Tyranny of Steel

War had come to the Kingdom of France quicker than anyone had realized. Over the past two years, the Frankish Revolution, armed by the German Empire, had spread across the realm rapidly. Nobles were dragged from their homes and executed in public, while the last remnants of the Catholic Church fell into the hands of the German Reformation. 

In the city of Paris, blood and corpses filled the streets, while the citizens starved and begged for scraps. Violence prevailed at every corner of the city. The Frankish Revolutionaries killed in the name of their beliefs, while the soldiers who still swore loyalty to King Aubry struggled to stem the tide. 

Nobody knew how much longer the war would go on for. Despite the revolution's best efforts, they had still yet to break into the Palace where Aubry and his siblings had secluded themselves. Their ancestral home had become the last stronghold of the Royal Family, and every knight and man at arms they could muster had been sent to protect it. 

If there was one safe haven that existed within the French Capital aside from the Palace, it was the Cathedral of Notre Dame. What had once existed as a bastion of Catholic power was now a symbol of the German Reformation, and by extent, the Frankish Revolution. Outside the entrance of this gothic cathedral hung two larger tapestries which displayed the divine visage of Saint Berengar the Blessed. 

Nuns gathered within the astonishing interior where they distributed food and beer for free to the poor and unwashed masses of the French Capital. Where did these provisions come from? Why the German Empire, of course! Paid for by the Kaiser himself. Such kindness in an era of strife had turned many to the Frankish cause. 

The only price one would have to pay for a warm meal, and a liter of beer, was to hear the words spoken by the local priest. Who spread the gospel of Berengar as if it were another book in the holy bible.

Though the German priests acted with compassion, they were far from naïve. The Cathedral of Notre Dame had been converted into a stronghold, where a small militia, composed of peasants, and former men-at-arms alike, protected the clergy with their muskets, and 12 pdr cannons. 

This militia was known as the Order of Saint Berengar, and their solemn duty was to safeguard the clergy of the German reformation who spread their beliefs to the French populace. As well as those who converted to the Frankish cause. 

A young French girl by the name of Aelisia Vigouroux, who was no older than thirteen, was dressed in the robes of a nun as she handed out the freshly cooked meal towards the patrons who had showed up today. 

In the pot, which simmered over a wood-burning stove, was a delicious pot of soup that came in the form of zwiebelsuppe. Or in other words, German onion soup. Two rolls of freshly baked Brötchen were also provided to each patron. Aelisia had a pretty smile on her face as she handed out a portion to an elderly man who thanked her with a phrase that had become all too common across the Kingdom of France.

"Blessings of Saint Berengar be upon you..."

The young girl simply nodded her head and smiled. To her, this was her solemn duty as a nun of the German Church. Just as she was handing out the next serving, a group of men clad in three-quarters plate armor rushed into the room with their muskets in hand. The local priest quickly approached and greeted them with a stern expression on his face. He spoke in the German tongue as he did so. 

"What news have you? Has the Palace fallen yet?"

The leading member of the squad shook his head in disgrace. No matter how hard they tried, the enemy continued to hold on. He could only sigh heavily as he revealed the current status of the war effort. 

"Unfortunately no, Aubry and his family of sinners are dug in there like ticks. No matter what methods we have tried, every advance into the courtyard has been quickly repelled. I don't know how much longer the enemy can withstand our assault. The loyalists should be running out of powder by now." 

The Priest nodded his head in understanding when he heard these words. Though the Reich had provided arms and armor to the revolutionaries, they had not engaged in direct military support. For the Germany army, they could wipe out the French Royal Family as easily as waving one's hand.

However, this war was designed to prove the determination and loyalty of the Frankish Revolution. If they could not eliminate their French masters on their own, then they were of no use to the Reich. Thus, the Germans had provided them with a similar level of hardware that the loyalists were equipped with. 

The Priest did not seem entirely concerned with the slow results. After all, he was not a Frenchman, but a German who had been sent to the ruined city to help guide the souls of those poor citizens who were forced to endure this conflict.  It was at this moment that the girl Aelisia approached the Priest. She bowed her head respectfully before speaking to the man.

"Father, this humble servant knows a way to gain entry into the palace. After all, my mother was a handmaiden to the witch Sibilla before she passed. I grew up within those very walls. If you would permit it, I could show the faithful how to take advantage of the secret passages so that they may complete the will of Saint Berengar, the blessed."

The non-commissioned officer of the militia gazed with astonishment towards the young girl. He had never expected that such a useful pawn would present themselves at this moment. However, a look of pity appeared in the priest's eyes. He knew better than anyone why Aelisia would volunteer this information so willingly. He could only sigh and shake his head before scolding the girl.

"Aelisia, what happened to your mother was a tragedy, but you should not risk your life just to gain vengeance on that sinful woman. You have saved many souls by simply giving out provisions these past years. Your mother would be proud of you..." 

Despite his words of comfort, they appeared to fall on deaf ears as the girl shook her head and responded with determination in her narrowed green eyes.

"It is not a matter of vengeance. With each passing day, this conflict claims the lives of more innocent souls. How much longer are we to sit by and allow our people to suffer at the hands of the French nobility, who foolishly hold on to their heretical beliefs?

If Revolution can capture the sinner Aubry and his family, then this conflict will be over, and we can finally redeem ourselves in the eyes of the Reich. It is my duty as a faithful member of the German Church to save as many lives as possible!" 

The non-commissioned officer of the militia nodded his head with a firm gaze. He admired the girl's passion and was quick to support her convictions. 

"The girl is right, if she can lead us through the enemy's defences, this war will be over soon enough, and no man, woman, or child will have to continue to suffer the indignity that the nobility has forced upon us all. Please, father, allow this child to lead the way!"

With a heavy sigh, the Priest conceded defeat, and nodded his head. The last thing he wanted was for any harm to come to this girl, but her thirst for vengeance was too great. He knew that no matter what he said, he would not be able to convince the girl of any other path. 

"Go with my blessing and end this war. May the light of Saint Berengar protect you during these troubling times. If you do return alive, know that your place in this Chapel will remain the same..."

Aelisia bowed once more while she responded to the Priest with an earnest expression on her cute face.

"Thank you, father..."

After saying this, she followed the militia members out of the church and towards the Royal Palace. The Priest could only gaze upon the smoke in the air and shake his head. He did not know whether the girl would survive, or whether her vengeance would finally appease her troubled soul. He could only lower his head and pray for her safety. 

As for Aelisia herself, she was protected by a wall of armored musketeers. Finally, after these two long years, the Order of Saint Berengar would do more than just safeguard the church. They intended to march straight into the heart of the French Palace, and eliminate King Aubry and his family of sinners. 

As for the Priest, after saying his prayers, he withdrew to his private quarters where he got ahold of his radio and sent an encrypted communication back to the Reich. Informing them that the war in France was about to come to an end. 

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