sorry folks I have been busy with real life. I have another installment coming up soon! And thanks for all the wonderful comments.
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sorry folks I have been busy with real life. I have another installment coming up soon! And thanks for all the wonderful comments.
yes I may do that. I just figured the people on there were the same people on here :)Quote:
Originally Posted by CaesarAugustus
Probably are although TWC is more popular, oh wait ive just contradicted myself...
" :applause: Bravo Chirurgeon. I like the added effort that you have made into your AAR. To me, an AAR that stands out from the rest is one that apart from the pretty battle scene and pictures, sets out to give background of the nations/economies, the characters, plots and even sub-plots make them pretty exciting to read. It also sets up the anticipation for the next installment.
I understand that real life is busy, when can we expect the next installment?"
@Tom0
why are you still a junior member? you have almost 500 post.
thank you for the kind comments. Life is real hectic...I will have an update this weekend...sorry for the delay it is not like meQuote:
Originally Posted by PersianFire
Chapter XVII: The Price Of Betrayal
Spring 557 YAF (257 BC)
I drove my horse as fast as I could. Eventually I crossed int the region north of Gader and took the side road that led eventually to the great olive estates that had formed with the prosperity of the region. I crossed through huge fields of various crops and eventually saw the entrance to my own estate. Something was amiss. A tent was pitched to the side of the entrance and a vaguely distinguishable figure was messing with a small fire. He looked up at the sound of me and the horse and I recognized him immediately.
"Lutros! By the gods what are you doing here?" I was excited to see him but also knew that I had sent him ahead by ship to get my family out before Hasdrubal could punish them for my betrayal.
"Castulo you should get down from the horse." He said in a somber tone. I suddenly felt weak. I felt a tremor come over me. My mouth became dry and I could not speak. I felt nauseous and my ears rang terribly. I nearly passed out.
"My family?" I asked on the verge of desperation.
"My ship was waylaid in Palma to repair the mainsail. I could not get here. It took a week to fix. I am so sorry I wished I could have gotten here faster." He looked at me with tears in his eyes. His pain was just a small reflection of my own. I spurred the horse up the road with Lutros yelling and running behind me. I barely heard him. As the road wound up the hill I began to see the signs of devastation. Urns destroyed, trees burned, and olive trees ravaged. Finally I made it to the main house which had been gutted by fire. Only the walls remained. I slowed the horse to a walk and the great gardens in the front of the house had been torn up with plants and pots torn asunder. I was furious but soon my fury turned to searing pain. In front of me near the entrance to the house beneath a great fir tree were fashioned three stakes that had been pounded into the ground. They were about four feet apart and each one a different height. Made from trees of a light color the wood was now a dark crimson. I do not know how but i got off the horse and walked slowly with my hand outstretched in a desperate attempt to deal with the end of my world. An enormous pain wracked my entire being. A pain felt on all planes of my body. Each stake had been used to impale my family. Each stake a different size for the person to be impaled. My wife's was on the right with it being the largest. In the middle would have been the stake used for Ebudamus, with it being smaller in height and diameter. On the left was the smallest. Only two feet tall and barely wider than a thumb. My infant daughter would have been placed there. I fell down in front of the three stakes and began the most intensive outburst of physical emotion imaginable. I pounded the earth with my fists until they were bloody. I hit my head with those same bloodied hands in horrific agony. The suffering of my family had been immense. Impalement is a terrible way to die and their suffering was prolonged from the fact that the stakes were not long enough to penetrate the vital organs. it would have been a terribly slow death. I cursed all the gods and I felt my emotions turning every moment.
Finally Lutros, breathless from his run, found me and held me like a mother would hold a sick child. I was sick. My life was shattered. I cried until I ran out of tears. Exhausted I collapsed. I hoped I would die and slip from existence. As I succumbed to exhaustion I looked at the clay tablet that had been erected next to the stakes. A hastily scrawled message had been inscribed and it read : "For this is the price of betrayal".
Somehow Lutros convinced me to leave. He told me that we could not linger in this place. I did not argue but he had burned the bodies of my family shortly after he had arrived. We left the next morning and headed east toward Lutros's homeland south of Baikor. We followed the river as it wound through spectacular country. However my vision was now tainted with horrid agony. Beauty would be something very elusive for me.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...ernIberia2.jpg
***
In the early summer we arrived at the site of a new village that had replaced the one destroyed by Lutros long ago. Videllac's relatives had returned home with the more peaceful rein of Ditalkos. They welcomed Lutros as a son and a brother. I too was readily accepted. The Celtiberian tribes that inhabit this region had always been open to outsiders which enabled them to build a mini trade empire with their Punic neighbors. The pain that had consumed me over the last few months had been replaced with sadness and yet again was being replaced with hate. I could think of nothing more than strangling Hasdrubal. One day I hoped to get my revenge. I wanted to squeeze the very life out of him.
It was a time of recovery and the normal day to day runnings of the village somehow helped me with the healing process. At long last i realized that I had no coin. Somehow I would have to get money again. As soon as we left here we would need it to buy meals and eventually some place to live. The treasury below the estate had been ransacked and all the coin stolen. Many talents of silver left with the brutes that killed my family. It was then that I remembered something that happened a long time ago. Videllac and I had gone to his old village to look for his family. He carried with him a wagon of coin. Twenty talents if I remember correctly.
I burst out of the house and found Lutros. He told me his father buried it in the ruins on top of a hill not too far from here. He was as excited as I was and we left eager to dig up some long lost coin.
We found the ruins easily enough and beneath a statue that had two silver coins for eyes was the bounty. It had been buried for years videllacs clue was subtle but effective. We gave two talents to the village for their help, bought a wagon and mule for another talent and headed to Baikor. The city was much different than I remember. It had grown substantially and the farms extended even further out into the plains around the city. We connected with the main road and Lutros and I had made the decision to return to Oxtraca. At the very least I needed to tell Anastadae's family what had happened to her and our children. As we rode along the road we found ourselves traveling with many other Iberian men. All were heading to the capital.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...ernIberia1.jpg
There was a chieftain among them named Lugo and he knew who I was. "War is upon us Castulo. The fields around Oxtraca are swarming with men hell bent on the destruction of your republic." I was furious but managed to control myself. "I am no longer part of that Republic. Hasdrubal has forced me to take your side." I said firmly. He smiled "It is good to have you then. We would not want history to forget what we are going to do." I realized he was right of course. At this point i began to work aggresively at documenting the journey of these recruits. They were very young and on foot. They carried no armor, save for a shield, and their primary weapons were javelins. They were very proficient at using these and would no doubt prove useful in the coming conflict.
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Lightly armed horsemen who rode bareback and also used javelins were accompanying the column of men. We were joined with even more men from Succum Murgi.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h..._caetratii.gif
Many of the men there were Lusitannan and as a result had different equipment than their more Celtic counterparts. Although we made good time another winter was upon us and we made a winter camp north and west of Sucum murgi near good fishing waters and forests full of game. In the spring we would continue our trek west until this group of men merged with the rest of the tribes.
"He's back. Great opening chapter."
Great to have you back, Chirurgeon. Good entry, the fate of Castulo's family reminded me of Gladiator.
Yes indeed. This was the hardest chapter for me to write. I felt myself getting all emotional. I was going to make it a bit longer but I think you the readers will understand the point. I hope to have another update in a few days. Wasn't Maximus's family crucified?Quote:
Originally Posted by CaesarAugustus
I am brimming with excitement.
I haven't seen you before so I welcome you and thanks for the comments :)Quote:
Originally Posted by The Wandering Scholar
THAT WAS AMAZING! sorry to hear about Castulo's family....
now i should get back to doing my AAR, but im too caught up in GRAW at the moment.....:shame:
Indeed they were, in a rather disgusting scene where you could see his young son's blackened feet hanging down... compared to crucifixion impalement seems almost merciful. :no: BTW have you overcome your Lord of the Crack... er, Rings Online addiction, Chirur?Quote:
Originally Posted by Chirurgeon
lol i dont play it as much as I did at first...I am hoping to update the AAR twice a week.Quote:
Originally Posted by CaesarAugustus
I thought they were hanged from the tree in gladiator. Moving and Sad Update. Thats messed Chirurgeon man:no: I can't believe that you killed off his family. I could feel his pain and rage running off the page. I think its time Castulo picked up a trusty Falcata and rammed it through Hasdrubals Throat!Quote:
Originally Posted by CaesarAugustus
The hardest, but the best. In my novel, I used something similar to drive my main character to the edge of breaking, of becoming something he didn't really want to be. It was quite effective, IMHO. Now I have to bring him back out, to redeem himself from darkness. I'll be interested to see where you take Castulo. Keep writing! :whip:Quote:
Originally Posted by Chirurgeon
OOOOOO a novelist. Would love to read that sometime. One way to deal with his reaction is to give him a higher purpose that transcends the loss of his family.Quote:
Originally Posted by Theodotos I
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chirurgeon
I am tom0 (changed username to something more exciting :p)
...and avatar and signature :beam:
He didn´t become member either because he never ventured outside the EB forum, or because he´s the champion of spammy one-liners.
Anyway, once again, great work Chirurgeon, and congrats to the award.
or because of the hofs?
Thank you :bow: Update tonight!Quote:
Originally Posted by General Appo
Yes Congrasts Man! Unfortunatly I didn't get to vote :shame:
Chapter XVIII - The Journey to War
Spring 558 YAF (256 BC)
As the snow began to retreat upwards on the mountain peaks around us the order to break winter camp was given. We marched towards Oxtraca. As we came closer and the city appeared in the distance the normally clean air was smudged with smoke. Some of the men thought the city had been burned. As we crested the last knoll before the city and looked upon the plains that surrounded it the source of the smoke was quite evident. Hundreds of campfires and various cooking pits had been set up. The forests in the hills around the city wiped clean of anything that would burn. The smoke made the whole place take on a surreal appearance. Thousands of men had migrated here under the guidance of Ditalkos. As we marched down the crude road that led into the camp it revealed an organized layout with the various tribes having grouped together. The first tribe on our right were the Arevaci with their compliment of men and weapons. Next to them were the Cantabrii and their renowned skirmishers. Warriors from the Asturii tribe had gathered and made camp next to the Calecii. One of the largest contingents were the Lusitani themselves being a very dominant presence. They occupied most of the ground with a distinctive variety of soldiers. Lugo, the chieftain we met in Baikor, wound his way to the central tent of Ditalkos. He needed to know where to have his men camp. Lugo had brought light cavalry with him and they were a versatile group of fighters. An amalgam of men, smoke, and banners all united for a single cause. It was a true sight to behold.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...terXVIII-2.jpg
Ditalkos embraced me like a brother and looked deep into my eyes. "Your loss of family pains me deeply. It saddens me that they were the first casualty in this war. Know that they did not die in vain and their deaths will soon be avenged." All I could do was nod. The numbing pain still fresh and easily brought forth. "It is good to have you back Castulo. We are leaving on a great journey for the peoples of Iberia." I stayed for a while but eventually went into the city to find Anastadaes family. They had been told of the death of my wife and children and also assumed I had perished. I did not have to tell them so I mourned with them. It was a painful but necessary step in my healing.
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https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...terXVIII-5.jpg
***
By early summer the somewhat permanent feel of this camp began to melt away. Tents were dismantled and gear packed. For an army this size it was remarkable that the men traveled so lightly. No mules or baggage trains. Just the men with every thing they needed on their backs. Sheep and goat herders followed the army and sold their stock to the army at a reasonable price. The men of Iberia were adept at hunting and fishing. Smaller game were trapped. Not one man went through the march hungry. The speed of this great swarm of men was truly remarkable. By late summer we had descended into the area adjacent to Gader. The countryside emptied out with people flocking into the city for protection. The outlying tribes rebelled from Punic rule and sided with the Iberian Confederacy. Spies in the east learned of an army marching to meet us. Apparently it was hastily created. Kart-Hadastim did not have enough men or silver to raise a significant army. Ditalkos felt confident he could defeat this army. Over the course of the Autumn he began to tighten the noose around Gader. Crude ditches were dug and the plan was to wait out the city.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...terXVIII-4.jpg
The garrison was small but Ditalkos wanted to beat Hasdrubal in battle. He wanted an early victory that would send the enemy reeling. I for one had an intense desire to see the man that ordered the death of my family. I had never been so eager for battle.
By the harvest all land routes out of the city were cut off. The port was quite distant and ultimately depended on the roads for supplies. The people of Gader had no where to go. It saddened me that it had come to this, but for most of my life I realized that this collision was unavoidable. It was like two ships moving headlong into each other. Neither would move. The closer the impact the more resistant to change until the hulls kissed in a violent collision. A collision had occured. Two cultures who gained so much from each other would now fight for the rights of this great land.
Ditalkos son, Arebasiko, was the eyes to our north.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...terXVIII-1.jpg
The Arverni confederation were also on the warpath. Tribe after tribe to the north fell to their armies. Not too long ago our two peoples had forged an alliance and now trade was picking up. It was hoped that trade with our northern neighbors would offset the inevitable loss of income from Kart-Hadastim. Some of the tribes that lived near the Pyranees considered themselves more Celtic and were tempted to declare loyalty to the now powerful Arvernii Confederation. Arebasiko voiced his concern but Ditalkos was quite busy with the very real war that was building before our eyes.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...terXVIII-6.jpg
yay! war!
Man, this keeps getting better and better!
*waits at edge of seat*
Can't wait for the clash......:2thumbsup:
*pulls up chair, sits then has a beer and waits*:dizzy2:
War, war, war!
*Chants*
Finally! War! Kill! Maim! :charge::charge::charge:
wow you almost made me cry with that very gladiatorlike chapter. Kill those phoenician scum! kill them till only Castulo is left.