Tyranny of Steel

Currently, Berengar sat in his office enjoying a cup of company with a guest. This guest was none other than the Grand Duke of Moscow. Since the days of Genghis Khan, the Rus states had been under the control of the Golden Horde. However, the Golden Horde had recently made a major mistake.

They had angered the German Empire by acting as a middleman in the sale of saltpeter to the Reich ’s enemies. Such a material was necessary in the creation of gunpowder. Berengar had always desired to limit the amount of firearms his enemies were able to field, and for a while, he had succeeded in this endeavor.

However, with the new Khan of the Golden Horde rising to power, he had sworn to avenge his predecessor, who was taken out by Berengar ’s assassins. Though he knew he could not win an outright war with Germany, he could at the very least supply their enemies with the means to put up some resistance.

Casimir of the House of Rurik was the Grand Duke of Moscow. However, the thing that surprised Berengar was that he was a young boy of roughly thirteen years of age. This child had recently succeeded his father after the man was poisoned to death. Rumors have it that the Prince himself was responsible for his father ’s death, but such allegations could not be proven.

After ascending to the throne, the boy had decided that he would do everything in his power to overthrow the yoke of the Golden Horde and liberate his people from their servitude. This meant he had to get involved with the devil in the west.

Despite Berengar ’s fearsome reputation, the young Grand Duke was not the slightest bit intimidated, rather he sat with such grace that even Berengar considered himself a barbarian in the presence of the youth.

Casimir was an oddity in Berengar ’s eyes. The boy looked rather androgynous. While Berengar wouldn ’t necessarily call him pretty or feminine, he certainly wasn ’t masculine either. He had delicate features, with a slender figure. His hair was medium in length, and was platinum blonde. He had a set of ice-blue eyes and pale skin. The Grand Duke had a cold glimpse in his eyes as he tasted the coffee that Berengar had personally brewed for him. Upon seeing such a reaction, Berengar could guess that the boy did not enjoy the drink.

”What ’s wrong? Is the beverage I have prepared not to your liking? ”

The boy shook his head as he revealed his thoughts on the drink.

”Too bitter… ”