Albrecht, Chapter 1

The lord stood alone on the battlements of Kanberk, watching the men heave the bodies of it’s former defenders into a mass grave. It was slow work, and Albrecht sipped the wine from the goblet engraved with his cousin’s sigil.
“Bah, this shite’s too sweet!” he said, and poured the wine over the walls. The cellar was filled with the stuff, a dozen barrels at least, each bearing the symbol of a phoenix. He was of half a mind to dump them each into the river, when he looked to the northwest, and saw a company of knights coming along the road. Straining his eyes, he saw the red and white of the Kovac’s, with Aldous’s personal banner at the head of the host. 
“Open the gate, lads, we have company!” Albrecht called down to his men in the gatehouse, and the portcullis began to slowly raise. 
The Toradisch company entered the castle just as the gate opened entirely, and the knights dismounted 
“Greetings, Aldous, and welcome to Kanberk!” Albrecht said, descending the stairs “I hope you find it to your liking.” 
The little lord looked up at him, and replied “Greetings, Albrecht. The castle is quite fine, did you build it yourself, or.......inherit it?” he asked sarcastically, flashing a knowing smirk at the Taepe lord 
“I inherited it indeed, though, of course, it’s former inhabitants weren’t so accepting of the change in leadership.” Albrecht chuckled “Why have you come to my new abode?” 
“Business.....just business” the sly lord replied.
"Then follow me, M'lord, we have much time to talk, and much wine, although my cousin's tastes leaves something to be desired" Albrecht said, gesturing to a doorway along the staircase. Aldous followed him into the finely decorated lounge, and the two began to speak.