Stories thread - King of the Romans PBM

[AussieGiant]

Trent 1380 AD

At the perimeter of Arnold's regiment there is a commotion that finally draws the attention of the Duke. As usual crossbow bolts fly through the air making most sane men cover themselves with their shields before luck would take their lives.

On the other hand, Arnold, without thought of the danger, turns to face the interruption as he speaks calmly to one of the multitude of heralds that are keeping the Republican General's in constant contact with each other.

As he turns he notices from the corner of his eye that the Great Cross has finally appeared.

There is a pause while a huge cheers erupts from the Republican forces at its appearance.

The Viceroy has finally arrived with the crack Crusader troops from Outremer Arnold thought. That £$%£ing Christ for that!!

Turning to his grizzled Military Engineer Sigfreid; “Siggy, send my compliments to the Viceroy!! Tell him to get a bloody move on!!”

With that Arnold's Military Engineer gallops off towards the Crusader forces now entering the field.

The Duke steps over the now dead messenger who reported the news of Bernhard Steffen and Count Ruppel's death. Upon seeing the livery of Hapsburg at the edge of his retinue Arnold raises an eyebrow in amusement.

“Let him through!! I want to hear what The Scum has to say!”

Finally with a series of pushes and shoves a Hapsburg messenger is escorted to Duke Arnold.

It is clear that he is exhausted, and he is covered in mud.

"I apologise for mein appearence, Duke Arnold, but it was imperative for me not to be spotted by the Imperials.

I have a message from von Hapsburg for you."

The man opens a scroll and begins to read:

“I am not a fool to fight for a losing side with no prospect of reward should we overcome our obstacles and be victorious. The Kaiser is a liar, and I will not draw steel for such a treacherous dog. I will defect to you as soon as we attack again(this turn). I just ask that you pardon mein harsh words against Duke Arnold and de Cervole, confirm mein family's rights to their estates, and give me governorship of Tyrolia when this bloody battle is done. As a show of faith, I and mein knights will run through Tancred's crossbowmen, and mein crossbowmen and spearmen will dispatch von Tyrolia and von Salza before joining you.

Maximilian von Hapsburg.”

Behind Arnold his retinue minus Grom and Siegfried, can be seen fanning out either side of their master.

“Hmmm, an interesting proposition you have there my boy...it seems Hapsburg has finally seen some sense after all.”

Pausing the Duke stares into space for a few unnerving minutes. In that time another hail of bolts land around his position making the messenger whimper in response to the torment he's being put though.

Finally the Duke speak: “I tell you what, I can't make up my mind about this because Hapsburg is such a low life scum sucking sack of treacherous merde. So what I'm going to do is let Bane here make the decision.”

Without moving the Duke speaks to his Dread Knight.

“What do you think Bane, what's your opinion on this proposition?”

In a sudden and inhumanly fast action the Dread Knights sword flashes across Arnold's front.

The fine spray of blood misting in the air is the only indication that something has happened.

Another moment passes then finally, with a slow and appalling motion the assembled onlookers realise that the head of the messenger has been cut off. As if on command the head and body of the Hapsburg messenger take separate paths and fall to the ground at the feet of the Dread Duke.

Silence.

Arnold wipes a few spots of blood from his face. He then turns back to the assembled heralds who are, to a man, rooted to the spots they were standing in when the slaughter occurred.

Speaking to Bane over his should the Duke calmly says:

“Bane, I wish you wouldn't that so close to me all the time!!! Being sprayed with blood DOESN'T help me do my job.

Never the less, I like OUR response, so send that messenger back as best you can and lets get on with the job shall we!!?

An hour later:

A small object comes sailing over the Republican lines and lands in the mud between the two lines. It does not take Hapsburg long to recognise it as his messenger's head.

Apparently the Republicans did not like the offer.