NOVEL NEXT B2 Chapter 43: A Call to Adventure
B2 Chapter 43: A Call to Adventure
The overall layout of Habersville's new area remained similar to that of a Legionary camp. The parallels, combined with the neat gridlike streets made it incredibly simple for any of the men to navigate.
As Quintus left Habersville proper, he couldn't help but feel a bit of relief wash over him. As much as the Legion had renovated the little city, there were still clear vestiges of its foreign origins sprinkled throughout. A nonsensical cluster of buildings here, a begrudging detour of a road there, a public area cut short by the realities of its surroundings…. Little things like that.
Yet here, stepping back into the pristinely organized grid of streets felt oddly comforting. The buildings, too, made no effort to mirror the often strange layouts and properties of Habersville's former constructions. They were free to take on shapes and sizes of their own. And the ones the builders chose were obvious.
It was as close as he'd come to feeling like he was truly back home again.
Quintus soaked in the sights as he walked, relishing the sensation. Rows of multi-story bunkhouses had sprang up seemingly overnight, providing more permanent lodgings than the tents and temporary wooden structures that they had been using up until this point. They were quite practical, but at the same time nostalgic.
Along the way he spotted a few regularly-spaced pairs of Legionnaire guards keeping order and occasionally providing directions. The centurion took a brief moment to confirm his destination with them before continuing on.
The new command center was a large, practically constructed building near the center of the district. It was not the most impressive building the Legion had built, that honor would have to go to the bathhouse or the temple of Mars, but its builders had clearly designed it with war in mind.
The windows and entrances were strategically placed so they'd be easy to defend. A flat roof provided a high ground for viewing the city as well as fortifications for defense. Even the walls, despite their ornamentation, bore plenty of features that would make them a nightmare to scale.
As he approached, Quintus saw that he was not the only one visiting. Outside of the building stood a group of strange deer-like creatures, though they were far larger than deer had any right to be. Their antlers stretched wider than a barn door and their hooves could undoubtedly cave in a grown man's chest.
They stood in a majestic line to the side of the doorway, waiting like they were horses tied up on pickets despite lacking any such restraints. Nor did they have saddles, for that matter. But Quintus felt fairly certain that these creatures were mounts. And he also had strong suspicions about who they belonged to.
The massive, sturdy doors of the entrance swung outward at his approach. Quintus strode inside to see rows of broad desks stacked high with paperwork and ledgers. Officers and men more skilled in logistical work than himself bustled about with armfuls of scrolls and books alike.
This building was not simply a command center for the Legion. It had also replaced the mayor's manor as the center for government matters as well. Taxes, permits, and city planning matters all fell under this very roof.
All of that was secondary though. Important, of course, but still secondary in Quintus's mind.
A Legionnaire working at the front saluted as the centurion entered. "Primus! How may I assist you?"
"I must speak with the tribunus laticlavius. I have news from Hausten and orders from the Legatus."
"Of course, sir! He is currently occupied, but I can escort you to him. I'm certain he'll be eager to hear your report. Right this way."
The Legionnaire motioned for Quintus to follow. He was quickly led past the rows of desks and to a side room with a heavy oaken door. The man knocked twice, waited, then pushed it open.
Inside sat Gaius, the young officer sitting behind a large and ornately carved desk that Quintus recognized from Tiberius's command tent. Sitting before him were a group of lithe figures with smooth faces and long hair, their forest green robes pooling about them. Elves. At their head sat Iladrien, that emissary that had come to visit previously.
"Sir." The Legionnaire leading Quintus said. "I apologize for the interruption. The Primus Pilus is here to see you."
"Ah, what fortuitous timing." The lead elf rose gracefully to his feet. "Then I shall take my leave. It was a pleasure to speak with you, Sir Gaius."
"And you as well, Iladrien." Gaius rose to shake the elf's hand. "I look forward to a long and fruitful relationship between our people."
"As do I."
The elves filed out past Quintus. As they moved, he realized that their steps didn't make a single sound. Nor did he feel the wind of their passage. It was… unsettling. If one of their number tried to sneak up and strike him unawares, Quintus wasn't certain that he'd see them coming.
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Once the door shut and they were alone, Quintus stepped forward. He and Gaius clasped forearms.
"It's good to see you home in one piece, uncle." The young officer smiled. "Though I'm certain I can't say the same for your foes. I hear you've become even more of a terror on the battlefield."
Quintus returned his smile. Gaius. His father had been a friend of Tiberius's for a long time. Long enough that, when Gaius had first begun his training to use a sword, the now-Legatus had asked Quintus to personally teach the boy.
Of course, he'd agreed. And not just because it was a tongue-in-cheek admission from the old fox that Quintus was the better fighter. Though he had ended up liking the little rascal enough that he had been perhaps a little bit too light in his discipline.
"I'd much rather be there than sitting here and growing fat like you, little brat." The centurion looked around the room.
Gaius chuckled and released his grip. "I wish that I were. Between running the town, inspecting new constructions, and all of these meetings, I'd wager I'm getting in at least a dozen miles of travel each day. And the paperwork…"
The young officer shuddered, but Quintus knew it was mostly for show. This truly was the kind of environment a politician's son would thrive in. Which was fortuitous, since it would certainly make Quintus want to find the nearest river and drown himself.
"But enough pleasantries." Gaius clasped his hands behind his back and adopted the air of a commander once more. "To what do I owe the visit? Unless you simply decided to make a social call."
"Obviously not." Quintus retrieved a sealed scroll from his side and offered it up. "The siege and subsequent assault on Hausten was a success. We were able to eliminate their leadership and seize an important noblewoman for ransom. The Legatus has elected to remain at Hausten for the moment to ensure that the occupation and integration into the Empire goes smoothly."
He provided a brief summary of the report as Gaius accepted the scroll and broke its seal. The officer's eyes scanned the parchment quickly as Quintus waited patiently.
When he had finished, Gaius chuckled. "Well, it seems that your worries are unfounded, uncle. Tiberius is sending me off on an adventure of my own. So much for growing fat."
Quintus shook his head at the boy's casual attitude. "An 'adventure' is not the term I would use. Not for escorting a spoiled and bitter noblewoman to her father. It's hardly on the same level as hunting down some great beast or discovering a new realm."
"Well, we haven't pushed deep enough to reach the duke's territory before now. Sure, a few scouts may have stopped by for a look, but no more than that." Gaius pointed out. "And I will be returning with great riches. She's with Tiberius, right?"
The centurion nodded. "She is being held securely at Hausten."
Gaius glanced up from the scroll with a mischievous look in his eye. "Is she pretty at least?"
Quintus resisted the urge to smack the back of the young man's head. No matter their relationship, the upstart was technically Quintus's commanding officer at the moment, he still had to show some respect. And while calling him a brat was one thing, actually laying hands on a superior was another.
Instead, he settled for a sigh of deep disappointment. "Perhaps. It was difficult to judge, seeing how I hardly saw any expression on her besides bitter resentment. The constant death glares didn't exactly help, either."
Gaius shook his head. "One of these days, we need to find you a good woman to settle down with, uncle."
Quintus snorted. "You're far too young to be telling me that, little brat. And besides, she would be a poor choice regardless. I did kill her husband."
"A widow, too?" Gaius clicked his tongue. "That just means she's available."
The centurion shook his head again. Truly, the young officer had different priorities than he did.
"Anyway," Gaius set the report on his desk. "Is there anything else?"
Quintus started to shake his head, then hesitated. "No. However… what did the elves want?"
"Oh!" Gaius waved a hand dismissively as he walked back around the massive desk. "That. Two things, mainly. The first is something they insist on giving Tiberius. The second is merely a continuation of our negotiations."
"Negotiations?"
"Right, you may be out of the loop. It seems that the elves were quite serious when they claimed to have once been a part of Rome. So much so, in fact, that they want to join the empire once more."
Quintus's eyebrows rose. "Truly?"
"It seems that way. At least, their intentions seem honest from the matters we've spoken about. They have been surprisingly eager, even considering the conditions we're considering putting on them."
The centurion's brow furrowed. "Hmmm… but if they are as Roman as they claim, why would they wish to subjugate themselves so?"
"A few reasons. The first is that they seem to be under the impression that, once they prove themselves worthy, they will be on a path to be treated as full citizens. The second…" Gaius smiled. "Well, when all is said and done and we've taken over the world, they want to be on the winning side."
Quintus's eyes widened and he barked a short laugh. It seemed that someone in this world was taking them seriously, at least. He certainly wouldn't complain. Especially if it brought capable allies to their side.
"Now, if there's nothing else…" Gaius patted a stack of paperwork sitting beside him. "I should get back to work. I have much to accomplish before heading out if I'm to make your life easier."
The Primus Pilus stiffened. "What do you mean?"
"Oh, don't act so surprised, uncle." Gaius's face was the picture of innocence. "With me gone and Tiberius at Hausten, someone will need to take charge of things here. And while the other officers are certainly capable, they're already up to their ears in reports and permits themselves. As Primus Pilus, it's your duty to step up where needed and set an example, is it not?"
Quintus groaned as Gaius's smile stretched into a grin.