“There are no gifts in combat,” Alerio stated, looking down at the Insubri from over the top of his shield. “If you don’t cause the opening in your foe’s defenses, be wary of a trap.”
Eutropius ran his eyes along the bottom of the tribal shield and noticed the man’s ankles were back and out of range from a quick attack by his javelin. At the top, the man’s face remained behind the barrier. Even while instructing, the Legionary protected himself.
“We will listen and learn,” Eutropius announced as he braced a hand on the sand and stood. With his shield forward and the javelin resting on the top edge of the shield mimicking the Legionary, he begged. “Show us how to survive.”
Alerio spent the rest of the day having the warriors spar. Shield and javelin against shield and sword, and spear against both. By the time the sun lowered in the western sky, the three Insubri were bruised and exhausted.
“Can they win the games, Lance Corporal?” inquired a house guard.
“You’ve seen them progress during the day,” Alerio replied. “Two more days and they should be able to stand against anyone.”
“Even Legionaries?” asked another guard.
Alerio’s stomach sank. Even Legionaries?
Chapter 4 - A Targeted Weapon’s Instructor
“There are two groups loitering on the street,” a house guard announced. He had come from around the Villa and walked to where the four stood with Alerio. “One group to the north and one to the south.”
“It’s a public street,” another guard replied.
“It is. But too many of them are watching our main gate,” the newly arrived guard informed him. “I don’t like it.”
The guards had served in General Maximus’ Legion. Typical of combat veterans, they balanced caution with common sense. But they never discounted the possibility of an attack.
“They may be waiting for me,” ventured Alerio. “Two city guardsmen warned me off from training the Insubri. The funeral games are turning out to be more political than a sendoff for a nobleman. Would they dare invade the Senator’s home?”
“I don’t think so. However, they might come over the walls and damage the merchandise,” another responded, referring to the Insubri warriors. “We’ll bring in more of our veterans to protect the compound. I suggest, Lance Corporal, you either spend the night here or sneak out the garden gate.”
“I have someone I need to speak with,” Alerio informed him. “I’ll use the garden gate.”
***
The guards doused the lights near the garden gate and opened it just enough for the Legionary to slip through. Alerio crouched in the dark by the wall and scanned the street.
His goal was a few streets over and much farther south. At the end of the Senator’s wall, two men stood in the intersection. If they were talking and looking at each other, they might have passed as friends having a conversation. But they stood silently, each watching a street - the two streets bordering the wall of Villa Maximus.
Alerio stayed low and crept closer to the pair. A loud fight would draw more of the watchers. Were they watchers or knee breakers? He wasn’t sure and didn’t want to find out. When he slipped as close as possible, Alerio noticed they were shifting their eyes from the streets to the top of the walls. This confirmed they were waiting for someone to leave, or for a sign to enter the compound, and not simply idling away their time by standing in the street.
Drawing his gladius slowly to avoid scraping the blade on the sheath, Alerio inhaled. As he exhaled, he sprinted at the two men.
They noticed the movement. Before either could make out the form emerging from the shadows, one got smacked in the face by the flat of a blade. The other folded in two from a shoulder in his stomach. As he was powered backwards, a gladius pommel slammed into his temple. The other man, holding a bleeding nose, was taken off his feet by a leg sweep. He also received a tap from the pommel. Then Alerio was on his feet and racing away from the two unconscious watchers.
Chapter 5 - Wisdom of a Retired Centurion
Tomas Kellerian opened the door to the Historia Fae and ushered Alerio over the threshold.
“When a farm lad shows up on my doorstep after dark, I know it can’t be good,” commented the armorer to the Gods as he threw the bolts securing the door. “Whose wrath have you incurred this time, Lance Corporal Sisera?”
“Apparently, the city guards, some street gangs,” replied Alerio. “Oh, and possibly Consul Appease Caudex. I need advice.”
“Advice? Sure. March yourself across the city and throw yourself from the Tarpeian Rock,” suggested Tomas. “Better to kill yourself than wait for a Consul to have you pushed over the edge for treason. The fall won’t hurt. It’s the sudden stop at the bottom that gets you.”
“General Maximus will stop any charge of treason. I hope,” Alerio ventured. “I’m training the Insubri to fight at the funeral games for him.”
“I’ve told you before. I’ve spent most of my life with the Legion defending the Republic from barbarians,” growled Tomas. “I don’t believe in teaching them our skills or how to kill Legionaries.”
“I guess that precludes you from helping. I’m a marked man and my travels are restricted,” confessed Alerio. “I was hoping you’d help with the training.”
“By Hades! Absolutely not,” declared the retired Centurion. Then he thought for a moment and a puzzled looked crossed his face. “You said the city guard is after you. Who is training the other gladiators?”
“Corporal Daedalus. If I’m disabled or not able to train the Insubri, his Etruscī warriors will win,” Alerio reported. “But I’ll figure something out.”
The Armorer walked away and the Legionary thought he’d been dismissed. A short time later, as Alerio waited to be let out the front door, Tomas returned with his arms full of stacked armor and a personal pack.
“The day after General Flaccus’ triumphant parade through the city, two drunken Legionaries came to see me,” Tomas related as he placed the armor on a workbench. “They were broken up. Seems their squad leader must have been killed by the barbarians because he didn’t come back for his armor and gladius.”
“Cimon and Drustanus?” asked Alerio. “Where did they go?”
“They said something about finding a sacrificial bull,” Tomas informed him. “Their Century is camped east of the city. Waiting for release orders to return to their Legion.”
“Then I better go see them and break the bad news that I’m alive,” Alerio said cheering up. He pulled off his tunic and began strapping on his armor. “Thank you for storing my gear.”
“I’ll see you in the morning at Villa Maximus,” Tomas said.
“You’re going to help?” asked Alerio. “Why?”
“On one condition. And to be sure the Etruscans die on the sand,” the Armorer stated.
“What’s the condition?” inquired Alerio.
“I’ll tell you later,” Tomas replied as he guided Alerio to the door.
Chapter 6 - Seventh Squad, 47th Century, Flaccus Legion
The squalor of Fireguard District had been reduced to ashes and most of the ash and rubble were gone. A newly constructed road cut through the area where flimsy buildings once stood. Alerio marched up the torch lined street and, at the top of what had been a steep earthen berm, he gazed down at neat rows of Legion tents.
At the bottom of the road, he asked a sentry for directions to the squad area of Forty-Seventh Century. Armed with the Legionary’s instructions, he marched down the center of the Legion camp. On the far side, he turned down a camp street.
“Seventh of the Forty-Seventh?” he asked a squad guard.
“Two streets down on your left,” the Private replied.
***
“Private Cimon. What’s the turn!” Alerio demanded as he approached the campfire in front of the tent.
Without thinking who was asking, Cimon glanced at the squad’s hourglass. Then recognition came to him and he jumped to his feet.
“L
ance Corporal Sisera. Is that you or a ghost come to haunt us for not sacrificing a bull in your name?” the Private asked. “Because we tried. Do you know what a sacrificial bull costs? Even with Drustanus negotiating, we couldn’t get a reasonable price.”
“As you can see, no sacrifice was required,” Alerio informed him. “I’d like to see Drustanus, but right now I need to speak with Centurion Seneca. Is he in camp?”
“He’s taken Officer of the Day and Duty NCO so Meleager could take our new Corporal into the city,” responded Cimon. “Come back later and I’ll cook you some rations.”
“I’ll come back for your cooking and to sleep,” admitted Alerio. “This is the safest place for me right now.”
***
“Because General Maximus has me training the Insubri, I’m a target of the city guardsman,” Alerio concluded his report to Forty-Seventh’s Centurion. “I’m afraid, the political pressure will result in an attack on the warriors.”
“Let me get this right, Lance Corporal Sisera,” replied Centurion Seneca. “You want Seventh squad to protect Insubri warriors?”
“Just at Villa Maximus. And, to the funeral games,” Alerio assured the Centurion.
“Do you really believe you’ll have any of them left alive after the games?” challenged the old Legion Officer. “I hear Corporal Drustanus is an excellent swordsman.”
“I do, sir,” Alerio assured him. “General Maximus has a lot of political capital tied up in the games and he is depending on me.”
“Sisera, this is lunacy,” Seneca observed. “If it was for anyone besides the General, I’d throw you out of my tent with a kick to your cūlus. However, once a General’s Senior Centurion, always one. Take Seventh squad and protect the General’s property.”
***
Before sunrise, there was a small commotion in the Legion camp. Seventh broke down their tent, packed it on their mule, and marched towards the Capital. The left, stomp, left, stomp of an armored squad of Legionaries echoed off the dark buildings and later off the walls of Villas. They passed a few city guard patrols, but the guardsmen stepped to the side of the street and let them pass unchallenged. Armor, big shields, javelins and the hobnailed boots of heavy infantrymen had that effect on people.
“Who goes there?” a house guard asked when Alerio pounded on the front gate.
“Lance Corporal Sisera and Seventh Squad of the Forty-Seventh,” he called out loudly so the thugs mustered far down the street could hear.
“We could go and give them a taste of infantry shield for breakfast,” Private Cimon suggested before the house guard could open the gate. He indicated the watchers on the next block.
“I promised Centurion Seneca that we’d keep damage to citizens to a minimum,” Alerio answered.
“Minimum damage? Perfect, just a little toss with our shields,” Drustanus added.
“Private, I’ve seen you knock down a barbarian and almost behead him with your shield,” Alerio said.
“I would have,” protested Drustanus. “If the other one hadn’t begged for a chance to run his guts onto my blade.”
The gate opened and Alerio ordered the squad to form up single file as they marched into the General’s compound.
Chapter 7 - General’s Inspection
Alerio blocked Eutropius’ javelin to the side. Then dropping to his knees, he spun and brought his javelin up and jabbed under the warrior’s shield.
“Don’t over commit unless you have your shield in place,” Alerio informed him.
From the porch on the back of the Villa, General Maximus cried out, “What’s this?”
He stomped down the steps and marched directly towards Seventh squad’s tent. At the tent, he returned the duty guard’s salute before walking around testing the guide ropes. Then, he checked the stacked javelins, and the infantry shields propped against each other in squares of four. Finally, he raised an arm and motioned for Alerio to come to him.
“You run a tight camp, Lance Corporal Sisera,” Maximus stated. “I haven’t had the pleasure of inspecting a Legion camp in years. But, for Bia’s sake, why is a squad of heavy infantry camped out at my Villa?”
“Thank you, General. I’ll pass along your compliment to the men,” Alerio replied. “I’ve had troubles with the city guard about training the Insubri. Plus, I feared for your safety. When I explained it to Centurion Seneca, he insisted I place a squad under your command.”
“You never argue with experienced officers or NCOs. That’s a lesson for you Lance Corporal,” Maximus said. “Now tell me about my gladiators.”
Alerio walked the Senator around the three Insubri warriors. As they circled, he explained each of their weaknesses and strengths.
“This is important to me,” Maximus reminded Alerio as he headed back to the Villa.
“Yes, sir. We’ll put on a good show,” Alerio replied.
The Senator turned around and drilled Alerio with his eyes.
“I don’t want a good show,” he stated. “I want to win all three matches!”
***
Alerio was sweating and had a bruise on his arm from Eolus’ shield. The tribesman was fast. Then, a hand cart came from around the side of the Villa being pulled by a Legionary. Behind the cart walked Tomas Kellerian.
“Are they going to fight naked?” asked the Armorer. “If so, fine. But a man should drill in the armor he’s wearing to war. Bring those three over here so I can fit them with some protection.”
A short time later, all three warriors had shin guards, forearm, shoulder armor and a helmet. Even Tomas wore armor.
“I’m going to work them to see if they learned anything from you,” Tomas informed him. “Go sit on the grass.”
“Yes, Centurion,” Alerio said thankfully.
He strolled to the lawn and sank down. Tomas called out the Insubri warriors and bashed them one at a time to help them adjust to the armor. Then he called over three Legionaries and pair them up with the barbarians. By night fall, the gladiators were moving better in their new gear as well as a little stiffly from the work.
Chapter 8 - Game Day
“Tomas. I’m taking two infantrymen with me to secure our area at the games,” Alerio informed the Armorer.
“Won’t you be more secure with the full squad,” suggested Tomas. “The city guard and the thugs are waiting for you to stick your head out of the compound.”
“They’ll have to recognize me first,” Alerio replied as he slipped on a helmet, slid his arm through an infantry shield’s brace, and picked up a javelin. “Private Cimon. Choose a left side man and gear up.”
Cimon pointed to another private and the two of them armed up.
“Master Kellerian. The games start after the sun’s apex,” Alerio reminded Tomas. “Watch over the merchandise. I’ll see you there.”
***
Two city guardsmen loitered on the far side of the intersection. They straightened when the gate opened, and three infantrymen appeared. To the south and north, thugs also turned and watched.
“You’ve got their attention,” Cimon said out of the side of his mouth.
“Seems we do,” confirmed Alerio. “Form up and let’s see if they want to play.”
With their left arms snug against their sides to support the weight of the shields, one stepped forward and began to march towards the city guardsmen. The other two fell in a half step back, flanking the lead. All three rested their javelins on their right shoulders with the iron tips level with the tops of their helmets. If necessary, the shields could rapidly be brought forward creating a wall, and the javelin tips lowered, adding iron points to the shield wall.
“You there! What’s your name?” demanded a city guardsman as he fell into step beside the three. He was speaking to the unit’s leader marching at the head of the formation.
“Private Cimon of the Seventh of the Forty-Seventh,” Alerio’s left-pivot replied.
On his right and a half step back, Alerio kept silent.
“We have
an arrest warrant for Lance Corporal Sisera,” the guardsman said as he fast walked to stay abreast of the formation. “He assaulted two guardsmen.”
Barely turning his head to address the guard, Cimon inquired, “Are they dead?”
“No but…”
“We’ve just come from Volsinii,” Cimon interrupted the guardsman. “If they are alive, Lance Corporal Sisera didn’t assault them. Up north, when we assaulted, barbarians died. If they are alive then Sisera was just playing with them.”
“Now see here,” protested the guardsman but the unit had reached the next intersection. He decided on returning to his companion to resume their vigil on the Villa.
“I take it Sisera isn’t in charge of the unit,” the other guardsman commented when the first returned.
“No. Just some hard cūlus veterans from Volsinii.”
“Good. That’s three less we’ll have to deal with when Sisera comes out,” the second guardsman ventured. “Did they really level Volsinii after the attack?”
“Every building, right down to the pavers.”
“That’s extreme.”
“That’s the heavy infantry,” the guardsman replied glancing up the street. Three blocks away, the three infantrymen were dodging traffic as they crossed the boulevard.
***
Cimon guided the trio down Viminal Hill and turned south on the low road. Villas on their right rose in tiers covering this side of Quirinal Hill. At the southern toes of the hill, they turned on a westward road.
“The stockyards are close,” announced Cimon.
“What was your first clue?” inquired Alerio. “The merda on the roadside or the smell?”
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