Winter 2523 IC: The Setting Sun
The crimson sunset cast a dark horizon across the clouds as Prince Randolf stood upon the tower and sipped from his glass of wine... The heavy mass of peasants beneath the palace walls crowded to the thousands threatening to break down the palace walls. It seemed the winter had taken its toll, reports of inflation and harvest failures were rampant this year, and through that, none could stop the inevitable starvation that followed. The archers unwillingly strung their bows... How would he eliminate the potential rivals he would face in the near future... The thought brought a small grin to his face... "Fire" and with a swift motion of his hand, the barrage of arrows were released volley after volley, some hesitated, others obeyed without question... The pure snow of the winter night was stained blood red as the Prince turned and laughed... his father would be most displeased...
Seige of the Beastmen Temple:
The distant shouts and screams could be heard all the way from atop the plateau. Emperor Karl Franz stood above the hill overlooking the battle as his personal bodyguard of Reiksgaurd accompanied him. The beastmen had sallied forth from the seige and begun a massive assault upon the seige lines as his 2nd son Ortwin Franz commanded the defense. The Imperial line was quickly falling apart. The panicked Sergeants quickly turned toward the commander slurring sentences and stuttering in fear. "Wh- What shall we doooo?!? Th- The reports were completely false, a- not even a regiment of Greatswords would turn the tide..." Karl Franz said nothing, the direness of the situation seemed to matter not... Some banners were raised on the right, it seemed the situation called for even the reserve archers to enter melee... "Hand me my hammer..." Karl Franz finally said... "Wha-?" The officers looked at him in disbelief... "You asked me what we should do... and this is my answer," he saddled his horse, his cape fluttering in the wind. With a huge intake of breath, his words shook the battlefield. "FOR THE EMPIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Rudolf Cirno and his younger brother, Henry Cirno both had high reputations within the Empire. Known for their chivalric ways, they performed many feats of merit in both law and battle. Rightfully so, they climbed the ranks from commoner to official, leaving behind the awe of thousands. "Elder brother, these people are dying, the constant war has plagued the people with disease and hunger. More are leaving their farms and savaging for even the tiniest morsels, dammit, if only Ortwin was here." Henry spoke as they walked through the starving village outside of Castle Reiksguard. Rudolf's expression did not change, his brother's emotional argument seemed to brush off his stoic exterior, "There is nothing we could do for now brother, the aristocrats care not for the lowly, therefore we must resolve this crisis with our own power" yet the response he gave was completely unlike the personality he displayed, he waved the order, "SOLDIERS, we camp here tonight, share all supplies with the residents of this village, this is an order!" The resonance of a thousand cheers could be heard as both villagers and troops echoed in the night.
From the walls of Castle Reiksgaurd stood Reiksmarshall Kurt, he chuckled as the cheers of his soldiers were joined with the happy cries of the villagers of Castle Reiksguard. "Those brothers are at it again... But there are more important things to discuss... what is the status of Prince Randolf?" The dark silhouette that was almost camouflaged by the darkness of the night revealed himself. Clad in a dark hooded robe, the figure reported, "Randolf's personal army is being strengthened, his information network has flaws but is rapidly increasing in efficiency, and lastly his influence among the nobles of the court is garnering to say the least...what are your orders my lord?" Kurt let out a long sigh... "Hahhhh, Continue watching him, he is a dangerous man..." "Yes sir, oh and one of the higher ups within the agency left this note for you..." and the dark silhouette slid back into the darkness as he dropped the letter... "hahhhh, it is such a shame that the Emperor's 2nd son is so young, for if he were older, im sure that he would be the true Heir of Reikland..." As he walked to pick up the letter, he felt a cold breeze...
To: Reiksmarshall Kurt
The Reik's Information Branch needs more recruits, the current situation of the Informational Branch is that almost all the people here are incompetent... The reason being is that they lack motivation, proper leadership, and they have horrible organization skills... Even Marienburg's Information Branch is better than this and everyone can see those foreign spies from a mile away. The reason I say that to you is that i have put them all to death. You should be glad that i even gave them such an honourable death. Tearing each and everyone of them apart by horse is a hard event to put together. Some even offered to tell me everything about the scheme in exchange for mercy... Such useless followers of yours... Take care to not get in my way Reiksmarshall, for the next will be your head.
Your kind friend:
Randolf Franz
"ARGGGG!" He smashed the letter into a smoldering crater with his Runefang.
The battle ended in a grand victory for the empire as Ortwin returned to his camp exhausted. The beastmen of the temple were utterly beaten, rounded up and captured. Today would be Ortwin's coming of age ceremony, yet none of the dwarven wine and aesthetic food of the camp interested him. Today was his 16th birthday, and he alone was happy of the fact that under his command, he saved the lives of both the scattered remains of the 1st line while holding together the defense of the 2nd. The satisfaction from that fact alone brought a smile to his face. "You have put together a great victory for the Empire, Ortwin, my son..." the Emperor said as he walked into the tent... immediately Ortwin rose from the ground, "And such a victory itself could not be achieved if it were not for you father." Karl Franz chuckled, "So what did you really want to talk to me about son?" ... ... ... a small silence shortly disturbed by the shouts and cheers outside. "Father, you are well aware of our situation within Reikland, harvests are failing and inflation of our currency is rising, no matter where we look left and right our people are suffering, we must put a stop to this," ...Karl had no choice but to take his son seriously. "And how do you plan to stop this hmmm? What can a single man do against the forces of nature, even I the Emperor cannot stop something that is bound to happen, what did you even think this battle meant? This battle was meant so the plundered riches of this foul Chaos temple could be used to fill the populace's needs, did you even consider it Ortwin?" The last prod at Ortwin's pride enraged him, "How dare you belittle me father, meaningless conquests are not enough for the people of Reikland, we need the highway system built in Altdorf, and we need the mint factory erected by next year," His father watched proudly as his son spoke, "Son, the world's reality is not as kind as you would think," Ortwin disregarded his father's remark and continued on, "I understand that father, which is exactly the reason why i am going to do this, I also understand that those cowardly aristocrats will try to stop me... Hah! Let them try, ill do this myself if i have to, I am the son of Karl Franz, EMPEROR OF THE REIK!" He walked out of the camp letting nothing stop him, the fatigue from battle, gone, the childhood dreams of a great coming of age 16th ceremony, forgotten, and the cheers of his name from the thousands of Empire soldiers, behind him. His destination... Altdorf, the capital of the Empire.
Wings of the Reik (Reikland)
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