The sun climbed over the horizon as rows of legionaries left through Roma's western gate. Rows of five-man followed by the next. Boots stomping in a calming rhythm. A feeling of determination emanated from them.

Their goal, the coastal settlement of Ostia. Their task, deposing the defacto-rulers of the city. Establishing a new government.

At their tip a white-haired man with blood-red eyes riding on a purely black horse. A metre behind him three men in centurion armaments.

The legion marched without rest until Ostia's gates came into vision.

"Hold!", Alaric shouted. Bringing his horse and the entire column to a stop. He turned to the three centurions.

"Let the man have a quick meal and short rest. Then prepare for battle", he instructed.

"Yes legate", they replied turning around and relaying the orders through shouting.

Alaric rode forwards a few dozen metres. Eyeing Ostia and its walls. There he spotted them manned and battle-ready. A few wooden constructs placed on the towers suggested the presence of scorpions, ballistas or catapults.

"It seems there will be more resistance to your plans than you thought Lucius", Alaric spoke. Thinking about the next steps.

A siege was out of the question. They were not prepared for one nor would it look good to siege one of your settlements during your first weeks as governor.

"I fear we will have to take the city through storming. Don't you agree Night?", he stroked the mane of the horse. Alaric headed back to the legion and called the centurions for a meeting.

Preparations continued. The legionaries had their short rest and a quick meal. Bread, water and strips of dried meat. Meanwhile, the higher-ups were deciding how to full fill the mission entrusted to them.

"Centurion Sempronius, Libanius and Pullo. We need to prepare for the worst-case scenario", Alaric started.

"So the city does plan to resist in the end?", centurion Sempronius Densus asked. Eyeing the manned walls.

"Let us send a messenger to confirm the situation", centurion Pullo added. He received consenting nods. "And if your assumption is correct, we storm the city."

"I intended to do just that. However there are two things to address first", Alaric said. "First we lack ranged troops. We still haven't recovered from Bari. Secondly, we do not know if the baron has switched sides or just lost control over the city."

"How much does the baron know about our legion?", asked centurion Sempronius.

"He knows our numbers and what kind of weapons we wield. He also knows that this legion has little battle experience", centurion Libanius answered.

The four men entered a temporary silence. Thinking about a way out of the situation.

Alaric spoke up after a handful of minutes passed.

"The walls are not very high. We have numbers on our side and proper shields. Let us construct siege ladders. Use the pilums to cover the climbing soldiers", he suggested.

Two centurions nodded.

"This is probably the best way to seize the city quickly", they said. "Everything else would result in a drawn-out siege."

"What if we presume that the count is on our side?", centurion Libanius asked. "That means we have friends inside the city. And friends inside would allow us to open the gates."

"Organize troops inside to open the gates for us. Preferable at night. Might work". Alaric added. "Prepare the troops for both scenarios. For now we will send the messenger to confirm the situation."

The centurions were dismissed and started to get to work. Wood from the nearest forest was gathered and ladders were constructed. The rest of the troops performed drills outside the city. Keeping out of range of enemy archers or artillery.

A messenger was sent towards the city. The guards checked the woman and opened the gates for her. Closing them quickly behind her to ensure the city's safety. The messenger was led to the baron's seat of power. The town hall.

"Wait here. Somebody will come to fetch you", the guards instructed and let the woman behind in the lobby.

A pair of servants came down the stairs. On older woman and younger man. They bowed respectfully.

"We do have to search you for weapons. Would you prefer if I do it or he?", the old woman asked.

"You will do it", the messenger answered.

The woman checked her and found no weapons.

"Please follow him. He will lead you to the room with the baron", the old woman instructed and left the lobby.

"Shall we?", the young man offered his arm.

"Lead the way", the messenger stepped beside him, ignoring the offered arm.

They climbed the stairs and headed to the room at the end of the hallway. The man opened the door and held it open. She entered.

"Good tidings", he said and closed the door behind the messenger.

"Where is the baron?", the messenger asked. Eyeing the woman in front of her. A bowl of cherries on the desk.

"The baron does not feel well. I am to act as his substitute until he recovers", the woman answered. "Baroness Pontia, and you are?"

"A messenger", she answered. Fixing the baroness with her gaze, she continued. "We require you to open the gates for our legion."

"And why would I do that?", the baroness inquired smiling.

"Because your governor and future liege has ordered so", she replied. Blank expression, a calm tone.

"Has he now? And what if the baron doesn't want to?", the baroness asked. Picking up a cherry and eating it as she eyed the messenger.

"Then force will be used", the messenger answered. "Resistance will be treated as rebellion. Rebellion is high treason. High treason means death through hanging."

The baroness lost her smile for a moment.

"You are bluffing. You don't want things to escalate. Maybe we can reach a middle ground? An understanding between both sides", the baroness offered with regained confidence.

"I don't hold the authority to negotiate, but I can relay the offer", the messenger answered.

The baroness offered half of Ostia in return for being appointed as the governor's representative. Also, half of the council would be made up of her own people.

The messenger continued the conversation for a while before she departed. Leaving the city unharmed and heading back to the legion.

Another meeting between the legate and the centurions was organized after Alaric received the information. They assembled after half an hour.

"The baron lost control. His wife bargains for a compromise", Alaric said. He shared the details of the offer with the centurions.

"Hmmm, we could say we accept and storm the city when they opened the gates for us", centurion Pullo suggested.

"It would ruin our reputation. Or worse that of the governor", centurion Libanius interjected. That was the one thing they wanted to avoid. The situation here can not blow up more than it already did. It had to be resolved quickly and favourably.

They continued to exchange ideas but failed to come up with a good plan. Their best shot remained to just scale the walls with ladders and accept the casualties. The sun began to set when the meeting reached its end.

"Sent a rider back to Roma. Inform Lucius of the situation. He may have an option more than we do", Alaric ordered. "At the same time prepare the men and ladders. If we don't receive an answer by dawn, start the assault."

Their quickest rider was sent to Roma. He reached the city after the sun had set.

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A feeling of danger woke me up from my bed. I was still half asleep as Quintus informed me of the trespasser. A familiar form greeted me as I lighted the candle next to the bed with Igni. It only took two tries to ignite the wick.

"It is night. You better have a good reason for this Juladia."

The dark-elf cocked her head to the left.

"A message from Alaric. Ostia plans to resist the legion. They can storm the city, but will take plenty casualties when doing so."

The mention of Ostia erased the last of my sleepiness. I left the bed and pulled a shirt and pants out of the closest. Clothing quickly, I headed out of the room.

"Details?"

"It seems the baroness took control over Ostia. She offers a deal."

"What kind of deal?"

My steps echoed through the temple. Juladia didn't make a single sound with hers.

"She offers half the city in return for being your representative for Ostia."

Mana sight showed why that was the case. Some kind of spell marked her feet. I remembered the construct. A spell that ate sound.

"How does Alaric plan to secure the city?"

"Storming with men and ladders."

I stopped and touched my chin. Thinking about the manoeuvrer.

"No that won't do. I won't accept a deal from some kind of delusional baroness nor will we lose good legionaries because one person failed to control his wife."

We left the temple. A clear dark night sky greeted us.

"How high are the walls?", I asked.

"Around four metres"

"The gates, are they made of wood or iron?"

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"Uh, mainly wood with smaller parts of iron."

"Good. I know a way into the city. Quintus."

A black shadow materialized to my right. He stretched his wings and growled deeply.

"How?", the dark-elf asked.

"There is one problem though, can't see in the dark… Juladia can you see in the dark?"

"I don't think I can follow ..."

I interrupted her with a raised hand.

"Yes or no?"

"Yes", she said. "A spell of my clan allows for something similar."

"Good, good."

Quintus lowered himself as I made my intentions clear to him. I climbed his back and tried to not sit on the sharp ends of his scales. I should hurry with the crafting of a new saddle for him.

"What are you waiting for? You will miss your flight", I said to Juladia.

She inclined her head. Quintus copied her. Then the dark-elf smiled and moved to climb the wyvern. Juladia came to a stop as she eyed the scales.

I offered a hand. Unnecessarily as it would turn out.

She jumped and scaled Quintus by stepping on the tips of his scales. The dark-elf made it look like she was just going up the stairs of a mansion. The last distance was bridged by a long jump.

Juladia landed behind me.

"Hold on firmly", I issued a last warning. Her hands landed on my shoulders, gripping firmly.

Quintus ran down the open plaza, swinging his wings, and took off. Chilly air whipped our faces. Quintus' own body warmth provided little comfort.

To find the city and legion would not be hard. The campfires from both of them provided a clear destination.

I enjoyed the feeling of flying as we were bridging half a days march in under an hour. I noticed something else as well.

Juladia was glued to my back. Her arms holding my chest firmly. I tapped her head.

"You aren't scared of heights are you?"

"I nearly fell down!"

I turned around to look at her. A smile on her face, a spark in her eyes.

"That was awesome!"

"I don't think you need to hold on any more though, not until we land", I informed.

Her warmth disappeared. I changed my seating position so that I was facing her again. She was looking down as the surroundings passed by us. I looked down myself but couldn't see anything except darkness and shadows.

I used mana sight and focussed on her eyes. Trying to decipher how a spell could allow seeing in the dark. To my surprise, it wasn't a darkness spell. It was a light spell. Though the construct was fairly unfamiliar to me. The foundation looked like the 'gather light' spell. How you could see in the dark with that one eluded me.

Turning off the ability I focussed on just observing her again. She was behaving like a curious child. Changing her seating position to get a new angle and take in her surroundings.

"What do you see?", I asked. She didn't stop her looking around to answer me.

"It all looks so tiny and we are passing by so fast!", she exclaimed. A small smile still etched onto her face. "Now I really want to have my own wyverns."

We continued our small talk for the duration of the flight. Juladia's attention shifted to the promised wyvern eggs. She asked how to care for them and how to raise them. Tricks to bond with them and so on.

I supplied her with my own experiences. Telling her how I raised Quintus and how the communication over the bond worked.

"It is like sharing your intentions viva very clear feelings. It is hard to describe but we know what the other wants by just sharing those feelings. Like how a mother knows when her baby is uncomfortable. You will understand when you bond with yours. Words will not be necessary to understand them."

Juladia listened closely as I spoke. I could imagine how she would write everything down if she had paper and feather.

"Hold on tight we are landing."

We came to a stop next to the camp. A group of guards with torches split up from the camp. The legion seemed to have been notified of my possible presence.

"Governor Vespasianus, legate Alaric instructed us to lead the way for you", one of them said. I nodded.

"Lead the way."

Quintus disappeared in my shadow. Juladia followed me closely.

We marched by the tents of the legionaries. Most were sleeping, a few were speaking about the coming battle. They sounded wary of storming the walls.

We reached the tent of the legate.

"That would be all. Disperse", I ordered and the guards did as asked.

I entered the tent and Alaric greeted me behind his desk.

"Hello"

"Hello Alaric", I replied taking a chair and pulling it in front of the desk.

Juladia stood behind me. She got a short curious look from Alaric. I exchanged and confirmed information with Alaric. Trying to not miss anything about the situation. Towards the end, I asked him the same things as I had Juladia. One piece of information was new. The enemy had scorpions on the walls.

"Why do you want to know if the gates are made out of wood?", he asked.

"Are they?"

"Yes, reinforced with a bit of iron but it is mostly wood", he confirmed. I smiled.

"Good now hear me out", I started to explain my plan.

I and Juladia would take Quintus and fly towards the gate. The wyvern would use his black flame to weaken the gate and destroy it by ramming through it. Then the legion would enter right behind us. The defenders should capitulate rather quickly when they realize they can't hide behind the walls any more.

"That is … risky. What about the flames? They could injure or kill you", Alaric said. "We can't risk your life to save those of a few soldiers. It is not worth the stakes."

"We have heavy iron armour. It should protect us against the flames", I suggested.

"The armour has holes. It is not like some indestructible full bodysuit. The flames will reach your skin", he countered.

We went back and forth.

"Why don't you just soake some leather armour in water and wear it underneath?", Juladia interjected. We both turned to look at her.

"That could work", I admitted.

"Yes, emphasis on could", he argued. "Can't you send just her on Quintus to do it?"

"I will not put him in danger while I am safe in the camp", I cut him off. "And yes I have to be there. She can't communicate with him."

"That still doesn't mean we have to ...", he started again.

"Alaric I understand your worries. I understand the risks. I understand the consequences if I fail", I said and he looked back with a confused expression.

"Then why do it?", he asked.

"Because I want to establish myself. I will not hide in my camp, I won't let my legionaries risk their lives without risking mine. I will not back down from the challenge the baroness has thrown at my face!", I replied. Not noticing the rise in volume of my voice.

"Fine", Alaric gave up. Sounding far from being pleased. He rang a bell and a servant entered.

"Bring me three sets of heavy armour and leather armour soaked in water. Make sure it is as wet as possible. I also want three soaked and thick blankets", he ordered the man.

"Three?", I inquired.

"Somebody has to see to that you won't get yourself killed", he replied drily.

It is then that I noticed that I had forgotten to ask one important question.

"Juladia will you help with the plan. There are dangers to ..."

"Sure", she replied. "Sounds fun. I am in."

I starred back dumbfounded. Right, that was easier than imagined. But then again what did I expect? The dark-elf had yet to show fear for anything.

Preparations continued and servants helped us to get into the leather armour and then into the heavy iron armour.

The centurions were summoned as well. Their task to prepare the legion for the charge. They would follow directly behind our attack. They would secure all military buildings, while a hundred man apprehended the baroness from her mansion.

After thirty minutes we all sat on Quintus' back. The last legionaries around us were donning their own armour and finished the preparations for battle. My own crossbows had been left behind in Roma. Instead, a gladius, shield and pilum were hastened to my back and side.

Juladia sat in front. Alaric behind her and I behind him. Alaric had urged for me to sit at the end so they could shield me from the flames. I didn't like it, but I also didn't found a good reason to deny his request.

We held each other firm as Quintus took to the sky. The wet blankets worn like makeshift cloaks for further protection. Quintus flew as fast as possible and we bridged the distance to the city in a few moments.

Juladia corrected our course and I relayed the information to Quintus.

"Now!", she shouted.

Quintus folded his wings and released a burst of black flames. We pulled the cloaks over our helmets. I prayed for this to work.

Wood shattered. Smoke filled our lungs. Quintus whimpered.

We skidded on the ground before Quintus impacted a building. He came to a stop and all three of us were thrown down from his back.

----------------------------------------

"The gate has been breached. Kill the intruders! Defend the breach!", our commander shouted.

We marched out from the barracks. Donning our swords and shields. No armour for us. The baroness had not enough equipment for everybody. But she gave us a chance to save our city and we would fight to our death to protect it from the foreign invaders.

We ran to the place where an 'object' had destroyed the gate. We followed the light of the torches and the deep traces on the dirt road.

A black shadow laid near the merchant's shop. The thing tried to stand up but collapsed with a whimper. Failing to place any weight on its left leg.

As captain, I instructed my group.

"Use your spears and hurl them at the creature. Don't get close to it", I ordered.

We switched to the spears and prepared to throw. One of my men collapsed. Falling with his face towards the ground.

"What happened to him?", I asked. Preparing myself for a possible ambush.

A feminine voice whispered into my ear, "Death."

----------------------------------------

Juladia's second dagger embedded itself into the throat of the supposed captain. She danced around in the darkness as the now leaderless group of guards tried to spot her in the light of their torches.

Alaric entered the fight next. A red whip in his hand, a shield in the other. He lashed and the whip coiled around the throat of a man. He pulled again and the noose closed, cutting deep into the neck and throat.

The man collapsed and the whip was pulled back. The rest of the men threw their weapons on the ground and ran away.

"Let them go. I need your help here", I ordered and both of them pulled back. Letting the guards run away. I could already hear that the legion managed to enter the city. The sound of fightings was replaced by shouting officers. The enemy has chosen to lay their arms down. Most of them at least.

Quintus whimper brought me back to the important thing. An iron part of the gate was embedded into his leg. It was bleeding. Colouring the dirt around it black.

"Should we pull it out?", I asked. I rubbed his head to reassure him. He growled back.

"No. The spears have barbs. We will need a surgeon to cut it out", Alaric informed. "For now we should stop the bleeding with bandages. Plenty of cloth around."

"Okay, help me out", I said.

Alaric and I made a makeshift bandage for Quintus. Juladia kept watching for enemy guards. There came none. Quintus disappeared in my shadow when the bandage finished and the bleeding was stopped.

We went to the gate to establish contact with our troops. We asked the legionaries stationed there where the centurions were. A woman led us to them.

The three men stood in front of the mansion of the baroness, currently surrounded by 100 soldiers.

"Report", I ordered.

"A few injuries but most of their attention was focussed on you. They didn't even realize we were storming Ostia until we passed the gate. Then they surrendered. A few fought back and were killed. All military buildings inside the city have been secured", centurion Sempronius Densus reported.

We had a few injured soldiers but for now, no death was reported. The centurions were in the process of storming the mansion.

They broke down the door with axes and entered unopposed. On the first floor, a wall of armed servants blocked their way. They threw their pilums and ended the resistance. Not even five minutes passed before a trashing baroness and a shackled baron were brought out of the mansion.

The woman tried to spit at me and threw one insult after the other. I frowned and the soldiers got the clue. She was gagged and silence was restored.

"Baron Toxilus Verullus, I remember you promised to keep an eye on your wife", I said and eyed the man. He kept his gaze locked to the ground. "You have failed to full fill my and my father's task."

He didn't refute.

"Your wife committed high treason. She will face death for her actions."

"Mercy my lord. I am willing to bear any punishment, but please save her life", the man pleaded.

"You realize what you ask of me?", I asked.

"Please my lord. Everything but the death sentence. I will accept any punishment for her", he again pleaded. Now with his head on the ground.

I watched him for a while and pondered over my options.

"Everything?", I wanted to confirm his conviction.

"Everything", he confirmed.

"Then in hindsight of your family's service to my father I proclaim the following judgment", I began, inhaling deeply. "You are stripped of all your titles. Your children will never bear a title again. You will take your wife and never set foot on Neapolitan land again. You are hereby exiled for the rest of your life."

The man stammered a thank you.

"Where is Solania?", I inquired.

"In the city's prison", Toxilus answered.

"Organize fifty men and escort Toxilus and his family to the border of Raetia. They are allowed to bring what they wear and fifty silver with them", I instructed the centurions.

Toxilus and his wife were pulled away and this was the last I would see of them. We marched towards the town hall and there I waited for Solania.

The demi-human entered the room in shackles, wearing racks and locking absolutely exhausted. Her throat dry as she spoke.

"Where is the baron?", she asked.

"Toxilus was exiled. He and his family are being escorted into Raetia", I answered. A smile formed on her face.

"I knew he would find a way to safe that bitch's life", she spat on the ground. "What do you want from me then?"

"You are aware of the plan I have for the city?"

"Yes, a council elected by the people and a representative appointed by you will rule over it. Wait you don't plan t..."

"Yes, I do. Solania do you accept to become my representative for Ostia?"

"I am hardly dressed for the occasion, but sure, I am honoured", she bowed.

She swore her loyalty and we exchanged information. I explained to her what she had to do during the next weeks.

An election for the council had to be organized and held. The merchant from the north needed to be expropriated. And the city would need to undergo a few infrastructure projects and law changes. Life would change a lot for the residents.

I gave her a few man and servants from my legion so that she could establish herself in the city. Two hundred men were kept in the city to ensure our hold. The residents were disarmed and order was restored. The general population still looked hostile at us, but another uprising was unlikely.

On the next day, we left Ostia and headed towards Veii. Supplies from Ostia feed the legionaries and we marched slowly towards the next city. Making sure that the news of Ostia's fall would reach them before we arrive.

When we arrived the baron of Veii had already fled from the city. We had to negotiate with the residents.

We told them our plans for the city when they sent people to meet with us. They were elated by the idea of a council.

They reaffirmed several times that the council would be elected by them and that the council would have the right to decide on local matters.

I also had to pick a representative for the city. I instructed Alaric and Juladia to gather information about possible candidates. We needed someone with connections to the city and someone who was loyal to the province and duchy.

I left behind 400 men and headed back to Roma. Leaving Alaric and Juladia to their tasks.

My hold over the province was strengthened. And Roma's position has been secured.