TheScarletBlade
Star Spangled Man
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2004
- Posts
- 2,558
They say that day is the time for honest men, night is the time of conspirators and thieves. Well just like it says,this cold fateful night,the were a group of conspirators set to meet in one of their own humble abodes,each man a wealthy man of influence with enough money to state anything they might desire except one thing,they came together like buzzing little bees and worked to make their honey, sweet and overwhelming. The first guest arrived,he was a tall man,about 6 feet to about 6 feet 2 inches, anywhere in that range. With heavy, broad shoulders,the man's frame was powerful and he looked like a giant to some people, yet he was stalking through the night,a massive black cape wrapped around his body,hood pulled up high to cast deepening shadows over his face,no one could know he was there,or that he was even out of the party he was supposed to be attending. The giant of a man walked through the main door after the butler let him in, asking for the password and the man supplying it easily, the conspirators had a code to identify them as one of the few. Disappearing into the room,he wasn't the last one to arrive.
The Last man to arrive was a shorter man, a plump man who was obviously wealthy nobility by the massive amount of fat on his stomach or more like his entire body. Sweating under his black cape,the hood similiarly pulled up to cover his face,the fear that gripped his tiny weak heart or just the simple walking across half of Berlin just to get to the meeting. His head was twitching from side to side,afraid someone might have seen him, that the executioner might just be stalking his steps with the cold grinding sound of the sharpening axe waiting for his head,who knew? He sure as hell didn't so he moved as fast as his little fat legs would allow him to move. Finally half away across town and outside the grandiose entrance to the mansion of one of his fellow conspirators,he maybe was finally safe,except what if the guard knew they were meeting,they would all be dead for what they are planning. His heart beating a million miles a minute,he was practically kicking down the door, whispering the code word out a little bit to loudly before the giant from before grabbed him around the throat with one massive hand and pulled him into the mansion,the butler closing the door tightly behind him as the man was screaming inside the house.
Finally all of the guests had arrived. Four men of different size and shape were all sitting around a large,circular table in the center of the room. There were drinks laid out in front of everyone and at least ten cute little serving girls standing off to the side waiting for any given order that any of the men had for them. Each man wore his hood up,the shadows over his face even though they each knew who they were, they made sure that anyone with praying eyes might not know. One man stood out as he sat at what was the closest thing to a leadership seat: a massive chair carved from polished red wood,the thing was intricately crafted and looked to be a hundred years old but it was polished and well maintained, little golden wolf heads on the top of the high back of the chair,comfortable green cushions on the seat and on the high back of the chair. Dressed in all black the man sitting with his legs crossed in his high almost throne like chair was obviously the owner of the house and definitely someone of importance in the Holy Roman Empire.
"So....five attempts have failed already.....luckily he hasn't realized its a conspiracy yet....what do we do now?" the meek,still out of breath voice of the fat man sitting at the other end of the table said between huge bites down on a plump boar leg, stripping each deliciously cooked muscle with his mouth and enjoying the taste despite his dinner was an hour ago.
"I have found the perfect agent to finally deal with our little problem,she is an exotic assassin and there is no way she can not complete her mission" The leader of the cultist said,his voice was dark and emotionless,dripping with venom and maliciousness as he spoke,the man had a noble air about the way he spoke and definitely considered himself more elite than any of the others, he sounded darker than the dark cloaks that each man at the table wore.
"A Woman? How can a woman even stand a chance against him, no matter how exotic she is, If I couldn't kill him, No woman could" A large,loud baritone rumbled out into the room from the large giant of a man, he was confident and strong,it was obvious in his voice and the way he spoke about himself,he definitely thought he was the toughest bastard in the entire empire as he shifted forward,he planted his heavy elbows on the table and it caused a heavy thud to reverberate through the entire room.
" As they say, Beauty killed the Beast,if she cannot kill him with looks alone, being a master of seduction, her swift blade will destroy whatever is left of our little trouble" The dark nobleman on the throne said with a slight devious chuckle,as if it were out of the question she could ever fail.
"Does she even know who she is going up against?" the Giant man said as he leaned forward,a little bit more intrigued now,imagining the most beautiful woman he had ever seen trying to seduce him, her clothes off a knife behind her back.
" Yes...does she know she face the Prussian Lord of Death? The Lion of Germany, the Appointed Protector of all Christendom on Earth by the Pope and the Holy Emperor himself?" The fat man piped in real quick as he shudder at he thought of the man standing above him with a sword,thinking that just mentioning his name would summon him,like a dark grim reaper to come and collect his head.
" Oh yes dear friend....she knows...and she enjoys it, shes a master hunter,the lion doesn't stand a chance" the leader said with a devious chuckle coming from under his hood "This is the end of Sir.Tain Longwinter"
~~~~~~~~~~ Elsewhere, the next day~~~~~~~~~
" Sir Longwinter!" the loud voice,the shrill young voice of his squire boy caused his eyes to jump open. Squinting his eyes a little bit,the bright sun overhead being really bright on his high noon day,the cold air of the winter day blew across his exposed face,the rest of his body covered in heavy plate mail armor, steel plates that were polished made up his suit of armor: from his breast plate,back plate,shoulder plats, greaves and gauntlets ect ect. His helmet on his head but the visor pulled up so he could see, Sir. Longwinter had his head down in silent thought,eyes closed as he uttered a soft prayer under his lips from astride his tall, powerful Roan stallion,the horse was one of the largest,most powerful horses in the entire Empire and it just added to the intimidation factor of the most feared knight in all of Scared Germany.
From Berlin to Prauge, to every corner of the entire holy roman empire and maybe the entire world,everyone knew of Sir Tain Longwinter. Known to his allies and the people of his country he protected,he was known as the Lion of Germany, but to his enemies he was known as the Prussian Bastard. Only half German and half Prussian,his father was one of the vaunted Teutonic Knights that were given special orders from the Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor himself to head into Prussia and conquer it,subjugate it and kill any non believer in the name of Christ. Happily the knights road out to meet their enemies in Prussia and after 50 years of some of the heaviest fighting in the whole continent of Europe,the Teutonic Knights had conquered the Prussians and were given control of Prussian lands,to make it their own. His father was a Teutonic Knight who had raped his mother,a Prussian Pagan that lived in the southern end of Prussia. Tain was born of violence, born between their forced union to a knight and a "whore" who died at his birth. Truly alone it wasn't until he became eight that he met someone who knew his father, his father having died at the battle of Legnica, the older knight took him into his house and trained him. Now 15 years later who was a Renown knight and the commander of the Northern Legions.
His horse shifting under him a little bit as he sat,he had finally snapped back to grim reality as snow began to fall in little flakes around him. The squire boy was out breath from running a long way through the growing snow on the ground,it was fresh white but it was about to be crimson red, red with the blood of his enemies if he had anything to say about it. The squires breath was fog on the air like his own and despite the bright sun,it was gray snowy skies. Looking down at his squire with an emotionless face, as cold as the air howling around them,the squire looked up at his master and lowered his head a little bit in Reverance of him before slowly falling to one knee in the cold snow,his head still bowed,he spoke in an uncertain tone,his words broken up by heavy breaths "M'lord Longwinter, the enemy is moving to the other side of the river,they are coming,it is time to make the call to war. Also,the crowned prince of our enemies has been seen sitting on the other side of the battle,the black prince is quite a foe, I would be careful M'lord...." his voice broke off into silence as he expected to be reprimanded for ever doubting his lords own skill or doubting that the warriors of the Holy Roman Empire would ever have to worry about such a menial foe. Every muscle in his body tensing, his head lowering,he expected a strike that never came.
His right hand coming up to his face, the leather inside of his steel gauntlets running slowly along the small hairs on his face,usually clean shaven the knight didn't have time to shave this morning before the enemy was already on them. So the black prince had come and now the battle was set, it would be a bloody day today and their was no doubt that the Lions of Germany,the vaunted northern legions of the Holy Roman Empire would leave many dead on the frozen battlefields. The fight was staged at the bridge between Normandy and German Lands. Crossing a ten foot wide river that was still rapidly moving despite the below freezing German weather outside,there was a single Bridge that crossed the river within 1,000 leagues of the place, Tain's army having destroyed every other one in an attempt to bring the enemy to him,they had fallen right into because of their mad lust to set a foot on Germany soil. Pity them though, Tain thought to himself quietly as he looked down at his kneeling squire. Finally having thought everything through,he looked to the boy and called out to him " Summon my commanders, spread the word I want them within 10 minutes,there is a war to be run,now GO" His voice was a powerful,rich baritone and wielded authority and had an undeniable strength behind it,but lacked the arrogant edge and air of high born nobility that most knights spoke with. A quick nod of his head as he jumped up and dashed off back toward the inner lines,the squire was being run half to death today but everyone makes sacrifices in War.
8 minutes later,every commander was assembled,on their horse they stood in small ring around their leader, Tain was sitting straight backed in his saddle and had his right hand gripping the worn black hilt of his bastard sword,it was the first sword he had ever been given and despite having hundreds of weapons crafted in honor of victories or services from everyone to the Pope to the Holy Emperor himself,he still carried his faithful sword with him until the day it broke or he died,the sword having been his fathers and passed to him on the day he had first become a knight: a Half Prussian bastard joining the ranks of the Teutonic Knights. Each commander represented and controlled one of his armies many elements" Infantry, Archery ect ect. Each man was a seasoned war fighter and picked by Tain for their abilities to lead in combat not by their Noble status or how many lands they own: he had a noble mans son who was in the infantry, a regular solider because Tain thought he wasn't fit to lead. Tain looked at each man,his piercing emerald green eyes looking at the intended battle ground in the distance for a second and then looking back at his commanders,he finally spoke " I need the spearmen and the rest of the heavy infantry to occupy the bridge,I want you to put as many damn men on the bridge and hold them for as long as it takes,they will throw everything they have you but your just the distraction. With archers raining death on the enemy from our side,I will take the Calvary a league up the road and then cross at a secret shallow point in the river,from their we will flank the well committed french army and I will drive a sword right in the black princes worthless hide. Any questions?" there was just silence " Didn't think so,ready the men and prepare the lines,I would speak to them before the battle. Strength and Honor gentlemen, for Sacred Germany" His heavy mailed fist behind his shiny plate gauntlet beat against his breast place as he offered a salute to his commanders that was returned in kind. As the men began the leave, Tain turned to his squire boy " Fetch my sword,its time for war" his voice had a little bit more life in it as the excitement from the prospect of another battle filled him.
Not shortly after,Tain was at the head of his army. Pennets and banners snapping in the cold,snow flake filled air of the afternoon,the jet black banners with a roaring Lion's head in gold at the center of it were all matching down the entire line, each flag bearing the roman numeral for their seperate legions, the entire Northern Army was arrayed in battle lines all facing the enemy and their lone commander who rode his force out in front of them. A couple feet from the front line,there were thousands of men yet his voice seemed to carry on the wind,his powerful voice reaching every ear " You men are known as many things: Commonly referred to as the Northern Legions, to our enemies we are known as the northern protectors of Christendom, ferocious devils in the employ of the holy Emperor and the best he has to offer. To those we protect and especially to me, you are known as the Lions of Germany. A well earned title,earned in blood and the dead bodies we leave in our wake,we are the kings of battle, the most fearsome of men and undefeated in battle!" Cheers were overwhelming as for dramatic effect the charismatic leader placed his hand on the black hilt of his blade and drew it out,raising it over his head,the polished and well cleaned blade reflected the sun like mirror,casting the illusion that it burned with holy light "Men of the Holy Roman Empire,lions of Germany, we once more stand on the edge of another battle already assured to us. God is protecting us,he protects all of his Chosen sons,those blessed by the Holy Emperor himself, Let these heathen dogs hear your roar and know the reason why we are called the Lions of Germany, let them know if is futile for they will not step on foot on our sacred fatherland!" The roar of noise echoed across the snowy battlefield louder than before " LONG LIVE SACRED GERMANY!!" Tain pulled his reigns back, his horses powerful front legs kicking up in the air as it bucked back onto its rear legs, its armor as shiny as the set worn by his master, Tain's long black cape with the golden Lion of his legions whipping in the wind,his tabbard on the front was all white except for the large black Iron Cross design,it marked him as a Teutonic Knight. The roar and shouts of his troops were overwhelming as his horses hooves hit the ground and he brought his sword down,pointing the blade right at the bridge. Overwhelmed with zealous fury and a sense of righteousness,the troops charged toward the bridge....they would have charged into the mouth of hell if Tain had pointed.
Tain had been riding for almost 15 minutes. Tain was a warrior,he wasn't a commander. He was a figure head on top of his considerable war fighting skills,so instead of being an arrogant knight,he recruited the top tactician in the entire empire to lead his battles while he fought the great fight. Considered eccentric in that fact,he didn't care in the slightest as he road with the sound of rolling thunder on his heels,the massive cloud of white mist the hooves of a thousand horses behind him, all kicked up as they rode hard away from the battle was everywhere behind him. Finally breaking off the road, the sounds of the gruesome battle could be heard over even the thunderous hooves of his cavalry as they veered off the path and headed toward the river. Within a minute they were already across the river and heading up the other side. Veering back toward the battle,his entire cavalry legion was on the other side of the river at his back,ready to flank the enemy who believed their was no way across,they would never have expected it. It was complete surprise as the heavily armored knights broke the tree line on the left flank of the enemy lines, there was no was no warning and as they tried to pull men from their committed front to meet their charge,the horn of battle that Tain carried at his side was pressed to his lips as the call went out, a thousand lances,like a forest of wood, suddenly angled down into the attack position as they made a rough wedge formation, Tain was at the very front of it all,his horn blaring out its deep call to battle, met by thousands of roars from the "Lions of Germany".
The crash was Titanic, screams of death and fear filling the air as the knights broke right into the side of the enemy army. Tain was the first one to claim a kill,his shining blade held a loft as he crashed into the first enemy soldier,his horse running over the tiny man as his powerful arm swung down, the blade glittering in the light as it came down in a deadly arc, the blade hitting right on the side of its first victims neck,the sharp blade with amazing force behind it cut half the mans neck off, sending loose,flabby skin everywhere and blood high into the air in a burst of mist,it tangling with the snow and the cold as it splattered everywhere: Across his horses flanks,his armored legs and on the pure,virgin white snow on the ground as his body fell to his knees lifeless and then fell limply to the ground,face first. His sword shot a quick reverse path,the blade severing a spear mans arm, it falling with weapon in it to the ground as he fell back screaming,there was thuds as the heavy body of his horse ran over soldiers on the ground,pushing,crushing and slamming them out of his way. The scene was repeated as the lances and swords of the Germany Cavalry broke into the unprotected lines of the enemy. As they tried to shift their defense,the infantry on the other side of the bridge that held the enemy in a dead lock suddenly began to push harder against the wall of enemy bodies, they were tightening the noose as the enemy was running out places to be on the battle field.
Conscripts in the enemy army were already breaking ranks and fleeing to the north, fearing the German armies advance as they began to push over the bridge,the cavalry already cutting the light infantry and archers to pieces. Having regrouped his forces around him to make one last attempt,the Black Prince was in the center of it all,with a ring of hundreds of mailed soldiers all around him,ready to fight and die for him, a wall of steel. His quick sword, lightning fast in his muscular arm swiped another victims head off in the ensuing melee, the victim's headless body spurting out blood and falling dead on the ground,by now Tain's sword was scarlet, blood in little veins of crimson liquid dripped off the dulling point of the weapon from over use. Holding his reins in his left hand and his sword making an intricate circle of death around him as more and more soldiers attempted to get at him,the knights to his left and right spearing or slicing away enemy soldiers,the cries of the enemy wounded were starting to drown out the clash of steel on the battlefield. Finally catching another glimpse of the Black Prince, in his dark black armor,wreathed in black from head to toe,he looked somewhat gruesome with the black iron cross around his helmet. His left hand reaching down to his breast plate and the battle horn he had,the horn made of some sort of ivory with the bottom of it at the opening made of solid gold and the opening being the same,he pressed the familiar gold to his lips and blew into it, a loud call, sounded almost like a lions roar broke over the entire battlefield and caught the attention of almost everyone. Holding his blade out, pointed with the tip right for the center where the Black Prince was, he spurred his roan charger on the sides hard as he blew the horn again, sword held straight out,tip right at his opponent.
Every knight in the entourage suddenly fell in beside him,their swords singing as they fell in on his flanks, blade spewing from their blades as the press of bodies got thicker as the knights rode toward the leader,the cavalries arms were tired from swinging and it was getting worse. Tain's own blade swung in a massive arc to his right side, hacking off one mans arm right at the shoulder,a clean cut between armor pieces and then slashed a spear coming his way on the up swung. Rage filled him, his vision began to narrow, his heart was pumping a million miles a minute as his vision slowly began to fill red,crimson red like blood. There was nothing in front of him but the Black Prince. Reading head long,his mouth thrown open in a war cry that filled his thoughts and his sounds,he raised his sword as he charged into the fray,the weight of bodies trying to push him as his horse ran through them,its massive head and strong body bulling through as many troops as it could. He was close,closer than he had thought, he was almost close enough to throw a javelin at his enemy when it finally happened, the whole thing went wrong.
Within a split second,he was riding his roan charger,firmly planted his in saddle and his sword swiftly making deadly swings left and right of him as he rode by suddenly he was in the air. Not even close to being a bird,the heavy completely armored knight didn't realize what was happening as his horse gave out from under him and he was sent flying. Arms wobbling, legs kicking there was nothing he could do yet he unconsciously did it until he slammed against the ground hard,hitting it at about 40 miles per hour,his armor making and thunderous crash as it all fell down on him. He dug into the snow as he slid forward a few feet,the snow not able to stop his heavy mass and all its forward moment. Finally after rolling back over onto his back, his armor clinking,his helmet ringing from the impact, Sir. Tain Longwinter couldn't see enough out of his helmet slits to realize where he was,all he could see was white. Ripping his helmet off quickly,he narrowly escaped death as he rolled to the side of a heavy blow from a massive broad bladed axe that stuck into the ground right next to him. His silver,polished helmet in his left hand, Tain rolled back over quickly and slammed the helmet right into the man's face as he tried to get his weapon out of the ground, the force of the impact shattering the mans entire face, nose broken and teeth falling out of his mouth,the man crumpled into a ball on the ground. Groping in the snow for his sword, he felt like turtle trying to get off his back as he attempted to stand.
His hand finally found the hilt of his blade as he pulled it free from under a couple feet of snow where he had flung it, Tain was finally able to roll himself up onto his knees. Looking around, he left his helmet where it was as he looked left and right, the melee was thick around him yet he had no more attackers near him as he slowly pushed himself up to his feet,adrenaline coursing through his hot,red blood, setting a fire through his veins,he could feel the ice cold wind blasting his exposed face as he tried to clear his vision, his keen emerald green eyes searching the battlefield for his enemy. Finally,he locked his eyes right on the figure of a black armored knight and lucky for Tain,the man was coming right for him. It was amazing how a massive battle could be raging around someone, thousands of people engaged in brutal hand to hand combat and yet two men could have a small stare down in the center of it. Leaning down, Tain picked up a heavy wooden shield off one of the dead enemy soldiers laying at his feet, sliding his gauntleted hands right through the rough,worn leather straps as it fit right on his left arm. The black,Italian style hilt in his right hand,he gripped his tightly, flexing his hand a little bit as he prepared for his charging opponent. A lance lowered, the lance was painted all black with rings of red running down its entire length right down to the hand guard where it met its riders hand, the weapon was poised to strike at him. Raising his shield up high in front of him,Tain roared defiantly at his opponent, making a reckless move to actually charge forward toward a horse back opponent. Lance locked right on target,the hooves of his enemies horse were beating the ground, his mighty war cry still coming from his lips,it was all over in a split second.....
With one amazingly quick move, Tain made a judgment call,he threw his fate into the dice as he swung his shield in a massive outward arc. Hitting the tip of the lance right on the head,he threw the lance wide and out to the right,his strength overpowering as it didn't take much to change the lances angle, Tain was between the lance and its wielder. Unfortunate for him, Tain's sword was held back, his hilt parallel with his waist as the blade ran backwards,the tip pointing away from his back,he waited for the right moment and then struck. With the speed of a striking serpent, the blade suddenly flew right up in a massive arc to his right. The blade hit the black armored knight right in the chest,the flat of the blade was held out so that the widest part of the blade hit the knight solidly. Between the forward moment of his horse,the backward moment of Tain's strike and losing his balance as his lance was wide,the Black Prince was hurled from his saddle, flipping backwards as he came flying off,his heavy mailed body crashing into the snow hard as his horse suddenly came to a screeching stop as it was suddenly riderless. Tain wasted no time,he wasn't the kind of person to do it as he walked forward to where his opponent was on his back,looking up somewhat dazed, Tain could tell by the way he wasn't moving to struggling to get up. Walking over to him,his left leg went out in a small kick, placing his heavy boot right on the black prince's chest, slamming down on his breast plate and grinding him into the snow with all his weight, Tain positioned himself over his opponent, his foot holding the man in place, Tain discarded the heavy shield and gripped his sword in both big hands. Using the tip of the blade to throw open his defeated opponents helmet,the man's face was hideous,no wonder he always wore his black armor. A weak,breathless cry for mercy trying to escape his lips, Tain just grinned devilishly as he spun the blade around in his hands,the tip pointing down as scarlet blood dripped of the end of the blade "In nomine Patri Et Fili Spiritus Sancti. " the blade fell with amazing speed,every ounce of strength in his massive arms slamming it down,the point pierced right into his neck and the blade slammed home right into the man's neck. There was a slight gargle and a choked gasp for breath before his enemy stopped struggling under his foot.
Pressing his foot down hard as he pulled his blade free,veins of crimson red blood ran down the sword as he looked around,the battle was starting to end and the enemies were fleeing quickly,Morale breaking as they saw their very own commander brutally murdered. The German cavalry was already riding into the ranks of fleeing foot troops, hacking them to bits with their swords: No Mercy to the enemy. His chest heaving in hard breaths, his armor getting heavy and his sword arm burning from over use, Tain stood in the center of the battlefield with his sword. Walking over to the pure,jet black stallion the black prince had been riding, Tain swung his heavy armored body into the saddle and spurred the heavy beast in the sides,pulling the reigns in hard,forcing the stallions head back and inadvertantly the stallion backed its front legs up into the air,still beating against it as if it were running,it made a loud startled sound in protest but the cries of the German troops were overwhelming every thing Tain thrust his sword up into the air,blood flying off it into the open sky,it was still dripping down as he held it aloft above his head,the cry went up again as thousands of German "lions" raised whatever weapon they had left in salute to their commander, the cry was louder than anything that had ever shook the battlefield,they had won and in that moment, everyone witnessing their commander in the center of it, would swear that Sir. Tain Longwinter was Invincible.
~~~~~~~~~~Back in base camp, the night after the battle~~~~~~~~
Sir. Tain Longwinter sat back at the head of his little table, a plate of roasted boar in front of him with whatever the cooks could find to go with it,despite his exhaustion and the heavy fighting he had been in,he wasn't very hungry as he sat idly in his heavy,carved oak chair. Without his armor he looked less impressive but Tain Longwinter was still a mountain of a man. Large like many Germans,he had massively broad shoulders and heavy muscles that ran down his tree trunk like arms and solid,powerful legs. He wore nothing but a black tunic and some regular trousers,he was relaxing on the verge of heading to his bed when an envoy rushed into the room,his Squire boy leading the way. The squire taking a knee and bowing his head lowly in front of him,Tain looked with keen,razor sharp emerald eyes from the bow to the envoy and then back as the boy introduced them " These are envoys from Berlin Sir, your needed immediately back in the holy city, its an urgent summon from the Holy Emperor himself." the squire said in a low tone,his voice shaking a little bit as he spoke the name of the holy emperor.
Tipping his head a little bit as the looked at the men, Tain thought it out in his mind. Why would he be needed in Berlin? he had been campaigning with the Northern Legions for almost 10 months now and they had defeated any and every enemy the devious French or English had thrown at them. His elbow resting against the solid oak arm rest,Tain placed his chin in his palm as he looked at the men,not interested in what they might have to say because he had to go anyway, his honor demanded it but still it was strange,what game might the Emperor playing,was it so important that he come? Taking a deep breath finally let his eyes fall upon the kneeling squire boy as he spoke out to him " Gather our things and inform Wurshmidt that hes in control of the legions until I get back,make sure you express to him no offensive,that damn tactician sure can be aggressive with his strategies some times. Then we are one our way to Berlin" Tain said as he slowly rose from his chair,his legs still a little wobbly from the heavy fall he took, it finally getting to him after the adrenaline wore away,Tain bowed his head to the envoy in a gesture of thanks and then slowly pushed aside the curtain that led to his sleeping chambers in the back of the heavy tent and disappeared from sight,soon he would be in Berlin again and who knew what waited their....or who....
The Last man to arrive was a shorter man, a plump man who was obviously wealthy nobility by the massive amount of fat on his stomach or more like his entire body. Sweating under his black cape,the hood similiarly pulled up to cover his face,the fear that gripped his tiny weak heart or just the simple walking across half of Berlin just to get to the meeting. His head was twitching from side to side,afraid someone might have seen him, that the executioner might just be stalking his steps with the cold grinding sound of the sharpening axe waiting for his head,who knew? He sure as hell didn't so he moved as fast as his little fat legs would allow him to move. Finally half away across town and outside the grandiose entrance to the mansion of one of his fellow conspirators,he maybe was finally safe,except what if the guard knew they were meeting,they would all be dead for what they are planning. His heart beating a million miles a minute,he was practically kicking down the door, whispering the code word out a little bit to loudly before the giant from before grabbed him around the throat with one massive hand and pulled him into the mansion,the butler closing the door tightly behind him as the man was screaming inside the house.
Finally all of the guests had arrived. Four men of different size and shape were all sitting around a large,circular table in the center of the room. There were drinks laid out in front of everyone and at least ten cute little serving girls standing off to the side waiting for any given order that any of the men had for them. Each man wore his hood up,the shadows over his face even though they each knew who they were, they made sure that anyone with praying eyes might not know. One man stood out as he sat at what was the closest thing to a leadership seat: a massive chair carved from polished red wood,the thing was intricately crafted and looked to be a hundred years old but it was polished and well maintained, little golden wolf heads on the top of the high back of the chair,comfortable green cushions on the seat and on the high back of the chair. Dressed in all black the man sitting with his legs crossed in his high almost throne like chair was obviously the owner of the house and definitely someone of importance in the Holy Roman Empire.
"So....five attempts have failed already.....luckily he hasn't realized its a conspiracy yet....what do we do now?" the meek,still out of breath voice of the fat man sitting at the other end of the table said between huge bites down on a plump boar leg, stripping each deliciously cooked muscle with his mouth and enjoying the taste despite his dinner was an hour ago.
"I have found the perfect agent to finally deal with our little problem,she is an exotic assassin and there is no way she can not complete her mission" The leader of the cultist said,his voice was dark and emotionless,dripping with venom and maliciousness as he spoke,the man had a noble air about the way he spoke and definitely considered himself more elite than any of the others, he sounded darker than the dark cloaks that each man at the table wore.
"A Woman? How can a woman even stand a chance against him, no matter how exotic she is, If I couldn't kill him, No woman could" A large,loud baritone rumbled out into the room from the large giant of a man, he was confident and strong,it was obvious in his voice and the way he spoke about himself,he definitely thought he was the toughest bastard in the entire empire as he shifted forward,he planted his heavy elbows on the table and it caused a heavy thud to reverberate through the entire room.
" As they say, Beauty killed the Beast,if she cannot kill him with looks alone, being a master of seduction, her swift blade will destroy whatever is left of our little trouble" The dark nobleman on the throne said with a slight devious chuckle,as if it were out of the question she could ever fail.
"Does she even know who she is going up against?" the Giant man said as he leaned forward,a little bit more intrigued now,imagining the most beautiful woman he had ever seen trying to seduce him, her clothes off a knife behind her back.
" Yes...does she know she face the Prussian Lord of Death? The Lion of Germany, the Appointed Protector of all Christendom on Earth by the Pope and the Holy Emperor himself?" The fat man piped in real quick as he shudder at he thought of the man standing above him with a sword,thinking that just mentioning his name would summon him,like a dark grim reaper to come and collect his head.
" Oh yes dear friend....she knows...and she enjoys it, shes a master hunter,the lion doesn't stand a chance" the leader said with a devious chuckle coming from under his hood "This is the end of Sir.Tain Longwinter"
~~~~~~~~~~ Elsewhere, the next day~~~~~~~~~
" Sir Longwinter!" the loud voice,the shrill young voice of his squire boy caused his eyes to jump open. Squinting his eyes a little bit,the bright sun overhead being really bright on his high noon day,the cold air of the winter day blew across his exposed face,the rest of his body covered in heavy plate mail armor, steel plates that were polished made up his suit of armor: from his breast plate,back plate,shoulder plats, greaves and gauntlets ect ect. His helmet on his head but the visor pulled up so he could see, Sir. Longwinter had his head down in silent thought,eyes closed as he uttered a soft prayer under his lips from astride his tall, powerful Roan stallion,the horse was one of the largest,most powerful horses in the entire Empire and it just added to the intimidation factor of the most feared knight in all of Scared Germany.
From Berlin to Prauge, to every corner of the entire holy roman empire and maybe the entire world,everyone knew of Sir Tain Longwinter. Known to his allies and the people of his country he protected,he was known as the Lion of Germany, but to his enemies he was known as the Prussian Bastard. Only half German and half Prussian,his father was one of the vaunted Teutonic Knights that were given special orders from the Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor himself to head into Prussia and conquer it,subjugate it and kill any non believer in the name of Christ. Happily the knights road out to meet their enemies in Prussia and after 50 years of some of the heaviest fighting in the whole continent of Europe,the Teutonic Knights had conquered the Prussians and were given control of Prussian lands,to make it their own. His father was a Teutonic Knight who had raped his mother,a Prussian Pagan that lived in the southern end of Prussia. Tain was born of violence, born between their forced union to a knight and a "whore" who died at his birth. Truly alone it wasn't until he became eight that he met someone who knew his father, his father having died at the battle of Legnica, the older knight took him into his house and trained him. Now 15 years later who was a Renown knight and the commander of the Northern Legions.
His horse shifting under him a little bit as he sat,he had finally snapped back to grim reality as snow began to fall in little flakes around him. The squire boy was out breath from running a long way through the growing snow on the ground,it was fresh white but it was about to be crimson red, red with the blood of his enemies if he had anything to say about it. The squires breath was fog on the air like his own and despite the bright sun,it was gray snowy skies. Looking down at his squire with an emotionless face, as cold as the air howling around them,the squire looked up at his master and lowered his head a little bit in Reverance of him before slowly falling to one knee in the cold snow,his head still bowed,he spoke in an uncertain tone,his words broken up by heavy breaths "M'lord Longwinter, the enemy is moving to the other side of the river,they are coming,it is time to make the call to war. Also,the crowned prince of our enemies has been seen sitting on the other side of the battle,the black prince is quite a foe, I would be careful M'lord...." his voice broke off into silence as he expected to be reprimanded for ever doubting his lords own skill or doubting that the warriors of the Holy Roman Empire would ever have to worry about such a menial foe. Every muscle in his body tensing, his head lowering,he expected a strike that never came.
His right hand coming up to his face, the leather inside of his steel gauntlets running slowly along the small hairs on his face,usually clean shaven the knight didn't have time to shave this morning before the enemy was already on them. So the black prince had come and now the battle was set, it would be a bloody day today and their was no doubt that the Lions of Germany,the vaunted northern legions of the Holy Roman Empire would leave many dead on the frozen battlefields. The fight was staged at the bridge between Normandy and German Lands. Crossing a ten foot wide river that was still rapidly moving despite the below freezing German weather outside,there was a single Bridge that crossed the river within 1,000 leagues of the place, Tain's army having destroyed every other one in an attempt to bring the enemy to him,they had fallen right into because of their mad lust to set a foot on Germany soil. Pity them though, Tain thought to himself quietly as he looked down at his kneeling squire. Finally having thought everything through,he looked to the boy and called out to him " Summon my commanders, spread the word I want them within 10 minutes,there is a war to be run,now GO" His voice was a powerful,rich baritone and wielded authority and had an undeniable strength behind it,but lacked the arrogant edge and air of high born nobility that most knights spoke with. A quick nod of his head as he jumped up and dashed off back toward the inner lines,the squire was being run half to death today but everyone makes sacrifices in War.
8 minutes later,every commander was assembled,on their horse they stood in small ring around their leader, Tain was sitting straight backed in his saddle and had his right hand gripping the worn black hilt of his bastard sword,it was the first sword he had ever been given and despite having hundreds of weapons crafted in honor of victories or services from everyone to the Pope to the Holy Emperor himself,he still carried his faithful sword with him until the day it broke or he died,the sword having been his fathers and passed to him on the day he had first become a knight: a Half Prussian bastard joining the ranks of the Teutonic Knights. Each commander represented and controlled one of his armies many elements" Infantry, Archery ect ect. Each man was a seasoned war fighter and picked by Tain for their abilities to lead in combat not by their Noble status or how many lands they own: he had a noble mans son who was in the infantry, a regular solider because Tain thought he wasn't fit to lead. Tain looked at each man,his piercing emerald green eyes looking at the intended battle ground in the distance for a second and then looking back at his commanders,he finally spoke " I need the spearmen and the rest of the heavy infantry to occupy the bridge,I want you to put as many damn men on the bridge and hold them for as long as it takes,they will throw everything they have you but your just the distraction. With archers raining death on the enemy from our side,I will take the Calvary a league up the road and then cross at a secret shallow point in the river,from their we will flank the well committed french army and I will drive a sword right in the black princes worthless hide. Any questions?" there was just silence " Didn't think so,ready the men and prepare the lines,I would speak to them before the battle. Strength and Honor gentlemen, for Sacred Germany" His heavy mailed fist behind his shiny plate gauntlet beat against his breast place as he offered a salute to his commanders that was returned in kind. As the men began the leave, Tain turned to his squire boy " Fetch my sword,its time for war" his voice had a little bit more life in it as the excitement from the prospect of another battle filled him.
Not shortly after,Tain was at the head of his army. Pennets and banners snapping in the cold,snow flake filled air of the afternoon,the jet black banners with a roaring Lion's head in gold at the center of it were all matching down the entire line, each flag bearing the roman numeral for their seperate legions, the entire Northern Army was arrayed in battle lines all facing the enemy and their lone commander who rode his force out in front of them. A couple feet from the front line,there were thousands of men yet his voice seemed to carry on the wind,his powerful voice reaching every ear " You men are known as many things: Commonly referred to as the Northern Legions, to our enemies we are known as the northern protectors of Christendom, ferocious devils in the employ of the holy Emperor and the best he has to offer. To those we protect and especially to me, you are known as the Lions of Germany. A well earned title,earned in blood and the dead bodies we leave in our wake,we are the kings of battle, the most fearsome of men and undefeated in battle!" Cheers were overwhelming as for dramatic effect the charismatic leader placed his hand on the black hilt of his blade and drew it out,raising it over his head,the polished and well cleaned blade reflected the sun like mirror,casting the illusion that it burned with holy light "Men of the Holy Roman Empire,lions of Germany, we once more stand on the edge of another battle already assured to us. God is protecting us,he protects all of his Chosen sons,those blessed by the Holy Emperor himself, Let these heathen dogs hear your roar and know the reason why we are called the Lions of Germany, let them know if is futile for they will not step on foot on our sacred fatherland!" The roar of noise echoed across the snowy battlefield louder than before " LONG LIVE SACRED GERMANY!!" Tain pulled his reigns back, his horses powerful front legs kicking up in the air as it bucked back onto its rear legs, its armor as shiny as the set worn by his master, Tain's long black cape with the golden Lion of his legions whipping in the wind,his tabbard on the front was all white except for the large black Iron Cross design,it marked him as a Teutonic Knight. The roar and shouts of his troops were overwhelming as his horses hooves hit the ground and he brought his sword down,pointing the blade right at the bridge. Overwhelmed with zealous fury and a sense of righteousness,the troops charged toward the bridge....they would have charged into the mouth of hell if Tain had pointed.
Tain had been riding for almost 15 minutes. Tain was a warrior,he wasn't a commander. He was a figure head on top of his considerable war fighting skills,so instead of being an arrogant knight,he recruited the top tactician in the entire empire to lead his battles while he fought the great fight. Considered eccentric in that fact,he didn't care in the slightest as he road with the sound of rolling thunder on his heels,the massive cloud of white mist the hooves of a thousand horses behind him, all kicked up as they rode hard away from the battle was everywhere behind him. Finally breaking off the road, the sounds of the gruesome battle could be heard over even the thunderous hooves of his cavalry as they veered off the path and headed toward the river. Within a minute they were already across the river and heading up the other side. Veering back toward the battle,his entire cavalry legion was on the other side of the river at his back,ready to flank the enemy who believed their was no way across,they would never have expected it. It was complete surprise as the heavily armored knights broke the tree line on the left flank of the enemy lines, there was no was no warning and as they tried to pull men from their committed front to meet their charge,the horn of battle that Tain carried at his side was pressed to his lips as the call went out, a thousand lances,like a forest of wood, suddenly angled down into the attack position as they made a rough wedge formation, Tain was at the very front of it all,his horn blaring out its deep call to battle, met by thousands of roars from the "Lions of Germany".
The crash was Titanic, screams of death and fear filling the air as the knights broke right into the side of the enemy army. Tain was the first one to claim a kill,his shining blade held a loft as he crashed into the first enemy soldier,his horse running over the tiny man as his powerful arm swung down, the blade glittering in the light as it came down in a deadly arc, the blade hitting right on the side of its first victims neck,the sharp blade with amazing force behind it cut half the mans neck off, sending loose,flabby skin everywhere and blood high into the air in a burst of mist,it tangling with the snow and the cold as it splattered everywhere: Across his horses flanks,his armored legs and on the pure,virgin white snow on the ground as his body fell to his knees lifeless and then fell limply to the ground,face first. His sword shot a quick reverse path,the blade severing a spear mans arm, it falling with weapon in it to the ground as he fell back screaming,there was thuds as the heavy body of his horse ran over soldiers on the ground,pushing,crushing and slamming them out of his way. The scene was repeated as the lances and swords of the Germany Cavalry broke into the unprotected lines of the enemy. As they tried to shift their defense,the infantry on the other side of the bridge that held the enemy in a dead lock suddenly began to push harder against the wall of enemy bodies, they were tightening the noose as the enemy was running out places to be on the battle field.
Conscripts in the enemy army were already breaking ranks and fleeing to the north, fearing the German armies advance as they began to push over the bridge,the cavalry already cutting the light infantry and archers to pieces. Having regrouped his forces around him to make one last attempt,the Black Prince was in the center of it all,with a ring of hundreds of mailed soldiers all around him,ready to fight and die for him, a wall of steel. His quick sword, lightning fast in his muscular arm swiped another victims head off in the ensuing melee, the victim's headless body spurting out blood and falling dead on the ground,by now Tain's sword was scarlet, blood in little veins of crimson liquid dripped off the dulling point of the weapon from over use. Holding his reins in his left hand and his sword making an intricate circle of death around him as more and more soldiers attempted to get at him,the knights to his left and right spearing or slicing away enemy soldiers,the cries of the enemy wounded were starting to drown out the clash of steel on the battlefield. Finally catching another glimpse of the Black Prince, in his dark black armor,wreathed in black from head to toe,he looked somewhat gruesome with the black iron cross around his helmet. His left hand reaching down to his breast plate and the battle horn he had,the horn made of some sort of ivory with the bottom of it at the opening made of solid gold and the opening being the same,he pressed the familiar gold to his lips and blew into it, a loud call, sounded almost like a lions roar broke over the entire battlefield and caught the attention of almost everyone. Holding his blade out, pointed with the tip right for the center where the Black Prince was, he spurred his roan charger on the sides hard as he blew the horn again, sword held straight out,tip right at his opponent.
Every knight in the entourage suddenly fell in beside him,their swords singing as they fell in on his flanks, blade spewing from their blades as the press of bodies got thicker as the knights rode toward the leader,the cavalries arms were tired from swinging and it was getting worse. Tain's own blade swung in a massive arc to his right side, hacking off one mans arm right at the shoulder,a clean cut between armor pieces and then slashed a spear coming his way on the up swung. Rage filled him, his vision began to narrow, his heart was pumping a million miles a minute as his vision slowly began to fill red,crimson red like blood. There was nothing in front of him but the Black Prince. Reading head long,his mouth thrown open in a war cry that filled his thoughts and his sounds,he raised his sword as he charged into the fray,the weight of bodies trying to push him as his horse ran through them,its massive head and strong body bulling through as many troops as it could. He was close,closer than he had thought, he was almost close enough to throw a javelin at his enemy when it finally happened, the whole thing went wrong.
Within a split second,he was riding his roan charger,firmly planted his in saddle and his sword swiftly making deadly swings left and right of him as he rode by suddenly he was in the air. Not even close to being a bird,the heavy completely armored knight didn't realize what was happening as his horse gave out from under him and he was sent flying. Arms wobbling, legs kicking there was nothing he could do yet he unconsciously did it until he slammed against the ground hard,hitting it at about 40 miles per hour,his armor making and thunderous crash as it all fell down on him. He dug into the snow as he slid forward a few feet,the snow not able to stop his heavy mass and all its forward moment. Finally after rolling back over onto his back, his armor clinking,his helmet ringing from the impact, Sir. Tain Longwinter couldn't see enough out of his helmet slits to realize where he was,all he could see was white. Ripping his helmet off quickly,he narrowly escaped death as he rolled to the side of a heavy blow from a massive broad bladed axe that stuck into the ground right next to him. His silver,polished helmet in his left hand, Tain rolled back over quickly and slammed the helmet right into the man's face as he tried to get his weapon out of the ground, the force of the impact shattering the mans entire face, nose broken and teeth falling out of his mouth,the man crumpled into a ball on the ground. Groping in the snow for his sword, he felt like turtle trying to get off his back as he attempted to stand.
His hand finally found the hilt of his blade as he pulled it free from under a couple feet of snow where he had flung it, Tain was finally able to roll himself up onto his knees. Looking around, he left his helmet where it was as he looked left and right, the melee was thick around him yet he had no more attackers near him as he slowly pushed himself up to his feet,adrenaline coursing through his hot,red blood, setting a fire through his veins,he could feel the ice cold wind blasting his exposed face as he tried to clear his vision, his keen emerald green eyes searching the battlefield for his enemy. Finally,he locked his eyes right on the figure of a black armored knight and lucky for Tain,the man was coming right for him. It was amazing how a massive battle could be raging around someone, thousands of people engaged in brutal hand to hand combat and yet two men could have a small stare down in the center of it. Leaning down, Tain picked up a heavy wooden shield off one of the dead enemy soldiers laying at his feet, sliding his gauntleted hands right through the rough,worn leather straps as it fit right on his left arm. The black,Italian style hilt in his right hand,he gripped his tightly, flexing his hand a little bit as he prepared for his charging opponent. A lance lowered, the lance was painted all black with rings of red running down its entire length right down to the hand guard where it met its riders hand, the weapon was poised to strike at him. Raising his shield up high in front of him,Tain roared defiantly at his opponent, making a reckless move to actually charge forward toward a horse back opponent. Lance locked right on target,the hooves of his enemies horse were beating the ground, his mighty war cry still coming from his lips,it was all over in a split second.....
With one amazingly quick move, Tain made a judgment call,he threw his fate into the dice as he swung his shield in a massive outward arc. Hitting the tip of the lance right on the head,he threw the lance wide and out to the right,his strength overpowering as it didn't take much to change the lances angle, Tain was between the lance and its wielder. Unfortunate for him, Tain's sword was held back, his hilt parallel with his waist as the blade ran backwards,the tip pointing away from his back,he waited for the right moment and then struck. With the speed of a striking serpent, the blade suddenly flew right up in a massive arc to his right. The blade hit the black armored knight right in the chest,the flat of the blade was held out so that the widest part of the blade hit the knight solidly. Between the forward moment of his horse,the backward moment of Tain's strike and losing his balance as his lance was wide,the Black Prince was hurled from his saddle, flipping backwards as he came flying off,his heavy mailed body crashing into the snow hard as his horse suddenly came to a screeching stop as it was suddenly riderless. Tain wasted no time,he wasn't the kind of person to do it as he walked forward to where his opponent was on his back,looking up somewhat dazed, Tain could tell by the way he wasn't moving to struggling to get up. Walking over to him,his left leg went out in a small kick, placing his heavy boot right on the black prince's chest, slamming down on his breast plate and grinding him into the snow with all his weight, Tain positioned himself over his opponent, his foot holding the man in place, Tain discarded the heavy shield and gripped his sword in both big hands. Using the tip of the blade to throw open his defeated opponents helmet,the man's face was hideous,no wonder he always wore his black armor. A weak,breathless cry for mercy trying to escape his lips, Tain just grinned devilishly as he spun the blade around in his hands,the tip pointing down as scarlet blood dripped of the end of the blade "In nomine Patri Et Fili Spiritus Sancti. " the blade fell with amazing speed,every ounce of strength in his massive arms slamming it down,the point pierced right into his neck and the blade slammed home right into the man's neck. There was a slight gargle and a choked gasp for breath before his enemy stopped struggling under his foot.
Pressing his foot down hard as he pulled his blade free,veins of crimson red blood ran down the sword as he looked around,the battle was starting to end and the enemies were fleeing quickly,Morale breaking as they saw their very own commander brutally murdered. The German cavalry was already riding into the ranks of fleeing foot troops, hacking them to bits with their swords: No Mercy to the enemy. His chest heaving in hard breaths, his armor getting heavy and his sword arm burning from over use, Tain stood in the center of the battlefield with his sword. Walking over to the pure,jet black stallion the black prince had been riding, Tain swung his heavy armored body into the saddle and spurred the heavy beast in the sides,pulling the reigns in hard,forcing the stallions head back and inadvertantly the stallion backed its front legs up into the air,still beating against it as if it were running,it made a loud startled sound in protest but the cries of the German troops were overwhelming every thing Tain thrust his sword up into the air,blood flying off it into the open sky,it was still dripping down as he held it aloft above his head,the cry went up again as thousands of German "lions" raised whatever weapon they had left in salute to their commander, the cry was louder than anything that had ever shook the battlefield,they had won and in that moment, everyone witnessing their commander in the center of it, would swear that Sir. Tain Longwinter was Invincible.
~~~~~~~~~~Back in base camp, the night after the battle~~~~~~~~
Sir. Tain Longwinter sat back at the head of his little table, a plate of roasted boar in front of him with whatever the cooks could find to go with it,despite his exhaustion and the heavy fighting he had been in,he wasn't very hungry as he sat idly in his heavy,carved oak chair. Without his armor he looked less impressive but Tain Longwinter was still a mountain of a man. Large like many Germans,he had massively broad shoulders and heavy muscles that ran down his tree trunk like arms and solid,powerful legs. He wore nothing but a black tunic and some regular trousers,he was relaxing on the verge of heading to his bed when an envoy rushed into the room,his Squire boy leading the way. The squire taking a knee and bowing his head lowly in front of him,Tain looked with keen,razor sharp emerald eyes from the bow to the envoy and then back as the boy introduced them " These are envoys from Berlin Sir, your needed immediately back in the holy city, its an urgent summon from the Holy Emperor himself." the squire said in a low tone,his voice shaking a little bit as he spoke the name of the holy emperor.
Tipping his head a little bit as the looked at the men, Tain thought it out in his mind. Why would he be needed in Berlin? he had been campaigning with the Northern Legions for almost 10 months now and they had defeated any and every enemy the devious French or English had thrown at them. His elbow resting against the solid oak arm rest,Tain placed his chin in his palm as he looked at the men,not interested in what they might have to say because he had to go anyway, his honor demanded it but still it was strange,what game might the Emperor playing,was it so important that he come? Taking a deep breath finally let his eyes fall upon the kneeling squire boy as he spoke out to him " Gather our things and inform Wurshmidt that hes in control of the legions until I get back,make sure you express to him no offensive,that damn tactician sure can be aggressive with his strategies some times. Then we are one our way to Berlin" Tain said as he slowly rose from his chair,his legs still a little wobbly from the heavy fall he took, it finally getting to him after the adrenaline wore away,Tain bowed his head to the envoy in a gesture of thanks and then slowly pushed aside the curtain that led to his sleeping chambers in the back of the heavy tent and disappeared from sight,soon he would be in Berlin again and who knew what waited their....or who....
