“Once again, it happened some time ago,” Kaminski said, smiling at Liza. “You will recall the Deutscher Bruderkrieg.”

Hilda said, “Yesss. We prefer to call it the Seven Weeks War. It would have ended sooner, had we fought in it, but that was in 1866 and we were already here, confined to our quarters.”

Kaminski turned to Rip and smiled.

“The Umbrians call it the Austro-Prussian War, I believe. Before then, Austria remained dominate in the German Confederation of States. But with the rise of Prussia, the strongest and most populous, things changed.”

Rip said, “You’re saying Prussia won.”

“Indeed, they did. Bismarck absorbed the northern states and dissolved the old confederation. But not all the German-speaking states were ceded to the Prussians in the Bruderkrieg. The fortress at Würzburg in Bavaria remained under siege for the entire conflict, but never fell. Neither did Bavaria as a whole.”

Rip blinked, thinking fast. His knowledge of Central European history was the not best, although he had read a bit about it.

He said, “I thought Bavaria is aligned with Prussia, though. Not Austria.”

“Indeed. Bismarck coerced Ludwig II to join the German Empire in 1871, after the Franco-Prussian War. The remaining German states not directly a part of the Austro-Hungarian realm joined then as well. Prussia completely dominates the new German Confederation, shutting out Austria who was pointedly not invited. And, here is the important part for us today: Würzburg and the rest of Bavaria then fell under Prussia’s domain. Granted, Bavaria was the second largest state in the new empire, but Prussia still comprises two-thirds of the land and population. The Kaiser is and always has been the Chancellor of Prussia at the same time he is head of the Empire.”

“Okay. So, what’s in Würzburg?”

“A reward His Eminence Franz Joseph gave King Ludwig for holding firm in the Deutscher Bruderkrieg. An item from the empire’s treasury he loaned to Ludwig, and now wishes to retrieve. Unfortunately, Ludwig is ignoring His Eminence. Or, unable to respond.”

[Deutscher Bruderkrieg. German for German Brothers’ War.]

Rip dismissed the notification again.

Thanks, I could figure that one out on my own.

Hilda harrumphed and said, “That’s because King Ludwig is being held in a lunatic asylum.”

Hilda’s eyes grew big.

She said, “Franz did not give away one of the relics from the Holy Roman Empire, did he?”

“No, of course not. Nor is it something that Ludwig could sell to help finance his building campaigns, such as Schloss Neuschwanstein.”

Rip was familiar with that reference. It was the castle a certain theme park in Florida had copied on his world.

“Then what was it?” Liza said, as mystified as her sister.

“Solomon’s Compass.”

This pronouncement was met with stunned silence as everyone in the room digested it.

Then the sisters burst out laughing. Hilda slapped the table while Liza held her sides. Rip had never seen the two so amused as this. For his part, Kaminski smiled politely and waited for them to stop.

Finally Hilda recovered enough to say, “I thought you were going to tell us he had given away part of the Holy Roman regalia.”

“I thought it was going to be one of the crown jewels,” Liza added. “Franz has some of the largest diamonds in the world squirreled away in his vaults. But he gave that lunatic the least valuable of all his baubles! Ha!”

Kaminski continued smiling indulgently.

He said, “The Emperor’s boffins have determined the ‘bauble’ may be of significance after all. Historians researching it have uncovered some fresh data, and they wish to examine the artifact anew. Unfortunately, it remains sequestered away somewhere in Festung Marienberg. The terms of the loan stipulate the artifact be returned to Vienna upon Ludwig’s death or his deposition from the throne. His Eminence holds that when Ludwig was forcibly admitted to Schloss Berg under the care of the physicker, Bernhard von Gudden, he was deposed even though a new King of Bavaria has not yet been crowned.”

“And what is Festung Marienberg?” Rip said.

“That is the fortress in Würzburg.”

“Ssso,” Hilda said, thoughtfully, “Franz wishes us to ‘retrieve’ this worthless bauble, that may not be so worthless after all?”

“That is the idea, yes, Your Grace.”

“But we are part of a team, now,” Liza said, waving at Rip and Blair. “And we cannot leave RVS premises without an escort. This is part of the agreement between Umbria and the Hungarian Court.”

“As I said, Your Grace, His Eminence Emperor Joseph has rescinded your exile. If we need to smooth over anything with King Allo here in Ethinium, we can. But it is His Eminence’s desire that you hasten to Würzburg and retrieve the object, then deliver it to the court in Vienna.”

A stubborn look crossed both their faces as Liza and Hilda stared at the man.

Liza said, “We cannot simply leave our team. Even if our exile has been rescinded.”

Rip and Blair traded glances. She gave him a look that indicated the sisters could, indeed, leave right away if they wished to do so. He smiled back at her, with eyes indicating she should remain silent. Blair snorted softly and turned away.

Hilda said, “Yessss. And we do not know when our next mission will take place. We must stay here, in Ethinium with our team. Tell His Eminence we are sssso sorry, but diplomacy must prevail.”

Kaminski nodded.

He said, “Actually, I anticipated such a response. Or I should say, the Ministry did. Our sources indicate that you and your team have been incredibly effective of late.”

“Somebody has been listening to the public reports, then,” Rip said. “And reporting back to Vienna.”

Blair added, “I’m sure every palace in Europe has someone listening to the public reports, Muscles. Or at least reading the newspapers.”

Rip wondered if her [Spy] class were common, and how many people in the RVS building held it. How many in foreign courts held it?

“Be that as it may,” Kaminski continued, “His Eminence has directed me to employ your team in the retrieval of this object, Solomon’s Compass.”

Faces dropped around the room. The women all looked at Rip, who smiled.

“I’m sure you will let His Eminence know that our services are . . . extremely expensive. One could say we might be the most effective team in Umbria right now, and our fees align accordingly with that fact.”

“Vienna’s cheque register is open and waiting, Sir Coulter. Have no fear.”

“We also use, by far, the most expensive dirigible service in Europe. Mr. Powell of the Steel Comet would need to bill His Eminence separately for all expenses while hired by us. I’m not sure you fully realize how much gold we are discussing here for a lengthy and dangerous expedition such as the one you are proposing. And I’m presuming it is both lengthy and dangerous, otherwise you would not be here discussing it with us.”

“We are prepared to offer up to half a million Swiss francs, Sir Coulter. If more is needed to cover Mr. Powell’s costs, His Eminence will sign for it I assure you. We are quite literally sparing no expense.”

This announcement was met by silence around the room.

Finally, Rip said, “What’s the conversion rate between pounds sterling and the franc?”

“It varies,” Blair said. “But it’s close. I think a pound is worth about 1.10 francs at the moment.”

“So, they’re pretty close.”

“Yes. It’s enough money to start a large-scale war on the Continent.”

“You’re not very good at negotiating,” Rip added with a smile. “The initial offer is never enough.”

Kaminski jumped back in and said, “His Eminence dearly desires the return of the bauble, and is willing to pay for it, accordingly. My instructions are to assure you that money is no object. Now, Sir Coulter, will you and your team retrieve Solomon’s Compass for the Dual Kingdom or not?”

Again, all eyes turned to Rip. He, in turn raised his eyebrows at the sisters. Both nodded.

He turned back to Kaminski.

“We answer to King Allo. If he approves, then . . . I suppose we’ll take the job. The half million francs will be our initial fee. Expenses, including anything Mr. Powell needs, will be extra.”

He smiled at the slightly relieved expression that flashed on Kaminski’s face.

Rip added, “And, our expenses will be many.”