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TOTAL WAR ROME |
When the Seventh Legion of Gemini departed through the capital streets - the heart - of Rome. The event and it is traditional rituals went without extravagant details. A sacrificial animal, and abundance offering of food, and drinks. Then prayers and invocations, most prominently - Jupiter - the paternal in the Roman pantheon.
Rather than a festival, or a ceremony despite the crowd that have gathered, it was merely a preparation for them - the legionnaires - for the battles ahead and the long grueling campaigns. For protection and to wash any fates that are ill from them. To repel any bad omen that should taint the Seventh Legion of Gemini.
"Mithras, Lord of Light. Please, help me. Father of all fathers, help me lead my men well. Do not let me dishonor my Legion."
Among the many that prayed, Tribunus - Numerius - seek the Legion's success over the Hadrian's Wall. To not be given misfortune and dishonor to the Legion.
TOTAL WAR ROME |
"Legion! Forward march!"
A man screamed to the top of his lungs as the five thousand strong legionnaires moved in sync, their marching; loud and vigorous, became drums for their vocal chants and shouts as the legion sang in perfect harmony.
"Per Aspera Ad Astra, Per Ardua Ad Astra, Exurge Mars, Mars ultor, Roma Et Imperator."
The song continued on for some time until it was repeated once or twice before by the end of it, the legion have already been distance away from the heart of the Empire - Roma - and silence took over. When tranquility soon returned - in the form of silence and the chirp of birds - and the breeze of winds, their legatus rode on a horse and led by the front.
Estelle Julia Cornelius, a woman was the commander - a legatus - of a legion of five thousand men.
"Do not worry, legatus. We shall support you when we can."
The Legion's second in command, the Tribunus; Numerius, spoke in a nonchalant tone to erase any suspicions, to whoever that may hear. The reassurance comforted Estelle, however, just how long could she rely on them for support until she ultimately can't. 'When we can.'
A responsibility and ultimatum that only the legatus can make.
The possibilities were endless, and the situation varies very much in each different context. 'But such was life.' She, Estelle Julia Cornelius, could only say within the confinement of her mind.
"Does the armor not fit?"
Numerius spoke once again, as he eyed any discomfort on his commander's face and then to the armor that she wore. "No, Tribunus. I believe it is tailored well." Estelle replied as she felt the weight on it. But nothing that it would affect on her mobility to an extent or dragged her down, when she was not so fragile and weak, though it is just enough. 'Just enough...'
"I apologize if you are not comfortable yet. But it must fit perfectly, to ensure your vital spots are protected."
Numerius showed extensive concern and consideration, but as the gravity of the situation would ask of it, being the legatus of a legion meant safety was the priority over being comfortable. "I understand." Estelle, cooperated as she could. Not that she minded it too much, and even so why and who was she to reject a piece of advice from a person; with experience and have surely survived countless battles.
Furthermore, she was in their fields. Which made her much less than the fresh recruits. Yet she was the legatus.
A female commander, leading a legion of Rome to search for the lost Eagle Standard over the Hadrian's Wall. It was unbelievable.
TOTAL WAR ROME |
"Legatus, we should set up camp before the sun sets and the night arrives."
Numerius advised as he rode next to Estelle who was quick to agree. But without further more permissions that needed granting, Numerius took a large deep breath before he screamed out.
"Legionnaires! Halt!"
The columns of legionnaires that stretched to a long line all came to a stop before each century performed each role and duty when the next command was given. "Set up camp!"
Immediately, the legionnaires went to the building, while others hunt for animals, and others scouted and patrolled near the camp in progress. Not long before the sun kissed the horizon, a proper sturdy walls were already set up, and meals were being prepared and the tents built up.
But prior to all this, the reasons for Estelle being quick to agree to make camp was simple.
It have already been several months of endless march, but not a day have gone by without the personal training; from her trusted officers who she became close by the day. From basic stance, and building stamina. To how the sword is wielded, and to get comfortable and get used to the weight of the shield.
Each training was mentored by a different officer - who specialized in their own specialties - such as Numerius, who taught Estelle more about how a legatus should act and how she could achieve those.
However, despite all those preparation and lessons. The real thing would break the deal - either it would break, or make the person - as the legion finally made it over the Hadrian's Wall - the end of the world - and onto the unknown lands of whatever nightmare that inhabits it.
TOTAL WAR ROME |
When the walls were built, small but deep enough trenches surrounded the walls from the outside - with woods that were sharpened to be like pikes - and spread oils that simply waited to be torched. The defenses were made impeccable, but doubts still lingered if it would hold against the creatures and savage men in these lands.
'I am my father's daughter, a child of a Roman Legatus and a child of Julius.'
Estelle rested within the privacy of her own tent - its size bigger than the soldiers - as she lays comfortably on a decent enough bedding, which she had grown to get used to. Every night, she wished to be back in the capital, to dine with her mother, and spend time reading books. It was a far cry from what her life was now, not that she held any ill sentiment but instead; just missed the life she had.
'Father... Mother... I hope you are fine...' Estelle silently prayed.
"Legatus."
Until a man's voice interrupted and spoke through the thin fabric of the tent - announcing his presence - as he entered. Numerius, the voice belonged to and sounded urgent. The man must also have been in a hurry since he would normally wait until she has given him permission to enter.
In an instance, when Numerius caught a glimpse of the woman's bare nakedness - with only the undergarment - to hide and cover her parts he looked away out of respect. But Estelle was not flustered by the case, instead, she was merely interested in what her Tribunus had to say for such intrusion.
"What is it, Numerius?"
She called out using his name, a noticeable thing when both have used each other's titles instead of their names thus far.
"The guards on the post have spotted movements, maybe enemy scouts."
He reported without wasting a moment, but she did not like the fact he had refused to look her in the eyes. It's strange when he always had ever since their introduction, and their journey until this moment. Then it clicked, he must have forgotten that she was a woman.
But maybe old habits also die hard, especially when she yearned for home. To have no care what she wore when she was in the comfort of her home. But she was not at home, and miles away from it.
"Tomorrow we will send out search parties and begin our search for the lost Eagle Standard of the Ninth Legion so we can all go home. Just a little bit more, legatus."
As the man turned to leave, he stopped when his name was called yet again, and faced to meet grateful eyes that looked only at him. "Numerius, thank you."
For the training and preparation, to survive the storm should the worst comes to play. Her father's legion truly, and with all their soul loved her father as they now did her.
"Rest well, legatus."
TOTAL WAR ROME |