This seems to be good news.. he tought, he had his room full of maps and papers, more than it usually was. He needed to be prepared and had actually worked out several scenarios relevant to the recent Franco-Russian crissis.
Ranging from a full scale invasion from Russia and France, to remaining completely neutral. But now those maps were carefully folded and kept, they were not thrown away since one never knows if the Franz plan for the defence of tha state would ever be needed to be carried out.
Across the table stood Franz I, He had fought in the same Korps as von Dunkelheit during the wars of the past. They were also both of the same Prussian stock and good friends. "The most capable man in the field" he once said of him. And such was evident, since it was him that was named Field Marshall of the Guard itself.
He maintained extreme loyalty and readiness in the Guard, and fashioned it after the traditional Prussian Tradition. In fact, the uniforms were disigned by him to be very like the traditional ones of Prussia.
The Guard was different to that of the national army in virtually every respect, the command chain was different and the tactics and strategy were of a different school of tought. The Guard was intended to be an elite force that would be used to support the army when it was most needed. However it was also stabished early on that its main use would be fighting alone, separate from the army (altough in coordination) to gain a more specific advantage.
Unlike the armies of other nations, the best of the army did not become part of the Guard. Recruitment in such was separate little well known).
The Best of the Army were part of an elite force but remained within the army. Them, and their commander will be reviewed at a later date.
