Battle reports thread - King of the Romans PBM

**AussieGiant** · 06-25-2007, 14:39

1240; Austrian Hungarian Border

Arnold paced the rug in his command tent. Sunset outside meant that in a few hours the attack would begin.

This was his first real action as army commander and the horrors of Durazzo flashed through his mind briefly. Arnold wondered if every battle would be as gore filled as his first under the walls of the southern city now occupied by the Papal States.

At least there were no Roman Nobles to get killed he thought…that was a positive.

Being cooped up in this self made fort was certainly not the plan when they made it all those months ago. At the time is seemed a prudent plan but the Hungarians had rapidly deployed two smaller armies to block and surround him.

Of course the Hungarian’s had thought they had the upper hand by hiding a second force to the north, but, Arnold realised that neither Hungarian Captain knew he would be able to attack at night.

He remembered how his father showed him the art of teaching his Regimental Captains how to fight effectively at night. Hours upon hours of planning and repetition had gone into this attack. At the time of building the fort he had made sure all the captains had walked the terrain until they had memorised every tree and hill.

The past day he had spent drilling them until each Captain could physical move his unit by memory on the simulated battle map he has made in the forts centre.

Now it was simply a matter of waiting until darkness fell and then sallying out to crush the Hungarian pigs.

His thoughts drifted to Sigismund. He was meant to be here and he was meant to be knighted at this battle. Alas that was not to happen. What was even more disturbing was Sigismund’s actions now cast in the light of a letter he had received from his mother. It had explained in great detail the relationship between his father and the oldest surviving member of the von Mahren son’s. He had a brother, but that brother was older and could lay claim to the Austrian lands. There had been plenty of previous examples of that happening throughout the Reich over the centuries.

To hell with it!! Stop thinking and start taking action.

He quickly had his squires finished off covering him in armour. The new suit was from Italy and it was one of his best. It was so finely crafted he could move with ease and even jump off his horse without causing any lose of balance. He always felt the rush of adrenaline when he was ready…covered from head to foot in metal, his father’s long sword hanging from his side, his shield arm weighed down with the Austrian Coat of Arms proudly displayed. This was war and this was what he was destined to do!!

Stepping out into the cool night air Arnold nodded to his assembled Captains;

“Ok you bastards!! I’ve had it with being stuck in this fort with you scum!! YOU ALL STINK AND IT’S TIME TO RECTIFY THAT!!

As a group the captains could be seen grinning in the fading light, their teeth shining white in the gloom.

THERE’S NOTHING TO SMILE ABOUT YOU HEATHEN PIGS!!

Pacing now, Arnold's energy could be felt by all. The Guards either side of his tent gripped their weapons tighter, the hairs on the back each mans head stood in anticipation.

This is the first battle those stinking Hungarians are having with me, so there's a few things I need from you all this evening!!

Pausing in his pacing Arnold stares at his Captains...the torch light glinting of an increasingly malevolent glint in his eyes.

I WANT…every living thing out there killed this evening!!

I WANT them to fear me just as much as my father!!

I WANT these filthy stinking, whoreson’s sent to hell!!

I WANT this night to be the beginning of total Hungarian fear towards me!!!

Get the men ready!!! We leave in thirty minutes!!

Oh and one other thing boys!!! Let a few men escape and return word to the Hungarian Nobility that Duke Arnold has now come of age and will be hunting them until he dies!!

The situation: