Over the next several years Count Nikolaus consolidated his rule. First he called a holiday for the villagers and miners of Rabeheim, calling all of their leaders to a great feast.
After the feast the village Hedman and five of the Council of Elders fell ill of a strange disease and were confined to their beds for three days in which they became weaker each day. On the night of the third day they all recoved, but afterward they suffered from a strange skin disease that would not allow them to be out during the day.
Baron Rollo fell from the walls of the castle and died. Two nights later his son was found in the castle yard without a mark on him. His eyes still held a look of pure terror as if he had been frightened to death.
Sir Kristian was killed while hunting in the forests below his keep, his body torn apart by some wild beast. He had no heir.
Baron Carl was renowned as the greatest knight of the county. He defied Count Nikolaus and challenged him to a combat to the death. They fought on the field below Rabeheim. Baron Carl was unhorsed on the first pass with lances. Count Nikolaus dismounted giving up his advantage and fought the Baron on foot, drawing his sword which shone in the light of the torchers and the moon with an unholy tint, it seemed as if the sword was the colour of fresh blood. The two knights both struck out with their swords but Nikolaus moved with a speed that was beyond the abilities of the Baron, and Nikolaus' sword struck the Baron between his neck and shoulder and cleaved a great gashing wound down into the Baron's chest cutting right through his beating heart. Nikolaus had not a single wound upon him.
After this the other Barons and Nobles of the county swore the oaths of vassalage to Count Nikolaus and order returned to the area, but strange things continued in the dark forests and mountains of the county. Peasants and travellers learned to fear the forests by night. Neither Noble nor peasant was safe from the fell beasts that were hunting in the night.
Rumours began to spread of outlying farms and villages that were inhabited by cannibles and ghouls, of graveyards where the graves and cripts were empty and the dead walked upon the land. The night had become a time of terror and the people feared to leave their homes once the sun had gone below the horizon. Between dusk and dawn no man walked upon the land.
Count Nikolaus gave Ulfstadt, the deceased Baron Rollo's castle, to Sir Pieter, his companion and lieutenant, to hold for him. He gave High Keep to Sir Egil, for his ability in combat as it guarded the high pass into the Empire. To Delgon the Necromancer he gave the Grey Tower deep in the ancient forest.
* * *
Nikolaus deals with the realms of men through his mortal vassals. Chief among these is Baron Adrian, a sly and cunning man who sees service to Nikolaus as a way to ever greater power. He longs for the day Nikolaus will give the gift of immortality to him.
Baron Adrian arranged for Nikolaus his marriage to Sophia, daughter of Baron Henry de Chandel, and famed as the most beautiful and chaste maiden of Bretonnia. After their marriage Sophia became pale of skin, but this only enhanced her great beauty and it was seen that she was totally devoted to Nikolaus.
This is the situation today. There are many rumours, but so far no one has proven them. Witch Hunters have tried to find the truth but none who have entered Nikolaus' lands have returned to tell their tale.
Nikolaus waits and builds his strength and plans his revenge upon the mortals of the Empire and Bretonnia. He still carries the Grail upon his shield but now it is as black as the grave and drips blood from its bowl.