Wolf Hunt (1)
The empire's defeat in the war dealt a devastating blow. The economic losses were severe, but losing those critical eastern border fortresses was fatal.
Now Ersia could attack Antica whenever it pleased. This meant the balance of power across the entire east had shifted from the empire to Ersia.
The empire scrambled to reorganize its vulnerable eastern border and redeploy legions, but we didn't have much time.
While the emperor toured the eastern border for about a month, urgent news arrived from the north. Barbarians had invaded, exploiting the gap left by the Northern Army's transfer to the eastern front.
I bolted upright in bed the moment I heard.
When I appeared before the throne, the emperor rose in surprise. I approached and stated my intent.
"Your Majesty, I've heard the news. Let me head north."
"But—"
Marius hesitated. He clearly didn't want to send me out before I was fully recovered.
I dropped to one knee.
"The northern troops need me most of all. If I return, the barbarians will think twice. Your Majesty, send me."
"I don't want to burden you with this when you're not yet well."
The emperor tried to dissuade me.
"You are protector of all imperial citizens. The northern soldiers need your protection too. Send me."
I spoke with unwavering resolve.
The emperor bit his lip, then nodded at my firm expression.
"You're right. Hear me, Praetorian Prefect Ain."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"In the empire's name, I command you: race to the northern border and take necessary measures. This shall be your new duty."
"The empire's golden eagle, Ain, receives Your Majesty's command."
I saluted by crossing my arm over my chest.
The next day, I departed east with Rikius and a small escort of guards.
It was an emergency, so there was no time to muster a large force. I switched horses repeatedly, pushing over 100 kilometers northwest each day.
It was grueling, but the northern troops were waiting.
Five days later, I crossed the eastern provinces and reached the Helles Strait, dividing the eastern and central provinces.
Beyond lay Ranova, the empire's second city and eastern capital.
I caught sight of the city's walls across the water and exhaled in relief.
Just cross the strait and five more days to go.
I dismounted and splashed cold seawater on my face.
Then Rikius called out.
"Sir!"
I looked up, mid-wash.
"What is it?"
"A boat's coming across the strait."
"Without a signal from this side?"
The Helles Strait was too wide and turbulent for a bridge; ferries were essential to cross.
A beacon tower on the south side signaled Ranova to send boats.
I climbed a rock away from the shore and peered across.
A boat really is coming.
Puzzled but glad for it, I raised the imperial banner high on Lanus Beach, where ferries docked.
"We are the Praetorian Prefect's party, bound for the northern border by the emperor's command. Cease operations and ferry us across immediately!"
Rikius shouted. Crewmen appeared at the rail, confirming our flag. Then an officer in an imperial rooster-plumed helmet emerged.
The boat soon beached, and the officer knelt.
"Hail to the empire's golden eagle. I am Senior Centurion Alinos from Sinopé."
"Sinopé?"
"Yes, sir."
"Isn't that where the 24th Legion is stationed?"
I asked.
"Yes."
"Under Governor Gratianus, right? Trouble there?"
Alinos looked surprised at how I knew.
"How did you know?"
"We're heading north after hearing of Governor Valius's border breach. Sinopé's under barbarian attack too, I take it."
"Yes. The Goti Tribe, moving from the east, led the breach."
"Goti Tribe. How many?"
Hearing of this new barbarian force stirring the northeast heightened my tension.
"Uncertain, but at least 10,000."
"At least 10,000 from Sinopé. 10,000 from Karute. Over 20,000 barbarians total?"
I sensed this invasion would be tough to counter.
With the Northern Army stripped for the eastern front against Ersia, they lacked reserves for 20,000 foes. Holding the border forts would be challenge enough.
"Yes. And all cavalry."
"Field battles will be impossible."
I'd planned to scrape together forces at the border and pursue, but that was suicide now.
Yet I couldn't let them roam free.
Allowing barbarians to ravage provinces would shatter imperial prestige, losses aside.
As I pondered, Rikius spoke.
"Sir, shouldn't we hurry?"
"Right. You—Alinos?"
"Yes, sir."
"Go to the emperor and report Sinopé's breach."
"Yes. Victory to the golden eagle."
I saluted and boarded.
What could I do against barbarian cavalry deep in imperial territory?
I sank into thought.
We crossed and raced north along the eastern coastal highway without pause.
Originally, I'd follow the flat southern coast to Belgorod, but knowing the Goti horde had plunged inland changed that.
En route, we encountered refugee wagons clogging the road.
People wailed that barbarians torched villages and seized everything.
"Barbarians rampaging, and where's the imperial army?"
an old farmer demanded desperately.
I had no easy answer.
We were doing our utmost, but couldn't repel foes from every direction. Even mountains of blood and lives might not suffice.
I gritted my teeth.
We passed the refugees, traversing abandoned villages and fields for days. Just the news of the breach had laid provinces waste.
We reached Sinopé with heavy hearts. Governor Gratianus greeted us.
"Never dreamed the Praetorian Prefect would come himself."
"Have to, against barbarians."
Gratianus nodded and offered a seat.
"How's the situation?"
"Dire. Border forts hold, but their horde breached, took six cities, swept over a hundred villages.
Our cavalry scouts say southern coastal cities are next."
I frowned deeply.
"That bad? We need to respond now."
"I'd like to. But you know they're 10,000 cavalry. Other barbarians lurk beyond the border."
My throat burned.
Mid-talk, the cavalry commander entered and reported.
"Sir, southern report: barbarians halted looting, heading north."
"Fearing our main force's return. Cunning bastards."
Gratianus gnashed his teeth.
I asked the commander.
"Loot?"
"Wagons and carts stuffed full, clogging roads. Thousands of civilians roped as prisoners."
"Wagons and carts?"
"Yes."
I clenched my fist.
I recalled an old fable of foolish monkeys. One shoved its arm into a narrow jar full of beans, greedy for all at once.
Trapped by its bean-filled fist, it stayed until the owner arrived with a club.
These invading barbarians had made the same mistake. They struck true, exploiting our weakened defenses to breach.
But greed for too much at once undid them.
They likely figured we couldn't muster a force to challenge them before our eastern armies returned.
Yet in that time, two or three northern legions could assemble. If we abandoned some border, it was feasible.
With enough troops, we could trap one barbarian wing.
I turned to Gratianus.
"Governor, help me."
"How?"
"Abandon some forts temporarily. Give me half the 24th Legion."
"Too risky. Empty the border, they'll pour in."
"Let them ravage our land and enslave our people? We must punish them."
"They're steppe horsemen, not mere mounts. Field battle against that?"
Gratianus said.
I knew nomadic cavalry were formidable.
But not laden with loot and prisoners. They were no longer swift wolves—just bloated pigs.
With mobility hampered, we had a shot. If we chose terrain wisely.
And we could seize it first.
They had to cross the border to flee home.
Gratianus crossed his arms, listening.
I could order as the emperor's proxy, but wanted his willing aid.
After thought, he spoke.
"Fine. As the Prefect wishes."
"Thank you. And one more thing."
"What?"
"Half the 24th isn't enough for the Goti. Request aid from the 27th and others."
"Your plan?"
"Let one barbarian group go. But annihilate the Goti. We need an example to deter them."
Gratianus nodded.
"Sound. I'll send letters."
"My thanks for the cooperation."
"No. Duty as an imperial soldier. You've spared me idle watching—I'm grateful."
I saluted calmly.
"Victory to the golden eagle."
Gratianus returned it.
Outside, I found Rikius.
"Rikius!"
"Yes, sir."
"Plan set against the barbarians."
"Sir? Against elite cavalry?"
"They're mighty horsemen—when unburdened. Now? Stuffed pigs. I'll gather wrathful eagles and hunt them."
Hand on hilt, I gazed south. The sunset? The sky burned unusually red.
(To be continued)