October 1st, 1399, The tale of Albrecht IV, the "Defender"
A deep fog had settled over the city of Vienna,
"Why has the weather been so damn freezing recently?" Albrecht Habsburg asked his servant. The King of Austria was a rather portly man, his auburn beard was unkempt and uncombed, with a few gray hairs beginning to show. Though Albrecht had a great deal of facial hair, the rest of him wasn't so lucky, only a few wisps of hair remained on his head and even those small wisps were starting to look grayer by the day. As Albrecht turned his gaze from the palace window's overlooking Vienna, he turned to his head servant, Erwin, he never bothered to learn the man's last name, but he was a good man, a loyal one. Although he wasn't the most handsome of men, he had a rather large and pointed nose and a milk white left eye, a hunting injury, or so he said. To imagine a man so young, at most twenty six years old, would have so many scars... It truly was a strange sight.
"I'm afraid I do not know mien König, perhaps it's an omen." Erwin had always been a superstitious man, some of the gossips at court claimed he was a pagan, others claimed he was the offspring of a witch, and that he'd spend his time casting curses when he wasn't waiting on his lord.
"An omen of what? That it's going to be cold for the rest of the week? I have no time for superstitious nonsense, please, just read to me any news you may have."
Erwin nodded, pulling a scroll out from his sleeve and reading it aloud,
"King Henry of England has agreed to the terms, his daughter will accept Prince Mathias' hand in marriage; The Monarchs of Spain, Bohemia, and Denmark have also agreed to Royal Marriages... However it appears Milan, and Mantau, have respectfully declined... Once more."
Albrecht's jaws tightened,
Milan, a distant relative of his ruled the nation, and Albrecht had frequently asserted that the nation should be "inherited" by him and his family, however, time and again they were turned down, whether it be if they bribed, threatened or negotiated, it seemed there was some "sentimental" value in the nation. As Albrecht's life looked shorter and shorter, the more his desire for Milan grew and grew, most were unsure as to
why he was so obsessed with claiming that land, some thought even Albrecht himself wasn't sure; However all people of the realm knew that it would be foolish to come between him and his claim to the throne, 'lest they want a trip to the gallows.
"Well, send them a warning not to take any... Aggressive actions against their neighbors. If I can't get that throne, then I'll bury them."
