Their march continued, and after the song, they proceeded in silence. Claudia didn't know how long they had been marching, but it had been some time. She was already sweating, and the countless sweaty bodies didn't help with the smell. They didn't stop marching, not even for several minutes of rest. Those who complained were made to carry supplies from one of the horses and were moved to the front.
Sabrina, who was behind Claudia, kept talking in a low tone that only Claudia could hear. It was getting quite annoying; how could a girl like her keep talking even while marching? Wasn't she tired or sweaty? It didn't seem to bother her.
After several more minutes, they were close to a stream. Claudia guessed the centurion in charge was either tired or tired of the smell because they stopped near it. Soon their column halted. The centurion in charge looked at them.
"Alright, ladies, since we've been marching for a while and we're all sweaty, I'm giving you some time to freshen up in this stream but do it quickly. We are still a little far from the town of Riverside," she told them as she went to lean against a nearby tree with the captain and sergeants of their centuria.
Soon some of the women were knee-deep in the water. Some were bare-chested, splashing water under their armpits and on their faces. Others were skinny dipping, not caring about their naked forms. Claudia was among the first group. After a month of training, she had become accustomed to being naked around the same women she would be seeing for the rest of her life. Her breasts were sweaty, but the cool water refreshed her. Sabrina, a little embarrassed at first, was quickly happy with her form, so she didn't care and got naked, resting in the stream and letting the cold water envelop her. The various bodies around intrigued Claudia; the paler ones were likely from important families, while the darker-skinned women were probably from farming families.
A little distance from where Claudia was bathing with the other legionaries, an interesting conversation was taking place. Under the shade of the tree, the centurion looked at her troops, slowly drinking in their forms.
Under the shade of the tree, the captains exchanged glances as they observed the legionaries bathing in the stream.
"Aren't they a gift of the gods, eh, Sabina? Their forms are so beautiful, like they were sculpted by the goddess Materna herself," one of the captains said, her eyes lingering appreciatively on the figures of the women in the water. She licked her lips as if savoring a visual feast.
"Don't get ahead of yourself, Venturia," replied another captain, taking a long drink from her water skin. Some of the water splashed onto her uniform, making it cling to her chest. "Remember last winter when a recruit you tried to bed almost broke your arm? Besides, we're quite close to the town. You can cool your loins there."
“Bah, she was just shy. Besides, nothing is better than sleeping with a sister to strengthen our bonds, ha ha ha!” Venturia said, laughing to herself.
The other women around her rolled their eyes in response.
“That’s enough, Venturia. Don’t make me punish you,” the centurion said sternly, her face hidden behind a bronze mask shaped like a woman's visage. “Venturia, Lavinia speaks wisely. Wait until we reach the town to cool your passions. Then you can contend with the consequences from its husbands or wives,” the centurion added, clearly annoyed by the behavior of the women under her command.
It was getting increasingly annoying; she behaved like a she-wolf in heat. If she didn't control herself, she'd face fifteen lashes followed by a salting to ensure she learned her lesson. Yet, the centurion couldn't deny that her new legionaries were strikingly attractive. This was advantageous; she would need these beautiful women to spy on enemy towns and seduce soldiers for valuable information.
She was quite glad. After the failed campaign in Doerim, she thought she would be executed or severely punished, but instead, she received another opportunity. Even better, this mission came directly from Caesar Herself. Soon she would prove her worth and erase the dishonor from the Doerim campaign. She could envision it: her troops marching victoriously through Aurelia, triumphant in their mission. Caesar herself promoting them to the rank of Praetorians. Ah, what a vision, and she would make it a reality.
Soon, the centurion called for her troops, who donned their armor and clothing before resuming their march.
They marched for hours, passing over bridges, through checkpoints, and by small villages. Yet, after their rest by the river, they felt revitalized and maintained their disciplined silence. As the hours passed, they began to see palm trees, signaling their proximity to the seaside. Soon, they were descending small hills, with the sun high in the sky bathing them in its warm rays. The wind grew stronger, a clear sign that they were nearing the coast.
Then, they saw it—the vast expanse of blue, the sea. In the distance, boats sailed close to the beach, converging on the bustling port town. Ships of all sizes were docked there, their flags bearing the emblems of various nations, guilds, and merchants. Most significantly, there were four ships displaying the royal ensign of Caesar herself, docked and waiting for them.
The sight of the ships filled Claudia with a mix of awe and determination. The mission was real, and their journey was about to enter a new phase. She exchanged a glance with Sabrina, who, despite the long march, still had a spark of excitement in her eyes.
As they drew nearer to the port, the sounds of the busy town grew louder. The shouts of dockworkers, the creaking of wooden ships, and the calls of merchants filled the air. The legionaries maintained their formation, disciplined and orderly, even as they took in the sights and sounds of the bustling port.
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Upon reaching the docks, their centurion gathered them for final instructions. "Legionaries, our mission begins here. Board the ships in an orderly manner. Ensure your gear is secure and be ready for further orders once we set sail."
Claudia and Sabrina, along with their comrades, moved toward the ships. The sailors, recognizing the legionaries' purpose, guided them aboard with respect. Claudia felt the wooden deck beneath her feet and the gentle sway of the ship as preparations for departure began.
Soon, they were receiving their new instructions. The centurion stood tall before the assembled legionaries, her voice clear and commanding.
"Legionaries, the Caesar herself has chosen us for a mission of utmost importance. A vessel of significant value has gone missing, and we are to be sent to its last known location. Our task is to recover its cargo. This mission is known only to us, so pray to the gods for guidance. If something happens, we are alone. However, if we succeed, which I know we will, great honor and fortune will be bestowed upon us.
"We will also be accompanied by some associates who will assist us with our mission. You are to respect them as you would respect me. They are here to aid our cause, and their knowledge and skills are invaluable. Remember, discipline and unity are our strengths. Now, prepare yourselves and be ready to embark."
The legionaries nodded in unison, understanding the gravity of their mission. Claudia felt a surge of determination and excitement. This was their chance to prove themselves and earn the favor of Caesar. She exchanged a resolute glance with Sabrina, who seemed equally prepared for the challenges ahead.
The ships began to pull away from the docks, the town of Portus Mare receding into the distance. The rhythmic sound of waves against the hull and the calls of seabirds filled the air as they set sail. The legionaries stood on deck, watching as the coastline faded from view, each of them mentally preparing for the tasks ahead.
Soon the ships kept going, nobody knew their destination, only their mission. Below deck, in the captain's quarters, the centurion was engaged in a discussion with her mysterious associates. Three individuals dressed in all-black garments stood around a table, their faces obscured by white masks painted with a pale blue snake.
They huddled over a map of the known world, a peculiar circular object resting in the center. One of the masked figures spoke in a measured tone. "Centurion, this device will reveal the location of our missing vessel. We have also supplied additional equipment and rations for the mission. Our employer is very invested in ensuring its success."
The centurion, though wary of these mysterious allies, could not ignore the prospect of gaining favor with Caesar. She nodded, her expression impassive, but thoughts of honor and glory danced at the edge of her mind.
“This device is a marvel of our own craft,” one of the figures said, their voice deep and resonant. “It currently points southeast. When the orb in the center begins to tremble, we will be nearing our target. We are fortunate; the skies are clear, and the winds favor us.”
The centurion was intrigued. Men typically remained behind to manage tasks or occupied roles in the city; only fishermen ventured far from the coast. She restrained her curiosity, mindful not to offend her secretive allies.
“I understand,” she replied. “If I may inquire, how long do you estimate it will take us to locate the vessel?”
“That is of no concern to you,” another figure said, their voice firm and authoritative. “Your task is solely to find it. Now, if you would kindly step outside, we must confer on matters that do not require your presence.”
The centurion a little insulted exited the room. one of the figures blocked the door wih a chair and stood guard while the two others started to talk.
The centurion stepped outside and surveyed her legionaries at work. Some stood vigilant against potential pirate threats, while others ensured the ropes and supplies were secure. The rest practiced their drills.
As hours passed with no change, her unease grew. Her worry was confirmed when one of the sentinels called her over. “Ma’am, come and see this,” the legionary said.
She approached the horizon and was left speechless. They were approaching a massive cloud of fog. Just as she was about to order the captain to navigate around it, one of the masked figures intervened.
“Centurion, our ship is within that fog. Prepare your troops; we’re going in,” the male figure ordered.
“We can’t,” the centurion protested. “Our vision will be obscured. It will be nearly impossible to locate the vessel.”
“Look, just do as we say,” the stranger insisted. “There must be land within that fog. If the ship sank, it would be impossible to find it otherwise.”
Reluctantly, the centurion prepared her legionaries. Torches were lit, and the ship slowly entered the fog. As they penetrated the mist, some of the women felt their balance falter momentarily. Time seemed to stretch as minutes passed with no sign of the ship or land.
Finally, they emerged from the fog, only to find themselves in darkness. The fog had dissipated, leaving them disoriented. “Land ahead!” shouted a voice from one of the boats. Indeed, a landmass appeared on the horizon.
“Let’s head for the shore,” one of the figures on the boat urged. “There we can plan and reassess our position.”
As they approached the land, a strange noise filled the air. “Look in the sky!” a legionary shouted.
Arrows flew into the air as the archers readied their bows. In the sky, a peculiar object shaped like the letter 'T' soared. It resembled a bird but carried a rider. The object passed over a ship, emitting a whistling sound.
An explosion followed, killing the crew and sinking the vessel. The nearby boats shook violently, sending some women plunging into the water.
“Archers, fire!” the centurion commanded. The archers released a volley of arrows at the strange object. Nearby boats rushed to rescue the surviving women and the downed crew.
One of the archers was fortunate, her arrow finding its mark and striking the rider in the head. The mysterious object plummeted into the water, exploding in flames and black smoke. Some shouted in victory. On the ships, the scene was grim: women cried in agony, their skin burned away, limbs lost, blood mixing with tears and wails. The water was stained with blood and floating limbs. One woman vomited, another wept as she fished the pieces of a dear friend. Claudia searched frantically for her friends, finding them in a surviving boat, feeling a mixture of relief and guilt for dismissing the others who had perished.
As they neared the shore, the sight of the forest brought a glimmer of hope. But the ominous sound of more mysterious objects approaching filled the air.
“Abandon ship! Head for the shore! Hide in the trees!” shouted the centurion. The women jumped overboard, swimming frantically to the land, leaving behind their provisions and materials. Fortunately, the boat was close to the shore. They helped the wounded who could manage and jumped into the water. As some of them set foot on the sand, the whistling sound of the objects filled the air again. The boats exploded, some women dying fiery deaths, others disappearing into red mist. More were injured. In the end, out of the two hundred souls who joined in the journey, only one hundred and eighty-seven remained.