The two guards at the entrance to the great hall straightened visibly as the towering figure crossed the courtyard. Hochmeister Corvus Starkenberg was a gigantic man, well over 2 meters in length. He carried a big two-handed great sword and was followed around by a huge black raven. It usually sat perched on his shoulder when he held council, but this morning it flew by on its own accord. Following Starkenberg by half a step was Ordensmarschall Valacchia, middle aged with a big white beard, he was also a tall man, but still a heads length shorter than his superior. His hand firmly gripping the pommel of the sword “Draconia”. They were deep in conversation as they passed the guards and only motioned slightly that they had recognized their salute.
“They must see reason…..Empire first…then Bretonnia “ grunted the Hochmeister as he climbed the first steps up to the hall.
“They will, once they understand what forces we are up against….it´s just a way to make sure we don’t forget their help once the Empire is secured…DeLeon is hellbent on becoming king…..he just needs reassurance my Lord.“
“We march tomorrow. With or without them. I got word a few hours ago by pigeon…the first blow has been struck…the fool Alberich and his stirlanders tried halting them north of Kiel, there was a battle and my Lord Ulrich lost a few good men, but was not stopped. Light horsemen from Ostermark chased Alberich all the way back over the Stir. Many drowned. It is not known if the Count made it or not.”
“Word may have reached Altdorf already Corvus !!??” the Ordensmarschall forgetting all protocol in his excitement and calling the Hochmeister by his first name in front of the soldiers.
“Hence the haste my old friend….hence the haste….things have taken a momentum of their own….as often is in times of war…..tomorrow we march on Mörlenfurt.” Starkenberg grunted as he climbed another set of steps.
The grunts made one of the guards, Matthias, smile slightly since he knew the reason behind them….their commander was more often than not plagued by….well….boils…in his lower regions…
That was the main reason the Hochmeister fought with the infantry when there was a battle. Riding was just impossible at times. And that the main part of his bodyguard was dismounted Ritterbrüders, also known as the “Fratres Panthera”, as they carried a panther as their symbol as well as the green cross.
There is a unit of mounted “Fratres Panthera” for the times when Starkenberg can ride, but they are usually commanded by Ordensmarschall Valacchia. The Panthers history is not long, they came into existence around the same time that the Commander got his problem…with….well….piles…..
Not being able to ride because of his problem he had been attacked by a panther while leading his horse down a mountain trail in the World´s Edge Mountains, the two sword brethren who saved him had become the first two Panthers.
The “Fratres Panthera” are the elite heavy unit of the Templar Order of Taal, they are the old guard. Tested and proven worthy in countless battles.