novelraw B3 Chapter 79: Willing and Able
B3 Chapter 79: Willing and Able
B3 Chapter 79: Willing and Able
“Emperor. We have news from Legatus Gaius.”
Tiberius continued his work, writing out a first draft of his proposed system for revised citizenship and the requirements to hold public office. Halfway through, he paused to give the matter his full attention with a frown.
“...Centurion Claudius is requesting additional reinforcements in the form of mages, in light of this discovery,” Lucius finished. His aide occupied a permanent place at his elbow with shoulders squared.
“Claudius? Not Gaius?” Tiberius demanded.
“Yes, sir. Given the nature of the developments, communication has been cut off between Legatus Gaius and us. Even this news did not come from him directly, but from a third party who retreated from the fighting. The bard Marcus.”
Tiberius’s frown deepened. That was indeed an issue. It also called into question the veracity of such information, but Tiberius decided to set such doubts aside for now. The bard had proven relatively trustworthy so far, and the details of the claims were too specific to simply be another tale he’d spun.
When he closed his eyes and imagined the scenario, it did not look particularly reassuring, even with the men already manning the pass and the reinforcements he had originally sent to shore up Gaius’s own. Whether they would be enough to deal with the newly appeared orcs, then finish the job of stoppering the pass was left up to question.
The absolute last thing he wanted was for the Legion to be holed up while the orcs ran amok. That was the entire reason he’d sent Gaius out there. And though he’d known for a while now that subjugating them entirely was out of the question for now, he would not allow such a significant force back into their newly conquered lands. They may well drown the empire in chaos, and would at the very least wreak havoc among the smaller settlements and farms that they’d been so painstakingly bringing under Rome’s banner.
Where Novara’s previous rulers had failed, Tiberius would not, regardless of the vast gulf of difference between their two situations.
No, retreat was not an option. Corwyn Pass would not—could not—fall again. And so, drastic measures needed to be taken.
“Recall the Legionnaires across the empire,” Tiberius ordered. “Leave skeleton crews only where absolutely necessary. Inform the Grand Mage that his students are needed as well. The men in and around the capital will muster immediately to march on Corwyn Pass.”
Lucius nodded, his eyes flashing as he passed on the orders. “What of the nobles?”
“They and their retainers will need to take care of their territories for a few days. We cannot spare Legionnaires to watch over them like babes.” It would set his efforts and politicking back several months at the very least—doubtless some would see this as an expression of weakness or a prime time to sneak things beneath their new emperor’s nose. Given the recency of his run-in with the churches, he wouldn’t be surprised if they tried something as well. But if they were lucky, no one would be stupid enough to try an open rebellion again.
But it was unavoidable. The alternative was allowing the orcs through and spending years trying to hunt them all down. Assuming the capital didn’t fall. He rather doubted that it would, even with these alarming new tactics they’d shown. But they’d only just remade the wall out of good concrete and begun construction on additional defenses. Their position was good, yet not as unassailable as he would have liked.
He continued issuing orders to Lucius. Sending the capital’s Legionnaires to the front was only the start. Bringing in more men from around the empire would ensure the smallest possible window for Rome’s enemies to try something in their absence. Additionally, he sent out levies and notices to Duke Redcliffe and the other nobles to source additional reinforcements. Not too many, lest he fan the flames of rebellion and leave these territories completely undefended against monsters and the bandits that had hastened Redcliffe to Rome’s side. They would prove far less useful than an actual Legionnaire anyway. But it was more the principle of the thing, ensuring that the nobles still took a role in their country’s defense and acknowledged Tiberius’s right to demand troops.
That should garner them a few thousand men per higher-ranking noble, at the very least. They would arrive far more slowly, likely over the course of a week. But Tiberius wouldn’t count on a quick victory. Besides, they would need more men than expected to man the pass and hunt down stragglers once this was all over. Although this time, he would ensure the men’s abilities and classes were more well-suited for their stations.
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Tiberius was able to work for ten more minutes before he stood to look over the courtyard just beyond the castle walls. The first few centuries of Legionnaires were already mustered and ready to go when he arrived, awaiting the final signal to move. He refused to send them in smaller groups, lest they get caught unawares on the way. A large group tended to be a less juicy target for those who would wish them ill.
To his surprise, the Legionnaires were not the only ones there. Two more groups were in the process of gathering in the courtyard as well. The first was well-armed with all manner of armor, cloaks, longswords, hammers, and even a few tridents. They held themselves with casual confidence, chatting without apparent concern in stark comparison to the neat ranks of the Legionnaires. The second group was far less composed, its members nervous and wielding whatever makeshift weapons they’d found at hand. Some bore no weapon at all, instead clutching holy symbols to their chests.
“Sir,” Lucius spoke up once more as he stepped forward to survey the troops. “The Adventurers’ Guild has offered to send some of its own along as support. The Guildmaster will require their standard fee, of course.”
Tiberius eyed his aide. “I see. I assume you are responsible for making an inquiry?”
The aide nodded. He appreciated the man’s proactive thinking. The adventurers hadn’t impressed him so far, but they certainly did have their uses. He wouldn’t turn down additional bodies to throw at this problem, especially not now. At worst, he could reroute them to other affairs around the empire.
“What of the others?” Tiberius asked, nodding to the second group.
“They are a collection of civilians volunteering to fight,” Lucius explained. “Unskilled in battle, but willing nonetheless. Many appear to be some variety of healer or support class.”
“From the churches?”
Lucius nodded. “Some of them. None bear [Priest] classes, though.”
The emperor frowned. That didn’t sit right with him. The nervous and almost panicked looks on some of those faces didn’t inspire confidence, nor did they seem to support their supposed “willingness.” The last thing he expected was for any churches to actually support him and his men in such a display. But if they truly were healers, then perhaps such nervousness was only to be expected. They could still make use of such skills away from the front lines.
“Have a portion of the adventurers escort them. Ensure they are closely watched,” Tiberius ordered. He didn’t trust them, but nor would he turn down help. He would simply make sure that someone was keeping a close eye on them. If this were some sort of trick, then it would be better to send the traitors away and have them surrounded by lethal adventurers. Besides, there was no possible way the civilians would keep up with the Legionnaires.
A wave of salutes from his troops greeted Tiberius as he stepped forward and onto the balcony. The adventurers and civilians turned their attention toward him as well, each of them displaying a range of responses from nods of respect to outright wariness.
He made a brief speech to bolster their spirits—and their stats, thanks to [Inspiring Oration]. Knowing both the severity of their mission and that Rome was grateful for their service would be a boost to morale as well. But Tiberius didn't waste time with grand platitudes and flowery words. They had a job to do.
Some part of him wished that he could accompany his men into battle. Having an experienced leader at the helm would only increase their chances of success further. But that was no longer his role. He had other matters to tend to here, and leaving the capital would only increase the risk of rebellion and things falling apart. Perhaps once he had scrounged up enough promising recruits and newly minted citizens to create another Legion. Though even that spot was already reserved for Quintus to take.
“Now. Go forth, and aid your brothers in arms. Protect Rome from those who would intrude upon her soil. And return victorious.”
“For the emperor!” The cry rose up from the massed Legionnaires, echoed by the other two groups as Tiberius felt the stamina rush out of him. The adventurers seemed a little more enthusiastic, though whether that was due to loyalty or the fresh influx of strength the speech had granted.
Just as the centurions began barking orders for the centuries to march, Tiberius noticed something. A flash of motion at the corner of his vision. Lucius spoke up before he could wonder.
“Sir. Scouts report some shady figures skulking in alleyways around the castle.”
His tension heightened. An assassination attempt? “Are they moving closer?”
“No, sir. They’re keeping their distance. For now. Shall we move to intercept?”
He sighed inwardly. His men hadn’t even left yet, and things were already devolving. He had no doubts that these people were up to no good.
He was about to give the order when it happened. Pillars of light shot skyward—gold, black, white, and blue in color. They rose from all around the castle, flaring bright like beacons.
Lucius shouted a warning, but it was unnecessary. Tiberius watched as the group of “healers” below began to scream and writhe in agony, ethereal mist rising from their bodies as though their souls themselves were being ripped skyward. It shot toward the beams, strengthening them until each was as thick around as a tree and nearly blinding in color. Then, it all stopped at once.
The sky went dark. Looking up, Tiberius quickly understood why. The afternoon sun was blotted out by some massive shape careening in their direction.