Tyranny of Steel

It had been over a week since the Siege of Trent, and the entire region fell into Berengar ’s hands, but to Count Lothar, who was trapped in Vienna with no way out, he had no way of knowing that he had completely lost the home front. At this point, he was desperate to escape the city and flee towards his home, where he planned to rally the local forces and defend Innsbruck until every man, woman, and child had expended their lives in its defense. He would do whatever was necessary to ensure his own survival for as long as possible.

Count Otto ’s forces had broken through the gates, and the City was once more thrust into chaos as Otto and his men began fighting their way through the battle-worn soldiers of Lothar ’s army or what remained of it. Count Lothar, at the moment, was battling with a knight under Otto ’s command who was clad in full steel plate armor; the two men were both similarly equipped. However, Lothar was at a disadvantage. At the moment, he only had a longsword in his hands which was not the most effective weapon against a Knight encased in full plate. As for the Knight held a halberd in his hands and had a sword sheathed on his waist.

Lothar wielded his sword with excellent skill, deflecting the oncoming blows of the polearm and rushing forward, trying to get into the gaps between the enemy armor. However, the Knight was equally adept and had a significant advantage in reach. Before Lothar knew it, he found himself being pushed back by the Knights advance; luckily for him, some of his nearby men rushed forward to aid him. However, when they arrived to help their Lord, they soon realized that he had disappeared; The moment the men had come to his aid and began to distract the Knight, Lothar ran off in the opposite direction in a desperate attempt to flee from the city.

Lothar did not have time to disguise himself, war was waging around him, and enemy forces could capture him at any moment. Thankfully the Chaos provided some anonymity in the crowd, though he wore a tabard over his breastplate which signified his house, there were many other Lords and Knights each bearing their own Coat of Arms. As such, the man took advantage of the Chaos and fled to the Eastern Gate, which, as far he knew, was still under his force ’s control. However, the man did not get far, as he was sprinting in the direction of the Gate Cavalry began to ride into the City. These Knights and lancers on horseback belonged to Count Otto; riding at the front of the group was the loyal Count himself. They noticed a heavily armed man bearing Lothar ’s coat of arms running away.