"Audentes fortuna iuvat"
- Fortune favors the bold.
~ Virgil.
---
The sun was rising over the battlefield, revealing the bloody remnants of the night before. The ground was littered with broken shields, twisted weapons, and bodies of the fallen. Friend and foe alike.
Marcus walked among the carnage, his helmet under his arm, his face streaked with blood and dirt.
Despite the horrors sorrounding him, there was a quiet resolve in his stride.
The legionnaries, battered but triumphant, cheered his name as he passed.
"Marcus! Marcus! Marcus! Marcus! Marcus!!!"
Marcus commanded the burial of his soldiers with honor, but even those of the Barbarians, ensuring even the defeated enemy is treated with dignity. His actions earned the respect of his men and some of the surviving enemy captives.
One of his closest friends, Lucius, a loyal Optio, approached him and gave him a big hug.
(Optio was the Centurion's aid. If the centurion was killed or incapacitated, the Optio would usually take command of the Century.)
He warmly congratulated Marcus.
"Marcus!!! Congratulations!
You're now a General. I hope you won't forget about a lowly Optio like me now will you?"
Marcus gave him a friendly slap to the neck and joked:
"You jest...
Wait, now that I'm thinking about it... it doesn't sound like such a bad idea after all."
The two old friends talked and joked with each other, reminiscing over their past, still not believing Marcus had made it to General at 23 years of age.
Lucius was younger than him, he was just 20 years old. Being that young, he was quite energetic and cunning. But he also pretty capable. Becoming an Optio at just 20 years old wasn't a feat everyone could accomplish.
Well, since Marcus became a General, he wasn't going to remain an Optio for too long anyway.
...
That afternoon, Marcus was watching the sunset. He was reflecting on who he was going to be from now on.
'I didn't ever think I'd get this far. A son of a humble blacksmith, becoming a General?
I joined the great Roman Army 6 years ago. So many difficulties, so much suffering. I gave everything I had in me. All in the name of Rome.
Now Rome is giving back what I gave her.
I don't understand the intrigues like those cunning old men in Rome do. I only know how to fight.
Why are we so divided among ourselves?
Haaaaaa... my Rome... what will happen to you?' Marcus sighed.
Marcus' legion of 10k men rested for some more days. They just kept patrolling sorrounding areas to upkeep the security of the empire's borders from the Barbarians.
Until, a messenger from the Emperor arrived.
He bowed before Marcus' and said
"The Emperor sends his greetings and congratulations."
Then, he gave the letter to Marcus. While reading it, Marcus obviously frowned. But he maintained his composure and said:
"Ave Imperator! Send my thanks to the Augustus. His wish is my command."
When the emperor left his lodgings, Lucius, who was dying of curiosity finally asked:
"What does he say?"
"The Dominus has officially appointed me as the General of this army. But he has also given me an order.
We are to immediately depart for Sirmium where we will defend against a Barbarian horde of 25k combatants as per scout reports. They are en route to getting there five days from now."
"Huh? We will surely have reinforcements, right? RIGHT??" Lucius was baffled.
Marcus shook his head and responded.
"No. Only the local garrison of 1k infantry will be expecting us."
"They are sending us to our deaths! To arrive there in 5 days, we will even have to force march!!" Lucius shouted.
"We've fought worse odds before, Lucius. If Rome calls, we answer." Interrupted Marcus.
"Prepare to depart. We're heading for Sirmium as ordered.
I believe the soldiers are now well rested."
Tribune Cassian walked behind him. He smirked and said:
"Such loyalty. But to whom? The Emperor? Or just Rome itself?"
Marcus stopped and turned his face to Cassian.
"Loyalty to Rome is loyalty to the Emperor. I suggest you remember that, Tribune."
Cassian bowed mockingly:
"Of course, General. Always."
...
Marcus' army force-marched for days on end. Until the 5th day, when they finally arrived at their destination.
When Marcus arrived at the town, he immediately came into contact with the local forces, and from them, he was informed that the Barbarians were camping one day away from the town. Luckily, he was still in time.
Given that, Marcus dismissed everyone to rest except for 200 of his most elite light infantries.
Right now, he was standing before them. Their faces illuminated by the flickering light of campfires. The night was deathly silent, except for one guy.
"SOLDIERS OF ROME! Tonight, we strike at the heart of our enemy.
What you will do under the cover of darkness will decide the fate of this campaign and the future of the Empire.
I have chosen each one of you because you are the strongest, the swiftest and the most cunning among us all.
The enemy will never suspect such courage. Let this be a night they will never forget. And a victory Rome will always remember!
Every single man on this army now depends on you. Look at the brother beside you now. They trust you to keep them alive!
I know you will succeed. Those barbarians have burned our lands, slaughtered our people and defiled our honor! Tonight! We will show them the price of challenging Rome. Tonight! We will let their cries be a warning to everyone willing to challenge the might of our legions!
With the Gods on our side, WE CANNOT FAIL!
I trust you with my life and the lives of every man in this legion. If I could go with you I would. But I need you to be my blade, my arm, my fire. Prove it to me, soldiers! Prove it to me that my faith in you is not misplaced!"
The 200 men roared and enthusiastically donned their armor.
"We will not disappoint you, General!" They shouted before parting.
Marcus sighed once again...
He knew he had sent many of them to their deaths again. But that was the burden he had to carry...
Marcus said one last silent prayer to himself before going back to his tent.
This was going to be one very long night...