Major Schwarzkopf, Lieutenant Hartmann and Lieutenant Meyer sat down together around their meeting table, inside Schwarzkopf's officer tent. It had been a busy morning for Nicholas Meyer. He had spent hours with Professor Babbage and his Analytical Engine testing and retesting different combinations of military specialists, and the effects they might have on the fighting abilities of the Flying Eagles soldiery. What had previously been an intuitive process was now quite scientific. The coal fire steam engine turned the complicated gears and wheels of the Analytical Engine, churning out reams of paperwork. Nicholas was able to compare units with or without their spell buffs, and evaluate performances against a wide array of enemy units. The truth was that to predict exactly what a given combination of spells, skills and soldiers could accomplish, was not possible. Actual battle experience would be required in order to do that. But, Nicholas thought that he was getting close to an accurate prediction of performance. As the numbers churned out on paper, and swirled around in his visual field, Nicholas Meyer was sure of one thing: Major Schwarzkopf's decision to hire Lady Goldenrod Echinacea was a good idea. Nicholas estimated that 5 out of 6, of all battle wounds, could be avoided by the unit which flew her magical battle standard! On top of that, she could probably heal or even bring back from the dead, any soldier unlucky enough to take a hit that got through the protections offered by the banner. It worked on just one unit, and no doubt that unit would be the Wolf Knights, but surely that unit could form a nearly invincible schwerpunkt, capable of destroying the enemy's centre.

  Unfortunately, the large expense of hiring the Elven Lady also meant that it was out of the question to even consider retaining the services of Gunnar Hellsson. His cannons were extremely tempting enlistment candidates, but the monthly income of Flying Eagles did not permit such an expenditure.

  That is exactly how Major Schwarzkopf led the meeting off. "Well, boys, I think that we can start off this meeting by crossing the artillery commander off the list. I have no doubt that his dwarf steel cannons would put a dent into the hobgoblin front lines, but we simply can't afford him. By my calculations, this is where the battalion stands with monthly expenditures:

  Total monthly allotment from the Regimental HQ: 10,000 pfennig (100 gold marks)

  Countess Fedorina monthly: 6000 pfennig (60 gold marks)

  Officer salaries: Major Schwarzkopf, 250 pfennig: First Lieutenant Erich Hartmann, 100 pfennig: First Lieutenant Nicholas Meyer, 100 pfennig: Thuringian 2nd Lieutenant Michael, 84 pfennig: Wolf knight 2nd Lieutenant Jaeger, 84 pfennig: Stalsburg 2nd Lieutenant Beban, 84 pfennig: Horse Artillery 2nd Lieutenant Breitbart, 84 pfennig: Hanoverian 2nd Lieutenant Jodl, 84 pfennig

  Army specialists: Eagleclaw Wolverine: 330 pfennig per month, Warm Hearth Flamebringer: 60 pfennig per month, Lady Goldenrod Echinachea: 600 pfennig per month

  Analytical Engine #16: 3000 pfennig per month

  Brunswick Outriders: 440 pfennig per month (22 pfennig per rider)

  Wolf Knights: 560 pfennig per month (28 pfennig per rider)

  Thuringian Swordsmen: 1000 pfennig per month (10 pfennig per soldier)

  Hanoverian Halberds: 900 pfennig per month (9 pfennig per soldier)

  Stalsburg Handgunners: 1300 pfennig per month (13 pfennig per soldier)

  Horse Artillery: 1100 pfennig per month (22 per artillery man)

  Mongolian mercenary rocket company: 660 pfennig per month (33 pfennig per mercenary) (no officer)

  Total military expenditures: 10,810 pfennigs per month

  Food and kitchen staff: 550 pfennig per month

  Administration, weapons, ammunition and uniforms: 1800 pfennig per month

  Transportation crews: 770 pfennig per month

  Medical staff: 550 pfennig per month

  Army headquarters 10% cut of Countess stipend: 600 pfennig

  Grand total: 15,090 pfennig per month

  ________________________________________________

  "And this is where we will be, next week, on battalion pay day,":

  Countess Fedorina initial payment. (received) 200 gold marks (20,000 pfennig)

  less the 10% army cut of 20 golds marks = 180 gold marks (18,000 pfennig)

  18,000 pfennig plus 10,000 pfennig army payroll = 28,000 pfennig

  Expenditures:

  10,000 pfennig cost for Analytical Engine #16

  15,080 pfennig cost for next weeks monthly payroll.

  Total payout: 25,080

  Current battalion surplus: 2910 pfennig (29 gold marks)

  ____________________________________________

  Now, I would like to keep the 29 gold marks as our reserve fund, and as of the first of the month we can count on 160 gold marks income, per month. Currently we have a monthly projected surplus of 910 pfennig, now that Lady Echinachea is on the payroll. We could keep things there, and save the 910 pfennig each month. Or perhaps, someone stands out to one of you that might be a critical addition to our ranks. Lieutenant Hartmann, what do you think?"

  Stolen novel; please report.

  "Curt Gallencamp would be my choice, Sir," responded Erich Hartmann. "The knights will be bolstered by Lady Echinachea, and the infantry have Lord Wolverine and Mage Flamebringer. The artillerymen need something to enhance their performance, and an engineer from Stalsburg would be just the ticket, in my opinion. He would make our cannons more accurate and more reliable."

  "Thank you, Herr Hartmann," said Schwarzkopf, then he turned toward Nicholas Meyer. "What would be your suggestion, Lieutenant?"

  "My thought would be that the Wolf Knights will have staying power with the defensive magic provided by the elven magic user, but they are going to need a lot more than that, if we want them to be able to destroy a unit of hobgoblin brown bear cavalry. Close combat killing power is what decides most battles, especially those featuring beasts and brawn. Oxheart Mooseantlers promises to provide his own strength, as well as his mounts strength. In addition, his ability to transform the Wolf Knight mounts into full grown moose cavalry is a compelling possibility. The Analytical Engine specifically highlighted the improved fighting capacity of the Wolf Knights if Oxheart's, 'Transform Mounts spell', might be combined with Mage Echinachea's, 'Rooted to the Ground spell'. Combining spells from two wizards is always a tricky proposition, but the effect would be devastating, if they were both successfully cast. Lord Mooseantlers is an expensive hire, but I would wager that he will be worth the expense," was Nicholas Meyer's analysis.

  "Spending the additional 300 pfennig per month sounds reasonable to me. Please make offers of employment to both specialists. We will be left with 610 pfennig for the kitty, each month, and I am comfortable with that. We will keep our reserve fund in my safe. I certainly no longer feel an obligation to return surpluses to the crown, as they already get their mandated 10% from the Countess's funds. My feeling is that having a few dozen gold marks in reserve, might come in handy the next time Herr Meyer comes to me with another hair brained scheme to improve the battalion!" Major Schwarzkopf was feeling unusually engaging on this day. Both Hartmann and Meyer sensed a change in their commander.

  Nicholas Meyer thought to take advantage of his conversational mood, with a question. "Sir, I am curious to know if you have learned anything more about the fighting qualities of your gifted broadsword? I have not yet been able to make any estimation of its effectiveness on the battlefield."

  "The Countess was only able to tell me that the blade was most recently wielded by her great grandfather, at the Battle of Stone Mountain Heights, more than 100 years ago. Her grandfather and father chose not to bear the sword in their own campaigns. When she was a young girl, the Countess was privy to stories of battle victories decided by her great grandfather Archibald's exploits, but she was not sure how much truth was contained in the tales. Apparently the blade was used to slay an Ice Dragon, or so goes the tale. There is a family crest from that era hanging from the walls of her study, featuring the blade and a portrayal of the dragon's head. The Countess was kind enough to show me the textile, on my last visit to the castle," explained Major Schwarzkopf.

  That raised some eyebrows with Erich and Nicholas. Lieutenant Hartmann could not resist asking the obvious follow up question. "Did the Countess Fedorina's husband ever wield the sword, Sir?"

  "Oh, the countess has never been married, Herr Hartmann. The Countess's estate duties have been so all consuming that she has never had time to acquire a husband. Or so she said, on my last visit,' answered Schwarzkopf with some wistfulness evident in his voice.

  Nicholas Meyer decided to steer the conversation back to the sword. "The sword may have an ability to slay large monsters, or inflict significant wounds. I wonder if Lady Echinachea might have an idea as to its magical qualities?"

  "I shall ask her, the next time I see her, Herr Meyer. In the meantime we need to hire the new specialists and introduce them to the units in which they will serve. Gentlemen, I dismiss the meeting and urge you to get to work. Scouts arrived yesterday, from the north claiming that the hobgoblin armies are on the move. I believe that it is likely we will soon receive a notice of battle deployment!"

  ______________________________________________________________________________

  Several days later Major Schwarzkopf paid a visit to the Wolf Knights. "Lady Echinachea, I wonder if I could have a word with you?" asked Major Schwarzkopf, from his warhorse, Gunther. The elven magic user was standing next to her white elven warhorse. Mage Goldenrod Echinachea had been spending her time practising charging formations and developing attack strategies with Lieutenant Jaeger and Oxheart Mooseantlers. The Wolf Knights had been told to ready themselves to be the central feature of any battalion attack. By all accounts, the Wolf Knights were doing a very good job of accommodating the two new mages.

  "Yes, Sir," replied the Goldenrod Echinachea. "What can I help you with?"

  Major Schwarzkopf dismounted and explained to the Lady, "I would like to consult your expertise regarding a newly acquired blade." Maximilan reached down and withdrew his sword. "I have only recently come to own this weapon and I am led to believe that it possesses some unique fighting qualities."

  "Lady Echinachea's gaze was immediately captured by the sight of the keen blue steel blade, with its elaborate hilt. Oh my! You have Count Fedor's Nagalring!"

  "You recognise this weapon, m'lady," replied Schwarzkopf.

  "I do, Sir!" explained Lady Echinachea. "Grand Duke Archibald used this blade to fight the invading Ice Dragons, more than a century ago. Ice Dragons under the command of the Demon Lord Petruchio Bones, undertook to destroy the Prussia. The campaign began with a large-scale assault on the outpost nation of Islandia, land of the Fire Dragons. Lord Bones defeated the Fire Dragons and carried on with the survivors of his Ice Dragon force to strike at the heart of the Holy Prussian Empire. The majority of agricultural crops were frozen and destroyed that summer. Ice Dragons can produce a fearsome freezing breath attack, and they used this ability to attack much of Aquitania, and the western Empire. The Grand Duke led the decisive counter-attack which injured Petruchio's mount, Dreadcold, and slew Dreadcold's mate Blizzardfrost. There has been no sign of the Ice Dragons, since that day."

  "It must be a powerful blade then?" asked Schwarzkopf. "Do you know the origins of this weapon?"

  "I do, Major Schwarzkopf," replied the elven mage. Nagalring was forged in the Iron Mountains, by the Dwarf master ironsmith Boldar Steelsson. The blade was gifted to the Archibald family 150 years ago, for assisting in the defence of his family stronghold. A very powerful traditional Khanty magic user enchanted the weapon," explained Goldenrod, while she pointed to runes, engraved on the blade. "See here, traditional Khanty symbols of magical power. This weapon is capable of astounding feats of heroism, but is very much a double edged sword. To my knowledge no one has chosen to bear this blade since Duke Archibald II."

  "Why is that, Lady Echinachea?"

  "The enchantment which powers the blade, gains nourishment from the dead souls it consumes. Therefore, Nagalring is said to drive its owner to greater and greater feats of heroic action. The more victims that fall to the sword, the greater the life energies it can consume. The more powerful the enemy which is vanquished, the more life energy which fuels the sword. Duke Archibald II was eventually driven by the weapon to risk himself too freely. He died a hero. His successors venerated the blade for a time, but eventually put it in cold storage. It is very interesting to me that the Countess has determined to give the blade to you."

  Suddenly, a signal horn sounded from back at the battalion campsite. Three long blasts of sound, followed by three short blasts of the same powerfully blown note. The sequence repeated itself and a second horn joined in to repeat the message.

  "Lady Echinachea!" exclaimed Major Schwarzkopf. "We are being summoned to deploy to the battle front. The Hobgoblin Lord is on the move, no doubt. "We are being deployed!"

  All around, the Wolf Knights were gathering their gear and galloping off towards their mustering stations. Maximilian Schwarzkopf bid farewell to the elven lady and mounted Gunther, galloping off to his command station. Very soon, the newly composed battalion would see battle action!