Into the Lion's Den

by Tionne Rogers

  “Guntram is not a toy that can be moved just like that! He has made friends in Zurich, attended a studio with a well known and respected teacher, has an exhibition in Berlin in a few weeks and has to finish several commissions for the Vatican, if I see correctly. We had a deadline of February and we intend to respect it,” I said and he was truly upset.

  “Von Kleist, your Griffin is a son-of-a-bitch and an idiot if he thinks he can get away with this. Repin will start to send you your precious associates and representatives in plastic bags if you don't return Guntram as soon as possible.”

  “It's not in my hands to “return” the lad! Take the money back and we'll speak in February as agreed.”

  “We're perfectly aware of what you've done, naming him Consort and all that crazy chivalry shit of yours. Repin saw him first and was always good to the boy. Give him back before we start to visit your territory.”

  “The minute you cross the border, my people will repeat what we did to Mrs. Repin, Oblomov. Guntram is one of us now and we have no intentions of betraying one of our kind. Lintorff will agree to renegotiate the terms of the original contract as the guarantee does not want to return to Russia, as he already explained twice to that brick-head you call boss.”

  “Kleist, this will be war for all of us!”

  “We must find a new compromise; Oblomov, you and I don't want to fight and are sensible businessmen.

  Our bosses are like to two children fighting for their candy and we must find a way so they stop bickering. Tell Repin that Guntram has that Art show in Berlin and that he will return once it's finished. I'm sure he wouldn't like to ruin his chances to be known. It's in a trendy place and I saw pictures of his works and they're good. One is already sold to the Vatican. The exhibition opens after the holidays. I must have one of the catalogues right here.”

  “You sound like a used car salesman, von Kleist.” He dared to use a derogative voice with me and I was nearly throwing him out of my office, but for Konrad's sake, and our own, I ignored his lack of manners. What else can you expect from a Russian?

  “The lad does not want to come back to your employer,” there you have, Oblomov, remember that you're nothing but his lap dog, “and between you and me, the boy was never a real guarantee, your oil wells in Georgia were the real thing. The property deeds will be returned immediately. The documents could be ready in two days and we can sign them here or in St. Petersburg if you prefer.”

  “If you set a foot in Russia without the boy, the boss will shoot you dead and send your body in a box to Lintorff.”

  “Can we not be reasonable on this matter, Ivan Ivanovich? We can meet again, let’s say on the 15th, here and I'll have the papers ready. I can offer to return half of the interests.”

  “No!”

  “Your boss should be glad. Guntram is practically useless for what you want him. Twice per week or three if he's in an incredible good condition. Less than a wife! Repin gets rid of him and even gets compensation! The boy is permanently distracted when he's painting. Loses his pencils all over the house and now, he has a horrible dog and a flea infested teddy bear. Most of the time he doesn't know who he's speaking with or cares about it!”

  “If he's such a nuisance, give him back to us. We all like him exactly as he is. We were all glad to have him around, even after he was so sick.”

  I have no doubts about that. Guntram is a fantastic lion tamer. In the year he has been with us, Konrad is easier to deal with, and I dare say he's happy with the boy around. He has stopped seeing conspiracy plots everywhere and looks for more proof before reacting to challenges. He comes in a good mood to work and Monika has a very easy life nowadays. She only looks for art books and I've seen her running away for several hours to get one when she could just order it by Amazon, and Konrad said nothing at all! Holgersen and his people loaf the whole day and they don't have to get rid of lovers as in the past. Even Goran is nice and not so grouchy, musing the whole day in his office; looking for better ways to dispose people or checking if we all are loyal to Konrad. That only costs us a fifteen minute talk with the boy per week! Inadvertently, Guntram saved Albert's neck after the fiasco in Rome when he told Konrad that Albert had been very kind with him in the hospital and was truly concerned about him.

  Guntram lives in another galaxy, exactly as Oblomov told us, but he's great to have around and loyal to Konrad (to the point of stupidity. If I were him, I would have never told him about the safe box… and he has even left the most valuable things in Konrad's bank!) He's nothing like his bloody uncle or family! Must come from his mother's side or the Guttenberg Sachsen. I assume, he's truly in love with Konrad—for some unknown reason—and I caught him twice already, quickly hiding the notes the lad leaves in his briefcase. I wish I could do the same with my Cecilia, but if Gertrud finds them, I'm dead in the courtroom!

  “Is it really worth to start a real war between us just because of a boy?” Oblomov told me.

  For this one, yes! He has even fixed the succession issue! “Not really, this is nonsense, Ivan Ivanovich.

  Why don't you ask Repin how we could sort out this matter peacefully. Only with what he's saving from the interests he could get a full harem!”

  “He had already one and preferred Guntram over it.”

  “A new Picasso or a Van Gogh!”

  “The money is back into your accounts. I will come back on the 16th and the boy should be ready to leave for Russia. If not, order several plastic bags in XL size.”

  “The Hochmeister does not respond well to threats, Oblomov.”

  “This is no threat, just a warning. Good afternoon, von Kleist.” He slammed my door, and I knew that he was serious about it.

  Konrad ordered me to keep the capital and return the rest. The lawyers are working full time to finish the papers and have them ready for the 16th and this time, he will negotiate with Oblomov personally. It's very obvious, he will not return Guntram under any circumstance and I wonder what he could have hidden in his sleeve. Repin is a beast when crossed. Blowing up a metro station just because he had some troubles with someone in the Interior Ministry! There were pieces of that journalist in a balcony after his car exploded!

  The way he has been “cleaning his backyard” over the past year! Absolutely impossible! He killed all Morozov's people and everyone who had a connection to him! He was going even after his former wife’s friends!

  Majardze should get rid of the problem in Madrid as soon as possible. The less we need is the uncle coming and telling Guntram that he loves him and wants to be a family again. The boy is so silly that he would believe anything that snake could tell him!

  Guntram de Lisle's Diary

  December 14th 2005

  I'm back from London. I passed all the tests and I'm promoted to the third year. I'm very relieved because I was a pile of nerves the minute I was setting a foot out of Konrad's house. Heindrik asked me if I wanted to go to a Museum and I said no. I had enough with the Rome experience. His answer? “Excellent, we go to Forbidden Planet.

  It's in front of the British Museum and I could take a look at the Star Wars merchandising,” I tried to refuse and impose myself but “… save me your tantrum, Guntram. You can choose something, too. I'll take you for an hour to the mummies.”

  We went to the bloody comic store and I returned with a book about Ralph Mc Quarrie's Art concepts for the films.

  I will start to work in the illustrations Coco van Breda, one of Meister Ostermann's students. She wants, and Ostermann is thinking about me, to publish a book of classical children stories illustrated by me. I'm supposed to make some drawings for Cinderella, located in Louis XIV court.

  December 16th, 2005 Frankfurt am Main.

  A visit from Konrad von Lintorff himself was a reason of concern for the one hundred seventy-eight employees working in the six stores of the large crystal building in Taunusstrasse. Since 8 a.m. from the CEO to the last coffee boy had been running to have everything perfect shining and in order for his ar
rival at 11 a.m.

  It was a bad omen that his only planned activity was a meeting at 3:00 with the CEO of TransCaucasus, therefore he should have time to make one of his inspections.

  Upon his arrival, the Duke had locked himself in his office with Ferdinand von Kleist and Goran Pavicevic, ignoring the rest of the world and shouting with his own CEO, Martin Weiss, for daring to interrupt him.

  It was a matter of time that the storm would explode all over their heads if the Duke was in such a bad mood and locked up in his office.

  “Konrad, Repin wants Guntram and nothing else. Money will not be enough. Perhaps we could extend some credits to his subsidiaries, but we have checked his financial status and he stands much better now,” Ferdinand said desperately, playing with his pen with his fingers. “My Duke, I have removed several of our agents in Russia, but not all of them. Many of our associates have business there and have no time to leave their companies if he sabotages them. Only Fortingeray has invested three billion euros in steel and trains,” Goran added.

  “So I should give him Guntram back? Is that your conclusion, gentlemen?”

  “Never!” Goran shouted. “He stays here!”

  “What kind of life would you give to the lad? Trapped forever in your house because the minute he sets foot out, Repin will jump to his throat? Remember Rome!” Ferdinand almost shouted and took a long sip of his coffee to release the tension.

  “I can protect Guntram, Milan and Ratko will stay with him!” Goran said.

  “Do you plan to sleep with him too?” Ferdinand asked and immediately regretted his choice of words when he saw the fire in the Serb's eyes. “I'm sorry Goran, I didn't mean to be disrespectful to you.”

  “Watch your tongue if you want to keep it,” he only growled and focused his attention on the silent Konrad.

  The Duke had not spoken a single word since the morning too focused on his thinking. He had only briefly talked with Guntram, when the boy was still partly asleep in bed. 'No one has ever been so generous to me ever,' he mused as he remembered his previous night’s kisses and tender words. 'Goran is right; I will never let him go.

  He's my children's tutor and my only love.' “Gentlemen, I have to speak with Oblomov as he's the only person who can convince Repin to drop this,” Konrad said finally.

  “Oblomov wanted the boy back too! It seems he keeps Repin happy and off their necks!” Ferdinand shouted.

  “Ferdinand, Oblomov is more reasonable than his boss and willing to take over. A war with us will be more costly for him than for me.”

  “If we get a single trouble because of Guntram, the associates will kick you out!”

  “And they will learn the same lesson the de Lisles learned in 1989! The Council is on my side and they named him Consort! He got an ample majority!”

  “The-boy-is-not-the-problem-but-his-former-lover!” Ferdinand shouted irritated.

  “Any suggestions?”

  “No, just don't charge like a raging bull!”

  “Ferdinand, I'll make an offer and if they refuse it, we will proceed to the next level. Do I have your support Goran?”

  “As always my Griffin. The Komturen are upset at the Russians' penetration of our territories and would like to settle the score once and for all. It's impossible to walk in the south of Spain without crossing them!”

  “Has the issue in Madrid been solved?”

  “Uncle Mladic is very pleased with my cousin, Slobodan Majardze performance.”

  “Excellent. Shall we have lunch, gentlemen? There was this place near the ECB where I used to go with my father and they serve—”

  “Not again Rouladen!” Ferdinand whined.

  “There are other things too and the wine list is from is from Franken.”

  “Ever heard of trying new things? There's a whole new world out there, Konrad.”

  “No, why? If something is good, stick to it.”

  Guntram de Lisle's diary December 16th

  I never thought that Armin and Marie Amélie could make so much trouble in so little time. I know they're sweethearts for some time and I'm glad for them, but today was too much for my taste. As they had still finals, till the 19th, both were coming here daily.

  In the morning, I was ready to go to the studio to paint the whole day the in peace, but no, Friederich—

  in league with Heindrik, had other ideas. Both caught me at the old Guards Hall where bodyguards, and sometimes Friederich, when he's not in his office, hang around. The Swedish was looking very comfy and immovable. “No, Guntram, it's too cold to be outside and it's snowing. Stay at home today and rest. You were running too much yesterday,” the House Manager told me. Is it my fault that Konrad came back from a long trip and wanted to spend some time with me and we were up till three or four a.m.? OK, we also celebrated my grades and according to him,

  “you're very funny after two champagne glasses.”

  “I'm going to the studio! I'll be back at 5:00,’ I said, but once Friederich has an idea, he has it and he's very stubborn.

  “Miss von Kleist will be here at eleven for lunch and studying with young Armin. It would be very kind of you to accompany her.”

  Heindrik snorted without lifting his gaze from his laptop's screen, checking who knows which figures.

  “Can Armin not look after her? I'm in holidays! I don't want to see more books around!”

  “It would be better if you are present, Guntram.” Yes, of course. I have to chaperone little Armin because he will jump to her bones and I don't think she will run away. For Christ sake! They're twenty-two years old and I'm twenty-three since October. What am I supposed to do? Pour a jar of ice water over Armin if he sits next to her? Come to think, maybe that's the idea because there's always one jar or water over the table; I hate this chaperone job!

  “I don't want to look after a brat!” I complained

  “Welcome to my life, Guntram,” Heindrik, the Wise smirked without raising his eyes from his work. I did want to show him the finger but Friederich was in the room

  “You're so funny Holgersen,” I answered back, truly upset with him.

  “It's not funny. It's the tragedy of my life. Make an effort and be nice for once. Stay here, warm and quiet. I'll take you for a round of chocolate and cherry cake to that place you like so much. I have to finish these reports or I'll get trouble with Dähler.”

  “All right. Make it two pieces and we're in peace, Heindrik.”

  “Fine, two. Now, get your dog too and let her loose in there. She's a better chaperone than you.” Sure, the minute one of them gets funny idea, Mopsi barks. I guess we should get her a husband soon. Defeated, I went to my studio to get my watercolours, pencils and black ink to work with the illustrations so it's not a total waste of time.

  “Don't look so sad. I'll bake that apple cake you like so much for tea,” Jean Jacques told me when I passed next to him and I smiled.

  As announced, Marie Amélie arrived at 11 a.m.—snotty as usual. I don't know what's her problem with me? Before, she ignored me and that was great, but since I'm with Konrad, she likes to be nasty to me and I have to put my best face as she's a lady… and I'm being very generous with the definition. Her mother also dislikes me. All right, Konrad should have gotten someone much better than me, but we are happy together as we are and I have never interfered with their business. It's not like I'm going to run away with his money and leave her penniless.

  Both children behaved reasonably well and I only got one jibe: “Oh, that's the Cinderella story! Mama and I visited the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg and I believe that would be an incredible set for it. You can feel very related to it, right Guntram?” I only smirked because pouring the whole ink on top of her head would be a waste of materials and I could ruin the carpet too.

  “You're absolutely right, Marie Amélie. Your face would be perfect for Cinderella. She made a fantastic job with the prince,” I answered and she had the good grace to keep quiet for some time… till lunch. Armin, the charming pri
nce, was too busy drooling over her to hear our exchange.

  We ate in peace as both lovebirds were busy with each other, chatting in German and for some reason, Dieter, the butler seemed very uncomfortable with their talk. Once the table was cleared, we all returned to study and I forgot about the world as I was working. Mopsi barked once or twice but I shushed her because I wanted my peace to focus on what I was doing. I will shout with a clear conscience: “it's not mine!” if something happens.

  Just before tea, at 4:00, I was expecting to get the cake; they decided to go out for a walk to the old hunting lodge four kilometres away. It's a small house, now with some sofas and chairs and very nice because it's by the stream and Konrad and I like to go there in the summer to read under the old trees. The grass around it is more or less destroyed because a mole lives there and it makes holes everywhere. Perhaps the animal is trying to dig out its own Pompeii. “It's a lost battle with them,” according to Konrad.

  Of course, I protested against their crazy idea because walking under the snow for four kilometres is too much for me. She called me sissy and Armin, the idiot (hey, that's a good name for a future Hochmeister. If the Spanish had Carlos, el hechizado, we can have Armin, the mutton-headed) only laughed with her “joke”. “Come on, Guntram, don't be a grandpa or is the Duke already turning you into one?”

  “No, dear. Uncle Konrad, is funnier than Guntram,” Armin commented. “It's just a walk!”

  Sure!. Under the snow, at 2º C, with a heart condition. Totally forbidden to be in the cold as your body increases your blood pressure to fight against the cold. When I came here, Konrad or Alexei where taking me out for small rounds and only if it was sunny. In St. Petersburg, I was almost never out. “No, thank you, Armin. I'm not supposed to be out for so long in the cold.”

  “Nonsense, Guntram. Get a good coat and come with us!” she ordered me like a real Lintorff.

  “Why don't you go alone? It would be better.”