"He is regaining consciousness!" exclaimed Countess Fedorina. It had been a difficult 24 hours. After witnessing the shocking sight of seeing Major Schwarzkopf single handedly confront the Yamalian War Mammoth, Countess Fedorina had rushed towards the battle field, only to find her military hero collapsed and in the care of the elf healer, Lady Echinacea. It had taken a considerable effort to produce a recovery bed, and organise her staff to provide the Major with a 24 hour nursing. As an added touch, all of her employees and several neighbours had been on hand to welcome the Major's entourage onto the grounds of the estate, and into the Pripet Castle.

  Twelve Knights of the Wolf had set up tents in the courtyard. Lieutenant Hartmann, Lieutenant Meyer, and Lieutenant Jaeger had all been assigned rooms in the castle. The Analytical Engine was also parked in the courtyard, with its technicians camped next to the machine. Lady Echinacea and her assistants were staying in her carriage, parked behind the main building. Professor Babbage had returned to the University of Danzig, since Nicholas Meyer felt he had achieved a level of confidence with the operation of the machine.

  "Countess!" sputtered Major Schwarzkopf weakly. "Countess Fedorina. What happened? How did I get here?"

  "You are doing well, Maximilian. You are here to heal from your battle wounds. Your staff is with us, and your battalion has defeated Margaash. You are a hero, Max!" explained Countess Fedorina.

  Goldenrod Echinacea busied herself with closely monitoring the Major's breathing and body functions. She checked his bandages and inspected her patient's skin tones and eye movements. "How are you feeling, Major Schwarzkopf? You have been through a lot and we were worried about you."

  "I've been better, Lady Echinacea. Your presence here comforts me greatly. Your healing work with Lieutenant Michael was astonishing. How is he doing?" asked the Major.

  "Lieutenant Michael is doing fine, and so are the rest of your men, who are taking care of themselves and mostly returned back to their base camp. Your job is to heal yourself. Hartmann and Meyer will be by later, to update you on the status of your battalion."

  "Where is my sword?" asked Major Schwarzkopf.

  "That damn sword almost got you killed, Maximilian. I wish that I had never given it to you! I've locked it back up in the basement, and we will leave it there," answered Countess Fedorina.

  "It is a magnificent weapon, Fedorina. Nagalring decided that battle, in our favour. It was the difference between success and failure. I have never before experienced such power." Major Schwarzkopf was beginning to struggle with his words. His breathing was becoming laboured. Both the Countess and Lady Echinacea could sense his difficulties.

  "Why don't you just rest, Max," responded the Countess. "You have been through enough. Do you think that you could drink something? I can get one of my servants to bring you some tea."

  "Yes please, Countess."

  ___________________________________________________________________

  Countess Fedorina made her way into the courtyard, leaving Schwarzkopf in the care of Goldenrod Echinacea. It was a busy place with warhorses, Wolf Knights, Lieutenants, and the steaming Analytical Engine. Fedorina noticed that General Paulus and two of his staff were also paying a visit, and were engaged in conversation with Lieutenant Hartmann.

  "Welcome to the Pripet Castle, General Paulus! How thoughtful of you to visit Maximilian. He was speaking to us, just moments ago," explained Countess Fedorina.

  "I am greatly relieved to receive such news, Countess!" replied Paulus. "Is he in a condition to receive visitors? I have issues of great importance to discuss with Major Schwarzkopf, regarding the disposition of the hobgoblin army. There are also significant military developments from other parts of the Empire that will interest the Major."

  "General Paulus, I've almost lost Maximilian and he only just recovered enough to speak. I think that it is best you should give the man a day or two to recover! It's a miracle that we are not now making arrangements for his funeral. Surely there are others who can be consulted about these military matters?" implored the Countess.

  "Please accept my apologies, Countess Fedorina. Major Schwarzkopf has routed the hobgoblins, and for that the Holy Prussian army will be forever grateful. Kaiser Willhelm Fredrick himself has requested that I pass on his congratulations. I would also like to update the Major as to the fate of Margaash. Additionally, this morning, on our road to the Pripet castle, messengers from the army headquarters in Danzig have informed us of some serious developments on the northern front. It seems that the Northmen are on the move and inquiries have been made as to the availability of the 427th battalion, and its commander. But if all of this is too much, I can come back tomorrow."

  "I'm not dead yet, you old battle axe!" shouted Major Schwarzkopf, from the second floor balcony immediately above the courtyard. He looked wobbly, and was leaning against the railing to support himself, but he was upright. "Come on in, and I will meet you in the receiving room." Lady Goldenrod Echinacea was standing behind the Major, with a look of concern on her face.

  "Oh my lord!" shouted Countess Fedorina with great concern in her voice. "Is there nothing that will keep that man down?"

  Paulus and his staff, along with Countess Fedorina and Lieutenant Hartmann, made their way through the castle entrance doors. Schwarzkopf was gingerly descending the carpeted staircase, making full use of the hand railing. He presented quite a sight, with two sets of facial bandages and a pronounced limp. The elven healer was supporting his left arm. Schwarzkopf struggled across the floor of the reception hall and ingloriously collapsed into the seat at the head of the carved oaken meeting table.

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  "What can I do for you today, General Paulus?" began the injured Major.

  "Schwarzkopf, you are an inspiration to us all. I mean that," responded the regimental commander. "In my entire career, I have never seen such a battlefield display, by a single soldier, as what I witnessed yesterday afternoon on the Kaunas battlefield. What you did to that mammoth will never be equalled! You may be encouraged to know that not a scrap of that monster will be wasted. By evening yesterday, the beast was butchered and prepared for roasting! Fed the entire regiment, that mammoth!"

  "I bet it did, General Paulus. Margaash did not seek to interrupt the feasting, I trust?" inquired Major Schwarzkopf.

  "No! No indeed!" replied General Paulus. "Margaash won't be troubling anyone, ever again. That moment where that hobgoblin turned tail and ran is one that I will never forget. I never thought that I would ever in my life see such a thing. Slaughtering his beloved war mammoth, right from underneath him was more than he could take."

  "He seemed to recognise Nagalring, if my observations were correct, General Paulus," interjected Schwarzkopf. "I had the distinct feeling that he was familiar with the sword, and wanted no part in fighting it."

  "Not right after it had slain such a beast as that one," added Countess Fedorina, knowingly.

  "Yes, well, indeed," acknowledged General Paulus, although it was obvious that these two comments were somewhat confusing to the regimental commander. "Margaash's hasty retreat was not received well by his tribal chiefs. Last night they issued a challenge to their leader and butchered him just as effectively as the citizens of Kaunas butchered the mammoth! Our scouts have reported a 50 kilometre pull back of the hobgoblin defensive lines, and they are still moving towards the east!"

  The whole room erupted in applause. The hobgoblins had been plaguing the region for more than a decade. The thought of inflicting such a reverse in their fortunes was a huge relief for everyone hearing the news. Lieutenant Hartmann went to slap his commander on the back, but then thought better of it, and lightly patted him. Major Schwarzkopf allowed himself the luxury of a momentary smile of satisfaction, then returned to a more familiar state of focused concern. "You mentioned something about Northmen."

  "Indeed, Maximilian," responded General Paulus gravely. "On our way here, two of General Ludendorf's men gave us the news. The Northmen are on the move. Landings and raids are expected this summer, on the Jutland peninsula. The General Staff are concerned that a widespread invasion and campaign may be in the offing. There are reports from Islandia of Ice Dragon sightings, the first in one hundred years."

  "That sounds serious Paulus. What plans does Ludendorf have for the Flying Eagles then?" asked Major Schwarzkopf.

  "You'll be moving out, just as soon as you and your units have recovered from their battle wounds. Replacements are already on the way. Would two weeks be enough time to return to battle worthiness?" inquired General Paulus.

  "Two weeks? A soldiers work is never done, I suppose. Two weeks it is, just so long as my care givers think that I can be healed by then." Countess Fedorina looked horrified at the prospect, but Lady Echinacea gave a confident nod of approval. Schwarzkopf continued, "There is just one important detail to take care of, General Paulus, and like most things worth doing, there is no time like the present. I am very glad that you are all here to witness this." Major Schwarzkopf sat up as tall and stately as he could, given the circumstances, and turned towards Countess Fedorina. "Countess, I have been meaning to ask you a very important question, in front of all of these fine people. I would like to ask for your hand in marriage. Countess Fedorina, will you marry me?"

  Tears of joys immediately flooded the Countess's eyes, as well as the eyes of her attendants. Even the wise elven eyes of Goldenrod Echinacea glistened with moisture.

  "Oh my God, Maximilian, yesterday I thought that I had lost you! Of course I want to marry you! Yes! That is my answer." Once again, for the second time, the room rang out with happy applause.

  ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

  A date was set and arrangements were made. News of the wedding spread like wildfire across the Kaunas region. It was to be a double celebration, honouring both the marriage between the Countess and the Major, as well as commemorating the destruction of the hobgoblin army. The guest list was to include the richest and finest citizens from the length of the Blau river valley.

  Lieutenant Meyer was thrilled when he heard the news. The first thing he thought of was all of the uses he could conceive of for using the Analytical Engine to assist with the wedding preparations. Meyer, the Analytical Engine technicians, and the machine itself worked 14 hour days, printing out menus, recipes, ingredient lists, invitations, rehearsal instructions, ceremony scripts, and even wedding gown and bridesmaid dress patterns.

  Throughout the ten days of preparation time, the castle received an endless train of visitors. Planners, musicians, wedding cake artists, interior decorators, seamstresses and tailors, politicians, clerics, friends and nobility of every classification. Almost every one of them stopped to inspect and admire the Analytical Engine, and ask Nicholas Meyer about its purpose. It was the talk of the town.

  As the time of the wedding rapidly approached, Major Schwarzkopf was pleased to find himself returning to full strength under the magnificent care of Lady Echinacea. There was so much to do, but one thought that continually came to mind was the fate of his magnificent sword, Nagalring. Schwarzkopf was torn between not wanting to upset his wife to be's wedding preparations, and having a nagging desire to regain ownership of the incredible sword. At the very least he just wanted to see and touch the blade again, to make sure of its safety. One morning, he decided to raise the issue.

  "Countess Fedorina," began Major Schwarzkopf.

  "You really have to stop calling me that, Maximilian. Anastasia, please," responded The Countess.

  "Anastasia, I wonder if you might be open to returning the sword of Nagalring to my person? That weapon was most useful in the campaign versus the hobgoblins."

  "That beastly thing, Schwartzy!" responded Fedorina. "I have decided that I despise it, and won't permit the blade in my presence. If you must have it back, I will give it to you as a departing gift when you leave to campaign against those monstrous Northmen."

  "I guess that I won't be wearing the blade for our wedding ceremony then, my dear," extrapolated Maximilian.

  "Definitely not! That weapon has no place amongst civilised people. My only hope is that it won't get you killed on the Jutland peninsula."

  "I will try my best to avoid that, Anastasia."

  The wedding date was almost upon them.