Oath of Loyalty (2)
The threat had worked.
The provincial law officer had the soldiers I requested ready on time. In the vast Aegypt province, mobility mattered more than rotation capacity, so all the troops he provided were cavalry. Naturally, I preferred cavalry over infantry anyway.
Once the escort was assembled, we set out from Alepa without delay. Leaving the verdant lands blessed by the Blue River, we entered a vast desert shrouded in sand and dust. To keep the sand out of my mouth, I wrapped a cloth around my face, dignity be damned.
Racing across the desert looking like some nomad had me sweating buckets. But traveling with an army kept the nomads and bandits at bay.
After four straight days of hard riding, we arrived at Kaba, where the Empire's 8th Legion was stationed.
Kaba was a massive fortress at the southernmost tip of the Empire's eastern border, capable of housing 6,000 men. As we approached the gate flying the Emperor's banner, a legion officer shouted out.
"Whence come these messengers?"
I sent Rikius forward instead of answering.
Rikius raised the Emperor's golden eagle standard high, and the officer dropped to his knees in haste. He'd refused the oath of loyalty, but he still respected the Empire's banner. At least we'd avoided the worst-case scenario. With that, I led my escort into the base.
"I am Verpasius, commander of the 8th Legion."
A middle-aged legion commander emerged with his officers to greet me. I opened my mouth as I saw them kneel in respect.
"I am Ain, Praetorian Prefect, here on the Emperor's behalf to inspect. As his proxy, I have come to investigate your legion's refusal of the oath of loyalty."
"Praetorian Prefect?"
Verpasius looked up in surprise. The other officers did the same. They'd guessed we weren't ordinary since we bore the Emperor's banner, but they hadn't expected the Prefect himself.
I whipped off the cloth, revealing my black Praetorian cloak.
"That's right."
"Forgive our rudeness."
"You're forgiven. Now, what exactly happened with the refusal of the oath?"
I asked coldly, head held high. Refusing loyalty to the Emperor was no laughing matter.
The legion commander hesitated before answering.
"On New Year's Day, during payday, I attempted the oath to His Majesty. But the troops refused.
I'm ashamed to say it, but it was because they believe the Emperor favors some northern upstart and neglects the Eastern Army."
"Is that all?"
"There were also rumors of special bonuses frequently going to the northern legions, which stirred some discontent among the men."
"Reason enough to be indignant, I suppose."
I understood the soldiers' grievances. Risking their lives for the Empire, only for some to receive recognition and better treatment—it was natural to complain.
I beckoned the legion commander.
"Assemble the troops in the parade ground."
"Understood."
He saluted across his chest. Once he was gone, I turned to Rikius.
"Do you believe him?"
"I'm not sure."
"To me, it sounds half like plausible lies."
I clasped my hands behind my back and propped one foot on the headquarters steps.
"Why do you say that?"
"Simple. How would soldiers stuck out east know what treatment northern legions get or how much extra pay they receive?"
Rikius's brow furrowed at my words.
"You mean the officers stirred them up?"
"Not that far, but they likely dropped hints. Probably to get the Emperor to confirm their own standing."
I found their little game infuriating.
"Such insolence. I'll go wring their necks right now."
Rikius clenched his fist.
"Calm down. Touch the commanders here, and the troops will think we're dismissing them outright. That sparks a revolt. You want to create more work?"
Only then did Rikius bow his head.
"My thinking was shortsighted."
"No need to get so heated. I've got a plan. Go smear mud all over the Praetorians' uniforms."
"Pardon?"
"Just do it."
"Understood."
Rikius saluted and withdrew.
I ascended the headquarters steps, pondering how to teach those scheming Eastern officers a proper lesson.
An hour later, the legion troops assembled in the parade ground. They glared at the podium with clear resentment. It wasn't just the heat—they'd been ordered to muster.
Drills happened often enough that no fool would gripe about that. Their anger stemmed from one thing: the golden eagle standard Rikius held on the podium.
The legion commander gave me a brief nod, then bellowed at the troops.
"His Majesty has heard of your discontent and sent a special envoy in haste. Our envoy is none other than Ain, commander of the Praetorian Guard and hero of the North. Show your respect!"
The soldiers showed no reaction.
Instead, a faint boo rippled through the ranks. The commander looked flustered, then apologetic.
"My apologies, sir. The men still harbor resentment toward His Majesty and the court. They're not ready to show proper respect."
"I understand. I'll address them myself."
"Is that wise?"
"Respect comes from the heart, doesn't it? Forcing it from those who don't mean it just makes me uncomfortable. I'm fine."
I stood, and the commander bowed before stepping behind the podium.
As I took center stage, the boos grew louder.
I stood firm before the troops, not twitching an eyebrow at the noise.
"The Praetorian Prefect has words."
Rikius shouted.
The soldiers snickered and fell silent for a moment, willing to hear me out.
I slowly scanned the ranks before speaking.
"Desert eagles guarding the Empire's eastern frontier—I am Ain, Praetorian Prefect. I stand here because I heard the Empire's eagles refused the oath to His Majesty.
His Majesty commanded me to learn why his loyal soldiers rejected it. But now that I'm here, I see I didn't need to bother. There isn't a single eagle loyal to the Empire among you, is there?"
"Take that back!"
"You've insulted our honor!"
Troops leaped to their feet, shouting.
"If you're the Empire's eagles, why no respect before its banner? Can't you see the golden eagle on this podium?"
They shut their mouths at my words. They'd refused the Emperor's oath, but not loyalty to the Empire itself. The refusal was protest, not rebellion.
"I rode here without rest to hear your grievances—from the capital, across the sea, through the desert.
That is His Majesty's wish, and my way of repaying your service to the Empire. Look! See the Praetorians behind me."
The troops' eyes shifted to the mud-caked guards, who looked like beggars despite their crisp uniforms en route. They bit their lips at the sight.
"His Majesty—and I as his proxy—thought and acted toward you as such. What is your response? An insult to the golden eagle! How can you call yourselves eagles?"
Some soldiers dropped to one knee at my rebuke. One by one, the rest followed.
"Forgive our rudeness."
I noted their broken spirit and softened my tone.
"Very well. I forgive your rudeness. And I apologize too—calling eagles something else was an insult."
I bowed to the troops.
"No, sir."
"We were rude."
Their tone was far gentler now.
The mood was set.
I glanced at the officers behind the podium. They looked uneasy, unprepared for this turn.
They'd hoped the young northern upstart Prefect would get chewed out and sent packing. This threw them off.
I turned back to the soldiers.
"Desert eagles, I ask you: why refuse the oath to His Majesty?"
"Rumors say the northern legions get better treatment."
"The Prefect's too junior in merit and rank to hold that post—it felt like disdain for us Easterners."
They voiced their reasons.
Much like the commander's explanation.
I nodded.
"Your discontent is valid. But misguided. Let me explain why the northern legions receive better treatment.
The Northern Army has endured wars where field armies collapsed three times. Tens of thousands dead, countless wounded. Replacements are all green recruits and barbarians.
In such conditions, who would guard the north if treatment was stingy? Who would enlist? Has your Eastern Army ever lost half its strength in a year?"
The soldiers nodded in agreement. No amount of perks mattered if you got shredded.
Especially when they even used barbarians—griping over better pay rang hollow.
They fully accepted the treatment issue.
"And the Prefect's appointment is solely His Majesty's prerogative. What use merit or rank in a post where he must place trusted men? Wouldn't disaster strike the Empire tomorrow if the disloyal sat there? Today's events prove it.
How could His Majesty keep commanders who let oath refusals slide due to 'discontent'? What if you were in his position?"
"Sir, we are not disloyal."
The officers on the podium shouted, dropping to their knees.
"Of course I know you're not disloyal. But you bear responsibility for letting rumors sway the troops to refuse the oath.
Legion Commander Verpasius stepped forward.
"Sir, policing every soldier's refusal is no easy task. How could officers foresee and prevent individual thoughts?"
"Of course not foreseeable. But how did the troops learn of events thousands of kilometers away?"
He fell silent at my retort.
"That's why you must answer for it. Praetorians!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Strip the officers' helmets of their plumes and cloaks."
"Yes, sir."
The Praetorians tore the symbols of rank from the officers. The troops watched silently despite the roughness.
Plumes and cloaks littered the ground.
I watched even Verpasius's removed, then addressed him.
"This inspection ends here for the oath. But reflect well on your stripped cloaks for future conduct. Harbor treason against His Majesty, and next time it's heads, not cloaks. Clear?"
Verpasius swallowed hard.
"I'll hold you to this level of accountability for the refusal. Legion commander—take the oath from the troops."
"Understood."
I swept my black cloak and returned to my seat behind the podium.
Soon, the humbled Verpasius led the troops in the oath to the Emperor and Empire.
Already convinced by me, the soldiers no longer resisted.
They knelt before the gleaming golden eagle and swore loyalty to the Emperor.
Watching, I pondered.
One legion down, but the rest will be headaches.
The 8th here, close to the Emperor's Aegypt province, received regular oversight and was deemed loyal.
Northern legions fell under the Eastern Army commander's direct influence, with operational autonomy—harder to oath.
Still, they couldn't be ignored. I'd have to go.
I smacked my lips as the oaths continued.
(To be continued)