Raetia's and Pannonia's border.

A wooden tower stood on a hill. A massive boulder to its right. A stone that had served plenty of times as a marker for borders in this region. Right now it represented the beginning of Raetia's lands and marked the entrance into the Alpes.

The land in front of the Alpes was only sparsely inhabited by the dwarves. They claimed to own it but it mostly served as a neutral border between the two countries. This landscape of hills and small forests ran all along the border till it reached Italia.

It was a corridor that had been used several times by different states to enter Italia without tracking over the treacherous Alpes.

Inside the tower sat two dwarves. Moving pieces on a board out of stone. Glancing from time to time outside to observe the border, quickly returning to their game.

"I win", the first exclaimed. The younger of the two. His beard nearly long enough to be braided together.

"Blast it! That was luck. I had such a bad hand", the older of the two responded. His beard braided. The tip reaching his stomach. He pulled out two cups and began to fill them.

"Juice again? Where is the vinegar?", the younger one exclaimed. Looking disappointed at his own cup.

"We are at war. Raetia doesn't need to spend money on some border guards. Nothing has happened here since we retook the Alpes from the Romans", the old one said. "Be grateful that we don't have to organize supplies by ourselves."

The young one took his cup and drank it out in one gulp. The older one shook his head at the sight. He lifted the cup upwards … and noticed the trembling on the surface of the juice.

"What? Am I getting old?", the old dwarf looked at his hand and arm. No trembling. He was holding the cup perfectly still. Yet the fluid trembled.

"Sir … look!", the young dwarf pointed outside with his free hand.

The attention of the old man shifted. He looked outside the window. First, he didn't see a thing. Then he saw dust. He frowned first. Then his expression transformed into one of worry. His cup fell on the table. Spilling its content.

"Shit, shit, shit", the old dwarf exclaimed.

"My board!", the young one joined.

"Do you know what that means?", the old dwarf pulled his younger comrade up and pointed towards the dust cloud. Sounds of hooves were beginning to reach them. War-cries soon followed.

"Are those the tribes? But why would they..."

"I don't know why but we only have one horse", he eyed himself and then the young dwarf. "And we won't outride them with two on one horse."

"Does that mean you will leave me behind?", the young one asked with a desperate tone.

"No, you idiot. I am too old to ride with so much speed. My back would kill me", he took a deep breath. "Now listen Gungir. Listen closely! You will ride south till you reach the next tower. Tell them to warn the rest of the outpost and the garrisons in Italia. Then you head into the Alpes and find the next major settlement. The archduke must be warned!"

"But what about you Zert?", Gungir asked. Tears forming in his eyes. "I can't ..."

"You must and you will!", Zert said. "Don't look behind. Just ride as fast as you can."

Zert stripped Gungir of his armour and helped to ready the horse. Gungir mounted the horse and turned to look at Zert. "I will return to get you."

"I know. But first, fulfil your mission, understood?"

The young man nodded and was off. His horse bringing him towards the next outpost.

"What a great dwarf. I will miss him."

Zert re-entered the tower. First, the dwarf put on his full set of armour. Then he pulled out a bottle of wine, hidden underneath a loose plank.

"One last drink, aye."

He took a last cup and watched the horde of riders approach. He could see how they readied their bows. A few arrows were already lit as well.

The armoured man stepped outside when the enemy was half a kilometre away from his tower. He braced his spear and readied himself. He could see something behind the riders. A slower force. It looked to be wagons and cattle.

"I don't have the slightest idea what you want. But you won't pass me. Charge!", Zert shouted and ran at the enemy with braced spear.

A volley of dozens of arrows brought him to fall before he could reach one of the riders. Flamming arrows hit the tower and the wood lit up.

The tribes of Pannonia continued their dash through the corridor. Trying to escape their pursuers grasp.

Only one thing waited at the end of it. The open hills and farmlands of Italia.

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

"You think this is a good idea?", Romulus asked. Eyeing the list with the 264 captives. The troublemakers they had caught during their nightly operations. The city had been relatively calm. Either they were waiting for the troops to leave Roma or the troublemakers had less support than Lucius' thought. Last night had been the first to be without incident.

"They are charged with arson, murder, attempted arson, attempted murder, crippling and serious bodily harm. What are we supposed to do with subjects like those otherwise?", Remus replied.

"Put them in dungeons, sell them into slavery or let them work in the mines", Romulus replied. Meeting his brother's gaze. "I fear public mass execution may have the opposite effect."

"We will give them something to fear. A reason to stay in line and accept the rules of Roma."

"Ruling through fear is a dangerous game."

Brother starred at brother. Glaring each other down.

"Fine. We send the less problematic ones into the mines for fifteen years and the rest into the dungeons. Satisfied?"

"Yes."

"Can I return to supervise my legion?", Remus asked with a hopeful tone.

"First we have to meet with Orela Iustinianus", Romulus answered with a smile. "After that, we can fulfil our original mission."

"Who? Ah, yes. The mother of aunt Serenity, right? Let's head to wherever she is staying. In fact, where is she staying?"

"One moment", Romulus left the room. Returning five minutes later with a woman wearing house Iustinianus crest. A sapphire on orange ground. "She will guide the way."

"Very well. Let's wrap this up."

Brothers followed the woman to one of the still empty mansions inside the Forum. The doors were opened. The inside was relatively empty. No furniture and damaged walls. The floors were at least clean, though also partially damaged.

They were led upstairs. Inside the room were three chairs and a table. Two chairs on one side, one on the other. A piece of cloth, spotting a sapphire on orange ground, laid atop.

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"Please sit my lords. The lady will arrive shortly", their guide informed. Leaving the room, closing the door behind herself.

"Charming home", Remus said. Tracing his fingers over the cloth on the table. "Silk?"

"Lucius needs to renovate mansions for high-born guests. Some houses would see this as an insult to their prestige."

"Hardly our biggest worry", Remus sat down, sighing. His brother followed suit. "What would you do if we lose the war?"

"Brother?"

"Just theoretical."

"Try to evacuate the family. Find asylum somewhere on neutral territory, I guess."

"And after that?"

"No idea", Romulus pondered for a moment. Giving his brother a curious look. "I guess you have one?"

"I think, yes. Settling down somewhere local, enjoy the time with my children and wife."

"Wait. You don't even have a marriage partner yet … tell me who she is!"

"Wouldn't you want to know?", Remus smiled at his brother. "She is..."

"Am I interrupting something?", Orela Iustinianus appeared behind the brothers. A curious expression on her face. Grey long hair braided, hanging behind her back. Deep blue eyes observing the two men in front of her.

The brothers stood up and moved to greet their elder. Pleasantries were exchanged followed by questions about the status of the family. After a while, all three of them took their seats at the table again.

"So I heard my grandson won't be joining us for a while", Orela said with a bit of disappointment." It seems I will have to work with what I got. A steward is what you need?"

"A steward and treasurer to be precise. The current one will focus on another matter", Remus answered.

"And what other matter would that be?", Orela inquired, leaning forward slightly.

"Something about educating the commoners for free", Romulus answered this time. His expression slightly annoyed. "Funds wasted that could be used for the war efforts."

"Agreed", his brother added.

"I think it is an admirable project. An unusual idea sure, but I wouldn't call it a waste", Orela leaned back. "Boys, back to the reason for my presence. Who and where is the current steward and is there any additional information I need?"

"Did she just call us boys?", Romulus asked with a bewildered expression.

"Second daughter of the Ruber Vulpes, Statilia. A servant outside of the mansion will guide you to her residence when you deem it fit. She has all the information you need. A small warning, the current finances are not looking … well I wish you good luck", Remus answered. "More questions? If not these boys have to prepare this plot of land for war,"

"One. Where is that other boy? The vampire, the one that accompanied him to Aegyptus", Orela leaned forward again.

"Solving a family matter, I have been told. He should return with time", Remus answered. The brothers stood up. "I am looking forwards to working with you lady Iustinianus."

"I do as well", Orela stood up. Accompanying the brother to the exit.

The brothers shared a glance as the door closed behind them. The sun was high in the sky, but clouds would soon cover it up. Rain was coming.

"Legions?", Remus asked

"Soon. We have a handful of things to do first", his brother answered.

The pair went back to their mansion. There they went through the state of the province with all of its regional councils. They had to mediate in disputes and clarify the boundaries of the local administration.

After that came the reports of the other council members. Not much had changed in the few days since they took over. So they quickly went through them. The production of additional weapons and armour went without a problem now that new import routes had been secured.

Bandits and vagrants were being hunted by the military. To no onces surprise, they didn't stand a chance. It quickly became a cat and mouse game. The legionaries were now mostly smoking out hideouts with the help of local inhabitants.

In the end, the brothers spent most of the afternoon fulfilling their governor duties. Mostly delegating tasks or making choices and orders for those below in the command chain.

Delighted both brothers changed into their military wear and went to leave the city as they finished the last report. Under the protection of thirty legionaries, the pair arrived outside of Roma's walls. A few hectares of land had been cleared for three camps. Each is occupied by one of the legions.

Even from afar, it was easy to tell which of the legions belonged to Lucius. The first two camps were orderly constructed. Tents placed with measured gaps, main paths wide and cleared of any obstacles.

All legionaries were doing something. Their days were planned by their superior. Their days were planned as well by the brothers and the co-legates. A good functioning unit that knew how to rely on each other. Knowing that everything would be easier if they trust their comrades to fulfil their part.

Then there was Lucius' legion.

"It is a wonder that Lucius won the battle at Bari", Remus observed the third camp with a critical eye.

"Well, he didn't fight against an experienced enemy. The count of Bari was not known for his military exploits. More for his ability to sway the opinion of the local nobles" Romulus observed the legion as well.

The camp looked, from afar, only slightly different from the other two. Though you could still see some differences. This quickly solidified when you got inside. As the brothers were preparing to do.

"Father would be running around that camp screaming at everybody to get their things together", Remus remarked and laughed at the image forming in his head.

Romulus nodded with his own smile as they closed in on the camp. Tents were placed without much order. The main paths had areas that were too wide and others were too small. Legionaries were not in their ten men squads while performing tasks. New groups had formed instead. Two-thirds of those groups were working. While the equitas had trouble assigned the rest.

You couldn't blame them for it. The smallest unit was supposed to be a ten men squad. Reduced that to a few men and it becomes impossible to keep order, forget about assigning tasks.

"How do we fix this?", Remus asked as they entered. His eyes settled on a legionary leaning against the entrance.

"Stand straight soldier! You are supposed to keep watch!", Romulus ordered in a loud tone. To the man's credit, he quickly corrected his posture.

"Legionary where are the centurions and equitas?", Romulus inquired.

"Straight ahead till the centre, then fifty metres to the left", the man answered. His eyes stared ahead at the walls of Roma.

Romulus marched forwards to find the command tent of the camp. Remus stopped next to the man. Eyeing him up from bottom to top.

"Legionary, where are your shield and pilum?", he asked.

"In my tent my lord", the man supplied.

"Make sure you always carry them with you. You never know when you might need them", the man moved to get them. "Not now, but as soon as the next legionary relieves you from your duties."

And with those words, Remus followed his brother. Jogging to catch up to him.

"We will need to reorganize this legion from the top to the bottom", Romulus said as Romus caught up. "Can we get a few experienced officers from the other legions? Without impacting their performance too much."

"There should be a few promising candidates. We can spare them, I think."

They didn't need to round the corner to see the tent. An outcry of rage guided them for the last few metres.

"What do you mean you don't know where your squads are? It is your responsibility to speak and instruct the captains! How do you lose sight of them?", a man shouted loudly. Only stopping to take a breath.

Remus and Romulus entered the tent.

"You are dismissed", equita Libanius said. The centurion in question left the tent in haste.

The three former centurions, now all promoted to equitas, stood around a table. On it several reports and a map of the camp they had built. All three of them looked overtaxed with the current situation.

The three equitas moved a fist to the chest.

"Greetings legate Remus Vespasianus. Greetings legate Romulus Vespasianus", the three spoke simultaneously. Equita Pullo moved two chairs in front of the table for the new arrivals.

"Thank you very much", Remus said as he sat down. His brother followed suit with a nod in Pullo's direction. "You know why we are here."

Libanius sighed loudly, gesturing towards the tent's exit. "That is a first for this legion. When we were around on campaign it wasn't this bad. It was even quite good for our first time. We had..."

"We are not here to listens to excuses. As the highest-ranking officers, you had plenty of time to reach out to us or the other legions. Now we will take over", Remus explained.

The three equitas looked like they knew what was coming next.

"This legions is currently missing nine equitas and several centurions. Officers of the other legions will fill those places", Romulus started.

The three men nodded along.

"Secondly it is time to instil discipline into your soldiers. Every squad will be punished for the failure of one of its members. Every centurion for his captains and every equitas for their centurions", Romulus continued.

"What kind of punishments?", equita Pullo asked.

"Cutting of rations followed by extra training or work. If that is not enough demotion and whippings", Remus answered.

"Does this mean we can lose our position because of the mistake of our subordinates?", equita Densus joined the conversation. The man fixed his eyes on Remus.

"Yes", Remus answered.

"That is unfair!", Densus exclaimed.

"It is not. It is your task to make sure those under you do theirs. If they cannot do that, replace them", Remus countered.

"You will also not be demoted for individual cases. But if it keeps repeating … then it is clear that this position is too much for you", Romulus added.

"We understand", equita Libanius put one hand on the shoulder of Densus. Calming him down. "I agree that we need to increase the discipline of the legion. Though that leaves the current problem unsolved. We don't have a legate or co-legate."

Remus and Romulus exchanged a glance. Romulus hand went to his temples.

"Lucius is the legate. Who is the co-legate?", Remus asked.

"Alaric Dracula", Pullo supplied.

"A legion is to be always supervised by either its assigned legate or its assigned co-legate", Romulus said while tapping the table. "ALWAYS."

"How could Lucius forget such a simple thing. The co-legate of legion Sicillia will replace Alaric, while Alaric himself is promoted to legate. Romulus can you take over the other legion in the meantime?"

"Hardly have another option", Romulus answered. "I might be able to find a replacement for co-legate of my legion rather soon though."

"Good. Equitas, any questions?"

There were non. The brothers began the transfer of experienced legionaries into Lucius' legion. The soldiers were informed of the changes in the command structure and the punishments if they don't stay inside their units.

A new wind blew in Legion Primum Multarum. And the brothers started the process of bringing this legion up to par with their own veterans.