The Hole (1)
My proclamation had worked. Not only the rebel remnants who lacked the courage to face me, but even the bandits roaming the Graike province had come down from the mountains.
They were terrified, knowing a large army had marched in and that they could be wiped out at any moment.
Still, the mines and farms are a problem. Even if I distribute the land to the poor and use them as mine laborers, revenues will drop to less than half. This is bad.
I grimaced at the thought of the empire's finances taking a hit.
As I stared holes through the parchment, a trumpet blared from outside.
When I stepped out of the command post, Rikius was lining up the Praetorian Guards.
"Who's coming?"
"We just got word that the new governor has arrived, sir."
"Why didn't you tell me right away? I could've gone to the gates to greet him."
Rikius bowed his head at my rebuke.
"My apologies, sir."
"We'll talk about this later. Follow me."
"Yes, sir."
I led the Praetorian Guards toward the square. It was already packed with soldiers who'd formed up in advance upon hearing the governor was coming.
As I pushed through the ranks, I spotted the governor's party riding in from the far road.
Shing.
The soldiers facing the direction of the governor's horse turned their swords inward to clear a path. The governor advanced slowly, receiving their salute.
"Whoa."
I waited for him to dismount, then stepped forward.
"Senator Andrus."
I was a bit surprised to see the man who'd served as capital mayor until I left the city.
The senator smiled and bowed to me.
He must've been reassigned here as governor before his fall from grace.
It was a smart political move.
Sticking it out as capital mayor would've just gotten him ousted by the Senate's mainstream faction anyway.
Better to resign early and snag a battered provincial governorship as a concession.
It was a gamble no one without political savvy and guts could've pulled off.
"I didn't expect to see you again so soon."
"I never imagined you'd be coming here as governor."
I showed the governor appropriate respect. I'd been casual with him as mayor, but now that he was here as the emperor's representative, I had to give him face.
"Same here. How's the situation?"
I gave Andrus a wry smile at his question.
"We've slaughtered the rebels, so there's no one left to work the mines and farms."
"Worse than I thought."
"Still better than the frontier. Shall we?"
I gestured inside, and the governor moved forward.
Upon reaching the command post, Andrus looked a little disappointed. To someone used to lavish quarters as capital mayor, Atica's modest governor's residence must've been a letdown.
I smacked my lips and led the reluctant Andrus inside.
First, I handed over the province's urgent matters. As a seasoned bureaucrat, the transition went smoothly.
As we wrapped up, Andrus spoke.
"About those hunters we mobilized for beast control—won't they become trouble once we release them?"
"There's a risk, but we summoned them in the empire's name. We have to guarantee their safety."
"Then could you station troops until they disperse?"
"That's..."
I looked troubled.
Legionaries away from their home garrison receive field allowances. Plus, supplying them costs money.
At base, merchants deliver in bulk under contract, so it's cheap. But elsewhere? Different story.
And it wasn't pocket change. Long-term garrisoning? Problematic.
"Please. If trouble erupts right after I take office, I'll be impeached on the spot. I beg you to consider that, Your Excellency."
Andrus bowed.
Basically, you're my guy—take care of this for me.
What to do?
I pondered briefly.
Empire's finances screamed withdraw the legion. But if unrest flared right after, we'd bear double the burden, as the governor feared.
Pay to prevent issues, or save money and piss off Senator Andrus. Pick one.
I weighed the costs.
"Very well."
Andrus brightened.
"Thank you, Your Excellency."
I shook his hand and discussed how long to station troops.
The next day, I gave Rikius two thousand men to help maintain order in Graike province and began the withdrawal.
The troops, who'd enjoyed slim-waisted beauties and fine weather for so long, grumbled about leaving but hurried back to base anyway.
Excited to reunite with wives and lovers waiting there.
Thanks to that, we crossed Graike province at a brisk thirty kilometers a day—without even combat marching.
We hit the port, stretched our legs on the sand, and waited for ships from the homeland.
Suppressed this rebellion, pacified the borders. As long as Shapur stays put, things should be quiet for a while.
I lay in a roughly pitched tent on the beach with the men and spent the night.
The soldiers babbled about banging girlfriends back at base or blowing their pay in brothels.
Philosophers obsessed with "morality" would've scolded them, but no one here spouted that nonsense.
You might die to a blade tomorrow—what's wrong with chasing pleasure today?
I shivered at their bawdy talk, pulling my cloak tight.
"Stoke the fire hotter."
"Yes, sir."
Rikius tossed more firewood on the bonfire. Nights by the coast were chillier than expected.
I trembled in the cold, waiting for dawn.
As the sun peeked over the eastern horizon at first light, bells clanged wildly from the harbor.
"Ships! Ships are here!"
The men excitedly struck their tents.
I ordered the officers to form ranks and draped my cloak.
As I dressed and headed to the water's edge, a few officers looked puzzled.
I followed their gaze to the horizon and hardened my expression.
A dispatch vessel.
Just one ship.
Meant for urgent messages.
A bad feeling hit, but I kept my face neutral.
Probably not bad news.
I waited for it to dock.
Praetorians bearing the imperial government's banner disembarked.
"We seek Praetorian Prefect Ain, Your Excellency!"
"I'm here."
They approached, knelt.
"By order of the imperial government, we bring urgent dispatch to the commander, Your Excellency."
"Urgent dispatch?"
"Yes."
An officer stepped forward, offering the letter deferentially. Officially imperial orders, but as my direct subordinates, no arrogance.
I quickly scanned it.
Barbarian invasion?
I crumpled it and asked the officer.
"Invasion from the north? Weren't the northwest and northeast borders pacified?"
"We heard two days ago, sir. This one's from Briton."
Scum beyond the northern walls.
I ground my teeth. Made sense—only spot ripe for trouble.
Most major northern barbarians on the empire's border had submitted to me.
Distant "far barbarians" outside our sway couldn't reach without punching through our vassals first.
"What of the Briton governor?"
"Said he's mobilizing legions there for defense. But..."
Briton legions are still a mess. I know.
"I get the picture. So the empire orders me to suppress the rebellion."
"Yes, Your Excellency."
I gave a wry smile.
Just as the men were set for peaceful garrison life, drag 'em back to war. Harsher fate?
But such qualms were a luxury for me.
The empire I'd sworn to—the world mine—demanded my service and sacrifice.
"Tell His Majesty and the Senate that Ain will race to Briton within the week."
"Yes, sir!"
I sent them off and pondered how to break this to the troops.
"Don't wanna go."
They groaned the moment I mentioned Briton.
Crossed the sea, fought rebels to the death, kept the peace—finally homeward—now traverse the continent again, cross the sea, fight more foes?
Even I'd gripe. Still, had to rally them.
"I know. The orders are harsh. But our world's safety hinges on your shields and swords. Refuse today, and barbarians advance closer to our homes for the fight. Dodge them then too?"
"Why us? We've fought enough."
"Rotate us out with other legions."
The men complained.
I steeled myself. Sympathized, but couldn't indulge. Humanity clashed with command.
I raised my voice.
"Rotate? Don't wanna fight? Did I hear wrong? If that's it, go home. I'll handle Briton alone. Eagles who fear the battlefield have no place beside me. Drop your title and pride—go, citizens of the empire."
Their eyes widened at my shout.
They griped, but none hated serving under me.
I was the sole victorious commander in an era of defeats, the banner restoring legion pride.
Hearing "citizens" like nobodies from me stunned them. Shock of abandonment from their hero-hero silenced them.
I pressed their unease harder.
"Didn't you hear? I said go home if you want."
"Commander..."
I turned sharply without another word. Rikius followed silently, signaling loyalty. The men raised their voices.
"Your Excellency! Take back 'citizens'! We're your eagles, campaigning with you. Let us return home honorably with you. To Briton. No—let us go!"
"Imperator Ain! We're with you!"
They knelt. Reversal complete.
Moments ago, I'd demanded they come; now they begged to join.
They cherished eagle pride under me.
I halted at their cries.
"Give us a chance! We want to remain proud eagles!"
Wrong. You've always been eagles. I was wrong to bully your honor into this.
Even so, I turned with a stern face.
"You truly wish to remain honorable eagles? March to Briton for the empire with Ain?"
"Yes!"
"Will you fight barbarians for the empire?!"
"Death to the barbarians!"
Only then did I soften.
"Then I permit it. My beloved eagles."
"Ain! Ain! Ain!"
They chanted my name with fervor, complaints forgotten.
Rikius smiled wryly at their shift.
"Your 'citizens' line chilled me too, sir."
"I knew it wasn't right. But it worked, didn't it?"
"Anyone else says it, they'd scoff."
"Maybe. Makes my shoulders heavier."
I clenched my fist into the sea breeze.
(To be continued)