Der Flechtemann Chronicle

A coughing old monk opened the heavy wooden door, creaking on mildewed hinges and entered a musty cloister, his quiet home. Pressed against his nose, his long sleeves of cotton gave him relief from an incessant drip, while the other hand levied a softly glowing candelabra to illuminate the dark. His eyes, concealed behind heavy wrinkles, attempted to peer through the dust-filled air—twinkling specks of dust floated in the space. The enclosed cavern, clearly bereft of any human activity.

Set in 14th-century Germany under the crushing weight of the Holy Roman Empire, the story reveals the brutal toll exacted on the lower classes. While nobles and corrupt clergy hoard power and wealth—often enforced by mercenaries and violent knights—families like the Symons must fight to survive. The story picks up after Yakov’s Run, where the three Symon siblings—Yakov, Anna, and Dieter—were torn apart. Yakov, once a soldier under the ruthless Petres the Chain, begins to see through the lies of power and longs to return to the life he lost.

Interest in the social life of humankind shows that, across time, people are driven by the same needs: food, shelter, safety, and connection. In The Fletcher’s Gambit, Book 2 of The Der Flechtemann Chronicle, Michael and James uncover secrets of 14th-century Germany. Like in Yakov’s Run, injustices and family separations drive the story. These tales reflect our past and present, told to uplift, inspire, and reveal timeless human truths.