Sam
October 18, 1786, Realm Timeline, Vienna, Duchy of Austria
The people Sam respected were few, and all had their faults and failures. The key to their standing up was their ability to adapt quickly and overcome their weaknesses. Like an Earth friend of his did after one of the biggest games he designed flopped, only for the next, an indie, to become a cult, because the said friend had swallowed his ego and learned from his mistakes.
Among all the Austrian politicians, Sam considered Joseph the worst. The best comparison he had in mind was Dostoevsky's Idiot. Too many good intentions and not a gram of practicality. In contrast, his chancellor, Prince von Kaunitz, was, in Sam's opinion, the best chance for the Habsburg Monarchy to survive. Every time he made a bad decision, the chancellor pivoted very quickly. He was at the top of the list of people Sam wanted to speak with.
Despite his Envoy status, meeting von Kaunitz was not easy. Sam used the 'I saved your life, you owe me' card on Joseph to get him to insist thatthe Chancellor grant Sam an audience. Thus, now he was waiting in the chancellor's lobby.
"His Highness, Prince von Kaunitz, will receive you now," the Majordomo called.
Stepping ahead of his two companions, Sam advanced into the salon, removed his jingasa hat, and bowed slightly. The prince was waiting in the middle of the room. He had no wig and wore his hair short. At seventy-five. Kaunitz looked ten years younger, but his eyes showed the shadows of many worries.
"Welcome to my humble abode," the prince said, extending his hand.
It was the moment Sam dreaded the most. All was played on a single bet. He took the handshake and pushed his hand a few inches more than necessary, pressing the tips of his fingers on von Kaunitz's wrist. The chancellor froze, then his fingers adopted the same position.
"My name is Samuel," Sam said.
"Let there be light, brother," Kaunitz whispered, patting Sam's shoulder.
"Justice and brotherhood," Sam said, shaking Kaunitz's hand.
"We are not to be disturbed for the evening," the chancellor yelled at the majordomo. The latter turned and left as fast as he could, closing the door and locking it from the outside.
"A beautiful slogan," another man, short, with a big head and a bigger wig, said. He was sitting on a chair in front of a piano.
"Amadeus, our lodge's number thirty-two," Kaunitz gestured.
"My assistants. Iron Choir and Jane Doe," Sam mirrored him.
At the same time, the man behind Sam gasped, putting his hand over his heart. "A-Amadeus? Like M-Mozart?"
"Am I famous in your Realm?" the short man asked.
"You're huge, man—"
"Let's not bother our brothers with too many details," Sam said. He was rather simple in his musical tastes and felt anxious at the prospect of a lengthy discussion about art.
"There's no bother," Amadeus said. "Please, tell me, is Bach still considered the greatest composer, or did I succeed in dethroning him?"
"You and Johann Sebastian are so unique that nobody can decide who's better than the other," the man said.
"Johann Sebastian? You sure mean Carl Phillip, his son! Those of us who know anything at all learned from him."
"Then I must listen to more music by him," John said.
"John is also an artist. Stage name Iron Choir," Sam explained. "Anytime music appears in the conversation, he forgets about anything else."
"There's nothing wrong with it. I'd love to share stories and—"
"Amadeus, please tame your enthusiasm," Kaunits pleaded. "I fully share it, but we have to use our time wisely. There will be other occasions to talk about the Bachs."
"I agree," Sam said. "We can't spend too much time together, or they'll suspect we're planning something. I'm sure spies are watching the house as we speak."
"They always do. Please, take a seat," Kaunitz gestured, rushing toward a cabinet. "Brandy?"
"Thank you, only a bit," Sam said. His companions, on the other hand, nodded vigorously. In no time, they were clinking.
"Prosit!" von Kaunitz and Mozart said.
"Cheers," Sam and the rest replied.
"What can you tell us about your lodge?" Amadeus asked.
"Err... It's Scottish," Sam said. The few things he knew about Freemasonry had been taught to him by the Council's President in a hurry.
"Of course," Amadeus nodded. "And its name?"
"Sean Connery?" That made Jane choke, and he frowned at her. Why are you so judgmental? It's the first Scottish name that came through my head, all right?
"Please, brothers, sit."
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As von Kaunitz repeated his invitation, they sat on sofas, taking their drinks with them.
"I didn't expect to meet brothers when Joseph insisted we meet," Kaunitz said. "Does he know?"
Sam shook his head. "No. He owes me a favor because I saved his life."
"Pardon me?"
"You know about the hunting party, a week or so ago?"
"Yes, he summoned you to talk with the French refugees. I disagreed, but..." Von Kaunitz shrugged. "It's not wise to win all arguments."
"Indeed. There was an attempt on his majesty's life. Count Futak was blackmailed into letting conspirators into his castle. A French Mage all but killed His Majesty. Through a fortunate turn of events, I was able to rescue him."
"I see... Thank you, Samuel. This is important news."
"What's important about it?" Jane asked.
"They tried to kill the Emperor?" John asked.
"It's just news. It happened, it went okay. End of story. Why does he think it's important?"
"Jane has an inquisitive mind," Sam said.
"Only a few people knew the Emperor's whereabouts. It signifies the enemy has access to our most classified information, and we have traitors among us," Kaunitz said.
"Ah. Now it makes sense."
"You have my gratitude for saving Joseph," the prince said. "Let me offer you something in exchange. The Poles are amassing an army. Amadeus overheard the Ambassador talking with a lady," Kaunitz snorted. "He was bragging, of course."
"I heard it during a concert," Mozart said. "No matter if there's noise or I'm playing, I can hear every whisper within a hundred-foot radius."
"Third Order?" Sam asked.
"Yes," Mozart said.
"So, according to you, the Poles are preparing for war," Sam said. "Against Prussia?"
"No."
"Russia?"
"No."
"Then against whom?"
"Against you."
"Us?" Sam almost yelled. "But we're the only reason they still have a state!"
"And what about the Krakow Republic? You took it."
"From you! After a referendum in which they voted to join us."
"They don't care. Our spies say they'll try to take it back. Next May or June at the latest."
"Bleeping Szleahta! They're as mad as a..." An old rock star past their prime, with skin folds everywhere, injected eyes, and a pot belly, who'd better overdose and let someone younger and more talented take his place, Sam completed the metaphor in thought, staring at Iron Choir. The man fitted that profile perfectly.
"And to think once upon a time the Poles were the pride of Europe," Kaunitz sighed. "They saved this very city, a hundred and three years ago. Now? Disgusting degenerates who cling to privileges, destroying their own country. If you'd take it under your wing, you'd do Poland a favor."
"But then we'll have to manage it ourselves," Sam said. "That's not an option; we're stretched too thin. Have you heard about the portal's misfortune, Chancellor?"
"That it disappeared?"
"It closed, not disappeared. There are three theories in our camp, each with its own faction. The first doesn't care about the portal; it wants to change this world as they see fit. Conquer it, if possible. We call them Renegades, because they don't hesitate to use violence against whoever stands in their way."
"They want to change the world, you say. The question is: do all of them want to change it in the same way?" Kaunitz asked.
"Good point. No, they don't. That makes it easier to counter them, because they're divided. At the same time, they cause more trouble. The Kingling is their doing."
"We are aware."
"The second faction wants to return the Realm to what it was supposed to be. Restore 'history'" Sam made quote marks. "There are few, because everyone with common sense sees that this is impossible. They are also weak because of that. All they do is complain all day long and print manifestos.
"And then there is the Council. Our motto: One step at a time. We aim for this world to be balanced, and if the portal is restored, to be on our terms."
"Of course. The true credo of all of us, brother. Betterment as long as the cure is not worse than the sickness."
"Exactly."
"So... our interests coincide. You can count on me, as long as the Empire is not affected... If we coordinate first, of course."
"I was thinking... Do you know who among your fellow nobles wishes to get rid of the Emperor?"
"Many wish Joseph dead. That doesn't mean they act on their dreams."
"Allow me to rephrase. Do you think Joseph's brother is behind the attempt on his life?"
"No, Joseph and Leopold have a good relationship. I have my suspicions, but I'd rather not touch such a delicate matter without proof."
"And what if we could find the proof you need?" Sam asked.
"How?"
"Simple. The conspirators are nobles, as we know. First, put out bait and attract as many of them as possible to a location of our choosing. For this, I count on him," Sam pointed at the former rock star. "Iron Choir, do you mind offering a demonstration?"
"My pleasure," the man said.
Standing up in a theatrical pose, John began singing. His voice, a bass, was deep and round, soft for that pitch. A tenor erupted out of nothingness, adding its penetrating color. It was louder and more 'in your face.' Then came the alto and the soprano. The first sultry, the latter angelic.
"Oh, my God!" Mozart gasped when the music stopped.
"Yeah, that was exactly my reaction the first time I heard John. I can see a lot of people coming to see Iron Choir sing."
"This is... unbelievable."
"And how is this extraordinary singing helping us identify the plotters?" Kaunitz asked.
"Elementary, dear Chancellor. During the event, they will either avoid each other to keep a low profile or group together. Jane will attend the concerts and observe. Her talent is passing unnoticed, but she has a knack for tracking down bad people."
"I was a police detective," Jane said, making von Kaunitz raise his eyebrows. Sam knew better. Jane's appearance, meek and bland, did not do justice to her skills.
"Is that natural, where you come from?" Amadeus asked, looking at Iron Choir.
"No. I took a potion that made me this way," the man said.
"This brings me to another topic. We experimented a bit with all sorts of concoctions, and as a side product... We came up with this..." Sam said, taking a small box out of his pocket and rummaging through it. "Pills giving permanent passives. Alas, no person can take more than one; it's how it works. This would grant you Poison Resistance," he said, putting a pill in front of Amadeus.
"Don't want to spill the beans, but you'll need it," Iron Choir said. "Some of your colleagues are envious."
"Do you mean—"
"And here I have an Enhanced Regeneration," Sam said toward Kaunitz, speaking over Amadeus. "It will grant you good health."
"A potion of youth..." the chancellor sighed, taking the pill in his hand. "And what's the price?"
"Nothing. This is for the greater good."
"Thank you," Kaunitz said, swallowing the pill with a little brandy. Mozart did the same a second later.
Hope alcohol doesn't ruin the effect...
"By the way... What happens when we find the proof? Would you like us to go public, run a trial, or... handle it discreetly and blame it on the Rebels?"
"We'll see," von Kaunitz sighed. "Disappearing one or two nobles could work. More, and there will be suspicions."
"Jane will take care that we don't leave any trace behind," Sam said.
"I'm pretty good at that," the woman smiled. "After I got on the Realm, I worked as a cleaner for a while."
"Cleaner?" Mozart asked.
"When we took over what's today the Protectorates, the nobles split into two categories. Those who freed their serfs willingly and invested in industry, knowing it would bring them more money in the long run, and those who opposed us. If you'd want to pay your respects to the latter, Jane knows exactly where they take their big sleep."
"And I guess those places would not be easy to find. I hope we succeed in keeping things under control more peacefully. I suggest we stop our meeting here, lest the spies who keep watch on my mansion get suspicious," von Kaunitz said. "We can see each other again in a couple of weeks. I'll ask my secretary to choose a date."
"That's settled, then," Sam said, raising up.