//------------------------------// // A Just Reward // Story: A Song of Storms: Shattered Skies // by Sigur024 //------------------------------// Theod took a deep breath, savouring the night air after yet another long journey. The whole Auxilla had been transported for the last few days the hundred or so carriages and wagons that Pruina had requisitioned. The teams of pegasi pullers had warmed to the griffons quickly after learning of their part in the Battle of Viridis.  Where Theod had been expecting, even accustomed to the silent side-eyed glares of the pegasus soldiers, these ones met him and his Auxilia with welcoming, jovial smiles and nods. And it wasn’t just the pullers; throughout the trip Cirran well-wishers stood by the sides of the road in ones and twos. Now the Auxillia had finally arrived at the promised Bath complex. From the outside it looked much like the Villa at Viridis, with a great building enclosing a large and airy courtyard, but on a much larger scale. Around it lay dozens of smaller buildings. Gymnasia, smaller halls, and bathhouses, from which the steam of hot springs poured.The Griffons walked into the main building in loose mobs, stretching their sore limbs and chattering with each other. Tapfer walked past Theod, turning back and stepping on the spot. “You coming? I’ve been looking forwards to this for an age” He said Aella laughed at Tapfers excitement. Her arm was almost healed, but she still held it in a sling that made her gait awkward compared to her usual grace. “I’m sure he will come when he is ready,” she replied, walking off towards the complex with Tapfer at her side. Theod moved to follow behind, but Gretus stopped him. “Theod. A moment.” Gretus rumbled. Theod reluctantly halted, letting Aella and Tapfer go on ahead into the courtyard. He looked expectantly at the Canii tercel, who seemed to be struggling for words. “I… Misjudged you.” Gretus said finally. “Misjudged?” Theod asked. The big tercel sat on his haunches and looked Theod in the eye. “I thought you a callow, feckless noble brat. I have seen many. I have seen your better side. I have thought ill of you, and I apologise.” Theod cocked his head to the side. “You are apologising… for thinking bad things about me?” Gretus nodded slowly in response. “It shames me to have thought this way.” Theod frowned. “Well… apology accepted.” Gretus allowed himself a small smile, then stood and moved off towards the hall. “We are missing the feast.” Theod followed behind the larger tercel and into the main courtyard of the Villa. The large sandy area had been turned into a raucous feast, tables benches and lounges set up between the decorative statues of Cirran heroes. Smoke from torches drifted up into the night sky along with the conversation and laughter of the Auxillia as they indulged in things that most had not seen since they began their training. An amphora as tall as a tercel on his hindlegs sat at each corner of the courtyard, filled with wine judging by the stains. Auxillia stood around it, chattering excitedly as they plumbed its depths with their goblets. On other tables Pegasi servants piled freshly baked bread, great ocean fish and roast meats, the smell of which made Theods mouth water. Gretus lead the way to the officers table, sitting directly before the raised table reserved for the Pegasi officers. Pruina sat at the centre of that table, Barley on his right hoof. The ageing stallion was beaming with pride. Theod sat with his fellows, taking a draught from a goblet left at his place and looking back over the assembled Griffons. They seemed happy, talking excitedly to each other in Gryphic or Cirran. Tribal barriers had broken down and Legionaries who were mortal enemies a few months before now sung bawdy songs arm in arm. It was a strange kind of happiness. The battle at Viridis still weighed heavy on his mind, but seeing the remaining Auxillia finally able to relax and enjoy themselves after all the trials of training and combat, that brought some peace to Theods heart. Theod plucked a ripe peach from a bowl resting on his table and took a bite, letting his eyes wander over the feast as Aella and Tapfer bickered. Turning back towards the Cirran Officers table he saw that Pruina and Barley were no longer there. The tercel frowned for a moment, shrugged, and thought nothing more of it. - - - Pruina re-read the message in his hooves. Re-checked the imperial seal against the one affixed to his mandate for the Auxillia. Even checked it against his own fake copy of the stamp. It was real. He left the letter sitting on the pile of wine jugs filled one wall of the room and turned to Barley. “All of them?” Pruina asked. Barley nodded. “We have two centuries of Legionaries waiting outside of town. They can get it done clean, even if they fight.” Pruina pressed his face into his hooves. “They deserve better than this.” “The Emperor has decreed it. They tried to kill him, so Griffons are our enemies. Every last one.” Barley replied. “Of course you are eager for this.” Pruina spat. “From the damned start.” Barley’s face twitched. He took off his helmet and put it on the table more roughly than was necessary. “I wanted them dead, yes. I went with you on this harebrained scheme because I am your friend. But I am not without a heart. I worked on them every day for weeks. They stayed with us in the middle of the gods-damned shitstorm that was Viridis. They saved your life and the lives of who knows how many Cirrans by fighting the way they did.” Barley had gone red in the face, his lips twitching as he spoke. “I saw them for who they truly were, and now I am ordered to kill them. Don't you think for a fucking second this is easy for me.” Pruina ran his hooves through his mane, eyes downcast. “I… apologise Barley. I overstepped.” The Centurion spat on the floor in response and the two were silent for a while. “I shall not have it end in bloodshed… They deserve better than that.” Pruina said finally. “Fetch my chest.” Barley nodded and left to retrieve it. The chest was something Pruina had built up over his career as a Frumentarius. Sometimes there was a need to dispose of an inconvenient Griffon or Pegasus without having an obvious part in the matter. Arranged in neatly ordered rows of bottles were nearly a hundred toxins and poisons of all kinds. Pruina looked through them carefully one-by-one. Death came in many flavours for poison. Some slow and wretched like a wasting illness, others as swift and painful as a sword to the heart. The Legate selected one of the bottles and held it up to the light. A hoof-scrawled label dangled on a string from its neck. Manticore Venom. “We shall have a toast. They shall all have it at once, all die at once.” The Legate said, his voice wooden. Barley nodded. “I’ll have the civilian servants sent away. The officers will serve it to them.” Pruina sent the centurion on his way with a wave of his hoof. He picked up the vial of poison and opened one of the larger jugs. The Legate clenched his eyes closed, trying to drive the thoughts of betrayal from his mind. He poured the vial in slowly, letting it mix. It wasn't right that it had to come to this. All the work he had done, all that his Auxillia had risked. Pruina stopped. There was still a fair portion of the poison in the vial, but he could not force himself to pour more. The venom was strong but it might not be strong enough to kill surely if he did not add all of it. The Pegasus sat back on his haunches, looking at the vial, then at the Emperors letter. One betrayal surely deserved another. Pruina threw the bottle against the wall, shattering it into a thousand pieces. He resealed the amphora and placed it on the table for Barley to spread around. Perhaps a few would survive. But that did not untie the knot in his belly. The Legate returned to the courtyard, walking past Barley and the officers in silence. He climbed the stairs and resumed his place at the table, putting his forehooves on the wooden surface so as to stand taller. He smiled at the assembled griffons, hoping that his apprehension was not visible on his face. If they refused the draught they would have to face a far harsher end. “Auxillia, lend me your ears!” He called out, the assembled griffons falling silent for him to speak. “You have served faithfully, and the Emperor has recognised this. Your loyalty and example are to be known throughout the empire. Empty your glasses, and hold for a toast to Emperor Haysar- if you would permit me to borrow your tradition.” The officers carried jugs of the poisoned wine through the courtyard, ensuring that every cup was filled to the brim. Pruinas was filled last and left on the table before him. Barley stood at the Legates side, stone faced and stoic. “For the Emperor” The Legate said lifting the goblet high, then pressing it to his lips without taking any of the draught. True to tradition, the assembled Griffons each downed their whole drink in one. Then Pruina waited. Ada was the first. The Hen who had come to him smiling from the arms of her parents, eager to serve. She slumped silently into her bowl, cup shattering on the ground. Next was Dolf. He had been a prisoner for eight years before Pruina had come for him.He hunched over, talons on the table as his breathing suddenly became harsh and ragged. Pruina wanted to look away. Close his eyes. Try and forget the treachery he had just committed. They did not deserve this end. But he deserved this grief. The Legate watched in silence as cries of panic and betrayal rose over the sudden din of upturned benches and broken pottery. Barley placed a hoof upon his shoulder, but the Legate brushed it off. He looked down at the officers table where Aella lay splayed across the floor. Gretus stood beside her, trying to support her even as he weakened. Theod stood, swaying on his feet. Their eyes met, and Pruina felt an iron spike of guilt pierce his heart as he saw the understanding in the tercels eyes. He had to look away. Pruina watched as the Auxillia died. One by one they went limp and slumped in a tangle, the last wheezing breaths of the strongest fading into silence. In but a minute, the courtyard was still. Pruina swallowed hard, fighting back tears. “It is done Barley. Have the bodies placed by the side of the road, and then get the legionaries ready for a long flight. They will want us at the front.”