ALTDORF (The Forest Knights: Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

impossible, Lord Otto. The Sturmritter are suppressing a revolt in Schwabia at the moment.”
    Otto eyed Leopold with an odd mix of loathing and pride. “A peasant revolt. Hardly a situation to warrant the use of the Sturmritter.”
    “But a strategic location that is crucial to Austria. When they are finished their work in Schwabia I am sure my brother will make them available to your cause, if they are still required. In the meantime, surely all the soldiers of Austria, under your unfailing leadership, shall be sufficient to deal with Louis the Bavarian.”
    Leopold turned quickly from Otto before he could reply and addressed his brother directly. “Frederick, I need to speak with you on a topic of the utmost importance. Family matters.”
    Frederick caught Leopold’s hidden meaning, and ignoring the frustrated looks of the nobles in the room, gestured for his brother to follow him out the door. “Of course. Let us take a recess. Gentlemen, excuse us if you would.”
    They walked down the stone corridor to a smaller receiving room at the end of the hall. Fresh rushes covered the stone floor and a fire burned in the hearth, while a thick layer of smoke hovered, trapped near the top of the twelve-foot ceiling. Leopold reached to close the heavy door behind them, and was startled to see the Fool about to follow them in.
    Leopold held out his arm. “You can stay out there. I’ve seen enough of your painted face for one day,” he said and threw the door shut before the smiling little man could set even one of his pointed shoes over the threshold.
    “You have news of the assassin? Has he been found?” Frederick asked, unable to contain himself a second more.
    “I do have news of our cousin’s whereabouts, but it is only a tip—nothing more. I was on my way to investigate when I heard you were to meet with the nobles alone.”
    Frederick placed his hand on his brother’s shoulder and let out a long breath. The tension in him eased somewhat.
    “And I am thankful you are here. Word is the German Princes are favoring Louis for the throne and our supporters are calling for an immediate show of force. But how can I march on Louis? He has been our friend since childhood.”
    “It is not Louis, but the Princes who are behind this. They fear Habsburg power—it has always been so. It was the same when our father came to power. He was not given the kingship, but had to take it, and now brother, you must do the same.”
    Frederick dropped into one of the intricately carved wooden chairs in front of the fire. “How goes work on the Altdorf citadel?”
    Leopold grunted. “It is little more than a mound of rubble at the moment. Certainly not a citadel. I need more workers. Speaking of which, I do not suppose…”
    “If I had men to spare they would be readying for battle, I am afraid,” Frederick said. “Not playing with stone and mallet.”
    Leopold’s jaw clenched, starting a tremor in the muscles under his cheekbones.
    “Traffic over the Gotthard Pass doubles every month with the recent improvements the Milanese have made on the Devil’s bridge over the Reuss. The Gotthard is now the fastest way for all Mediterranean merchants to traverse the Alps and trade with the Hanseatic League. Both the King of France and the Duke of Milan are scheming for its control. Protecting Habsburg land from their hungry eyes is hardly playing , brother.”
    Frederick let out a sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose between his fingers. He let his chin momentarily dip to his chest.
    “Forgive me, Leo. I am tired. I do not have the patience for these games. You should have been born the elder.”
    Leopold forced a laugh, but in truth a chill went through him at the thought of being King of the Holy Roman Empire. Having to deal with advisers and petty petitions from nobles and commoners alike, always in the midst of the conniving German princes. No, that was not a position to covet. “Nonsense. I work better behind the lines. You know