The Fox and the Bear (1)
Our army began its withdrawal according to the planned operation.
The barbarian cavalry had crossed the river, torched a few villages, and dragged off some women and children, but for an army they'd mustered with such fanfare, it was a paltry haul.
The barbarians, summoned at the empire's call, muttered that the empire was nothing special after all. I ignored their whispers and assured the chieftains I'd give them the land as promised.
As the legions and allied forces gathered for this expedition dispersed one by one, the war clouds hanging over Bellgorod lifted.
I issued the "official" order to burn the pontoon bridges and mounted my horse.
"Looks like even the general couldn't do much this time. Dragging in the barbarians just to hand over land. When we get back to the capital, you'll have to take responsibility."
Euresia said as she mounted up. I gave a wry smile at the princess's words and saluted with my fist to my chest.
"If there's responsibility to bear, I'll gladly take it. Rewards for merit, punishments for faults! As Praetorian Prefect, do you think I don't know that?"
"Fine. We'll see."
Euresia tugged her reins.
Rikius scowled at the exchange.
"A girl who's never even gripped a sword hilt talks like that—insolent brat."
"Watch your tongue. Her Highness is imperial royalty. Treating her lightly is as good as insulting His Majesty. Even if you're displeased, your words can't slip."
"Sorry, sir."
Rikius said that, but he was still glaring at the princess.
I clapped Rikius on the shoulder and mounted up.
The emperor had already mounted before I did. I rode up to him and bowed my head.
"Your Majesty, once we leave Bellgorod today, we'll camp in the wilderness for a week."
"Isn't the nearest city just two days away?"
"Yes. But if we withdraw straight away, the provincials will get needlessly anxious. We need to tour the province, reassure the people, and head down."
"Does it have to be that way?"
The emperor shuddered at the mere thought, showing his distaste.
"Yes."
The emperor smacked his lips and settled into a sullen expression.
"All right. We'll do as the general says."
"Thank you."
I bowed to the emperor and spurred my horse forward.
In times like these, it was good that the emperor was still a boy. If he were a bit older, he'd have firmly overruled me and asserted his own will, but his immaturity meant he couldn't push his way through.
But once the emperor grew up, I wouldn't be able to handle things like this.
So I had to solidify the empire before then.
I drew a deep breath and shouted to the legion standard-bearer.
"Set the column in motion!"
"Legion! Advance!"
The Praetorian legion's standard-bearer raised the emperor's golden eagle standard and moved out. The troops followed in perfect ranks and files.
Unlike the old ceremonial guard, this Praetorian Guard was rigorously trained for combat. The soldiers I'd forged through sweat and blood stood ramrod straight.
Of course, they numbered only three thousand for now, but I was confident they'd outmatch the old ten thousand.
"Honor to the empire! Loyalty to His Majesty the Emperor!"
As we rode through the gates, Rubiot and the 16th Legion officers knelt in salute.
I returned the salute and shot Rubiot a subtle glance. It looked like a farewell, but we'd meet again soon—on the battlefield.
Rubiot grinned and nodded back.
Once past the gates, the barbarian chieftains who hadn't yet broken camp bowed before the emperor's standard.
We accepted their homage and slowly departed Bellgorod, hoping the Sartia and Goti would follow.
For two days, the barbarians showed no sign of attacking our rear. But wolves like them wouldn't pass up such a golden opportunity.
Brikin had "secured" the pontoon bridges for a swift crossing, and some southern settlers would side with them.
Meanwhile, we were scattered, with the emperor and Praetorian Prefect exposed.
It'd be hard to find better conditions for the barbarians to take a big bite out of the empire.
If they let this chance slip, even their own kind would talk.
Could new kings Aldemark and the Goti ruler bear that pressure?
Having mustered a huge army to face us, they'd want to test it and solidify their positions.
They were definitely coming.
I calmly awaited news of the barbarian invasion.
And on the third day.
I spotted the signal fire rising in the north and knew they'd moved.
Got 'em.
I immediately halted the column.
The young emperor looked puzzled at the sudden stop during the march.
"This is just wasteland. It's still daytime—why camp here?"
"No, Your Majesty. The barbarians seem to have crossed the river."
The emperor jumped at my words.
"B-Barbarians crossed? Then we need to call the legions at once."
"I've already ordered it. Don't worry."
I soothed him calmly.
In truth, I'd issued the orders before they even came. The moment the signal fired, turn back the legions heading to base.
I gave the stunned emperor water to calm him and had his tent pitched. As it went up, Euresia approached and asked coldly.
"You knew, didn't you, General?"
"Knew what, Your Highness?"
"That the barbarians were coming."
"I had no idea, Your Highness."
I put on a shameless look of total ignorance. The princess narrowed her eyes in disbelief.
"Then why are you so calm?"
"You wouldn't understand, Your Highness, but a battlefield commander must keep his cool even when cornered for total annihilation. That's how I was taught, how I've lived. So of course I'm not surprised."
"Hmph."
The princess snorted and turned away.
I clasped my hands behind my back and called for Rikius.
"Rikius!"
"Yes, sir."
"The barbarians probably know our position and are racing here. Pack dirt into a wall."
"Understood."
Rikius saluted fist to chest.
Dirt walls were a frontier legion trick. Pack the dirt, piss on it, and it froze solid into a sturdy barrier. The troops hurriedly shoveled snow and scraped dirt and gravel from the road.
Elsewhere, snow would be waist-deep, making it impossible, but the road allowed it. Clearing enough for wagons was another matter, though.
As the soldiers built the wall from road dirt and gravel, I ordered some of our riding horses slaughtered.
Stiff bodies before battle ruined everything. I had them drink fresh horse blood and brew stew from the meat.
By the time we finished eating and the wall was done, the barbarians appeared from the north.
They charged furiously down the road, then hesitated at the "unexpected" wall by the roadside. As they reined in before our camp, I climbed the wall and bellowed at them.
"I am Ain, Praetorian Prefect of the Empire. You tailing our rear are Sartia and Goti vermin!"
One barbarian spurred forward at my shout. A bald one bellowed back.
"Big talk for a cornered rat. Beg for your lives now, and we might spare the emperor. Don't you care for his safety?"
I slammed my scabbard against the wall.
"Does the Praetorian Guard look that soft to you? Telling us to drop arms and hand over His Majesty. That won't happen until every last head rolls."
"Confident, eh, Praetorian Prefect."
"If it sounds like arrogance, come test it. Feel the Praetorian wall. Praetorian Legion! Show them our resolve!"
"Aye!"
The troops banged shields and roared. The bald one's horse shied back a few steps. His pride stung, his face flushed red.
He glared at us a moment, then wheeled back to his comrades.
But the barbarians didn't attack right away.
They couldn't, mounted as they were.
Our wall was a mere two meters, but too high for warhorses to jump. To cavalry-heavy Sartia and Goti, it was like a ten-meter rampart.
They'd come to stab our unguarded rear and slaughter us outright, never dreaming we'd build a wall and wait. No wonder they hesitated.
As I stood atop the wall, Rikius said,
"Sir, the enemy isn't as huge a force as expected."
"I've seen that too. They probably sent a small cavalry detachment to hit us fast and wipe us out. Their main force must be before Bellgorod, not here."
Rikius looked worried at my reply.
"Then Bellgorod's in danger?"
"Not likely. The 16th I know won't fold after one day. And they won't even try to take it."
"What do you mean?"
"They're here for the emperor and me. Bellgorod's irrelevant. If their main force is there, it's to encircle the 16th and block calls for aid from other legions."
I didn't think they'd waste effort storming Bellgorod for meager gains against heavy losses. Just surrounding it gave them every advantage.
Assuming they caught us off-guard.
I flung my cloak and told Rikius,
"Soon they'll call for reinforcements and gather troops to attack. Keep them from climbing the wall. I'll stay by His Majesty to ease his mind."
"You can count on me."
I clapped Rikius's shoulder.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Less than two hours after the first barbarians appeared, new foes swarmed in. From the war cries, shouts, and earth-shaking thunder, they numbered well over ten thousand.
In the tent, I stood guard by the emperor, sword belted on, as his pale face regained composure. Nervously biting his nails, he asked,
"General, tell me straight. The barbarians have us surrounded, right?"
"No."
He snapped at my answer.
"Think I'm an idiot? Then what's all that out there?"
"Enemies, of course."
"Yet you say we're not surrounded. Can you lie to me like that?"
I smiled at his sharp rebuke.
"Your Majesty, it's they who are surrounded."
"What?"
"Legions bearing your standard are marching with allies to cut their retreat. Soon they'll realize they've walked into a trap."
"But here—"
"No need for concern, Your Majesty. Do you know my nickname?"
"Empire's Wall, isn't it?"
I laughed.
"That's what the empire calls me. The barbarians name me Skewer King. They say I skewer thousands or tens of thousands alike. With me at your side, why fear a handful of barbarians?"
"I understand, General."
His tone softened, reassured by my calm.
"Your Majesty, trust the Praetorian Guardsmen. Trust me. We eagles loyal to you are unbreakable warriors who know no frailty or despair."
The emperor nodded.
"I trust you."
"Thank you. I swear on my honor: before your golden eagle standard, I'll lay the heads of these rude barbarians. Victory for the empire, glory for Your Majesty."
I bowed to him and saluted. Seeing his composure return eased my mind a bit. Then an officer entered the tent and knelt.
"Sir, the barbarians are attacking. But..."
"But?"
"They're trying some strange method."
"I'll go see."
I hurried out before the emperor could worry.
Just when everything seemed to be going perfectly, a foreboding chill wrapped around me—like things were about to go wrong.
(To be continued)