The Baron von Ernest goes on tour

“Hans Neesand.”

“Yes Miss Sharpie?”

As the new boy in class I found myself a constant focus of attention.

“What is six plus nine?”

She wrote the sum on the chalk board and gestured for me to complete it.

I took the chalk in my hand and wrote a clumsy 1 and 5.

She didn’t congratulate me, she merely said “Back to your seat now Hans,” as if I had done wrong.

She tested the class with a few more sums, then it was back to me.

“Who rules this Kingdom, Hans?” She asked me. “Which Baron is our King.”

“It is the Baron Von Ernest,” I said.  She made me write it on the chalk board and immediately I had done so sent me back to my seat.

And so the day might have continued, but we were interrupted by the blast of a trumpet, followed by the entrance of a man in full regal regalia.  I recognised him as Friedrich, the Baron’s Emissary.

“The Baron von Ernest,” he announced. A small boy my own age entered the class. “The Baron von Ernest,” Friedrich repeated, in case anyone was confused by the arrival of a boy smaller than many of those in the classroom.

“Hans,” the Baron greeted me, for we had met many times before. “I’m here to take you out of school, would that be all right Miss Sharpie.”

Miss Sharpie was in a kerfuffle of curtsies and barely knew what to speak.

“Your highness,” she said.

“’Your Lordship’ is sufficient,” he said, “Highness is hardly suitable, I am shorter than you.”

“Your Lordship,” Miss Sharpie corrected herself.

“May I take Hans here for a few days, there are important matters of state that require his participation.”

“Of course, yes, please do so.”

Thus excused from my lessons I followed the Baron and his entourage to the door. As we were leaving, the Baron chanced to look at the blackboard.

“Six plus nine equals fifteen. A useful sum, Hans,” the Baron said, “You may need it sometime if you ever wish to post our adventures online.”

I of course, understood nothing of which he spoke.  As we exited the room I asked “What is this all about?”

“An adventure, Hans, an adventure.”

“An adventure?”

“I am necessitated to tour the far reaches of my kingdom. I thought it would be more fun if you were with me.”