ocr: Apparently surprised by the spirited defense, the Mongols withdrew. Batu's raiding parties crossed into Austria, almost reaching Vienna. Some historians speculate that the Mongols could have driven much deeper into Europe. But in 1242 a rider from Karakorum reached Batu with the news that Khagan Ogodei was dead (most likely from drink), and suddenly the Mongols were gone. Batu probably withdrew because he expected his uncle's death to touch off: a struggle for the throne. Larry Moses says Batu aspired to be khagan but knew that Ogodei's son, Guyuk, had been preordained. And Batu Shus hated him ...
