Anna stood in the soft glow of the fading sunlight, a completely transformed woman. Gone were the scars and disfigurements that had marked her as an outcast in the village of Gerbrunn. She now radiated a beauty so striking that it seemed almost otherworldly. Her golden-blonde hair fell in soft waves to her waist, shimmering with the luster of sunlight on a summer field. It was the kind of hair often described in ballads, befitting a Bavarian maiden of legend. Her eyes were a brilliant, piercing sky blue—a sharp contrast to Heimrich's own ocean-deep gaze—and they held a mischievous sparkle, as though they concealed secrets no one could decipher.
Her face was symmetrical and finely sculpted, with high cheekbones that gave her an air of regality. A small, pert nose and full, pink lips completed her enchanting visage, the kind of face that could launch a thousand whispered rumors or provoke the envy of queens. Her skin was luminous, fair and unblemished, almost glowing with vitality. Standing at 1.73 meters, Anna carried herself with a natural grace and poise that made her presence commanding yet approachable. Her hourglass figure was accentuated by her full chest, a striking 34D, which added to her undeniable allure. The curves of her body flowed seamlessly, exuding the aura of a femme fatale.
Heimrich regarded her with a detached gaze, analyzing her transformation as though she were a specimen in one of his experiments. "You cannot stay here," he said firmly, breaking the silence. His voice was calm, yet laced with an undertone of finality. "The villagers of Gerbrunn will not recognize you, and your new appearance will only draw questions… and danger."
Anna crossed her arms, her lips curving into a smirk. "And where would you have me go? Should I hide in the woods forever, like some specter?"
Heimrich shook his head, his mind already moving several steps ahead. "No. That would be a waste of your potential. We're leaving Gerbrunn. Staying here would serve no purpose. There's an entire world out there… and I have a plan."
She raised a brow. "And this plan involves what, exactly?"
Heimrich hesitated, irritation flickering across his face. "First, we need to determine our direction. Unfortunately, my knowledge of history is limited. For me, what I call history is simply the past—irrelevant and filled with the mistakes of the dead. But now, I must recognize that this 'history' is our present. Now I am also part of this present, and to change the future in the direction I intend to, I need to understand and comprehend the present." He murmured to himself, recalling fragments of events he vaguely remembered from this time—names of rulers, wars, and alliances.
Anna, observing his distraction, interrupted. "If it's information you're after, I've picked up plenty during my time working in the tavern. Travelers, merchants, and knights often spoke of battles, politics, and betrayals over their ale."
Heimrich tilted his head, curiosity piqued. "Then tell me. What do you know of this land? What is happening beyond this forsaken village?"
Anna's eyes gleamed, and she began to recount what she knew. "In March, Conrad III was elected as the Roman-German King. Not long after, he began consolidating his power. One of his first acts was to demand the return of certain duchies: Bavaria and Saxony. This has caused unease among the nobles, though none dare to defy him openly just yet."
Heimrich's lips pressed into a thin line. "Consolidation of power. Predictable. What else?"
Anna's expression darkened. "You've heard of Eberhart von Falkenstein, no?"
"I'm aware of him," Heimrich replied, his tone clipped. "Tyrant. Lecher. A disgrace to the nobility."
"That's putting it lightly," Anna said bitterly. "His reputation in Würzburg is infamous. The people despise him for his cruelty and greed. He taxes them heavily, forces their daughters into servitude, and executes anyone who dares speak against him. He's childless with his legitimate wife, though he has a bastard son he conceived with a prostitute. The boy lives in constant torment, abused by Eberhart's wife, who resents his presence in the household. The only reason Eberhart tolerates the boy is because he has no legitimate heir… yet. In the streets, there are also many rumors that Eberhart is not the rightful lord of Würzburg. They say he was appointed to the position after the former lord died in battle, but some even whisper that Eberhart orchestrated the former lord's death to steal the title for himself."
Heimrich's eyes narrowed, his sharp mind already weaving threads of a scheme. "Würzburg, you say?"
Anna nodded. "It's a city rife with unrest. The people are hungry for change, for justice. But they're powerless under Eberhart's iron grip."
A slow, wicked grin spread across Heimrich's face, a glint of malice lighting his eyes. "Then that's where we'll go."
Anna frowned. "Würzburg? Why? What are you planning?"
Heimrich stepped closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Revenge, Anna. Your revenge. And our first stepping stone to the future we are going to forge."
Her breath caught, and she stared at him, searching his face for any sign of hesitation. There was none. "You mean…?"
"Eberhart's days are numbered," Heimrich said coldly. "He may be a tyrant, but every tyrant has his weaknesses. The seeds of his downfall have already been sown. We will cultivate them and bring him to ruin. Your vengeance will come far sooner than you ever imagined."
Anna's lips curved into a small smile, one that mirrored Heimrich's own dark intent. "Then let's not waste time."
Together, they turned their eyes toward the horizon, the distant city of Würzburg looming in their minds.
As the evening wore on, Heimrich instructed Anna to gather her belongings. The pair worked in silence, the weight of their impending journey heavy in the air. As Anna reached for a simple sack to pack her meager possessions, Heimrich turned to her.
"Do you have any money?" he asked, his tone practical.
Anna paused, then nodded. "I do. Wait here." She walked to the far corner of the room, where a loose floorboard lay hidden beneath an old, inconspicuous rug. Kneeling down, she pried the board free and revealed a small, worn leather pouch. She untied the cord, revealing its contents to Heimrich. Inside were 2 gold coins, 53 silver coins, and a handful of copper coins.
"I've always kept my savings hidden here," Anna explained. "Back when I worked at the tavern, my appearance earned me more than just wages. The patrons were generous with their tips."
She stood and tossed the pouch to Heimrich, her eyes unwavering. "My life, my soul, my wealth—everything I have is yours."
Heimrich caught the pouch and nodded, his expression serious. "This will be enough for now. We'll need to use it wisely."
The next morning, before dawn, the two set out. The crisp air carried the promise of a new beginning as they walked the winding path toward Würzburg. The city was only about 4 kilometers away, a distance they could easily cover within an hour. As the sun began to rise, the faint silhouette of the city's walls came into view. Heimrich's lips curled into a faint smirk.
"Your vengeance, Anna," he murmured, "may come sooner than either of us anticipated."