When a Roman Cohort appears in Equestria, Shining has to act. But has he made a horrible mistake?
When Varius, a Centurion of the Roman Ninth Legion blacks out after a disastrous campaign in Caladonia he finds himself and the shambled remains of a Cohort in a strange new land.
A strange new land with talking coloured ponies no less!
However confronted by a force of armoured pony's led by a white stallion, there forced to do something many thought never possible for a legion.
Somewhere North of the Flumen Foras (River Forth, Modern day Fife) Caledonia (Scotland) 120CE
Varius scanned the forest ahead, his hand over the crest of his helmet; looking for any signs of threat to his position and his men. He himself had never been past the wall, but the fear of the north certainly had an impression on all who lived behind and in the shadow of it.
Varius and the legion had left Vindolanda, a large roman fort just due south of the northern lands. In the relative safety of the Wall by orders of the senate back in Rome, not to mention Emperor Antonine himself. It was to be a glorious conquest of the pictish lands of the north, but many saw it as a simple political move for the Emperor. Not that Emperors would live long these days though...
That was three days ago, and now the legion was headway into Caledonia. Five thousand men marching to one heart beat, a line stretching miles. Varius looked to his men on his right, they payed no attention; most too busy trying to keep in time to the signifier or singing about distant conquests of decades ago. He sighed. He was tired, they all were. A Roman Legionnaire was trained to march twenty five miles on a good day, but the rain and constant coldness of the north were getting to them. They were lucky if they ever made twelve. Looking around, there was only forest now. The darkness of the trees enclosing them brought a distant fear from days as a child. His eyes darted hurriedly around, his breathing slightly increasing with every step. He felt like the whole forest became one giant monster, ready to pounce and eat him whole. The facts were simple, he hated the dark with all the passion of the gods above.
"Varius!" a voice called. booming over the feet of the men, and the songs of glory in distant lands. Varius himself snapped back into reality, slightly jerking in fright as he twisted his head forward and down the Column of steel, sweat and swords.
"Aye Tribune?" he called back, barely being heard over the mass chanting of the proud men. Then came a silence. A painfully long silence, if you excluded the men around him marching. However, he focused out of that a long time ago. The voice called back as the Tribune had finally decided to answer..."Ah, never mind. 'Tis nothing, as you were Centurio" A sudden wave of hope was brushed aside by the dam like reply of the Tribune.
A Hopeless, and rather bored Varius slumped. He expected some sort of glorious mission, or at least something that lacked the marching. All they'd done was march, build camp, march, build camp, repeat three times and the only entertainment was when a legionnaire named Sextus had managed to lodge his Gladius sword into a tree.
The last time they checked, it was still there.
His head began to tilt upwards, looking up he noticed the moon slowly rising from the east. He let out a thankful sigh. At least the prospect of a somewhat good sleep was to be expected. He smiled before joining into the songs that were floating up and down the line. After all, it can't get any worse. His smile widened as the thought of the food and a good sit down as the chanting grew louder.
Before long the entire forest grew loud with the chants of the legion, the praises of the moon, "Luna", or the glory of the generals and emperors. "A thousand Germans, a thousand Persians: time and again we've cut off their heads!"
Canterlot 2 Weeks after Changling attack
"Can't...let...boredom...w-win...dammit." Shining's face slummed onto the table. His eyes fighting a war to keep open, and so far it seemed they were set to lose. He sat his head up now, his eyes looking directly at the ceiling.
Too tired to even use the basic of muscles to move his head, he sighed. Ever since the Changling attacks life had gotten so... boring, dull, slow, plain and utter...well plain. He leaned forward, a picture of his newly wed mare with a smiling face sat on his desk. How did he have such a boring job he was Captain of the guard. Captain! That title alone signifies honor, glory and action!
And yet his sister twilight and company were seeming to be fighting of a creature at least once a week. Hydras, three headed hell dogs. And as far as he was concerned "assisted" in saving them on there wedding day... emphasis on "assisted"
"She could at least invite me, I guess" He mumbled.
At least life was not all grays and blacks. He was married to royalty, applicable to her stature in life. Not to mention the beauty of her. He was related to Twilight, or Twily as he would call her. A smart, proud mare, student to Celestia herself. He was pretty much the commander of all the royal guards inside Equestria, second only to the princesses themselves.
Yes, life was certainly good, but why was it so boring?
He looked out an open window, only to notice a brewing storm on the horizon. "Hrmm, perhaps a horde of dragons were creating it...and only captain shining and his noble guard can save the day!" He grinned until he saw the weather ponies moving in and out of them. "Daww...." he slumped back down onto the table "I should really talk to twily more" he said in a whisper.
Time passed as the storm grew closer. The coldness and wind were starting to become a problem. Shining finally stood up, trotting sluggishly towards the window, closing it. He let out a yawn before looking at the door. Cadence would probably be in bed, or somewhere sorting out royal duties. Two perfectly good reasons for Shining to sleep; and did he need sleep.
Shining glanced out the window one more time to see rain slowly crawl up the castle walls before trotting out the room, the blackness of night casting shadows across it. Night was to come fast tonight. Outside a blue blur flew through the night as the royal princess of the night rose the moon. All was quiet in Canterlot, the sound of the rain was the only noise audible. Many slept, many more simply stayed indoors.
Somewhere still north of the Flumen Foras
The fort was quiet. Rain had arrived, pelting the men inside with an constant barrage of droplets. It had only taken them hours to build the wooden fort. The tents inside were protected from attack. Varius himself slept, as did many. Only a few stayed up to clean the horses or patrol the walled mounds and closed gates. Indeed, all was quiet. The moon slowly rose above the tree-line, illuminating the camp in a pale ghostly light, and so ended the fourth night for the legion. soon Dawn would break, and the same routine would continue...
"Fire!" Roared the General over the sound of Arrow and bolt. His slashed, shredded and bloodied red cloak whipped around him as he stood on a rocky outcrop overlooking the rolling glen. Down below stood the legion, five thousand of the most well trained, best equipped and battle hardened men the known world had ever Witnessed. At the front stood the first cohort. Eight hundred of the legions best. Varius led these men and the Eagle, the status signal of Roma, never to be lost or taken in battle. It was the first cohorts duty to protect it to the last man.
Following the stream down the glen to a crested summit stood proudly the Picts, united in loss and angered by these new invaders, these naked, blue painted warriors stood screaming and wailing in their native language, cursing the men who wore red and silver in the valley below as they themselves were struck down by the Roman arrows, or impaled by the large bolts fired by the Balistae artillery pieces.
Varius stood in the valley, to his right the grizzled but rather simple minded Rufus Sextus, behind, covered in a lion skinned helmet cover, was Marius. Lastly, Publius who carried the eagle proudly. It was Varius' job... no, duty to himself and the gods above that these men be safe under his command. In battle formation he knew this would be not only his but each Legionary's job. To protect one another in the face of overwhelming odds. It was then that the "Blue painted barbarians" decided to charge. Disorganised and wild, they ran down over the boggy glen, closing ranks with the First cohort and Varius.
He glanced around to see unsure faces. They had faced barbarians before yes, but nothing like what these wild men were. "Steady lads. Pilum ready and greet them with Roman steel" he said, in an attempt to bring the moral up before zero hour. "'Til the whites of the eyes men, Steady....Now!" at that eight hundred heavy javelins flew forward and impacted into the disorganised ranks of men, pinning many down and into the ground and killing many more. Varius turned one more time "Shields up and remember-" For emphasis he drew his Gladius from his decorated scabbard, stabbing the air. "We fight for Rome!" He finely roared, the sound of metal being drawn soon after gave him the briefest of smirks, then the picts connected. Shield met shield as a horrid sound of sliding metal hit the ranks.
The Romans held though, and from behind their thick large Scutum shields they thrusted their Gladius's into the exposed chests of the Caledonian men, cutting them down with no hint of remorse. Varius stood at the right of a Brown haired man, who screamed at him, thrusting with a spear. Varius parried and brought his shield up, the boss of it crunching into the man's skull. Bringing the shield right he blocked another blow from a large Pictish Sword and thrusted his sword at at the warrior weilding it. Another quickly ran at him, bringing a club down. With no time to react the blow landed on Varius's Segmented armour, throwing him to the ground and smashing said armour open.
A rather surprised, terrified and quite frankly, impressed, Varius looked up at the man. He showed the exact same absence of remorse his own men showed, but he was far younger then any legionary. Eighteen perhaps, almost a child. He stood over Varius with his club raised for the finishing blow. The Centurion sighed closing, his eyes, and waited for the blow.
Equestria, Canterlot Several Hours later
Shining was awake again, looking out of a balcony with shock and awe to the sight many miles away. Blinking his eyes, he looked on as the weather pony's retreated to Canterlot's mighty white walls. The storm he saw before heading to bed has grown massively, darkness and lighting spewing from it. Rain poured from it, covering what shining could only guess as miles of land underneath it. By this point several guards had abandoned their posts to stand on the walls looking at the storm. It was at this point that Cadence had arrived at his side looking on with him "Are you looking at the storm Shining?" He nodded.
"Yes. I've never seen anything like it." He paused looking over at her. The light pink Alicorn smiled back "Worried are we?" She asked, She was replied with a snort and a shake of his head "A little rain and lighting cant hurt no-pony, If they tread with care" He turned back glancing at it.
"You know they say demons sometimes conjure storms like that." she said grinning
"Am I to believe that, or are you preparing a bed time story for me?" He said nuzzling into her "It will pass like most things.?
She nodded again "Perhaps... but not all things come to pass, Shining dear. Shall we retire to bed?", He turned around yawning at the question as he closed the doors to the balcony smiling "Sure thing let me just sort this. Then I'll be right over."
"If you say so then." She yawned with him, before blowing a candle out, plunging the room into darkness
Caledonia, Scotland Near Modern day Inverness
Eyes closed, Varius felt the dripping of rain and the sound of thunder rumble across over the sound of battle. He relaxed, ignoring all the sounds around him. Focusing on the water and thunder. He smiled as it reminded him of home. His family. His son. Rufus, the young red haired scoundrel.
"Varius! Get up, Lets go!" Varius suddenly felt his arm being gripped and body being forced up. Opening his eyes he glanced at the young solder in front of him. Wet and bloody stood Sextus, his Helmet off and shield missing. His lorica segmented armour was broken and bent and his eyes were covered by his brindled hair.
"S-Sextus?" He gasped, holding the young man's arm. "Where's Rufus. W-where is he?". He looked around himself watching the battle change direction. His mighty cohort began to buckle under the stress of the Caledonian men Sextus tilted his head slightly "W... What?. Your son, he's in Coria, you know that" Sextus held him still "He's safe, behind the wall, but you're not Centurio, we have to go. Now!" Varius nodded, picking his shield up from the boggy ground and glancing at a small puddle that formed. He saw himself in it, Bleeding and dirty.
"Sextus...rally the cohort. Where's Publius? We need the Eagle."
"I saw him near the Sixth Cohort on that outcrop. Marius was with him. The Third and and Ninth Cohort's are routing the barbarians brought cavalry." Sextus sighed, pushing Varius toward the direction of the sixth. Varius nodded, heading through the slaughter fields towards the outcrop. Losing his footing in the mud, he made slow progress. Looking up he saw Rufus and Publias back to back, the Eagle standard between them. They both jeered and taunted the enemies, and cried out inspiring words to what remained of the ninth legion. That's when the sound of hooves clattered behind him. He turned just in time to see the spear point, and then blackness.
Italia, Roma Palatium imperatoris (The Emperor's palace)
The sound of footsteps echoed and bounced off the marble floors. Nervously speeding up, Cassius reached into his small pack bag, the note was still there "Thank the gods." He thought to himself. Crossing a massive courtyard he had time to admire the sights. Women, statues, and a rather unneeded but large pond where small children were playing with sail boats. He smiled, heading through and into the palaces chamber rooms. He was met by several heavy armed men clad in bronze, steel and purple. The infamous Praetoriani. The empires most elite, but corrupted men.
"What do you want Baceolus" one cussed. He had called him a fool. A fool!? He just bloody travelled from Londinium to Roma in days!
Cassius sighed. "I have a message for the emperor, if you don't mind moving you bone headed boy." The guard clearly took offence drawing his sword "Say that again little man and I-" he was cut off by the cooler of the two "Calm down," While the two guards began to slowly argue Cassius slipped through. "The things i do for denarii" He coughed. His echoed footsteps soon arrived in front of the emperor. The emperor was a middle aged man, in his prime with curled brown hair. His purple and white toga covered him from neck to toe.
"I come bringing word from the six legion on the wall." Cassius panted.
"Ah good good. Tell me, what does edge of empire hold for me then?"
"Sir, the Ninth legion have Vanished during their campaign into Caledonia.." Cassius Braced for a rage, and then his head on the end of a spear. He would make sure to make a good facial gesture for it. However, nothing came. Just a heavy sigh.
"I see...all five thousand?" Cassius nodded.
"Yes. Auxiliary and Cavalry support as well"
"And the Eagle young man? What of the Eagle?"
Cassius stood for a moment before sighing .
"The Eagle is lost my emperor... the Eagle has been lost."
Shield Bearer was a simple guard. He never asked for much in life, just a simple view on things, loving family, and a roof over their head. He joined the guard to make up for his aggressive attitude in childhood and shameful mistreating of the ponies he loved. He had atoned for just that. Rising up the ranks and proving his worth he eventually became a part of the canterlot guard, the elite of all the Royal Guard. This time, however, he was not in Canterlot; his gilded armour reflected in Celestias sunlight and a long shafted spear was slung over his back as he trotted though the lush forest of the Everfree.
He was humming a small tune while he did so, something he heard in a bar one night after a few drinks with friends... somehow it just stuck. he pushed his helmet up again, for him it was far to big. His fault for dropping his over the cliff of Canterlot. this was one of a retired guard, Who must have clearly been working out...far to much in Bearer's opinion.
It was around this time the world seemed to go from straight to vertical and the ground seemed to get closer and closer until his muzzle impacted onto the hard ground. His helmet slowly rolled off and down a small hill, the blue crest snapping off as it descended.
"Oh no, oh no, oh no. Not the replacement, too!" He groaned picking himself up off the ground. He glanced to his left, shaking himself of any loose dust and dirt
"And my spear. Glorious." he sighed sarcastically, looking around for the culprit. It was then that he noticed a shiny glint poking out of the ground. The unicorn guard made his way over, making sure to keep an eye out for any traps or movemen. He was out here because of the risk of changelings, after all, and was not too keen on getting caught unarmed. Coming closer he began to notice the shape of a... wing? Getting closer still, he began to notice it more clearly.
An Eagle, half buried and cast from...
"Gold." His face lit up and his ears perked up, his tale waggled much like that of a dog. His horn sparked up as a blue aura surrounded it and the half buried Eagle. With little effort it slipped out from its old home, the mud not offering much resistance to the guard-pony. With his magic keeping it in the air he inspected it. A dirty but amazingly sculpted gold eagle looking right and stood on a perch that connected it to a long wooden shaft.
It was at this point his thoughts conflicted. Take it and sell the eagle for money? Perhaps he would get quite a sum of bits for this thing, but at the same time this could perhaps be something important. After all, who decides to craft something like this just to put it here. No, he would take it with him to Canterlot and turn it in to the Capitan, he would know what to do.
With his decision made, he headed off towards Ponyville.
Canterlot Two hours later
Shield Bearer arrived at the mighty, moat protected gate of Canterlot, although he was slowly starting to doubt his decision. Using his magic he again looked at it, twisting it to get a good look. The Eagle stared back at him with hollow, empty, golden eyes. What secrets did it hold, and why did Shield Bearer feel so unnerved carrying it? It felt dark and most certainly had a story behind it. What kind of story? He could only wonder wonder.
He sighed once again, huffing towards the main gate. After checking with the guards there he slowly trotted inside and up a set of stairs marked "Military access only." With these he would bypass the city and market districts, and avoid uneasy stares from the mass. He trotted through small passageways and into a large courtyard covered in fine gravel. Surrounded by several guards in formation stood Shining Armor, drilling the ponies to fight in organised formation.
"Greetings, captain."
He turned smiling, tilting his head "Hello Shield. Since when were guards being issued those?" His smile turned into a small smirk as he inspected the golden object. "Funny sir." He replied unamused. "Its... something. It looks like a golden eagle. I found it in the Everfree, but I have no idea what it's for... you got a clue?" using his magic Shield Bearer hovered it over to Shining, who took it from him with his own blue aura of magic. Shining carefully inspected it. "Well its not a spear. If I used one of these, it would be for a celebration. I think it might be a military standard of sort, although it's certainly not Equestrian."
"What is it then? Griffon, Dragon, Changeling?"
"None, I've never seen anything like it before" Shining said rotating it around several times.
"So what's the call for it? Throw it away? Museum?" Shield asked, tilting his head.
"Better, watch" He turned, signalling for the guards to disperse and that drills were over before turning back to Shield "This way". Shield followed shining for a few minutes as they arrived over the white stone gates of Canterlot. Shining smiled before planing the Eagle, perching it and the wooden shaft high over the gate "Ta-da, now we have this cool thing marking the gate."
"Sir...i don-"
"Its gold, Shield, and its an Eagle. what more do you want?" Smirked shining
"I... fine."
The Everfree Forest An hour later
Varius gasped, shooting up from the ground with his hand grasping his chest. Looking down he realised there was no stab wound, no injury. Just his lorica segmentata armour, and his amazingly intact helmet. He began to inspect himself, and quickly found everything in order. Glancing around he saw a MASSIVE change of environment. Gone were the corpses of battle and the rain socked bogs of the Caladonian glen, and in it's stead was a clearing in a forest with several tents, and a fire slowly flickering in the middle. Sitting unarmoured was Sextus, prodding the fire several times with another stick to keep it burning. A few other men sat around eating something that Varius couldn't make out.
To the side of the clearing stood Marius and Publius, arguing and pointing into the forest. Several more men lied in their tents sleeping, or simply sitting down, writing on wax tablets. Looking up he saw there was no rain. Just the sun and a blue sky with no clouds. Pulling himself to his feet Varius sluggishly walked over to the fire, sitting down beside Sextus. He took his helmet off and placed it carefully on the grass.
"I see you're awake now Centurio." Sextus happily commented before handing him some bread. Varius accepted it appreciatively. Chewing on the bread he nodded "Aye, where are we?"
"I want to say the land of fairy's and legends, but I doubt it." Sextus replied. Leaning back slightly on the log he had "occupied" for the glory of himself. "We're not in Caledonia now, and look" He pulled up a Gladius "I found my sword... strangely. I woke up with it this morning" He looked up thinking back to the moment he lost it. It was not exactly his brightest idea trying to throw his sword at a squirrel.
"Why is Mister wolfskin-head and Publius fighting again?" Varius replied ignoring much of Sextus' "thank you" speech to his sword.
"Nothing much, mainly because Publius lost the eagle."
There came that painfully long silence again. "...Say that again."
"The Eagle? He lost it. We woke up and BAM, it was missing."
The next couple of seconds involved Publius on the floor, chocking for air while Varius gripped his neck. Marius and Sextus attempted to pull him off "You damn idiot, how could you lose that thing! I'll throttle you! you idiot!" Sextus pulled him by the legs, along with Marius, while Publius scrambled to his feet and up the nearest tree.
"That Centurion is not touching me again! Keep him away!" screamed the now talking tree that hid the Roman Signifier. "He tried to gnaw at my legs!"
"Varius" Sextus said, pinning him "You don't understand."
"Then enlighten me soldier, why must I not go up that tree after him."
Marius appeared to the right carrying a Golden helmet and broken crest
Varius grasped the helmet inspecting it. It was big, and crafted differently from many he had seen. "It looks strange, not made for a human" He inspected it further looking at the inside "hmm, not for the warhorses we use either..." he pulled himself up forcing Sextus off and rolling into the log seats "Where did you find this Marius?" He said a light hint of worry in his tone.
"The woods." Replied Marius unaware of the situations gravity.
"did you see anything, anything at all?" Varius said scanning the forest. "Nothing.." came Marius's voice from the right.
"I see" His eyes scanned the forest again before his closed his eyes "I want this camp moved. out of the forest now, before night falls. Understood?".
"Yes Centurio".
"Guys...C-can i come down from this tree now?" Asked Publius his face upside down peering out from the branches. His response was Sextus pulling him down by the feet. "Yes, yes you may" With a scramble Publius got himself up and him along with several other men gathered and packed up there equipment putting them in leather and hide bags they would carry. Each man was to carry all his tools, Cooking items, shield and anything else needed for this they earned the name of mules.
By this time the camp had grown, finding other "Survivors" they had around a full cohort, four hundred odd legionnaires surprisingly the forest had hid them well. the canvas of the tree canopy hid the smoke from fire while they never left there post to explore until now. Varius being the only ranking officer was in command. Ordering them into a column of four and began marching them in a northerly direction. a low sound came from the signifier although the men had been thrust into a strange and different place there spirits had not damped as they sung and chanted though the forest.
it took about an hour of slugging though the dense undergrowth before a cry came from the front "Centurio a road!". Varius headed to the front of the column the dirt track coming into view, leading in and out of the forest. after a few minuets of shuffling and reorganising they stood on the road in perfect and ordered formation. Sextus made his way to the front beside Varius "Do you see that village up ahead?" He said noting the small community of houses on the edge of there vision.
"Aye. Were heading there." Varius said the Legionary. "Im just glad to be out of there." As the column marched forward Sextus turned to him "So...why are you afraid of a few trees?".
"As a child i got lost in one for a week".
"Really?, no kidding?".
"Yes" sighed Varius "Long story short. a wolf almost killed me, lucky one of the town watch just happened to notice me and kill the beast. I've hated forests since...". Varius looked over to Sextus, "You have anything like that?". As they marched Sextus sighed "Water...my town was raided. we escaped to sea...b-...but a storm flipped us, I..I was the only one. my family and brother perished Centurio" He looked down letting a small sigh escape him. Varius sympathised, placing his hand on his armoured shoulder "You have us Sextus, and as long as your alive. Your my brother" He smiled.
Sextus smiled back "Thank you Varius. luckily I was eighteen at the time, i joined straight up afterwards. Served in the Sixth Legion, the Eleventh and now ours" He looked at his shield, it bared several notable features. Pointed arrows, wings and finely the words "Legio IX Hispana" The ninth Spanish legion. "Do you think anybody's looking for us?".
"Even if there not i think we can survive" Varius commented.
"And what's you plan, if i can as?" Questioned Sextus.
"Find out who live in the village, get our bearings and head back south towards Vindolanda and Edge of empire. that's the basics..." Said Varius. However things were not as easy, he had no idea where he was how he got there and he was sure every man in his company were equally as confused as him. as they grew closer several fields of wheat and apple trees appeared at there sides. several horses looked on at them, however they were the strangest horses Varius had ever laid eyes on.
Firstly and the foremost was the fact they were coloured, brightly and as were there manes and tails. They were somewhat smaller then normal horses. Had strange tattoos on there flanks. And gods there eyes, either these creatures had a purpose of such large eyes or by the gods above something had clearly gone wrong during one mating season.
Sextus leaned over equally confused as every man and spoke "I speak for every man when i say. where are we and what on earth are those?".
"Honestly Sextus I think there horses".
"Horses? I can see that but I mean why are they coloured, is this some sort of celebration to a horse god? or just a horrid practical joke?".
"Looks like something weird the Greeks would do Sextus. Something the Greeks would do..."
As the men looked at them they strangely looked back, some looked like they were acctualy talking, it was clearly there sanity. Yes that was it slowly Varius was going insane, it to Varius was the only possible explanation for the sight.
Looking still Varius and the men entered the village and as they did the horses seemed to follow. "Sir? t-there's horses in the town...and..everywhere?" By this point the head of the column was in the centre of the village. with a large mass of multicoloured horses looking in awe, or fear. It was at this point one happy greenish horse trotted in front of him mouth agape and looking right at him. Sighing Various shouted "Hello. might somebody move this horse out of my dammed way".
"Hey...who you calling a horse ape".
Di...Did it just talk, no impossible. And yet there it was right there i had just talked to him. the entirety of the men in front and around Varius gasped, or took a step back in shock he looked at it "Did you just...Talk?".
"No I just decided to open my mouth and let my belly rumble...yes I talked" It spat back rather harshly.
It was at this point Sextus looked to his right, Varius was wide jawed as was half of his men. he sighed as Varius right eye twitched and he began to mumble like a madman. The horses around them nervously stepped back from Varius at his mumbling, while Sextus Stepped forward going though his head what we was told to say to the local villages in Britannia. "Ave! I am Sextus Catalonia of Ninth legion. now tell me strange talking horse where we are..."
Honestly Sextus still thought he was sleeping, or dead. Dead sounded slightly cooler in his opinion though
The horse explained that they were in a place called "Ponyville" and that they were in the magical land of "Equestria". Inhabited by talking ponies, not horse Ruled by two princesses that seconded as demi-gods. And that she was a mare and that the entire planet was filled with every creature in any of the Hellenistic or Roman legends and defended by the royal guard. And Sextus could not keep a straight face though the entire description, laughing several times to the extent of almost being floored.
It took several moments for the information to make sense in Both Sextus's and Varius's heads. it was then that Varius finely snapped out of his mumbling, after hearing everything he simply looked down at the pony stating one word "Eagle."
"Pardon?".
"The eagle. where is it?".
"There's Eagles in the sky...or im sure Flu-".
"Where is the dam Eagle mule!" At this point he drew his sword. Bad move, Panic gripped the town, pony's scattered in fear in every direction while a few stayed to throw anything to attack the strange angry ape.
It was at this point Varius patience snapped. he turned to the pony frozen in place in front of him.
"Somewhere in your gods, forsaken kingdom lies a Golden eagle. I want it, and I shall have it." he spat lowering the blade to the pony's neck" The mare whimpered "I really don't know..please".
Suddenly there was a shout a small blue stallion stood opposite them "Its up yonder in the castle of canterlot...you'll have to take several days worth of food its a long trek" he looked at the legionnaires with a look of hatred and disgust at there acts he had witnessed during the few seconds of seeing them "Now please go and never return" he spat.
Varius nodded sheathing his blade as the greenish mare ran as far from them as possible. "thank you" he simply said. before turning and walking behind the column that still stood rock solid. Sextus sighed following him "Good start if I may Centurion" he said Sarcasm clear in his tone.
"Burn it" Varius hissed heading out the small town.
Sextus could not quite understand what he meant "Burn what?".
"The village.... Ponyville" He said slowly but harshly "Burn it to ash and cinder. his sudden change in character frightened Sextus slightly "But sir, they helped us, they gave us the informat-" he was cut short by the Centurion "Do not question me Legionary, I want a message sent here. I want these... pony's to know we do not mean threats and story's, but sword and actions.
Sextus remained silent staring down at the dust track they stood on "The God of War hates those who hesitate. Sextus.." Varius said again. "now go."
He looked back at the village, as did Sextus. the young legionary sighed looking at the men beside him "You....You heard the Centurio. Ash and cinders, no mercy, no morality, no remorse and certainly no quarter" The men nodded braking the formation, a total change for the elite solder they broke into ravenous men braking doors down and setting fire to the many thatch worked houses.
Several hours later
Varius stood on a hilltop under a tree, the dirt track followed up and to the right of him. From below came a panting and soot covered Sextus. At the top he glanced down, The town lit up light a torch in the light. Although he had done as he asked he made sure that most of the pony's had ran and escaped before the town was burned. He was, after all no barbarian, what happened here was no just nor sanctioned.
"A brutal slaughter Centurio" he said looking at Varius with disgust.
"What if they lied? moved us into a trap we would have risked being killed. I cannot risk our men" Varius snapped back.
"You know they were just as innocent as us, just as kind hearted. you knew that!" Sextus roared.
Varius looked over before back down to the blazing town "Sextus, you can never be sure. And until you stand in my sandals you will never understand the things that happen in war."
"We were never at war you fool!. we were gods above ambassadors here, could you have acted like one?" Sextus shouted anger rising in his belly.
Varius simply began walking back down the town where his men stood looking back he smirked.
"Sextus. A man-of-war is the best ambassador..." And with that he left Sextus to the night sky and his thoughts.
For one in his life since that night at sea. Sextus sat down and simply cried.....
It was around midday by time the fires of the previous night had been doused. Shining along with a small contingency of guard helped many of the inhabitants to fight them throughout much of the day and now he sat along with several other guards in the park drinking some water and finally resting there hooves. Some of the other guards were out either in the many drink holes, salting there mouths. Or interviewing the pony's that lived here. Shield was one of them, hurriedly trotting into the park he noticed shining sitting with several other talking quietly.
"Sir? a moment?" Shield asked saluting with a hoof, looking over Shining nodded before finishing the conversation he was having with another guard pleasantly waving him off before turning with a serious look to Shield as he sat down on a bench resting his hooves on a wooden table.
"What's the news?" he asked quietly and with some strain, the smoke from the fires had put some stress unto his throat making it irritated and somewhat sore. "I've got some information on last night's events...They say some strange creatures came in and threatened them, then burned the place." Shield replied going over the information in his head
"For no reason?" Came the captains voice
"They cant say for sure. quite chaotic last night they said"
Shining looked around him at the destruction and sighed he hated having to ask this during these situations. Not that there was many like this to ask "How many did we lose?" he asked. he looked at shield with a sorrowful expression while shield nodded, letting out a slight smile "Acctualy no-pony was hurt nor killed. just shocked mainly, they say one of the creatures told them to leave shorty before the burning"
Shining didn't see it as happily as the young guard "Either way do you think that justify's this?"
"Wha? i. i never sai-" Shield stammered, only to be cut of by the now rage fuelled captain
"What happened here is a clear act of war. and i will not have it. We fought the changeling and we will fight again. These creatures have burned this village and think they can get away with it" Gritting hit teeth shining stood up. slamming a hoof on the table with a loud bang "With Celestia as my witness we will protect Equestria as it is our job under Luna and Celestia to do so...
Shield gulped slightly, Shining certainly knew what to say and how to deliver it most of the guard stood on all four legs agreeing with im in angry cry's and shouts.
"Now....did they say where they were heading?" He asked sliding his purple helmet down his white coated face nothing but his muzzle and cold, blue eyes "And we shall hunt them like timber-wolfs for there actions here."
"East sir. Some of our Pegasi scouts report a large group using the roads sir. We've ordered all roads to be cleared and to not be used under any circumstances." Shield said updating him on the situation "There well equipped sir. have tried to engage our scouts."
"Oh my Celestia..." Shining's eyes went large in his helm "There going for Canterlot." with a swift movement he make his way to his feet "Form up, Form up now!" he roared turning every head of gold and blue Grabbing one younger Pegasus guard he hauled him over "You. Head to the wonder-bolt academy, talk to who you need to. I want every available Pegasi in the air!" with a brief nod the pony sprung up wings unfurling in a roar of air rushed southwards towards his objective.
by this point many of the guards flew east towards canterlot. or followed under shining to it. there armour gleaming in sun as they marched on to relive the city.
Canterlot 1 hour later
Varius was silent for the most part. he had ordered the men forward but that was all. Sextus again stood by his side. eyes forward saying nothing to he Centurion he had once put trust in. by this point the chanting of glory, or songs of victory had ceased and the simple grating of metal on metal echoed though the valley. Varius glanced as Sextus sighing.
"Sextus...I..I don't know what came over me"
"Hold your tongue" Sextus hissed back, his eyes still firmly planted on the dirt road "I don't care for your petty apology's. you know what you did and you knew the effects it would cause"
"I..I know. Im just trying to put us in the clear"
"And even a general who's spent more time in his Villa on some pretty island then on a battlefield would know not to make us seem like a bigger target" He looked over now his young face looked far older now the soot of the previous night still rested on him.
Varius sighed. he had indeed royally screwed them over looking down he nodded "And i know that. but please give me a break, im under some amount of pressure."
"Just you? oh lovely lets all feel sorry for the Centurio" Came a sarcastic reply.
"Sextus!...dam it all your not the one leading them, there lives are in my hands. how would you react knowing that any small mistake here could leave family's fatherless and entire settlements without manpower. children without a father to look up to. you of all men should know that. after what happened at sea"
Everything went silent. Sextus looked up letting out a long uneasy breath "Listen Centurio, I understand where your coming from....And I understand the risks were in. but this could have been so much simpler if we talked it out, but you Romans have never been one for talking.."
"Your just as much a Roman a-"
"No!, no im not. I was born in Britannia raised in Britannia. Just because my father gained citizenship and so did I means im not Roman..I've never even been to Roma..." Looking over Sextus eyes landed on Varius, cutting though him as he finished his sentence.
"Im. Nothing like you. And I will. Never. Be like you."
And with that he looked back "Now do your job and lead us Varius."
"Can you at least forgive me...?"
"...I can try Centurio"
Varius decided to stop pushing for talk now, he was on his way to making things right at least. But Sextus was right, they had raised the attention of the military force here. throughout the day the Syrian archers had small skirmishes with flying pony's. the pegasus's they were called. In light blue armour they normally looked at what they only called "Creatures" or "Monsters" A few had swooped down in an attempt to attack. but the archers normally warded them of. So far there was no losses to both sides.
the dirt track began to wind up a large hill. struggling the men slowed to a crawl. Making little progress, but not losing heart they managed to push up further. the right side dropped suddenly into a cliff face almost costing several soldiers there lives. But they had done it. Varius leading them they had reached the top.
And there stood something neither Varius, Sextus nor any of the legionary expected
"I...It has a wall?" Called somebody behind them
"Are you kidding me..." Groaned another from the right
In front of them stood a white wall, around thirty feet high and ridged with battlements, Varius guessed it would be around fifteen meters thick. In front of that, a well dressed moat, with several birds and lily-pads floating across it like it were but a cloud. in the centre was a large golden gate, with a drawbridge in front. on the top were several guards who were at this point pointing at them and shouting by his guess.
The walls curved around the front before dropping of on one side to the cliff-face and on the other by a near vertical mountain. inside to the left stood a magnificent palace with many hues of colour covering the domes and glass windows carved with decals of many legends or heroes. The entire structure hung over the side of the cliff supported by a massive garden that ran under and to one side and a waterfall flowing off it.
"Wow...its..its amazing" Sextus remarked letting a low whistle escape his lips.
"Indeed." Varius commented to, watching the drawbridge slowly raise and more guards rise on the battlements
"But i don't think there going to let us in"
"Varius, cant we send a messenger to at least ask?" Sextus asked not wanting to repeat another Ponyville indecent. The centurion was about to say no. but he remember what Sextus had said and sighed caving in "Yes. lets see if they cannot let us in."
10 minuets later
The small armour clad soldier made his way closer to the wall behind him stood Varius and the rest of the shambled group. he looked up at the grand walls nervously as the guard stood over shouting at him with threats of death and he sighed "I come here with a proposition pony"
"What?!" Varius said slamming a hand onto his command table "They refuse to answer you or let us in"
"Y-yes Centurio" the legionary said bowing "they said no foreign army will enter the castle without either the princesses orders or the captains and that they will both refuse due to the state of the matters"
Sighing Sextus looked down "Anything else. no exceptions?"
"Nothing Sextus." He saluted before walking out
"I told you diplomacy never works Sextus"
"I wonder why, lets go as that town down the road" came another one of Sextus sarcastic comments "Oh wait that's right. its cinder and charcoal"
Varius raised a hand to him nodding "Okay, okay i get your point....but what do we do now?"
"Reason perhaps?" He questioned
"With the likes of them...no" Varius snapped back looking at the map on the table one man had drawn after seeing canterlot "...how much time do you reckon we would have before reinforcements arrive"
"if we had a rearguard of say....fifty we could hold an attacking force off for a few hours. but if its an entire army I would say half an hour. we could use the moat and channel the water on the road creating a mud field...might help sir."
Varius paused looking down and removing his helmet placing it gently on the table and moving his right hand onto his head thinking "...Do what you need to do then"
"Why" Sextus asked his eyes narrowing "You cant be seriously planni-"
Varius nodded cutting Sextus off this time "If we cant go though. We'll go over and under"
Standing up Varius gave a small glance to Sextus who shacked his head sitting down
"your insane Varius. it'll never work" He said groaning
"Hey, sometimes insanity brings out the best in people" Varius sated proudly stepping out his tent leaving Sextus with the most confused expression he'd ever received
Outside stood the men he had finely counted each head and had under his command around five hundred. Five hundred and twenty four to be exact. Drawing his Gladius he stabbed the air brining a small flashback of the glen when they were in Caledonia "Men some of you have served with me as brothers in arms for several years. now we stand looking on, that city will not let us in. But i have a better plan, let us show ourselves in with brute force and Roman ingenuity, what say you men!" He cried. His reward was a roar from each man.
"Tonight we rest, tommorow we begin. eat hearty and sleep well"
He looked at the white walls. at this point dozens of guard-pony's littered it. with many weapons and all gleaming gold.
The siege of Canterlot had begun, and Varius was not going to take it lying down....
It had been a few days since the camp was set up. The small contingency of Romans had unexpectedly created a strange effect on the white walled city of Canterlot, something no-pony really expected from the small group of creatures.
Food....or rather the lack of it.
Since most food was grown in the small villages surrounding the majestic city, it had to be brought in by the train or by the gate. Both were null and void due to Varius destroying the rail system near the city and the large body of men outside preventing any-pony from entering and leaving. After a few days the population was slowly gripped by starvation; Canterlot's Pegasus population had however launched several valiant air drops using larger versions of saddlebags to carry supply's to and from the city. It worked, but only just. There was also the risk of the Syrian archers in the Roman lines hitting them as they left the city, so far only a few wing clip's were marked down. It was by the time the Romans had properly dug in now that many of these relief drops had to be done at night, making it slower and harder.for the worn, tired, weak and hungry pony's.
the Romans may certainly be small in numbers but there effects were certainly being felt.
The Roman siege camp "Ira" (Wrath)
Varius sat in a large red tent obstructed by smaller white tents and large palisade built under the cover of Luna's night. however the Equestrians had not made it easy. Weather pony's, many from the wonder-bolts whom Shining requested aid Canterlot they circumnavigated the lands bringing large storms of all of natures elements to bare on the Roman's; Snow covered there camp, rain assaulted the men as they worked, and fierce unforgiving winds battered them as they slowly entrenched themselves outside.
The fold of his tent opened and a soaked though Sextus walked in sitting down taking his slowly taking his tarnished helm of and placing it under one arm.
Raising his arm upwards he saluted "Ave" before slowly lowering it again. Varius coped his movement without looking up "How goes it Sextus?" he asked still not giving the young man the benefit of acknowledgement.
"Fine. im here to report the camps built. All defences and those other things you wanted are ready.."
Another nod from Varius confirmed that he was at least listening.
Sextus shuffled around slightly "Those pony's in the sky have caused quite an annoyance though...our Syrians have been trying to deal with them for a few days, we've also got repo-"
Suddenly the tents flaps were forces open as another legionary stood, wide eyed and trembling.
"Sir..you might want to see this" He said stuttering every word as Varius and Sextus rose from there relative comfort. and leaving the military tent and down a soaked and quagmire'd dirt road to the relatively small entrance.
There at the mouth of the cliff entrance stood a white stallion, marching up and around him rose the gold armour of Canterlot's relive force carrying spears and chanting loudly and proudly the Equestrian national anthem. As they marched they formed into three large "Blocks" each one distinct in the colour of the armour they wore. The middle group stood in the aurelian armour they first saw crest the summit, to there right were the armour of wine dark purple guard's with wings that resembled bats and strange eye like symbols adorning there fronts. And finely to the left were a simple ultramarine blue armour covering there Gray coats.
The White stallion was decked in large bulky purple armour with a trim of gold and the symbol of a star. he stood up front inspecting the invaders taking several steps forward. Varius without warning stepped forward on the same path, both species continued to do so until they were meters apart both inspecting each-other Closely.
The pony spoke first. "So your the creatur- no monster I've heard so much about?" he looked up at Varius with a smirk and raised eyebrow "Honestly I expected you to be...Perhaps scarer?" Shining added a tone of sarcasm to it. mocking the bare skinned "thing" that stood before him. Varius huffed taking slight offence to the pony's insolent tone "And im not quite sure who you are? am i supposed to horse?" snapped back Varius. Shining let out a low growl before looking at the siege camp they had constructed
"So your to blame im assuming for the destruction caused around here hmm?. I mean you seem to be having a nice thrill ride and all, but it ends here and now" Continued the white stallion. At this point Sextus had slowly moved up beside Varius glancing at the Equestrian Capitan. on the Royal guard side Shield and another more aggressive guard had both moved onto Shining's flank making sure the Capitan was moderately safe from the fur-less creatures.
"What have you done with my Rearguard?" Varius demanded, glaring down at him showing no fear at the large force presented to him
"Oh if you mean your small group down that hill. There tied up and will await trail by Equestria once we deal with your lot" Shining allowed himself another brief but effective smirk. aimed directly at the worn down centurion. without allowing him to retaliate he continued "Now, your outnumbered outmatched and out-positioned. I highly consider making it easy for yourself and laying down your arms" His vision narrowed and his attitude changed to a more aggressive tone and stance "Because we guard are not planning to any time soon".
At that point each block pushed there spears downwards while unicorns positioned themselves in-between there ranks. horns down and magic at the ready.
Noticing the deployment of spears the legionary had also left the confines of the wood-walled camp and had formed one thin red line of shield and sword. the front populated by skirmishers and the rear by the Syrian archers. Varius glared at the captain before turning.
"Might i ask your name so I can inscribe it on our victory column?"
Shining let out a chuckle "That a good joke there.." He waited for a moment "Shining armour, Capitan of the Equestrian Royal guard and Husband of Princess Me Amore Cadenza."
Varius was slightly taken back as was Sextus. These ponies were married? well they were certainly more civilised then he first thought. But they were far from Romans
"Varius Casca, son of Brutus Casca, father of Rufus Casca. Head of the First Cohort of Hispanic'a Nine, The ninth legion of Rome, the empire and the emperor. Mark it down horse" He spat back letting a smile envelop his face as he thought back to previous days in Britannia and with the ninth.
Shining nodded "Why so I can inscribe your tombstone with it?" he remarked, Varius looked back at him smiling "You know, you have an attitude I do enjoy. Hopefully we survive to continue this. I'd rather like to talk with you again, barbarian". Shining scoffed before turning and trotting off with shield and his bodyguards while Varius did the same Sextus looking back before sighing
"You honestly cannot be serious about committing to battle? we'll be slaughtered!, or at least captured"
Varius Casca said nothing as he continued back to his lines. The Legionary looked at him with approving nods. The men were with him, it was official the New first cohort of the ninth legion would commit to battle. As shining approached his lines Shield turned to him also "Are we really going to do this" Shield asked Cautiously "After all are they seem intent on staying. we could starve them into submission"
Shining raised a hoof and sighed "I know. but i have to prove im a capable commander and a Capitan that the pony's of Equestria can put faith in. I hate this just as much as you, but fighting here will secure my position. not to mention show this new spices were not anyponys punching bag" He turned facing the camp now that he had returned to his line. Shield continued to press the matter slightly annoyed now "So its all about politics now?"
"Well...yes, a bit" The white Capitan nodded.
"Your using pony's lives, for politics" He pressed the matter further but Shining turned glaring at him "No, im doing this to protect canterlot and defend this country, politics do count yes. but don't you ever thing im just doing it for that...understood?"
"Yes. sir"
Meanwhile at the Roman camp a hand drawn map was hurriedly rolled onto a table as Sextus, Varius and three other soldiers they had both deemed knowledgeable were stood around it.
Sextus started by stating "They pony's are split into three blocks. all numbering around five hundred to eight hundred at a glancing guess. each seem to represent a period of time. Gold for sun, Purple and black for night. While the blue colour represents day at a guess."
Varius nodded "Were numbered a few hundred. what's the status of the men?" he turned to the other three men
One older man spoke up putting his finger on the battle-map "around four hundred veteran legionary, they've fought in several battled with the Gauls, Britons and even several rebellion's with other legions."
the second man pipped up, a large scar running his face he sighed "around a century of Syrian archers, all bowed with around fifty arrows to a man. half are from the twelfth so were looking at some veterans with some legendary archers intermingled." while he did so he pointed to several badly drawn triangles showing there positions
The final man spoke up his armour dirty along with his face. a bronzed unkempt beard under his helmet "All the men are fed to the best we can, all have there two Pilum and all armour is clean. shields are battle ready and spirits seem to be high. there confident" he paused for a moment "Honestly i think there blood thirsty as of now"
It was Sextus's turn now "Well we cant exactly manoeuvres much and tha-" he was suddenly cut of by Varius grinning as he pointed to the map "and that's where we want them. they take up more room due to there size. now he'll be confident in rolling over us, but since were at a choke-point that wont be the case...then there the little surprise i have in store" Pointing to the archers he continued "make sure that there forty of the fifty arrows of each man are clean, make with the last ten and dip them in tar" he pointed to the man who confirmed the archers make-up and pointed to the tent flap, He nodded and left.
One by one the other men were informed of there roles and left leaving only Sextus and Varius in the tent. As he sat down Varius smiled warmly at the boy "So. still expecting us to lose?"
"Honestly i don't know. i would rather avoid all this anyway.." He let out a sigh yawning slightly."are you trying to prove something" Sextus sat down after finishing his sentence tilting his head slightly at Varius as he nodded "Perhaps...perhaps not, either way you need to show more confidence even if you know your going to lose. It gives the men courage now, come. share a drink with me eh?"
Sextus gave in, chuckling he placed a plain chalice and watched at Varius poured red wine from a urn into it "To Roma" he said raising his cup, Sextus followed giving a playful sigh and nodding "For Roma"
Shining gazed out at the now darkened no-man (or pony) land before him giving a brief sigh. He never wanted to fight but indeed it would have to be the case, He was confident in his pony's but not the battleground. He saw many weaknesses these "Romans" could use as an advantage. But the night before battle was no time for this kind of negative thoughts, moving on he filled his head with positive imaged of family. Twilight his sister and his wife Candace, and how perhaps they would both hail him as a hero. With a positive train of thought he retired to his sleeping bag in his own military tent as song and smoke from fires and man and pony drifted across into each camp. Luna's moon drifted peacefully in the sky as the pony's of Canterlot and the rest of Equestria slept. Unsure of the outcome of tommorow...
"Fire!" echoed the command of an unseen soldier as the Syrian archers had decided to open the battle with a swarm of blackened arrows. They impacted into the royal guard lines with a sickening whistle and crunch, metal twisting on metal and flesh being skewered. The cliff top was soon filled with screeches and pained moans of killed and injured stallions and the screams were soon carried by the wind towards Canterlot and elsewhere.
From the lines of golden Armour came the unicorns of the Royal Guard in response. There heads held high and proud even with the chance of death delivered on the end of a steel point. There horns glowing with sparks of greens, purples and blue. Forming into ball shaped charges and launched high into the air with an audible thud. Behind them and the formations of guard being stormed by a seemingly endless hail of arrow stood the white coated stallion Captain who commanded them, Capitan Shining Armour.
Sprinting up a small crest where the captain stood Shield Barer caught the sight of one pony, a young stallion being impacted in the lower flank. Falling in agony as he was simply replaced by the stallion behind him like a sick form of assembly line. Reaching the summit he panted allowing his burning lungs to inhale the much needed oxygen into his hard pressed system. "Captain Armour" He began "The left formation reports moderate losses to there ranks and are becoming rowdy" And finished with another sharp intake of air, "Unicorns are currently skirmishing with the creatures missile infantry.but were waiting for orders" With that Shield turning reading himself to charge forward to the next position to deliver Shining commands.
The stallion nodded, looking over the flat plane and up towards the castle. "Understood Shield Bearer. Relay this message toward the lieutenants of the formations." He sighed bringing himself to face the younger stallion "Advance in marching pace" And lastly back towards the main frontier "Lets hope our show of force convinces these creatures to stand down...for everpony sake" With another sighed he turned around and advanced back into his camp.
Shield flicked his head nodding.as several other stallions surrounding him cantered at relaxed pace to relay the commands. There was no rush, why should there be? Shining had himself counted five hundred odd and behind him in there own camp sat in bindings forty. The rearguard he had managed to capture the night before. They refused to talk, but he was sure that when they got into the city and the creatures saw the Canterlot dungeon guards they would spill everything.
"Canterlot, Lunar Guard! By your left hooves. Advances!" Roared the lieutenant of the lunar guard. slowly the mass of stallions slowly steamed towards the small cohort. Seconds later the other two formations marched slowly towards them.
Varius stood to the right near the cliff on a small hill, giving him a slight advantage of being able to see everything slightly better then the other. Sextus stood at his right, nervously leaning onto his large Scutum shield.
"Varius, please for the love of Venus can we just talk this out?" He asked looking franticly at the soon to begin slaughter.
"I told you Sextus this will work. Trust me" The centurion said, looking over at his friend with a smile "I'm confident in our planning young Sextus and rest assured this will work".
Sextus again slumped down over the shield, dismayed that every attempt to avoid battle had so far ended with a confident victorious reply from Varius. He watched at the large formations of ponies trotted closer and closer towards the Roman line, Unfaltering below the storm of arrows the Syrians had been firing.
Suddenly Sextus felt a something hit his eye. he looked up to have water droplets fall onto his face. causing him to close his eyes and cough. Nobody, or nopony for that matter had notice the natural forming storm approach. Drenching both sides very rapidly in a hail of rain and thunder. Varius looked up with a grim expression, looking over Sextus could also make out a slight hint of fear.
"...Are the gods showing us an omen Sextus?" He asked. Sextus said nothing though, aware that the question was rhetorical and was not to be answered. "Come Sextus" he again said, causing the young legionary to blink, coming out of his own train of thought "Hu- oh right. Aye Centurion" he leaned over slotting his hand into the grip of the shield and returned to his standing position, following the already somewhat ahead Varius. Both attempting not to slip on the muddy terrain.
As they both arrived Varius was greeted by a older legionary. Both saluted with a "Hail Ceaser" before turning to face the men.
"Augustus, report?" Varius asked his head twisting left and right to try and see over the ranks of red and silver.
"Aye Centurion. There just coming into pilum range. shall we take the advantage of striking first?" he asked putting Sextus in a state of confusion. "Strike first?" they were outnumbered and outmaneuvered how could they strike first, what had they done?.
Varius nodded "Yes. Let the lads throw a volley of pilum and tell the Syrians to ignite".
Sextus again stood bewildered by the new information. The Syrian archers had fire arrows? when and why was he not informed. But it all began to click now. He now understood why ten arrows from each man was kept away from the rest, Just then his eye caught a shimmering over the rain coated field. a glimmering he knew all to well. Oil, it all made sense now, but now the possible Roman advantage had some complications. Water had rushed onto the field, although oil and water could not mix the water helped carry the oil across the top of the battleground.
Sextus's pupils grew slightly he turned and sprinted over to Varius, dropping his shield in the process, something that the army could actually charge him with death he roared at the top of his lungs determined to stop them.
"Varius wait, the field!" Varius turned but thunder boomed overhead cutting Sextus plea off.
Then the archers fired. A brilliant wall of flame that lit up the Gray sky as the arrows began there path of destruction. The whistling of the arrows echoed across the battlefield and soon the arrows were beginning there decent. Both sides watched with eagerness or confusion as they landed short of the stallions. Everything went silent. From across the lines Varius noticed a stallion opening his mouth to laugh.
Then the oil caught, a wall of fire flicked up like talons. screeching and moving in all directions as the fire pulled the oxygen from the air to fuel the inferno. The torrents of flame stuck both lines just as confusion set in. Paths were cut off and friends were separated as stallion and human tried to find a way out of the blaze, soon though when both sides found eachother during there own escape attempts small clashes emerged, the battle had gone from a well planned tactical fight to a chaotic fight surrounded by flames and helped by the strong winds of the storm above.
Varius looked around, surrounded by fire he shrunk down in fear watching as though the flickering of the orange walls his men fought a losing battle, outnumbered by the desperate ponies trying to escape the blaze. Another blast of wind kindled the blaze and soon the wall of fire creeped up on him, he looked around desperately. There had to be an exit, somewhere, anywhere!.
Just as the flamed licked at his tunic he felt a hand grasp him and pull him though the blaze, he fell back and slammed onto the ground the neck guard of his helmet buckling and twisting, rendering the helm as a chunk of metal now.
"Sextus!?"
Standing above him stood Sextus covered in black soot and sweating from the extreme heat he connected his hand onto the Centurions arm, hauling him up onto his feel, leaving the helmet on the ground.
"Where were you, what happened, who's winni-" Sextus cut him of by simply raising his hand.
"I don't know...i..the rain did something with the oil.." Sextus was stuttering and panting for air and letting out small whimpering noises much like a common dog, Varius looked up at the Legionary face. Tears were forming at the young man's eyes "Sir...sir im scared..." He slowly closed his eyes griping his broken pilum and letting out a small sniff.
Varius simply looked around, flames had now totally engulfed the field of battle and were creeping up onto the two military camps. he paused to think analysing the situation. There camp was burning up so there was no point going there. The field was far to dangerous due to the close quarter fighting in and around the inferno.
"The hill".
"P...Pardon Centurion?".
Varius ran past the young soldier grabbing him by the lorica ripping him from his standing position and dragging him towards the hill they first stood on only a few minutes ago "The hill. we can see where its safe to go... don't worry were not dead yet" at a hurried pace both men made there way out of the battle and towards the hilltop position
Iberia Seven years beforehand
Sextus sprinted though the Forrest, Varius in close pursuit. From behind came the roar of angry barbarians from there latest caravan ambush...This time however they succeed in overrunning the small detachment defending it, and were now chasing two of the survivors deep into the woods of what was now modern day Spain
Panting Varius looked up at Sextus "Keep....Running! Go!" He roared, encouraging the younger man to continue sprinting towards the hilltop around them he noticed the advancing horde of pelt wearing men.
"I..I can see the crest Varius!" Sextus turned around with a grin "Hurry common! Almost there!" The two men eventually sprinted free of the Forrest floor and onto a open field on the summit. The two Romans collapsed onto the ground panting and gasping for air
"Futuo! Do they ever give up?" Sextus asked standing up and looking around
Varius chuckled looking around "Mars if i know, but i think were going to have to fight this one out?"
Sextus nodded moving to Varius's side with a grin "So tell me. Thirty on two...not exactly even numbers friend"
"I know. pretty uneven for these guys eh?" he nudged his companion as the both of them shared another chuckle. Sextus moved behind him going back to back as the Roman legionary unsheathed his sword, and Sextus brought his spear down to his shield
"Hey Varius, do me a favour. Promise me now that your going to have my back? Right? he moved himself back slightly nudging the Legionary
Varius turned playing a hand on the young boys shoulder "Sextus, I'll have your back as long as you need. That's a Blood brother promise that im swearing to you in front of the gods" He then moved his hand up lightly slapping the boys face "Now stop yapping and hold that spear steady"
Turning back around Varius smirked at the nieve attitude of the young boy. The fact he had foolishly tried to help the Roman soldiers was something to be impressed about...Although throwing a snake at an armed person is not exactly "effective". suddenly the barbarians broke from the Forrest charging up at the two of them from both sides. He hugged the rear of Sextus making sure that he was not leaving to much space for the other men to take advantage of.
"On three...okay?" he called over to the young boy, who nervously nodded. Varius simply smirked watching his first target grow closer and closer until he was within striking distance,
Then he stabbed forward determined to live, and keep his promise.
"Three!".
Equestria
Shining Armour was not quite sure what to make of the situation, he had confidently marched into camp expecting either a surrender...or at the least a clean cut victory.Now he hurriedly made his way though his royal guards, disarming any Roman who stood in front of him with his magic. He was not exactly sure either on how this blaze started and had not decided on staying to find out. Shield followed close behind, ordering some of the stallions to regroup and retreat. making sure one was to go back to the blazing camp to free the captured creatures.
They both finally broke free of the fire only to narrowly avoid an most likely fatal fall from the cliff. Shining turned and looked around, slowly his royal guard were regrouping and falling back away from the fire, as were the other creatures, his attention then turned to shield as he sighed.
"shield. get to the castle, find my wife." He said coughing as the black smoke from the fire was taking its toll.
"Yes...what shall i say?".
"Anything just tell her im alive, and not to worry my sister, understood guard?" He asked looking over with his irritated eyes,
Shield nodded looking around for the fastest way to avoid either being stabbed or cooked and soon spotted a small opening though the fire and behind the lines "Understood sir... don't get yourself killed sir" He said looking back with a grin.
Shining couldn't help but let himself smirk back "Just get moving" and with that the smaller stallion left to do his job. Shining on the other hand looked around, jumping was out of the question and so was going back into the the wall of fire he just managed to leave. However just as all seemed lost though the blaze came a small gap. just enough so that he could probably jump without anything but a few burns.
"Well here goes nothing!" The white stallion closed his eyes and trotted hurriedly towards the hole. vaulting over the burning ground and onto the other side. Burned, blackened and bruised...But very much alive. He noticed a sharp rise to the left of him near the cliff, from there he cold probably gather information and figure out what the hell happened, not to mention figure out a way to either Pontville or Canterlot without becoming the worlds first "Barbecued Capitan". With a confirmed nod he slowly began to struggle up the slope and towards the summit.
Varius was crawling at this point, almost at the top he looked down to notice Sextus sitting down half way up. He was alive but was probably exhausted, either way they were alive and that's what mattered.
"Dam horses" he cursed under his breath, slowly pulling himself to his feet as he crested the summit. only to be met by the blue eyes of a white stallion. who himself had just reached the top. The both looked up, stopped and froze in position and waited for the other to make the first move.
Both attempted to guess the other motives, and as the did time slowly ticked away. the rains from the storm were slowly dying and the sound of crackling wood and charred body filled the air. Shining winced as the smell of death and burning approached them. the sickly smell engulfing the two soldiers as they stood of against eachother.
Just as Shining was about to talk Varius suddenly dived forward, bringing his left arm over and drawing his gladius, swinging with precision while roaring in anger. The white stallion lost his footing due to moving back in surprise and catching on wet ground, he narrowly avoided the Romans blade and kicked his hind legs forward before hitting back onto the soft ground Varius has not time to respond as his upper body impacted with the rear hooves of the slipping stallion, causing his dive to stop abruptly and him to hit face first onto the ground. His face Covered in mud.
Slowly he attempted to lift himself up only to find his mid section disagreeing in the form of agonising pain. Several broken ribs and perhaps worse, grunting he was again pushed into the wet cold mud by Shining who had managed to use his horn to teleporting himself up and over, although after all that had happened it brought him to exhaustion.
"You...You've cause more problems then your worth creature" He said twisting his head to spit out some of the black soot that he had managed to breath in. "And frankly I think a trial it to good for you....monster".
Varius chuckled coughing up some crimson red liquid from his mouth "I...I find it funny that a simple animal tries to dictate what i am..when your species is naught but slaves and work animals" he looked up with a smirk "And...to be ridden on".
Shining had enough of this, he raised his hoof and brought it down onto the Humans stomach, Varius winced and leaned down clutching at his lower body with a loud grunt of pain followed by another fit of coughing.
"Do..your worst animal" He managed to say between the cry's of pain.
Shining smirked bringing another hoof up "I intend t-" Suddenly Sextus launched himself at the pony knocking himself and the white stallion onto there sides, he then pinned him down and repetitively brought his clenched fist down onto the stallions face, overcome with rage he continued to unrelentingly assault the unarmed stallion again and again ignoring the cries of Shining below him.
Shining was in shock, he didn't expect this creature and was caught of guard, now here he was being beaten to death, he flailed around looking for anything, anything at all that could possible save his life, Then his hoof felt it, the wooden stock of something. Without thinking he wrapped his hoof around it and swung up.
The next few seconds seem to have lasted hours. The sword that he had found, dropped by Varius during his dive swung around and impaled Sextus though the midsection. He slowly stopped punching and looking down in shock. mumbling incoherently and rolling back and off the stallion.
Varius's eyes went wide, as he noticed the young soldier he had known for almost half his life go limp and fade away into the afterlife.Slowly he crawled over, his mind numbing the pain he was experiencing, and made his way over to the young man. Shining simply crawled backwards in a daze, looking at what he had done, shaking his head of the mental image.
"Sextus! Oh Gods above talk, please, common buddy, r-remember Iberia? Or..Or Britannia? common how about that..." Varius desperately tried to "wake" the slightly cold legionary. Shaking his head, hoping that this would all be some form of sick dream.
Shining stood up, sighing he turned and made his way down off the hill and away from the scene, all he wanted was to keep Equestria safe but not like this. He looked to his left to see the dying flames of the battlefield. Romans were trying to help friends back to there charred camp, while the Royal guards chased them down, capturing them or killing. He shook his head and sat down near the edge of the cliff.
"Die you stupri animal!" Shining had no time to react as he felt something impact onto him and then he himself slowly fall into nothingness. Varius had grasped him by the back armour and pushing himself and the Royal guard captain off the cliff, determined to finish him off. Shining did something he had never once done, Screamed like a little filly...
"Are you insane! Were both going to die!" He roared to the assailant as loud as possible only to be droned out by the louder rush of wind passing them as they grew closer and closer to the grown. The Roman said nothing though, nothing but an insane grin across his face and he held tightly onto the stallion. In an last ditch effort to escape shining horn began to glow as he attempted to teleport, however he was simply to tired and weak.
Slowly as the ground grew closer the speed of the air began to have there effect, both struggled to breath and it was not long before Varius grew tired and blacked out, releasing his grip on the already out stallion.
Marianus stood below the looming gate he had been escorted to; flanked on both sides by large almost endless black walls, that seemed to almost change and move with every blink of the eye. It had been five days since he had awoken, but he'd lost track of days, day and night hell he had lost track of everything when they had found him and his men.
His men.
He glanced back, catching sight of line of men that stretched into the horizon to the point that the only sign of life with the echoing footsteps and the large dust clouds they had kicked up whilst marching steadfast though the same repetitive sea of sand and lifeless dirt. It was here that this. Fortress stood, almost like a sore of the face of the desert, or an oasis, Manius was yet to find that out.
His sight then fell onto the two creatures escorting himself at the front, they had decided to make themselves known to him the latter part of a day or so ago. drifting down from a rock face. Although communication was hard due to the nature of there tongue they soon realized that they were simple leading them away from death and starvation in the dunes and towards this bastion of strength he now stood below.
They still stood beside him, looking up above the gate to an armored one it leaned over and began talking in clicks and a strange tone that he himself failed to grasp. soon however he guessed what exchange of words were shared as slowly the large defensive gates groaned, coming into life as the gate in-front of him began to slowly open outwards reveling the interior of the extensive network of black, almost alien looking fortifications.
"Octavius!" He roared. causing one of the creature to snap his head only to rolls its pulpiness eyes and return back to its front.
From within the ranks of men came running a short, rather plump man, a scroll in one hand he continued forward like a comical drama actors in a Greek theater.
Panting he keeled over for a moment catching his breath as he tried to speak
"Dam it you blabbering fool, out with it i have not got all day"
Eventually though Octavius nodded and brought himself to face the Legate.
"Aye, you asked of me Legate Marianus?"
He sighed rolling his eyes "No Octavius i wanted to see to your breast jiggle as you ran..." He brought a hand down and lightly tapped his head "No, send word to the Auxiliary to detach from the rest of the unit and head south into the more fertile lands" normally he would have to lean down as his horse would support his weight. however since arriving in this new territory they had seemed to have lost all of them. As far as he knew. They had vanished along with the first cohort, and there centurion, witch what on his mind as he proceeded to detach the supporting auxillarys
"Have them scout around. look for possible supply chains. villages, populations, you know the drill" Octavius head nodded with each task taking a mental note of each
"And lastly...find my first cohort...and there Centurion." He said coldly finishing with a sharp cough, certainly all these events had taken a told on the forty four year old Commanding General.
"Varius?" Octavius asked confused "I thought you disliked him?"
"I do...Oh i do, but i don't hate the eight hundred or so meant he's should have with him" Little did he know it was far from that now.
With a grumbled sigh he turned "anyway be off with you and hurry, for i shall need you again"
With tired nod Octavius turned, gulped in a large amount of air and relocated himself as fast as his tired limbs were able to carry him towards the rear of the marching Column to relay the command to the auxiliaries, who swiftly spread out and retraced there steps back into the dry landscape towards the temperate climate of Equestria.
Whilst looking at his men as the slowed to a stop, and to the rear where the green tunic clad auxiliary were moving away he felt a sudden tug on his tunic himself, looking down quickly to notice one of the creatures looking back up at him. Its large bulging green pupil-less eyes staring back with a sense of cuteness to it, nibbling contently on his yellow tunic.
It let go and grinned, casually flicking its head to the now open gate, a signal to walk inside, glancing one more time to his rear he watched as his legionaries set about placing the pre-construction equipment for a small fort, to protect them from the harsh and unrelenting assault from Celestas sun, as he himself entered into the gate, and into the darkness of the hive like interior.
Walking though its many corridors presented its own problem he was not accustomed to the darkness and would constantly trip and slam into the walls, much to the enjoyment of the creatures around him. Taking several minutes for his vision to adjust, although the slick black liquid that coated the floors almost everywhere didnt seem to help, further helping him to slip and stumble around in the darkness. They broke out into a large chamber with several spiral, rib like columns supporting the mangled black roof that housed more of the creatures, there ability to cling to any place was indeed impressive even to the grizzled and aged commanding officer. To his front lay a large widened step with and equally large and impressive throne sitting int he middle, seemingly made out of the same material as the rest of the citadel, only it was lined with a large amount of gold and other emeralds. On it sat a larger version of the previous monstrosities, black much like them with a rib like green armour surrounding it as its face curled into a smile, lying on its side and eventually opining its mouth to talk to the Roman.
"Ah so we finally found our intruders" She started, speaking in a clear feminine voice, that seemed to echo authority in every word that echoed around the hall, what was more surprising was unlike the other "lesser" ones, she...or what he assumed to be a "she" spoke in his tongue, fascinating.
The escorting creatures trotted forward and bowed clicking in there own tongue before she nodded again "Ah and the rest are outside...i assume guarded" a nod confirmed this "Ah good".
She sat up and flicked her hoof with a certain casualness, her grin still plastered onto her face.
"So. To what do i owe the pleasure" it continued, this time aiming her question towards Marianus who looked back with a strange and new uneasiness. He looked on; h was not willing to falter to this "thing" no matter how well it had already intimidated him.
"Marianus" he stated "Marianus Juliana, Legate of the Ninth Leg-"
Before he could finish his grand introduction he found himself being talked down to by the creature as it stood, towering over him by a foot and a half, revealing its much larger size, narrow body and almost texture less mane and tail.
"Frankly ape, i don't give a tartarus if you excuse my foul tongue..." It smirked circling him, eyeing him up and giggling in her feminine voice.
"Tell me, do you know why i saved you and your pathetic excuse of a military force you hairless ape?" She hissed.
Marianus smirked though "Really?" he began "I was unaware i was actually needing saved ma'am" He then rose his head up looking straight into the green eyes of the creature.
"And for what i assume is a king your rather feminine"
She stood back turning around and hissing her fangs out and at the ready
"Fool! I am female you pathetic excuse of evolution!"
He was slightly taken back; it was rare for females to rule as queens or empresses, although there had be two he knew of, one was ginger and he'd rather not recall the events. While the other was a slut and rather enjoyed Ceaser salad...not to mention a thing for asp's.
"Really" though was the only word he stated in replay, a childlike smirk supporting it
The creature turned with a cold stare
"Would you care for an up close demonstration?"
He simply twisted his head, shaking it; frankly he was not willing to see what that thing had...perhaps not yet anyway...
Equestria, Unknown 2 hours later
Varius woke painfully to the sound of a crackling fire, his vision blurred he could make out the flickering of the light on the ridged rocked that formed over the millions of years above him, and the dripping of the water from the many limestone stalagmites stuck to the roof like a set of horrific and ghastly teeth.
Leaning up he felt a pain emerge, and shoot up into the upper part of his body, looking down he noticed not only was he armour-less but that his once shining segmented lorica lay shattered near him; battered and buckled and the leather straps cracked and soaked. letting out a small grunt he moved a hand down to reveal the soft feeling of cotton bandages and the crimson red stains of blood on them, and judging by the amount of red that was quite a large amount of blood.
"Don't move to fast, its still fresh, let it heal."
He paused; not turning to the voice that was familiar. But unfortunately nothing he would like to have heard at the moment of time whilst lost and alone, well partly alone if it was not for the white stallion behind him, poking gently into the fire with a stick and looking over at him with a tired expression.
"Tell me why i shouldn't gut you where you stand...horse"
"Pony" Shining began raising a hoof to correct the Romans sentence "Secondly the fact your still breathing is due to yours truly." he said finishing with a horCHECKe cough.
"And besides. i threw your sword and dagger into the river..."
Varius rolled his eyes turning to face the smart-assed stallion. Only to snap his eyes shut and groan in pain as he realized he had moved to fact, ignoring the advice of the Captains suggestion.
"Told you" Shining added with a smirk "Move. Slowly"
"Shut up, im not a child hor..." he opened his eyes wincing
"Pony."
"You're certainly acting like one."
"Cut the crap. Why did you safe me"
"Well its because....Well....because"
Shining stopped. Why had he saved the Roman, the same roman that had semi-burned down his sister's home town -thankfully nopony harmed-, attacked Canterlot, mocked him and would had certainly killed him giving the chance. Not to mention already killed several of his own stallions? As these questions ran though his guard head he could almost visualize "Twily" standing with him and what she would say to all this.
She would of course tap him on the head and say "Shiny, remember what would be going though his head, he's fighting for his own causes and country and that's countries own ponies" replacing the ponies with what ever they were of course...
Meanwhile Cadence would probably kiss him and remind him that she was the element of love, and although he had caused pain he still had feelings and other mumble jumbo that would normally be droned out over the sound of celebrating and drinking with "the guys"
And twilight would then finish her "lesson" off with a small peck on the cheek before trotting of to her friends or the library to finish reading "Daring do and the Treasures of the Sunken Armada" or "The tomb of the Griffon king" or some other adventure book, most likely with her rainbow colored friend.
Varius on the other hand looked at Shining with a content chuckle, Although the white stallion had been thinking a reason over he had failed to notice had been repeating "Because..." several times for the past ten minutes
"Hey" Varius began, snapping his fingers in front of Shining's face "Snap outta it, your losing it"
Coming back into reality with a slight blush he sighed "Ugh...because. It's...It's what Twily would want...And probably Candace to."
"Twily? Cadence?, I'm sorry if I'm slightly confused at these names being bombarded into my skull" Varius cut in quickly, aggravation and tiredness rife throughout his sentence.
"It.. Doesn't matter, what should matter is that your alive. Right?"
"What? No, am I not a prisoner to you and your race?" Varius said looking down with a sigh
Shining chuckled but replied by shaking his head slowly, not to mention with a a sense of elegance.
"Your not a prisoner, were both lost and unless we work together and put our differences aside were going to die together."
"Fat chance" huffed Varius, "Work with the enemy, I'd rather die, even better that you die with me"
Shining was surprised, and just as pissed off with his constant negativity he turned around, glaring at the soldier
"Are you insane?! Listen to yourself; tell me, what are you fighting for hmm?"
"For Rome of course, and the eagle."
"The Eagle...The Eagle? as in that shiny bird that makes a good coat rack back in Canterlot"
Varius unsure of what he meant nodded only because he heard the word Eagle and shiny. and he assumed that was close enough
"You're fighting for a shiny metal bird! this is what this is all about. a piece of metal?"
"The eagle is not that, it is Rome and much more" Varius retaliated repeating the words he had been taught as a child
"No, No wrong! the Eagle is a piece of iron plated with gold...All this death for that...What kind of monster are you?" Shining spat at the Centurion turning his back
Varius looked over, ready to roar at the white stallion for grand display of disrespect Rome so greatly, a death sentence in itself!. But he didint, nothing came out,
"Where they monsters?" slowly he recapped everything he and his cohort had done in the past few days, Raze a village, besiege a settlement with no evidence of possession and murder the defenders.
"They had done nothing wrong Varius!" the voice of the young yet mature voice of Sextus called from within his own mind. shattering what sense of reality he had left like a sharpened Gladius. Even though the now deceased Sextus tried to convince him that these ponies did not want war nor misery and was constantly spoken down to on the subject by Varius. He help that position on the matter up to his final brave seconds in battle.
He sighed, there was no honor here for what they had done, no spoils of war, glorious marchers or victory parades, no. Just a few hundred men that were scared and confused, as we he as he now faced his opposite of this land, His villain to his hero, his antagonist to his protagonist, this pony who had caused him men suffering and problems. As he had done the same do them.
Slowly the war weary soldier looked up a cold expression in his eyes as he began shaking his head in disbelief.
"Why was this stallion right, why was he a monster?"
He simply remained silent, looking into the fire as it crackled away. This continued for some time as the two males remained silent, it was however the white stallion the broke the silence
"Do you play cards? or eye spy?" He asked with childlike attitude.
Yes...indeed tonight was going to be long and painful
Badlands, Equestria An hour later
Marianus was surprised; the creature he had been introduced to was how could he say it...
"Inspiring?"
Yes! Inspiring" was the perfect word,she was stout, viscous in her policies and beliefs and very very manipulative; something he found great pleasure in leaning.
Octavius on the other hand didn't experience anything enjoyable like that at all. Frankly she was strange, creepy, disturbing and stuck so far up her own rear end that she lost sight of Mithra's sun.
Oh and she smelled.she smelled bad. Burned, that was score one to himself.
"I tell you Octavius ,this is the kind of person, or pony we need back in Rome! She could easily become Emperor or more!"
"Marianus, might i remind you that if correct you fight for the said Emperor and Rome?"
Marianus chuckled; of course he did...so long as the old bloated corpse of a leader had enough gold to pay him, he was happy. Better offer comes around? then screw the Emperor, it was as simple as that.
"Money. Octavius, money makes the world go round, and she can provide that and...more"
Octavius shivered "And by more you mean sex, a good night right?" You are aware she's some form of horse right..a strange sickly looking one, none the less"
Marianus nodded "Hey! if the Greeks brought Homosexuality, we can certainly bring horse screwing to the table no?" He chuckled at the joke nudging Octavius "Besides, its just as the gods would intend..or they would have done something long ago!"
Octavius simply rolled his eyes "I hate your gods Marianus sometimes"
Giving him a unaproving look he sighed and began smiling again
"Anyway Octavius as I was saying, she could really help us in ach-"
"You mean help yourself gain power?"
He tilted his head left and right "Gain power, Octavius that sounds far too...Negative"
Sighing again he looked over "Achieve power then sir?"
"That's my boy! Achieve power. I like it, yes!" He ran a hand under his chin rubbing the forming beard that grew un-kept and scruffy.
"Now tell me. What words have the Auxiliaries spoke?" He asked leaning back on a pillar in the room they were giving for accommodation, a room fit for a king.
"They report that the first cohort's been captured by another faction sir."
"Ah, well that's a problem, and Varius?"
"Dead, along with the captain of a defense force they call the royal guards?"
"Dead eh?" Suddenly Marianus burst out laughing, as he stood up
"About time that man bit the dirt, he was proving to be problematic to my ideas and plans, and such"
"And pray, what ideas where these?" Hissed a feminine voice from the side of them, both men snapped there heads over and looked back in surprise.
"Nothing to important your majesty, just a thorn in the metaphorical backside"
The larger mare trotted forward smirking as she circled the Legate, fangs slipping out of her mouth.
"Good. Because i don't like it when I'm not involved in the important talk. As you could understand." She paused facing both of them, fangs bared still and hissing slightly
"Now..Explain"
Octavius decided this was a good time for his queue.
"Varius Casca, Son of Rufus Casca, born and raised in norther Iberia his father was the Legate of the tenth legion and he became an Optio at the game of twenty, and eventually Centurion of the ninth legi-"
She sighed looking painfully board as she turned away
"I asked for the problem. Not a life story, now be quick with you"
"Supported to become Legate though political means, Marianus here blocked him. He's been reportedly killed with a Captain of a Royal guard or something?"
Her head suddenly snapped over to him
"A captain you say..Oh dear" She giggled mischievously "Well. I guess Shinning Armour was not as...Hard as first thought that night" there was a clear innuendo from her sentence that caused a stifled snicker from Marianus.
"Shining Armour your majesty?" Octavius asked confused.
"Oh just an..old flame. I guess you could say he was, lost in my gaze"
Marianus nodded turning around "Well either way, both are dead, my problems solved. Was he a problem?"
"Oh he was far from it. rather a pleasure to have around. His sister and bitchy wife on the other hand. Were both quite pains" She turned to leave before stopping her ears perked up.
"Although. I may have use for you and your soldiers Marianus, if your interested?" She had very early on learned his name, as had he but still insisted on addressing her by her title of royalty, not that she was exactly complaining. It was rather..cute.
"Oh?" he perked up "And what does the Queen require of me?"
"Simple" she said with a grin "I have a little invasion to plan if your intelligence report hold any truth to it and you shall be the teeth of it"
"Before we talk invasions" He quickly cut in "Whats in it for me?" Marianus simply said "You understand i cant leave myself with out a secure promise of reward...or a deposit per say"
She giggled trotting around whispering to a level of seductiveness
"Oh but gener-"
"Legate Queen"
She rolled her eyes "Fine, Legate" She said correcting herself "You shall have more then a reward, you may have your own kingdom, somthing you can rule with an iron fist. Perhaps as there King...Leader..." She moved closer her lips just gracing the neck of the Legate to the sill apparently disgust of Octavius.
"Emperor" she finally finished.
"Emperor?"
She giggled again moving away. It seemed that this was her common response, her giggle. It Displayed both traits of mischief, seductiveness and hints of authority making it a potent mixture.
And he loved every bit of it.
"Well then Marianus are you interested?" she said running a hoof up the wall "Want to make a name for yourself as a Leader of a country rather then a silly old...What did you call it. Legion?"
HE thought for a moment, there was no emperor, finally no Varius. His legion remained loyal to him and him alone and what was Octavius going to do? Cry? Most likely but other then that not much, possibly complain. He smirked, he once imagined himself walking though the marble city of Rome. Or on a chariot of gold, a purple robe and red sandals of the old kings of the city. And of course he would be hailed as a god, praised by his subjects and slaves alike. Indeed it was perfect, he had free reign here and with the most advanced builders, architects and soldiers this land would ever see and know.
Who the hell was going to stop him...He would burn this land Roman red.
With a almost crazed smile he turned and bowed to the Black pony kissing her fore hoof and looking up
"Of course Queen Chrysalis, you have my legion..."
