Annemarie set out the coffee service and left. But the question didn’t depart. It simply spread.
St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna
“I warned you,” Father Lamormaini said, and took a certain satisfaction in Gundaker von Liechtenstein’s clenched jaw. It was as much Liechtenstein’s fault as anyone’s. He should have been fighting against the marriage from the beginning, but his greed had blinded him to the threat. Just as Urban’s greed for the up-timers’ tools must have blinded him. The wisdom of Cardinal Borja—the new and legitimate pope, rather—was now obvious to any who were not blind.
“The question is what can be done about it.”
“The infection must be burned out, root and branch.” It was the first time Lamormaini had said that—even in his own mind—but as the words came out, he knew they were true. Ferdinand III had betrayed father, state, and church in his desire for transitory advantage. “The crown of the Holy Roman Empire must be wrested away from this unholy traitor to the faith, else the Holy Roman Empire will decay into permanent separate states. That was Satan’s goal in bringing the Sphere of Fire. They weaken us and destroy the natural order so that Islam can conquer Europe and put an end to the true church, condemning all mankind to heresy and perdition. It will take planning, Prince Gundaker, planning and care. But it must be done, and God will understand.”
“I have given oaths—”
“An oath to a heretic is no oath at all. Urban has fallen into heresy. He is followed into that heresy by the Father General of my own order and by Ferdinand III, and the royal house in Austria.”
“Leopold?”
“I don’t know, but can we risk it? The infant is too young to have been infected. Given a proper upbringing, Ferdinand IV will be the emperor. But in the meantime he will need a strong regent and the Liechtenstein family, once it too is cleansed of the infection, will make the perfect bulwark for the infant emperor.” Lamormaini let his voice shift from reasonable to severe. “But to be made ready, House Liechtenstein must itself be purified. Karl Eusebius must be eliminated.”
Lamormaini hid a smile. That was what Gundaker wanted now, most of all. Making it his duty, giving him the excuse, would make him accept the rest.
The Hofburg Palace, Vienna
The room still had the same expensive wallpaper and furniture, and each night the staff had cleaned. But it was midafternoon, and the tables were covered with papers and dishes of half-eaten food. Coffee, beer, and wine servers were out, and no one’s finery was still in good repair . . . except Judy’s.
There was a knock, and a servant came in with a note that was handed to Susan Logsden.
Susan read it and passed it to Judy, who passed it to Sarah, who passed it to Karl.
Karl read it.
People are asking if the offer to buy BarbieCo for silver at 10% over face value in Grantville applies here? What do I say?
Gayleen Sanderlin
Karl looked over at Susan and said, “I think we have to, don’t we?”
“Yes. But in Grantville we can buy plenty of silver out of funds on hand. It will take a while to get the silver shipped, unless . . .” Susan tuned to Moses. “Moses, how much can we borrow on BarbieCo assets in Grantville?”
“Excuse me, but what is in that message?” Gundaker asked.
Susan looked at Gundaker, but didn’t say anything.
“It’s a request for clarification, Uncle. When this all started, we sent Heather Mason instructions to buy up all the BarbieCo for silver at ten percent over face value.”
“Why?” asked Ferdinand III.
“To give people an out in case things blew up in our face,” Judy explained. “After we do that, those who don’t take us up on the offer have no complaint if it doesn’t work out.”
“And the clarification?” Ferdinand III asked.
“Gayleen Sanderlin is getting questions about whether that offer extends to people holding BarbieCo here.”
“And you feel you have to give them ten percent over the face value in silver?” Gundaker asked. “That’s insane!”
“No, Prince von Liechtenstein,” Sarah said. “That’s why barbies are considered better than reich money.”
“Let me get this straight. You are going to buy silver from my vaults, and pay it out at ten percent over the face value?”
“If we can borrow the reich money from Moses to do so, yes, Your Imperial Majesty,” said Susan Logsden. “If not, we’ll have to ship the silver in from Grantville.” Susan shrugged. “It will take a week or so.”
“Aren’t you going to run out of money?” Ferdinand III asked.