Celeste had rarely attracted attention. However, here in Badendorf, people gestured and waved wildly at the red clad Theodorite Sister, giving her the respect one might associate with a celebrity. As the procession made its way up the Suden Weg or “south way” towards a temple like structure, Celeste even blushed with the attention of young girls, presenting bouquets of red roses, rushed towards her horse. She gathered them up, and when they became too numerous, transferred some of the burden to James. James noticed something else as well, when it came to his attention that Celeste seemed to be glowing with a radiance, which complimented her already considerably beautiful attributes. Her skin literally shone. Both James and Celeste dismounted with some difficulty, when the procession came to a halt in front of the Cathedral of Theodor.

  “We have come to the holiest shrine in the Empire Sir James”, explained Celeste, while she detached her war hammer from the saddlebag of her mount in order to bring it with her , “Bear now that you show your greatest respect Master James. It is required here,” she added forcefully, then extended her free hand, took his firmly, and led James up the ornate staircase. “Theodor’s mausoleum is contained in this Cathedral”. Up they went, into the cathedral building standing twenty stories tall, high above the Suden Weg. Only Oakleaf Gilderwood accompanied them. Carved stone statues adorned the facades of the building including massive depictions of griffins, lions, and great warriors, wielding fearsome looking hammers. Everywhere, the building and sculptures were emblazoned with twin tailed comets. Stained glass depictions of heroic figures mixed freely with images of a demonic nature. Gold leaf was used liberally to color the structure. A group of Sisters, clad in white awaited the visitors at the main entrance with a ferocious looking priest of some kind, dressed in flaming robes, and jade green sculptured chest plate armor. He held a golden ornate staff in one hand and waved the visiting group into the Cathedral with the other. The greeters too, glowed as if lit by an internal light, though in varying degrees and none as brightly as Celeste.

  Inside, the vaulted ceilings reached the full height of the building, supported by a complicated network of peaked arches. Paintings of battle scenes dominated the ceiling, complete with all sorts of fantastical creature armies being driven back by warrior priest led armies of Empire troops. Large white marble pillars, complete with tangled veins of green, helped support the weight of the stone arches. Carved wooden pews bordered the wide passage to the front of the hall of worship, and at its head stood a golden altar, with a sculpture of a warrior king. In front of the throne lay a sarcophagus of pure gold.

  “Theodor,” stated Celeste as she followed James' gaze towards the altar. Her skin and robes were positively glowing with their innate light by now. Letting go of his hand Celeste made her way towards the altar with great reverence, prostrating herself before Theodor. As if laying a babe in swaddling clothes before the holy statue, Celeste placed her war hammer upon the altar, directly beside the golden coffin. Presently, the war hammer also began to glow.

  The greeting Sisters by this time took their places in the choir aisles and broke into song, sounding for all the world like battle music or a country's national anthem, as opposed to anything James had ever heard sung in a church.

  The Priest was engaged in a discussion with Oakleaf Gilderwood, and after several gestures in the direction of James, the pair made their way in his direction.

  “James, this is Grand Theologonist Luthar. Grand Theologonist, I present to you, Sir James of the Shetland Islands,” introduced Oakleaf, in his most formal speaking voice.

  “Son, I thank you for answering the summons of Sir Gilderwood, "stated Luthar grimly, then continued “If I can be of any service to you, pray ask and I shall work with you in any way that I can”.

  “You are most kind sir,” answered an incredibly nervous James.

  All three turned to observe Celeste. Her praying complete, she grasped her war hammer with both hands then turned and strode towards the three men. Light literally shone from her eyes.

  “We shall next meet with the Kaiser?” asked Celeste of Oakleaf Gilderwood.

  “Indeed,” answered the Emerald Wizard Loremaster.

  ________________________________________________________________

  The Imperial Palace received Gilderwood, Celeste, Gunther Hermann and James in the most lavish manner. No effort was spared and Louisa, her two children and Willhelm Fredrick himself were the most gracious of hosts. The palace and its grounds too, were magnificent but as the day wore into evening James felt an enormous sense of detachment from the rest of the Empire. Willhelm Fredrick, to be sure, seemed a magnificent statesman, and in terms of his physique, an incredible specimen. And yet, James detected vanity and ego that needed to be constantly fed. Kaiser Fredrick was quite open with his insistence that Oakleaf Gilderwood examine both of his children, Queen Gizelle, and finally himself. Soon after, he giggled with enthusiasm as Sir Gilderwood dispensed packages of dried medicinal herbs and essential oils distilled from the rarest and most exotic plants of the Gardens of Taubra. James noted that many of the preparations seemed to be for cosmetic purposes, and all four family members seemed to be in near perfect health.

  James cast his memory back to the scene of the carnage resulting from the Battle of Kroppeneblen and remembered how many soldiers and Sisters lives had been saved by the greatest of all Life Wizards. And here he tended the complexions of the Kaiser's family. James did his best not to betray his thoughts on the matter. He wondered if his companions too, needed to hold their tongues.

  Much too late for James's tastes, the banquet and reception wound down. James‘s mind leapt towards the hope that he would soon be in his sleeping quarters, free of the social expectations which had swirled around him throughout the day's events. Just when he thought the evening was coming to an end, James was surprised by a new pronouncement by the Emperor.

  Willhelm Fredrick began, “Ladies and gentlemen, I must say that never have we spent so fine an evening at the Palace! Entertaining the world’s greatest Wizard, the world’s finest Knight, the legendary Sister Celeste and a learned Astromancer from another world entirely separate from our own! My, oh, my! But believe it or not, our evening is not yet at an end! Horses and carriages await us, at the Palace gates, to bear all to the most gala of performances. A special presentation of the Imperial players of the Realm awaits us at the Olden Reik Theatre! All of us will witness the performance. Everyone to the Grand Entrance!” and with this the entire group of courtesans, family members, politicians, generals and Oakleaf Gilderwood’s party made their way to the front of the Palace. James noted with cynicism that the word “everyone” did not seem to include the servers, cooks and servants who had prepared and provided the meal.

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  The carriages were elegant and the ride was short to the Olden Reik, and when the banquet goers arrived they joined an extremely excited crowd of eager patrons entering the ornate theater. Most were costumed as if to attend a themed costume ball, and the theme was apparently supernatural in nature as winged, horned, caped, clown, and ghost like costumes dominated. A buzz percolated through the entering crowd. Midnight struck on the giant clock which dominated the front facing facade of the building, high above the carved sculptures which decorated the entrance to the Badendorf State Theatre. The griffins, dragons and gargoyles portrayed added to the surreal nature of the incoming crowd.

  Amidst the confusion Willhelm Fredrick’s party, including the royal family, James and Sir Gilderwood, were ushered to the royal box. Their seats were situated directly in the center of the wall opposite the mainstage, perched high above the commoners jammed into the benches below. The place was jammed. yet more and more entered, creating a sea of costumed humanity below James. A quick look around him revealed that Celeste had become separated from the group. With Willhelm Fredrick and Sir Gilderwood carrying on an ongoing conversation about a touch of gout recently experienced by the Kaiser, it seemed prudent that James delay asking the whereabouts of the red robe clad Sister. Amidst the din of entering spectators, James caught occasional notes broadcast from the orchestra pit as musicians tuned their instruments and played peremptory notes.

  Suddenly, an increased commotion swept over the crowd, and the orchestra’s conductor stepped onto the stage. He was a tall and gangly, flame haired, energy filled man clad in a soot black suit, with a gleaming purple tie, over a pure white shirt. Hiis collar jutted awkwardly out of the order that should have been his neckline, as if he had already exerted himself too much. More disturbance to his formal clothing seemed sure to follow. Cheers broke out as he stepped down the stairs into the orchestra pit, and taking his position on the podium, he arranged a great pile of sheet music on the stand in front of him. His arms rose into the air with one hand holding a baton. An improbable silence swept through the building. It didn’t last.

  The arms descended rapidly with the first stroke of his conducting baton, and the orchestra was off. Swift as the wind and powerful as a lion’s roar the music launched into action. The main lush, blue and red curtain rose to reveal an incredible set composed of stylized depictions of several seamy building frontages framing a cobblestone roadway. Several actors and actresses, dressed in exaggerated townsfolk garb populated the townscape, which looked for all the world as if it was a possessed or cursed town.

  “This opera is the most famous in the Empire, young James,” whispered the Kaiser into James’s left ear, continuing, “ The Destruction of Dresenheim.”

  “Thank you sir,” replied James, uncertain of how to respond, and amazed that Willhelm Fredrick had decided to speak to him.

  All of the performer occupants of Dresenheim broke into a loud and bawdy song, remarkably appealing in melody. Incredibly, the entire audience joined in, with astounding enthusiasm. James noted the royal family refrained from singing along with the common people. And far from being an opening number aberration, the entire performance progressed as it began. The first act was loud and raucous and almost unbelievably entertaining. A true spectacle. Most of the on stage actions seemed to revolve around conflicts between small bands of questionably employed and unusually armed citizens of Dresenheim. James completely forgot the fact that he was engaged in this performance at an hour well past midnight, only considering the late hour as the curtains lowered at the end of Act 1.

  A buzz gripped the crowd as the set was rearranged behind the curtain. Anticipation was reaching a fever pitch in the costume-clad audience of several thousand citizens of Badendorf. James looked throughout the royal box for any sign of Celeste wishing she could be present to explain some of what was going on on the stage in front of him.

  Presently, the curtain rose on the second act. This time, the scene was dominated by a Cathedral like set with a balcony overlooking a brick laid courtyard.The clock tower of the Cathedral was running, and currently read 11:45. In the background was the spired skyline of the city of Dresenheim. A beautiful nun-like figure with elaborate makeup and flowing blonde hair strode into the balcony. Celeste!

  Deafening cheers erupted drowning out everything else, as audience goers as one rose to their feet to greet the Theodorite Sister. Impossibly, Celeste’s voice overwhelmed the ocean of cheers and began a song of immense power, not to mention volume. A huge model of a twin tailed comet rose up in the furthest distance, above the skyline, and slowly approached the cursed city. The cheers turned to song, as the entire audience joined Celeste in the Ballad of the Twin Tailed Comet:

  “Beautiful Dresenheim! Fortune has shone on you and yours,

  Beautiful Dresenheim! Answer the calls of destiny and roars,

  The Empire beckons its founder to return’

  To search out the heretics to burn,

  The Empire of Man was founded to form a beacon of light!

  Bright and true, you led us into the white,

  Banishing Chaos was our reason to be strong and true,

  Armies and warbands marched near and far for you!

  “Damned! Damned! City of Damned!

  Fire and Brimstone! At your command!

  Theodor return to save us all!

  Hear us pray and hear us call!

  Astromancers predict the worst!

  Tell us that our city’s cursed!

  We all know he will return!

  Theodor will not let us burn!

  The sun rose on a clear winter’s day, to witness a moment in time,

  Or so it was hoped and wished, by all those travelers of mine’

  From all the Empire they rode, from all the corners of the realm,

  Hopes of a miracle, to see the Founder arrive, aboard a coach of elm,

  Chaos has gripped the world, and sent a bolt from the stars,

  Hard times have plagued us all, endless and hopeless wars,

  Sundering continents in the fires of darkest rains,

  Blundering leaders of tortures and pains,”

  And so Celeste continued, leading the crowd in the desperate and beautiful ballad, which rose in intensity, at the same rate as the model comet approached the doomed city. More and more actors entered the stage, until there was no room for more and the staged crowd connected directly with the crowd of operahouse spectators. It was as if the entire main floor of the Olden Reik was a milling throng eager for the resurrection of its ancient founder. As the comet model grew larger and larger until it dominated the entire upper portion of the stage, the sense of anticipation also grew more intense.

  At the penultimate moment, just as it seemed inevitable the comet must strike the city a flash of smoke and light erupted on the model and when it cleared, an immensely powerful man, clad in animal skins and a golden crown, and brandishing a larger, ornamental war hammer appeared on top of the comet. Surely this was Theodor!

  “Citizens of the Empire, I pray to you. I implore you. Mend your ways! Seek out the light! Turn away from the darkness! Banish Chaos from this land! Too often, citizens of this nation seek out the chaotic, grasp the easy and the immoral.” boomed the Theodor figure.

  Celeste answered, also in an unnaturally powerful voice,” Theodor! Our founder, our father, you have returned. Will you deliver us from the evils of our age?”

  “Deliver you? Save you from evil? You misunderstand! I have returned to pass judgment on my creation! The Empire was founded to be a beacon of light in a chaotic world. I have already shown you the way. Today I pass judgment on my creation and from what I see before me, you have failed me!” thundered the mighty Theodor.

  The intense sense of expectation in the crowd suddenly changed, and a loud groan swept throughout both the actors and spectators.

  Celeste answered, “But O mighty Theodor! We serve and follow you to the best of our abilities. We construct towering temples in your name and we lead vast armies against the Chaotic Hordes who oppose your nation. What more can we do?” implored the Theodorite Sister.

  “What more can you do, asks the Sister of Light?” boomed Theodor? “What more can you do? I cast my gaze across this vast city! And what do my eyes see? Carnival workers! Charlatans! Idol worshippers! Thieves! Chaos sympathizers! Musicians! Actors! Rogues! Vagabonds!, All present to witness the return of a warrior! And none willing to save themselves!!!!!!”

  At this point it was pretty clear to James just what the purpose of the elaborate costumes worn by audience members were all about. The opera goers were reveling in their roles as naer do well citizens of Dresenheim.

  “But Theodor!” protested Celeste, imploring the great leader, “Surely you do not plan to strike a blow against our great city?”

  “Just watch me!” responded Theodor, founder of the Empire, and with this the curtain descended upon the second act.