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TOTAL WAR ROME |
As Numerius bids Estelle a good night's rest, and exits the legatus tent, Estelle is alone once again as she wishes that their campaign to retrieve the lost Aquila Eagle be quick and successful. She could only pray before it seem fate would not grant it. "Movements! In the woods, riders!"
Albeit anxious - fearful even - Estelle mustered her courage and remembered the lessons and the practice she's undergone over their journey here.
She had to be strong, stronger than she was when she agreed to lead her father's legion, stronger when she left; her home and her family. She had to be stronger.
'I am my father's daughter, a child of a Roman Legatus and a child of Julius.'
With a collected resolve, Estelle has chosen to face - as she has ever since she was titled; legatus - the daunting, and hardship that came to retrieve the lost Aquila. To face the problems with determination. Estelle, a daughter of Marcus Cornelius, and child of Julius; as a Roman Legatus.
Estelle Julia Cornelius, Commander of the Seventh Legion of Gemini, will lead her legion through these lands in search of the lost Aquila, even if she has to turn the entire land and its mountains upside down or set its forests, and grass a flame.
'I am my father's daughter, a child of a Roman Legatus and a child of Julius.' No longer did she recite it to find a sense of comfort. But instead, what and who she was.
TOTAL WAR ROME |
With her armor perfectly strapped, and her long raven hair tied into a bun to keep it short under her helmet, she exited the tent prepared for whatever may come. Among the legionnaires, her height was exceptional and met the military standard which made her a part of the element as she made her way to the palisade walls where the men were gathering.
As legionnaires hurried past her, she was called out by a man with a distinguishable helmet - a horizontal decor with red feathers - a Centurion who hurried to her at once. "Legatus. The men are assembling to the walls as we stand. Our men on the post have spotted riders out in the dark woods, perhaps scouts. What are your orders?"
Faced with a decision, without the presence of those within her circle - the Praefectus Cohortis and Tribunus - she answered as she would to receiving the news. "Then let us make our way, and where is my Tribunus, Centurion?"
Estelle was quick to put what she had learned from Numerius to use, as she and the centurion made their way to the section of the wall where Numerius was. "He is on the eastern palisade wall. That was where the scouts were discovered before fleeing to the dark."
"Report on our defenses?"
Estelle prioritize the structure of the walls, as it was the only thing that stood between them and the barbarians of these mysterious lands. Further, she would like it if the walls remained standing.
As she and the centurion made it to the east palisade wall, the centurion dismissed himself as he rallied his men and left the legatus to climb the stairs and to the walls where she met with Numerius and the others. Magnus - a Praefectus Cohortis; a rank higher than a Centurion and captained a cohort - greeted the legatus with more new discoveries.
"Legatus, new reports have it that these riders have also been spotted over the north, west, and southern walls. I believe these scouts are not only checking our numbers and strengths but also the sturdiness of our walls. We can be sure an attack will be inevitable. But, I suggest it should be here where we hold and have a strong defense than out in the big and open plains."
"Let them probe all they want, but I want them dead if they even dare get close enough. A pila to the chest would do it." Numerius collectively said before he turned to Estelle who have been quiet but listening. "What are your thoughts, legatus?"
With a deep sigh, she began "The search for the lost Aquila is our goal, not to be a beacon for these savages, and to be a target of countless tribes in their territory. We are outnumbered, and the men have to eat. We can't coop, or stay here for a long time. Otherwise, we will be surrounded over time as other tribes would learn we aren't set on moving.
We would be caged wolves."
Impressed, as the praefectus cohortis and tribunus considered the woman's input and logic behind it. "Then we move, but to where?" Cicero, another praefectus cohortis added. "It would be best if the legion move to the last location the Ninth Spanish Legion was heard from. Instead of carelessly marching through these strange lands. In that case, we would be able to conduct a search for the lost Aquila while not operating too far away from the camp."
Cicero explained, and as the high-ranking officers and commander ponder, a legionnaire that was keeping an eye on the woods shouted. "Enemy assault!" Then in an instance, the screams of battle cries from the savage horde that emerged from the woods disrupted the quiet night as the large mass charged toward the fortified camp.
"Defend the walls! Don't let give them the chance to climb!"
Magnus shouted, as the legionnaires on the walls - including Numerius, Cicero, and Magnus himself - grabbed a pila and hurled the projectile toward rushing enemies. With such a mass of eager enemies that wanted to be first to spill Roman blood, the projectiles were effective in striking down a foe from afar, but ineffective to such a large barbaric mob.
"Legatus! Your sword and shield!"
Numerius warned Estelle as he hopes she remembers the training and drill before he hurled a pila at a man that was covered in tattoos and pagan symbols climbing the walls. Beneath them, the wet mud made it difficult for a massive group to assault and overwhelm the Roman's meager numbers, as it slowed down the rest - breaking a synchronized assault - and while others fell from the walls and pierced the pikes below.
The Romans would have victory, so long as the barbarians does not overwhelm them by numbers. That was all it would take for the Roman Legion to be defeated.
But just as it seemed the battle could be won with swift efforts, a legionnaire who was about to hurl a pila over a enemy was struck by arrows to the armor and helmet. Yet fortunately still survived as it deflected and outright stop the arrow from inflicting serious injury.
"Archers!"
With the appearance of archers, and assumingly slingers, Cicero made the call to retreat from the edges of their wall - to avoid being sniped - while still being present at the top to deal with any enemies that could now easily, and without much hindrance in climbing their walls and over.
"To the walls!" a centurion down below the walls ordered, as he and his legionnaires came to support the fight, as the battle was about to switch to close combat - and a unified close formation was the Roman specialty - as a barbarian; the first to climb the walls launched himself against a 'wall' of red shields. "Stay in formation!"
At first glance, Estelle could feel her heart race and the grip on her sword trembled at the sight of the barbarians that were seemingly endless, and seemingly just as terrifying with their tattoos and much larger frames.
But despite the fear, being behind her large shield and a sword in hand - despite being on the front lines - she's protected and safe as the shields beside her stood firm. Unwavering. "Hold the line! Kill and stab the bastards in ways they won't get to see the next sunrise!" Numerius, yelled out to the men as he stood beside Estelle to keep, and ensure she was safe from harm.
"Come here you rabid dogs!" "Die! Pagans!" a series of taunts and insults erupted from the men as they started to hack and stab the barbarians that have climbed the walls in either ones or twos or in groups. But so long as it was in these small amounts - these small waves - would not break through Roman shields.
Though, all it would take was a crack in the shield walls to penetrate their lines. Just as a barbarian noticed what could be it to turn the tide. He rush towards Estelle in fury and eagerness for a battle - his eyes said it all - as she watched him come at her without fear of death.
Would she crumble, and result in a breakthrough in their walls? Estelle wondered until she was given no choice as she saw the man - who wanted nothing other than to kill them - she steeled her nerve and racing heart.
As she braced for the impact, she steadied her legs as she prepared to hold as her shield interlocked with the other shields beside her own. Then when the man came down upon her, although with great effort the giant man was, and in disbelief that he was repelled. Just as the man 'bounced' and was disoriented from the collision, she already, and was prepared for the moment to strike with a single stab to the heart.
Then just like that, the cycle repeated until the next sunrise eventually peaked over the horizon.
TOTAL WAR ROME |