A concert for the Archduke…

The Archduke, Otto Fritz von Hesseburg, looked out across the grounds of his new home, Schloss Hesseburg. He had come a long way since his days ruling the tiny Burgraviate of Altefritzenburg. His close relationship with Oberstgeneral Seamus Günter von Donovan and his Legion, the Savage Swans, had seen his army expand beyond all expectation and see fighting across Europe, far into Grenouisse as paid mercenaries, and across the southern seas to fight in Byzarbia and further south in that dark continent. The Savage Swans had proved valiant allies in his endeavours and the new larger Legion still served Altefritzenburg loyally. He pondered on the many campaigns fought alongside Braunschweig and how, after the defeat at Pescadrix, their treachery and scheming with the forces of Britannia had led to the Archduke suffering a great loss. When he travelled to Britannia his greatest joy was to see Sir Archibald Bax, the greatest keyboardist of the century, perform. As relations between Britannia and Altefritzenburg decayed following the treachery after Pescadrix that joy was no longer available and it almost broke his heart…

But now things had changed. The growing strength of Altefritzenburg and recent campaign successes and seen an opening of diplomatic channels as the influence of Braunchsweig at the Britannic Court waned. And one unexpected outcome of this was a request from Sir Archibald Bax to perform for his old friend. It was clear that Britannia would want something in return for this honour but for now this was too good a chance to miss.

Sir Archibald brought his own musicians to accompany him but the concert would also see the great Altefritzenburg singer Frau Maria von Schwielig perform alongside the great flautist Jakob von Gälweig. The party had arrived in relative secrecy as it was known agents of Braunschweig would see this event as bad for their relationship with Britannia. The Archduke chose to wait until the day of the concert before meeting Sir Archibald but the musicians rehearsed in the woods in the extensive grounds occasionally watched by the Archduke’s advisers.

The grounds of the Schloss contained ancient ruins and Otto had decided that these would provide a suitably epic backdrop to what was for him a very special moment.

And so the day arrived and the guests arrived. The nobility of Altefritzenburg gathered round tables with ruins around them and awaited the arrival of the musicians.

First to perform were Frau Maria von Schwielig and Jakob von Gälweig.

Then the string quartet joined them. Four of the finest musicians in Britannia.

And now the moment the Archduke had longed for. The clavichord was put in place and Sir Archibald Bax began his performance. The Archduke was enthralled, as were the nobility. The performance was all he could have hoped for.

As the final piece approached it’s finale Otto moved closer to savour the moment and the audience listened intently.

The concert finally came to an end. The Archduke was stunned by the performance. It was all he had hoped. Whatever Britannia might ask in return would be worth the cost. He looked down at Sir Archibald, smiled, and whispered under his breath, ‘Mein Lieber Archie’.

NB. I’ve amended the text after someone pointed out that Archie was playing a clavichord not a harpsichord. And that it would be quite quiet and unsuitable for being accompanied by other instruments and definitely too quiet for an outside concert… I’ve tried to source a 28mm harpsichord but with no joy. I can find a 1/48th but that may be too big. And then I’d either have to remove the Archie figure I have or buy and paint another. And then have a spare clavichord… Not sure I can be arsed. Especially as no one seems to have got my Liberace joke…