Vienna 1352
Johann Zirn arrived at the base camp outside of Vienna. The camp was in relative clean condition from what he had heard from his Knights about other camps. This army was clean but the men in the city were infected and it was unknown their condition with the siege conditions it could only make the living conditions beyond anything but hell.
Johann rode up to the command tent where von Hapsburg and von Essen were meeting. Johann did not express his uncle’s displeasure for the current command situation so he got right to the point. He had not fought with these men before and this was his first battle without his father standing by. He would only take one with him into battle the other must remain behind for a worse case scenario. His sister would not be pleased but he had chosen von Essen to follow him into battle feeling the security of a family member.
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It was a beautiful summer day and the Austrians set up later in the morning picking a hill for the artillery. The garrison would be coming from Vienna but would not be in the initial battle.
Each general took a flank and the men were to hold the hill till the reinforcements arrived. Johann wanted the artillery to do its work.
The enemy moved on the hill with great speed. The enemy commander did not want to try and fight to separate armies. The Austrians were quickly engaging the enemy.
“Fire those guns into the centre!” yelled Johann “Shot only no explosives!” A decision he feels he regretted later. The guns fired but the enemy was closing the gap.
On the left flank von Essen was coming under fire from the enemy missiles cavalry and arrows were flying everywhere. To relieve the pressure von Essen charged his men at the enemy unit following them into the woods.
The garrison reinforcements arrived and the enemy Captain charged at the newly arrived units.
They did not appear to be has sickly has reported and it was a costly mistake made by the enemy.
The tide was turning for Johann but there was chaos everywhere. He lost track of units and the line was scattered from the Hungarian attack. He rode around attacking routing units and saw von Essen’s Unit that looked to be in good shape. His artillery crew was in poor shape has they ended up in a melee with the Croatian Axemen.
The afternoon was ending and the Siege of Vienna had been lifted.
Captain Jacob approached him with the prisoner report. Johann was so impressed with his Captain a “veteran warrior” was promoted within Johann’s entourage. He will need more organization for the next battle.
“My lord, we have offered a ransom to the Hungarians.”
Johann looked at his officer with a puzzled look. “Captain, I will follow my father’s rules of combat and release the prisoners unconditionally.”
There was a hesitation from the Captain. “Ah sire, Dieter von Essen is missing he was last seen charging into the woods. He may have become a prisoner.”
Johann was mortified he sat down and felt ill. “Very well make the ransom and exchange.” Johann felt sick to his stomach, praying that he would find Dieter.
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