Stories thread - King of the Romans PBM

[GeneralHankerchief]

Bern, 1330

It had been quiet.

Sure, there were the constant stream of couriers coming and going, delivering messages, the frenzied redeployments as parts of the Army of Light were twice revealed to be out of position, and the now-constant thudding of the Grand Bombard coupled with the sounds of the city walls crumbling, but really, it had been quiet.

The whole morning was just simple tactical maneuvering, really. The chess pieces that had been placed on the board long ago, probably in 1300 or maybe even before that, depending on if one wanted to view the political emergence of Dietrich von Dassel or Hans's return from Outremer as the start, were being manipulated for the final time. Soon, the time would come to take the plunge.

The quietness was frightful, really. Dietrich wasn't used to it. He relished the heat of battle, the time where little coherence could be made over the clash of metal, sounds of horses trampling, and screams of men, whether it be from anger or pain. This... this was worse. Different. The whole morning had been like it, as if it was waiting too. Everyone was waiting, and for every second they waited the tension would increase and eventually the knowledge came that when things did start to get loud, they would get really loud, as if a giant war god of ancient times bottled up his anger and then finally released it at once, causing a massive frenzy and a whirlwind of destruction that would be terrible for all to behold.

The silence would be broken, that was certain. That time was rapidly approaching, that was also certain. The only thing still in doubt was who would break it?

This was the terrible question that was consuming Dietrich for the moment. For it was the question that would decide the battle.

Hugo Merode, the commander of the Lutheran relief army that had come to Dietrich's aid, and his advance guard had arrived in the north, deploying alarmingly close to Hans. The Duke of Swabia had been demonstrating on the city walls all morning, making especially good use of his Grand Bombard on the area. Dietrich had been content to sit back and wait for Hans to impale himself on his defenses. Now, however, things had changed.

Hugo's army was required if there was to be any hope of victory for that day. Hans currently only had one loyalist army on the battlefield, but Jan von Hamburg still lurked to the south. The old Duke could easily turn north and defeat Hugo in detail, thus ridding himself of one army and making things a lot easier. On the other hand, he could make an attempt on the city.

If I sit back and do nothing then Hugo might very well be destroyed.

If I sally to Hugo's aid there's a chance that Hans could catch me in the open and destroy me.

The uncertainty of it all lasted an eternity and continued to draw out the terrible quietness. Something must be done, and quickly.

"Sir? What are your orders?"

It was August von Blücher, looking at his commander expectantly.

Dietrich sighed.

"We

[Zim]

An introduction: 1330, outside Staufen
Jan von der Pfalz looked over his shoulder. He could still see the castle of Staufen, his home for the past season, through the darkness of night and the branches of trees in the way. He had grown up within a days march of the castle, but had never thought it looked so foreboding. Snap your self out of this, it’s only a castle! he thought, shaking his head furiously as if he could thus cast out the feelings of doubt and shame that coursed through him.

A scant few months ago, Jan had answered the call to arms in service of the Reich. He had left his small family holdings to go to the castle Staufen, where he was charged with whipping men from his hometown into a fit shape for military service. One fateful day he had received the letter from Wolfgang Hummel, prevailing upon him to join the Principality. Raised to be a loyal citizen of the Reich, his first instinct had been to cast the letter into the flames. Perhaps it would have been better if he had.

Instead, he had decided to think about it. He thought about the recent past. While Hans went on a wild goose chase after Peter von Kastilien, a national hero, the Reich had fallen apart, its people divided by political and religious differences. Now Hans continued a religious war against the Lutherans and Wolfgang Hummel, while Franconia was being destroyed by foreigners. This was all done in the name of the Reich. Jan was always a loyal citizen, but perhaps the schismatics had a point. For centuries the Kaisers had worked for centralization. The Empire grew strong and more unified, but dissent also increased. Kaiser Siegfried had seemed a madman, seeking to merge the German Empire with the corrupt Greek Empire, where neither lord nor freeman controlled his own destiny and everyone was a slave. This madness was destroying the Empire, even after the man who initiated it had died.

So Jan had decided to accept Hummel’s invitation. Hummel seemed a man after his own heart, who wanted to see the regions of the Empire regain their former autonomy. Jan hoped he made the right decision, but whatever the case, it was made. Now he was leaving both the castle he had spent these past months in and the lands he had spent his life in to go to a city he had never seen called Antwerp, fleeing in the dark like a brigand. Around him he could see the shadows of his guard and others, soldiers who had trained under him and retained their loyalty to Jan. Common soldiers, low ranking spear and horsemen. He did not know if they numbered enough to make even a single regiment of soldiers, but he hoped so. God knows Hummel would need them.

[Privateerkev]

Bern: 1330

Jan sat in his command tent on the mountainside overlooking the southern wall of Bern. His advance guard was almost ready. His reserve force was arriving and forming up. The former King of Outremer sat at his desk writing out his will and some letters. When he was finished he got up and walked over to another part of the large tent.

His family looked up when he entered. They had joined him on his crusade. Partly for security reasons and partly because he just liked having them around. Alfgarda got up from her chair and walked over to her husband. Jan handed his paperwork over to her.

"Here, send these out if I fall today."

She looked at him for a few seconds, took the letters, and laid them on her desk. "I do think your worrying too much honey. You've lived through so much already. The Lord won't let you die."

Jan grunted and said, "I think I have fulfilled the Lord's purpose. Once this is over, there won't be much left for me except semi-retirement. No, if I live, it won't be because of Him. These letters are to make sure some things are taken care of if I fall. Don't worry. I have no intention of falling but it's best to be prepared."

Alfgarda walked over to her husband and embraced him. They had been quite the happy couple in the few years that they had been married. For some marriages, time was not kind. Such was not true of the von Hamburgs.

Jan let go of his wife and bent down to pick up his two children. Clare and Andreas were the apples of his eye. They were still too young to understand what dad did for a living. Jan looked over at Clare. "I hope you marry well. A young man who treats you well and serves this family." He looked at Andreas. "And I hope you grow up to be a good and righteous man. I still have a few contacts among the nobles and I'll make sure you have the opportunity to serve the Reich and the Lord with honor."

Jan handed the children over to his wife. Alfgarda took them up in her arms and held them. "I need you to do something for me if I fall. It's asking a lot."

She smiled, "If I can do it I will."

-------------------------------------------

Jan walked out of his tent where Max, Gunther, and Azim were waiting for him.

Gunther nodded and said, "The men are ready sir."

"Good good, we need to get going. Hans needs our help. Max, a word with you?" Jan asked of his Teutonic knight.

Max stood at attention, "What do you need my lord?"

"I need you to stay out of the main fight. You are to join your brethren when they are ready."

Max looked like he was punched in the gut. "My lord, but why? My place is at your side!"

"I have a couple of other things I need you to do." Jan pulled a letter out of his tunic and handed it over. "This will explain everything." Jan shook the man's hand. "God be with you Max. Thank you for everything you have done for me my friend."

Max nodded. "It's been an honor my lord. God be with you."

Jan returned to Gunther and Azim and walked down to the rest of his bodyguards.