The enemy moved out of Bari. As the nobles had proclaimed. Far smaller in numbers than before. The peasantry and residents of the city had refused to partake in another battle. Five hundred to seven hundred legionaries marched in an orderly fashion towards our position. A few were mounted but too few to call it a cavalry cohort. Seven riders were leading them.
Our heavy infantry faced the retinue of the nobles. Numbers bolstered by the combination of the decimated light infantry and ranged troops. A few injured legionaries even joined to face the enemy again. Wounds bandaged, wooden pieces supporting their postures.
Our centre was a thousand strong again. The light cavalry had three hundred combative members remaining and were in the process to circle to the enemies back. Our foe didn't try to intercept or retreat back into the city.
One hundred men of heavy cavalry stood on each of my flanks. The other three hundred had occupied the forest with the sewage exit. Waiting for the count to attempt his escape. They should succeed or fail no later than midnight. The nobles had suggested that the count will use the cover of darkness. He may also be desperate enough to flee in broad daylight. We would wait and see.
The enemy footsoldiers stopped marching and observed our lines. Two hundred metre separating us. Our cavalry in their back. I and my own retinue stood on the same hill as last time. The current conditions favoured our odds.
"See! They got cold feet. I told ya those cowards wouldn't dare to attack. They are quaking in their boots", Cycnus yelled. His own laughter and that of his men resounded over the open fields. Loudly and clear. The two centurions with me eyed my bodyguard with a mix of scorn and unease. Something that reflects badly on me.
"Cycnus I would appreciate it if you turn down the volume a bit", I told my guard and he seemed to get the message. Not after winking at the centurions though. Only Alaric seemed to ignore the exchange. Eyes fixed on the battlefield.
"I don't think we will fight again today", he said. I heard an unfinished exclamation behind me. At least Cycnus is learning slowly some proper conduct.
"What gives you the impression they won't?", I asked as my attention turned back to the two armies. The question answered by the slowly forward-moving riders of the enemy.
"They came to negotiate", Alaric answered.
"With their army in tow?", I questioned further. "Maybe they think this gives them some kind of advantage."
"Maybe", he acknowledged.
A man followed by four men and two women stopped shortly before colliding with our lines. Eyeing them shortly before communicating with us.
"I came to negotiate for peace!", he yelled over the lines. Searching for something until he spotted us on the hill. "Further bloodshed and injustice can be averted."
"What do you think?", I asked the people around me.
"It can't hurt to see what they have to say", Centurion Libanius said.
"Worst case scenario negotiations fail and we kill them on the spot", Centurion Pullo said.
"I like your thinking bat", Cycnus joined in. He received a short glare from my centurion in return.
"It won't put us at a disadvantage", Alaric said. Their opinion aligned with mine. Peace was almost always better than continuing pointlessly.
"You, bring a message to Centurion Sempronius Densus", I ordered the messenger. "Tell him to 'escort' our adversaries to the hill. Unarmed."
The woman nodded and mounted her horse riding to the centurion leading the centre. Full filling the task quickly.
The centurion stepped before the enemy leader and spoke a few words. A short discussion followed. They eyed our position warily. In the end, they dropped the swords, a dagger and two bows to the ground. The enemy stood before us soon after.
"Prince Vespasianus, I, second son of Bari's lord and member of house Nautikos, seek to negotiate the surrender of the city and ending of the uprising", he said. Kneeling before me, yet he didn't look defeated nor anxious about his faith. Resolute and excited would be more appropriate.
"Are you aware of the crimes you committed, all of your allies committed? Aware of the punishment reserved for traitors", I asked slowly, while studying my counterpart. An unremarkable man, short black hair green-blue eyes, fine clothes, well-groomed appearance and a striking chin. Now some nervousness showed.
"I didn't partake in the uprising. I was the one to allow some nobles to escape the city. They had wanted to inform you of the count's plan. The information came also from me", the man explained hastily.
"Who can verify your claims?", I inquired. He opened and closed his mouth. Thinking hard as it seemed.
"A few of my closest man. My elder brother as well. He was supposed to lead this suicide attack in the first place. He is currently under house arrest in the city. The nobles don't know who fed them the information", he said. We looked back at him with caution.
"So you have nobody to vouch for you? Somebody not connected to you or your house?", I inquired and the man shook his head after thinking again for a while.
"Then let the matter rest for now", I added. My centurions seemed to disagree. Something they didn't say but their posture and expression gave them away. "The surrender of the city and the end of the rebellion, how will you ensure it?"
"I hold authority over the nobles’ guards. Kill them, imprison them or pay them off. Without them the city is yours and the nobles can only hide or face their judgement", he answered.
"Why do you hold authority over the guards of other houses?", I asked. "How?"
"I paid them with the city's treasury and funds from my own pocket", the man explained. He seemed proud of this achievement. A small smile formed on my face. This man is cunning and decisive. Seizing the chances as his own father falls.
"Your name?", I asked.
"Sulla Nautikos", Sulla answered.
"Sulla, you will order your men to lay down arms. They will be confined and watched. Provisions will be provided adequately", I ordered. "Then we will judge the leaders of the uprising and then the deserters."
Sulla locked back at me. Again calculating in his head. An answer forming quickly.
"I will do as you command my liege", he said.
"Rise then", I commanded and he rose. "Let's end this war."
We descended from the hill. Sulla and his six companions boxed in by my guards and followed by myself, Alaric and the rest of my centurions.
Sulla's word held true. The men listened to him, few questioning his decision but those followed his orders as well when they realized they were in the minority.
The men did as told. Leaving their weapon and armour on the ground. A thousand soldiers escorted by three hundred of our own. They would be placed next to the other prisoners of war, but would also receive better treatment. No need to risk an uprising of the prisoners now.
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"It is a bit anti-climatic isn't it?", I asked Alaric.
"I don't think so. This could have played out in other ways as well", he said.
"Then let us prepare for tomorrow. Now is the time to lay the dead to rest."
Our scouting operations were intensified. We would not allow any of the enemies to escape the city under the cover of the night.
Preparations to construct rams were stopped. Only a single one had been assembled so far. And I doubt the citizen will keep the gates closed. They would regret it otherwise.
The pyres stood before our camp. Every soldier had a silver coin on his mouth. Charon's obol. The ferryman would be bribed and carry the souls of the deceased over the Styx into the underworld. I was never one for religious rites, but it was tradition and I knew of no better way to see off the dead.
The demi-humans in my legion had a different rite for the dead. They would receive a grave in the earth. Being buried with their possessions and simple provisions for the afterlife. Some graves were already dug, but it would take another or two days to have one for every soldier.
Silence reigned as we all stood around the pyres. Everybody who was not on duty had to attend. I stood before the biggest pyre. A gold coin on the mouth of both men lying there.
"Centurion Gripus Protus, I hadn't known the man for long. He was a good leader, a good centurion. Always keeping a cool head. May his journey be free of misfortune", I said and turned my head slightly to my left. "Centurion Hegio. He was the first to apply for the position of a centurion and the first to be admitted. His skills as an archer not inferior to that of his soldiers. A man with an eye for the finer details. May his journey be free of misfortune."
I lowered the torch in my hand and the flames engulfed the bodies. The loss bothered me deeply. I should not have been so careless when positioning them. They should have stood at the back with me.
A hand was placed on my shoulders and my thoughts were interrupted. Cycnus nodded at me. Words were not exchanged, but I felt the burden lighten a bit.
"Mico. A boy from the farmlands of Aegyptus. What he lacked in talent as a soldier, he made up by putting in more effort. May his journey be free of misfortune", Alaric said and lightened up the pyre.
A legionary stepped forward. Tear stricken face and torch in hand. He said goodbye to his two younger brothers and elder sister.
Soon all pyres were lighted. We mourned the dead and then went to rest. The city would be taken after dawn. Their deaths would not be for nothing. Would not be forgotten.
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I awoke in the middle of the night. A familiar tucking at my bond told me he was close. Quintus had really came to Italia, to me.
I changed into proper clothes and went outside. I nearly collided with Alaric as I left the tent. The surprise was replaced by eagerness. There was only one reason why somebody would wake me in the middle of the night.
"Did they get the count?", I asked.
"Yes, him and several of his followers", Alaric answered.
"Then lead the way", I said and followed Alaric. "Any casualties?"
"Yes. Six of our legionaries died. Eight were wounded. There have also been a few encounters with nobles trying to flee the city. They were captured or fled back to the gates. No dead on our side from those engagements", he reported.
"Good, good. Has the count said anything?", I inquired.
"No he has been silence so far", Alaric answered.
"Interesting."
What will he have to say? I mused the possible outcomes as we approached the newly arrived prisoners.
I remembered the face of count Nautikos. He had been present on my birthday. Most of the time talking with father or the other nobles. The count didn't stick out then and neither did he now. Father only said he was the most important noble in the southeast of Italia.
"Count Nautikos, why the long face?", I asked. There was an arrow in his shoulder and one in his thigh. It felt energizing to have your enemy before you. Broken and defeated.
The count looked up with difficulty. He was pale and exhausted. His eyes though looked clearly and steadfast into mine. A burst of laughter, followed by an outcry of pain.
"Did you drug him?", I turned to Alaric.
"No, we didn't. He was like that from the beginning. Shouting and laughing during the ambush", Alaric explained.
"Do you know why it is so funny?", the count asked.
"Enlighten us then", I prompted.
He laughed again.
"All of it was for nothing! For nothing! Nothing!", he exclaimed, struggling against his restraints. "Nothing… nothing."
My hand moved to the arrow in the shoulder and I pulled hard. The count cried out in pain only to start laughing soon after.
"I can't work with this thing", I gave up on the count and looked at the other captured members.
"You, explain his ramblings", I pointed to a man sharing a lot of similarities with the count. He looked back with a glare.
"No", he spat at me. The audacity!
"Cycnus?", I asked.
"Yes?", the minotaur asked.
"Crossbow", I ordered.
I received the weapon, checked if it was properly loaded and pressed it against the head of the count's son.
"You, explain his ramblings", I repeated.
He began to stutter his facade crumbling quickly.
"I … I … We got a message … shortly after the last battle", he said.
"What kind of message?", I asked.
"Carthage pulled … pulled out of the war. Numidia had begun to attack … attack their lands", he stammered out.
"What of the two duchies?", I inquired further.
"Pulled out. Don't … don't know the details", he finished.
The crossbow moved back to the shoulder and I pulled the trigger.
"Ahhhhhhhhh", he screamed and I turned back around. Noticing the raised eyebrow of Alaric.
"He spat at me", I explained. The eyebrow lowered.
"That he did", he looked back at the son of the count. "Just didn't expect that kind of reaction."
"Cycnus the cages for the pigs on the ships, bring them on land and put them in it", I said and point at all of them. "Any innards or leftovers can be put in there as well. We don't want our guests to hunger."
The minotaur nodded with a big grin on his face. Proceeding to organize the accommodation of the count and his loyal followers.
With this dealt I could return my attention to what had originally woken me up. Quintus. I looked up to the dark night. Feeling the bond near. He was above.
"Alaric go ahead. I will follow later"
"No guards?", he asked looking up as well. "Ah, I understand. Don't get eaten."
Alaric went back into camp, probably to his own tent.
I heard the beating of his wings first and then came the roar. A smile formed on my face. He had changed yet again. This time without me.
He landed before me and the ground shook a bit. His head went down and nuzzled against my chest. A low and deep growl followed.
"I have missed you as well little one", I said. A louder growl was the reply, mixed with a small shove from him.
"You know the rules. It goes by age and not size", I explained. The next growl sounded protesting. I smiled at that. The bond helped a lot when we wanted to exchange feelings.
"And what were you up to? Where have you been? I only knew you were in the south", I asked. Not expecting much for an answer.
Quintus black head tilted. I steeped two meters back to get a better lock at him. Quintus stood on his two legs. When he raised his upper body his height was now about four meter something. Maybe even five? From head to tail it should be now around thirteen or fourteen metres. With stinger and all. Width thirteen metres.
"You grew", I said. A proud growl was the answer. I went closer. Under him to be correct. Quintus moved back so that he could see me again.
"Stand still. I want to have a good look at your underside", I explained. He let me do it.
The scales under him were thinner and brighter. A few parts entirely without protection. I saw some scars. Deep and shallow ones. My mana sight was activated. A hand pressed against Quintus' leg. I saw many threads in him and around him. A lot of it looked similar to fire, death and poison spells or runes I had studied, but I was missing something. There was a difference but where?
I would love to ask Niloticus about it, but my late teacher could be everywhere right now. We also didn't part on exactly good terms. I closed my eyes and ended my ability.
"You have got a lot of scars? What kind of beasts did you fight in the south?", I asked.
What followed was a shared feeling of angst and panic. Completed by a hint of pride.
"There are things in the south that make even a wyvern run away?", I asked. An agreeing growl followed.
"Then you better be more careful and stick to the border regions or in Italia", I advised.
Quintus roared at that. I laughed and an uproar went through the encampment. Didn't Alaric inform them of Quintus presence or did he forgot it? Maybe even on purpose?
"Are you thinking the same thing I am thinking?", I asked and went from underneath Quintus to before him again.
He growled a bit louder and flapped his wings. Then his head lowered to allow access to his back.
We would need a new saddle, but the scales should offer enough support for me. It seemed he lost his old one in the south. I studied the pointy scales and their sharp edges a bit longer. Maybe not without a saddle? A growl disagreed.
"Just have to hold on then", I agreed and climbed on his back.
Quintus roared again in excitement. A patrol was heading for our position. Torches moving in the darkness. In fact, the entire camp was awake.
He began to run on the open fields and beat his wings and rose from the ground. The air flew through my hair. Flying was such a nice feeling!
Quintus flew over the city. Roared once again for good measure and then we flew over the Adriatic Sea.
I enjoyed the calm high up above ground. Only hearing the wind and from time to time a noise from Quintus. The air was cold. On the other hand, Quintus was warm and that countered it a bit. I was still cold though.
I don't know for how long we flew. I nodded off briefly a few times despite the temperature and hard scales. At least I thought it was just for a short time. It was just so relaxing all in all. My worries seemed so small from up here.
We landed near the camp. I climbed down and was ready for a few hours of sleep.
"That was nice. How about you?", I asked. Quintus made his agreement audible.
I noticed the red and orange on the horizon.
"Don't tell me it is already dawn?", I asked. Quintus made his agreement audible. Then he disappeared in my shadow.
"So you can still do that? That is useful", I remarked and made my way to camp. Quintus made his agreement audible. This time only over the bond.
We would take the city today.