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> 3rd Legion
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> (Abbreviated | III LEGIO, Bloody Third, Old Sister, Lucius Legion, ‘Scarlet Legion’, Double L. Also LL, III-LG)
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> Panthera Tigris | Reddish bronze and gold standard representing the head of a snarling Blacktiger, very similar to Regia’s gold non-snarling banner, the royal Aldenus family crest and the First Legion’s emblem used in banners and armour. After 193 the banners and armours changed to use the more easy to mass-produce IIILG logo, leaving only the officers and the First Cohort still using the more difficult to maintain tiger embroidery and engravings (mainly on the shoulder guards). It remained present on the crimson shields though throughout the campaign and is being used also on liturgical symbols today.
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> Organizational chart*
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> At the start of the Battle of the Lorian Plains, winter of 194 NC
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> Third’s last increase in roster strength and later the unit’s standard disposition
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> (Overall strength ~4018?*
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> -Legio general staff not included, supply train personnel not included)
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> -2800 legionnaires,
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> ~1298? other units
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> (350? mixed cavalry, ~300 heavy Slingers, 290? Scouts and Rangers, 300 Engineers, 58 medics)
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> Legatus Augustus | Lucius ‘Bloody Tiger’ Aldenus –also Praetor Maximus after 191 NC, King Lucius after 193.
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> (To differ from the Governor ‘Legatus Proparetore’ rank Macrinus of Greater Kas started using.)
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> Aide de Legatus Legionis & adjutant to the King of Regia | Prefect Marc Gripa (Promoted to 4th Prefect in the 2nd half 193.)
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> Tribune (& later Legatus) Honoraris | Galio ‘Old Oak’ Veturius, (never officially received the rank during the campaign but it is assumed the promotion came from an anecdotal King Lucius’ direct quote in public. He was paid as a Tribune and later a full Legatus which is as accurate as the official roster & ranks list. Again unofficially, later ‘Consul’ of the Quadrumvirate/Tetrarchy or its respected Mediator.)
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> Broad Band Tribune – acting Legatus in absentia after 192 NC. The most respected high ranking officer in III Legio and the soul of the army. He served a full term of twenty-five years in the First Legion and retired with honors plus a Centurion’s pension. He came out of retirement to start a new full term with the Third Legion from which he famously never retired as he refused his discharge papers at end of his second term. Reached the rank of centurion twice and was named first a Tribune without being a noble (He was from a prominent family though. A privilege he’d lost due to his ancestor’s actions and he regained it through his service later in life) and later Legatus. The closest officer to Lucius and part of his inner circle.
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> 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 and its military historian. A member of Lucius inner circle. Later a Quadrumvir or Tetrarch alongside Sula, Macrinus and Merenda.
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> 2nd Prefect | Julius Draco (Whitetiger, Regia. Son of Baron Vibius, the Duke’s Shield. A strict training officer that excelled in the 2nd part of the 18 months campaign.)
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> 3rd Prefect (of engineers) | Potis Durio (Lastport, Lesia. the fourth Durio of distant Lastport to reach the rank of Prefect in a Legion and the second to do it whilst serving with the Legion’s Engineers after his great-grand uncle Tito Durio. Decorated officer. The road connecting Anorum with Cartagen bears his name. Served in the Legions (First & Third) from 186 until 210. After his retirement in 210 aged forty-five he moved to Armium and served as a minister of Public Works for the throne of Lesia.)
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> 4th Prefect (Praetor’s General Staff) | Marc Gripa. A member of Lucius inner circle.
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> Optio (of Cavalry) Kent ‘Thin Knees’ Long. (A Nord from Maza Burg. Gold Phalera recipient. A famed cavalry officer.)
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> Centurion (of Medics) | Dottore Silvio Marianus (Decorated for bravery in the field. Later Regia’s Royal Dottore.)
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> LID officer | Vibius ‘Vulture’ Ramirus, (Legion Intelligence Department). A Centurion equivalent rank in the registry. A member of Lucius inner circle.
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> Aide de LID | Sirio Veturius. Very old family of historians and officers. The III Legio Tribune’s nephew. Infamous Lord Nattas’ son in law through marriage. A later prominent historian who wrote extensively about the turbulent period mainly from Regia’s and the Praetor’s perspective. It soured his relationship with many prominent lords. A known Luciophile, his writings are not widely accepted as accurate especially beyond the Shallow Sea (mostly in the Khanate) and parts of Jelin, but he’s considered a superb source for the period from most academics regardless of that. Curiously Sirio is rumored to be Queen Lussiel’s (an alleged towering academic herself) favorite historian for his acerbic prose.
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> Quartermaster | Ramsey Kolt, also Keeper of the Purse. Served in Lucius’ administration after his retirement as a Master of Coin.
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> Panthera Tigris Signifer | Brim ‘Stout’ Solomon (Lesia).
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> 1st Cohort
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> - Gold Standard, a square red banner shaped like a spear with an oak tree in gold depicted on it, for its first commander Galio Veturius.
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> Monikers- Red, ‘Old’, Gold Oak’s, ‘Gata’
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> Strength 850
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> 1st ‘Agricola’ Century Centurion, Primus Pilus| ‘Sturdy’ or ‘Baldie’ Brevis. A decorated, risen through the ranks officer. Gold Armillae (arm-band) with oak leaves and swords recipient for saving a unit from destruction twice. Mentioned in the dailies. -400 legionnaires (in four 100-strong Maniples)
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> 1st Decanus| Surus (first ‘Kato’ Maniple)
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> 2nd Decanus| Venius ‘Caligula’ Gata (the late Primus Pilus Gata first cousin) Second Maniple
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> 3rd Decanus | Gurus (Third Maniple.)
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> 2nd Century Centurion| Mede, Nord. Famous one-eyed legionnaire risen through the ranks. A gold Phalera recipient thrice. Cited for misconducts multiple times. Mentioned in the Legion’s Report multiple times. -150 legionnaires (in three 50-strong Maniples)
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> Decanus | Surus (Gold Phalera recipient. Maimed at Oldfort.)
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> Legionnaire Donlon
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> Legionnaire Tertius
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> 3rd Century Centurion| Artur Mangas (Nord. A decorated officer)
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> 4rth Century Centurion| Servius Capito (A decorated officer)
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> -
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> 2nd Cohort
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> -Gold Standard
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> (Monikers Blue, ‘Sula’)
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> Strength 650
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> 1st Century (previously 2nd of the First Cohort -moniker Mark-Antony’s lads-)
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> Centurion| Marcus Antonius Merenda (Corona Vallaris in gold recipient for taking over an enemy’s camp. Mentioned in the dailies multiple times. A very controversial but beloved commander in the Legion. One of the four most trusted and influential officers in Lucius army (alongside Veturius, Trupo and Sula). Transferred from the First Cohort. 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) – 200 (150 of them fresh recruits) legionnaires (in four 50-strong Maniples). Later one of the Quadrumvir.
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> 1st Decanus ‘Ravenous’ Indus (1st Maniple, Half-breed, promoted in the field.)
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> Decanus Domus (Tenor. He was still on the roster, but seriously injured for the rest of the year. Golden Phalera recipient.)
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> Legionnaire Murena (Gold Phalera recipient)
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> Legionnaire Vegetius
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> Legionnaire Cucan
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> Decanus Titus Afer (2nd)
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> Decanus Lar Polus (3rd)
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> 2nd Century Centurion| Josi Vala – 150 legionnaires (in three 50-strong Maniples)
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> 3rd Century Centurion| Ardi Damian
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> 4rth Century Centurion| Spurius Dio
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> 3rd Cohort
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> (Moniker Purple, ‘Lucky’)
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> Strength 650
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> 1st Century Centurion| Cassius Falx (Decorated officer) - 200 legionnaires (in four 50-strong Maniples)
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> 2nd Century Centurion| Placus Lepidus (Decorated officer) - 150 legionnaires (in three 50-strong Maniples)
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> 3rd Century Centurion| Julius Sepofa
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> 4rth Century Centurion| Jorgen Osmond
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> 4rth Cohort
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> (Monikers Kas, ‘the young’, Macrinus Lads)
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> Strength 650
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> 1st Century Centurion| Sextus Silvius - 200 legionnaires (in four 50-strong Maniples)
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> 2nd Century Centurion| Keegan Dixon (Kas) - 150 legionnaires (in three 50-strong Maniples)
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> 3rd Century Centurion| Jason Gordon (Kas)
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> 4rth Century Centurion| Kaleb White (Kas)
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> Legio Scouts
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> Centurion| ‘Frostworm’ Kaeso (A highly decorated officer. Lost an arm at Oldfort. Part of Praetor’s inner circle. Also cited for multiple misconducts.)
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> Decanus | Kiri Dosser (Decorated minor officer)
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> Placus
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> Goff
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> Legio Cavalry
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> Optio | Kent ‘Thin-knees’ Long. (A decorated officer. Gold Armillae recipient twice for stopping a superior force from advancing in the field and destroying an enemy unit.)
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> Flavius Nasica (Croton, on loan from Bernard Holt and Duke Holt after spring of 193.)
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> Legio Slingers
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> Centurion| Mamercus ‘Unhurried’ Sorex (A decorated officer. Part of the Praetor’s inner circle.)
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> Decanus | Bill Wallace (Nord)
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> Legio Engineers
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> Prefect | Potis Durio
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> Centurion (of engineers) | Toni Drano (Lesia, recently promoted. Cited for misconduct.)
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> Legio Medics
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> Centurion | Marianus
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> 2nd Dottore | Riminus
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> Detailed:
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> Legion Scouts
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> Strength ~290 warriors,
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> (200 of Lady Faye Alden’s warband (40-60 joined after Oras Navel under Ned O’ Farrell)
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> -various mixed units of fighters,
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> Mainly heavy axemen, but also swordsmen- under famed Logan ‘Gray’ Barret and ‘Hulking’ Layton (Mentioned six times in the dailies, the Legion’s detailed reports when in campaign), featuring several ‘named’ Northmen like Torcal MacCee, Adam ‘Jaws’ Hough, Ned O’ Farrell and the brothers O’ Dolan, Cole and Aiden from the distant Rifjordal. The latter were both killed at Oldfort within a day. It must be noted the unit was oath sworn to Red Faye and kept receiving skilled new fighters every season from Fetya, mainly the distant Blonden province, more specifically the remote Iron Mountain’s Numre Burg (meaning Numbers in old Nordic) from where her warband hailed from.
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> Around 100 Rangers (50 of them recruits from Anorum. The unit was still rebuilding at the Battle of the Lorian Plains.)
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> Under
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> Centurion | Kaeso
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> Decurion | Slag
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> Legion Cavalry
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> Strength 250 (350?) mixed riders, (Nords but also 150 of them recruits from Anorum)
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> Included thirty men & women of Praetor Maximus’ entourage and around 100 men-at-arms under Flavius Nasica of Croton. (Nasica kept receiving reinforcements from Asturia, mainly skilled riders wanting to follow the action, despite the ‘agreement’ between Lucius and Duke Holt not to drain each other’s pool of manpower. The arrival of the Fourth Legion and developments in the field forced the Duke to stop the practice near the end of 193)
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> Queen Faye Alden (Nord) –not active after Krakenfort and she spent most of her time in the rear or with her warband after 192 NC. She was pregnant to Ralph Alden the third during the battle-
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> This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.
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> Optio | Kent ‘Thin-knees’ Long (Nord)
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> Flavius Nasica
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> Decurion | Jago Davy (Nord)
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> Legion Slingers
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> (Attached short range unit
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> – Semi-autonomous, usually deployed by the Legatus.
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> Only unit employing women and men under sixteen)
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> (Strength fluctuating due to casualties, usually ~200 men and women +100 fresh recruits from Asturia and Anorum still in training)
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> Centurion | Mamercus Sorex
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> Legion Engineers
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> (Leather aprons, ‘Bestia’)
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> 200 Legio Engineers (about thirty percent of them from Lesia)
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> + 100 apprentices (engineers, blacksmiths and carpenters included)
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> Legio Medics
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> 10 Dottore and surgeons
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> ~50 nurses
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> Around two thousand five hundred civilians (some soldier families), merchants and technicians (Civilian blacksmiths, carpenters, laborers, Armorers, hunters, trappers, whores, musicians etc.) following in the supply train. At least three hundred and fifty various-sized carriages and wagons carrying mostly foodstuff, cots, leather tents, precut wood, tools and weapons – at least twenty seven (27) pre-built war machines, including twenty Scorpios, six Catapults of mixed munition, one long range Trebuchet and an unspecified variety of siege engines - among other things. A thousand of Cartagen’s Regulars (Heavy spear infantry) under Captain Percival Gaeta, an adjutant to the Baron of Cartaport, were attached for the final months of the campaign, along at least fifty Knights of the Royal Guard under Sir Maximillian Valens, after High Baron’s Valens insistence.
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Lucius Alden,
‘Bloody Tiger’
Lord Lucius Aldenus the third,
Praetor Maximus,
King Lucius III
Lorian Plains | Ol’ Scrawny (1/3)
-Walk into a trap-
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“Well?” Lucius asked the hidden Ramirus after Nattas had left them. He was staring at the campaign map showing the units movement after the regularly arriving daily dispatches updated them. Falx and Lepidus were at Oldfort already as the Lesia forces had retreated from Sava. The same was happening at the nearby Cartaport but at a much slower pace. The Second Legion had marched back towards Lesia.
“The Praetor knows him best,” the LID officer replied diplomatically.
“I love the memory of him,” Lucius admitted. “The sense of familiarity and home. Of earlier times. Still, I find myself conflicted by irregularities.”
Ramirus stooped to read some of the latest military-intel from Asturia’s scouts and spies. Lucius kept staring at the map of the plains thoughtfully. “What kind of fortifications?” He finally asked.
“Ditches and earthworks,” Ramirus replied. “Around Holt’s Stables and the lake. The road is cut but one can cross the plains and bypass them.”
“Not as easy for heavy infantry or machines and horses might suffer.”
“Machines are a ways away and wild horses roam the plains,” Ramirus argued.
“Wild horses know the well-trotted paths. I prefer the gravel road,” Lucius countered. “We’ll reattach Durio’s engineers at the Navel.”
“Of course sir,” Ramirus replied.
“We can’t leave Holt’s Stable at our rear. Then we’ll have to face Mercator’s Inn fortifications glancing behind our backs constantly.”
“Could the Duke bring men across from Croton?”
“He could, but the problem of having Holt’s Stables controlling the approach to the Tunnel Pass won’t go away. The road to Cartagen must remain open,” Lucius said and turned around. “So we need to insist that Ligur vacates the village.”
“Why not fight us in the mountains?”
Lucius grimaced. “All points towards the fact he’s overextended. He needs those strongholds to maintain the large front. So he doesn’t risk a confrontation too far from them.”
“The Duke says they are kilometers away from the bridge,” Ramirus said.
“It takes a long while to cross the bridge with an army and it’s easy to get spotted,” Lucius argued.
“Sula has his scouts over the Framtond already scouring the woods. According to him the Fourth can hold both sides of the bridge long enough for the whole Legion to cross.”
“Then what?” Lucius asked reading the same report Ramirus was reading earlier. “He needs to wait for the Duke to cross as well. Why attack Ligur with half our force? It is better to wait for us to reach the Plains and then we can attack across the whole front. Exacerbate the old Legatus’ conundrum, thin his forces out even more. Sula should stay put until the Third arrives.”
“If Ligur has split his force or is without cavalry then this could be an opportunity wasted,” Ramirus argued.
“We’re not fighting some amateur here Ramirus,” Lucius admonished him keeping his voice steady. “You think Ettore Pinto would have lost to Valens without the walls protecting the Baron’s force? I don’t believe he would. It’s easier to defend a fortified position and Pinto is nowhere near as experienced as the Legatus of the First.”
“We can overcome fortifications sir.”
“Civilian walls are meant to protect the citizens. Ligur had a lot of years to prepare. Months to study the terrain and come up with a plan. His ditches might be too deep and deadly for us.”
“What could possibly be the plan?” Ramirus asked with a frown. “We outnumber them Praetor. I don’t believe he has anywhere near ten thousand men and we’re well over fifteen thousand combined. Closer to twenty really.”
“We can’t put all those men in the field at once Ramirus,” Lucius retorted. “At this point three quarters of our soldiers are beyond an angry great river and the other part is still on the march. If we fight him tomorrow, Ligur would outnumber us. Look at what happened to the supply caravan!”
“He won’t manage to surprise us again. The Duke has over five hundred men across now and they’ll escort the next one after the winter. Over a thousand are camping near Croton.”
“It doesn’t matter. He doesn’t have to attack another time,” Lucius said and cleared his throat. “What Ligur wanted to accomplish he managed it. The Duke reacted and we reacted. Which is telling.”
“Of what my Lord?” Ramirus asked.
“Ligur wants to fight now.”
“The Third will crash whatever he has at Holt’s Stables.”
“The village is half a week away from the Tunnel Pass. Let’s get there first and then revisit this,” Lucius cautioned him.
“Empty plains to the east, mountains to the west at the Hat’s Top. He’ll be behind the earthworks sir. We kick him out of there and then we move against Mercator’s Inn. The whole front will collapse and he’ll have to retreat down the coast.”
“That it is so obvious a strategy is what bothers me,” Lucius grunted. “We have to attack where he expects us.”
Ramirus nodded and breathed once deeply.
“What would the Praetor do in his stead?” He asked respectfully.
Lucius placed a hand under his jaw and worked at the taut skin with his fingers.
“I would have blocked the Third from coming out of the Pass,” he said raspingly. “But that would mean I might risk losing control of the road towards Asturia or even Islandport. That’s a huge problem for him. Two weeks of travel between his flanks, how can one control both?”
“If he stays on the defensive he’ll lose,” Ramirus said.
“And he doesn’t have the men to attack on all fronts.”
Ramirus grimaced. “He might be under pressure from your brother.”
“It’s possible,” Lucius replied still thinking about it.
“Do I talk with Sir Seleucid?” Ramirus asked.
“My wives will stay behind,” Lucius replied curtly. “I have given instructions to Sir Seleucid.”
“As the Praetor wishes.”
Lucius glanced at him. “What stood out to you about Nattas?” He asked changing the subject.
“I haven’t formed an opinion sir.”
“What do you think made the Queen ask for his help? They were really not close at all,” Lucius queried.
“The rumors allude to a pregnancy. The Baron probably knew about it already given his position in court.”
“Hmm. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I don’t want to believe it,” Lucius grunted.
“I found his lack of interest about Sirio peculiar,” Ramirus noted.
“In what way?”
“Married his only daughter?” Ramirus offered. “They are family.”
“I didn’t know he had a daughter. He claims my father knew about it,” Lucius replied thoughtfully. “What did you find out?”
“There’s a record of him legitimizing her. The king is mentioned so it could be he was forced to do it.”
“It sounds reasonable. What is it?” Lucius asked seeing Ramirus’ expression.
“The girl… she’s a bit old sir.”
“How old?”
“Well, the descriptions I have from the High Baron’s entourage are conflicted, but she looked closer to thirty than twenty.”
“Why would the High Baron be aware of that detail?”
“The girl was living in Nattas’ villa in Cartagen. Held is the proper term,” Ramirus replied. “Also, she’s apparently Nattas’ heir, which is a little harsh considering he has a nephew from his late sister.”
“She was a frail girl, married to a very old man,” Lucius replied. “Perhaps he’s fearing it passed to the boy. So Sirio is in a matrilineal marriage?”
“Aye sir. So given all that Nattas not asking about Sirio seemed weird to me.”
“Storm is just cautious,” Lucius said with a shrug. “He’ll bring it up for sure at a more opportune time.”
“He asked Lord Valens to join Gaeta’s Regulars.”
“Nattas wants to fight?” Lucius asked not expecting it.
“More like following along. Valens doesn’t really want him in the city,” Ramirus noted.
“Why is that?”
“The Mayor is Nattas’ friend. Valens is sour on Messor and his friends.”
Lucius nodded. “Nattas can follow with the supply train. Have him stay with Sirio,” he paused to think. “Where is his daughter now?”
Ramirus shrugged his shoulders. He didn’t know.
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Lucius was playing with the large gold ring he had on his finger. The carved praying warrior depicting the God Tyeus, given to everyone ordained in the order. He was thinking of young Jeremy and his fear of swords. ‘Good with the bow,” Alistair used to gripe dismayed at the boy’s fear of the long blade. The old king had returned from the war and had gotten his mother pregnant for a third time. This third son came in 175 but Vacia hadn’t made it. The bigger boys took a while to warm up to their younger brother and by the time they had around 181, Miranda had appeared not much older than them and Jeremy had found what he was missing.
Jeremy couldn’t keep up with his older brothers and usually stayed behind in order to keep the young Queen company during Roderick’s ‘field trips’. Alistair was harsh on her and didn’t mellow up when she finally got pregnant. For it had taken a while for that as well. How old was she back then truly? Lucius pondered. Alistair must have known. But the Alden of Aegium with all their outer veneer of progressiveness in the running of the city’s affairs, were especially strict to family females. His cousin hadn’t been spared that.
“I prefer yer other ring,” Faye said from the top of the stairs. “For it matches me pendant.”
Lucius glanced at the heavy woman standing so close to the edge with worry. “I’ll come up,” he told her and started that way.
Faye waited for him to climb up the steps, arm resting at the lacquered enamel stone bannister at the top of the stairs near the newel post.
“So you’ll leave on the morrow?” She asked when he reached her. Lucius wrapped his arms around her waist.
“You’re trapped now milady,” he teased her avoiding the answer. Faye reached for something at her hip. “You’re armed?” Lucius asked stopping her.
“A dagger.”
“Red, eh… we talked of this.”
“How about ye answer me straight since you fancy talking so much?” A flushed Faye retorted heatedly.
“Monica needs your help with the twins.”
It was a long shot.
“Seriously? You’ll take Logan wit you,” Faye snapped and Lucius had to kiss her freckled cheeks and mouth to change her demeanor.
“You’re burning up. Is it fever?” He asked standing back.
“Ye could say that sure,” Faye taunted, a sparkle in her eyes.
“I’ll have to sit you down for an official portrait or a sculpture Red. Befitting your station.”
“Not wearing a dress for that Alden no matter how you spin it. I’ll pose in me armour or nothing at all,” Faye replied stubbornly.
Lucius furrowed his brows. “I don’t believe we can have the sculpture offered for public viewing then. Perhaps I’ll keep it in the bedroom… ha-ha,” he stared at her fiery pout amused. “Come on Red. This is funny.”
“I can be funny too. See if you like it,” she said.
“I like all of you.”
That broke her resistance at last and the redhead’s face relaxed.
“You must be really worried to play the jester,” Faye said tenderly. “So many men. Thousands. Lords and generals. What could a sole chieftain do to combat that? He’ll run.”
“Ligur won’t run,” Lucius replied sobering up. “He’ll look to hurt us instead.”
“Don’t hold Logan back.”
“Logan is going to get himself killed in the open,” Lucius said and dragged her away from the edge. “Don’t stand this out near the edge. You might topple.”
“I won’t. Anyway, better if he gets killed than you. Rather have all of them perish come to think of it?”
“Faye. You don’t mean that,” Lucius protested evenly.
“I do,” she cut him off all serious. “I’m not raising your kids alone Alden. Nor wish to live in a world without you present.”
“I think the same,” a moved Lucius told her. “Life without you would be naught but torture. So… you’ll stay in Cartagen Red.”
“Wow. You worked that around me words?”
“I did,” Lucius replied with a smile. “Now, is Monica awake?”
“Didn’t sleep much at all,” Faye said caressing the pauldrons at his broad shoulders. “She confessed that her life is over.”
“What did you say?”
Faye shrugged her shoulders and puffed out. “I laughed in her face? What? She’s bored because she sits inside all day.”
“She’s supposed to Faye. As are you,” Lucius attempted to remind her.
“Fuck off Alden,” she retorted and young Roderick chuckled. Lucius stared at the small boy that had sneaked up on them a little frustrated.
“It’s better not to use such a hoarse tongue in front of him,” he cautioned the northern Queen and this time Faye chuckled herself freely.
“I ain’t raising a blushing maiden Lucius nor a Lorian lady of the court,” she finally said sobering up. “And even if I was, she would learn about all words. What’s the point of hiding what’s out there? They’ll know everything eventually. You think miss pretty isn’t cursing? Have you heard her? Damn be allgods, she can spew out some good ones!”
Lucius pursed his mouth and glanced at his son.
“Wood buns!” Roderick declared loudly and a knight guarding the royal quarters turned his head their way alarmed. “Bamn!”
“See? He went there on his own,” Faye retorted with a chuckle and took the boy’s hand to lead it back to their room.
A numb Lucius stood and watched her walking away, long very thick curls the color of mature red wine dancing down her back and realized he had started smiling as well. The king didn’t know why.
Moreover that was a shortsword Faye carried and not a dagger.
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Eighteen Months Offensive
Twenty second of Ultimus 193,
Code named -18 plus 13-
Campaign Day 382
Winter
Third Legion’s war meeting
Oldfort
The large narrow hall with its black burned walls and filled with mortar cracks was packed with officers of the Third. While still under repair, the tower had been finished and it kept the weather away.
Lucius got up from his seat when Veturius and Trupo finished their presentation but waited for the aides to gather the maps away afore talking. He walked near the standing at attention officers after the room was cleared out a bit and shook each man’s hand.
“Mister Long,” Lucius said to the lanky cavalry officer. “You follow after Sextus Silvius until the mouth, then take the lead. Scout ahead for any surprises.”
“I could press for the stables my lord,” Long replied warmly.
“You might walk into a trap. I have Nasica kept at the rear with Sir Valens. Better to wait for them Optio,” Lucius argued. The latter knight was Maximilian, Lord Valens third son. The Royal Guard presence had forced the Legion’s engineers to construct a crude wooden barracks for them next to the headquarters building, disassemble it and then have the parts added to the supply train. While all of the Guard were on horse, not everyone was a knight and they had separate barracks in the palace for soldiers. As Sir Maximilian had phrased it, keeping ambiguous whether it was a good or bad thing, ‘it gives opportunity to learn a lot about one another.’
Long nodded and Lucius moved on to the familiar face of the duo of rascals that had been with him since the start of the adventure. Centurion Mamercus Sorex and the wearing a prosthetic wooden left arm Centurion Kaeso.
“Is it secure?” Lucius queried and Kaeso lifted the arm.
“I could demonstrate milord,” he offered. “The hand detaches and I can slot a blade in the rivet hole. It’s quite useful in a bind.”
“Just don’t scratch yer arse wit it,” Galio grunted curtly and everyone laughed. Lucius nodded and glanced at the smiling Sorex.
“Any word of your brother?”
“Nothing sir,” Sorex replied his expression changing.
“I haven’t given up,” Lucius assured him. “An answer will surface sooner or later Centurion.”
Mamercus bowed appreciatively and the king moved to the next in line Prefect Durio. The officer saluted.
“You’ll finish work on the road after we talk things through with Ligur,” Lucius told the young officer. “My promise stands Prefect.”
“Gratitude my lord,” Durio replied and clasped his tended arm.
“Mister Brevis,” Lucius moved on to the next in line. The balding officer stood to attention. “Is the First Cohort ready?”
“Always sir!” Brevis boomed much to the appreciation of the officers present.
“I trust you’ll do your utmost,” Lucius said pleased and walked to the officers of the Third Cohort standing next to the Primus Pilus after a brief head nod to the wearing a leather patch over his eye Centurion Mede.
“Centurion Falx, Lepidus,” Lucius started after gripping their tended arms. “How was Lesia?”
“Juicy sir,” Flax replied. A sturdy Lorian from Islandport. “The part we gazed upon.”
“We could have taken Flauegran Praetor,” Lepidus added stiffly. A wiry officer from Anorum, son of a retired Centurion. Lepidus had an excellent record.
“Comes a point when we must look for alternatives to war Lepidus,” Lucius replied steadily.
“Ol’ Scrawny is of a different opinion sir,” Lepidus argued.
“Ligur answers to another. I don’t,” Lucius told him and grabbed his shoulder. “There is another fight ahead of us Centurion. I want the Third Cohort to remain ‘lucky’.”
“It’s a moniker for skill sire,” Lepidus replied with a grimace. “Born out of envy.”
“I know,” Lucius countered with a smile.
> The King walked around the crude wooden table talking, shaking arms and listening to the officers’ opinions about the coming campaign. Centurion Merenda suggested a round of drinks ‘to get a good night’s sleep after’ but Lucius after a small moment of consideration rejected the Centurion’s idea.
>
> Knowing Marcus Antonius he probably drunk himself to slumber anyway.
>
> The Third Legion marched up the New Legion Road, reached Oras Navel in a week and was walking north inside the Tunnel Pass in the first day of Primus and the year 194. Optio Long’s cavalry took the lead and exited the mouth of the Pass first, followed by Silvius’ IV Cohort. Nicknamed the ‘young’ or ‘Macrinus Lads’ the cohort would make contact with Legatus Ligur’s waiting troops. Optio Sorio’s legion cavalry, Centurion Frugus and Tarcus’ two centuries (of six hundred legionnaires each as Ligur’s Legion hadn’t incorporated Lucius’ reforms) of the 3rd Cohort, along the Centurion of engineers Servius Celsus’ machines.
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> Fearing an ambush Optio Long sent scouts to test the blocking the road skirting Hat’s Top peaks enemy forces and much to his surprise Frugus retreated. The 3rd Cohort marched back a kilometer towards Holt’s Stables where Prefect Canus Betto had arrived that morning but paused again afore reaching the barricaded settlement. Optio Long’s scouts reported the retreat to their officers and Long immediately sent Decurion Jago Davy to inform Centurion Silvius who was following with the 4th Cohort about the new development.
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> Silvius sent word to the still inside the Tunnel Pass Lucius, the III Legio would come out before the day was over but the huge slow-moving and strung out supply train wouldn’t for another forty-eight hours. Lucius ordered Silvius to stand firm and secure the mouth for the army along the road cut through the forest by Croton’s engineers. The latter was used by the supply and trade caravans to bypass Ligur’s patrols.
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> Silvius halted his march after the cavalry and Long, but in the meantime the Optio had been informed that the enemy had paused its retreat again. He approached to investigate and lost a group of scouts to a cavalry ambush. Long ordered Decurion Davy to find and destroy the enemy cavalry that roamed the grass plains, avoiding a direct assault on the legionaries guarding the road. He next messaged Silvius and the Centurion decided to move the IV Cohort forward and nearer to the cavalry to support each other.
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> Lucius who had ridden to the rear of the convoy to reach Nasica’s men-at-arms and order them forward out of the Tunnel Pass (the Asturia cavalry was bringing up the rear as their horses and most of the other animals fouled the route for the infantry), was caught between actions. Galio Veturius dispatched a runner to Centurion Merenda’s II Cohort (it followed after the IV and was just about to exit the Pass) to provide assistance to Silvius fearing an ambush. Marcus Antonius unit marched fast down the wide gravel road over the plains, twice the size of the cut path through the mountains just as snow started falling.
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> Some kilometers in front of them Servius Celsus’ horse-drawn mobile Scorpios had started pummeling Long’s cavalry and the arriving at the scene Silvius. The first action of the famed Battle for the Lorian Plains had begun. With a front of over two hundred kilometers it was and remains till this day the largest in actual size battle in history, the largest battle involving legionnaires, knights, war machines and riders. It still is one of the biggest in number of total professional forces involved.
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>
>
>
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> Lord Sirio Veturius
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> The Fall of Heroes
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> Chapter II
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> (Lord Lucius Alden,
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> -Also addressed-
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> Legatus Augustus, Praetor Maximus, King Lucius the Third
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> Southern campaigns,
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> Fifth year
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> Volume X
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> Eighteen Months Offensive
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> Part V
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> Section subtitle
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> -Wounded Tiger-
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> Battle of the Lorian Plains – Holt’s Stables flank
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> Phase A
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> (Tunnel Path mouth ambush)
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> Circa 5th of Primus, Winter 194 NC
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> Prelude to Scylla’s Gambit days later