Hilde and her crew had very little to do today, while Oskar was taking care of his arrangements and Polk was doing whatever it is that Polk was doing today. Belynda tended to her mistress’ hair, and then they all decided to go out and do some shopping. Trangdor was keen to go along as … Continue reading An Applewood Gallows; Chapter 8

Oskar plotted his moves carefully for the morning as he drifted off to sleep. He would have to choose his words carefully, but he was his father’s son when it came to cautious wordplay. A lifetime of military service and total immersion in the politics of the army hierarchy had readied him for this. It … Continue reading An Applewood Gallows; Chapter 7

A murmur of agreement ran around the table. Sebastien Deckler was the weak link in the chain. Oskar and Hilde were not comfortable confronting their father with mere suspicion, but if they could get solid information from Major Deckler, then they would have something that they could ask their father about. Getting a straight answer … Continue reading An Applewood Gallows; Chapter 6

The sinister quartet arrived at Oskar’s apartment, and were grateful to be out of the cloud-induced chill that was settling in across Jordrakenschloss. Oskar had left his windows closed, and his cat was eager to escape into the night to engage in feline festivities. After meowling plaintively for a few minutes and getting at least … Continue reading An Applewood Gallows; Chapter 5

The outer waiting area of this office was a mirror image to the one next door, but instead of a high little desk with a kobold serving as receptionist, there was a large, low desk with a smiling, middle-aged human female. There were other people waiting here, too, and they seemed to represent a wide … Continue reading An Applewood Gallows; Chapter 4

The sun began intruding into the windows of the Harpy Nest and found the occupants of room 304 still fast asleep. Trangdor was the first to awaken, and he dressed quietly while the women still snoozed. He patted Cinder on the head on his way out the door, and with his newly finished book under … Continue reading An Applewood Gallows; Chapter 3

Even before his sister started talking, Oskar knew he needed something stronger than apple brandy for what he was about to hear. Given a choice, Oskar probably would have preferred to have not heard anything about his father, either good or bad, but as his sister spoke, choosing her words carefully and with clear consternation, … Continue reading An Applewood Gallows; Chapter 2

Lieutenant Colonel Oskar von Vorkel had just finished up his work for the day, when a valet from the Royal Palace entered the room filled with desks that sat in the heart of the Army High Command. With the valet was one of Oskar’s younger sisters, Hilde, and a dwarf and a xvart that Oskar … Continue reading An Applewood Gallows; Chapter 1