The news of the uprising of Crassus spread as fast as the plague throughout the arkonian territory.
Most of the inhabitants and leaders of Oriens received it as if it were a blow; it was something demoralizing and worrying.
On the other hand, Afriki's people were already expecting this reaction from Crassus, something that made them even more motivated: their main enemy would have to deal with two fronts.
Nirmun, Irological Wall, Oriens
Third week of the first month of 576
A melody that at times sounded beautiful, blissful to hear under the moonlight; and at others, sharp and clipped, an insult to music, could be heard outside the tent.
"I can't get it!," cried Baldwinus Inerio, praefectus of Nirmun.
He pounded on the table, on which, on a wooden board, rested a score of notes from a classical song in the area.
His frustration was due to the fact that, when he tried to play the music from memory, he got the notes mixed up, or forgot them.
"And they said playing the flute was easy." He sighed, putting the instrument down on the table and sitting up. "I'll see if Sebyla can give me a few tips...."
He directed his steps outside, he wanted to relax a bit from so many failed attempts.
The bells rang, the soldiers left their tents wielding their swords, villagers came out of their houses with terror on their faces.
The alarm had sounded from the top of the central tower in the middle of the town.
"What happened?!" Baldwinus ran to the bottom of the tower. "We're under attack?!"
He caught the eye of the lookout, who leaned over the railing to answer him:
"The gates of Ireólogo were closed by order of Crásico!"
The villagers looked at each other astonished, frowning, asking each other the reason for the magister's disposition.
"It seems," the watchman continued, "that Crásico has declared himself a rebel! He has taken control of all of Asians!"
The people present let out choked cries in droves.
The situation had escalated to another level.
It wasn't just Philipart anymore.
"They closed the gates of the wall to secure control of that region!" The lookout pointed to the top of Ireólogo. "We must stay away from the vicinity of the wall, they have control of it, and they can attack us with arrows or cannon fire from above!"
The people nodded to his advice, as the sentry looked to Baldwinus.
"What should we do, sir!"
Everyone present turned to Inerio, anxiously awaiting his words.
Baldwinus, his eyes widened at the expectant stares of the villagers.
He was not sure he could properly cope with the adverse situation that had been presented to him.
'When I took the job I was told I was only going to have to check the condition of the wall....,' he thought.
In spite of this, he tried to say something in order to calm the euphoria of the people; which could be worse than the real problem.
"The first thing we should do," he began, "is to send a letter asking Adrijo Dusa for explanations! Maybe they are just making some improvements in which they were busy closing the doors! And the Crásico thing could be an exaggeration of the newspapers selling smoke!"
He achieved his goal, the faces of the villagers and soldiers relaxed. The watchman's tension was gone, and he let out a relieved sigh.
"Baldwinus Inerio! Baldwinus Inerio!"
A messenger, carrying a knapsack, pushed his way through the crowd until he reached Inerio.
His breathing was rapid and his heart was pounding from running for a long time.
Baldwinus took a few steps towards the newcomer, placing a hand on his shoulder and asking one of the soldiers to bring water to hydrate him.
"A... A... A... A message from the... Se-Senate..." He exhaled, pulling a letter out of my backpack, extending it to him.
Connecting what happened with the wall and the way the messenger arrived, he realized that maybe the situation was not as calm as he wanted to think and make believe.
So, with his hand sweating from the tension, he grabbed the object, opened it and read it aloud:
After some discussion. The decision has been made to appoint you, Baldwinus Inerio, praefectus of Nirmun, magister defensionosis Ireólogo. To make it clearer, you will be in charge of the defense of our eastern frontier against a possible attack by the rebel Crassus. As the weeks go by we will be sending you legions and resources. May the Nintu be with you.
Signature: Members of the Senate.
Those present gasped, staring at Baldwinus, who shouted:
"This was not the deal!"