Tyranny of Steel

Prince Iwan of Poland stared into the distance where the Austro-Bohemian forces had gathered; as a highly mobile and relatively modern force, the Austrians generally did not engage their enemies with the entirety of the Expeditionary Force. Instead, they utilized smaller units spread across more significant swaths of territory.

At most, a division stood in the distance across the fields. Still, that was 25,000 men, all of which were armed with needle rifles, revolvers, and breechloading cannons. Such a well-equipped force of this size was in itself fully capable of annihilating any army they came across.

Immediately the Polish Prince performed the sign of the cross as he began to recite his prayers. Today was the day of his death, and he knew it. However, his father ’s orders were absolute, and his honor as a Catholic was on the line. Thus he lowered the visor of his bascinet and unleashed his sword from his sheath as he boldly gave the orders to charge to his retinue of heavily armored Knights.

”Charge! ”

Upon giving this decree, the young Prince snapped the reigns off of his steed, sending the mighty destrier down the hill and towards the enemy. While the Austrians were entirely aware of the Polish Army not far away, they had yet to react. After all, blasting such an army to bits with nothing but artillery became dreadfully dull after a while.

Some of the more battle-crazed soldiers of the Austrian Army wanted to fire their rifles at the enemy lines. Thus, they would not begin firing the artillery shells at the enemy Cavalry until they were near the danger close proximity. Instead, while the Army of 10,000 horsemen charged down from the mountainside, the Austrian Infantry reacted calmly as they fixed their bayonets and loaded their paper cartridges into the chambers of their rifles.