The Battle of the Euphrates, 1256
“Siegfried who?” asked Elberhard dumbly.
“Von Kastilien” said the mercenary Captain.
“I didn’t know the Von Kastilien’s had a Siegfried.” muttered Elberhard, bemused.
“Well, he knows about you. He’s appointed you Prinz”. retorted the Captain.
“I’m liking him already.” said Elberhard.
There was a pause: “How’s Hans taking it?”
“Young Hummel has gone rogue over the issue. Your brother’s stance could best be described as quiet fury.”
“Ouch”. said Elberhard. He knew Hans was at his most dangerous when he was silent.
“He has the backing of the Duke of Swabia. It seems your being designated heir was an attempt to appease Swabia and undermine Hans’ opposition. It is a gambit that does not appear to be working.” the Captain informed Elberhard.
Elberhard smiled :“So I’m a @#$%^&!!!ing pawn in some political game? And here was me, thinking this Siegfried fellow was impressed by my rugged good looks and administrative brilliance.” Elberhard rubbed one of the many scars on his face and gazed with disinterest at the mass of papers littering his desk. “Why the @#$%^&!!! did Jobst choose this Siegfried? And are we sure this succession is genuine?”
“No one really knows why Siegfried was chosen. It may be because he was the noble least corrupted by Diet and factional politics. The young man does seem to be honest, he is supported by members of Jobst’s entourage and no one has questioned their integrity.”
“Certainly not me, that’s for sure.” said Elberhard. “Prinz @#$%^&!!ing Elberhard: I like the sound of that.”
His father, Henry, had refused to appoint Hans as his successor because of some superstitious belief in a family curse. Elberhard was not the kind of man to let such sentiment and irrationally bother him.
*****
“Did Salier buy it?” the mercenary Captain asked the Teuton conspiratorially.
“Lock, stock and barrel: simply told Elberhard to “take them down””.
“Was he high at the time?” queried the Captain.
The Teuton wrinkled his nose at the vulgarity. “Well, he might not have fully understood what Elberhard was proposing. Elberhard merely said he wanted to hunt down a left behind rearguard.”
“He did not mention that the rearguard was still marching in close contact with the Mongol leader’s main army?”
“He may not have emphasised that point. He did throw in a casual remark about bagging a Mongol leader as a sweetener for the deal. But I am not sure Salier appreciated what is involved.”
“What, that we will be attacking one and a half Mongol armies lead by a notorious conqueror with a reputation for brutally decisive victories?” the mercenary Captain paused. “@#$%^&!! - if Salier was not stoned, Elberhard sure as @#$%^&!! is.”
The Teuton cast the Captain a condescending look - clearly some of his Master’s vices were spilling over onto his retinue.
Re: Battle reports thread - King of the Romans PBM
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