NOVEL NEXT 570. On the Queen’s orders: Sir Robert -1
"Pfeiffer's rangers have cleared the woods, my lord," Sir Klaas Krebber rustled when Robert halted his horse beside him.
"Is there any sign from the capital?"
"The drawbridges are raised, and the moat is flooded. We found no one outside the walls," Krebber answered.
Robert had noticed the same thing.
"They must have either fled before the Khanate's troops arrived or been captured," he noted.
"Never imagined I would see the capital so eerily silent," Sir Krebber confessed with a foreboding tone.
"Indeed. I wonder how soon we will receive word from Eagles Nest."
"Soon as morrow," the knight responded promptly. "In the meantime, we'll set up camp at the forest's edge for the night, unless we find ourselves needing to battle for Road Market."
"Is there anyone there?" Robert inquired as Sir Krebber had read the scouts reports.
"Only abandoned houses and vacant stalls," Krebber's face kept gathering fresh wrinkles since the start of the year. The loss of friends and the long journey slowly wearing down even the most hardened of his companions.
Seek a deal. I don't trust the Queen's orders, Cristina had urged him before Stag's Bridge. A merchant's daughter that had given Robert a dowry of fighting men carrying crossbows. Still mourning for her father's loss, but willing to give up everything to follow his journey.
His journey long and everyone in the First had lost someone by now, well into the seventh year of their campaign.
Merenda is an army brat, a knight's bastard given legitimacy and a title, Robert had reminded her. Probably he's thick as a brick. All he knows is the army and following orders.
I don't know about that. Merenda disobeyed the King's orders allegedly and is still in command, Cristina had replied tensely. If he's Lucius friend or has his ear, then he's a statesman underneath all the fancy Lorian armour and probably shares the bloody tiger's appetite.
Why would they listen to me? Robert queried keeping his voice low.
Cristina brought her horse near her husband's and stared in Robert's worried eyes deliberately and for long. A merchant's daughter, running her business since very young and making coin reading people's innermost desires.
You are Robert Van Durren, his wife finally said in a steady voice and barely disguised pride. Lucius acts as if he is a righteous man, with cultured friends and noble lackeys. Put their charade to the test husband. We got nothing to lose.
-
Marcus-Antonius Merenda
On the Queen's orders:
Sir Robert
part I
-One would-
-
First Legion
Abbreviated | 'The Legion', 'First', 'the Army', 'Primo de Brutis', RCEMR-I
Dictum | 'Odio Patiantur Dum Timent'*. 'Semper Deinceps' (archaic Lorian for 'Ever onwards', an expression attributed to Marcus-Antonius Merenda.)
Panthera Tigris | Reddish bronze, silver and gold standard representing the head of a soberly contemplating Blacktiger, very similar to Regia's gold non-snarling banner, the royal Aldenus family crest and the 3rd Legion's roaring Blacktiger emblem used in banners and armour. Legatus Merenda added a rectangular metal plaque containing in large gold letters the phrase Per Virtutem followed by the abbreviation RCEMR (Rex, Consul et Exercitus de Magna Regia) under the sculpted head in 194 NC, a now famed acronym in archaic Lorian that translates 'By virtue of the King, Consul & Army of Greater Regia' which all other Regia Legions adopted soon after.
Organizational chart*
After the battles at the Great Lakes, summer 195 NC to summer 196 NC
Overall strength ~3900? **
-Legio general staff not included, supply train personnel not included.
-2500 (+300 later) legionnaires + 400 spear auxiliaries for a total of 3200 (Almost 2000 of them taken from the first Cohort. The First had a mixture of a good number of veterans in their second twenty-five year term –mainly in 1st and 2nd Cohorts, another big portion of experienced soldiers trained by Ligur in their four or fifth year – with the 3rd Cohort and two fifths of fresh recruits ranging from a year to a couple of months serving with the 4th or the auxiliaries. After Moeras the 2nd Cohort was slowly rebuilt with forced to serve mercenaries and remained numbering just a single century for a year.)
~200 engineers and apprentices (mostly local Issirs) + 500 or 1000 workers temporarily attached. 48 Scorpios, 40 mounted. 15 catapults. 3 heavy trebuchets. 8 Scorpios and the 3 trebuchets were permanently installed inside Eagle's Nest or at hardened points by the main road as part of Celsus fortifications.
~ 250 heavy Rangers. (The unit was formed in Eagle's Nest.)
~ 50 medium Cavalry led by the Legatus (At least forty mounted Scorpios –ten per Cohort- absorbed the majority of the usable local horses)
~ 20 medics under Dottore Galerius Bulla (Cartagen)
~ 150 animal-drawn wagons (Merenda confiscated over 400 horses but they were of poor quality or unsuitable for warfare. They were replaced by higher quality horses taken from the defeated Horselords or abandoned by the evacuating Pourem.)
Legatus | Marcus-Antonius Merenda (One of Sir Seleucid's many legitimized bastards. Received classical education in Cartagen. The youngest Legatus ever in the history of the Legions. He was five years younger from Caesar Lucius I and seven from King Lucius III who were the other two at the time that he got promoted in 194 NC. A Quadrumvir, the 'most skilled but also unpredictable of the bunch' according to Sirio Veturius' description of him and the 'handsomest officer that ever donned the Lorica Segmentata after Tribune Trupo' according to Tribune's Trupo's autobiography, who considered Merenda's lack of a prominent mustache a big minus.
Merenda married Baron Eman's daughter Oline in the summer of 195 after he got her pregnant or duped in believing it according to rumors. It is worth noted here that youthful-looking lady Oline was the older of the two Eman sisters –Oline and Greta- by a rumored five years -assuming Greta's given age was real at 21 summers at the time- which in turn made her four years older than the Legatus himself, with her presumably aged twenty six years old.)
Aide de Legatus | Prefect (of general's staff) Domus (Gold Phalera recipient. Maimed and disfigured left arm. Transferred from the 2nd Cohort of the 3rd Legion. Promoted twice in a few months by Merenda. A self-educated lowborn, his family worked the Merenda household lands historically and was the Legatus childhood friend. Oft referred to as 'the Legatus' half-arm'.)
1st Prefect | 'the Brute' Memon, (Legatus Ligur's old aide du Camp. Promoted to Prefect by Ligur just before he 'committed' suicide. Represented the old guard of the First Legion. A lowborn.)
4th Prefect | Damian 'milord' Holt (Asturia, Regia. His father Robart Holt, former director in the Bank of Trust's main office in Cediorum, was third cousin to the Duke of Asturia and a financial advisor to King Lucius. A political appointment. Optio Holt wasn't present in Eagle's Nest but had stayed in Sabretooth Castle with most of First Legion's supply train. He got promoted to prefect after a successful diplomatic mission near Queen Elsanne and probably by his savvy decision to maintain a neutral stance to Merenda's gambits during late 194 and 195 NC.)
2nd Prefect Damascus (Sabretooth Castle, Regia. A young member of the old guard. His family associated with Baron Scylla. In command of 1st spear Auxilia in the field.)
3rd Prefect (of engineers) | William 'Niger' Nak (Originally Issir's Eagle. An Issir of a good family. Captain of the Guards Emil Nak's son that served under his father. Skilled engineer and deeply religious having studied in Midlanor's Military Academy. The first Issir with a high officer's position in the Legions. Perhaps the last pupil of Servius Celsus he was promoted to first engineer in his post after the legendary military engineer was killed at Eagles Nest.)
Optio (of engineers) | Decius Polybius (Another of Celsus pupils.)
Sergeant (of engineers) | Sextus Triferus
Quartermaster | Ninius Arminus. Legion's Recruiter, scribe and Keeper of the Purse.
Scribe de Legionis | Caius-Metilus Plautus (Studied under Di Cresta in Cartagen. A military historian, polymath and biographer. Famously Marcus-Antonius admitted that 'our good Plautus is over-qualified for the job which is as rare as a pretty maiden walking through the Castrum's gates on the morrow. Take note now mirthful gentlemen that I've used both pretty and maiden in my words.' Later served as the Legatus' advisor for many years.)
Centurion of LID | Cornelius Pilatus (Alden)
Decanus of LID | Furius Tasius, 'the second'. Also 'Furious, the Tenor' (Vinterfort)
Panthera Tigris Signifer | Centurion (Honoraris) Sextus Crassus (Aldenfort. Member of the old guard. Famously stepped forward and surrendered the trapped First Legion's defenders to King Lucius at the waning stages of the Lorian Plains battle.)
Centurion Primus Pilus, 'Retired' Glycia (1st Cohort. Serving for a 2nd twenty-five year term. The unit's moniker 'Old Mother' also attributed to him, an affectionate term as it basically birthed all other Cohorts after the 194 NC reorganization. Very influential member of the old guard in the First Legion and Ligur's favorite field officer.)
1st Maniple, Decanus Aratus (of 1st Century, 1st Cohort)
2nd Maniple, Decanus Loris Gala
Tesserarius Gordius Regulus
Legionnaire Proclus Tranio (decorated soldier)
Legionnaire Amus Fronto
3rd Maniple, Decanus Sidonius
2nd Century Cen. Alytus Memon (the prefect's 3rd Cousin)
3rd Century Cen. Calytus
4th Century Cen. Martinus
Centurion Mucius (2nd Cohort. Sole survivor of the Centurion Indus' destroyed at Moeras 2nd Cohort. He brought the banner back and was awarded a gold Phalera for bravery. Promoted two full ranks on the spot by Legatus Merenda right after the battle.)
Decanus Leopold Fulker
Decanus Donald Turner (Turner and Fulker were mercenaries from Raoz employed by the Khan that were pressed into service by Merenda after the battles at the Great Lakes of Kaltha.)
Legionnaires (attached to general's staff) Vegetius and Cucan. (The 'Praetorians'. Hailing from Cartagen, decorated legionnaires and members of the Legatus inner circle. Transferred from the 3rd Legion but while in the 2nd Cohort they stayed near the Legatus acting as his personal bodyguards.)
Centurion Reganus (3rd Cohort. Sabretooth. Promoted in fall 194 NC.)
Centurion Andronicus (4th Cohort. Anorum. Took over as trainer of recruits in the summer of 194 NC. Promoted to first centurion of 4th Cohort in the fall of 194 NC.)
Centurion of Rangers Aulus Cita (Vinterfort. Unit formed from scratch in Eagle's Nest using locals and volunteers or Cohort dropouts for various misconducts that had been stuck with the main group.)
Decanus Noud Kost. (Legion Rangers. Badum, had retired in Moeras. An Issir hunter/tracker and former First Foot ranger. The First Legion's rangers were a mixture of Lorian and Issir volunteers from Moeras and Eagle's Nest. The only unit in the legions that was armed with the Castalor-type crossbow.)
Dottore, Centurion of Medics, Galerius Bulla (Cartagen)
Dottore, Optio of Medics, Ninius Campanus (Cartagen)
Dottore, Optio of Medics, Brucius Megellus (Aegium)
1st Auxilia Century (spears) Centurion Dall.
Tesserarius (1st Sergeant) Jan Volker
Decanus Dorm (KIA, near Sugarcanes Grove, Moeras, 2nd month of 195 NC)
2nd Auxilia (spears) Centurion Lambert
Centurion Pier Estes
Decanus Lentulus (Memon's aide)
3rd Auxilia
4th Auxilia
-temporarily attached (Eagle's Nest Guards) Captain Emil Nak.
*Archaic expression attributed to Magnus Lucius I that translates -'let them suffer in hate, so long as they fear us.'
*Archaic Lorian -'First of the Brutes.'
** At least six hundred young Issir volunteers in two spear infantry formations serving as auxiliaries. (The first Legion using spears at such numbers although they had been used in the past). The first and second spear Auxilia cohorts were usually led by Prefects Memon (the 2nd) and Damascus (the 1st) and were first deployed at the battle of the Canes (Eagle's Nest campaign). Other units consisted of about three hundred of Nak's and Baron Eman's guards that formed an independent allied formation (or 3rd Auxilia Cohort). Over five hundred civilians (sources give a number as high as one thousand) stayed back and worked under Celsus in various projects during the months preceding the start of hostilities.
It must be noted here that by the time the long campaign at Eagle's Nest ended the First Legion's two supply trains (one in the field and one back at Sabretooth Castle) numbered over four thousand civilian artisans, crafters etc. bringing the overall roster of the First, when on the move, to almost the size of the bloated 2nd Issir Foot (around eight thousand people). Thus it had attained yet again the unofficial honor of being the largest in size Legion of Magna Regia albeit only in auxiliary/civilian personnel. Due to casualties suffered the three Issir cohorts were reconstituted into four centuries and formed a 5th normal Cohort –or simply 'the Auxilia'. The first legion remained the largest military unit on Jelin after 196 NC both in soldiers fielded and civilian personnel.
Sometime later Legatus Merenda commented in jest, when the matter was brought up at a dinner, 'we are a social bunch us legionnaires. Um, we are indeed. The good people of Jelin just can't bear the thought of parting ways with us, so they follow along. I find it rather heartening, my fellow late night confidants. This way, even when we make camp in the realm's most distant, barren deserts, we get to dine in a small friendly city.'
-
Marcus-Antonius' gaze followed the tiny sweat rivulet trickling down Oline's uncovered neck like a soundless tear, her dark skin moist and glowing with motherhood. He could feel her breathe under his resting hand, Oline's swollen belly shivering and the soaked thin yellow tunic glued on her heavy body.
This life's true connoisseurs, Tacitus mused in his writings, find outright beauty in all races and hidden splendor in all species. The latter something Antonius hadn't had the chance to savor yet, and the few Gish he'd come across hadn't impressed him that way.
"The Legatus needs to dress," Oline said shifting when his hand traveled up her swollen belly to cup her right breast over the tunic with the thumb digging under it to touch the engorged nipple.
"We have time," Marcus-Antonius teased her. "Your father loves to wait."
"He doesn't," Oline argued moving carefully to escape the divan. She couldn't because the Legatus' stretched leg blocked her.
"Same way as you didn't like the Lorian-type tunic and now you wear it all the time," Marcus-Antonius countered with a smile and a slap on her buttocks.
"To please you," his wife protested with a small yelp. "Because you've a naughty mind and a thief's fingers."
Marcus-Antonius lowered his leg to allow her to stand. "Marriage is at least a part pleasure. Both men and women ought to indulge in," he told her. "Even Uher-loving folk know this."
"I'm with child," Oline said, whilst trying to fix her tunic. It needed scissors, Antonius thought, in order to get rid of even more fabric.
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.
"All the more reason to copulate without caution," he replied and she gasped in shock, despite him making a conscious effort not to use a coarser army jargon out of respect. "What?"
"My mother always said Lorians are pagans in their soul, but they've made laws to disguise their waywardness sneakily and then stand all-serious to sell it with the use of pompous language."
"Plautus says it differently," Marcus-Antonius replied and got up to walk up to her. Her white hair flowed down her chocolate shoulders and stirred when he trapped her waist with his thick arms. Not of Jelin, he thought impressed and smiled. Or Eplas. "You want the chance to hear an unvarnished or even an uncomfortable truth eight times out of ten, talk to a Lorian. If you seek a polite, even diplomatic but in the end mostly veiled lie, speak to an Uher-loving Issir." He stooped to kiss Oline's upturned nose and she surprisingly raised her face to offer her mouth. "Now, if you want to hear an extraordinary good tale delivered with artistry, but never know whether it's the truth or not, then converse about the Cosmos with a Zilan. Aye, oh… I almost forgot. Whatever you do, always avoid buying things from a Cofol market dear wife."
"Who is this Plautus?" Oline asked with a pout. "Wait… you didn't just quote your own friend?"
"Also an academic, the Legion's scribe and a biographer of yours truly. A great man," Marcus-Antonius expounded with a chuckle and saw Vegetius standing by the door of his quarters chewing on an apple with a donkey's teeth. "Yes, legionnaire?"
"Take yer time Legatus," Vegetius replied unhurriedly, after clearing his throat. He wanted to finish the stolen apple first.
Marcus-Antonius rolled his eyes.
"Is the Baron here?"
"He's with Cucan," Vegetius replied and cleaned his front teeth afore adding with a sly grin, but in a respectable manner for his likes. "Milady Oline. It's a good day."
"Get your arse out of here!" Marcus-Antonius barked and Vegetius saluted in the Issir manner before retreating out of the room.
"Hey. He's always very polite," Oline scolded him.
"Vegetius knows light and angles," Marcus-Antonius replied. "And you're standing before an open window dear. That rascal suddenly being polite, was the clue something was off or showing."
Baron Eman, gave his daughter Greta a missive for his son Egbert and they both watched the wrapped in a wool dress, flushed female depart the central room of what was now the Legatus house. Built near the citadel it needed a lot of work to be appropriate for such a hot summer, but it was part of Oline's dowry and Marcus-Antonius had some ideas on how to improve it.
"I've visited Celsus Tower," the Baron said after a while and paused for the Legatus to finish filling his goblet with watered-down wine. "The statue stands like a monolith at the top. It looks unpleasant."
"They'll carve it out eventually," Marcus-Antonius replied. "A man's name must be remembered and his visage of course, even if it's unpleasant."
"I won't even try to argue in this heat. By the way and speaking of mementos, I've noticed you've built a columned patio in the yard. Cut down the chestnut trees my father had planted," the Baron added after a thoughtful moment.
"Also not fully finished," Merenda grimaced as the wine wasn't that tasteful. "Timber was needed. I'll thank your father in my prayers Baron."
"Right. Eh. Melvin Carsen asked Nak to assign Polybius on a project in Moeras," the Baron finally said after another pause.
"Who is Carsen?"
"The merchant with the sugarcane fields. Donated fifty mules for the cause," the Baron replied. "He wants his estate finished first, now that the village is being rebuild."
"You can't use the Legion engineers on private projects," Marcus-Antonius said.
"What about your—?"
"The Legatus' projects are part of the army's planning," Merenda interrupted him. "Um. We have certain ideas to implement whilst erecting a new Moeras and Carsen's villa shall be built in the proper time. The roads must come first."
"Melvin Carsen is paying for extra crews out of his purse."
"Let's be candid Baron. I don't care. Damn it, now I have to go and put a stop to this," Merenda grunted. "Vegetius!"
"Sir?" Cucan said appearing at the door of the large living room.
"What in all-hells? Did I speak in Cofol? Where's Vegetius?"
"Right here. He made a sign for me to answer this Legatus."
Marcus-Antonius sighed deeply. "Saddle a good horse. We are going to Moeras."
The hidden by the entrance Vegetius came to stand next to his colleague with a frown. "Legatus. The open fields offer a terrible traveling experience at this time of year—"
"You have five minutes," Marcus-Antonius countered whilst cutting him off. "Then you'll follow us on foot legionnaire. I wager trotting after horses through the fields is even worse uh?"
"Affirmative sir. Let's get the Legatus' horse Cucan. Hurry up mate! You heard the order! Ehem. Commander. Milord Baron," a suddenly energetic Vegetius declared and made sure to sharply salute both of them afore following his colleague out of the room.
-
Lorian 3rd of Nonus 195 NC
Issir third day of ninth month of the year 195
Late morning
Inside the remodeled garden-yard Marcus-Antonius greeted Dottore Galerius Bulla, the Centurion of Medics, and his colleague Ninius Campanus –both doctors were from Cartagen. They were on their way to visit his pregnant wife. After a brief conversation the two dottori moved away, just as Vegetius and Cucan arrived with three horses.
The Legatus glanced at the sun and grimaced. Despite the end of summer, all mornings were still very hot. With a murmur of discomfort he climbed on the saddle, after tossing his plumed helm to Vegetius. He then straightened out his spine, took the helm back and slotted it on his sweaty head. Antonius waited patiently for the two soldiers to get on their mounts whilst trying to remember the day's roster and assignments.
He drew a blank.
"So our Domus is with Glycia?" Merenda finally asked as they trotted out of the villa and across the narrow streets of Eagles Nest.
"Building the coastal road from Merenda Docks to Visserhaven sir," Vegetius replied working on another apple.
"Memon?"
"Trains the Auxilia with Damascus, Legatus," Cucan replied as his friend had his mouth full.
"Who is scouting the King's Forest road?" Marcus-Antonius asked directing his horse on a right turn to lead it towards the city gates.
"Noud Kost. Centurion Cita has the flu."
Apparently, the 'praetorians' were well informed of the happenings.
"Is it bad?" Antonius asked and spotted Caius-Metilus Plautus mule coming up the road towards the plateau, with the scribe de legionis stopping to wait for Antonius as he had immediately recognized the finely decorated in gold and bronze, but also covered in intricate engravings Legatus' armour.
"Well, he shits a lot since yesterday but it could be the local food or a nervous bladder, sir," Cucan replied. The chewing Vegetius paused in alarm, furrowed his brows worried and then stared at the half-eaten apple.
"Um. More like he drunk un-boiled water again. Plautus, is this a bandana?" Antonius queried as they stopped near the scribe's two mules.
"A woman scarf," Plautus replied turning his mule around.
"Intimate revelation this my friend. Did you find romance amidst the barbarians?" Marcus-Antonius asked with a smile.
"No, I just bought a scarf," Plautus replied with a grimace. "Tried to study near the lake, but while it's quite cool in the night, it's also a popular place for all bugs. So it got a bit crowded."
"Hah-ha," Vegetius burst out laughing before Cucan stopped him with a kick to his ankle.
"I was heading to Moeras," Marcus-Antonius explained starting his horse going again and Plautus followed without a protest.
"Inspect the new village?" Plautus asked. "Breathe some clean air?"
"I wish. A sugar merchant named Carsen wants to build a villa with our engineers."
"They fear your new roads will cut into their house sizes or general property, like gardens or market places."
"You know of this how?" Merenda asked, bobbing up and down the saddle as they descended the inclined road that traveled north through the hemp fields toward Moeras.
"It's a common fear," Plautus replied. "We doubled the size of all roads around here and Moeras. I heard some small huts or gardens were completely removed from the city plans. The Baron had to redistribute some of the land and eventually relocated all displaced people to Visserhaven. So the fear isn't unfounded."
"Right. Are you writing a novella next per chance? That's a lot of details," Merenda teased him.
"It's gossip," Plautus replied. "You want to learn what the locals think, just visit a tavern Marcus-Antonius."
"Hah. You know I have aplenty, so I take this as a dig my friend. Yes, I cut down on the local venues since I got married, but it won't be a permanent thing mind you. Having said that and since I know where you're going with this, your name did come up in conversation today," the Legatus said with a smile. He could see the first buildings of Moeras. They had to slow down as the road was blocked with wagons and tool carts. "With the wife."
"Lady Eman is well I presume?" Plautus asked in a subtle taunting manner.
"Eh, so they lied about her age. She looks young and also who cares? At some point you need to put it behind you Plautus. She's my wife," Marcus-Antonius said. "And I don't mind her years. There's value in a mature woman."
"Said nothing about maturity," Plautus retorted, adding one of his many dictums. "But an old mule shall travel less miles than a good horse and be infertile on top."
"Well, thou should rejoice my friend, because we got that second part covered, hah-ha," Marcus-Antonius remarked with a chuckle. Not soon after, he stopped their horses next to a wagon laden with timber.
"You are a private contractor," the Legatus told the burly Issir walking next to the wagon. The Issir gave the Legatus a side glance but didn't answer. "Vegetius. Stop the wagon!" Merenda barked and Plautus shook his head at the unfolding scene.
"It has stopped," the Issir told the legionnaire in a calm manner. "There's no need for violence. It is my wagon."
"The timber isn't," Merenda replied. "Where are you taking it?"
"People are trying to rebuild their homes sir," the man replied. "Down the street there are four houses already in the foundations."
"The street isn't fully finished yet," Merenda countered. "And the timber still belongs to the army. You'll need a permit, a written permission from Polybius or Prefect Nak to use it."
"Legatus," a local citizen said under Cucan's bored scrutiny. "What about my garden?"
"What about it?" Marcus-Antonius grunted, not expecting the query. He breathed out to calm himself down. It is easy to get all heated up… well, in this heat.
"The road is now bigger and it ate into my property," the man explained while the contractor asked Vegetius to allow him to leave –he wagon was blocking the road- but his request got denied. "The garden and some of my living room."
"It is a good thing," Merenda cut him off.
"For whom milord?"
Merenda smiled at his response and then wiped some of the sweat from his face. "For the town of Moeras. More wagons can move in and out," he caught sight of a rider wearing a scout's uniform approach them. "More product, means more coin and more coin shall bring more work to help you grow another garden. Build a new wall, or buy a new house."
"Just give the poor soul some money," Plautus intervened with a chuckle and Marcus-Antonius sighed, but nodded for Cucan who was holding his purse to compensate the local citizen.
"Legatus," the young Issir scout reported stopping his horse, he was one of Kost's local recruits and saluted sharply. "We found soldiers in King's Forest."
Merenda stood back on the saddle. "The Khanate is making a foray?"
"They are Issirs sir," the young scout replied. "The First Foot."
"Huh," Plautus said not expecting it.
The First Foot was in Riverdor last time they heard about it, with Duke Charles.
-
Kost
"Decanus," Rudie uttered a warning and reached for his crossbow. It was secured on his horse. The man had cut off their path and now stood next to a maple tree staring at them. Kost and Rudie had switched their light armour to Lorian leather, and the Issir newcomer appeared confused at their sight.
"Get back on the horse Rudie," Kost ordered calmly.
"Greetings," the Issir said in a nervous manner. Armed with a Khanate sword and carrying a Khanate bow, he also had an Eplas style cloak over a worn-out Issir scout's outfit. A faded blue lobster patch stitched on his left shoulder. "Is the road leading to Eagles Nest?"
"The main is, but if you follow the turn you'll reach Moeras," Kost replied and looked behind the Issir at the thin tree line hugging the main road.
"How far is the turn?"
"Some kilometers," Kost replied and grimaced, seeing another Issir appear, then a third. "Rudie, head back to town."
There's no way, he thought as he had recognized the old outfits despite all the extra stuff they carried or have added on.
"We are not looking for trouble," the first Issir assured him.
No fucking way.
"Is Jan Bove around?" He asked and the Issir raised his brows not expecting the query. A man approaching thirty by his haggard looks, but with a young voice. Maybe twenty three, twenty four. A rough twenty four.
"Bove died in the desert," the Issir replied and a wave of emotion came over Noud Kost. The old officer had trained the man himself. "Pfeiffer is in command," the man added a little guardedly now.
"Who did you find Mathin?" A rough voice asked, as the other two scouts approached them. Pfeiffer looked gaunt, as if he'd aged prematurely. His dark skin, the color of boiled wrinkled leather. The once young recruit was around thirty now, but he looked over forty.
"Noud Kost," the former scout of the First Foot replied and the approaching Issir leader's eyes narrowed scrutinizing Kost's also quite aged face.
"Son of a bitch," Pfeiffer finally said sounding shocked. "Captain. What are you doing here?"
In Legion garbs? Was the part he left out and Kost breathed out, pursed his mouth and then told him.
-
"The Old Foot?" A perturbed Merenda asked and pursed his mouth. The sun had heated his helm and it burned the skin around his forehead. Sweat rivulets trickled down his nape soaking the collar of his red tunic.
"As in Robert's outfit?" Plautus asked to give the Legatus a bit of time to mull it over.
"All of them?" Merenda asked before the young scout could reply.
"They set camp near Road Market," the Issir replied.
"Why? The capital is the other way," Merenda queried with a glance towards Plautus who appeared equally surprised by the revelation.
"There was this rumor about the Foot disembarking at Scaldingport," Plautus started, but Merenda stopped him to hear the young scout's answer.
"The Decanus said they are coming here sir."
"Moeras?"
"Eagles Nest," the young scout replied. His name was Rudie.
"Ah," Plautus commented as if he'd figured something out, but opted to keep it for himself. Marcus-Antonius grimaced and shifted his weight on the saddle, fully aware that people were looking at them.
"Mucius is in the fields with the 2nd," he told Plautus. "Notify Reganus to move forward with the 3rd to support him."
"Don't overreact," Plautus cautioned, as Merenda signed for Vegetius to get going. With a grimace the legionnaire complied and galloped away, scattering the people using the busy road.
"I'm uncomfortable," the Legatus told the legion scribe.
"It's a hot day."
"I can handle the heat," Marcus-Antonius retorted. "But soldiers marching through our lines? That's a whole other matter."
"They must have crossed Stag's Bridge," Plautus thought out loud, well-versed in geography as polymaths oft are. "Marched down the King's Forest. Maybe they realized it's impossible to assault the capital's walls from the south gates?"
Merenda smacked his lips and then turned his horse around to head back where they had come from. Plautus shrugged his shoulders and turned his mule to follow after him.
-
Robert Van Durren's Eplas Foot crossed Uxrid River after repairing Stag's Bridge and then moved across King's Forest. They reached Road Market and camped at the abandoned, once vivid merchant outpost to allow their supply train to catch up with them.
The Issirs sent out scout parties under Pfeiffer, who had taken over from Captain Jan Bove back on Eplas, around the 3rd. Pfeiffer made contact at the edge of the forest with legion patrols commanded by Noud Kost. Centurion Cita had dispatched the Issir rangers as he was under the weather that day and they knew the terrain better. Kost, a local hunter and former officer in the First Foot when it was under the command of Robert's late father, recognized his former outfit and perhaps averted a clash.
Word was sent to Legatus Merenda, the latter was inspecting the work done to Moeras that morning and he ordered two Cohorts to take the field as a precaution, the 3rd under Reganus and the understrength 2nd under Mucius. He then called for an officers meeting immediately, which is rumored to have been very tense, given the suspicious circumstances of Robert's appearance.
Plautus, who was present and at the Legatus' side, writes that while the local Issirs didn't think much of Robert's presence so close to the lakes, the Lorians were worried. Reports of battles had started reaching them (these were the clashes at Uxrid River's bridges, fought days prior) and around this time a letter had arrived from Lucius (the King was still at Luciopolis in the Alden Sands desert) asking for information about Queen Elsanne's intentions.
Merenda who had sent Prefect Holt to the Queen's bloody nuptials reached out to learn more through Holt's contacts in Forestfort (the Prefect was there to haggle for permission from the new Baron to bring the 1st Legion's supply train from Sabretooth Castle) and he was informed that Baron Axel was training/recruiting infantry. Holt also reported that there was word the Queen was 'handing out' titles to those willing to side with her and had committed to a campaign to take the Capital within the year, which Merenda thought was ridiculous.
But also very dangerous.
'A humiliated ruler is twice as dangerous,' the Legatus had commented pondering on how to handle the Old First Foot and what to reply to Lucius. 'A humbled woman thrice that.'
A sick Cita was dispatched to give the high command of the Legion a fresh perspective, while Baron Eman offered to invite Robert for dinner to feel out his intentions with the cautionary remark that 'you don't want to make an enemy out of Charles.'
The local Baron was depending on Riverdor and Scaldingport for revenue, and had to navigate a tight rope given the volatile politics during the time of Kaltha's war of succession. The unaligned Grand Duchy, a city close to Midlanor's population before the war and richer, had kept its cards close to chest after the elder Lord Albert Van Durren had been killed at Maiden's Wedding, followed by his heir in Maiden's War and Duke Charles had used the opportunity to secure his grip on power keeping the Duchy out of all conflicts.
Of course that didn't mean Charles was not actively involved in diplomacy with all the power players of the time as Merenda was well aware. Near afternoon the 4th Cohort was also activated and the Legatus informed Memon, he was with Damascus' Auxilia at the lake port of Meertje, to be ready to march out.
Merenda was worried Elsanne might attempt to box him in between the lakes, marching Baron Axel across Mudriver and cut off his retreat. He started writing a response to Lucius' letter during the night, it would have reached Aldenfort Fort first and then dispatched south towards Luciopolis, but halted near the morning of the 4th of Nonus when word reached his tent carried by one of Kost's rangers (the Legatus had slept with the 3rd Cohort's legionnaires) that Robert had asked for a meeting.
When the Legatus inquired where it would be appropriate for them to meet, weighing the dangers in his head, the young scout replied that Sir Robert was already waiting by the small castrum's gates.
It was an impressive act of bravery and it resonated with the officers of the First Legion, as Robert was already by that time one of the more famous Issir noblemen and generals of the Khanate-Kaltha war.
Plautus says that when Merenda tried to play down the Badum nobleman's actions, he cautioned his good friend that in the event 'you make a mess of things Antonius, I'll just might write a story about Robert instead,' which the young Legatus took 'in good spirit', according to the historian.
Perhaps one of the shadier chapters in his Par Ocreis, up there with the preposterous Eplas fables.
-
Robert's armour has seen better days, Merenda thought standing rigidly outside his open tent, helm under armpit and the Legatus baton stabbed in the soft ground. The wiry, bearded Issir with the deep olive green eyes and gaunt face gave the reins to his adjutant before turning to face the legionnaires standing at attention in a long row outside the Legatus tent.
Vegetius saluted and Robert gave a slight nod of acknowledgement with his head. Badum's carved blue lobster on his chest had washed out but the outline was still visible on the old armour. The knight then walked towards the expecting Merenda and paused briefly to examine Marcus-Antonius face.
"Legatus," Robert said in a deep voice, laced with many accents. "I've jousted against your brother."
"Sir Robert," Merenda replied clenching his jaw to keep himself from bowing his head as he outranked the knight. "I was there."
"I apologize for any discomfort I may have caused. He put forth a gallant effort," Robert commented raising his brows, finally remembering the young kid under the pompous legion armour with the stalwart Legatus' face.
"Not much discomfort really," Merenda replied finding his wit again and added with a sly grin. "I laughed hard when he went tumbling down."
"The Legatus likes making light of thorny matters," Plautus intervened, when Robert stood back a little unsure.
"One would say," Robert finally said with the hint of a smile, whilst outwardly trying to maintain the decorum. "It could be useful a trait sometimes."
"One would, Sir Robert," Plautus replied vaguely and moved out of the way so the two leaders could enter the Legatus' tent unobstructed.