Egil woke up on the rolling deck of the ship. Yawning and stretching his aching muscles, he looked around at the likewise wakening soldiers.

"And to think I turned down an offer to be governor of Naples, to sleep on these uneven wooden boards. I wonder what Idlico would say if she could see her governor now", he said and smiled.

Mimmicking Ildico's squeeky voice, he went on: "I am Caesar, you must do as I tell or...or...or I will tell you again!"
The men around him laughed and got up, ready for another day of training on the narrow deck.

Aboard the Flagship - galley "Terror", which had 100 oars and a crew of 200 souls, Aelius Decimus Maximus, former Praetorian and General of Rome, watched his men train with spear and axe and sword, preparing for the upcoming battles with the Usurper. Morning myst was still all around - it was so dense, that Maximus could barely see the ships to the left and right of "Terror". Dawn had just past, and sun was rising on the east - there, in the depths of fog, almost readable, layed their goal. Revenge.



Maximus joined the exercises of his men. Senator Marcus Aurelius fought with him, then, some time after, Senator Egil Puteolanis. They both were skilled warriors, and General was proud to have them by his side. After the fight, they took a break, and Maximus went back on the bridge. The light wind blew when he looked to the right and left, where he saw the galleys of Senator Lucius Verinus, the "Hydra", Senator Ralen the "Ghost", and of Senator Decimus Atrapes, the "Peril". He knew that the others are also nearby, covered in the white vail of myst.

He just wanted to step down to his cabin under the bow, when he heared a shout from the top of the sail - sailor in a basket was shouting clearly as the daylight:

"Land ahoy! Laaand!!!"

Everybody jumped on their positions - in a blink of an eye, they were all ready for battle, as if it was going to happen in the next few seconds.

Maximus himself took his axe and his shield, put on his helmet and issued an order to the legionnaire next to him.

"Give the signal to Senator Marcus. He will want to know about this. After that - arouse the rest of the fleet to prepare for battle."

Maximus gave the command over the upcoming clash to the one of the bravest officers. Senator Marcus was with him on every campaign he led - all lands that he conquered in the name of the Republic, every battle - not single one had Marcus missed. Maximus felt that finally it was the right moment for his friend and brother in arms to get a chance to prove himself as a skilled commander. It was a great honor of course, and a terrible burden, but he believed Marcus would not lt him down.

Maximus checked the edge of his axe - it was sharp as the winter in Northlands. He looked upon his men - Senator Marcus Aurelius and Senator Egil already left moments before, to take command over their ships, the "Poseidon" and the "Jason" - and issued the order for duble speed. Then he stated:

"Romans! My brothers of the sword! I'd rather fight beside you, then any army of thousands! Let no man forget how menacing we are, we are LIONS! Do you know what's there, beyond that beach? Immortality! Take it! It's yours! "

At the end he shouted a battle cry he shouted for so many times:

For the Republic! Roma Victor!

Campaign begun without incidents. Our fleet had sailed from Palermus a few days ago, crossing the sea for the coasts of Italy with a fresh southern wind. Marcus Aurelius had spent the days reviewing reports arrived from his comrades into his exile in preceding weeks. Old friends and acquaintances from the Republic still support and inform the patriarch of the gens Aurelia, despite his absence and the prohibitions of the self-proclaimed Caesar Ildico.

Our spies had indicated that the New Regime had been forced to abandon recent conquests in the island of Corsica, moving roman legions to Italian peninsula to stop outbreaks of rebellion that sprang up everywhere. The bulk of the troops, a newly created legion SPQR (despite their lust for power, Ildico still tried to pretend that Senate and People of Rome still rule in the Urbs), was in the capital and didn't appear to have carried out any movement in last days.



Landing was easy, ports if the Bay of Naples had received the newcomers with open arms, and even several galleys got out to sea to escort our transport ships. While Marcus Aurelius organized a camp for the troops, commanders were to meet with local council. Aelius, Marcus, Egil, Ralen and the others were received with great pomp in Neapolis and officers of the city informed them of the withdrawal of Ildico's officials and the arrival of ambassadors from all cities in the area to offer support and assistance for our army.



Marcus Aurelius watched the progress of camp works when an officer approached him:

- Sir, there's a man there who wants to see you...

Senator turned to see that, a few steps away, accompanied by a sentry, was Lucius, his friend and secretary. He runed for him with a smile and shook hands with joy.

- Couldn't wait to come to meet us, right?

- You know time has passed since our last meeting, but I'm not the only one who was impatient to see you. Both you and the rest of the army commanders have friends and followers in Rome awaiting your return. I have many letters to deliver the sooner the better.

In the evening, after the return of the commanders, a festival was organized to celebrate the return home. Excess wine was banned to avoid outrages, but a double rations was given to the soldiers. General Marcus organized several scouting parties in the North and the hinterland to discover enemy positions, while the rest of us reviewed our strategy.

In the morning, a messenger came at gallop. Legion SPQR moved south, led by Ildico herself, but with manpower shortage, possibly because of limited support of the "Empress" in Rome. Nevertheless, her forces were a threat and it was necessary to quickly organize legions on the battlefield.

As Ralen walked around the recently (re)claimed province tears came to his eyes. Wether it was from joy or from sorrow he didn't know, all he did know that dispite the clear evidence even the slaves did not want the Usurper at the head of Rome she still tried to keep power within her grasp instead of where it belonged. So for Rome power belongs to the people and the Senate. And yet the Usurper Ildico marched up the last legion Rome had on to the field where the night before had been a battle which resulted in a glorious victory for the Loyalists. (talking about bad signs ).

Sitting down on a hillside with a nice view over the province (and the Last Legion) Ralen put off his arms and armour and started to repair it. Not often did he look up but when he did he counted the Romans. They counted few yet Roman dicipline was a powerfull thing, all learned that from their time in the Legion or underneath the Legions boots..

Tommorow will be a good day to fight and if the gods yearn for it, it would be a good day to die for Rome, for honor, for loyalty.

So brothers, it has been decided. We meet Usurpers army where we stand.

No more shall we let them poison this land, here and now it ends!

And by Mars, end will be theirs. We shall destroy her army and she will never raise another. Her Rome, is ours. Every stone, every pillar of the senate.

To arms, to arms,
to free our farms!
For the dream of Rome,
and the senate dome.

Pain and burn,
they will learn,
wounds and death,
they will earn.


To me brothers!

Mist cleared slowly, rising in tatters over Campanian plain with the first sunrays. An awkward silence saturated the air, oppressing the hearts of the soldiers lined up under the standarts of the Republic.



Last hours had been hectic. After the first warning about the advance of Ildico's troops, everyone had started to work. Commanders prepared tactical approach on the battlefield, carefully studying each position, every trail, every hill, guessing each possible enemy movement and how to counteract it, while outside the praetorium legionnaires were busy maneuvering, organizing our lines, training to loose up their muscles and erase the nervousness from their faces before the battle. Messengers came and went between front-line patrols and our camp, gradually informing about enemy advance.

As morning advanced, ambassadors from Neapolis met with General Marcus. The city offered all the food and equipment the army could need, as well as their own walls for defense in case the confrontation twist. Both Marcus and the Praetorian Aelius calmed them down, assuring a great victory and promising to regain the freedom lost since the advent of Ildico. Meanwhile, Marcus Aurelius was responsible for organizing convoys and centuriae that marched to meet the enemy. On the front, Egil, Elpis, Decimus, Lucius, Elendil... all them preceded him, riding through the lines to inflame the souls of the warriors.

After the last manipulus had gone, Marcus Aurelius came before commander Marcus. Everyone was ready to go, along with Aelius, Ralen and General Marcus, senator headed for the extensive formation that stretched across the plain. While commanders passed, cries of Victory, cheers for the Republic echoed, and a huge thunder of pila hitting the hard roman shields filled the air. Our armies were about to sweep Ildico's troops.



Arrived at the formation center, the officers stopped. Marcus Aurelius turned and gazed the horizon, a cloud of dust announced enemy arrival...

A pitty there aren't any decent Roman war poems on the internet

'As Ralen walked with the rest of the Legion he could see the enemy closing in on the lines. There were not many soldiers on the enemy side but numbers don't win battles, they only help even the odds..
Ralen starts to check his equipement, his sword, his bow and his armor. After he is done with the checks he kneels down, leaning on his sword Ralen waits and observes the enemy. He puts arrows in front of him, as to shoot faster. And then came the hard part: the waiting, waiting for the battle, the next day if that day came at all.. He looks at the others, seeing their faces. Some he might see for the last time, some only on the pires... But he knew all of them, they fought and bled together. These are the toughest Romans you'll meet, the most loyal and fierce warriors Rome has and yet it feels strange...

It was decided by the Senators that the Usurper should be drawn into fight beneath the city of Neapolis, and if possible utterly crushed. There were many different thoughts, many different strategies, paths, opinions on the question should the Legion of the Republic wait upon the enemy, or continue marching forward, trying to free other cities and provinces occupied by Ildico's pawns... Finally, after much deliberation, it turned out that the heart moving gestures of the emissaries from Neapolis concluded the war council, and made everyone see the right way.

They offered to fight, they offered their walls, they offered provisions for the Legion... They were hardly opressed by the Usurper, and were loyal Republicans - so loyal that every soul that participated in the war council understood instantly what should be done.

The scouts were flying over the hills of the region, covered with pine trees; as the sun rose, many of them returned, bearing intelligence news. Some even came with heads of the enemy's scouts that tried to ambush them in the woods. Men cheered when they saw these brave souls, carrying their awfull trophies - it started well for the Loyalists.

As the columns formed up, centurions were shouting orders, tribunes were attending their cohorts, leaders were taking their positions for the upcoming clash. Luckily for the Republican Legion, right before the city there was a nice, long sloop of open field, easily manuvarable, a perfect spot for standing ground and waiting for the enemy to come upwards and smash into the wall of shield and swords. Senators could not have picked a better position even if they wanted to. The spirits in the army were high, men looked serious and resolved, ready to take whatever the enemy was about to throw at them...

Great catapults were formed and put behind the back lines of the army, hundreds of archers were checking their arrows for the last time, praefectuses were making all the neccessary arrangements...

Finally, the scouts announced that the enemy had started the advance through the forest, towards the hill-top positions where the center of the Loyalist host gathered in a perfectly shaped horse shoe.

"Tipical for Ildico" - Marcus Aurelius said, departing to take the command over his part of the Legion - "always rushing."

Maximus nodded seriously:

"Keep those shields up when they start firing" - he shouted - "I hear she got a decent amount of Crete archers, and whole bunch of mercenaries! Good luck!"

Then he jumped on his horse. Cicero gave him his shield and helmet, then moved aside as Maximus charged towards the right flank of the army, that pressed hard the lands near some unknown mountain creek.
He saw many faces he knew while he rode next to the front lines - legionnares knew him as their captain, that led them through many a battle - seeing him riding before them in all pride and glory that a General of the Republic can present, they were even more eager to fight and win.



On the bank of the creek, he passed by the last soldiers of the right flank, then headed deeper into the pine forest. He could hear the drums of the enemy not far away, and thousands of boots battering the ground through dense woods.

Soon it will begin...

Not long after, Maximus cought up with the unit of equestrii, a band of hand picked men for the dangerous manuver of getting behind the enemy lines, and then, in the critical moment of the battle, hitting them from the back. They were all veterans, battle scarred men, fearless and brave as Mars himself. Many of them volunteered for this mission, eager to fight.

"Fratres," - Maximus said, when he stopped his horse in front of them - "There is not much to be said about the path which we will follow in a few moments. You all know what lies before us. Draw your steel, harden your hearts and clear your thoughts.
Hold the line! Stay with me!
If you find yourself alone, riding in green fields with a sun on your face - do not be troubled! For you are in Ellysium, and you're already dead!"
They all smiled, as he continued:
"Brothers! What we do in life - echoes in eternity. Now hold the line! As one!"

Then they stormed through the woods, towards the rising sounds of clash, like a pack of lions in a hunt for its prey. The battle had begun.

Decimus had been in this group for some time as the Roman Elites and now as free men. They stood by each other and fought alongside each other. They were strong together. Divided they fall united they stand tall strong he had thought in his mind. But the latest event is with Rome...his brothers were kicked out illegally....this new person took the spot as the new leader illegally while we were deselecting the king due to absence and voting for a new one. He left Rome in support of his brothers. Suddenly he heard battle cries...he withdrew his weapon and faced the enemy. He saw Aelius, Lucius, Marcus Aurelius, Marcus, and others running charging the enemy. This put pride in him and loyalty to these brothers. He charged at the enemy just like they did. He shouted

FOR GLORY OF OUR FORMER ROME AND THE SENATE. LETS GET THESE URSURPERS!!!!

Clash was colossal between the armies. Too much anger pent-up gave soldiers an indescribable thirst of blood and fight. Centurions made efforts to force his men to keep positions and lines formed, preventing enemy incursions in our ranks that could section our front, spreading the panic. Marcus Aurelius struggled to be understood among his closest officers as he watched from afar the other commanders in a similar situation: Ralen, Decimus, Egil, Elpis… all them fighting first line. Marcus, Lucius and Elendil were near, but separated for hundreds of enemy soldiers. Despite the breadth of the plain, movements were almost impossible. Manipuli could hardly move through the large number of corpses that littered the ground.

- Charge!!! Send them back beyond the forest, out of Italy until the outer limits of the World!!!




After first moments of combat, undecided, enemy troops began to recoil as our men increased the pressure. With heavy heart cause of our fallen comrades, we move forward slowly, pushing enemy back beyond the middle of the plain. Gradually, different enemy groups along the front began to flee. Meanwhile, pressure of Ildico's elite troops made our far right formation begin to scatter.

- Find Aelius!! Tell him we need our cavalry in our right wing!!

Marcus Aurelius turned to a young optio behind him, but voices of his officers still reach him from behind. When he looked back, watched a new enemy charge, Ildico's Guard headed toward them a gallop...

- Stay firm!!!! Keep your places!!!

........................................




The rest of the battle remained blurred in his mind. Marcus Aurelius looked around, hundreds of corpses covered the ground and birds had begun to descend over the dead men. A tear ran down her face. Many good romans dead on both sides! All cause of the stubbornness of our ruthless enemy!

- Gather all corpses. Make a wood pile and burning them. No matter if they are friend or foe, Rome don't distinguish between their sons!

Night was falling quickly. Over the hill our flags and standards waved sadly, and the wind seems like a long lament...