Franz Lohner’s Chronicle - Career Convection

An absent-minded man of mysteries, Franz Lohner relies on his bulging journal to keep track of occurrences, intrigues and arguments around Taal's Horn Keep. Sometimes his notes are even useful, believe it or not. The Franz Lohner Chronicles are extracts from that journal.

So, you might recall – or might not, depending on the order in which you’re filching the pages of this journal from me – that I said Sienna and Saltzpyre were having a right to-do the other day. I mean, that’s not unusual in and of itself. They’ve never seen eye to eye, let’s be honest, if only because Sienna has something of a two to one advantage in that regard. And of course, there’s the fact that she’s a heretical witch and he’s in the business of bringing such folk to “justice”. Bad blood at the best of times, but they had mellowed of late.

That is, until a courier arrives hot foot from Altdorf. When I say “hot foot” I mean it in the literal sense: feet afire with the aftermath of some sort of magical transposition. Took it all in stride, which is more than I can imagine myself doing with a pair of smouldering shoes, and asked to speak to Sienna. I don’t mind telling you I was already expecting mischief. It ain’t as though Sienna and the Bright College have gotten along terribly well over the years. More bad blood. I reckon she collects it. But in this case, I needn’t have worried.

You see, it turns out that with war brewing and magic in a state of flux, the Bright College are reaching out to their, ahem, brightest and best and trying to lure them back to Altdorf. The idea, I suppose, is to hand down the college’s scattered experience in as simple and efficient a way as possible. And if that means Altdorf has a few more senior flame heads to send out to defend the borders, then so much the better. Turns out, our Sienna – outcast though she is – is right at the top of their recruiting list. “Grand Maven of the Endless Conflagration” and “Dean of Cinders” they offered her, with the implicit promise that the matriarch’s chair itself would be hers in the proper time … whatever that means.

How did Sienna feel about that, you ask? Well, this brings me back to her argument with Saltzpyre. He certainly thinks she’s about to up sticks and relocate eastwards, leaving our merry band behind forever, and he ain’t at all happy about it. Says she’s shirking her duties in favour of pomp, privilege and the finest tailors east of the Grey Mountains. And honestly? That’s all I know. She’s not seen fit to discuss the matter with me, but I wouldn’t blame her if she did decide to stroll. There’s no future for us that isn’t knee deep in blood and ashes. Time was, Sienna didn’t want anything more. Maybe that’s still the case, maybe it ain’t, but it doesn’t change the fact the Ubersreik Five need her. I’m not taking her place, not with my knees.

Maybe I’d better have a word. Hopefully, she’s just angry at Saltzpyre’s attempts to interfere. Certainly the messenger’s already gone, so I can ask for his take on the matter. Kerillian. That’s who I need right now. IF anyone can convince Sienna to stay – if she was ever planning on leaving – it’s her.

Wish me luck.