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Chapter 5 – Change of Plans
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Winter 191BC

The winds ruffled the feathers of the eagle, it felt serene. The past few months had been peaceful and the pack of animals that it was tracking was staying in some kind of abode for a period of time and soon it got bored and flew away to the nearby mountains to stay. Once in a while, it would visit the abode of the pack of animals and watch it carefully. It was slightly surprised at first that there were other similar animals and it came to a conclusion that this place must be a special gathering for the animals.

Its eyes saw a prey from above. Just for some amusement, it decided to scare the prey into running. Folding its wings tightly, it started to descend with an increasing speed. A turbulence started and shook the eagle wildly around. Closer and closer it got, its sight locked onto the prey, a hapless one with no escape.

Ruthlessness.

The prey looked up and its pupils dilated in fear. Frantically, it started running across the valley. Adrenalin was coursing in its blood and its heart beat like a frantic beat as one would hear from the drums of an African drum. Tall stony mountains covered both its side and the short grass could not hide the prey. It was doom.

The eagle’s body shook violently, like a tree in a cyclone. But it was strong, the muscle taunt and the body absorbing the shock and stress brilliantly. Lower it went, closer it approach the prey with an aura of an all-mighty animal.

Death.

“SWOOP!” The eagle grazed the back of the trembling animal. Instead of closing its talons around the body of the hare, it took off into the air and flew away from the weak animal. It was hungry but then one hare was not enough for it. However, now its hunger had abated. The feeling of the trembling muscles of the hare against his talons. The pupils dilating so wide in the presence of fear. The smell of fear that hit the eagle strongly as he swooped down low over the hare; and all these reactions were because of it.

Fear.

The eagle knew now that it was the powerful predator; it was able to instil fear into its prey. The hare was nothing. Bigger preys were what he needed. One that would be fit for a king.

****
It had been six months since the great Consul Tiberius passed away. During that time there were great mourning and three days of silence in Arretium and Rome. It seemed as if a great veil had passed over the Julis and the people of Rome; it was a loss that seemed irreplaceable.

The Senators had sent their condolences to Asinius, the same as the Scipii and the Brutii. However, Asinius knew that only the Senators were sincere while the other families were probably gloating over Tiberius’s death.

Thankfully, there were no rebellions or revolts after the Consul’s death. Tiberius’s reforms, no matter how drastic it was, had proved their efficiency.

A day after the death of the Consul, the body was transported to Arretium where it later continued its way to Rome to be buried in a great tomb. Asinius was allowed to relieve his post as an army leader and was allowed to go to Rome for the funeral. However, he refused. Despite the rumours among his family members and relatives that it was an ingrate and was just trying to take the opportunity to become faction leader and retire in style, Asinius knew that his father would be prouder of him if he went to conquer the Germans, a goal that his father had never accomplished.

It was cold, despite warm south breeze and the wind from the Alps howled around the city, sounding as if it was the Sirens calling. Standing on top of the stone wall, Asinius looked towards the rising sun and watched an eagle skimming around the outline of the sky. During the past six months, Asinius always noticed that the eagle was near him, wherever he was. On some days, it perched on the roof of the palace, others, on the walls but most of the time, soaring in the air. Asinius thought that it was strange but seeing the kingly bird every morning gave him strength.

“Beautiful morning, hmm?” Tertius appeared beside Asinius.

“Yes,” replied Asinius.

“You know, Asinius, I know you always wanted to make your father proud. But there is no need to rush into this foolish attack against the Germans,” Tertius said.

Asinius smiled. Tertius was renowned for going straight to the point. 20 years of negotiating with those hard-ass Germans had certainly made Tertius a diplomat with a sharp tongue and a quick mind.

“Why?” Asinius asked, although he knew the answer.

“Right now, it is a very dangerous period for the Juli family. We have lost our most stable political figure and we are under pressure from Spain,” Tertius said.

Another smile from Asinius.

“I know,” Asinius said, “That’s why we need to crush Germania fast and hard,”

“Forget Germania, Britannia is slowly crushing them and furthermore, the Britons are advancing into Continental shore. They need to be contained in their islands,”

“So you are saying I should attack Britannia?”

“Yes, but you don’t have to rush you know. I know that you want to make up for not being able to attend your father’s deathbed and you don’t have to be so hard on yourself. When your father was dying, he said he understand that you were not be able to make it to his deathbed. He didn’t want you to exhaust the soldiers for the fear that you may run into some hostile German army,”

Asinius remained silent. Staring at the eagle in the sky, he felt more determined to lead his army into war. For six months his army had been garrisoned in the city and they were getting more and more restless. Tertius leaned heavily against the stone tower and buried himself deeper into his cloak. He came to admire the young lad. Asinius was blessed with an intelligence that was unmatched in the Juli family and a quick decisive person. Tertius was glad that the Consul had brought up the lad well. Two years in Greece and a few years spent in military in Spain had made the lad an all-rounder.

“Tertius, I made up my mind months ago that tomorrow will be the day when I will lead my army into war. No matter how much you try, I will leave this place,” Asinius said.

Tertius sighed. He knew that it was hopeless to argue against the strong-willed lad. Putting his hands on Asinius’s shoulders, he looked deep into the blazing eyes.

“Go forth, lad, you have mine and the gods’ blessings,”