One week later, on a bright and sunny day with no clouds in sight, the legionaries selected to continue the march towards Prola had packed up camp and were in marching formation, ready to give hell to the barbarians.
"Forward March," the Marshal-General ordered from the front of the formation, dressed in recently polished battle-scared armor. As soon as the order left his lips, the Centurions repeated the order, and the formation started moving forward as a united army.
On the Marshal-Generals left was his King, dressed in his most imposing armor in royal red. He had not fought a battle since the revolution but was itching to use his sword in anger again and feel his enemies' blood. Also around him were the legates of the 5th, 8th, and 2nd, ready to lead their legions to taste blood and hope to make important contributions.
In front of the leaders were 2500 Royal Guardians in a square formation with a hollow core containing 150 Royal Mages ready to protect their king and army leaders.
Straight behind the leaders was another square formation of Royal Guardians and Mages. At the back of this formation was a long column of six wide legionaries split into groups of 1000 swordsmen, 250 spearmen, 250 archers, and 20 mages. These excited legionaries were singing along while marching about the glory of the Kingdom and their King.
As the Legion's marching pace was 20 miles a day, it took this huge army of over 50,000 legionaries only 2 and a half days to march the 50 miles of eerily empty countryside and forests to Prola.
Upon arriving at Prola and setting up a siege camp on a roasting afternoon, they noticed a city teaming with life, with local peasants noticing them and running into the city for protection. This fairly average square city belonged to a mid-level tribe in the Galicia kingdom, but it had many barbarians from different tribes on the walls, clearly distinguished by their war paint, ready to face them in battle.
While contemplating this strange phenomenon, the King questioned his Marshal-General and legates. "This is strange. What is their tactic to go all out against us while abandoning their flanks to our legions."
The moment the king said this, all the legates and Helvius nodded their heads in contemplation, their armor clanking metal while doing so.
"Your Majesty, we should send out scouts to the tree lines so we don't get surprised by ambush like what happened to the Legate Fralia." Suggested Legate Rascius of the 8th Legion while looking at the legionaries constructing the siege camp around them.
"That's a good idea, Legate Rascius, but first, let's finish our siege camp before night falls. Let us discuss this in the strategy tent after the camp is secure," answered King Junius.
As the hours went by, the square camp slowly took shape as wooden ramparts and ditches, and a gatehouse was built to offer protection from enemy surprises. After the outside layer was completed, the leader's tents and the armory were set up first. Only after this was done did the weary legionaries set up their own tents where they would be sleeping.
At 10 PM, the torchlight illuminated the tent in a soft, warm glow, lighting up the faces of those present for the meeting of this army's leaders. Currently, they were split on how to proceed with this siege and whether it was more of the barbarians' tricks.
"Your Majesty, it would be in our best interest to scout before we make a move. We still are unsure of what they are truly planning." Legate Adromium of the 5th commented on the heated debate between Legate Rascius of the 8th legion and Legate Droniu of the 2nd legion about what our first move should be.
"Gentlemen, calm down. You are all distinguished members of the Kingdom of Romanium. We shall follow both plans simultaneously. Legate Rascius, as you want to be the first scout, you shall be in charge of sending out the scouts and sorting through the information they acquire.
Legate Droniu, as you want to unleash hell upon the city of Prola with our siege weapons, it's your job to do it; make sure you take as many of them out as possible and burn the city down if necessary." Said King Junius Kraser in a chilling voice.
"I agree, your Majesty, that is the best course forward," Replied Marshal-General Helvius.
Just as the King was about to respond, a knocking was heard on the pole outside the tent.
Looking at the King nodding his head, the Marshal-General let this newcomer in with a few words. After receiving confirmation, a Centurion of the 8th Legion walked in with a scruffy messenger from the city of Prola.
Bowing, the messenger said, "Your Majesty King of Romanium, we, the Kingdom of Galicia, have an offer for you. Should you choose to accept, this brutal war can come to a swift end before any more blood is shed."
"What is this offer you are talking about? You should know my condition by now. Returned my citizens you kidnapped and the food you stole. On top of this, secede the land we have conquered and Prola as well; if you truly want peace, you will accept my conditions, or else you will die." King Junius said in an angry growl as he looked at the messenger.
"Your Majesty, these conditions are totally unacceptable for us. We will return the food and your kidnapped citizens but will not secede even an inch of our homeland." Replied the messenger.
Standing up, King Junius said, "Then leave. We will meet on the battlefield. I hope you will change your mind after the streets run red with your blood, and I slaughter Prola city and continue to your capital."
Suddenly, the messenger felt arms on his from his escorting Centurion being forced out of the tent. He shouted, "You will regret this, your Majesty."
After listening to the messenger's last words, King Junius turned to his leaders and said angrily, "Send out the scouts. I want every inch of our surroundings checked, no surprises. Also, set up the Onagers and ballista at dawn, and start firing flaming boulders at Prola."