Looking back at the far-away walls of Alexandria, my eyes scanned the defenses and planned upgrades to it that would prevent future attacks like these in the future. This event was a disgrace to the whole of Egypt. Cleopatra and General Anthony committed suicide a mere nine days after the battle. How they were considered our leaders still baffles me.

"Commander Ramses, we have gathered all of the survivors from Alexandria. What should we do now?" I look at the Roman soldier that entered my tent. "Bring them to the outdoor podium."

After the fall of Alexandria, Salih and I got promoted to legion legates of small legions. Each of them with five thousand men. Emperor Octavian was testing our skills, but I know how to play this game as well.

I make my way to the podium, where I would give my speech to the remains of Alexandria. As I eye the oncoming crowd, I become satisfied. There are more than enough people for my plan. There were at least still ten thousand people alive. Most of them children and women, but with the occasional elders in between them.

I begin my speech in our native language. "People of Alexandria. I, son of Saqat, have come to inform you that Egypt is no more. We are now part of Rome, but not for long. " I say as I scan the audiences for their reactions.

"You see, I know that in but a few years, we will be capable of taking this great nation back—city by city. I only ask that you act as if nothing was wrong so that they do not suspect anything. Our future depends on you all. Now, go back to the city and carry on with your everyday life as if nothing had occurred." chatter filled the air as they walked back into the city.

"Nice speech, man." I turn around to an almost comical sight. Salih was donning a commander's armor. Roman armor at that.

"Thank you, did you like it?"

"I did, but now the Romans have heard it all" I knew that was his concern.

'sigh'

" I made sure there were no soldiers that understood us, don't worry. Did you already fit in with your legion?"

"Glad you asked. I actually am fitting in, though I still don't understand a few words. The past month has helped me learn more about the soldiers and establish ground rules with them. I'm already planning the first drills they will perform under my leadership."

He looked pretty proud of himself. I'm glad he's fitting in well. " But I already know that your legion has begun training. After all, I hear of nothing but the new prodigy commander Ramses. It's actually kind of annoying."

Indeed, what he said was true. I had already applied strategies that were innovative in the span of one month. The Emperor was very pleased with me.

"Yeah, my legion has already started training. They were already well trained, but they still have a lot of unpolished potential. I'm simply showing them how to reach that potential. Without teaching them the methods to achieve it, of course." I had to keep that a secret. I don't doubt that if I explained my training method to the soldiers or the other officials, they would quickly communicate it to the Roman Empire's higher-ups; And that was something I didn't want to happen.

"Now moving into more serious stuff, did you manage to get any contacts from the underground of Rome? Anything would be helpful." If you wanted to make an empire of this size fall, the best way would be from the inside.

"I have got some but still haven't reached out to them. I need to make sure you really want to do this." His eyes had grown serious. This was a part of the world that knew all too well: the underground—home to street gangs and criminals.

"I do, Salih. If this is done right, it will speed up our plans by years."

"Ok, so this is the list I have gotten.

First is Nicephorus Scapula; He controls Rome and a few more cities; He is said to be loyal, but no one is genuinely loyal in the crime business.

Second is Aristodemos Ponticus, who controls Sparta and its surroundings and the islands of Crete and Cyprus. Wich, would you think best to contact?"

Nicephorus would hold more influence in the empire as a whole, but the other was much closer and controlled significant cities. The decision was easy to make.

"Contact Aristodemos and try to establish a friendship with him. He'll be helpful in the future. "

I stared at the city. " It won't be long until we can take it back, Salih. We only need to have patience now." I could already imagine it—me standing atop the ruins of the Roman empire. It seemed so far yet so close.

"I gotta get ready for my legions training. You should probably start soon as well."

"Yea, I know. See ya"

*********************************************************************

Thirty minutes later, outside the walls of the city.

The workers had finally finished the makeshift battlefields I had asked for. It consisted of sizeable walled-off sections of the fields next to the city and would be utilized to re-create real situations that would occur during battle.

"Soldiers, today we are going to train resource denial. I have already explained it to all of you, but I will do so again. This tactic is the best there is for a war of attrition. I want a thousand people to set up camp in one end and the other four thousand people to stay here. In the smaller team, you will have to select a group of people to get the resources to build your camp. You will have nothing but a single tent as you start. For food and tents, you need to get them from our main base, while the other team's objective is to deprive you of those materials. This exercise will span five days and will start when the first tent is built. Go"

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

The legion was divided into two groups. Group one started building their first tent while the other group had already made their tents in advance.

The first hour was stagnant, giving group two time to put surveillance on the lookout for the route which would carry the resources to their miniature camp. This exercise would take too long. I'll leave someone here, someone who already understands what I want to happen here, and take care of other business. I don't have time to sit all day here.

"You there, call Philetus." Philetus Barbatus, my assistant. A smart man, but corrupt. Him being corrupt is no problem for us, for now, because Salih controls the underground of Alexandria. "Yes, commander Ramses?"

"Ah Philetus, I want you to watch over the legion's drill. I need to go to my tent." I knew he was bothered by my request, his eyes barely showing annoyance. "Of course, commander." With a slight smile on my face, I head to my tent. Philetus was a man who couldn't hide his emotions very well, but he was a very talented soldier. In the tent, I stare at the pile of paperwork I have to do. "Let's get to work."

*******************************************************************

Twelve hours later

"Commander, the drill is finished."

"How did it go, Philetus?"

"Perfectly, group one managed to carry some resources in and to hold off the others for a while. Group two managed to deny them most of the resources and stayed back until group one was tired and then proceeded to attack." His eyes were tired, so were mine. This job was tiring, but it was the best choice we had. "I see. Tell them they can go to the sleeping quarters. After that, go and get yourself some rest."

rustle

"Salih, what do you need at night?" His eyes quietly turned to Philetus. "Philetus, go and do as I said."

"Yes, sir."

After his leave, Salih quickly brought out a paper. "A response?"

He nodded his head. "Good news, read it. I'll be going to sleep."

"Ok, see you tomorrow." My eyes looked over the letter. Its outside was beautifully designed. It was all red with the roman eagle on it, looking at me as if it didn't trust me.

* To: Commander Salih and Commander Ramses

* Hello! Let me first congratulate you both on becoming the youngest legion legates I have ever known or heard of. Impressive!

* I have read your letter and would like to get to know you better.

* I am planning on arriving there in three days. I'd appreciate it if you got me a place to stay. We have much to talk about.

'Well, shit. It looks like we're expecting a visitor now.' I'm going to sleep. Tomorrow I have to make preparations for the arrival of Ponticus. I climbed onto the bed in my tent. Not the most relaxing bed, but it was good training for future situations like this. I looked up at the beige roof of the tent and, slowly but surely, fell asleep.

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

Today was the day of Aristodemos' arrival. I had already thought out all of the possible conversation topics. I had to take control of the conversation before he could even think of doing the same. The first words will be critical. "Salih, did you prepare a room for us to talk?"

"Yeah, it's got a view to the city and our legions training area as you asked."

"Thank you." We had gotten our tent positioned in such a way that he will see our power. Although not much, he should be able to see how fortified our city currently is and how well trained the soldiers are. This will mark us as good potential allies, and that is what we want.

"Commander Ramses, Comander Salih. Your guest has arrived."

I eyed the soldier that brought us the news. "Good. Bring him to the newly set tent." The foot soldier quickly nodded " Yes, commander."

"Ramses, are you sure this will work well?" It seemed that Salih was still worried about my plan. "Don't worry. It'll work out." It had to. If we couldn't get him to agree with it, we would take years longer to take back Egypt, and then the Romans would be much stronger than they are now. It would be almost impossible without help.

"Let's go."

The tent was big. At least big enough to hold seven people at once. Inside of it was a small table with a few chairs around it. Perfect.

I sat down and quietly waited for the arrival of the guest.

....

"Hello, Commander Ramses. I see your army is training today. Was it a coincidence that it was on the day that I came?" That was expected.

" Indeed it was. Please, sit down." As he sat down, I made sure to only do so after him. " Let us get straight into business. Will you help us towards our objective?" He looks shocked—such a direct question off the bat was sure to sound rude, but he knows it isn't meant to be so. I can see it in his face. He's simply amused.

" Whether I support you or not all depends on whether it benefits me or it doesn't, but let us not get ahead of ourselves. Tell me about this objective of yours first." Good. His eyes stared into mine. This moment is most crucial. If he declines my offer even after my speech, I will kill him right here. My blade is inside a sheath stuck to the bottom of the table. Very slowly, and without grabbing his attention, grab the handle. " I'm waging war on Rome." 'No reaction, amazing' My grasp on the blade tightened. " My first step will be Egypt and the sea-side land to our left. The land the Chartage Empire previously occupied. I plan to send soldiers straight to Rusuccuru and attacking Carthage from there, and gradually trapping their troops in the middle of my armies. If I try to do this without help, I'll definitely put up a fight but ultimately lose" -I saw his eyes light up with realization. I removed my hand from the hidden blade and stood up-," and that is where you come in. I'll supply men and equipment to you. Now, answering your statement earlier. How does this benefit you? You get to take Sparta back." As I said this, I slowly extended my hand towards him. One little know fact about Aristodemos that Salih has found through his ways is that our friend here is actually of spartan descendence. He prides himself in being a direct descendent of King Leonidas I- one of their most famous kings.

His face stood still, yet his eyes revealed everything. Although not wide open, I could still see that they showed shock. He knew the meaning behind my words. He knows that I researched him in such a thorough way in such a short time. This is both a request for help and a warning of my abilities should he decline.

"I see you researched me a lot in these last few days." A fake smile adorned his face. He was annoyed. Annoyed that he was bested in dialogue and by a fourteen-year-old at that. I had to respond to this in the kindest of ways— with a genuine smile. "Not at all. It was easy to dig up that much. Now, will you shake my hand?"

"I'll need a few minutes to think about it."

"I see." I won. With a slight smile on my face, I made my way to Salih's tent. " We did it." I saw as he practically exploded in happiness. "YESSS! That gets us much closer to it. Does that mean that we will need to start gathering men from the entirety of Egypt? I can get you an army. Nobles and priests now live like ordinary people in Alexandria. Some of the most influential people live here due to the Pharaoh." I see. That means that our contacts span the whole of Egypt. Truly beneficial to us. "Yes, please do. That'd be a big help." As Salih went to work his magic, I went back to my tent. Before I could even say anything, I was interrupted by Aristodemos. "I agree, but only if you promise me one thing"-Interesting-" you will let Sparta and the islands be mine to rule." A comprehensible compromise. "Understood" With a shake of hands, our future was now locked. If one loses, so does the other. "Now that business is finished, please enjoy the beautiful city of Alexandria."

Indeed, enjoy the peace while we still can. Our future will only end in death or glory. Ra shall take us to the latter.