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TOTAL WAR ROME |
As the sunrise peaked over the horizon, turning night to day, as the shadows were banished. The carnage was at the very least numbering over a hundred as the Romans count the dead and tended to the injured.
Surprisingly, there were no Roman casualties but there were injuries that numbered to an amount. Rather alive, than dead like the mongrels that assaulted them in their fortification. 'Bravery mixed with stupidity does that.' Estelle figured as she watched the men get to work on making repairs and cleaning up the corpses of barbarians she was hours ago terrified of.
She had yet the time to process what she had just gone through since time seemed to cease when she was in the heat of the battle.
She had just killed men - humans - just like her.
But although she was conflicted and confused about how to go on about it, she eventually got a hold of herself as a familiar face approached her. "How do you feel, legatus?" Cicero questioned, as he was certainly curious about the way she'd deal with it. A soldier's first kill and taste in battle.
"I am fine." She replied, quiet but not in denial.
Her response was better than most, and with that, he was certain she would be fine and turn to leave as he gave a pat on her shoulder.
TOTAL WAR ROME |
With the camp repaired and cleaned, the praefectus cohortis and tribunus gathered at the legatus tent, figuring out and discussing what their next move was. "We should follow the river that our scout has found to the east. An army of Rome would no doubt travel these lands with a secured water source nearby." Cicero shared his opinion before Magnus offered his.
Different opinions were shared, each a valid reason and logic behind it, until it all fell on Estelle to ultimately be the person to decide. "All the proposals make sense, we can all agree on that." Estelle spoke, her first sentences since the discussions started.
"But may I know who has more knowledge about these lands?" Estelle questioned, before Magnus took a step, and presented himself. Then immediately, Estelle questioned again, "Then do you know where these barbarians that attacked us are? Their tribal home?"
Showing that Magnus was the man with greater knowledge about these lands than the others, he was confident; when he said. "I should be able to tell from the markings and tattoos on their bodies, legatus. But I am confused about what you mean to do." Magnus meant no disrespect, none of the men that served under her father would.
Rather, that was how simply how her father would win victories as he took in the opinions and ideas of his men, and took their words into consideration. Meaning it was almost as if they felt they were serving under him again. Except it was the man's daughter.
Like father, like child. Both seemed to inherit the goodwill to lead and be a leader.
"The barbarians that attacked us were arrogant and nearly prideful. I can only assume that the tribe that has experience in dealing with Romans, would be the ones that were responsible for the disappearance of the Ninth Spanish Legion. A victory like that would surely feed their ego."
Estelle explained in detail, as the men surrounding her finally got what she meant. "The ones that attacked us. Were the ones that certainly must have the "Aquila" Eagle standard."
It was natural for men to assume they were great when they stand triumphant over an unbeatable beast until a sense of entitlement eats them and think themselves better and able to do it again. Only, their arrogance would be their downfall.
"Okay men, we got our plan. Prepare the legion to march."
TOTAL WAR ROME |
As several days went by, with the legion on a double march to get to their location and preferably build a fortified, and durable camp with haste. Along the way, the enemy scouts followed them but always kept a distance. It was a nuisance as it kept the soldiers - and herself - on guard without getting the proper rest. But that was all about to change when Magnus rode next to Estelle and declared they had reached the location.
"Legionnaires! Halt!" Estelle took it upon herself to give the order, before she gave them her next command.
"We make camp here! Build the fortifications sturdy, men!"
The Tribunus - Numerius - let out a smirk as he watched how much she has changed and progressed since they were engaged and had her first battle. Feeling impressed, he planned to work the men on double time to get the camp made in haste. "Come on men! Put your backs to it!"
TOTAL WAR ROME |
"Our scout has just returned with news. The tribe that lives just a few miles from our camp had armors of long-deceased legionnaires on display around their territory. It would seem the "Aquila" Eagle standard is indeed in the tribe's possession." Magnus reported the findings, as Numerius filled in other news that needed attention.
"But it seems the other tribe have heard of our presence, and the battle that took place several days ago. It seems very likely that the tribe we're targeting will be joining a coalition with other tribal warriors to oppose us in the next major battle.
I can only assume the bastards would actually be more cautious now, and wait us in the open fields where it will, and it will get close and personal."
Numerius shared his thoughts on the subject before Cicero went ahead and shared his own. "Is stealth simply an approach we can't perform? Get a small team, maybe a century sneak in and steal the "Aquila" under their nose under the cover of night."
However, Numerius could only have wished it was that simple. "These barbarians have 'headhunters' where they'll discover you before you can see them."
"Then we will meet them on the battlefield." Estelle decided before she quickly asked for their advice and aid in the battle to come. The legion's formation, the strategies, and the tactics they will employ. The timing that shall signal the 'others' to move. The discussion varied as each officer - including Estelle - thought about the things and possibilities that could occur on the battlefield.
They had to be prepared.
TOTAL WAR ROME |