Battle reports thread - King of the Romans PBM

[OverKnight]

The Third Battle of the Iron Bridge, 1342

The pair of Vardariotai scouts watched the enemy army deployed on the southern side of the bridge. Black and gold Crusader Cross banners flew over the force, meaning it was the Army of Outremer, almost all of it, except for the few units assigned to garrison Antioch. It looked like the Cyclops himself was in command. The lead scout shook his head, Strategos Valsamon would certainly not attack the entire army, not with its fell reputation over the past few years. Others had tried and failed, and the Strategos was no impulsive Captain looking to burnish his reputation or save his skin.

Just as the scouts were about to turn back to report, a series of horn blasts were heard from the other side of the Orontes. Several Crusader infantry units decamped, and as the scouts looked on with interest, marched south on the road back to Antioch.

The lead scout paused to think, over half of the brigand's infantry was now gone, this changed the situation. He ordered his companion to report back to Valsamon.

On the the other side of the river, Matthias Steffen and Adalric watched the second scout depart. Matthias smiled and laughed darkly, "They have taken the bait, again. The Greeks think they're clever this time, waiting for us to divide the army. The sin of pride can be blinding."

Off to his left, Adalric glanced at his liege, Matthias's black eyepatch stood in stark contrast to the rest of his face.

"My Lord, there is the danger that we have weakened our forces too much. It is not just our enemies who may suffer from. . .arrogance."

Matthias turned and leveled his one good eye at Adalric, a grim expression on his face. He held it for a moment and then grunted ruefully, "True enough, Sir, but if I am prideful, at least I am doing it from behind an excellent defensive position. God favors a strong defense."

The Viceroy turned and took in the panorama of the river valley.

"It is good to be back here Adalric. To be back north. This is a good place to make a stand."

A day later, Valsamon moved to attack.

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Matthias deployed his men a distance back from the bridge as the Greeks had elite archers who could reach the far bank. The infantry were in front, ready to charge in and cap the mouth of the bridge. The cannon were off to the right. The cavalry were deployed behind them. The crossbowmen were on the flanks, angled inward to face the midpoint of the bridge.

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The Byzantines led with their archers, mounted and foot. Their infantry was behind them, followed by the heavy cavalry and Vasamon and his retinue. Matthias ordered the cannon to begin firing into their center of mass.

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The rounds exploded among the Greeks. With the Crusaders out of arrow range, the Greek archers and infantry surged forward across the bridge rather than sustain more cannon fire. The Strategos and the melee horsemen hung back.

Matthias, seeing this purple wave crossing the bridge, ordered his own infantry into position. The cannons were ordered to fire at the Greek cavalry.

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The lines met, the Imperial spearmen set just in time to receive the charge of the Vardariotai. As the Greek foot arrived, a mixture of archers, spears and swordmen, Matthias ordered the unhorsed knights and Great Cross guards into the fray.

It was a vicious melee. The Crusader Sergeants and others were being pushed back. Matthias wondered if Adlaric had been right, but then the first Greek units began to break. The horsemen were ordered to pursue.

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This was good news, but as the second wave of Greek foot hit the lines, the routers rallied briefly enough to kill a few crossbowmen. This chaos and the pursuit of the routers disrupted missile and cannon fire. Matthias cursed as he ran down a spearman.

Valsamon, seeing this chaos, decided to cross with the Greek horsemen.

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Fortunately the Imperial cavalry had managed to clear the Greek routers from the line of fire of the crossbowmen. The Imperial front was restored in time to meet the third wave. Matthias ordered his own bodyguard to charge in to meet the Strategos.

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With Valsamon captured, the rest of the Greeks broke. The rout was on.

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A few survivors were able to make it off the field, but the army was destroyed.

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The Basileus did not reward defeat, the Strategos and his men were left to die.

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[Ramses II CP]

Failure at Hamburg, 1344.

Morale was high inside the city, despite the siege. The Hero of Hamburg, Fritz von Kastilien, was inside the city and Prinz Peter himself with a powerful force of Teutonic Knights was just outside, ready to relieve the siege. Every few days Fritz would announce a spot of entertainment for the masses as a Danish prisoner from the last siege army was strung up and hung from the walls to show the Danes outside their eventual fate. Spies reported that this was the last substantial Danish army on the mainland, and that Arhus was lightly held. Communicating with Prinz Peter via flags Fritz prepared to make his sally. Surely God would favor his offensive today just as in every other battle in the war of the north!

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The enemy was experienced and well equipped (3x silver with weapon and armor upgrades) but the walls of Hamburg were very high indeed.The reinforcements would have a long walk to reach the city, so Fritz prepared to keep the Danes busy while his crossbowmen outside the walls advanced.



Spearmen and the merchant cavalry were sent out to encourage the enemy to advance into range of the towers and crossbowmen on the walls. The cavalry moved into position to flank the Danish army. Not wanting to seem passive the enemy sent forward their Norse Archers to duel with the crossbowmen on the walls.



On the Dane's right flank, where the smaller company of merchant cavalry had taken position, War Clerics rushed out to drive them off. The merchants failed to spot this move in time and were struck a glancing blow by a heavy charge. Though few of them were killed, they routed instantly (The first of my many mistakes from not pausing while checking on the progress of the reinforcements) and made for the gates at top speed, pursued by sixty angry War Clerics. Fritz ordered the men who had sallied out of the walls to withdraw back in and close the gates with the merchants outside. Alas one clumsy militia spearman managed to first trip over his own spear, and then drop his shield attempting to get back inside and the gates could not be closed in time.



The gateway was lost! If the Danish captain realized how much initiative he had gained the entire city might fall! Flagmen on the walls ordered the eastern group of merchant cavalry to try to make up for the failure of their fellows and distract the Danes. Hurling insults at Captain Berger's own War Clerics those men managed to draw him off into the forests to the east, in the direction from which the defenseless crossbowmen were marching for the city but also preventing him from issuing the critically necessary order to attack.



At the gate Fritz immediately sent his entire infantry force, two partial companies of spearmen militia and one of Forlorn Hope, to the battle as well as his own bodyguards. The clumsy fool who had allowed the gates to be taken was the first to die, as the War Clerics ran him down from behind when he bent to pull up his socks. Confusion reigned amongst the War Clerics in the gate house as they were surrounded and unsupported in their unexpectedly successful attack.



Long moments passed during which for every War Cleric that fell three of the Hamburg militia were killed, but at last Fritz reached the front personally. There were few War Clerics remaining, but they still held the gatehouse. Roaring a challenge Fritz burst into their midst and slew two of them instantly.



The rest at last gave up the battle and fled. All would be shot down from behind before they could return to the Danish lines.



In the woods Captain Berger had at last given up on chasing the merchants and made his way back to his lines. The militia cavalry exulted that they had escaped a deadly battle and actually been useful in the siege, unlike their brothers. (I hate Merchant Cavalry Militia.)



Upon his return to the army Captain Berger learned what an opportunity he had missed and was infuriated. Inside the city Fritz's reinforcements had finally arrived, though the day was half over. Fritz ordered them onto the walls and went back to overseeing the tower fire without a thought. Alas, two companies of those weary men, having already marched miles on this day, somehow misunderstood Fritz's orders and marched out of the gate instead. Just in time to take a charge from the War Clerics Berger sent to probe any potential weakness at the gate (Round two of my mistakes, or three. No idea how they got their orders so wrong.) and many were lost, especially among the militia crossbowmen.



By this time in the battle the number of crossbowmen on the walls was overwhelming, and the Danish Norse Archers had been all but obliterated. The merchant cavalry were called in from the woods to clear them away. One group of them, having shot out their arrows, made their way almost intact back to the enemy lines but the other three were destroyed. The merchants overpursue and take losses in the mass of Danish infantry.



By this point in the battle the bombard is at last in place, and the ribault is moving slowly into position as well. The enemy has no ranged units to answer this fire, and from their left flank Peter's Teutons are arriving in force. Captain Berger has inflicted far more losses, and held his infantry intact far longer than Fritz had expected, and now he makes the decision to put his two remaining War Cleric companies into battle. First he sends one to probe the gate again and attempt to silence the bombard, then he personally rides out to attack the Teutonic Knights, calling infantry behind him to support his move.



A bombard shot blasts through the War Clerics attacking the gate just as they are carving a path through the militia spearmen there. Those men scattered themselves out desperately to attack the bombard, and killed two of the crew, but they now broke and fled having taken surprisingly few losses. Many of the men would be shot down on the way out, and none would return to the city. Three quarters of the daylight available for fighting has passed, and the Danish infantry, the mass of their army, is almost completely whole.



Near a withered old tree the Teutons surround Captain Berger's men, who stand and fight despite being slightly outnumbered. Eventually they are overwhelmed and start to fall in large numbers. Their infantry support is still far distant, and unlikely to arrive. They've killed half the Teutons, but only ten of them remain. Captain Berger sounds the retreat, but not in flight or fear, in orderly fashion.



The Teutons cannot pursue as they must reorder their own lines and smash the infantry in the area, so Captain Berger escapes to furiously launch his men at the bombard which has been firing into his infantry.



All but three War Clerics die before reaching the walls, and spearmen are ready to attack those three. Many militiamen die to the valiant Captain Berger, but in the end they drag him down.



At last Fritz himself rides out of the walls to salute the corpse of Captain Berger. 'You fought better than any of the Danish nobles I've encoutered. I am suitably impressed, but now I go to butcher your army. Go with God.' Most of the remaining crossbowmen are brought down from the walls to harry the enemy. Every time they attempt to attack the massed crossbowmen charges strike home on their flanks from the Teutons and Fritz's bodyguard. Both sides are ground down by the fighting, but the Huscarls that make up half the Danish infantry are finally annihilated.



At this point the field is a mess. There is no longer any question of losing this battle, only of whether or not his men have the strength and time to complete it. Volleys of bolts smash into the slow moving swordstaves. Fritz's infantry and cavalry combined to overwhelm two companies of them, but losses are staggering and Fritz's infantry formations are no longer combat capable. It's all down to the crossbowmen. One company of militia crossbowmen and mercenary crossbowmen, out of bolts, attempt to overwhelm some swordstaff men with the help of a few remaining Teutons and Mounted Sergeants, but they are repulsed and slaughtered. One mercenary flees the battle, four militia crossbowmen survive, and few of the cavalry.



Assessing his remaining forces Fritz realizes the time has come to withdraw behind the walls. There is very little daylight left for shooting down the rest of the enemy militia, and their heavy armor withstands many of the bolts fired at them. It would be unwise to utterly exhaust his men firing blindly in the dark when the army outside no longer has a real chance of capturing the city. Reluctantly, angrily, but also wearily Fritz orders his men to pull back and leave the huge, vulnerable formations of swordstaves sitting outside.

The battle was brutally unpleasant and ultimately disappointing. Mere minutes away from victory Fritz had been forced to concede a draw, with the enemy still in possession of the field. Fortunately Prinz Peter was still out there, an untapped resource, and if he could rally the crossbowmen outside the walls he should be able to clear away the remaining Danes.

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Ascending the walls the next day Fritz notes a Danish messenger has brought word that the Danes are ransoming some few men who surrendered to them during the battle. The final humiliation, thinks Fritz, but I will need the men if the Danes can somehow draw up more forces. 'Pay the man his paltry sum. My day will come again, and soon. And after that... Arhus.'

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[OverKnight]

The Assault on Adana, Part I


Prelude

Matthias Steffen knelt in the ruined Catholic Church in Antioch. He had ordered it's enlargement in 1336 right before the Greek Siege of the city and its eventual fall. Whatever improvements had been made, the Greeks had smashed. Windows were shattered, pews used for firewood and stones stolen for a new Greek church, which in its own turn had been demolished upon Andreas's retaking of the city. A cloudy sky could be seen through the many holes in the roof.

The state of the building saddened Matthias, for it was here Aldaric had presented him with Iron Faith, the sword of Saint Maximillian and King Salier, which the young man had removed from Adana shortly before its transfer to the Greeks. It was here that Matthias had received his mission from God, to restore Outremer to glory.

Matthias shook his head as he knelt in the dust. That mission had seen many delays, the loss of Antioch, the retreat south and the holding actions he had fought on the road to Acre. Matthias noticed a fresco on the wall behind the remains of the Altar. It showed a map of Outremer in its prime, superimposed on a Crusader Cross. Matthias grunted, true Antioch had been regained, but others of the former counties lay in darkness or in the hands of allies.

The question facing the Crusaders after the reconquest of this city, was what to do now? Risk an attack on Adana? Hold at the Iron Bridge? Raid any Greek army that showed up? Build a fleet to strike at Cyprus?

Matthias was unsure, pressure had to be kept on the Greeks, but his army had to be kept intact. He prayed for guidance.

After a few minutes of silence, the wind picked up, rushing through the holes in the battered church. Suddenly there was a break in the clouds, and a beam of light broke through. As Matthias watch transfixed, it struck the map of Outremer, illuminating Adana brightly before winking out of existence as the clouds rolled in again.

Matthias stood somewhat shakily. Another sign. There would be no more falling back, no more tricks, Adana must be retaken.

Striding out of the Church, Matthias began calling for his men.


The Assault

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The Army of Outremer came at night to Adana. It had been reinforced from Antioch, Andreas would have enough men to keep the city quiet, and there were no Greek armies within marching distance.

The cannons took pride of place, it would be up to them to make any breaches. The rest of the army deployed around them.

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The Greeks were off the walls, no doubt Strategos Pelekanos was fearful of the cannons. It was wise of him.

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As the Imperial foot advanced, the Greeks moved to block the gate. Screaming the name of Saint Maximillian the Crusaders charged the Greeks to retake his burial site.

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A fierce battle developed at the gate, but the Greeks decided to retreat once cannon fire began raking the gate towers. Their aim was to make a stand at the second ring. Imperial horsemen pursued as the cannon were brought up to just inside the first gate.

The cavalry mauled the retreating Greeks, but switched to charge a unit of Guard Archers that was firing on them. They eventually broke as well and began falling back to the second gate. As the cavalry ran them down, a unit of dismounted Latinkon charged through the second gate to attack. A confused melee ensued.

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Concerned, Matthias considered withdrawing his horsemen, but enemy troops now lined the walls of the second ring, missile fire would be deadly on retreating cavalry. The Latinkon were keeping the gate open, best to call the infantry up and try to force it.

The cannons began firing on the defenses of the second ring in support of this push.

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The addition of the Imperial foot broke the Latinkon and they fell back through the open gate. The Crusaders ran after them in full pursuit.

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The second ring had been breached.

[OverKnight]

The Assault on Adana, Part II


The Breakthrough

The Crusader cavalry pursued the broken Greek units toward the main keep, but were stopped by a charging unit of Vardariotai.

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At the same time, two units of Greek foot came off the walls of the second ring to take the Crusader infantry in the rear.

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After a bloody brawl, all three units were broken. The infantry was killed to the last man, though a few of the horse archers were able to escape.

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Many of the Greeks had been killed outside the main Keep, but Pelekanos was within the last redoubt with a strong force of cavalry and a few remnants of footmen and archers.

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Matthias called a halt to the advance. Now was the time for patience. The Keep would have to be reduced and the last defenders weakened before the final assault. The cannons were brought forward. Towers crumbled. . .

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. . .as did walls.

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The crossbowmen were redeployed to fire arcing shots over the last walls and down into the defenders. The remaining Vardariotai charged out through the new breach to try to stop this.

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Matthias and his bodyguard charged in and they were killed. The time had come to finish the job.

[OverKnight]

The Assault on Adana, Part III


The Reconquest

With the last defenders contained in the Keep, it was time to start thinning their numbers. Some of the more chivalrous knights took exception toward slowly killing the Greeks with arcing missile fire, but the footmen, and Matthias, didn't mind at all. The bowmen fired until they were out of bolts.

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The cannons, with the flat trajectory of their shot, were tasked with opening another way into the Keep.

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With Matthias focused on the cannons, another Greek charge into the crossbowmen went unnoticed, killing several of them, but the Crusader counter-charge finished off half the remaining garrison.

As the Crusader foot closed in for the final attack, Pelekanos made one last desperate charge with his men.

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He was unhorsed and killed. The Crusaders swarmed into the Keep.

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The final fight was vicious, but the Greeks by this point were very outnumbered.

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Adana, the first settlement in the East taken by the First Crusade, was again part of Outremer.

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The Citadel was occupied, there would be no butchery or theft in such an important place. 1628 florins were gained.

Epilogue

Making his way through the carnage of the concluded battle, Matthias entered the ruined Chapel of Adana. It was much in the same state of disrepair as the one in Antioch. The Greeks had not been kind, but even they had refrained from desecrating the tombs of Maximillain Mandorf, Conrad Salier and Otto von Kassel. Perhaps it was out of respect for the Saint's defeat of a Jihad called for Constantinople those many years ago, but no one was left alive to tell Matthias, it was a mystery. Trailing his hand along the coffins of the great men who had come before him, Matthias felt in awe.

Grasping the hilt of Iron Faith, Matthias spoke to the dead, "I hope you don't mind if I keep the sword for a bit longer? I'll be here soon enough myself."

And then the Viceroy of Outremer knelt and prayed, giving thanks for the guidance that had brought him here, to Adana, and to victory.

[Northnovas]

From the pages of Biographer to Karl Zirn the Honourable

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Vienna 1344

The last few years have been hard on the old man. The Duke was incapacitated because of an unknown sickness. Karl was now the Steward of the Austrian House and here he was out in some old field engaging the enemy again and trying to get two young nobles prepared to lead men into battle. It was a changing of the guard. He knew it was time for him to move aside and let the younger generation lead.

Karl looked at the two men while sitting in his tent reviewing the battle map. Both were eager to prove their worth. Especially Dieter von Essen his son in law and who had combat experience under the old man. However, not with the amount of responsibility that was before him today. The other young man von Hapsburg was eager but indifferent to the situation. He had come from an aristocratic family and was well educated but had no experience in combat.

The Hungarians were harassing the peasants in the region they had made a threat to Vienna earlier but backed off. They have remained in the region with no objective and their presence was a threat to Vienna and Zagreb. The plan was to remove them out of the region so they were no longer a concern.

Karl looked at the two men then with a mug of hot drink he raised it in the air. “Victory with honour” he then drank from the mug savoring the aromas and flavour. He then continued on. “We will attack tomorrow morning. I wanted you men to see what combat is like in the dark and how to use it to your advantage. However, it does limit our artillery in spotting targets. I wanted to see what you are made of and make the enemy pay for the land we had to conceit years earlier. I want to send a message that we mean business and will get back what has been lost.” These were words that were not expected to come from the old man. There was a lot of conviction and they were both expecting a softer tone from Karl the Honourable.

They spoke not a word and were dismissed to prepare for the fight that lay ahead.

The morning sun was already up before the troops converged on the battlefield. The enemy was deep in the woods and to bring them out Zirn backed himself into a depression in front of a cliff face. He wanted to use the little open space for his missile troops and artillery. The young nobles were in reserve for the final punch to the enemy ranks.



The Hungarians came out of the woods quickly and formation. Their speed surprised the artillery crews who could not target individual regiments.



Karl was amazed at the speed of the enemy and the discipline they demonstrated. They approached the higher ground and at full speed burst into the Austrian lines. All fronts were hit and the Hungarians reached through some gaps quickly.



Karl Zirn was engaged in combat before he realized what had happened. He bravely fought the Hungarian Knights off. He tried to signal his nobles but they were already engaged with the enemy spearmen. Both young nobles were gaining their worth.



Hapsburg was quickly overwhelmed by the spearmen and viciously fought his way from being encircled. In no time he was down to himself and one man. He finally broke from the enemy and headed to the open field
Dieter von Essen found himself in a similar situation but his experience in combat prevented serious losses. Both nobles met in the field being pursued by the enemy spearmen. They joined together in the open field and combining their skills helped defeat the enemy spearmen.



The fight of the Hungarians was unprecedented in Zirn’s view. He never saw such speed and tenacity and at one point thought he was heading for defeat. The 2nd AHA held out for the old man. The young nobles were knighted in front of the men and given a great cheer.

Karl was tired and sore from the combat but his losses were not has great compared to the young nobles.
The prisoners were rounded up before Karl and the young nobles.

Karl looked at the Hungarians and then turned to the young nobles. I know how much you wanted to kill these men and you had every right to do so but now, is not he time for such action. These men fought like you but were not victors. You are the victors and there you shall show the mercy on the defeated. Save your vengeance for the next time you meet.

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Karl the Honourable then walked away leaving the young nobles to contemplate his message. The prisoners were released without ransom or death has been always the way with the old man.

The deployment and results:

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[Ramses II CP]

Hamburg and Arhus, 1344.

Fritz had gotten word that Peter was launching his attack to lift the siege. Though he was certain Peter would need no help, he sallied just to see the death of the army that had so nearly destroyed his and Peter's own armies. From being clearly at a disadvantage in the initial sally, to being massively at an advantage in this battle was gratifying, and slightly offset the shame Fritz felt at failing to drive the Danes entirely from the walls of Hamburg.

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Peter had ridden out alone to challenge the enemy, to draw them away from Hamburg. Fritz's men would enter from Peter's left rear, and the crossbowmen would enter from Peter's right rear.



Prinz Peter didn't need to be told which enemy company needed attention first. He charged home against the dismounted Huscarls immediately, smashing their formation and leaving them all lying in the grass without taking a single loss among his bodyguards.



Peter then withdrew to draw the War Clerics away from their swordstaff allies, which let Hans and the remaining Teutons circle in behind them. They were rapidly annihilated to light casualties among Peter's guardsmen. The Danish captain was the last to fall.





All that was left was to let the crossbowmen work. Not one swordstaff man out of over two hundred would strike a single blow in the battle, nor would any escape.



When only three of those valiant militiamen remained their formation finally broke and routed.

Ransom would be refused. After the battle Fritz effusively thanked Peter and briefly discussed their plans. As noted in the Prince's edict no Franconian city currently stood under siege, and Fritz's much reduced army could hardly be truly necessary for defense, therefore Fritz begged permission to ride on to Arhus and, if the gates could be breached, assault the lightly held city. It was granted. That matter settled, Fritz then knelt solemnly to apologize for his failure at Madgeburg, and when he stood again the two brothers shared a weary smile.

'A grand day, eh my Prinz?'

'So it is, brother.'

'At last Franconia stands not only free of alien armies, but truly prepared to take vengeance for all the blood spilled in her defense. A glorious day! I will see you soon, brother. God be with you, and God save the Reich!'

So saying, Fritz rode rapidly away north with the remnants of his army.

That night, in camp outside of Arhus, the men were sharing jokes about what the peasants along the road had done upon seeing German flags at the head of a northbound army. Robert, concerned over the paltry size of the force Fritz had gathered to head north, shook his head and said, 'M'lord how will we keep discipline once the city is taken?'

'Have no fear on that point! These are Danes. I've carved a blood soaked path through almost a dozen of the best armies they can field. No Dane would dare to raise his hand against me. If you thought the stories they told at Stettin were bad, wait until you hear what they say about me in the north!'

'But, the city is huge Lord Fritz! The population is immense! Surely they will not let their Prince fight us alone. If tens of thousands of them swarmed into the streets we would be overrun.'

'Trust me Robert. Those men fear me more than they fear death. Rightly so. I'd see that city burned to the ground and the very earth on which it sits salted before I let it raise an army against the Reich again. Once Arhus is ours the citizens will be so surprised to have survived my coming that it won't even occur to the boldest to try taking up arms. And, of course, we'll plunder it and put a few thousand to the sword just to drive the point home. Be of good cheer Robert! You're about to participate it the sack of a major European capital city. There are few mercenaries in all the world with that on their resume.'

So saying, Fritz von Kastilien adjourned to his tent and slept more deeply than he had in all the days since he was a child.

In the morning Fritz reviewed an Imperial report on the Danish Prince, Ulfhedin. Word had it that Germany's repeated victories and Fritz's threats had caused the man to go bald though he was only a few years out of his teens, and some whispered that he was deranged. He had attempted to order a moat dug all around the city after the defeat of the Honor Guard army at the bridge west of Hamburg, but the effort had stalled when, upon discovering that he had more workers than shovels, the Prince ordered men to dig a ten foot deep trench with their bare hands.

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Coming up over a rise and finally into full view of the city Fritz nudged Bergin riding next to him. 'Look man, they've built a huge Cathedral. Truly this city will be a stunning addition to the Reich!'



Bringing along the ribault allowed Fritz to assault the gates immediately.



Unfortunately Fritz had no spearmen to bring along, having been force to leave the remnant of the Hamburg militia there at Hamburg. This meant that his crossbowmen would have to bear the brunt in the fighting. Fritz left them with strict orders to retreat the the first sign of a Danish sally from the square, and rode down the streets to capture the east gate and let in his Albanians. The smaller company of mercenary crossbowmen went forward to bait the enemy Prince, and withdrew in fairly good order when he sallied.



Robert and the larger company of crossbowmen were in position on the walls, and they fired brutal volleys into the Prince's guard, as did the ribault team. Over half of his men died before he realized Fritz was about to capture the square behind him, and he fled back to defend it.



Fritz withdrew rather than give battle against three times his number, and the tactic was repeated. Unfortunately this time the crossbowmen failed to withdraw in time, and Robert was forced to lead his men down off the walls to attempt a rescue. Ultimately the effort failed and the mercenary crossbowmen were all killed, but nearly all of the Danes died in the attack as well.



Riding back to the square Prince Ulfhedin was shocked to discover Fritz von Kastilien waiting for him there. The two men briefly exchanged words.

'You were warned. Over and over I sent men to tell you and your King I was coming.'

'But, but... we sent armies, thousands of men, hardy veterans of the cold wastes! You and your Reich were doomed! Every hand turned against you!'

'It was not enough.'

'No, I know. I told them we needed a moat!'

'**** itself would not have withstood my assault. Lay down your sword, we'll see if your King will pay for your head.'

'NO! I will not be hung from the walls of my own city!' Ulfhedin reared his horse and began to order a charge... but at a gesture from Fritz hundreds of bolts and arrows flew into the backs of the Prince's guard. Many more speared downward after they fell, pinning them to the earth.



'Collect his corpse and drape it over the north gate, as a warning to any who would try to creep away and carry word to the Danish King.' So saying, Fritz rode to the center of the square and gave a brief speech.



'Citizens of Arhus (The ones that speak German anyway) your taxes, your sweat, and your tears have paid for much bloodshed and destruction in my homelands. Today I return the favor! Be of good cheer, however, as this is no raid as the one I conducted at Stockholm, this is an annexation! Those of you who survive will become citizens of the Reich, and your taxes and tears will now fund our wars. On this day many of you will die, but tomorrow the compliant living can shelter in the gentle hands of the Hero of Hamburg, Fritz von Kastilien!'

'Any who take up arms against me, however, will be flayed in the square for a period of one hour before being allowed to die by fire. That is all. My men will now collect our due. Do not resist if you value your life.'

Screams were already echoing through the streets as Fritz spurred his horse back towards the south gate, the one his ribault had shot through. Doesn't look like it will be a difficult repair, and the city is completely intact otherwise, thought Fritz, quite pleased with himself, and I daresay I've shown considerable restraint in not exterminating this rathole. A long road to here, and this is not the end, but I'll wager it is the beginning of the end of the power of the Danes to threaten the Reich. A fine day's work. Prinz Peter will be pleased. Elberhard can have that wreck of a city in the swamp that is Venice, I'll take Arhus over it any day of the week!