TEATRC tribute & universe expansion

“As quickly as possible? Vienna has blunted many sieges before, holding for weeks, even months. Why hurry? The last time I came for aid, those thronists have already been routed, and all my men’s marching have been for naught. Let them wait, I have Ormelis to keep in check.”
-Markgraf Sigfried Elector of the Marienburg Margravate to the messenger bearing a call for aid from the Emperor.

Hengest the Elder was brooding quietly in his war tent. The wind outside was strong enough that an eerie sound crept its way from the openings, winter is coming soon. He took a swill at the cup of wine he held, and then offered it to his guest, whom refilled the cup.

His guest was a captain Lordar Usuhkur, a captain of a large band of mercenary cavalry. An old friend of Hengest, whom also used to serve as one of the Elder’s retinue before forming a mercenary company of his own.

“You know they’ll start complaining soon.” said Lordar as he refilled his own cup. As if by cue someone stormed into the tent, it was Lord Franz Kelred; a noble from the County of Hechzollengen, the province of Zollern. Lord Franz was the lord of Kelredan castle and the town of Ruluns, like most lords very loyal to the Emperor or just wanted to gain his or Hengest’s favor, Franz joined Hengest’s campaign to seize Swadia Superior. 

“Lord Hengest, you’re pushing the men too hard!” bellowed the intruder.

“Calm down. Here join us,” Hengest pulled out an empty chair and placed another cup, “Have a drink with us.” One secret he had that he was still very active at his very old age is that he tried to move whenever he can.

Franz relaxed a little but did not sit down.  He was right; Hengest was pushing his men hard, marching the army with haste from dawn to two hours past nightfall nonstop. It was clear to all that he was rushing so early in the campaign.

“Yes, I was going to announce it to all of you tomorrow morning. But…” Hengest took the bottle himself and poured a cup for Franz. “but… since you’re apt to know about it, sit down and I’ll tell you why.”

Franz finally sat down and drank the cup Hengest was proffering.

Hengest pushed a scroll on the table towards Franz.

“That is a message from Vienna.” Hengest began. “The city is besieged by Lion Throne forces. What’s distressing is that it’s a huge host that has materialized out of nowhere. It made a lightning strike towards Vienna; Reindi castle was lost in a day. The emperor calls for aid.”

Franz dismissed the news as if it was just usual gossip. He did however glugged what’s left of his cup and pushed it as if he needed some alcohol to brace himself with.

After a short silence, Franz finally spoke “It’s Vienna we are talking about. They can hold and thwart whatever those southern invaders are throwing at them.  Why rush?”

Hengest gave a weak chuckle as if Franz was saying something stupid, “We Swadiahocgens can bludgeon their noses like what we did since the last two sieges. But half of its armed forces is with me.” For Hengest’s new campaign Emperor Sigismund loaned half of his army, which comprised the most experienced landsknecht companies and knight squadrons of Vienna.

“So they’re basically under a skeleton force?” interjected Lordar, “still, Vienna’s defenses are still formidable if I remember the first siege correctly.” The lion throne first siege was one of the moments when the enemy managed to take control one section of the wall.

“I’ve seen the battle of the outer walls personally, of both sieges.  And landsknechts could only hold for so long. The walls are undermanned, even if they find enough mercenaries to fill in, one section will fall.” Hengest drank from his cup then continued, “Especially if the enemies elite come into play.

“Elite?” asked Franz.

“Those brigadiers, some of them are fanatics of the highest order. And madmen as far as my experience goes.”

“Madmen?”  Questioned Lordar.

“They seem changed if you may, berserkers in battle. Think of Nikephoros’s White Wolves except… colder.”

Both men raised eyebrows. “Colder?” asked Franz. Both Lorgar and Franz never have much experience against the Lion Throne.  Franz reputed as a lead from behind leader; and Lorgar having fought with his mercenary company from the Ducal, Ormeli and Vaegir lands.

“It’s hard to describe, but you’ll just have to take my word from it. They bleed like any other so I’m sure they’re not demons.” Chided Hengest, his ability of lightening the mood was trying to get out, but his logical side opposed it, feeling that his two guests need to know the truth. “But, they are very unnerving once you meet them face to face. They can unman most regulars and even veterans on their first encounter with these elite.”

“And since you brought most of the veterans with you,” said Franz “…you fear that those regulars and recruits can’t handle these… madmen”

Hengest nodded, sipped some of his wine then added: “Hopefully they could, but I can’t help but feel that the defenders would suffer the first time they meet them. Once they learn that their elite die just like any other then they can fight on normally. But the men of Vienna is still badly outnumbered even for defender to attacker ratio.”

“Then if you’re so worried then why don’t we march back to Vienna then?”  said Franz. Hengest stared at him. “What?” asked Franz.

“We can’t Franz,” replied Hengest “Have you seen the men?”

“What do you mean?” asked Lordar

Hengest sighed, “Morale is pretty much low, especially for Sigismund’s subjects. Seeing their emperor go madder everyday makes them lose hope. There was once a time…” Hengest’s eyes glistened as memories began to channel through his mind, “… when the emperor lead his armies with such energy that men under him will follow him to the ends of the world. And now that is lost to us at these times where we needed it the most.”

All three gave a moment of silence to contemplate, then Hengest continued. “Only the high lords so far know of what’s happening to Vienna, maybe the nearby towns and cities as well. But I have ordered guards to bar any messengers that will hail of the news to the men. I can’t make another impassioned speech, not if they hear that their home city is in peril.”

Both of his guests nodded, Lordar swilled his cup. Hengest continued, “I have promised the men and the Emperor that we will retake the ancient capital, what would it look like if I could not fulfill that promise?”

“I’m sure the emperor…” said Lordar, “…err in his non mad state can forgive you in these circumstances.”

“Maybe, but the men cannot handle another blow to morale. We have march all this way, I have fired up their spirits.” Hengest stood up, taken by his words, “ For the first time since Sigismund, I have pulled together a swadian army filled with purpose and determination like no other.” Hengest’s voice was rising now “Many a king would have yearned for an opportunity to command an army that I now control. With it we could retake the ancient lands. With the ancient lands in our hands, Swadians could at last see that there is still hope.”

Hengest returned to his seat, Lordar and Franz still basking in his impromptu speech. Then playing at the moment Hengest added for effect while refilling his cup of wine, “We all know that in these dark times, when swadians are losing hope. We need a new symbol. We need a decisive victory. If we fall back now, we will fight at Vienna…” Hengest took a swig, “if we fall back now, many good swadians will die at the walls. We save Vienna, but we will be back to square one, or worse.” Hengest gave his two guests a weak smile.

Then everyone fell into silence, occasionally ruined by the refilling of one empty cup. The two guests processing what they have learned. After a while, Franz spoke in a rather anti-climactic fashion“But even if we do hasten to Nibelheim, we still can’t take it in a day or a week. I mean, we will have to build siege towers, set up our guns, build trebuchets, encampments…” he trailed off realizing that he’s lecturing two veterans who no doubt knew those things already.

“Unfortunately, he’s right.” Added Lorgar.

Hengest gave them a wry smile, and then spoke “Not exactly, gentlemen…” Hengest clasped his hands, “what if I say we could do it in a week or less.”

“Ha, you’re joking right.” Said Lorgar

Hengest smiled mischievously, “Let’s just say I have a trick up my sleeve.”