Trent, 1380

Peter charged at Arnold. Here was the embodiment of everything he despised throughout his life. Secrecy. Manipulation. Treachery. Dishonor. He hoped that by eradicating the head of the Illuminati, their influence would wholly diminish.

The nagging thing was, he was fooled. He thought Lothar was the one he was after. He thought he could trust Maximillian Zirn. He respected Matthias. Arnold may have been a little crazy, but he was a great soldier. Lothar was once his friend - had he been manipulating him that whole time?

Where is Tancred? He should be at my side for this. He knew Tancred's heart well - going outlaw with a friend is the deepest bond of trust, Peter always said.

Fritz was a trustworthy man, as well. Ehrhart's death will not be in vain when Fritz avenges it mercilessly.

Dieter, on the other hand - Peter gave him the Duchy of Franconia over his own brother because he hoped Dieter would not divide the Reich. Instead, he stayed locked up in Magdeburg for years. Peter couldn't believe the mistake he made. Now the black flag saying "SIC SEMPER TYRANNUS" threatened him,
cursing his name. Dieter would betray him, he had warned his troops before. He'd be ready.

His fists clenched. His feet tightened in the stirrup. A crow cawed in the distance, no one paid any mind. Fratricide was in the atmosphere on this tumultuous day. Peter was about to learn the real meaning of the flag.

Fritz's gunners opened fire on Dieter's men. That coward Dieter had already struck! But wait, his men were bearing down into Arnold's troops. It couldn't be true. Fritz? Could Fritz have killed Siegfried? It all made sense. Peter told Fritz about his intentions to attack Lothar, and Fritz recommissions Peter's army to Lothar. Ansehelm picked Peter as his heir, not Fritz, the older son. A minor chord was struck in Peter's consciousness as he realized the truth.

Like a man possessed, the last Kaiser of the Holy Roman Empire charged. The Republicans would later describe his final charge as that of a Viking berserker, yet somehow holy. Peter was never a religious man, yet he was a god as he smashed through the crossbowmen and the Gothic Knights.

There were too many. The crossbowmen were utterly annhilated, but the heavily armored Gothic Knights were too many. Peter watched as Jonas, his longtime friend and veteran warrior, was brutally killed. Lars fell and Ulrich stood defending his body until he too was engulfed. Schwarz was hacked from under Peter, and if it wasn't for Sven Peter would have died then as well. Sven heroically chopped away at the assailants, as consumed with the lust for battle as Peter was. Where was Tancred? He should be by my side, to die with me as friends and brothers should.

Then Arnold came. Bane and Grom charged first. Sven fell defending his liegelord from the terrors. Arnold, the veiled nemesis of Peter, had won. He thrust his spear into Peter's heart - a void of the soul yet remaining a weakness of the flesh.

Thus ended Peter von Kastilien, Kaiser, Herzog der Wahrheit, former Duke of Franconia, Count of Breslau, Commander of the Prussian Army, and the First and Second Army of the Immortals.