Rome, 1168
It was a little after 1:00 AM in the Eternal City. However, despite the ungodly hour, there was still movement going on in the Reich's capital. Kaiser Heinrich, fed up with his prize being under siege and unwilling to die until Rome was free, had roused his soldiers up for a nighttime sally.
The target of Heinrich's aggressions was once again the Papacy. The Kaiser's latest approved choice was Pope Andreas of Denmark. He had been complacent - for a while. However, recently he had made the mistake of besieging Rome. The time had come, as Otto von Kassel would put it, to exercise his veto against Andreas.
During the march to the northern gate, where the action would take place, an unnamed soldier fell into line with Heinrich's escort, dressed appropriately for the occasion. After seeing the Kaiser stare at him for a minute, this new soldier removed his helmet and his true visage was shown. It was none other than the Fifth Elector of Swabia, one of Heinrich's few remaining allies in the Diet.
Before the Kaiser could say anything, the Swabian Elector spoke.
"With all due respect, Mein Kaiser, you're 62 years old. Someone needs to watch your back."
Heinrich chuckled. "I've gotten into my share of engagements over the years, good sir. Which is more than I can say for this priest that is waiting for me (who also happens to be 62 by the way)."
The discussion turned slightly more serious as the ride continued.
"62 is quite an age to live to in these times. You've survived rebellions, wars, battles, disease, and assassination attempts. Aren't you getting tired?"
"Very," sighed the Kaiser. "The truth is, I think I have willed myself to live for these past couple of years. I do not fear the judgement that awaits me after death. I fear the fact that my plans will not go to fruition if I am not around to see them done. I fear for the Reich's future."
There was a respectful silence as the host marched by a church.
Then, the Kaiser continued. "But what about you? Why do you risk death when it is not necessary? You realize that should you fall this morning, your position in the Diet will go to Prinz Henry's darling child Hans."
"Hans is replacing me anyway. Why would the Prinz keep me, an ally of his enemy, in the Diet when he can throw his own son in my place?"
"Well, sons don't necessarily mean anything. Look at my two sons and their elevated opinion of me."
The two shared a laugh, but it was short-lived. The host had just passed by the statue of Marcellus Aemilius, signalling that the northern gate, and thus the battle was near. The Kaiser began deploying his men.
"Crossbows on the walls! Everyone else behind the gate! We lure them in!"
"Mein Kaiser?" said a crossbowman who had just climbed the walls. "They're pulling back out of range."
"No point in seeing if they'll take the bait," Heinrich said to himself. "Spears! Catch 'em while they're retreating! CHARGE!!!"
The spears did as they were told, with Heinrich's escort trailing behind at a walk. The Kaiser's plan wasn't completely effective, but the Papal mercenary crossbowmen did only manage a few volleys before they were forced to fall back.
The battle was purely an infantry melee for a short amount of time. The Imperial spearmen fought and made gains against the less-numerous Papal spears. Seeing this, Pope Andreas charged his 46-strong escort in to even the tide, but Heinrich did the same with his.
The battle instantly grew less organized. Heinrich was aiming for the Pope, but the way things went, he and Andreas were at opposite ends of the "line." Heinrich wanted to charge his way through, but saw only Papal cavalry. As a matter of fact, that was all he saw, period. He was completely cut off from any support!
Some of Andreas's escort noticed this and circled in for the kill.
So, this is the way I go out. Surrounded by enemies and the Swabian Elector nowhere to be seen. Then let everyone know I go down in a blaze of glory!
Heinrich, King of the Romans, held his sword high in the air and bellowed something that could not be translated in any language other than that of battle-fury. His frail arm started hacking at the first thing he saw.
Continuing to scream and battle, more akin to the Germanic barbarians of old than the ancient Romans, Heinrich did battle alone with the endless tide of Papal cavalry, preparing for his end. He received his share of blows, but none were strong enough to unhorse him. Meanwhile, he kept slashing away, bringing down horseman after horseman.
This is something that Henry will never understand. You must be strong, always. Even in death.
His body was weakening, his mind clouding. His saddle had turned red with blood. The end had come, he was expecting it, he would fight to the end...
...finally, relief. An Imperial horseman had seen the plight his Emperor was in and had come riding to the rescue. It was, of course, the Fifth Elector of Swabia.
Not bothering to apologize, he immediately took over where Heinrich left off, chopping and hacking at the Papal cavalry. A barely-conscious Heinrich watched with pleasure. However, it was clear that the Swabian Elector was not imbued with the same fury, the same battle lust. He took his share of blows and returned them in spades, but eventually the same event happened to him that would have happened to the Kaiser were it not for his intervention.
Heinrich could only watch in horror as another comrade fell. No one came riding to his rescue. No one rode to save him. The effort to defend his Kaiser, although valiant, had failed. And now, the remaining Papal cavalry had turned their attention back to the weakening Heinrich.
...there was a gasp on the other side of the battle. Heinrich, although hurt and not fully alert anymore, still knew what had happened. He had heard the sound twice before: When Gregory had fallen, and when Accattus had fallen. The same proved true with Andreas.
The rout on the Papal side was instant. The men about to kill the Kaiser now turned and fled at the sight of him. Heinrich's horse, in a much better state than its mount, turned to pursue the routers, leaving behnd the pile of Papal corpses and the one Imperial body.
The next thing Heinrich knew, it was day, and he was in bed. An odd light was shining around him.
Am I dead? Is this heaven?
At that instant, the light was blocked. Staring at him from above was a surgeon, not an angel.
"You're lucky to be alive, Mein Kaiser. Rome is safe, but you are hurt. I don't know how you managed to survive all those wounds at your age."
Heinrich mumbled. "And the Swabian?"
The surgeon shook his head. "I'm afraid that he..."
The words trailed off as the Kaiser fell back to sleep. Apparently, there was still work to be done, plans to go to fruition. But now there was one less ally to help him.
Maybe, just maybe... we can get Otterbach in now... and peace...
Re: Battle reports thread - King of the Romans PBM
Originally Posted by TosaInu
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