Jan of Kamenlom, Chapter 1

Jan strained his eyes against the light rain of the night through the portcullis, to make out the forms coming up the road toward the gate of Hrad Kanberk. 
“Stop there! Who are ye?!” he calls, raising his hand to halt them 
the man at the head of the company dismounts, and walks into the light: “I am Albrecht Taepe. I come to visit my cousin, and to get out of the rain!” 
Jan thinks for a moment, before shouting into the courtyard- “Wake Sir Ballenus! Tell him our lord’s cousin is here!” 
turning back to the gate, he continued “I apologize, milord, but until the castellan is awake, you will have to wait outside.” 
the lord nods, and pulls his hood tighter over his head. 
After a few minutes, a man in a night gown appeared at the gate, along with 3 more soldiers 
“Who are you?” Ballenus queried
“I am Albrecht Taepe, cousin to Johann Taepe! I request entry for the night, to get out of this rain!”
the castellan stood for a moment, contemplating this, before turning to the soldiers behind him “Open the gate” 
two of the men climbed into the gatehouse, and the portcullis began slowly lifting. 
“Ah, thank you. I was afraid you were going to leave us out here in the wet and the cold” Albrecht said to the castellan, walking up to him warmly 
“Milord would never refuse his cousin, and neither shall I” Ballenus replied, turning and pointing into the courtyard. “Your men can sleep in the House by the stables, you can sleep in the bedroom if you like.” A dagger materialized in Albrecht’s hand, and he drove it into the Knight’s neck 
“Thank you, Sir, for your hospitality-“ he said, turning back to his men -“You heard the man! You get a nice bed tonight!” 
Jan stood, shocked, and watched as men rushed into Kanberk. He barely reacted as a spear punctured his side, and he fell there