“Raise your shields!” The Optio yelled as a barrage of blunted arrows slammed into their shield wall. John grinned at the satisfying clang of hundreds of projectiles being deflected by the cohort’s uniformed movement. With a loud “Hoo!” the whole cohort yelled as one, bringing down their shields, waiting for their next command.
“Forward!” The Optios yelled, and instantly the cohort of five hundred and thirty-two men began marching forward like a well-oiled machine of war. Today marked the third month of their training, which left only a final two-week field exercise before they were graduates, and full fledge legionaries of the Akkroan empire.
John peered over the rim of his shield, at the line of their wooden foes almost fifty meters away. Centurion Celsus had obtained the services of an imperial mage, who created, and animated dozens of wooden constructs to act as the enemy forces for today’s exercise.
Their formation thundered with each step as they closed the distance. Until finally the formation of constructs dashed forward and slammed into the shields of the first line. John was near the center right of the first line. Having earned a bit of a reputation from his peers and had gained a modicum of prestige. He was an acting Legionary prime; which was a middle rank before the large jump to Optio, the first rank of the non-commissioned officer ranks.
“Steady!” He bellowed as the onslaught reached them. Flint and Damon were to his left and right, and echoed his command. The weight of the attack pressed on them, and wooden weapons clanged against their shields, attempting to find purchase on a recruit who wasn’t properly holding the line. This was something they would be hard pressed to discover. The recruits of Albus were well disciplined and efficient at this point in their training, and gave their enemies nothing.
“Counter!” Their Optio roared. And the other small unit leaders, like John, echoed the command.
They had each been issued a steel gladius two weeks prior, now trained and trusted enough to wield the deadly weapons of choice of the Akkroan legions. Steel flashed as the precision and strength of months of drills and training dissected the wooden constructs that attacked them. Wood chips pelted John’s face as he slammed his gladius into the foe in front of him, breaking the mage’s spell and sending it lifelessly to the ground below. Within minutes the cohort’s enemies were dispatched, and they cheered together, bringing their shields down to the dirt, awaiting their next command.
John breathed heavily as the adrenaline pulsed through his body. The battle had gone flawlessly, from his meager perspective at least. Until, of course, Decanus Lucan would no doubt tell them all the ways they had screwed up like he always did.
“Cohort!” Centurion Celsus called, “At ease!”
The satisfying sound of hundreds of gladii being sheathed echoed, and the men all relaxed. Standing up straight, and resting their hands on their shields, now firmly placed in the dirt below.
Centurion Celsus, Decanus Lucan, and several Optios strode before the formation. As per the usual, a stool was placed in the dirt, and Celsus stood on it to address the cohort.
“Lads!” He said, a smile on his face. “In all my years of training rabble from every stinking corner of Akkroa and her territories. I have never seen a finer display of cohesion and precision! You should be proud!”
“Hoo!” The recruits answered. A surge of pride ran through John’s body. And he felt each of his friends on either side give his arm a covert punch.
“As some of you may know.” He continued. “Today marks the final portion of your camp training. Which means, in two days you will embark on your final field exam. Lads, it will be difficult! But if you apply yourselves, and bring the same fire and steel that you showed to me here today. You will all stand proudly before me at the end of it, and accept your place as the newest cohort in the Akkroan imperial legion!”
The recruits cheered together. John lifting his fist in the air and howling at the top of his lungs.
Celsus raised his hands, and the noise died down immediately. “Now! Optios! Take your shield squads back to their perspective barracks and give them some well deserved rest. Extra rations and wine!”
The recruits erupted in cheers again, and as ordered, the Optios charged into action, yelling and bringing order to the cohort. Instantly they obeyed, and marched back to their barracks.
~
“To the gods!” Flint shouted, lifting his wooden cup of wine above his head, getting a cheer from his fellows. “We’ve done it boys! In two weeks, we’ll be men of the legion!”
“They’ll have to give us some respect now!” Another recruit yelled.
“Not bad for a bunch of potatoes!” John added, taking a long drink of wine from his cup. Immediately he felt the wave of fuzziness that came from the fermented liquid. He let out a hazy breath after he finished, and slammed the cup down, empty. Though the recruits were only given a ration of two cups of wine per night. Enough to take the edge off, but not enough to get the boys drunk. Well, for most of Akkroa, that was the case. For John and most of his peers in Albus, who had never had the money or means to obtain wine. They felt the effects more than most.
Songs started to break out from the recruits, and John felt a slap on his back. Turning, he saw Damon sit next to him at his table. “Well done today, brother.” He said, taking a drink from his cup.
“You too.” John nodded, a stupid grin forming on his face. “Almost there. Just a couple more weeks.”
“I can hardly believe it!” Flint said, jumping down to sit on John’s other side. “Who knew that a bunch of dopes from Albus could be good legionaries.”
“You doubted us?” Damon asked, “In Albus, if you don’t work, you don’t eat! Half the people on Akkroa are too fat to even take a piss in the middle of the night.”
“At least they have a place to piss.” John chuckled. “Me and Thomas had a tree we always used. Aunt Fina hated the smell of it in the house. So, we couldn’t use buckets or anything like that.”
“Eh.” Flint shrugged, “We just got used to the smell. Wasn’t so bad after that. I mean, we had sheep and pigs. They smelled a lot worse.”
“Thank the gods for Akkroan latrines.” John laughed.
“Don’t say that to an Akkroan.” Damon looked over his shoulder dramatically. “You know they only serve one God.”
“Yeah,” Flint agreed. “I always found that strange. How does he do everything? We’ve got loads of em.”
The door to the chow hall opened and Thomas entered with his entourage of friends that had been steadily growing since their arrival. He took several moments to scan the faces of the recruits celebrating in the hall, then locked eyes with John. He grinned and made his way over to their table.
“Brothers!” He exclaimed, opening his arms to the sides.
“Thomas!” John said, raising an empty cup to him. “You’ve got that look in your eye. What did you hear?”
Thomas smiled, and sat down amongst them. “Not what I’ve heard, lads. What I’ve seen!”
“Oh?” Flint asked, a sarcastic grin on his face. “What’s it this time? New war? New orders?”
“Word from the Decanus?” Damon laughed.
Thomas waved them off. “No. Me and the guys were finishing up polishing the training shields and armor. It was getting a bit late, and we hurried out to make our way here.” He held his hands out. “That’s when we heard a horn blast from the gate. We turned to see what all the ruckus was about, and as the gods as my witness, we saw a group enter the gate, led by some noble or something from Akkroa. And get this; behind him was a whole squad of people I’ve never seen before!”
“They were elves, I think!” Roger chimed in from behind Thomas.
“I don’t know what they were.” Thomas continued. “But they made their way straight to the Centurion’s hooch.”
“Really.” John said, giving his cousin a deadpan look of disbelief. “You saw a group of elves enter the camp.”
“Thomas…” Flint hung his head. “How in the hells do you even know what a damn elf looks like?”
“They weren’t human!” Thomas pleaded. “And, I didn’t say they were elves. Roger did. I said, I’d never seen anything like them before.”
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“Well, what did they look like?” Damon asked.
“They had black armor on.” Thomas leaned in. “Skin, dark as night. Hair whiter than snow. And had pointed ears!”
“Alright.” John patted his cousin on the shoulder. “You need some wine.”
“You’ll see!” Thomas said, standing. “Believe me or not, you’ll see. Others were there, and word will spread. I will be vindicated!”
They all laughed as he turned to leave. “Now to get my ration of wine.” He saluted with a grin.
~
Deliah let out a sigh of relief as they dismounted their horses. After days of hard riding on the road, she was looking forward to sitting on a real chair.
“Master.” Mel’ah said, handing her a wet rag to clean her face.
“Thank you.” Deliah said, wiping days of dirt and grime from her dark skin.
Cleamon dismounted as well and strode toward the command dwelling of the camp.
The door opened, and several Akkroans greeted them.
“Centurion.” Cleamon said, handing him a scroll. “I am Senator Cleamon Fabious, and have an urgent mission from the emperor himself. I demand you take us inside where we can discuss it.”
The centurion gave him a weary look, and glanced at Deliah and her party. She saw his eyes darken slightly, then opened the scroll. After several moments of reading the contents, she saw his mouth open in disbelief. After reading the scroll he brought it down and he bowed his head. “Senator Cleamon, I am honored you have taken the time to come here. I am Centurion Celsus Rufinus. Commanding officer of Camp Blood Stripe, and the training cohort here.”
“Yes, yes.” Cleamon brushed him off. “We’ve been riding for days, centurion. Let’s go inside and we can explain everything over some food.
Deliah and Mel’ah followed Cleamon into the building. It was nothing like the camp they had come from. The décor was simple if anything. Not an ounce of luxury to be seen in any of the rooms they passed. They made their way to the centurion’s office, and they sat before his table, along with several other Akkroan officers who were no doubt subordinate to him.
Wine and food were brought in and placed before them all. Deliah’s mouth started to water at the mediocre looking meal of bread and stew. But she hadn’t had much to eat other than travel rations. And Akkroan ones at that. She had long run out of the delicious rations of her own people.
“So, senator.” Celsus began, sitting at his desk. “Your scroll indicated the emperor has tasked you with finding a legion as an escort for this…” He looked at Deliah briefly. “Droug ambassador. But I don’t see how I can be any service to you. We are a mere training facility. There are no legionaries for miles. Let alone a full legion able to help you with such a task.”
“I don’t need the explanation, centurion.” Cleamon warned. “I was tasked with carrying out a mission of great importance to the emperor. And legion or not, you have men. And men we need.”
Celsus’ eyes widened. “Surely you don’t mean…”
“I do. I am appropriating your training cohort for this mission.” Cleamon stated.
“Senator.” Celsus’ raised his hands. “These men are still recruits. It would be impossible to enlist them for something like this.”
“They are nearing the end of their training, are they not?” Cleamon asked.
Celsus paused, his eyes darting to one of his subordinates. “They are… But their final test is a field exam. It would be another two weeks until they earn their legionary status. Even then, they were due to be assigned to a legion.”
“I don’t care about that.” Cleamon said, “Tomorrow, I will grant them their status as legionnaires. And they will escort us by the next day.”
Celsus flexed his fingers, frustration clear on his face. “We have no officers. No Optios or Decanus. No junior officers to lead them. Everyone here who is training them is the staff of this camp. We cannot leave with the cohort, there are hundreds more recruits who will be streaming in from all over Albus to train.”
“Have they not been training to operate as a cohort? Can’t we promote some of them to fill in those roles?”
Celsus shook his head. “It would be highly ill-advised.”
“Your advice is duly noted, centurion.” Cleamon drank from his cup of wine. “Here is what I need.” He leaned forward and pointed to him. “I need you to lend me your best Optio or Decanus. Who will come with us and lead this cohort. I will give him a field promotion to centurion for the duration of this mission. He will in turn, promote the various Optios and Decanus to fill out the cohorts missing command structure. They will learn while we travel. We do not expect a great deal of opposition for this mission. So, as long as they can hold a shield and swing a gladius, or thrust a spear. They will do.”
Celsus sighed heavily, then turned to his subordinate. “Lucas… would you be up to the task?”
Lucas inhaled deeply, then nodded.
“Very well.” Celsus said, far more subdued than he was before. “Senator, the men are in your hands. They’re a good sort, and you will be pleased with them. Lucas, do your best to bring them home in one piece.” He then turned his attention to Deliah, holding her gaze for several moments, then stood and saluted by bringing his fist across his chest. “Now Senator, if you would excuse me. I have preparations to make. He stepped outside the office, and Lucas followed.
Deliah eyed them as they left, closing the door behind them. Droug, like most elves, had extremely acute hearing compared to humans. She focused on the door doing her best to hear them as they spoke. “It doesn’t matter what we think.” She heard Celsus say, “The emperor demands it, and we obey, its as simple as that.
“These are boys, Celsus.” She heard, who she assumed was Lucas, replying. “The road to Volkus is a perilous one. We will lose many of them. I served with the fringe scouts several years ago in those forests. Spiders the size of dogs, and goblins, thousands of them. Unless the elves know of a way to safely travers the way. We’ll need more men.”
“Well.” Cleamon said, finishing the last of his stew, and breaking her concentration. “There you have it, Lady Deliah. We begin our march the day after tomorrow.”
“We might need more men, Senator.” Deliah repeated Lucas’ words. She did know of a way that was more secret. But with such a host of men, there was no way they could remain hidden the entire route. “The path is dangerous.”
“Legionaries of Akkroa, even newly trained ones like this are quite capable. You will see.” Cleamon stood and opened the door. Lucas was standing there, his gaze down the hallway where Celsus had most likely walked.
“Decanus. We will need accommodations for the next two nights and a resupply of rations.”
Lucas bowed his head. “As you command, Senator.”
Deliah let out a troubled sigh. These humans are reckless, but we will need them, she thought.
~
The next morning John arose to the sound of a bugle. His eyes focused, and soon the recognition of the tune came. A formation? He thought. Scrambling out of his cot, he expertly donned his clothes and armor, helping his fellows who were still waking up.
“I thought we were allowed to sleep in today!” Flint groaned as he strapped on his gladius.
“Welcome to the legion lads!” Damon laughed, and they all ran outside to stand in their cohort formation.
“Chins up lads.” John said to his charges, lifting his chin and straightening his back.
Soon the familiar sight of Centurion Celsus, Decanus Lucas, and their Optios came into view. Who approached afterward, stunned him. It was a group of alien looking creatures with black armor, white hair, and dark charcoal skin.
“Well I’ll be a horses saddlebag… Thomas was bloody telling the truth.” Flint whispered beside John.
“Yeah…” John whispered back in disbelief. He had heard of other races before, of course. Everyone had. But he’d never truly seen any of them. He gulped as the centurion took to the stool and cleared his throat.
“Lads!” He shouted, before pausing. “No… I suppose I shouldn’t call you that any longer. Today you are men.” He lifted his eyes toward the cohort. His stone gaze scanning all of their faces. “As some of you may have heard, we had some guests arrive from Akkroa herself last night. With them, was Senator Cleamon Fabious! Along with ambassador…” He pulled out a small piece of parchment and read it carefully. “Deliah… of House Reavus… or Reave, rather. My apologies.” He said to the ambassador before continuing. “They have come with a mission from the emperor himself, no less. A mission of great importance. A mission… that… despite great effort to the contrary, no one else can accomplish.” He looked down at the dirt for several moments.
“What is going on?” Flint asked, “I don’t understand.”
“We’re being mobilized.” Damon murmured, his eyes glued to the centurion.
“As of today!” Celsus continued. “You are an active cohort within the Akkroan Legion. Though you are not yet assigned to any particular legion, you will serve the emperor all the same. Senator Cleamon has requested that a host of Akkroan legionaries escort not only himself, but the ambassador of the Droug to Volkus. The capitol city of their people. I congratulate you all on this day, and the mission that you must undertake. For there is no greater honor than to serve the emperor. You are legionaries now, and I’m sure you will do your duty.”
He held his hands out to Decanus Lucan, who saluted. “Decanus Lucan is being field promoted to the rank of Centurion! And will lead this cohort for the duration of this mission. He will choose from among you all, the junior officers and small unit leaders that will make up the true rank structure of the cohort. This, I know is a burden. Seeing as how none of you have any true leadership experience in war. But under his leadership and guidance, you will fall in quickly.” Celsus stepped off the stool and gestured to Lucan. “If you please, Centurion.”
Lucan bowed his head and stood up on the stool to address the men. “Legionaries! The command structure will be as follows.” He reached in a satchel at his side and pulled a scroll from within. “I have spent much of the night selecting my junior officers, Decanus, and Optios. There will be five acting Pularii, field commissioned officers under my direct authority. Twenty Decanus! And fifty Optios as small unit leaders!” He looked at the list again, and cleared his throat. “Thomas, Simon, Gregory, Damon, and John! The five of you are hereby field promoted to the rank of Pularious. Effective immediately. Come to the front of the formation!”
John’s mind slowed as the words left Lucan’s mouth. He heard them, but his mind had yet to grasp their true meaning.
“John.” Flint said, nudging him with his elbow. “Get up there!”
As if someone had dumped a whole bucket of ice water on his head, the realization hit, and he dashed forward, following Damon as they made their way to the front of the cohort. The five of them stood in line before Lucan, their new centurion.
“Take this list with you and study it.” Lucan said, handing Thomas the scroll. “I have made my recommendations for your Decanus and Optios based on my observations as your training commander. Feel free to make any changes you feel necessary. You are Pularii now, and I will trust your judgment. Aside from that, we must organize the distribution of supplies, weapons, and armor. Tents and accommodations for our guests. Horses, cooks, a surgeon, and the overall logistics.” He squinted at them and pointed to Thomas. “You are in command of first century. He pointed down the line. “Second, third, fourth,” then pointed at John. “And fifth. Take command of your centuries, and get it done. We will meet tonight after the men are bunked down. You will no longer share the same accommodations, understood?”
“Yes, sir.” John said with the rest.
“Very well. Get to it.”