Franz Lohner's Chronicle - Quiet, but No Peace

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.

I’d like to be able to say that things have calmed down a bit around here, and I suppose it’s true because it’s definitely quiet these days. Problem is, that quiet carries what my old mother would have called “a bit of an atmosphere”.

Years ago, I was out on the Stirland-Averland border with a bunch of mates. You see, the elector count of Stirland had heard rumblings of something unpleasant stirring in the neighbouring province - don’t let anyone fool you, those electors are always skirmishing over anything worth anything - and had a bunch of mercenaries man the fortifications along the river, just to keep his opposite number honest.

Only problem was, the count of Averland had exactly the same idea. So for weeks and weeks, thousands of us were staring across the river at men and women just like us. Not with malice, exactly, but wondering if malice might be called for, and without any damn idea of when we’d go at it with hammer and sword. Took weeks for that mess to blow itself out. Never came to an official war, exactly, but there were plenty of bodies floating downriver along the way. When everyone’s expecting a fight, you get one.

That’s what this feels like to me. It’s not a natural calm, but whether it’s gonna lead to a storm or to something less provocative, I haven’t the foggiest. I’ve tried talking to Olesya about it, but she just muttered something unintelligible and sardonic in kislevite kislevarin and went back to her athenor. Catrinne’s no help. She barely comes out of her attic these days, and what paintings I’ve seen are thick with darkness that can only come from within.

And Hedda? Well, she’s stopped by now and then to see her old dad, which at least seems to lift his mood. But she’s still a newcomer to this lot. I wouldn’t want to go having opinions in her place, and whatever thoughts she has about the Ubersreik Five she’s keeping to herself.

And crumbling old coward I am, that’s what I’m doing and all. This situation calls for leadership, but Sigmar help me I just don’t seem to be able to step up and show any. So much for the great Franz Lohner. So much for the Ubersreik Five and all, if this keeps on.

What a mess.

Still, I suppose it could be worse.

I mean, it can always be worse, right?