"The harder the conflict, the greater the triumph."
~ George Washington
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By dawn, Marcus could see the smoke rising in the direction of the enemy camp.
Whatever the result, he knew his objective of instilling fear and demoralizing the enemy was accomplished. But he also knew they would come for an attack now.
"Summon the centurions!" He ordered.
Half an hour later, all the officers were gathered in a small tent lit by flickering latterns. Maps and sketches of the valley were spread out on the central table, showing Marcus' intricate plan.
Cassian stood with his arms crossed, his voice sharp and definat as he interrupts Marcus' explanation.
"Let me see if I understand this correctly, Marcus. You propose to bait an enemy force twice our size, lure them into a confined valley, and split our forces on the flanks?
Do you even hear yourself? This is madness!!! What do you think will happen when they overwhelm your 'decoy' force and turn on the rest of us? The entire army will be crushed before the sun sets!"
"You underestimate our men, Cassian. This is not madness, it is discipline and precision.
The valley will get them right where I want them, into positions where numbers will count for nothing.
Our defenses will break their momentum, and by the time they realize their mistake... It will already be too late." Marcus calmly responded.
Cassian rose his voice
"And what of their damn cavalry? You're gambling that they won't see through this trap and send their horsemen straight to the ridges to cut down your ambush forces.
If they do, we'll lose the element of surprise, and then what? They'll come for us like wolves tearing at a crippled prey!"
Marcus voice was calm but firm.
"The ridges are heavily wooded and too steep for a cavalry charge. Even if they send riders, my ambush forces are prepared to handle them with discipline and spears.
You forget, Cassian, the Roman army fights with its mind as much as its might. The enemy relies on brute force.
We will outthink them, as Rome always has!"
Cassian sarcastically responded:
"Outthink them? Is that what you told the decoy force? March into the valley and die for Marcus' grand plan?
You're sending 1500 men to their deaths, and for what?? So you can play the hero while they bleed in dirt?"
Marcus stepped forward.
"If we stand here and wait for the horde to descend, the entire legion will die. Every last man. Is that the alternative you propose, Cassian? Doing nothing?"
Cassian glance at the other officers and said:
"Doing nothing? No, Marcus. I propose prudence. Reinforce the ridges. Keep our forces together.
If we can fight from strong defensive positions, we can weather their attack and preserve our strength.
Gambling on ambushes and attacks is a reckless fool's game!"
Marcus' voice hardened while he resolutely said:
"Prudence? Or cowardice? We've tried holding defensive positions countless times before, and we've lost every single time because they can pick their battles.
If we wait, they'll sorround us, starve us and destroy our troops' morale.
No, Cassian.
We fight on my terms, not theirs."
Marcus didn't have the necessary authority to make an autocratic decision at this very moment. He was only 23.
Even though he was respected, he needed the support of the other officers to carry his plan out.
In fact, it was only by the grace of fate that he made it to general so early on his life.
Because of motives Marcus didn't know, the Emperor was currently desparate for great commanders like Marcus.
A veteran officer, Cassius, finally voiced his thoughts:
"General Marcus is right. We've seen what happens when the horde has the freedom to choose the battlefield. It's time we take control of the fight."
Cassian grumbled in response but he was powerless as he got overruled by the majority.
"We move at dawn. Dismissed." Marcus ordered.
Cassian sneered
"A blacksmith's son playing general. The Emperor promoted you because he's desperate, but you will lead as all to ruin!"
The tension became thick. Marcus took a step closer to Cassian, his voice lowered but gained a dangerous edge.
"A blacksmith's son, yes. One who was bled beside his men and earned their trust.
You forget, Tribune, that Rome's legions were built by men like me.
Not by those born to titles but by those willing to fight for them."
"Hmph!" Cassian left the tent raging, followed by the other officers, leaving Marcus alone.
...
Later that night, Marcus was sitting by the campfire, reviewing the battle plans.
Lucius approached him prudently.
With a low voice, he said:
"Cassian won't let this go, Marcus. He's not just questioning your orders, he's testing your strength.
Men like him don't stop until they're dealt with."
"Let him fume. When he sees the plan succeed, he'll have no choice but to fall in line." Said Marcus without looking up.
"And what if the plan doesn't succeed?" Lucius anxiously inquired.
Marcus finally met Lucius' eyes.
"Then, he won't have to worry about me anymore, afterall."