The Goth followed the course of the Rhine into Bonn, then after staying several days, continued along the river with more followers. The tribe continued with stops in Koblenz, Rhudesheim and Mainz until they reached Ludwigshafen-Mannheim. They split from the course of the Rhine and followed along the Nekar south, against its flow. The train of vehicles passed through Heidelberg, Heilbronn and Ludwigsburg before coming into Stuttgart.

      In all these cities their nomadic life was routine. They moved through river valley once populated by Suevi, Celts, Alemanni and other ancient nomadic tribes, felt a kinship with those peoples, as if they were to redeem those of the past by forming one tribe where there had been many who fought each other.

      In each city, they stopped the tribe gathered food and made purchases of supplies. They sometimes took jobs or traded their goods. In most places, word travelled before them and the locals were eager to buy some souvenir to mark their meeting.

      As always, they gathered members of the tribe such that by the time they came to Stuttgart the tribe was many thousand. Not only had locals joined them at each stop, but others from further towns they had not reached. Sometimes, long-time supporters changed their mind about the travel involved and dropped everything to join them.

      Alaric and Merideth had been married in Bonn, and every city they visited caused Merideth to regret waiting for the next Gothic Cathedral they passed. And, with each cathedral they passed, there was a couple among them that could not wait for a more romantic setting to wed. They were constantly negotiating with various priests for use of church, his services or the grounds.

      Unfortunately become routine, was the now-ever-present trail of more malevolent followers. They were not always the same number or even the same group but they were there. From varying distances, they spied on the Goth, occasionaly challenging them. There had been skirmishes, warning shots fired, brawls, shouted insults, but thankfully no deaths. The Goth had to stay in populated areas and along highly populated routes. They were safer.

      There had been no more obvious routes. Any direction they travelled there were armies. So they came to Stuttgart and had to discuss once again where to go, there was no clear choice.

      John's earlier injury was healed, but now there were scrapes and bruises from more recent conflicts. There had been fist fights on city streets, and chases through brambles near one camp. Many of them had such minor wounds and bore them rather proudly, as if to announce they had turned the other cheek to suffer a matching pair of black eyes. There was little they could do to avoid this level of violence when their unfriendly followers had set upon them.

      Even more they kept night watch in shifts and made camp in tight formation. They had lookouts ride on the roofs of vehicles by day while they moved. 

      And as the Goth moved south, the many armies had been on the move. The Spanish and Gaul had set their troops in various formations for ground assault and were marching east from the Schwartzwald. They had taken a bridge at Tuttlingen and still held the city. All bridges that spanned the Danube were important to an army seeking to take or defend Germany, as the river crossed over its southern part almost entirely. The Swiss had taken Ulm and Dillingen, The VC were in Germany now, holding the cities of Ingelstat and Neuberg against the armies of the EL. Both the armies of Russia and the combined DG and Egypt Gaurd were within reach of Regensburg and racing to get there first. There were now Americans travelling south, by land, from base near Frankfurt.

      Meanwhile, the more mercenary armies of the satellite organizations to the EL, the Protestant Underground, Secret Christian Brotherhood and Klan, were focusing their efforts in the area of the southern waterways, particularly the Rhine, Mein and Danube. The more secretive organizations of Rowan, Psychic Dicks and Manchester School could be tracked mainly by reports of mysterious deaths and disappearances reported by the equally secret Metro Noir; they were also moving into southern Germany.

      Choosing a path was not as simple as going directly north. That would take the Goth into the path of American and German troops and all those who marched to meet them. Northeast meant Russians and northwest meant the Gaul.  Southwest of course meant the Spanish and southeast VC. Directly south were the Swiss. Directly west was also Gaul army and directly east would take them to Regensburg, which was the only city with major bridge not held by an army.

      Leonore and Marcus had presented the situation. As usual, though Marcus and all the crew worked out these intelligence reports, Leonore was the most vocal. John thought they may as well go east. He asked for suggestions rather than give his own.

      "I do not wish to go west," Claudia said first. The rest of the Elders agreed in murmer. West was possibley the most clearly dangerous.

      "I do not know what is best," Alaric began, "It's been made clear there can be surprises in any location. Obviously the crew works hard..."

      "We do work hard, all of us," Sascha spoke for them, "but we would be the first to warn that things change constantly and these other armies and organizations have their own teams working hard to keep from being spied on."

      "There could be surprses, but we have to choose based on what we know and risk it," Robbie said.

      "Well, then I really think we've been pushed into one fairly bad direction," Alaric said. "It's highly likely that the satellite groups allied to the EL are coming from the north and with the Swiss obviously to the south and Spain and Gaul very close to the west we can only go east and hope the Union armies don't go out of their way to stop us or think us any threat."

      "That was my instinct, to just risk it east," John told them.

      "Unlike most of the cities along the river and in much of Europe Regensburg has remained untouched by war since medieval times," Claudia said, "If there is any way fighting can be drawn away from there, either by us or others..."

      "It really is preserved?" John asked.

      "I have not visited, but I have seen pictures. The old section has had some restorations due to its continued use and wear, but there are buildings well over a thousand years old. Beyond the old town, the newer sections range in age from hundreds of years old to quite modern. Also, we are talking about over a million residents now. Some of us saw the footage taken when Ulm and Tuttlingen were taken, and that was without military opposition. If Union and EL forces reach Regensburg close enough to each other the damage caused by the struggle between them will be...well just unforgivable."

      "I don't know if we can actually reach Regensburg before the armies and that if we do it will matter," John said flatly.

      "There just has to be a way to help. I know we've said that land is not worth fighting for, and I don't want to fight. But maybe we can come up with some kind of barricade or demonstration that will help," Claudia pleaded.

      "We couldn't all reach it in time," Robbie said, "But our fastest vehicles could."

      "Phone calls could reach the city now practically," Sascha said.

      "Of course," Alaric said, "split the train, like disengaging the cars from the engine. Some of the trucks we have could tow as many as three of the small wagons as far as weight and the number of horses we have could tow two trailers in teams perhaps. There are ways to free up vehicles. Check the map..."

      "Straight shot of highway past Aalen, Nordlingen and Eichstatt to Regensburg," Marcus read from his mobile's screen.

      "And a city that size must have a small army of police, firefighters, trashmen, park rangers, and city employees that can be deployed to form a barricade. We can look up the governor's number, barrage his offices with requests to protect the city," Sascha suggested.

      "Perfect," Claudia said, "If we tap enough city systems we can even arrange for the orders to be given." She grinned too widely John thought.

      "All right, let's do this," John said finally. Claudia, you and the tech crew do everything possible to protect and warn that city from remote. Meanwhile, the rest of us will do our best to split into two groups. Someone will be needed to stay with the slower train, see that they are steered away from trouble as they follow."

      "I volunteer for that assignment," Patrick said, "Our truck can no doubt serve best by hauling and though I approve of the plan I do not think going ahead is for Adelle and Maureen, I'm sure no one with a child would want them in greater danger than need be."

      "You are completely right," John said, "I ask Merideth to lead along with Patrick. I hope you both will agree to be co-leaders in our absence. And Karina, I ask you to stay and guide as you can, see they are well. Vivianne may join us if she wishes."

      "I will stay," Merideth agreed, "But Alaric should go."

      "If you don't need me for the time?" Alaric asked.

      "Some crew should stay with the slower train," Claudia said, we can better keep in touch and advise each other that way, make plans for rejoining."

      "Merideth will be here, but I will stay if you say I should," Mikolaj offered.

      John looked at the boy. He was small but no coward, not anymore. He offered only because he thought others would worry for him. 

      "Perhaps if Miko wants to go Erik and I could stay," Jayne offered, "Not to insult Miko at all, but we have slightly more training and experience with technical things and maybe Miko would be better used with the fast train, being he is often able to acquire what is needed."

      "Miko, you have other skills besides being a tech," Erik offered, "and Jayne and I will do allright with Merideth to help us. Besides, Sascha will surely worry if we go, we are her fragile newbies."

      "Then I will go, and Jayne and Erik can help with the slow train as they said," Miko said quickly.

      John nodded. "Let's get outside and work," he ordered.

                      †               †               †

      The first thing done was to research and calculate the towing capacity of vehicles. Then they calculated weight of things that must be towed rather than move under their own power. These loads were divided up into as few working loads as possible without going over or leaving too much of a remainder from towing capacities, starting with the most powerful towing vehicles.  This left a good number of small cars and some compact trucks.

      To choose which of their tribe would take a train they first had the very youngest and their caretakers stand with the slower vehicles. After that they took volunteers for both trains until one was filled. The fast train was filled first, the slower train by default.

      The slow train was not that much slower than their usual travel, about as fast as an eight horse team could pull a fair load. The real difference was that the slower train would make stops by night and rest more. The fast train of course was to race along the highway in fast lanes without stop. Only this way did they have a reasonable chance to arrive before the armies.

      John had the trains readied as quickly as possible. He gave a last brief speech to those he was leaving. They were assured they would rejoin the rest of their tribe and left in care of Patrick and Merideth and had about half the Elders with them in total. The faster team would have the four Elders who were also techs along with Alaric and Mikolaj. Of course they had John and Claudia also and Vivianne to help.

      John got into his hovercar then, often their lead car. Claudia and Miklaj were with him and Rory. Alaric was just behind in a Jeep with Aaron and Hansel. Yet another car was driven by Vivianne and another by a friend of Quentin's, another still by Masha. Sascha's RV was last, powerful enough to reach decent highway speeds and holding most of the techs which had not remained behind, as well as Cyprian.

      Claudia was linked with the other techs by mobile before they were even moving. Together, they were to do what they could to sway the city government of Regensburg to make demonstration against occupation. A few hours into travel and already hundreds of miles underway Claudia made a happy sound.

      "The Mayor of Regensburg has understood our arguments and warnings and says he has called all his staff to meet and has agreed to let us know what decision he makes as soon as he does decide," She told John.

      "Really, you didn't scare him?"

      "He has followed the story of the Goth, just like everyone in Germany," Claudia announced as if this should be understood. "He is grateful for our warnings and any help we can give. He says this at least and I believe he has no motive to lie. A Mayor would not want his city harmed if he could avoid it."

      "True," John admitted.   

                      †               †               †

      The Mayor of Regensburg had contacted Claudia with a decision. While confrenced with the crew she had seen the major in face-to-face video call and he had told her and the others his advisors had come up with one suggestion he thought might have a chance of working. "We have decided to try declaring neutrality," Mayor Wald said to them, "so long as any army believes we will deal with another we are in danger. I believe there is a small chance that we will remain free if we can convince both sides we will allow no army into the city."

      "You realize this could have repercussions, actions taken against you by Germany and the Union?" Claudia asked.

      "It is the only way I can see."

      "It is also the best idea I have heard," Claudia told him. "We are quite close now. Do you know where the other armies are? Have you had contact?"

      "We have had contact from General Angel in form of announcement that Union troops were being sent to protect Regensburg and we should be prepared for their arrival."

      "Angel herself?" Claudia asked.

      "No. I do not believe so. She has sent others."

      Claudia looked up, along the highway. They had pulled aside to a slower lane and soon would be on the narrower access road that would take them into the city. "Mayor Wald, we are just outside the city. Shall we come into Regensburg?"

      "I would like to meet with your representatives. If you take the road exit 44 you will find the city buildings in Oldtown. Our police will expect you and offer directions."

      "Our thanks Mayor Wald, I will meet with you myself, until then?" Claudia said.

      "Until then, Lady VonGoth." The Mayor was gone, just the carrier logo and then Claudia's default mobile screen.

      She turned her head to look at John. He seemed calm, eased by the act of driving. "Did you hear? Exit 44."

      He nodded.

      Claudia contacted Sascha. Video again. "Do what you can to find a way to send a message to the approaching Russians. Wideband signal maybe or capture a number."

      "On it," Sascha reported.

      Claudia closed her computer. Miko touched her shoulder. "What will the Mayor do?" he asked.

      "Attempt to negotiate a peaceful resolution with both sides at once," Claudia said.

      "You don't think it'll work?" Miko asked.

      "I hope it works."

                      †               †               †

      They drove through the city on one of its raised roadways, looking down at buildings as they went. It was like driving back in time, the tall offices and shopping malls with apartments built in the storeys above them, gleaming glass and metal and afterward the brick and stone facades yet modern in shape, cubical, pyramidal, or elegantly curved. The further into the city the older things were, existing as they had in past years. There were residential areas down some streets, aluminum sided, and then brick, and then stone covered in stucco, and then stone again in heavy shapes.

      The very heart of the city came into view as John steered the hovercar down the spiraling ramp to the street level. It was almost unreal, the number of large stone buildings all Gothic in architechture, with stained glass windows or fretted lead about rippled panes. The streets were lit with less old electric lights fashioned to seem gaslamps and in the evening light the streets really seemed to be from a darker age. John had been all over Poland, Hungary, and Germany, but so many or their cities had been destroyed in wars. Regensburg was pristine. The road before St. Peter's Cathedral was actually cobblestone. The spires of the cathedral, so intricate. And the city hall was as impressive a secular building.

      As promised, there were police to escort them into the city offices. At a gesture John led Claudia and Miko into the City Hall after their escort. It was rather grande and absolutely old world inside, marble floors of some age, and glass and crystal lighting fixtures. They went into an upstairs office, riding the modern elevator carefully installed into the surrounding masonry as to make the higher floors accessible to all.

      The Mayor was there, John had seen his face on Claudia's mobile. He had many men and women about him, city officials. They were mainly German, that was ethnicly German in appearance, but there were others as well, dark skinned, or almond-eyed, and even a winged woman who showed little age. They represented the city, diverse, cosmopolitain, but still very much German.

      Claudia made their introductions, the mayor knowing her face and name that went with it from their conversations. "Our Leader John VonGoth, also my husband," she said and then with Gesture to Miko, "One of our Tribal Elders, Mikolaj."

      "You are all so young," said the woman who seemed Asians.

      John made a bow to her then straightened and smiled, "We are a very new tribe."

      The staff seemed to relax and Mayor Wald introduced all his staff. There were many, John could not remember every name, but clearly all city services were represented. He did find that the rather dark-skinned man was the legal advisor to the mayor, and the apparent Darkling their chief of emergency services.

      They sat, as invited, about a conference table with the others, John given a seat opposite the Mayor. Mayor Wald began by thanking them for their warnings, as Mayor he relied on the larger German government to gather intelligence on foreign armies and movements. He would not have known to send helicopters to see the position of the Russians without their warning.

      John was shown a hardcopy of a legal contract they had drawn up to be signed by the commanders of both armies. It was very wordy in the way that legal documents were explicit and detailed but he understood the basic agreement. Each army would agree that so long as no other army was allowed into the city they too would stay outside. This excluded only small lightly armed forces of no more than twenty men total to visit with representatives for business or legal negotiations.

      "I have sent word out under flag of truce to both armies asking that a small party accompany their representatives into the city to meet with me here," Mayor Wald said.

      "I hope they at least agree to meet," John said, "Having them see old town will effect them more than words alone."

      "Have you thought of how you will try to convince them?" Claudia asked.

      "We are all considering that," the Mayor answered. "Can you tell me anything more about the armies? Anything that will help in negotiations?"

      "The Russians will not initially be pleased that we are here," John admitted, "It is not the Goth entirely but Claudia and I they most dislike. I'm afraid that depending on who the Union may send they may also not be happy with us."

      "Do you think they would be quicker to take the city knowing you are here?" Mayor Wald asked.

      John hesitated to answer. He truly was not sure of this.

      "Neither likes us, but they know we are against the war at least. They should trust we will not give in to either side," Claudia offered.

      The mayor nodded. "The Russians must understand what we risk in declaring neutrality, that we will no longer be entirely friendly with the Union. And the Union must understand we need to be neutral and will not give in to the Russians."

      "That is exactly what we need," John said.

      "And so we have decided to declare our entire city Goth."

      Dead silence.

      He could not be serious. "I do not understand," John whispered. Claudia reached for his hand under the table.

      "Regensburg is populated by Goth. It is in my power to surrender the city and I give it to your tribe. We have heard you say land is not worth fighting over. We do not wish there to be fighting, that is the point of all this. But we do wish to do whatever possible to show we are neither Union nor EL. And the Goth are neither."

      "I don't know if this will work," John said.

      "If it is truly your will and you can show the people are with you we will accept," Claudia said.

      "It is all the people speak of, the Goth, and lamenting the war. Since the news broke today, there has been no panic and fleeing. Rather the churches have been filled. The streets have been crowded. With demonstrations against the war. Our polls show support for this."

      "Then I must accept," John said slowly, "we have always accepted willing followers. But what now?"

      "You nominate a Mayor to oversee the city on behalf of the tribe and await reply from the armies," said the man John thought might be the Deputy Mayor.

      "Then I nominate Mr Wald," John replied.

      "Thank you, My Leader," Mayor Wald said with small bow.

      John rose to his feet. "You are obviously all doing good work, get what rest you can. I will remain close, I only go to contact the others of the tribe. If you know of any reliable photographers and reporters, it would be good to have them report this as soon as possible, have it known by the world what Regensburg is facing. I'll be near if any word come in." With that he left the room, sensing Claudia behind. 

      "You did good," she whispered.

      They were downstairs before he spoke. He looked around. "Miko stayed, I asked him to," Claudia said. John nodded. He saw Alaric and the others had arrived, even Sascha. Alaric was laughing with some police officers.

      When they saw him the gathered closer. "All of Regensburg is ours. All its citizens are now Goth."

      "Are you serious?" Quentin asked.

      "Quite. But now we really must be concerned with the saftey of our people. The city's population was over a million."

      "It's all right," Claudia insisted. "Somehow we will convince them. "Sascha, work on any reasons a Russian would have to feel affinity with Regensburg or even pity. And Robbie, try to find a way to convince the Union military we are not trying to revolt, only to keep out of the war. Perhaps you can find some precedent for a held territory being neutral while its mother country was at war."

      "Yugoslavia," One of the policeman said, "Maybe it's not exactly the same. I remember just a few days ago at home I was looking at maps in my encyclopedia, following the second world war...Yugoslavia was a communist state. When all other communist countries became satellites to Russia in the Soviet Union, based on their common form of government, Yugoslavia, though communist and allied to them, refused to be absorbed into the Union or to take orders from the Union."

      "Canada, remained loyal to the monarch of England yet became a separate nation equal to England, that was before the treaty with the USA that formed the USNA led by the joint Presidents or both joined the UDN."

      John looked at Claudia.

      "My father has relatives in Quebec," she explained. "We need to let them feel we are loyal to Union law, yet a distinct entity that reserves the right to refuse to give support to the war in form of weapons or troops."

      "Someone write that down," John said, "it sounded good."

                      †               †               †

      The representatives from both the Union and the Russian EL had arrived as agreed, each with impressive display of guards, but equally matched it seemed. John sat down, having entered the room with the Mayor, after the city staff had already been seated with the military. Claudia arrived just after, leaving the Goth they had brought into the city, in the room behind. She sat at his left, as Mayor Wald was at John's other side.

      John looked over the Russians and other soldiers slowly. The head of the Russian contingent was a uniformed man and by the look of it higher ranked than those with him. The other noticeable thing was that a woman in civilian dress was at his right side and looked across the wide conference table rather than to John. The Union's negotiator was plainly a Vampyre, though none others with him seemed to be. The men and women in loose blue uniform clothing were likely Egyptian Guard and the few others were wearing the red and black uniform of the Darkling Guard.

      "I can't be sure what intelligence sources you have so I will present our situation and plan for you," John began. "I am John VonGoth, Leader of the Goth. The city of Regensburg, represented by Mayor Wald to my right, has joined our tribe, the Goth. That is the million plus civilians living here are of the tribe I lead. As Regensburg has definable boundaries and land holdings, these have passed to the tribe, though we are presently and primarily nomadic. Both Mayor Wald, as Regensburg's highest official, and myself, as the Goth's highest official, seek to have both the Union of Darkland Nations and the Estates Liberte understand that we wish to remain nuetral and not involved in this war. We would like to remain under Union law, which grants its citizens rights and protections the EL does not, however, we wish to be recognized as a distinct entity that reserves the right to refuse to give support to the war effort in form of weapons or troops."

      The soldiers of both sides stared at him as if he were mad. The Vampyre squinted slightly, as the woman in plainclothes spoke in hushed voice to the Russian negotiator. They were reading his thoughts. Well, he had nothing to hide from them.

      "I appreciate you desire to save these people and the historical landmarks here," said the Vampyre in very British English, "But you can't just secede from Germany and then expect to join the Union as its equal, I don't care if Canada did it!"

      "Perhaps introductions?" Claudia smiled. "I am Lady Claudia of the Goth, also wife to John. You are?"

      "General Peter Novgrady," said the Russian.

      "Joshua," said the Vampyre, "Captain, but assigned negotiator. I don't understand what we are doing here."

      "I was only stating our current situaton and wants," John said, "we have a deal to offer."

      "What is this deal?" Novgrady asked.

      John gave them each a copy of the amended legal agreement, very much the same but with mention of the Goth. "As a neutral territory we ask that neither army enter our city in force, details are there for you to read over."

      Both men took some time to read. The woman with Novgrady watched John.

      Novgrady spoke, "Why should we stay outside Regensburg when you say you wish to be under Union law?"

      "Because we will not let our city be used for anyone's war effort. What is you mission? Not specifically to take Regensburg I'll bet, but more likely to keep major river ports and bridges out of Union control. Your allies already have three cities on the Danube and the Union only two. Be content and leave Regensburg for civilians to safely pass through."

      "I will sign for the Union armies if the Russians can for the El," Joshua offered. He smiled across the table, "We don't really fear crossing water, actually we can fly right over if not construct a prefab bridge, we just don't want you to have the river cities, or any of our nations' lands."

      "We've got armies on both sides of the river, we don't need this city, all the west is ours. Poland is ours too. We are winning this war."

      "This war hasn't even started!" Joshua said just under shouting.

      "Was underhanded the way your people entered Hungary and carried out arrests and executions without proper authority, Poland would be safe if we hadn't needed to reinforce the DG in Hungary!" one of the DG soldiers spoke up.

      "Quiet now," John said. "The Rus are a people made of ancestors Slavic and partially Scandinavian, you've even a pinch of Mongol in you, there's no good reason to be fighting people that share your roots, or even disrespecting those who happen to be different. The same goes for these Union soldiers, half of them seem Slav or Celt or Magyar. You all are just like us but for politics. And the Egyptians are certainly an equally ancient people, if not moreso, we would never attack them or harm their landmarks any more than we would seek to destroy Peter the Great's palace in St Petersburg or St. Basil's and the Kremlin in Moscow."

      Novgrady hastily signed the contract. "Now you sign," he hissed at Joshua.

      "Glad to," Joshua laughed and signed the document.

      "Our Mayor will notarize those," John said. The papers were handed to the end of the table and witnessed by the Mayor. John looked them over and then handed each to the one who had not signed that copy. "You each hold the other's word, hold proof."

      Joshua nodded.

      Novgrady nodded.

      "You may go in peace," John told them.