Tyranny of Steel

As the movie was playing, Berengar reached behind his seat and into the lap of Henrietta, where she kept her popcorn. The spectacle of the film thoroughly enthralled the young woman. She was very young at the time that these events took place and thus was not fully aware of the story.

After all, she had simply trusted Berengar's word, and not investigated the matter with Lambert. As Berengar grabbed a handful of her popcorn and stuffed it into his mouth, she leaned forward and whispered something in his ear.

"So you were seeing Linde even back then? I did not know that your relationship had started so early. No wonder Lambert wanted to kill you!"

In response to this, Berengar merely smirked before correcting his precious little sister's thinking. 

"Actually, he tried to kill me before I ever met Linde. If you want to know the truth, she tried to seduce me the night we met, and make me into her plaything. However, it seems I somehow managed to turn that around. As far as I'm aware, when this film takes place, Lambert was unaware of our relationship. He only began to suspect things after this." 

The movie continued during their hushed conversation, as the scene shifted to one where Berengar steps out of his carriage after arriving at his destination. There is a rather sinister looking nobleman who greets the Baron's son with a smiling facade. 

"Lord Berengar, it is my honor to host your visit to my family's lands. Is there anything in particular you would request of my household during the duration of your stay?"

Berengar shook his head. He had a confident look on his face as he pulled out a wad of papers and handed it to the man.

"Your generosity humbles me, but I'm afraid I will be spending most of my time at the mine. Maybe some other time...'

Ulrich quickly looked at the papers with a hint of shock on his face before requesting an explanation of what information was inscribed upon them.

"What is this?"

The Baron's son merely smiled and explained just what it was that he had given his father's subordinate.

"Nothing too impressive, just some basic information on how you can improve your crop yields..."

This news surprised the subservient Lord, who hastily skimmed over the contents with an eager expression on his face. Though he knew little of agriculture, what was written at least made some sense to him. The minor nobleman practically fell to his knees as he thanked Berengar for his generosity.

"My Lord, this gift is too great. How can I possibly repay you for your kindness?"

Once more, Berengar wore a charming smile as he gazed upon the fields, and the peasants working in them. After a glamor shot of how destitute the common people were, the camera shifted back to Berengar's handsome face while he spoke his thoughts aloud.

"All I want is for my people to have enough food to satisfy their hungry bellies. Nothing more is needed on your part..."

This response seemed to have shifted the expression on Ulrich's face, as if this young man had said something utterly contemptible. However, Berengar seemed not to notice it, for when he next took a look at the minor nobleman, he had returned to his smiling facade. 

"A noble gesture. I will see to it that these ideas of yours are implemented as soon as possible. Now, shall I escort you to the mines?"

Berengar proceeded to thank Ulrich before stepping into another carriage, which took them to the mines. The distance between the village of Wildschönau, and the mines themselves was significant enough that an impoverished shanty town was established at the base of the mountain. 

The miners appeared filthy, destitute, starving, and just generally woesome. Berengar noticed this and sighed deeply before speaking his thoughts aloud.

"When I have built a substantial enough treasury, I will make sure that these poor souls are properly looked after. No man should ever have to live in such horrid conditions, especially not my own people." 

The look on Ulrich's face was once more filled with contempt, for only a second before it flashed back to being friendly. In the following scene, Ulrich introduced Berengar to the mines and the workforce before departing. Another brief montage of work takes place where Berengar is seen personally helping with the improvements to the mine until finally he is awoken at dawn by a particularly nervous individual.

"My Lord, the mines have collapsed. Come with me, quickly!"

Without hesitation, Berengar follows the man into the mine shaft, looking for the alleged collapse, and the potential survivors. However, after delving deep into the cavern, Berengar has not seen another man. Befuddled by this revelation, he quickly interrogates the miner about his previous claims.

"Just where is this mine collapse that you speak of?"

A vicious smile appears on the miner's face as he says his farewell to the Baron's son. A hint of laughter can be heard in his voice as he does so. 

""Right here, my lord... Your brother Lambert sends his regards!"

Berengar is visibly panicked as he realizes what is about to happen, however before he can make a run for it, an explosion occurs and the mine collapses around him. Immediately after this, the scene cuts to Lambert and Linde, who are back in the Kufstein castle. Lambert, in his arrogance, reveals his plot to the young redheaded beauty with a haughty smirk on his face.

"My brother? Oh, did I not tell you? I have arranged for him to suffer a little accident in the mines. By now, that pitiful bastard is already dead, buried beneath a mountain of rubble!" 

Linde immediately freezes, and it is apparent to everyone watching the film that her heart had just imploded. However, being the professional that she is, she quickly recovers her sense of calm and nods her head. Her voice slightly breaks as she withdraws from the room, leaving behind a pitiful excuse.

"I... If you will excuse me, I must go and write to my father so that he may hear the good news."

From the corner of her eye, it is clear that the young redheaded beauty is struggling to contain her tears, however; she holds on just long enough to exit the room with grace. Once the door is shut behind her, the waterworks enter full effect as she covers her mouth so that her sobbing can not be overheard by any unwanted ears.

It takes Linde a few moments to overcome her pain, however when she realizes the potential of Berengar still being alive, panic sets in and she sprints through the halls of the Castle and out towards the village below where Ludwig's workshop is located.

As Linde burst through Ludwig's doors, tears thoroughly stained the woman's pretty face. Causing the old armorer to be a bit suspicious of who he knew to be Lambert's fiancee. However, before he could question just what this harlot was doing in his workshop, she blurted out her thoughts.

"Berengar is in trouble!"

These words stunned Ludwig, who had become close friends with Berengar, leaving the man even more suspicious than he was moments ago. After interrogating Linde on her loyalties, the woman reveals that she is in love with Berengar, and has been having an affair with him for some time. This response leaves Ludwig speechless, but ultimately convinces him of the woman's allegiance.

Ludwig quickly knocks on Eckhard's door and informs the man of what had transpired, causing him to rally the troops in Berengar's defense. The scene ends with the soldiers marching towards Wildschönau as they sing the song "Erika". Which is contrasted with visuals of Linde praying for Berengar's survival, while the man is alone, in the darkness, trapped beneath the rubble, and losing all hope for survival. 

The next scene depicts Eckhard and his troops seizing control of the mines where they interrogate the miners while rescuing Berengar. The miner's reveal that Ulrich was responsible for the cave-in, and that they had been paid to maintain their silence. Cementing the Lord's guilt in the eyes of the haggard old knight.

Despite all odds, the cave in is cleared, and Berengar is rescued, much to the joy of his soldiers. He is immediately treated for his wounds. While also given food and water. However, despite his injuries, Berengar quickly organizes the defense of their position, knowing that Ulrich will not allow him to leave the mines alive. 

The scene then cuts to Lord Ulrich, who is informed of Berengar's survival, and the militia that occupies the mines. He knows he can not allow Berengar to live, for his betrayal would instantly be revealed to the boy's father. Thus, he rallies an army of 1600 men, composed mostly of peasant levies and marches them towards the mines where Berengar lied in wait for him.

An epic battle ensues, where Berengar personally leads his troops to victory. The power of the muskets easily prevails over the heavily armored knights and the men at arms who followed them. Before long, Ulrich's elite troops force the peasants towards the front lines, under threat of death where they suffer heavy casualties.

As the battle comes to a close, the villainous Ulrich panics, and just as he is about to order a full retreat, the thunderous echoes of cannons fill the air. The traitorous Lord nearly has a heart attack as he witnesses 12 pound cannonball coming straight for him.

However, before he could snap the reins of his horse, the projectile effortlessly barrels through his chest and claims his life. Those forces loyal to Ulrich, who were not killed in the battle, quickly routed following the death of their Lord, leaving Berengar's militia with an overwhelming victory.

The final scene starts after the battle is over, where Berengar is seen sitting on a rock in contemplation with a musket on his lap, while he watches the aftermath of the battle. Eckhard observes the man's behavior from the side for a while before approaching him. It becomes clear that Berengar is still deep in thought, and thus to catch his interest, Eckhard tosses the man a coin before posing his question.

"Pfennig, for your thoughts?" 

Berengar catches the coin and smiles as he inspects it. He is still in the process of gathering his thoughts, and thus says nothing for several moments of silence. After a while, he looks at the bodies being piled up into a mass grave and speaks his mind. 

"Feudalism is dead. I just killed it. You saw that battle, Eckhard. No longer will mounted knights win wars, but it will be the common man armed with one of these, who will determine the fate of nations. How long will they fight for their ungrateful lords as peasant levies?... A restructuring of society is now inevitable, and without a guiding hand, it will be a bloody affair."

Eckhard was surprised when he heard this, to say the least. Berengar's vision up until this point was to succeed his father, and ensure that his family's lands were prosperous, but there was no great desire for revolution. Thus, he could not help but inquire further about the young Lord's intentions. 

"You intend to restructure our society?.... The nobles will resist it. The catholic church will name you a heretic. We will make many enemies."

In response to this, Berengar merely smirks before turning his head to look at Eckhard and the camera, where he says the following.

"Then we just need a bigger army..."

With this said, the screen fades to black, where the words "The End" took the screen. The theater immediately broke out into thunderous applause and cheers of joy. As the credits rolled, the lights appeared, and the actors who were present for the premier took a bow in front of the entire audience.

Berengar joined in and applauded them for their efforts. Though the film was in black and white, its quality truly impressed him. Perhaps it would go down as a genuine classic. A movie to be watched for generations to come. 

More than one member of Berengar's family had been moved to tears by the film. Such as Adela, Henrietta, and surprisingly even Linde, who wrapped her arms around her man, and cried in his shoulder. Overall, the World's first film was a monumental success, and the department of Propaganda would continue to make use of films as a means to show off the grandeur of their Nation, and its ruler.