Wittenberg - the 'package' crosses the border

Scene: The King of Monrovia's Council Chamber, the Chancellor and the King Francis III of Monrovia are in discussion ...

King: You have the report from our spy in Wittenberg ?

Chancellor: Yes your majesty, a most interesting report, let me read it to you ..

Recently I was in Alt-Dittersdorf, a border river crossing into the Duchy of Fenwick. There was quite a commotion as some Uhlans entered the town escorting a black coach. I was in my room at the tavern which overlooks the bridge and was able to see what happened.

The back coach stopped on the Wittenberg side of the bridge. The uhlan escort forming a perimeter, keeping on-lookers at bay. About 15 minutes later the complete regiment of the Fenwick Horse Grenadiers of the guard arrived on the other side of the bridge. Their commanding officer dismounted and walked to the centre of the bridge. A man got out of the coach, I recognised him as Count Hermann of Munster, he walked onto the bridge and greeted the officer; they entered into a discussion. I managed to overhear some parts of the conversation, but nothing of consequence apart from the Count asking the officer - 'You will take good care of the package ?' to which the officer replied 'You have my assurance that the package will be well looked after'. The officer followed the Count back to the coach and checked that a large padlocked chest top of the coach was secure; then he opened the door of the coach and had a brief conversation with the occupants.

The officer walked back over the bridge and mounted his horse; the Count got back into the coach. The bugler of the horse grenadiers 'sounded off', the coach then crossed the bridge. The Horse Grenadiers formed up to the front and rear of the coach; which then set off along the road towards the capital of the Duchy of Fenwick. The Uhlans departed immediately. I asked around the town but no-one new anything about the black coach not even the troops at the border post.

King: Do you have any idea what this could mean ?

Chancellor: Only that that Count Hermann of Munster is involved in a lot of things, he is the main roving ambassador for Wittenberg. But the large escort for just one carriage, it doesn't add up.

King: Do we have anyone in Fenwick who could tell us where the coach went?

Chancellor: Not really - all we have there is our ambassadour and a delegation trying to negotiate a treaty - I'll get them to make some discreet enquiries.

King: My cousin King Leopold of Wittenberg is up to something, I can feel it. He always finds ways to annoy or out-manouvre me. (the king was getting visibly agitated)

Chancellor: please calm down your majesty.

King: Damn Leopold ! Find out what is going on ! (the king then stormed off to his private rooms).