The Narrative of Franz Ferdinand.

The Spark that Ignited the Fireworks of Europe

               It was a warm June day as the Archduke of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Franz Ferdinand, stepped out of his train car and into Sarajevo's crowded train station. People had lined up outside of his train car to try and catch a glimpse of him as he traveled towards the Austrian troops stationed in the city. Waiting at the end of the station platform was General Potoirek and the motorcade that would take him to meet the cities mayor for lunch. Looking towards his left, Franz gazed into the eyes of his lovely wife Sophie, reminding him of why he came to Sarajevo. Officially, Franz had come to inspect the military garrison in the city, but unofficially he was on an extended vacation with his wife far removed from the imperial capital. Back at home, Franz was a highly controversial figure and behind his back, many people in the imperial court spoke rudely about him and his wife. Franz had made it very clear that he would support centralizing the Empire once he ascended to the throne. Which made him quite the target for both Austrian and Hungarian aristocrats alike, who wanted to hold on to the power that they now had. He hadn't helped his standing with the landed elite by causing a succession crisis when he married Sophie, an unlanded lady-in-waiting. Although looking into Sophie's smiling face he could remember quite clearly why he had been willing to jeopardize his claim to the throne in order to marry her.

               Walking up to his motorcade, General Potoirek, who would be leading the military maneuvers in Sarajevo, saluted him as he took his seat in the lead car. Opening up a conversation General Potoirek and Franz exchanged pleasantries as the General asked the royal couple how their trip to Sarajevo had been. Sophie answered for both of them when she said that the train ride had gone smoothly with few delays, a privilege afforded to Franz and his family as they were of Austria's royal family. Indeed, Franz though, "the trip to Sarajevo had been smoother than he had expected, more scenic too." Responding to Sophie's remark General Potoirek said, "I'm glad to hear that you met no trouble during your trip here; Bosnia has been a hot spot for anti-Austrian sentiment." "I know of such matters all too well," Franz said, "if it weren't for my dashed uncle I would be as far away from this God-forsaken land as I could." General Potoirek shook his head in sympathy for Franz's sentiment, likewise, he would have jumped at the chance to be relieved from his post of keeping the peace in a revolutionary province. Following Franz's comment, General Potoirek replied, "Ever since we acquired Bosnia in 1908 they have believed that they could stand up to our might though assassinating of our officials and subterfuge of our will". "If it wasn't for. . . ," the General abruptly stopped speaking mid-sentence with a look of horror on his face. Turning his body Franz looked into the crowd that surrounded his motorcade. As if the events around him were happening in slow motion Franz could see a man dressed in a brown overcoat step out of the crowd as he threw an explosive directly towards him. With barely a moment to process the events unfolding around him Franz's body was thrown into the car's seat as the driver floored the pedal, trying to get away from their assailant. Daring to look over his shoulder Franz watched as the explosive land underneath the car behind his as it promptly exploded. As Franz's driver speed away down the street cleared for the parade Franz and his wife looked on in horror as the faces of guards that they had seen routinely in their Vienna palace littered the streets of Sarajevo. To Franz, it looked like he had been right all along, the streets of Sarajevo were filled with unrest as the Bosnian people had tantamount started a revolution by attempting to kill Austria's crown prince.

               Without much time to reflect on the situation unraveling around him, Franz was relieved to find himself in the safety of Bosnia's capital building surrounded by loyal Austria soldiers. As Sarajevo's mayor quickly approached Franz and his companions Franz lept out in a fury of rage over the fact that an assassin had been able to attempt assassinating him. The calmed attitude that Franz had had about the trip just that morning was now gone as his outrage continued. Shrinking back from Franz's verbal attacks Sarajevo's mayor, , took the Archduke's criticisms with little push-back. Interjecting herself between the mayor and her husband Sophie reined Franz in as she was used to doing back home in the courts of Austria's elites. Wiping his hands on his suit's jacket the mayor tried to lift himself above Franz saying "Your temper perseids you Archduke, I can now see why Austria's elites hold such disdain for you." Furious over the mayor's insult the Archduke's assault was only ceased due to the restraint that his wife applied on him. With a chance to calm down, Franz was able to again think clearly removing fault from the mayor whom he had previously believed was at fault for the attempt on his life. "Well if my safety can't be guaranteed in this blasted city than I should at least be able to get a good meal," Franz Ferdinand stated with impunity. Ready to give in to any of the Archduke's demands Sarajevo's mayor reminded Franz of the banquet that was to be held in his honor at the residence of Bosnia's Governor. Reminded of the banquet Franz could feel hunger building inside of him as it had been a few hours since he last ate. Although something nagged at him, the feeling of guilt for having left his attendants to bleed in the streets after having been attacked. Worried for the health of the men in the vehicle behind his, Franz asked Sarajevo's mayor how to get to the hospital to see his attendants. Crying out General Potoirek said, "I believe that it would be very unwise to be seen in public right now, especially since there could potentially be an assassin behind every street corner." "I'm well aware," Franz said waving away Potoirek's concern, "but I could never be seen in public again if I were to run away to afraid to be seen by my future subjects." Conceding the general fell silent as he was at the Archduke's command.

               Leaving the protection of Sarajevo's city hall Franz Ferdinand and his entourage filled into what remained of their motorcade. Starting the ignition Franz's driver stepped on the car's gas pedal as it began to accelerate forwards. Driving down the street the car began to slow down as the driver turned off of the main road onto a side street. "Where are you taking in us?" General Potoirek let out as the driver pulled onto the side street. "Where else, but the Governor's mansion," the driver responded. "You've got it all wrong," General Potoirek exclaimed, "Our plans have changed we're going to stop at the hospital before going to the banquet." Pulling to a stop in the middle of the road the driver began to turn the car around to correct their course. Caught by surprise for the second time that day, Franz steps up in the car as he watched a man on the street pulled a gun out of his coat pocket. General Potoirek watched on in horror as he saw a bullet discharge into Franz's neck. Shocked by the turn of events Franz ignored his own wound as he cried out for his wife who had crumpled to the floor. "Sophie dear, don't die, stay alive for our children!" Franz exclaimed as blood foamed from his mouth. Although it was too late for both he and his wife, both had been struck by an assassin's bullet as they traveled through Sarajevo. Neither would live to see their children again as an auspicious gunman had hit his target on a street in Sarajevo.