January As food stocks dwindle in the closed month of January, the Town Council respond to the advice of Captain Pfifer of the Guard, and the Master Gunner, to increase the complement of the Town Guard, initially to maintain order should the improvident, finding themselves short of food later in winter or early in spring, seek to seize themselves unearned luxuries from those blessed by the Lord with the foresight to armour themselves well against hunger's pangs, often a danger at this time if the harvest and stocks of food are low, for whatever reason. The officers point to the lack of the Calvinist Guards to help maintain proper order and conduct amongst the lower classes in trying times, and also to the fact that the existing Guard was stretched thin over the past few months even with the assistance of the militia.
Further, The Master Gunner, points out that the gunnery of the Guard had never been noted for its accuracy in days past, and lays much of the blame for this on the practice of rotating Guardsmen between patrol, watch and gunnery duties. He advocates a permanent sub-section of Town Gunners within the Town Guard as the best method in his experience of improving the situation: " and have no doubts but that it needs improving for I swear some of your guardsmen couldn't hit a Temple door from sitting on the latch - which is what the far side of Temple Court is, to even your lightest piece ". ((obviously a reference to the somewhat inconclusive cannonading of the rebellion))
The Council vote to increase the Guard by some 80 men to 200, the Master Gunner to pick 40 when the weather moderates sufficiently for training to begin, contingent upon the basic needs of the Town Guard.
In view of the depletion of certain trades in the town by past misfortune the Council allot a small sum to be expended in placing notices in the West advertising the vacancies and good prospects attending to any who should come to fill them. Also, for appropriately skilled persons of New Jerusalem itself, assistance will be given to journeymen of good standing in the affected trades, where such survive, to set up in business as their own masters should they so wish.
Eventually it is realised that New Jerusalem, having been tested by fire is not to face any severe test by ice - the weather is relatively mild, few even of the undeserving poor having gained their deserved rewards for skulking indigently during the blizzards, no doubt complaining the while about the cold, when they could have warmed themselves with energetic searches for fuel about the fields and wood's edge.
Come the thaw, there is even unseemly jostling at the church doors as people rush to give thanks for this reward for their faith and virtue over the last twelve months. r There is another reason for this haste. Since the fall of the old hierarchy of the church there has been much debate amongst the most faithful (carefully overseen by the Guard) as to the most appropriate method of conducting worship in these changed circumstances. During the autumnal months, Neuman the Printer - finding some difficulty in operating his business in the manner of old having no press and no church orders for tracts to print on it, is inspired to buy books ready printed from connections in other lands, and import particularly those books that while not of heretical nature, were discouraged in town by the Council of the Faith so as, they claimed, not to confuse or lead astray the faithful. It is quite clear now of course, upon reading such banned discourses and tracts that what they in fact sought to do was to minimise any comparison with their interpretation of the True Faith to their own benefit to actual practice outside. With the winter to have pondered over these works many now seek to revitalise the church and fan faith to new heights with revelations and insights in improvements to past practice. From a period of excessively rigid theocracy through the current unsettling anarchy it is hoped that a new age of truly True Faith will result with all able to worship freely, in the proper manner that is.
Mid-March sees Councillor Gustav Volger lead Praise-the-Lord Grimmelshausen and two professional soldiers including the one-armed Dutchman, van Rijn, off along the Southern road to break in the the skills of Patrolling in easier ground than the grim northern forest, and to test the Dutchman's recovery, to determine if he is worth his pay or fit only for the poor house, which the poor are still engaged in rebuilding.
There is some surprise at the length of Councillor Volger's absence, as he expressed an interest in standing for the elections to fully legitimise the Council, which are to be held on the second Sunday in April, while he returns at the end of March. However it transpires that on this expedition he by chance discovered that his second hired man Franz von Meinhof, a Switzer, had as often served as Doctor, as ordinary soldier, and had then persuaded him to settle and remain in New Jerusalem which has need of such skilled persons, especially since the only other trained person in this field is a woman, Prudence Wolff, who in addition has been reluctant to practice since an unfortunate misunderstanding with the Council of the Faith a few years back. Doctor von Meinhoff presents his credentials to a special meeting of the council, and is speedily granted permission to employ his skills in the town.
While the anticipated scourge of famine did not strike, it cannot be denied that many a belt reached a new and unfamiliar notch, pangs of hunger taking many minds off their true course in life, of honest labour to eventual prosperity, who feel inclined to try to shorten life's apprenticeship trials by seeking a more direct route to comfort. Upon the first of the month Lotte Luuk and Axel Gr enmist are prevailed upon by sundry ne'er-do-wells to take them into the wild southern hills, expecting to gain as rich a reward as these two (amongst others) did some years ago in that region. r That greed is a hellish snare for the unwary soul is amply revealed when, before a full week is up a much reduced party staggers home two short, bereft of baggage and animals, to tell of horrifying sights of evil and abomination in the crag-clinging ruined castle of past ill-reports; of one burned by Hellfire in a confrontation with demons; valuable animals stolen for slaughter in dark rites; of men dying in the attempt to recover them; and nameless threats and warnings. So the surviving newcomer spoke, and swore off such soul-imperiling ventures, speaking of now harbouring no greater longing for riches than a patch of turnips to call his own. Several of his listeners wish him the Lord's favour in this proper and responsible course - others however depart speaking of how they would have fared... Meanwhile the more responsible members of this ill-fated venture seek out Councillor Volger, and old comrade with much experience in such matters.
By this time Councillor Volger is deeply involved in the difficult business of remaining so titled. His presentation as as a candidate for Guild Councillor is strong - both his recent record and successful business arguing for him as much as the meetings and discussions held in the inns of the town. Surprisingly though there is another candidate from the Clothier's guild, Franz Hoffmann, of the Southside tailor family also presents himself, in effect (though unspoken) as opposition to Volger for guilds rarely so split their votes lest an outsider take a `safe' chair at the council table. While Volger speaks of his past record as a councillor, and of the need to keep New Jerusalem prosperous and strong in the face of the threat of the Evildoers outside, Hoffmann represents the more conservative element stressing the traditional virtues of a hard working man purely holding the business of the town in interest, always available to do his duty.
A fellow of Volger's also stands for election, Luther Brock, as Landholder. He too advocates strength of course as a member of the Volunteer Patrol and de facto second-in- command to his good friend Captain Gerhardt. However the major part of his appeal is based upon the continuous series of boisterous entertainments he provides in the week running up to the election, and the promises of celebration upon his victory. This naturally makes him a popular candidate especially in the current straightened circumstances. The more sober however are less swayed by his open handedness, wondering what such a person would be like in control of the town's purse-strings.
The election takes place upon Sunday the 7th, most speaking their decision upon the rostrum in the Marketplace after morning worship, where prayers were made that a good and true council should be elected that day. In the event there are few surprises, though Ezekial Himmler, potter in the Westgate stands and just succeeds as a trade councillor on an anti-adventuring platform, a son being one of those dead in the carnage at the castle though this is the only proclaimedly conservative success, Franz Hoffman coming a poor sixth in the Guild places and therefor not gaining a position (Gustav Volger being a reasonble fourth). The place formerly held by the foundry and goldsmith group (depleted by fire and emigration) is lost to Hugo Schultz elected by the grouping of Lawyers, Scriveners, and Printers.
The Council, April 1641.
Trade: Ernst Gerbier (Baker, Southside) Franz Stein
(Barber, Temple), Ezekial Himmler (Potter, Westgate) Karl Schroeder
(Innkeeper (Breast of Gold), Westgate).
Guild: Fritz Hoffman (Merchant, Merchantile), Hugo Schultz
(Lawyer, Temple), Stefan Gerhardt (Architect, Market), Gustav
Volger (Tailor, Merchantile), Wilhelm Brecht (Armourer, Merchantile).
Landholder: Karl Fisher (Landholder), Luther Richter (Landholder),
William Heinz (Landholder), Johan Schultz (Landholder).
Householder: Fritz Ullman (Landholder).
No sooner were the elections over than Councillor Volger turned his attention to the problems of demonic infestation that have caused his fellow explorers-of-things-best-left-alone so much bother and lost not a few their lives and souls. The Councillor, with bow-weilding Lotte Luuk, lawyer's clerk Axel Gr enmist, and various hangers-on headed south-east into the waste to face Satan once more. The foolish and superstitious, finding significance in coincidence rather than trusting the solid truth of scripture and hard toil, nodded as if sagely when their return on the 13th, Saturday, did not bring good news; Gr enmist looking particularly battered and one Ulric Kane altogether lost to the abominable forces that had already claimed three lives despite the councillor's best efforts. Such results further pointed out that those who seek their fortune in the dark and dank recesses of the world rather than by honest sweated toil in the Lord's good sunshine, run hideous risks whoever's company they keep.
While some squandered their lives fruitlessly, others pledged them to the good of the town, as the expansion of the Town Guard and the creation of the Town Guard Gunners went ahead. A notable recruit was Praise-the-Lord Grimmelshausen, whose proven skill with the halberd to the detriment of Mischief's evil plans it is hoped will be translated to the guns he now tends, to the bane of all that flaps across New Jerusalem's skies.
Admitting to be worried by his lesser companions' performance Councillor Volger took on a degree of responsibility for their welfare, and decided to lead a party of exploration to easier ground than Hell's Mouth. With Gr enmist and survivors of the earlier ventures of the year he led a patrol down the trade road, a worthy deed for a councillor contributing as it did to the security of the merchant trains upon which the prosperity of the town depends. The group returned intact, the first so to do this year, the newcomers babbling of scores of different abominations seen in numbers sufficient to pose grave threat to the wagons. But by the Lord's grace evil is set at each other's throats as is so often the case, r the spawn of darkness being more concerned with battles amongst themselves than to interfere with the lifeblood of the town.
With the flood of new ideas and doctrine into town on the fall of the Temple has come doubt, uncertainty and confusion. Many differing voices, and as many opinions thundered forth from the pulpits during the spring months, some voices fell on stony ground, others on far too fertile, so that early the month the Guard was required to restore order on several occasions. The Captain issued warnings that church worship would in future be conducted in seemly manner and that any who preached up a riot, or incited the breaking of the laws of the town would answer as any plotter against the natural order of things. By this the Captain refered to those who argued that the levelling of the town by fire was a sign from above that all men should be regarded as level equals having been reduced to common estate (which is to say none) by the flames.
The Council is known to take a grave view of the problem of the uncontrolled preachers (there have even been scuffles between aspiring preachers at the foot of the pulpit to decide who was to preach) and Preacher Grimmelhausen, of the Temple, has spent much time in deliberation and discussion of how to re-establish the church and preachers without allowing the abuses that lead to its overthrow a year ago.
Since the great fire Dethorm Muller, once owner with Beren Gerhardt of the Giant's Head inn has been unable to raise funds to restart operations on his own, Gerhardt having gone on to better things as Captain of the Volunteer Patrol. He finally found a partner in the new generation of adventurers (both he and Gerhardt having won their fortunes in the early 1630's with the first). Axel Größenmist joined him in trade, something of a step down for a Guildsman and lawyer to boot, but by appearances so far he has not been soiling his hands with the labour of the business, having both his profession and being inclined to gallivant upon a horse in the wilds. Most likely he acts as a financial backer taking the fruits of his partner's labour. Several wits have commented that it is often thus with the lawyers, that they cost more in the long run than they earn those who use them, much like any usurer. The source of the Boar of the name is not known, but on one wall hangs a gigantic feather, trophy of a demon fallen to the lawyer's skill with the musket.
The Patrol Following discussions with Captain of the Volunteer Patrol Gerhardt, Councillor Volger and Axel Größenmist set out on Monday the 3rd to patrol with the support of a foot party of an outland caravan guard, Guardsman Gunner Praise-the-Lord Grimmelshausen, and hunter and occasional preacher of the free pulpit Elijah Richter.
News of the return of the mounted pair without their comrades late on the 12th had barely had time to circulate the next day, when ill-conceived speculation was cut short as the two hurried about t town arranging supplies to extend the duration of their patrol. They indicated that the others of the party awaited them safe and whole, but refused to say why the patrol was extended. Their urgency about their business was demonstrated by their departure as the gates opened on Sunday without having attended the Lord's House on the day of worship, in peril of their souls for breaking the Sabbath. Even after the return of the full group on the nineteenth little was gleaned from them, their proceedings being the subject of report to Captain Gerhardt and the Town Council.
Tales of the Riverbank Only a few days passed before three members of the previous party; Grimmelshausen, Größenmist and Richter - away from the responsible and moderating influence of Councillor Volger - determined to explore a length of the River Jordan upon the unsafe conveyance of a raft such as used by the more reckless to transport goods and livestock across the river between fields that lie far from the bridge. Gunner Grimmelshausen was thought to have been exploring also possibilities of mounting small cannon on such rafts to render more flexible the defences, at least for the fields along the river, and wished to determine the craft's stability by trial in more extreme conditions than met in the well ordered waters about New Jerusalem. This being the case it is strange that Axel Größenmist, rather than the Guard, should have supplied funds for the purchase which took place via the agency of the one-armed dutchman, van Rijn, from lands of the west once so sinful that only now do the floodwaters retreat before the piety of its Protestant inhabi tants who have fought the wrongs and tyranny of Rome's minions for many years aboard such vessels. More strange yet was the load of digging implements brought aboard when the three set out, eastwards and upstream along the river. Those with long memories for folly recall a similar departure some six years ago when a raft followed the Jordan downstream, to meet some rapid, unspecified end of which the surviving member of the trip, Bungo Belter, still refuses to talk.
Despite the precedent and gloomy predictions of the inevitable watery fate of those who go abroad on the river, especially in armour, all floated back, alive and on top of the raft. Unlike their predicessors their efforts seem to have proven successful and they are now some Marks richer for little more labour than undertaken by a worker in the fields digging for an afternoon. While it may seem strange that so little toil should be so rewarded, while others may labour all their lives and still struggle to make a living, it should be obvious on further thought that Praise-the-Lord Grimmelshausen received reward for his heroic deeds with the halberd, and Elijah for his charity in supplying his fellow townsfolk with food from his hunting in their time of need after the fire. Of course both being good christian men, having in days past received Certificates from the Church and Richter becoming increasingly known for his thoughtful sermons (unlike some of his fellow preachers recently), neither asked reward for doing their duty thus were fit to receive earthly reward without prejudice to their chances of true reward in the life to come. As for Größenmist, he cast his bread upon the waters in his support for this venture, and as is promised saw it come back ten-fold.
At the Council meeting of Sunday 7th, Captain Gerhardt made report of the expedition mounted in June. He reported that for some time responsible persons within the group of explorers have been concerned about the progress of one of the inter-necine wars betweens bands of imps, fiends and abominations in the grim northern forest and the mountains beyond. While it is of the nature of the perverted creatures of the great Enemy of Man to indulge in dispute, strife and slaughter, in proud rejection of the peace and forgiveness of the Lord, one group was noticably more organised and efficient than any other, and threatens to inflict a peace upon all which, the Captain said, could only be to the detriment of the cause of righteousness, and the fortunes of the town.
In the discussion that followed it became clear that despite the presence of their fellow councillor, Gustav Volger, in the reporting party and his further detailing of his view of the threat posed by these creatures of Satan, few were seriously concerned by the squabbles of things that hide in the woods while the town has the protection of the Town Guard and the Master Gunner's specially trained crews. Some councillors hinted that this warning was exaggerated as a manoeuvre to gain further funds for the Volunteer Patrol and the Guard, while Ezekiel Himmler seemed to express doubts as to the existance of any threat, none in town having ever seen so exotic a manifestation of evil as the legions of tall, golden armoured, green demons as spoken of by both Captain and Councillor. When however Councillor Volger reminded him that he had personally encountered such things Himmler assured him that he had not meant to doubt the word of a fellow councillor, merely to question whether such evil would dare to approach the town, and apologised for his poor phrasing.
Later in the week after the council meeting Volger led another party north, undoubtedly to gather further evidence of the threat he believes to hang over the town. With him were several other concerned persons, Größenmist and Luuk, both regular companions, Elijah Richter, while their concern brings Albrecht Durer (an occasional explorer of some years ago) and Dethorm Muller (of The Boar & Quill) out of retirement.
As has often been the case of late, a couple of days after the departure Größenmist returned alone to obtain equipment, and warn of a rising of hostile forces in the darker shadows of the forest, a warning reinforced by wounds to his horse which though light were nearly fatal for both. Only Größenmist's skill as a horseman having saved him from the ambuscade which separated him from others of the party, though he believed them to be safe. Despite such dangers and again in breach of the Sabbath he set out once more on the 14th to discover their fate.
In addition to this disregard for holy writ, shocking behavior in a person who, at least in his guise of a lawyer's clerk should be a pillar of respectability, the town was further outraged upon the Monday to learn of detestable happenings in the Westgate where Casper Schmitt, a landholder of moderate but respectable means, made accusation of witchcraft most foul against Martina Himmler, a disreputable person who has often spent time in the poorhouse for begging. He had driven her from his door where in addition to once t more falling into her old habits she had terrified the servants with threats in the form of warnings of what would happen to those who refuded the poor what she termed in her presumption and wickedness "Christian charity". Having quite properly whipped her away down the street for this behavior, that night Schmitt's household was terrified by banging on the topmost shutters, movements and the scrabbling of claws upon the roof as nameless things (for none saw them) sought entrance, being only driven off when the family gathered in one room to spend the night chanting psalms, and praying together. As soon as dawn came and the things of the night were doubly banished report was made to passing Guardsmen who then sought out and detained the accused witch. On being brought before the Captain of the Guard's court however it was realised that the Council has enacted no statutes against trafficing with spirits to replace those that state that any such miscreant should be handed over to the now non-existant Council of the Faith for investigation and punishment. The witch of course then claimed that even were she guilty (which she denied as do all of Satan's lying servants) she should be freed, there being none fit to investiate her. Captain Pfifer saw his duty plain and held her on his own responsibility until an emergency council meeting could decide what steps to take, for obviously the town may not remain unprotected against the machinations and quick tongues of such people.
Tuesday produced further shocks with the return of the councillor's patrol in the early evening, word being sent ahead of them upon their arrival at the edge of the fields for Preacher Righteous Grimmelshausen to attend the Councillor's residence (for some reason he has remained in Wolff's barn despite the return of most of the town's population to shelter within the town walls). Later Prudence Wolff the Physician was also called, apparently to treat Lotte Luuk who in turn was later seen at the doctor's house on her own and then in the company of Preacher Grimmelshausen.
Early next day the whole party emerged, with the Preacher, from the Temple buildings. No sooner had he left them than an astonishing argument broke out between Councilor Volger and Größenmist on one hand and Luuk on the other. An incredulous crowd followed behind them as they walked to Größenmist's house, and listened to a story of a descent into the very Pit itself by all save Luuk and Durer who were abandoned to guard the riches left behind by Größenmist and the Councillor in the confines of a ruined, haunted, idolatorous church some way to the north of the town in the middle of the scarcely less haunted forest; of an unexpected return and ill-will between the two groups; Volger's hound not knowing his master; of Luuk and Durer's guarding the Councillor's treasure by stealing the horses; warnings given, and ignored; and shots fired on Durer and Luuk by Volger and Größenmist respectively, in defence of their property they claim; of the Councillor's horse seriously injured by one shot, the other ball lodging in Luuk's arm to her considerable discomforture. She threatened Volger that she would warn all planning to leave town with him of his murderous disregard for friends and allies in his concern for material wealth, while he warned her of his power as a councillor should she speak against him, and of Größenmist's power as a lawyer similarly. Suddenly having noticed those attending their every word the trio passed into Größenmist's and the r door firmly shut, though not before Luuk's raised voice was again heard.
The furore occasioned by the public disagreement between Lotte Luuk, Councillor Volger and Axel Größenmist, died away when no further action was taken by any of the parties. Lotte Luuk retired from public view having purchased a quantity of medicinal substances from the Breast of Gold - her earlier remarks being put down, therefore, to fever induced by those wounds, though none doubt Councillor Volger's standing much enhanced by his resolute defence of his property.
The day after the disagreement, Axel Größenmist set out north again in the company of two fellows, Johan Schwartz and Olaf Hankil, to complete some business left unfinished by the speedy return of the previous expedition. The ill nature of the haunted place they were to visit again cursed the enterprise, for only Größenmist and Schwartz returned, bearing a story of an ambush and their companion borne away by the green abominations of which Patrol Captain Gerhardt and Councillor Volger had lately warned. The Volunteer Patrol, in the shape of the Captain and his close companion Luther Brock, undertook a cautious investigation of the area but found themelves severely hampered by their horses in the thick woods, and found no trace of the missing man, as is mostly the case when a damned soul is siezed by demons.
An emergency meeting of the council on Sunday 21st considered the lamentable gap in law on the subject of witchcraft provided the councillors with plenty of opportunity to prove they were hot against such diabolical practices - so much so that most of the debate centred on punishment rather than the actual statutes to be provided against it. Councillors Hoffman and Volger had some difficulty in bringing their fellows to consideration of the fundamental problem, eventually however the form of words was set out, and the votes taken with the result that all trafficings with spirits are within the remit of the Town Guard, who may call upon expert knowledge of the church during any investigation (but only in an advisory capacity, to reassure those fearing a renewal of the excesses of the Calvinist Guard and Council of Faith). In summary the council have provided for the traditional penalty of death by burning at the stake for those who traffic with malific spirits, and stoning from the town for those lesser offences where malice and intercourse with the legions of hell cannot be proved - such as the disagreeable treatments of those elderly crones known as herb-wives.
The abduction, and undoubtedly grisly fate of his companion Hankill in no way councilled caution to Jacob Schwartz, and before the week had passed he departed town once more with a new associate to venture his life against chances of the fortune that fools think lies in the wild lands for the easy taking. This venture he lost only Roland Fodder, who had accompanied him, returned tired, hungry, and bereft of all posses sions save the clothes in which he stood, babbling of a desperate flight from hordes of gigantic pursuers of unspecified but dreadful form, which race Schwartz had lost, while Fodder had only survived t by divesting himself of all burden. Again the Volunteer Patrol undertook investiga tion, (rather more easily than before, the pursuit having taken place in open country) but found no trace of Schwartz, or his (presumed) captors. On being faced with this fact Fodder babbled out several more stories, the pursuers becoming larger and more numerous with each telling, until it became obvious that whatever had happened left him disordered of his wits, which supposition has been further confirmed by his manner since.
On the last day of July, Karl Leuter presented himself at the gates of the town and was admitted, his banishment (February 1639) on order of the Council of the Faith no longer valid. Having negotiated this hurdle he then presented his claim on the relief fund set up by the council for victims of the old church's excesses. While there could be no doubt that Leuter was indeed a victim, having been stoned out of the town for claiming the Council of the Faith to be self-serving rather than interested in the true spiritual welfare of the people - a charge since well substantiated - his claim caused somewhat of a stir amounting as it did to 1,000 Marks, while few other claims on the fund have been for more than 50M and none over 100M.
The claim was considered at the regular council meeting at the start of August by which time several of the more business minded councillors had come to the conclusion that such a claim was rightful under the provisions of the announcement of the fund (set up from the emergency tax levied on the families of leaders of the rebellion fleeing the town) and that he could, having been a person of substance before his exile, have rightfully made far greater claim. The Council therefor agreed to meet the claim in full.
Presented at the meeting were Preacher Grimmelshausen's proposals for the regulation of the church. These were to be considered by the councillors over the coming month.
Mid morning of the 19th of August during the delivery of powder to the town store a sudden confusion and agitation broke out, much to the distress of those in the Southside living about the building, who are sensitive to possible danger from the existence of a large quantity of powder in their proximity. The problem however turned out to be the fact that the quantity in question was not so large as it should be - for when barrels were being moved to make room for the new delivery some that should have been full were empty!
To prevent (or at least reduce) panic Master Gunner van der Lubbe announced immediately he completed an inspection and accounting that "only'' five barrels were missing, and that investigations were underway - as everyone soon became aware when a house-to-house search started mid-afternoon, and continued well into the next morning. It was so extensive that as well as the full Town Guard and Gunners, Councilors and `reliable persons of good standing' were also included in the search parties. It was also unsuccessful.
Despite the Master Gunner's assurances the notion of five barrels of powder being unaccounted for caused considerable disquiet, this being some thousand times the amount of powder legally held (five shots per gun) in private hands. Rumour spread that there was something unnatural about the disappearance of this vast quantity, in that it was held in a locked room with a single entrance and no window, the passage leading to it being guarded at all times, day and night, keys being held by no more than five people and all accounted for. Many question how the powder could possibly disappear, not least of them the Master Gunner who most energetically pursued his enquiries in subsequent weeks, arranging further searches, and indeed by his investigation narrowing the disappearance down to a period of five days between the regular whitewashing of the powder room when all the barrels were moved, and had their proper weights, and the delivery that occasioned the discovery. But further than that he was unable proceed.
As to who performed the deed many theories existed. None doubted that the author of evil, the old Serpent, was closely involved, and indeed in view of the mysterious method of the crime, might have provided the means were He not personally present. His agents however proved less easy to detect. Some point to noticable absences from town at the time of the discovery - two parties of explorers, one of minor names in the adventuring circle who departed southwards on the very morning of the discovery, but they had insufficient load to account for five barrels of powder nor even five shots, and no beasts of burden. Even so they are questioned closely upon their return on the 27th, the day after other party.
This comprised the old association of Councillor Volger, Axel Größenmist and Lotte Luuk, now reconciled, and one Deiter Weissman. Who the councillor suspected was made perfectly clear when, on being told the grim tidings, he staggered back thunderstruck and gasped out
'It's Neumann, he's going to blow us all up, I've been waiting for their move.'
and immediately ordered a search of the environs of Wolff's Barn where he has lived in the fields since the great fire last year. He also gave warning that any approaching the barn after dusk would be fired on without hesitation or warning, and hired guards for his further security. Subsequently he also had orders drafted for the Town Guard to conduct a search of the immediate area about the site of council meetings, stating more formally his belief that the Council of Faith, or its agents and supporters was behind the loss of the powder and that it will be used in the event of an attempt to restore the old tyrrany.
On the 4th Doctor von Meinhoff, the Switzer physician surprised many who had forgotten his appearance in town by leaving of an early morning, armoured and in the company of Gunner Praise-the-Lord Grimmelshausen, and Axel Größenmist. Such an odd company occasioned much comment and several persons resolved to return their custom to the old Doctor, Prudence Wolf, who while a woman, shows no distressing tendencies to leave town without warning when she should be attending her patients. Unfortunately she has frequently been seen escorted to Church by Doctor Von Meinhoff so the change may not have as much effect as hoped.
No sooner has the Doctor's expedition returned, on Sunday, and marched straight into church though begrimed by travel, and still beweaponed, which argues that not all might have gone as these people hoped, than Councillor Volger set about the organising of a large party to set forth in a punitive raid to destroy a particularly venemous nest of servents of the common enemy of Man. Most of those commonly labeled 'adventurer' are present: the Councillor, Axel Größenmist, Luther Brock all as Volunteer Patrol, supported on foot by Lotte Luuk, and many of the second and third rank delvers and explorers. In all thirteen persons set forth, an inauspicious number for a party set upon the Lord's work so it was to prove.
On a several occasions an unknown and unrecognised person appeared in crowded places such as the market, and the gates as workers returned from the fields preaching the message "The Lord is Coming". While none would argue with this message for surely the Lord will come on Judgement Day, there was some suspicion amongst the Town Guardsmen who heard this message that perhaps He was not the Lord referred to, a suspicion held confirmed when the preacher evaded them in the crowds as they sought to clarify his message. There having been no repetition of these appearances in the months since it seems likely that either a passing case of possesion, or more likely a foreigner and troublemaker, presumably a wagon train guard or similar, was responsible.
The Council meeting of the 6th accepted and confirmed Preacher Grimmelshausen's proposals for the future regulation of the Church which will be implemented as soon as possible to regularise the unsatisfactorily chaotic situation of the last year or more. In summary these provide for a two tier system of licencing of preachers, with a Certificate of Divinity from the Church (roughly equivalent to the old Certificate of Orthodoxy) to ensure that only the Truth shall be preached, and a Licence to Preach from the Town Council so that only persons in good standing in the town shall be permitted to preach. In addition, only a limited number of persons will gain their living from the church - one full-time Minister, elected by a parish assembly, and warden and constable, to look after the fabric and the people of the church respectively. In all it is a return to the old system, with certain stronger controls, that prevailed before the rise of the Council of Faith and their henchmen in the Calvinist Guard.
The day after the council meeting, Councillor Volger's party returned, having sustained some minor losses and not achieved their goal beyond returning a couple of the imps known commonly as hobgoblins to their fiery origins, though at cost of the horse that Councillor Volger has at times past been at pains to preserve - a lesson in the true worthlessness of material possessions that many could do with taking to heart. The Councillor however is soon seen arranging the purchase of yet another warhorse at great expence from the western lands. For, if no other reason, his unhorsing left the Volunteer Patrol reduced to only some four active members, of its assigned maximum of twelve.
The low numbers of volunteers for the Patrol, more indicative perhaps of the cost of a mount than lack of willingness on the part of the Godly folk of New Jerusalem to take the fight against evil into the body of the Enemy's earthly territory, has been a vexation to Captain Gerhardt for some time. At the time of Councillor Volger's loss the roll of volunteers stood at: Luther Brock (honorary Sergeant), Pieter van Rijn, Gustav Volger and Axel Gr enmist, along with the good Captain himself. However no sooner had the Councillor completed his transactions with the merchants than the difficulty was somewhat alleviated when Karl Pfifer and Fritz Schwartz volunteered.
Of them Karl Pfifer had some little experience of conditions out of town, having nearly met his end at the hand of a wight of the forest in an act of youthful rashness, from which he was so fortunate to be rescued by the Volgers (for in those distant days of 1637 both man and wife went forth to do execution to the Lord's enemies), Lotte Luuk, not to mention the late hero of the Temple's storming Henryk Wolf, amongst other less well known names (several subsequently lost to the dark - a warning that few will ever see profit of such pastimes). While for many years thereafter Pfifer behaved as becomes a dutiful son, attending to his family's fields with the death of his elder brothers one by one, by fever, fire and fighting over subsequent years he inherited the family lands on the death of his father over the summer, immediately announcing to his startled relations that his promises of obedience lapsed with the death, and that henceforth he would devote a greater proportion of his life to the active fight against evil, and carry the battle to the enemy, yea even unto the very gates of Satan's fortress. While this may be a good intention in itself, several members of his family seemed to feel that Christian Duty and obedience of the commandment stretched beyond mere earthly bounds, and certainly should not be broken to the extent of selling family holdings to pay for armour, weapons and steed to meet the requirements of the Patrol.
The rest of the year is quiet, all being too occupied with the business of storing the harvest, brewing ale and cider for the winter and generally laying down stocks ready for the siege of winter, to turn a hand to mischief in or out of town.