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Chapter 4 – An Honoured Death
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Summer 191BC

The eagle continued to soar above the clouds, the air currents was lifting him up, higher and higher. Feeling at ease but yet alert, it found a warm air current and started to spiral upwards. The world became silent and for the thousandth time in its life, the eagle and sky became one. It was a perfect example of two contrasting elements becoming one, distinct but still functioning as one.

As the eagle soared higher, it encountered a mild turbulence. However, it was used to it and soon overcame that resistance. The eagle’s laser eyes continued to scan the pack of strange animals below. For two days straight, they had been marching tirelessly, only to stop in the evening to build some sort of home, like the one it first seen. The strange thing, however, was that these animals did not need to eat. It had not spotted any of those strange animals hunting down other animals nor eating other preys. For the first time in its life, the eagle felt slightly vulnerable, for animals that could move on tirelessly without food, they would be formidable opponents.

The eagle was starting to lose sight of the pack. Slowly, it tipped its body down and with controlled caution the eagle spiralled down. Inch by inch, feet by feet, the eagle continued its journey downwards until it could make out the designs on the armour of the alpha. The alpha, the alpha, the eagle thought. For the past two days, the eagle had been keeping watch on the alpha, observing it and watching how the rest of the pack always obeyed its orders without fail. It was as if the alpha had complete power and authority over the pack. The eagle started to feel uncomfortable being too close with the strange pack. None of them had seen him and all of them were intent on moving forward. Feeling afraid that it may be spotted by one of the pack members, especially the alpha, the eagle flapped its wings a few times before rejoining the sky.

Once again, a fusion of two elements occurred.

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Asinius looked up and spotted the same eagle that had been trailing them for the past two days. He felt a little strange about this eagle. It seemed to think like a human and it acted like one. Why would an eagle trail after an army for two days straight? Even when he walked around the fort at night, he sometimes saw the silhouette of the eagle against the moonlight. He wondered whether the eagle belonged to any of the German’s faction members or the Dacians. Asinius knew that it was stupid for him to think about a spying eagle but yet he felt uneasy, sooner or later, he had to get that damned eagle shot.

“Sir, the messenger has arrived from Lugdum, he bring news,” Lucius rode up to Asinius.

“Bring him to me,” Asinius replied. Although he had been worried that the messenger was working too hard, Asinius was nonetheless happy with a man who was devoted to his job with a fierce passion. I will reward him with an excellent horse, Asinius thought, instead of the weakling he’s using now.

“Sir,” the messenger appeared beside Asinius. He was sitting on a pale, weak-looking horse that seemed to break down any moment soon. It was obvious that the messenger had been pushing the horse hard again.

“Speak,” Asinius said.

“The rebel army is still at the north of Alesia, though they are not making any trouble. However, your father wants you to exterminate them as soon as possible. There is good news too, Germania has finally exhausted all its resources and it had negotiated a peace treaty with us.”

“Did we accept?”

“Yes,” the messenger replied.

“Good, at least now my hands are not so full. How does my father?” Asinius said.

“He is well, but his health is failing. He longs to see you before you embark on your first mission,” the messenger replied.

Immediately, a shadow passed over Asinius’s brows. He was worried that by the time he reached Lugdum, his father would be dead by then. Looking up, Asinius thought that he could see the outskirts of the city. So near and yet so far, he thought, just a journey from the city and yet it seems like blasted eternity.

“You are dismissed,” Asinius told the messenger.

“Thank you, my service is always available to you,” with that, the messenger fell back and went to ride with some of the cavalry on the right flank.

Asinius sat in his saddle, lost in his thoughts. There were rumours about his father’s failing health. It must be those bloody Germans, thought Asinius, why in the name of Hecta would they want to take Lugdum? His mother had been right. His father should have retired to the capital and let one of his cousin take over the city. Give those lazy pigs a good shock, Asinius thought. The circling vultures of his family members were hovering around, waiting for the Legendry Infantryman to go to the Underworld. Asinius thought about his father, it was because of the Infantryman that Julis had gained recognition about Rome. Thrice, he had been elected consul and a numerous time, Pontifex Maximus. Now, all of the efforts of Asinius’s father would go down the sewers, all because of his lazy, thieving uncles and cousins.

Summer had come and the air was not too cold or hot. For six months Asinius’s army had endured the brutal cold in the Alps. Summer was a welcome relief to his men. Still, Asinius had no time to enjoy the refreshing air that had the fragrance of melted snow, shrubs and trees. All he wanted was to get to Lugdum and listen to his father’s last wishes before he embarked on his first mission. Staring impatiently at the long winding road, it seemed to take eternity.

Asinius sighed, resigning his cursed unluckiness to the Fates.

Meanwhile, a scream sounded from the sky, but none of the men below took notice.


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The army moved along the path that led to the city. Surrounding them was miles after miles of farmland. There were no noise, except for the wind, the rustling of the crops and the steady sound of the soldiers’ feet hitting the stone path. Asinius was glad to see the city within his sight. Finally, he might be able to see his father after all. Looking around, he was surprised to see that there were no farmers or slaves working on the farms. Maybe they’re preparing for my coming, Asinius thought.

As Asinius was adjusting his strap, he saw something moving ahead. Looking up, he noticed that his army had sensed the approaching unit and had slowed down. What is this, thought Asinius, some Germania or rebel army deep in our territory? Observing the unit, Asinius gripped the reins tightly; he was not sure whether to give the order for his army to attack the intruder, but then, he didn’t want to be attacked and massacred by some other army either.

Asinius waited, squinting his eyes hard to see the shape and the colour of the banner. However, it was difficult with the amount of dust covering the fast approaching unit. Asinius tensed, his mind for once thrown into confusion. Should he attack the army? But then, Asinius might destroy some farmlands in the process and he didn’t want that. On the other hand, if Asinius just sat and wait, it might be too late. The only option was to send his messenger ahead to see what it was. Reluctantly, Asinius called out to his messenger.

“There’s a job for you,” Asinius said.

“I can see that, sir,” the messenger grinned.

“Good, I want you to ride up to the front, check out what unit is it and see which faction it belongs to. Stay near the archers and don’t get attacked,” Asinius replied.

“Yes, sir,” Within seconds, the messenger was riding towards the front. Riding on for a few more feet, the messenger stood up and peered ahead. Asinius and the whole army watched anxiously, wondering whether a battle was going to start. Just then, the messenger turned at gave a shout and a thumbs-up. Asinius became puzzled, wondering just what in the Hades was going on.

“It’s a cavalry unit from Lugdum,” the messenger replied upon his return.

“What? I thought I was going to be greeted at the city?” Asinius asked.

“I have no idea, sir, but it is not just a cavalry unit, the diplomat Tertius Priscus is also present,” the messenger said.

“Tertius, why is he coming here?” Asinius was duly puzzled.

“I have no idea again, perhaps I could go and meet them?” The messenger asked.

“I’ll go, but follow me. Lucius, keep an eye on the men,” Asinius said.

“Yes, sir,” Lucius replied.

Riding away from his unit, Asinius and the messenger trotted to meet the cavalry unit that had slowed down now. Asinius could make out the red colour banner with the wreath on it. However, Asinius felt dread, he don’t know why but he just felt that this was not going to be a good meeting at all. Trotting slowly, Asinius trotted up to meet Tertius, who was at the head of the envoy.

“Greetings, what hail you here?” Asinius asked.

For once, Tertius did not speak. Instead he just kept on staring at the messenger. His lips were drawn in a tight line; the brown eyes that sparkled with intense alertness and intelligence seemed dead. The wrinkles on Tertius’s face seemed to be more pronounced, with a hint of defeat in them. Instead of sitting proudly, Tertius slumped in his saddle.

Steady yourself, Asinius thought, and breath in.

“Asinius, my boy, your father had passed away,” this came out in whisper.

The world collapsed. Asinius sagged in his seat. He had failed, failed to meet his father for one last time. The word failure seared his brain and it came like a red-hot sledgehammer that burned him mercilessly. He was lost in his own thoughts, stunned that he was defeated by not the opponent but by the Fates, which dealt him a cruel blow, a cruel blow that knew no words. A slight breeze stirred in the still atmosphere, it seemed that for once the gods of the nature were pitying him and trying to comfort him but still, Asinius was oblivious to everything.

The next thing he knew was that his messenger was leading his horse towards the city. He heard Tertius talking about the great achievements his father had done. About how he was the first in the family to become Consul, about how he received the name The Infantryman, on how he helped to prevent the family fortunes from backsliding and many other countless achievements. But Asinius was not listening, it seemed as if a string inside him had snapped, like he became loose, like there was nothing holding him anymore. As Asinius entered the city, he realized that there were people lining the streets; farmers, merchants, soldiers, slaves, ordinary citizens, all were at the side of the streets. All were facing the Governor’s Palace and all were bowing at it. Asinius rode towards the palace, led by his messenger. Behind, his army marched in with precise formations and order.

Tertius dismounted from his horse and walked up the first few flights of the stairs of the palace. Looking towards Asinius, he beckoned to him. Asinius slowly dismounted and walked up to the great marbled entrance of the palace. Tertius, bended with old age, hobbled up the stairs with Asinius. Together, both made a dignified sight, one dressed in the finest Roman armour and the other draped in finest Roman silk toga. At the entrance was a golden table, presented from the Senate to the Infantryman. On it, laid the legendary commander. The two men walked towards it and as they approached it, Asinius saw the peaceful expression on his father’s face.

Choked with emotions, Asinius felled to his knees beside the golden table. Slowly, Tertius did the same, with joints creaking. For a moment, all was silent, then Asinius’s army started to bang their shields, creating a loud, regular rhythm. On and on it went and finally the whole army gave a loud cry:

“TIBERIUS THE INFANTRYMAN!”

The whole population of the city did likewise. Asinius did not response or acknowledge the sounds below him but instead stood up and bend to kiss his father’s ring. Raising his head, Asinius slipped the ring off his father’s finger and slipped it on his own. Below, the roar was still going on and the soldiers were still banging their shields.

It was indeed an honoured death for a leader.