Entry into the Capital (2)
I left the river fleet construction to Riti. In the end, that meant Boruman had to head out with the support troops alongside Bofiadus. You couldn't exactly entrust a bear of a man like him with building a fleet, could you?
Boruman made Rikius swear up and down to keep me safe. Not that it needed that much emphasis, but the young lion took it seriously.
Riti had the legionnaires chop down trees as per my orders. Every day, hundreds of trunks thicker than a grown man's arms were felled and hauled to the riverbank. I turned the processing and boat-building over to the local villagers.
For folks left destitute by the barbarians' rampage, with barely enough to eat, this work was a godsend. I shared out my share of the spoils and the legion's reserve funds among them.
While the big boats took shape along the river, Rubiot led a battalion scouting the Drvina River for suitable anchorages—spots with decent depth, gentle currents, and hard to ambush from land. Finding candidates that checked all those boxes wasn't easy.
Sure, we could reuse old fleet bases, but river terrain always changes.
In a few decades, deep channels silt up, and the course shifts. Old sites from decades ago were good for reference at best, not firm picks.
I had most of my legion officers focused on the fleet and reorganized our allied barbarians into auxiliaries.
Mishandle them now, and they'd turn on us like in Sian, blades reversed. Couldn't leave that to just anyone.
I repositioned the four tribes who'd sworn loyalty along the border and stationed their chiefs' sons and brothers at legion HQ in Bellgorod. Hostages, in a manner of speaking.
Without that leash, they'd flip the moment winds changed. We needed at least four or five years to test each other's trust.
The individual barbarians who'd crossed over for service went to Rikius as a separate cavalry unit.
He lacked experience for a full command, but the guy had the bulk and strength to stand up to them. I trusted he'd handle it.
Once the barbarian auxiliaries were sorted, I posted recruitment notices targeting provincial locals. I'd have loved to enlist barbarians as legionnaires too, but these were unproven allies.
Friends who'd pledged to the empire yesterday, now eyeing our eagle standards—what could I trust about them for full legion duty?
I wanted as many locals as possible to sign up.
But the results were disappointing.
Cogol, in charge of recruitment, reported the tally.
"Fifteen?"
I couldn't believe the number on the paper he handed me and looked up.
"Yes, sir. Fifteen men."
This was across the entire 'Bellgorod Province,' merged from several military districts. Just fifteen? I was speechless for a moment.
"Fifteen's still something. You're sure the notices went up province-wide?"
"Of course, sir. With your decree from the governor, no official would dare ignore it."
"Then it's the locals shying away from enlisting."
I sank back into my chair.
I could understand their side, sure.
Constant border skirmishes and civil wars. Soldiers dropping like flies.
Veterans who'd held out a decade or more dying in droves—how long would green recruits last?
No one wanted to enlist without the guts to risk their neck.
But if the legion couldn't hold the line, they'd be the ones spilling blood. Not pampered heartlanders far from the front—they lived on the edge, yet they hung back. I was pretty disappointed in the provincials.
"Keep the notices up?"
"No, forget it. It'll just breed more pessimism. Better to show them something concrete."
"Concrete?"
"Bounties."
I gave a wry smile and stood.
One thing I'd learned in these border years: humans are greedy beasts.
They'll deal with enemies for profit, sell what they shouldn't when it suits. Dangle visible gain, and even the scared ones muster courage.
"But sir, the fleet's eaten up our funds. We don't have the spare cash."
"Of course not. I know that better than anyone. That's why I'm writing the emperor."
"The emperor, sir?"
Cogol gaped at me. Asking His Majesty for money? The idea must've sounded absurd.
But he owed me. Promotions and rewards didn't erase him siding with me in the civil war.
So, a timely request eases his conscience while getting me what I want. Our barbarian trading partners pulled this trick often.
"It's not hard. I fought my northern comrades for him. He won't refuse a bit of empire-saving coin.
He might sneer I'm lining my pockets—who cares? Better he thinks he can buy me with gold than schemes otherwise."
"Still, sir, taking private funds from the emperor could give him a leash on you."
"Doesn't matter. If it guards the empire, bowing to a pig like Baccus is nothing."
Cogol bowed to my resolve.
"Understood, sir. If you say so, your men will trust and follow."
"Thanks."
He saluted and turned. As he reached for the door, he paused.
"One question, sir?"
"Shoot."
"What in the empire do you see to give everything for?"
I rested a hand on his shoulder.
"My comrades' lives. The legion's honor. Their unfinished duty weighs on me. I walk each day for them and the empire's tomorrow. That's it."
"That's why you lead us. We'll bring good news, Governor."
I touched my chest lightly in reply.
What do I fight for?
I answered, but I'm just a man. Not strong or steadfast enough for that weight.
I just act tough under the troops' eyes and heavy duties.
Don't forget. You must grow stronger than anyone. For the legion.
I reaffirmed my resolve alone as Cogol left.
I wrote the emperor, sealed the letter with my stamp. Then came pattering footsteps from the hall. Kids in the governor's residence? Puzzled, I stepped out.
A little girl peeked from down the corridor. Spotting me, she hugged the wall, then cautiously peered out.
She saluted like a legionnaire, arm snapped to her chest—where'd she learn that?
Amused, I beckoned her closer. She hesitated, then approached warily.
She looked familiar now. Delicate features, big blue eyes, strawberry-sweet lips. Where from?
Ah.
The girl I named. Lucrecia, right? Memory clicked.
As I recalled, Rikius hurried up, flustered, and bowed.
"Sorry, sir. I left her with a maid, but she slipped away while I blinked."
"It's fine. Kids do that. Who'd you leave her with?"
"A maid named Carssia."
"Carssia. Sharp girl. That'll do."
I pictured the freckled woman. She'd manage. As I stroked the girl's hair, she suddenly grabbed my hand.
"Huh?"
She glanced up nervously and let go.
Come to think of it, back home, I'd have a daughter her age by now.
"Come here. Let's find Carssia."
Rikius beckoned. She hesitated.
"Before the governor gets mad."
He raised his voice a touch. Sympathy for the kid, but no tolerance for rudeness to me.
I smiled bitterly.
"Go on. Before Uncle Rikius yells."
She glanced at me, saluted sharply, and scampered to him. Guess he scared her after all.
Single guy's got his work cut out. Tsk.
I felt a twinge for Rikius.
He led Lucrecia away, quieting the hall. I gave the letter to a courier and hit the bed for a nap.
Just as I drifted off, commotion outside—Rubiot burst in, pale as death.
"Ain."
He called my name outright. He always kept protocol unless I said otherwise—this meant real trouble.
I clapped his shoulder to calm him.
"What is it?"
"Courier from the capital. But..."
"But?"
"The Praetorian Guard mutinied."
"What?"
I stared in shock. Praetorian revolt? What nonsense was this?
Baccus was useless, but not that incompetent with the Guard.
Then again, two commanders sacked lately—Creper and Sixtus. That could've weakened his grip plenty.
"Courier says the emperor ordered Guard troops detailed to flesh out new legions with veterans.
Grunts grumbled, killed the new commander, and kicked off the riot."
Gods. Was this really the empire's army? Their elite Guard?
I shook my head. The Praetorians were the homeland's strategic reserve, above even field armies. Their commander ranked second in the empire—that said it all.
They got the perks and pay. And they rebel over a frontier posting?
It soured my mouth. Understandable from a civilian view, but these were empire eagles, sworn to defend it.
Killing their officer and rebelling rather than face barbarians? I'd heard rot rumors, but this was worse.
"The emperor?"
"Fled the capital in haste. Gave full authority to Consul Marius for suppression. This courier's from him."
"Borders aren't even secure yet."
I gritted my teeth. Couldn't ignore the emperor chased by his own Guard.
Left unchecked, we might see the darkest chapter redux: the Guard auctioning the throne.
That'd ignite every frontier legion in fury. Empire's doom.
"What now?"
I met Rubiot's eyes squarely. In measured tones:
"Acting 16th Legion Commander Rubiot, attend."
He dropped to one knee.
"Governor Ain of Bellgorod will march on the imperial heartland for His Majesty and the empire's peace. Bellgorod's yours. Can I trust you with the border for the empire?"
He pressed a fist to his chest.
"If you command it, I'll hold here and serve the golden eagle."
"I trust you."
I gripped his shoulder and strode out. My red cloak rippled like waves behind me down the hall.
A new civil war. A new fight awaited.
(To be continued)