Chapter 9
Gotta Have A Plan
At first, when Francois called for Klaus to wake up, he was a bit alarmed. They might be considered trespassers. But, as soon as it registered what Francois was looking at, he busted out laughing, a plan already coming together in his head. “Well done, Joseph. You couldn't have picked a better place to stop.” Francois turned, and poked Klaus in the chest, saying, “Wake up, Klaus. You have to see this. You too, Magnus.”
“What are you so fucking happy about?” Klaus grumbled, but nonetheless stood up to look. Magnus got up, with the blanket still wrapped around his shoulders, and peaked between Francois and Klaus.
Across the creek, and not far down the road, was a very large, two-story farmhouse, with acres and acres of fields to the right, that stretched as far as the eye could see. There was a huge pasture off to the left with a large herd of cattle grazing. All sorts of out-buildings were scattered about the property. Whoever owned all of this land was very wealthy indeed.
“And?” Klaus asked, not nearly as impressed as Francois. “Why should we care about a rich farmer?
“Shit, Klaus, sometimes you're so dense. Food, Klaus,” Francois grinned and poked Klaus in the chest again. “We can buy food for us and hay for the horses. Hell, we might even get lucky and buy some of the owner's booze.”
“I like the idea. I'm hungry,” Magnus yawned, as his stomach growled.
“Yes, I see your point,” Klaus conceded, hating to admit Francois had a good idea. “The less we're seen in town the better.”
“Good, then let's make ourselves presentable and go pay these folks a visit. Joseph,” Francois said, turning to the carriage driver who was still holding the door open, “What time do you have?”
Joseph pulled on a chain attached to his belt and produced a pocket-watch from his pants pocket. “It's almost eight, sir,” He replied. “You may still be in time for breakfast.”
Once the carriage was across the wide creek, the first thing they noticed was a vineyard off to their right. With the grapes already harvested, all the vines were neatly trimmed and ready for Winter. A cold wind rustled the leaves of the trees as they passed, causing them to regret the fact that they couldn't wear their coats. Their carriage then passed under a tall sign that announced in bold red letters, 'Strasser Farm'. From there it was another fifteen minutes before they reached the road to the house. At this point. three other roads branched off and led in different directions on the property.
Joseph stopped the carriage in front of the impressive farmhouse, which actually looked more like a mansion. The main level was constructed of brick, while the second level was wood, suggesting it was added sometime later, and painted white with gray trim. There were four dormers in the pitched roof, and many chimneys, two of which had plumes of smoke trailing in the wind. Tall columns supported the roof for the porch, which spanned the length of the house. The double front doors were solid oak, each carved with a large letter 'S'.
After some argument, it was agreed that Francois would do the talking. This time using the step stool, all three guys exited the carriage and walked up the steps to the porch. Francois was wearing a long-sleeved, blue turtleneck shirt, tucked into dark brown pants. Magnus wore a pink shirt with a single ruffle at the cuffs, and tan pants. Then there was Klaus, who wore a black shirt with a profusion of ruffles down the front and on the cuffs. It was probably the only style he owned. His black pants were decorated with gold braid down the outside of each pant leg. He sported a new eye patch, and of course, he wore his high-heeled boots. To top it all off, he insisted on wearing his wide-brimmed, green hat with the ridiculously long green feather.
Francois stepped forward, took a deep breath, squared his
shoulders, then rapped three times with the large, brass door knocker. He was
expecting a butler to answer the door, or at least a maid. But, when the door
swung open, Francois was greeted by a girl, about seventeen or eighteen years
old, with long, blonde curls and big, brown eyes.
“Can I help you?” the girl asked, with a flirty smile, eyeing the handsome stranger.
“I would like to speak to the head of the house,” Francois requested, ignoring the fact that she was looking him up and down.
“Mm... that would be my Papa,” she smiled, twirling a curl around her finger.
“Addie, who are you talking to?” came a voice from behind the door.
At once, the door was opened wide. A tall middle-aged man, with gray showing in his dark hair, stood behind the girl. “If you're looking for work, I don't need anyone right now,” the man said, and started to close the door.
“No sir,” Francois said quickly. “Actually, we are traveling and run into a mishap. We are hoping to buy some food for ourselves, and some hay for our horses. We are prepared to pay you quite well.” Francois took his coin purse from his pants pocket, and opening it, he showed the man the contents. “I am Francois, and these are my companions, Magnus and Klaus,” he said, purposely leaving off their last names.
The man raised one eyebrow when he saw all the gold coins in Francois' purse. He glanced at Magnus, who smiled, trying not to look nervous. When the man looked at Klaus, his one eyebrow shot up again when he saw Klaus's attire, and the hat with the long feather waving in the breeze. The man also took note of the expensive carriage the group was traveling in. Seeing that none of the visitors were carrying weapons, he decided they were probably telling the truth.
“Very well,” the man sighed, scratching his short beard. “I am Wilhelm Strasser, and this is my daughter, Adelaide. “Come on in and we'll discuss what you need. Addie, tell Marta to set three more places for breakfast.”
“Yes, Papa,” the girl replied, then smiled and brazenly winked at Francois before she left.
“Pay her no mind,” Wilhelm said, shaking his head. “She's been a handful since her mother passed on a few years ago. Follow me.”
While they were standing on the porch talking, Francois saw several farm workers passing by, and noticed they each wore the same style of tan, bib-overalls. That gave him another brilliant idea. Francois smiled, mischievously to himself as he, and the others, followed Wilhelm into the house.
They all sat at one end of a long dining table. Wilhelm at the head and his daughter to his right. Francois sat on Wilhelm's left, then Magnus, then Klaus. Klaus removed his hat and hung it on the chair next to him. At Wilhelm's invitation, they all helped themselves to the eggs, fried potatoes, smoked sausages and biscuits. Marta, the head housekeeper, went around the table pouring water into stemmed glassware from a ceramic pitcher.
“Could you please have someone take a plate to Joseph, our driver?” Francois asked, politely.
“Of course,” Wilhelm nodded. “Marta, get Felix to take some food to their driver. And have Felix show the driver to the stable where he can feed their horses. Then, tell the cook to put together food for traveling, for our visitors, here.”
“Yes, sir,” Marta said, giving the visitors a stern look, much like a grandmother would do if she was warning children to behave. Marta was a plump, older woman, with gray hair tied in bun, who carried herself as though she was in charge.
“Now,” said Wilhelm, setting his fork down. “Tell me about your mishap.”
Magnus cleared his throat and looked down at his plate, still not speaking. Klaus glanced over at Francois with a questioning grin.
“Yes, Francois,” Klaus said, having no idea what Francois was going to tell the man. “Go ahead and tell Mr. Strasser what happened.”
“It all started with the storm,” Francois began, raising his hands dramatically. “The rain was coming down so hard and the wind was terrible. Then a strap holding our luggage broke and a case fell, spilling our clothes on the ground.”
Magnus choked on a sip of water, and Klaus looked away to hide a smirk.
“Oh, that does sound bad,” Wilhelm agreed. He didn't remember any rain in last few days, but then again, he didn't know where these guys came from. Addie listened, wide-eyed, hanging on every word.
“Sorry, but I can't offer you any clothes,” Wilhelm told him.
“Um...I understand,” Francois continued, “But as you can see, we aren't wearing coats. That's because all of our coats were ruined in the rain and mud. However, I did notice all of your hired hands are wearing overalls. If you have any we could buy, it would help to keep us warm, just until we can get new coats in the next town.”
Magnus gave Francois a startled look, while Klaus glared at him.
“Do you really think that's necessary?” Klaus asked, trying very hard not to sound pissed, and wondering what Francois was up to.
“It's very cold out, and Magnus gets chilled easily,” was Francois' smooth comeback.
“Well,” Wilhelm said, scratching his head and thinking. “Most of my crew are done for the season and gone home. There's only a few men left to tend things through the winter.”
“It would be worth a lot to us,” Francois said, and took out his purse for persuasion.
“Very well,” Wilhelm smiled, and held out his hand. “It's a deal. I'll have Felix take you to the bunkhouse. You get whatever you need there.”
Feeling quite smug, Francois shook the man's hand and laid four gold coins on the table. It was a whole lot more than Wilhelm was expecting. Francois started to get up when Klaus spoke up.
“Mr. Strasser,” Klaus said, pleased with himself that he also had an idea. “I notice you have a vineyard. Do you also sell wine?” He asked and took out his own purse.
“Why, yes. It's our own label. Are you interested?” Wilhelm asked, hoping for more gold.
“Yes. How about three bottles of your best,” Klaus said. “Also, I'm sure you have an area here where you burn your trash. We would be most grateful if we were able to use it to dispose of our ruined clothes.” Klaus smiled and set four gold coins on the table. He was not about to be outdone by Francois.
“Of course. I'll have Felix help you with whatever you need,” Wilhelm agreed, ecstatic over the gold coins. It was the easiest money he had ever made. “Addie, go to the cellar and get three bottles of Riesling.” Then to Klaus he said, “The wine will be added to the food Marta is putting together for you. You can pick it up on your way out. Felix will be here in moment. Thank you, gentlemen. It's been good doing business with you. Now if you'll excuse me, I have other business to attend to.” With that, Wilhelm gathered up the gold coins and left the room.
The first place Felix took them to was to the bunkhouse, since it was nearest to the main house. Shivering in the cold wind, Magnus followed close behind. Then came Francois, still wearing his smug smile. Klaus carried his hat, not wanting the wind to blow it away, and grabbed Francois by the arm.
“It'll be a cold fucking day in hell before I put on overalls,” he growled close to Francois' ear. “What's your game?”
“What's your fucking problem?” Francois said and pulled his arm away. “We need to stay warm. That's all.” But that wasn't all Francois had in mind.
Magnus and Francois came out of the bunkhouse first. Francois thought Magnus looked adorable. He especially liked the way the overalls fitted snug around Magnus's round ass.
“My, aren't you the handsome, country bumpkin,” Magnus laughed when he looked at Francois.
Then Klaus emerged from the bunkhouse, so pissed his ears were red, and scowling like he was chewing nails. His good eye gave Francois a death glare, while his bad eye twitched under the eyepatch. The heap of ruffles on his shirt puffed out the bib on his overalls, making him look fat. What ruffles weren't contained, stuck out above the bib all the way to his chin, and almost to his bottom lip. In order to get a size that would fit him, the pant legs were a couple of inches short, making his high-heeled boots look even more ridiculous.
Feeling triumphant, Francois hid his snicker behind his hand. The whole look gave Klaus exactly the buffoon appearance that Francois was hoping for. Now Magnus would be embarrassed by Klaus, and not want to sit with him. Instead, Magnus would choose to sit with Francois. At least, that was the plan.
“Klaus,” Magnus said, seeing Klaus's contorted expression. “Let me help you with your shirt.” Magnus went to Klaus and began stuffing ruffles into the bib, pushing down one side, then the other. When all the ruffles were away from Klaus's chin, Magnus stood back saying, “There, that's much better.”
This time Francois wasn't able to hold back and busted out laughing. Without realizing it. Magnus had stuffed the ruffles in such a way as to give Klaus boobs!
“Klaus...when did you grow tits?” Francois laughed, holding his stomach.
“Fuck you, asshole,” was all Klaus said as he walked away.
They met up with Joseph at the stables, burned their bloody clothes, then picked up the food and wine at the farmhouse. As soon as they were down the road that led to the main road, Klaus stripped off the overalls. Weather be damned, he didn't give a shit how cold it was.
“Klaus, you'll be too cold now,” Magnus said.
“No, I won't. I have you,” Klaus said, and opened the blanket he had around his shoulders, inviting Magnus to join him.
Magnus slipped off his seat next to Francois and snuggled in with Klaus.
Francois found a bottle of wine and uncorked it with a knife. Taking a big swallow he thought, 'Shit. So much for that plan.'
The next stop – Durindahl.
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