Chapter 86: Oath of Loyalty (1)
The empire's eastern provinces were traditionally the heart of its prosperity, packed with the choicest territories.
Over seventy percent of the imperial tax revenue came from those eastern provinces alone, so their importance went without saying.
When the legions guarding them refused to pledge their loyalty, the capital erupted in chaos—and economics played no small part in that uproar.
To obey the emperor's command, I took only a small retinue and boarded a ship at the capital's harbor in haste.
Time was too tight to wait for the regular eastern routes, so I used a naval vessel the emperor had specially prepared.
"Urk."
A few hours after setting sail, I was already retching over the rail. I'd been on ships before, but this time the seasickness was unbearable.
They'd launched without regard for the weather, and the ship pitched violently.
"Sir, are you all right?"
"I'm fine."
I answered with a pallid face.
Emptying my stomach helped a bit, at least.
I passed the time staring out at the endless sea. Fortunately, it wouldn't be a full day of nothing but ocean.
Since we were hugging the empire's mainland coast, the ship periodically dropped anchor near shore to let the rowers rest. Human limits demanded such breaks.
We took our meals from the provisions we'd brought whenever the ship paused.
The first four days passed without incident.
But soon enough, we ran into the headache plaguing the empire lately.
"Pirates! Pirates!"
I was dead asleep in my cabin when the crew started dashing about in a frenzy.
This inner sea was imperial territory, so armed escorts weren't normally needed for shipping. No foreign navy could operate here, after all.
But pirates had been rampant lately, so most vessels carried fighters these days. Even without extras, my group was aboard.
Rikius knelt by my bed and reported in a stiff voice.
"Sir, pirates have appeared."
"Got it. Get the men on deck and await orders."
"Yes, sir."
Rikius withdrew. I donned my armor, buckled on my sword, and Erenia fitted the Praetorian commander's helmet onto my head.
"Wouldn't it be better if you stayed inside?"
She looked a touch vulnerable asking that. I chuckled.
"Tens of thousands of barbarians couldn't touch me. Don't worry."
I kissed her and stepped out of the cabin.
On deck, three pirate ships appeared on the horizon. Smaller than ours, but sleek and swift—standard imperial light galleys.
Sword at my side, I stood among the men.
"Sir, this spot's dangerous. You should stay below."
The captain said cautiously.
I burst out laughing.
"Appreciated, but I feel no danger at all. Rikius—what's my name?"
"The undefeated eagle who subjugated the barbarians, sir."
"Praetorian Guardsmen—what's my name?"
"Our steadfast commander, sir."
The men replied.
"Right. I am the empire's eagle. The empire's wall. The Praetorian Prefect trusted by the emperor himself. Should a man like me cower inside from a few scurrying rats?"
"No, sir!"
The men roared.
I turned to the captain with a grin.
"There you have it."
He bowed his head.
I stood tall, watching the pirates close in. They were light and fast; the distance shrank before I knew it.
I could make out the enemy at the rails with the naked eye.
Standard imperial gear—deserters or black-market buys from army quartermasters.
Even so, they wouldn't stand against my rigorously trained Praetorians. Same arms, but training made all the difference.
I trusted the soldiers I'd forged.
I flicked my thumb against the scabbard; the blade sprang out like a coiled spring.
"Rikius!"
I called the officer before me.
"Yes, sir."
"I entrust you with the imperial standard. Guard it well."
"An honor, sir."
I handed him the banner and drove my sword into the deck at the rail.
As the foes drew near, tension chilled my blood. My eyes, cooler than ever, locked on the lead ship.
Soon, a pirate vessel rammed alongside ours.
"Brace for impact!"
No need for screams—the oars snapped with a crack, and the enemy hull slammed our side. Splinters flew; the deck shuddered.
Rikius bellowed like a lion.
"Battle formation!"
His orders spared me the effort.
I stood shoulder-to-shoulder with my formed ranks.
Pirates vaulted the rail in a rush.
Our lines clashed instantly.
Clang. Thrust.
Blades rang out in a cacophony of steel.
The moment my sword met a pirate's, I hurled the hard bread from my other hand.
"Gah!"
As he staggered from the face-smash, my blade took his throat. Crimson sprayed briefly before another charged from behind.
"Rats gnawing the empire."
I spat, spinning my sword hand. His low slash met mine.
I hooked his ankle mid-charge. Overcommitted, he toppled, flailing.
I sidestepped and carved his flank.
Two foes down in seconds. My men fought fiercely too.
The pirates faltered at our unexpected resistance and began falling back, momentum broken.
We pressed without mercy, slashing relentlessly. Cornered with no room to dodge, they crumpled in sprays of blood.
Some bolted for the rail, but Rikius pursued like lightning, severing necks.
It took less than five minutes to butcher the thirty who'd boarded.
"Tear down their flag."
At my order, Rikius yanked the pirate banner and flung it into the sea.
The other ships hesitated. In that pause, they'd seen their comrades slaughtered and lost their nerve.
I could've lured them in for total annihilation, but no more risks.
I'd shown valor before my men, but I was a commander with national duties. That was enough.
"Sir, they're fleeing."
The captain said, beaming.
I nodded and wiped my blade on a dead pirate's rags.
The voyage lasted a fortnight. Storms and flux plagued us, but nothing major.
After trials, we reached Alepa, the empire's grandest eastern port. A seventy-meter lighthouse at the entrance welcomed us.
Once anchored, I praised the captain and crew, tipping each a few silver coins.
Bidding them farewell, I stepped ashore. Neat roads and throngs of people filled my view.
It lived up to being one of the empire's top five cities after the capital. The prosperity beggared belief.
"Impressive place."
"It's declined a lot from its peak. Forty years ago, an earthquake and tsunami killed a third of the population."
Rikius said. He'd grown up here following his father, an army officer, and knew the local lore.
Of course, I'd heard rumors of that disaster—the worst to ravage a premier imperial city.
"That bad?"
"The people here will never forget."
"I see."
I clicked my tongue.
I settled Erenia in a suitable inn, then went with Rikius to Alepa's horse market to procure mounts.
The storms and skirmishes had worn out our horses; replacements were urgent.
I could've left it to Rikius, but I always picked my own ride.
Alepa's market was among the empire's largest, offering everything from northern heavy chargers to desert camels and sturdy eastern ponies.
"Cheap! Northern purebreds for thirty-five solitus!"
"Red Sea runners, nine solitus!"
Agents hawked loudly. We inspected carefully.
For my mount, I wanted endurance over burst power—no massive warhorse, but a lean, long-winded type.
Slim legs and a touch of gauntness were ideal.
Folk favored plump, muscled beasts, but for non-heavy cavalry, the former won out.
Years riding and rubbing shoulders with horse-savvy barbarians had honed my eye.
After deliberation, I picked a Red Sea runner. White-stockinged legs, sleek and slender—built for speed.
They asked twelve solitus; we haggled to ten.
While I chose, Rikius got horses for the rest—twenty head, emptying one purse.
The emperor had been generous, but spending still stung.
Factoring food and lodging, two more purses would vanish soon.
Sun was setting by the time we finished.
We returned to the inn.
It was a dedicated hostel for imperial officials, run by the local government.
Facilities befitted high ranks: baths, servant girls for chores.
But the food was godawful.
Army rations had inured me to bland fare; this spice-and-sugar overload didn't sit right. Some dishes burned or salted excessively; others swam in sweetness.
I figured adapting to eastern tastes would be a slog, but Erenia thrived.
Loving the sweets, she hummed cheerfully, forking away.
She polished off half my portion too.
After that ordeal of a meal, we retired.
Erenia conked out fast in the comfy bed.
Some adaptation.
I shook my head.
Next morning, I headed to the governor's mansion to meet Alepa's governor—for troops to match my "inspection" duties.
Call it what it was: the eastern border was a mess.
Out-of-control nomads and bandits roamed inside lines; even officials lacked security.
Inspecting legions meant proper escorts. My few Praetorians weren't enough; I needed at least five hundred more.
But the governor was absent.
The provincial law officer minding the mansion said he'd gone a thousand kilometers south to repel border raiders.
Waiting for his courier's approval? Another fortnight.
I explained my needs and demanded five hundred.
"That's difficult, sir. Five hundred exceeds my discretion."
The officer balked—classic imperial bureaucrat dodging blame.
I scowled.
"I'm the Praetorian Prefect, here on the emperor's orders to inspect the eastern legions. I speak for His Majesty— and you can't cooperate?"
"I have my own circumstances."
Ah, sure—any mishap while the governor's away falls on you.
Still, no excuse to refuse. I said coolly,
"Rikius!"
"Yes, sir."
The young officer stepped up.
"This fool can't tell priorities. Refresh his neck."
Rikius grinned, hand to hilt. The officer paled.
"Understood, sir! I'll cooperate!"
I raised a hand.
Rikius relaxed.
"Good. You've got one hour."
I clapped his shoulder and left the mansion.
(To be continued in the next chapter)