Herr Österreich

A Knight in Rusted Armour

Roderich stepped out of the car and into the fresh air. His legs were still weak for disuse and so he used the side of the car to steady himself. He took a deep breath knowing he could not show even the slightest semblance of weakness when he entered the mansion that sprawled out in front of him. The driver of the car offered Roderich his crutches, which he still often used, but once more Roderich knew he could not use them and they were waved away. An old stone and moss covered pathway arched its leisurely way up to the elaborate house that one might be call a castle. The castle was in the same state of disrepair and the path, foliage encroached upon the place, reclaiming the land. knowing Basch, the interior desing likely hadn't changed much since the last time Roderich had visited the humble abode about 200 years ago. Basch didn't much enjoy change. Roderich completely understood the notion. He felt time was flying forward far too fast for him to comprehend these days. This world was not built for him. It was built for the young and energetic. Like Ludwig. He swallowed the man's name bitterly as though it was bile. Although Roderich had been sent to Basch's home by Ludwig as though he was a petty servant, now was not the time to think about all of the ways the young man had miss used him. Basch would sense the weakness.

Roderich's feet taped audibly against the stone trail as he made his way up to the large dark wooden doors that held entry to the castle. The brass and lion knocker that found itself in the front of the door sat idle. With one gloved hand Roderich grabbed the cool metal, rapped the knocker against the door. He waited a moment and heard scuffling in the distance. After while longer the door creaked open, a sliver of light pouring onto the ground and illuminated Roderich's face.

"Roderich? Get out of my country," Basch was as upfront as ever.

"Herr Schweiz," Roderich bowed his head respectively, "I have come on behalf of Herr Deutschland and our country men. I hope to broach terms with you. Preferably over a cup of tea and some sweet bread. I have traveled quite a long way and I grown tiered."

Basch snickered coldly, "Herr Schweiz? I hadn't entirely believed the rumors but you really have become Deutschland's servant? Nein, Herr Österreich, I will not waste my tea on you," He put an emphasis on Roderich's name that screamed of disdain.

Roderich pursed his lips. After all of these long years Basch still managed to once again know exactly where to hit him. Basch always knew where to hit Roderich to cause the greatest effect. After clearing his throat Roderich insisted, "These are terms of peace, Herr Schweiz. We wish for you to join us. If you do not we will be forced to destroy you just the same as Frankreich and England."

Basch sighed and said, "I am not scared of you, Roderich. You are nothing near terrifying nor am I scared of Deutschland. He is just a little boy that knows nothing of the world and you are just an old man who is to scared to fight his own battles. As to Frankreich and England, I'd be shocked if they found time in between bickering to fight Deutschland. They are not going to come after me and if they do I can easily hold them off," Basch began to close the fleeting crack of the door way, "I am remaining neutral, Roderich. I'm sorry. I am not going to be the one that saves you from the dragon's lair. Your knight in shining armour isn't me." The door shut with a deafening click. Rodrich stood dumbfounded, Basch's last word echoing over and over in his head to a constant rhythm. They raised new questions as well, ones that Roderich pondered as he stumbled back to the car. Saved from Ludwig's dragon lair? Did he want to be saved? Who would save him? Ths latter question was the most obvious. His knight in shining armour was and would always be Erzsébet. Could she save him from Ludwig? No. Did he want her too? As the driver opened the car door he asked Roderich what word he should send back to Herr Deutschland.

Roderich muttered, "Tell him I failed," he shifted uneasily under the words. He would be punished for his failure but he had known that when he was assigned this mission. Likely Ludwig's boss would force the punishment to be delivered by Ludwig himself. For some reason Ludwig's boss was under the assertion that he cared to greatly for Roderich. A few years ago Roderich may have agreed that they were friendly but now Ludwig avoided him constantly and treated him coldly. Roderich nodded hugging his arms close to himself in the back of the car as the world began to blur past him. Ja, he did want to be saved. Basch was right. He always was when it came to Roderich.
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Not the best opening story but it's what I posted... I'm sorry.