Diary of Knight Conrad Lore Books

Description

Diary entries of Conrad, a correctional officer of the Knights of the Cross.

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Novembris 1402
On my way from Cheb to Prague, I was caught by a message from the provost of Konigsberg about the terrible murder of two brothers of the order. The murder happened two days ago in the nearby Maria Kulm Commandery. The two unfortunates were found flogged in the sacristy of the church. The elder priest Waldemar died in horror, tied to the rump of a black goat with Brother Mark’s limb stuck deep in his mouth. Mark’s fingers had been broken and his head smashed to a pulp. The superstitious villagers consider this to be the work of the devil, but this is a simple premeditated murder of our brothers!

Decembris 1402
Younger Brother Mark was an able monastic apothecary in our Prague Commandery, but in the spring he is said to have become involved with the Inquisition. Other brothers later helped him escape from the city to the countryside
…. Qui bono? Why did the Inquisition go after Mark? … what did the priest Waldemar have to do with it?
I must question their relatives!

Februarius 1403
Omnia mentiunt, but now I know for certain that Mark was hiding from the Inquisition in Maria Kulm! I searched for relatives and found that, coincidentally, Waldemar’s nephew Kolda was released from the bishop’s prison a month later. Someone had put in a good word for him.
… Why was Mark hiding? Is Kold’s release somehow connected to his murder?
I must go to Litoměřice!

Februarius 1403
Brother Mark was in Litoměřice last April on his last visit to the archbishop’s court. A month later archbishop Olbram died of unknown causes, his heart reportedly stopped.
… Is this related? Did the Inquisition pressure Mark to do their dirty work for them? In cauda venenum?

Aprilis 1403
Brother Mark was involved in a heinous murder! Last spring, the Inquisition forced him to poison the archbishop of Prague, Olbram! Afterwards, they wanted to get rid of Mark, but he disappeared in time. Little did he know that the old priest Waldemar would turn him in for the life of his nephew Kolda. The Inquisition eventually got rid of both brothers and made it look like a devilish rampage.
… Who all is involved? The intrigue runs high! I have to tell my Grandmaster Zdenyek about everything!

Quintilis 1403
My God, how could you let this happen? Why did Satan come among us? Why can’t brother trust brother? The Inquisition has Grandmaster Zdenyek in its grasp! When he found out what I knew, he wanted to kill me… God forgive me, I killed my brothers!
…The only one who can stop Zdenyek is my old friend Ambrose. He’s been living in seclusion for a long time, but he still has the rank of seneschal. Only he can convict Zdenyek and save our order.

Quintilis 1403
Ambrose is dead. Mors ultima linea rerum. I arrived at night at the Troskowitz rocks and found my friend sick to death. He no longer perceived me, but awoke in the morning and suddenly spoke clearly. I gave him absolution, and a little while later he let his soul out
… God, you have already taken everything I had, at least grant me to fulfill his last wish. Give me the strength to find a way to save sinful souls. Ex nihilo nihil fit.
… please Lord show me the way!

I buried my friend Ambrose on the edge of the meadow above his hut. I piled stones by two gnarled birches and then marked the grave with a broken sword. Let whoever passes by take it, it doesn’t matter anymore.