15 Caesar Prepares
" Politics is the womb in which war develops. "
Carl von Clausewitz
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Gaius Julius Caesar POV:
As I surveyed the sea, I heard a confident and powerful procession of footsteps. The sound was unmistakable - the sound of ten thousand soldiers marching strong, with the addition of the Varangians and their exceptional expertise in navigating these rivers. We had anticipated a successful capture of the city of Yeen, which we knew to be held by the enemy according to my system.
The ships lined up along the docks, 75 ready to carry men for our grand assault on this seemingly prepared city. If it were held by a group similar to the previous barbarians, we would suffer little deaths if we moved efficiently.
Something I could trust my fellow troops to do, after all, they had been trained for battle. Their technique is generations ahead of these thick-skulled barbarians, if we had lost it would be a disgrace to those that had come before us.
The skies had been clear and no signs of storms were here, a good thing for our ships and crew. I had only hoped we would be blessed with such weather during our journey, something I would sincerely doubt for the gods would never be calm during the times of war. They had always made their presence known, whether that be the brutal waves crashing upon ships or the lightning that struck here and there.
All were signs of the gods that had ruled our heavens, their strength solidified in our hearts for they gave us our power. I turned towards the Varangian Guard, a rowdy bunch but one that seemed to show a sense of loyalty even if they had been from a land far away. Many of them said they had come from Kievan Rus. A land that I was unaware of, but seemingly was far east in our continent.
Its winters are harsh and brutal, while its summers are rainy and sunny providing a bountiful harvest most year-round. They however were constantly raided by horse lords crippling their supplies each year. Many of their great warriors sailed south in search of jobs, before landing the job of protecting the Emperor of Rome.
A duty that seemed to earn them quite a lot of coin, for when each emperor died they were allowed to loot the treasury. It was a strange way to pay out the men but one that had seemed to work quite well and efficiently.
Turning back to the sea, my hair flowed in the breeze and I placed my horse in a natural walk. I had decided it was time to have my troops climb aboard, the Varangians and Praetorian Guards naturally following behind me. A large crowd of Athenians had also slowly gathered around the docks, and petals of flowers fell from the sky as I neared closer and closer.
" CAESAR, CAESAR! " " AVE CAESAR! MAXIMUS IMPERATOR HOS BARBARES CANES DEMITTIT! " " HOS BARBAROS DEORSUM CANES! "
The crowd was truly in a happy mood as they shouted towards me asking to put the Barbarian enemies down. Something I shall grant, as my sword strikes down each of these thick-skinned idiots.
" MY LEGIONS! BOARD YOUR ASSIGNED SHIPS, WE WILL SAIL FOR YEEN TO PLACE IT BACK INTO ROMES WINGS! GLORIA IMPERII! "
" GLORIA IMPERII! GLORIA IMPERII! " " Regnum a diis conditum! "
My soldiers entered their march climbing aboard the ships each of them had been assigned to beforehand. It allowed for this to be significantly easier and quicker, but it would still take us a few hours before we could properly set sail.
Jumping off my horse I boarded my ship, a Trireme triple the size of a normal one. It had the ability to hold 1000 men and 510 rowers. The rowers being Athenian men, are all capable of rowing in these seas. Staring into the skies, I saw dark clouds start to form, A bad omen for sure.
My Praetorian and Varangian boarded soon after me, their presence exuding an air of authority that all seemed to respect as they either backed away or bowed their heads. " Speak to me Eivor, these wyverns you speak of? Where can I find one? " I continued my walk as my Praetorians left me and Eivor to speak, a companion of his following closely behind. It was Sigrun I believe.
" Aye, the beasts are as tall as a giant. There are three types, the black wyverns being the deadliest. " He chuckled before entering my room behind me Sigrun closed the door as they all entered, " Almost killed one of my lads, blended right into the dark those bastards. "
My eyebrows raised at the mention of a large beast being stealthy and my interest couldn't be anymore raised, " Tell me more, on these black dragons that is. " I turned to him a small smile cresting on my face, Eivor returning his own drunken grin.
" They're found in the Plains occasionally, as well as Wyvern Point. " He took off his helmet allowing his blonde scruffy hair to flow around his face, " The black ones only come out at night, mostly camped up in their lairs. "
" Interesting, do you happen to know where some of these lairs might be? " My grin now turned manic made Eivor shiver slightly, I took a seat on a stool as I kept my attention on him. Sigrun shifted ever so slightly to the right of him.
" Do not tell me you wish to fight these beasts? " Eivor stared at me a look of surprise on his face, " Hahaha, I would never expect a boy that has barely sucked on his own mother's tits to want to fight a wyvern, very well I shall show you. " A loud bang as Sigrun smacked the back of Eivors head with their hand.
" Must you be so disrespectful in front of our lord? We came here to serve, not have our heads placed in a bucket. " Sigrun had snarled at Eivor retracting their hand and giving a court bow, " I apologize for my commander's foul mouth, his mother had left him at an early age. "
" Must you say that to the Emperor, it's embarrassing. " Eivor had questioned before turning back to me, " I must apologize for my companion's sudden outburst, they can be quite uptight. "
I waved my hand in a non-serious manner, " Bah, we're friends now. No need to act courteous, after all, I need allies, not hounds. " I stared through a window in the ship, It gave quite a nice view of the others that had surrounded us.
Sigrun stepped forward staring at me, " I have a question to ask my lord. " They placed their axe at the entrance of the door.
Gesturing my hand to allow them to speak, " Please, ask away. "
" The pirates that surround Rome, what will we do with them? " Their tone intrigued me as they spoke my eyebrows raising at the mention of pirates.
" Pirates? Then we shall have them crucified outside the gates of Rome. No place for glory-seeking dogs. " I kept my eyes on the outside of the ship as I muttered the words still unsure at the mention of these pirates.
" Then I shall send a mention to Legio Ephesius, he'll have them strung up in a matter of days. " Eivor laughed as he mentioned the things Ephesius would do.
I nodded having heard of Ephesius and the size of his legions, I would have no doubt he would massacre the pirates. I however did not know what he looked like, or his personality so it was safe to say he was a wild card that may turn when given the opportunity, " This Ephesius, who is he truly? "
" A great General held a large group of Wyverns for five months, before giving the command to retreat. " Eivor spoke well of him it seems, " His forces consist of various groups of people, some Germanic, some Norse, and even Middle Eastern. "
Hearing how Ephesius forces consisted of different groups meant a good thing. It would allow us to invade different countries more easily, as well as learn new tactics from these foreign lands.
" He only needs a letter from you, to wipe the pirates off the face of this land that is. " Sigrun was the one to speak this time, their chainmail shuffling with each step.
I gave them the thumbs up, " Eivor write the letter, I have other matters to attend to. " Eivor gave a swift nod as I turned to him, leaving the room making it so only I Sigrun was left.
Sigrun walked to a cabinet to my left, it contained some bottles of what I believe to be fine wine, " Care to have some? " They lifted the bottle up.
" Will you be drinking as well? " I raised my eyebrow at them to which they returned a shake of the head.
" Unfortunately no, it wouldn't allow me to guard you properly. " They spoke as they brought the bottle to me waving my hand at them I declined it.
" If you aren't drinking, I won't. " I leaned into a chair, " Why don't you sit as well? This journey will be quite long after all " Pointing towards a stool that laid by the door
" It will only be a week, not long at all. " They muttered as they took a seat opposite me their voice clearly showing they were exhausted.
I gave a small smile, " Did you get no sleep? " This caused Sigrun to stare up and give an exhausted nod only to sigh leaning their head against a wall. I could only simply chuckle at their response as I stared into the expanse of the sea.
A beautiful sight, one that I wouldn't mind seeing for this journey. It was as calm as any Patrician boy's childhood, busy under the calm. I couldn't help but smile at that as I knew it was true for I came from the House of Julii. One that has been serving Rome since its very foundations, since the times of Romulus himself.
A truth that had been instilled in me to have honour for my name and the Republic, a republic that stood strong in the face of adversity. Whether it be the Gauls, the Greeks or even the Egyptians, ' Friend of the Republic and people, my ass. ' That was a mere title that held no meaning but for Rome to increase its treasury.
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There might not be any chapters for a while now, Work has been getting pretty busy lately and my friend almost got stabbed. Anyway hope you guys have a good day and I'll post something when I have the time.
