Inside Eggenberg Palace, steeped in rich Baroque style, Count Waldersee, tutor to the Holy Roman Emperor, withdrew his gaze from the dome of this history-laden old castle and followed the Master of Ceremonies into the western hall.
Nearly a hundred delegates from various nations were already seated in the hall. He took a deep breath and stepped onto the wooden platform at the front.
To be honest, he disliked occasions like this, but Count Kobzl had recently been dismissed by His Majesty the Emperor, while Count Waltherhausen, the new State Minister, was busy consolidating a government whose hearts were in turmoil. Thus, the heavy responsibility for this conference had fallen upon him.
The delegates in the hall rose to salute him, though their motions were so perfunctory they looked more like nods. The Bavarians' backsides had not even left their chairs. Count Waldersee began with a few formal opening remarks before getting straight to the point. "I trust everyone is already well aware of this shameful Rebellion.
"The rebels are carrying out massacres in Vienna, forcing its people to fight the Imperial Army, bringing grave disaster upon the Empire. Although Prince Schwarzenberg defeated them in the battle at the Faistiritz River, Vienna still contains a great many..."
The Faistiritz River lay northeast of Graz. Had it not been for Prince Schwarzenberg's victory, this conference likely could not have been convened here.
Count Waldersee planted both hands on the table and swept his gaze over the room. "Now, His Majesty the Emperor requires all nations to dispatch Imperial Army units to eradicate the rebels in accordance with the ancient resolution enacted by the Imperial Parliament..."
The Imperial Army was essentially the force the Holy Roman Emperor kept stationed among the various states, to be placed under the Emperor's command when necessary.