>
>
> ----------------------------------------
>
>
>
> An avid desire for gain rules politics, along a complete absence of ethos, but sometimes saving face, or salvage one’s honor, can worth more than a hundred gold-leafed columns in Uher’s Temple.
>
> What tips the scale in the Philomath’s favor is the ability to recognize and understand what the scale needs to balance out, or tip in his favor. However distasteful, hurtful to his psyche and alas unethical, might that something be.
>
>
>
> -
>
> The Morality in Life & Architecture
>
> Volume I
>
> (Designs of Ethos)
>
> Ninth Manuscript
>
> -Politics-
>
> Epilogue
>
>
>
> -
>
> Pompeo ‘Calligrapher’ Di Cresta,
>
> (Born city of Rochstab, near the Grand Port of Cediorum, Kingdom of Lesia in 101 NC
>
> - killed 194 NC Cartagen, Kingdom of Regia,
>
> when part of the domed glass roof he’d help built collapsed on him during the siege cutting the elderly academic into five unequal pieces.)
>
>
>
> Renowned Scholar, Philomath, Architect and Engineer.
>
> Founder of the Gnostic School.
>
> Grand Instructor of Architecture, Engineering and Philosophy
>
> in the prestigious Cartagen Academy of Knowledge for fifty four years 140-194 NC.
>
> Preserved and translated many of the archaic Lorian language and its texts, such the Old Lords Genealogy and others.
>
> Designed the Dam of Ostrich River in Parmaport aged fourteen that helped turn a barren landscape into the Green Coast of Lesia.
>
> Finished building famed Uher’s Temple in Cartagen that was left roofless for sixty years among other things.
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
-
>
>
> 3rd Legion
>
> (Abbreviated | III LEGIO, Bloody Third, Old Sister, Lucius Legion, ‘Scarlet Legion’, Double L. Also LL, III-LG)
>
> Panthera Tigris | Reddish bronze and gold standard representing the head of a snarling Blacktiger, very similar to Regia’s non-snarling banner, the royal Aldenus family crest and the First Legion’s emblem)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Organizational chart*
>
> 3rd month of winter 192 NC
>
> (Overall strength ~3578 *
>
> -Legio general staff not included)
>
> -2800 legionnaires,
>
> ~778 other units
>
> (200 mixed cavalry, ~200 heavy Slingers, 250 Scouts and Rangers, 200 Engineers, 28 medics)
>
>
>
> Legatus Augustus | Lucius ‘Bloody Tiger’ Aldenus –also Praetor Maximus after 191 NC
>
> (To differ from the Governor ‘Legatus Proparetore’ rank Macrinus of Greater Kas started using.)
>
> Aide de Legatus Legionis | Marc Gripa
>
> Tribune Honoraris | Galio ‘Old Oak’ Veturius
>
> (Broad Band Tribune – acting Legatus in absentia after 192 NC)
>
> 1st Prefect | Varus ‘The Book’ Trupo (Lesia. Baron Trupo’s of Flauegran, disinherited second son. One of the three powerful Wine Barons.) Also Scribe de legionis
>
> Centurion (of Medics) | Dottore Silvio Marianus
>
> LID officer | Vibius ‘Vulture’ Ramirus, (Legion Intelligence Department). A Centurion equivalent rank in the registry.
>
> Aide de LID | Sirio Veturius
>
> Quartermaster | Ramsey Kolt, also Keeper of the Purse
>
> Optio | Potis Durio (Engineers)
>
> Panthera Tigris Signifer | Brim Solomon (Lesia)
>
>
>
> 1st Cohort
>
> -Gold Standard
>
> Monikers -Red, ‘Old’
>
> Strength 850
>
> 1st ‘Agricola’ Century Centurion, Primus Pilus| Simon Gata -400 legionnaires (in four 100-strong Maniples)
>
> 1st Decanus| Lucas Kato (first Maniple). A highly decorated minor officer. Cited for misconducts twice. Mentioned in Legion’s Report multiple times.
>
> Legionnaire| Mede (A gold phalera recipient. Cited for misconducts twice. Mentioned in the Legion’s Report twice.)
>
> 2nd Decanus| Herius Asina (second Maniple)
>
> 2nd Century Centurion| Marcus Antonius Merenda (One of three legitimized bastards of Sir Seleucid Merenda ‘the Potent’, Lord Commander of Cartagen’s Royal Guard. The members of the Royal Guard –King’s or Queen’s own- weren’t allowed to marry in the Three Kingdoms) -150 legionnaires (in three 50-strong Maniples)
>
> Decanus Domus
>
> 3rd Century Centurion| Artur Mangas (A decorated officer)
>
> 4rth Century Centurion| Servius Capito (A decorated officer)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> 2nd Cohort
>
> -Gold Standard
>
> (Monikers Blue, ‘Sula’)
>
> Strength 650
>
> 1st Century Centurion| Gnaeus Ennius – 200 legionnaires (in four 50-strong Maniples)
>
> 2nd Century Centurion| Josi Vala – 150 legionnaires (in three 50-strong Maniples)
>
> 3rd Century Centurion| Ardi Damian
>
> 4rth Century Centurion| Spurius Dio
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> 3rd Cohort
>
> (Moniker Purple, ‘Lucky’)
>
> Strength 650
>
> 1st Century Centurion| Cassius Falx - 200 legionnaires (in four 50-strong Maniples)
>
> 2nd Century Centurion| Placus Lepidus - 150 legionnaires (in three 50-strong Maniples)
>
> 3rd Century Centurion| Julius Sepofa
>
> 4rth Century Centurion| Jorgen Osmond
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> 4rth Cohort
>
> (Monikers Kas, ‘the young’, Macrinus Lads)
>
> Strength 650
>
> 1st Century Centurion| Sextus Silvius - 200 legionnaires (in four 50-strong Maniples)
>
> 2nd Century Centurion| Keegan Dixon (Kas) - 150 legionnaires (in three 50-strong Maniples)
>
> 3rd Century Centurion| Jason Gordon (Kas)
>
> 4rth Century Centurion| Kaleb White (Kas)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Legio Scouts
>
> Centurion| ‘Frostworm’ Kaeso (A highly decorated officer. Also cited for multiple misconducts.)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Legio Cavalry
>
> Decurion| Kent ‘Thin-knees’ Long. (A decorated officer)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Legio Slingers
>
> Centurion| Mamercus ‘Unhurried’ Sorex (A decorated officer)
>
>
>
>
>
> Legio Engineers
>
> Optio | Potis Durio
>
> Centurion (of engineers) | Sid Toma (Lesia)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Legio Medics
>
> Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
>
> Centurion | Marianus
>
>
>
> Detailed:
>
>
>
>
>
> Legion Scouts
>
> Strength ~250 warriors,
>
> (150 of Lady Faye Alden’s warband
>
> -various mixed units of fighters,
>
> Mainly axemen- under Logan ‘Gray’ Barret and ‘Hulking’ Layton (Mentioned six times in the dailies, the Legion’s detailed reports when in campaign.)
>
> + 100 Rangers
>
> Under
>
> Centurion | Kaeso
>
> -Note: Centurion Pike’s Rangers were transferred to the IV Legio
>
>
>
> Legion Cavalry
>
> (Strength 200 mixed riders,
>
> Included thirty men & women of Praetor Maximus’ entourage)
>
> Lady Faye Alden (Nord) –not active after Krakenfort-
>
> Decurion | Kent ‘Thin-knees’ Long (Nord)
>
>
>
> Legion Slingers
>
> (Attached short range unit
>
> – Semi-autonomous, usually deployed by the Legatus.
>
> Only unit employing women and men under sixteen)
>
> (Strength fluctuating due to casualties, usually ~200 men and women)
>
> Centurion | Mamercus Sorex
>
> -Note: Centurion Joe Fallon’s Slingers unit was attached to the IV Legio
>
>
>
> Legion Engineers
>
> (Leather aprons, ‘Bestia’)
>
> 50 Legio Engineers (the majority from Lesia)
>
> + 150 apprentices (engineers, blacksmiths and carpenters included)
>
>
>
> Legio Medics
>
> 8 Dottore and surgeons
>
> ~20 nurses
>
>
>
> Around two thousand civilians (some soldier families), merchants and technicians (Civilian blacksmiths, carpenters, laborers, Armorers, hunters, trappers, whores, musicians etc.) following in the supply train. At least two hundred various-sized carriages and wagons carrying mostly foodstuff, cots, leather tents, precut wood, tools and weapons –including ten siege engines/scorpios - among other things.
>
>
>
>
>
> ----------------------------------------
>
> *Final iteration before the ‘Eighteen Months’ campaign.
>
> 2) Worth of note is III Legio had two Military Governors still in their roster as no papers of release from contract had been filed, or would they ever be in the future. Governor Tutor in Krakenfort that was loosely under the rule of Duchess Zofia of Krakenhall and the extremely powerful in the later years ‘Legatus Proparetore’ Governor Macrinus of Greater Kas and Halfostad. A Military Governor post was a lifelong appointment according to the Legio Codex Book. It was given the same careful consideration as the elevation to the crucial rank of Legatus Legionis, since their ultimate task was to provide a safe haven and to secure the survival of the parent Legion, or its complete restoration, in the case the latter was destroyed.
>
> **First and Second Legions went after similar reforms but retained their differences. A three cohort legion with a 2000 legionnaires First Cohort (First Century of a 1000 in 4x250 Maniples, 2nd and 3rd Centuries of 500 in 2x250 Maniples), Second and Third Cohort still numbering 1200 (With a 3x400 Centuries in 2x200 Maniples led by 2 Decanus and 2 Sergeants) for an overall Legionnaires strength of 4400. They retained their stronger Cavalry detachments 400 per Cohort for 1200 scout cavalry (An extra 300 Men-at-arms for the Lesia’s 2nd and a total of 1500) and differed in the Engineers, where Lesia used an extra two hundred, three civilian firms paid by M&M Bank for a total of 500.
>
> ***The I Legio totaling 5900 (300 engineers + 1200 scout cavalry)
>
> ****The II Legio totaling 6400 (300+200 engineers, 1200 scout + 300 medium cavalry)
>
> ***** Almost three thousand additional personnel following in the baggage train.
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
Praetor Lucius Alden
The gathering storm
Part I
-Gain rules politics-
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
1st month of Spring 192 NC.
Day 25th
The mountain’s mouth eighty kilometers after the frozen ‘junction’, the point where the Screaming Road from Gudgurth Fort and the Hollowing Pass coming from the large walled city of Yepehir meet.
III Legio winter marching camp.
Early dawn officers meeting.
The wind came wailing down the frozen canyon behind them. It blew iced chunks out of tree trunks and snapped heavy branches, the hardwood breaking apart in pieces when it smashed on the solid mud drenched ground.
There were screeching calls from the majestic northern eagles’ mixed in there and the unseen fearsome direwolves howling rejoinders, but if one faced west down the rough cobblestone road and the slopes, despite the dark skies above, he could feel the difference.
Even if the flat fields are hidden and no visible border is crossed.
‘Beyond them mountains, your world ends Sir Lucius’, Zofia O’ Dargan had told him almost four years back and it was the bloody truth. It had forced him to make a new more palatable world to survive, but in the end it wasn’t home.
The winter, Lucius decided gloomily clad in his heavy fur coat still staring outside the Castrum’s headquarters’. And the wait, is over.
“I need to be marching fast towards the Fourth,” Legatus Sula grunted, the discussion continuing behind Lucius turned back, Tribune Galio Veturius snorting with arms crossed on his armoured chest.
“Ain’t no fast marching in the mud Sula,” he scolded the much younger but higher in rank officer. “You’ll lose as many boots as soldiers.”
“Tyeus fucking pyres!” Sula cursed and Lucius turned to eye him reproachfully. “I don’t trust that Van Calcar and don’t like this ‘invite’ into his lands! Why not let them pass the goddarn… ah, apologies Praetor,” Sula grumbled glancing at Lucius afore adding. “The bridge over Picker River was where I was going. Nothing but oaks and pines, grass and cattle after it, what is he afraid the Fourth and Valens will do?”
Varus Trupo grimaced at Ramirus’ knowing look, eminent thick blond mustache joined by his well-trimmed ‘winter beard’ for the occasion and then cleared his throat to speak.
“To be fair they probably need to replenish wood and meat after the winter Legatus,” the Prefect said and Prefect Harrison Jacobred of the Fourth agreed with a nod.
“While distasteful it must be done, but we can always compensate for the damages I think,” the haughty noble officer from Sovya added. The Fourth was noble heavy at the top.
Trupo frowned not getting his meaning and Galio shook his head and stared at the map open on the squat but very wide table.
“You’re thinking of hugging the mountains, cut through the woods, or turn north afore Anorum?” the veteran officer queried all serious.
“The fastest way,” Sula grunted.
“Lady Redmond could keep up Legatus?” Ramirus asked innocently and Lucius glared at him despite the need to get it out of the way. A more private moment was preferable, but the LID officer probably kept the possibility of Sula just running him through with his sword if they were alone at the back of his mind.
Martha was pregnant and while Lucius had avoided her the past months after the two forces had started camping together, the news made him a little uncomfortable. Thankfully not in a bitter way. The army knew the kid was Sula’s and the Legatus of the Fourth probably knew in turn everyone else was aware of their relationship. Martha was staying in his tent so it wasn’t that big of a mystery.
“Lady Redmond is made out of sterner stuff,” a flushed Sula retorted brusquely and while Lucius wasn’t certain about it, seeing as Faye had quite the trouble during her own pregnancy trying to follow him on campaign, he decided to cut the ruffled officer some slack.
“Let’s leave the matter to the Legatus,” Lucius said austerely. “You think Van Calcar has ulterior motives?” He asked a relieved Sula.
“Didn’t like his man since the first time I saw him,” Sula admitted gruffly. “Call me biased, but I’m just not comfortable with Valens handling the talks. He’s too civil.”
“One would call it a good thing,” Prefect Jacobred noticed, treading carefully.
The Fourth was Sovya heavy also, Lucius thought. Also missing two cohorts. Sula’s that was camped next to the Third and the fourth cohort that hadn’t yet formed. The Fourth Legion was still undermanned as well, despite Macrinus’ best efforts to train more recruits. The needs of the cities and forts he was running had drained the manpower, as well the many public works in his province. Not everyone went for glory and danger, when well-paid work was readily available closer to home. Northmen and ex-citizens of Sovya weren’t as enthusiastic to follow Lucius in his southern excursion. A potential war against a kingdom that had beaten them thoroughly wasn’t forgotten also.
Twenty years are a long time, but not long enough, he thought.
Nobody wanted to anger Regia and while Macrinus worked to bolster ‘morale’, he needed time. Lucius had given himself and the Governor a year to prepare.
Time to act was nigh.
“What do you think is Van Calcar’s reason for wanting the Fourth near Pascor? An ultimatum wasn’t given,” Lucius asked Sula who had read the same missives as him from the acting commander of the Fourth.
Sula shrugged his broad shoulders. The Legatus had gained some weight due to his leg injury, but he was fine now and running with the troops every morning to get back in shape.
“Neither the right to march out of his lands. There’s army in Brownfort, even more stationed at Bisonville. Valens can’t risk getting trapped on that bridge,” Sula finally said. “As for the reason, eh…”
Lucius turned to Ramirus. “Lord Holt’s… Bernard’s man isn’t forthcoming on the matter,” the LID officer replied looking at his notes. “He’s also requesting to be relieved to travel to Asturia, or use our birds.”
“He can’t,” Lucius replied sternly. “We have no birds available ourselves and I can’t risk his safety. The road to Anorum is treacherous they say.”
Trupo scribbled down his response for the record. Most of what Lucius had said wasn’t true, but for the danger of outlaws on the road. He couldn’t just dismiss Bernard’s man as the Legion was on the move and in campaign footing and Lucius didn’t trust the herald Hostus Clarus to inform the old Lord without the information on his whereabouts leaking.
The Fourth’s presence near Brownfort had probably reached his rivals courts. Clarus would assure everyone he wasn’t there but heading for Anorum, hence giving the ruse away.
Lord Holt was also in the field either in Islandport or Holt’s Stables to inspect the border with Alden and out of reach anyway. Keeping a secret in Asturia was futile.
So Lucius had decided to ‘keep’ Asturia’s protesting official secure within the Castrum.
“There was talk of trouble brewing with Lord Hoff back in Gudgurth Fort,” Galio rustled and Trupo chuckled at the old officer’s sour expression.
“The Lakelords are always in one mischief or another,” Lucius said furrowing his brow. “Be it light ‘pirating’ in the lake, or ‘soft’ raiding of cattle and hunting in another’s lord’s forest. Lord Holt would have fought them for Bisonville, but for my father’s insistence to keep the treaties and general peace. Plenty of unofficial fighting has been done for decades though gents. There is a reason adventurers flock to Asturia and it ain’t Framtond’s lofty statue.”
“Would Lord Holt object to us marching in his lands?” Sula asked, thinking of how to reach the Fourth through the Cattle Fields.
“There’s no way to answer this Sula without an official meeting,” Lucius told him and walked to the table to stare at the map. “But I want to secure Anorum before I talk with the old man, or his sons. We need to anchor our supply lines, or create new.”
“There’s no way the Old Shield allows them to have a say sir,” Trupo commented. “Right Tribune?” He asked turning to Galio who had served for five years under Lord Holt in the legion.
“He wouldn’t,” Galio replied looking at Lucius. “Nor would he abandon the ‘camp’ milord.”
The Legion’s headquarters were in Anorum. The First Legion was stationed in Alden now of course.
“What about Lord Pryor?” Lucius asked.
“Married to Lady Anne,” Ramirus replied readily. “Very loyal to Lord Holt understandably. Their houses are pretty close and his sister has married Baron Julius Draco of Whitetiger Castle. They are a tight bunch.”
Still Anorum was a semi-autonomous Barony.
“Lord Draco has fought with my father,” Lucius replied. “Lord Holt as well. They will support my claim, but we mustn’t let the matter in their hands. No Lord will give help freely, else he’s a fool, or a bad ruler.”
They were also old men, he thought and their heritors might have other ideas, other than supporting someone against the King of Regia.
Not out of the goodness of their heart, or because it was right.
Even if that someone was Lucius.
Gain rules politics and a frequent absence of ethos, his old Instructor ‘Calligrapher’ Cresta always preached in his lessons. But sometimes saving face, or salvage one’s honor can worth more than a hundred gold-leafed columns in Uher’s Temple.
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
“You will let Sula go,” the old Tribune told him when the meeting was over. Lucius stopped looking at the map and glanced at him.
“The Fourth needs its leader,” he said simply.
“They’ll spot him eventually. You can’t march a cohort without anyone noticing.”
“He won’t leave just yet,” Lucius replied thoughtfully. “We will all go to Anorum first.”
“We will get spotted as well. Even more difficult to miss a Legion marching on the road.”
“Only by the caravans leaving for Yepehir,” Lucius replied. “You think they’ll risk using a bird so soon in to their journey?”
“They might,” Galio argued.
“We are closer to Anorum than anyone else,” Lucius said calmly. “Lord Pryor knows Holt is for me and against my brother. By the time he’ll get an answer from Asturia or Whitefort we’ll be parked in front of his walls. Will he fight a legion?”
“I have friends in Anorum,” the Tribune griped. “Most are probably married with big kids now.”
“Galio I won’t be attacking the city,” Lucius reassured him.
“Fighting Jeremy will require more than calm words milord,” Galio retorted.
“Let’s cross that bridge when we reach it.”
“He might attack Lord Holt this summer,” Galio insisted.
“Not with Lord Sula gnawing at their sides,” Lucius countered.
“Sula is surrounded and if the other Valens caves, we might lose both Demames and Cartagen,” Galio griped and got up frustrated to toss another log into the fire. “Speaking of losing stuff. Gods I long for the days I can get my boots off and don’t lose a couple of toes.”
Lucius smiled at his familiar wrinkled face. What little hair Galio had left had turned as white as the North’s snows.
“How’s Sirio?” He asked to change the subject.
“Doing Ramirus work I suppose,” Galio murmured. “While he gets to stroll about and sneak up on people.”
“Can Sirio switch places with him?” Lucius asked.
“Of course not!” Galio snapped afore catching himself. “Sirio is a good lad milord. Learned, you’ve seen him. I can’t believe he got himself a wife.”
“A lofty wife,” Lucius added thoughtfully.
“Well,” Galio grimaced unsure whether to speak or not. “I’m not as sure milord. I guess a legitimized lass is as good as he could land. He’s too passive and introvert.”
“You don’t like Lord Nattas?” Lucius asked rubbing his eyes, the oil lamp’s light bothering him. While it was morning, the natural light was scarce.
They needed to get off the slopes.
“Eh,” Galio said.
“Out with it Tribune.”
“Rumor is the girl’s mother was a prostitute,” Galio blurted embarrassed.
“Not her fault Galio,” Lucius retorted. “Let us not visit a father’s sins on their child.”
Although he wasn’t as sure as the Tribune that the daughter had come out of a prostitute. Storm would have never allowed such a matter to humiliate him in public. Would he have had the mother murdered? Lucius thought Nattas wouldn’t have hesitated.
“I’ll see to the supply train milord,” Galio said a moment later and Lucius nodded absentmindedly. “See to yer wife and child.”
“I shall. Go rest yourself Galio. We have people responsible for that.”
“Ramsey Kolt is over packing milord—”
“Go rest and see your nephew Tribune,” Lucius ordered, cutting him off brusquely. “The Legio marches three hours before dawn on the morrow. I don’t intent to stop ten times afore Anorum.”
“Aye milord,” the old officer replied and saluted before leaving his tent.
“Should I notify Lady Faye you’ll visit her quarters?” Gripa asked ever present from his chair.
“Give me a moment,” Lucius replied and reached for a piece of drawing coal, then for a wooden ruler. He placed it on the map and started calculating the distances, minding to account for open premade roads, but also for unrotten terrain.
He wrote down numbers on an unfurled blank scroll. Dates and the times required to cover a certain distance on foot, or by horse. In good weather, or not. Also looking for favorable terrain. Then turned the map around and did the whole thing from the beginning, this time not as himself but as an imaginary opponent with half-a-brain. Lucius quickly realized that in both cases, whether it was him, or the opposing general, he needed to capture at least two out of three bridges.
One of the two already standing, sturdy and wide enough for two merchant wagons to pass side by side like its twin and another that was still unbuilt. A mighty river barring that approach, the approach itself worse than the road they had traveled since they’d left Gudgurth.
But not by much.