Basilius I
Emperor of Aurelian Empire
Edict of Hemerytos
To all loyal subjects and noble allies of Aurelian Empire,
Hearken unto my words, for a perilous storm gathers on the horizon, threatening our beloved kingdom and the very fabric of our realm. It is with great concern and resolve that I, Basilius The First, Emperor of Aurelian Empire, issue this call for arms.
A rebellion, led by traitorous forces, seeks to challenge the rightful authority of the crown and cast shadows of disassembly upon our sacred land. They have instigated an insurrection, numbering in the thousands, with rumors of further recruitment still circulating.
In this hour of dire need, I call upon all able-bodied men of valor and noble heart to take up arms and rally to the defense of our realm. The time has come for us to stand united, to defend the honor and sovereignty of Aurelians Empire with courage.
Let every loyal subject assemble their retinue and make haste to the muster point at Aphebes. We shall convene on 12th of May, where I shall personally lead this noble assembly to confront our adversaries.
To those who heed this call and march under the banner of the Imperial Eagle, know that your bravery will be celebrated throughout the ages. Land and titles shall be bestowed upon those who distinguishh themselves in the heat of battle, and the gratitude of a grateful Empore shall be yours to cherish.
Let no obstacle deter you from answering this call, for together, we shall prevail against this rebellion.
In the name of Aurelian Empire, I bid you to muster and take up arms!
Yours in service and duty,
Basilius I
Emperor of Aurelian Empire
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Facing Julian's rebellion, the Aurelian Empire meticulously organized its response by mustering an army to counter the reported rebel forces of 25,000 to 30,000. To prepare for this endeavor, the empire marshaled essential resources and political support.
The Emperor's intentions and the justification for going to war were communicated to key officials and aristocrats throughout the empire through couriers who traveled by foot, horseback, boats, or messenger birds.
Once the important figures were informed, an official summons was issued at the muster location, Aphebes, to alert the empire's vassals about their military obligations.
To allow sufficient time for travel, gathering provisions, obtaining equipment, and arranging contracts, Nolan granted his men a two-month period to assemble considering the logistics involved in raising a large force, as advised by his mentors.
The first troops to be mustered were the retinues of the social elite, armed followers and servants of aristocrats who formed part of their households. The Marcellus Dynasty itself had a personal retinue of 2,000, while lesser nobles had smaller forces. These retinues were supplemented by subcontracting with smaller companies of professional soldiers through contracts of indenture.
Next, the non-aristocratic freemen were called upon to join the army through public cries whereby heralds would ride out to make announcements in village squares and marketplaces. They would be followed by auxiliary forces such as hired professional troops, mercenaries, and foreign allies, acquired through treaties, alliances, or hiring free companies.
Throughout the two-month mustering period, small groups of troops assembled at local levels and made their way to the main rally point, merging in small regiments for mutual protection before they reached the camps
Two months had passed, and the majority of the army had arrived at the muster point. Commanders presented themselves to Emperor Basilius to commence planning and contemplate their next move.
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"Your Majesty! I am a courier in service to the Megas domestikos. The Grand Domestic will arrive in three days from now!" The man spoke hurriedly, delivering his message to Nolan.
"Very well, you are dismissed," Nolan responded, but before he could finish his sentence, two more men entered his camp. The courier excused himself and left promptly.
The first man introduced himself, "Your Majesty, I am Patrician Domninus Stratioticus, Katepanō of the Erium theme. I was accompanied by my fellow Patrician-"
"Florus Philoponus, Your Majesty. I am Strategos from the Halyrna theme," the second man interjected.
"Excellent, that means everyone except the Grand Domestic has arrived. I call for a meeting tonight, and all officers are required to attend. I won't tolerate any unreasonable absences," Nolan ordered the two patricians before dismissing them. Once alone in the tent, Nolan saw that his army had assembled for the upcoming battle.
Nolan's tent was decorated with rich crimson and gold fabrics. Along the walls, intricately crafted wooden shelves held military relics, scrolls, and ancient tomes. Shields and spears from various conquered territories were hung as well.
In the center of the tent lay the large map of Aurelia, a masterpiece of cartography and intelligence gathering. The map was spread across an imposing wooden table,. It depicted the entire realm in fine detail, with markings showing strategic towns, rivers, mountains, and key geographical features.
There were metal pieces on the map, meticulously sculpted to resemble various military units. The red pieces represented Nolan's own troops whilst the black pieces represented Julian's forces. As the movements of the troops were updated, the map became a dynamic battlefield, allowing Nolan to plan and adjust his strategies effectively.
Illuminating the tent was a collection of oil lamps, their warm glow casting an intimate ambiance amidst the serious atmosphere, creating an eerie yet captivating setting. On the tables, slender, quill-tipped ink pens, and scrolls were placed.
As the night fell, the tent was filled with anticipation and a sense of purpose. The officers assembled, each taking their assigned place around the table. Silence filled the air as Nolan took his position at the head of the table, ready to lead the discussions and devise a winning strategy.
With all the elements in place, Nolan's tent became not just a shelter for the officers, but the heart of his military command.