Note from Kanuro5: I've been meaning to put this out for a while, but unfortunately because of the pandemic and virtual teaching that I have to do with my students, my time has been very occupied. That being said, enjoy!

XIV

Your First

His tutors never told Vitus how mountainous Greece truly was. Everywhere they went in the region of Thessaly, Vitus could spot rolling mountains and endless valleys. The fields of Greece were beautiful, so lush and green. He could see why many Greeks believed this was where their pantheon resided, it was so tranquil. This would be a lovely place to take Titia for a serene vacation. Yet he couldn't enjoy this, in the back of his head, he knew he and the cavalry's mission was to locate an entire army of mercenaries.

The frontiersmen who delivered the news were leading the cavalry squadron back to their outposts. On the left and right wing about two hundred meters out, were the outriders screening the squadron's movements and scouting for any mercenary force. He was in the front of the column, his stallion trotting parallel to Brutus Equestris. The Brutus was stoic, his eyes betraying no emotion, yet Vitus knew he was calculating every possibility of engagement that could occur once they found the mercenaries. He was riding a strong brown mare of Scythian origin, in front of his seat was young Demetrius whose eyes were strained in worry, knowing that he was returning to the scene of the massacre of his village.

Vitus looked behind himself. Including his own men, this cavalry column was over 500 strong. Great stretches of distances had stallions and mares trotting in a column formation, an endless noise of whinnying, equine sneezes, and the clopping of horseshoes on the Roman-Greek highway.

It was a strange feeling, being in the lead of a unit that wasn't the Twenty-Eighth. He wondered how they were faring. He hoped that nothing major was happening in his absence. He imagined that Aelianus had control of the situation as Primus Pilus, and hopefully integrating the senatorial men with the Julii veterans. And by the Gods, Rupilius had better be contributing. The longer he was on this mission with the Brutii, the more he regretted leaving his legion.

And yet he was confident in the men he had asked to join him. He brought twenty of the forty Thracian bodyguards, with Ligadis being his strong right-hand. He also took Ardunas and nine of his Gallic archers, who were graciously provided mounts by Equestris. It always paid to have missile support, and he figured that it was beneficial if he brought along his Mercenary Captain to track down mercenaries. And perhaps against his better judgement, he brought along his two sixteen-year-old wards, Labienus and Domitius. Upon preparing to leave Athens, the two begged him to come along. He recognized those pleading eyes of adventure for them, and he figured this would be a good time to get them accustomed to riding with a cavalry force, so he brought them along.

Brutus Equestris' three decurions would rotate from the lead, to the center, and to the rear within every thirty minutes to maintain cohesion within the squadron. The decurion who was in the lead was Serapia, conversing with the Gallic archer, Ardunas.

"All across the world, huh?" Serapia replied to the archer's boast.

"That's right. From the sunny fields of Hispania, to the deserts of Africa, and even to the island of Rhodes. And across the Scythian steppe. My travels have taken me to great lands. Especially Scythia. Beautiful Scythia."

"Ohh," she replied amicably with a smile.

"When we halt in our travels, allow me to demonstrate the techniques of a true huntsman."

"You would allow me to see your techniques?"

"I would show you everything, Serapia."

She laughed at the comment and gave him a wink, "You are a smooth one, Gaul. Maybe in another life would that be feasible. But not in this life."

Vardanes galloped his horse to the lead, "Serapia, we are transitioning. Fall to the rear."

"At once, Vardanes," Serapia waved to Ardunas with a polite smile and pulled her horse back down the column.

Vardanes looked over to the Gaul with a telling smirk, "You should cease in your pursuit of Serapia. She is a virgin warrior of the Scythians. Their vows are sacred. She shall not seek union with a man until she puts down her sword, and that shall be until her hair greys."

Ardunas laughed mightily, "I appreciate your words, Parthian. But that's what all women say to me, that's what they all say. She shall not be able to resist my charms."

Vitus and Equestris looked at each other and enjoyed a soft chuckle amongst themselves.

"Your Gaul is amusing," Equestris commented.

"Yes, he does have his moments," Vitus acknowledged. "He enjoys violence, coin, and women. He shall not relent in pursuit of your decurion."

Brutus shrugged, "He is welcomed to try. As Vardanes stated, as a Scythian, she holds her vows sacred. That is the way of her people. They never do commit any action that is middling. Those born in the steppe are those who are born in the saddle."

"As you clearly seem to be, Brutus Equestris. You ride well. Tell me, why are you so invested in the cavalry? They're not as crucial to the Army as the infantry."

"That's exactly why, Germanicus. Rome is still expanding across this known world. It's expanding so far and fast that not even infantry can keep up with a problem half the world away. In centuries to come, cavalry shall be crucial to Rome, and we must start improving such, today."

"Governor!" the frontiersmen called from the lead. "We are approaching our watchtower."

The pyramid tiled roof of the second layer of the watchtower came from over a descending peak. As they approached, the watchtower began to show more of its form and its size enlarged. The eight-meter-tall stone watchtower was white and several men in Roman attire could be spot scrambling at the base.

Brutus Equestris grunted. "I can see. Both of you, ride ahead and alert the commander." He turned to his decurion, "Vardanes, hold the column here as I speak with the commander."

"I understand."

The Brutus turned to Vitus, "Julius, accompany me."

"I shall." Vitus twisted his head back, "Ligadis, stay here. Ardunas, accompany me with two men of your choice."

The five riders trotted from the column and approached a uniform line of dismounted Roman frontiersmen who stood at prim attention at the base of the watchtower.

"I am Brutus Athenicus Equestris, Governor of Athens. Are you the commander here?"

The most forward man snapped to attention, "Yes, Governor. Herius Ofonius, Commander of the 1st Frontier Century!"

The commander's eyes drifted towards Vitus. Equestris followed his eyes, "This is Julius Germanicus, Legatus of the Legio XXVIII."

"Do you wish to share a word, commander?" Germanicus asked him.

"Apologies, Legatus. I am not used to seeing—"

" 'A Red'?" he cut in. "I am aware. You're pardoned."

Equestris extended his arm out and pointed with two fingers, "Your men here, Sequatus and Morso, have informed me of a sizeable brigand attack on a Greek village. I have brought a squadron of five hundred horsemen."

"You made excellent time, Governor. I sent them two days ago and you have galloped here in a day and a half. And yes, a village has been attacked, we have verified such."

"May you provide an estimate?"

"Easily over a hundred. Seemingly all mounted. There were hoofprints everywhere, they trampled most of the agriculture they didn't take or burn to dust." The garrison commander pointed to the sky. Scores of vultures were circling in the distance, "The bodies were left unburied, a most… grisly feast for the scavengers."

The Brutii placed his hands on his waist, "Inform me on this matter. How did a force of over a hundred horsemen enter the territory without a single tower being lit?"

"I sent men over to investigate. They reported that the five men who were on night duty had their throats slashed during that night."

"Five?"

"Yes, sir."

"Which tower?"

"The Heraclian River, North #5."

Vitus blinked inquisitively, "Where is that, Equestris?"

"Two hundred meters away… past an opening that leads to the east… where Byzantium stands… Commander, we move to the village now, my column shall accompany us, and you shall join us."

"Yes, sir! I already have half our men still investigating."

This was wrong. This stench of blood, bile, and bodies… it should belong on the battlefield, not a village. The stink of death would permeate in this region for an entire month.

The village was utterly desolated. Homes made of wood were torn down or burned. The toiled fields were thoroughly plundered and destroyed. What caught most of the now dismounted cavalry's eyes were the large patches of dried blood where these Greeks were cut down in droves and bled out.

There was a solid pit of bodies, now charred skeletons, virtually a hundred in all, stacked on top of one another in a pit that was several feet deep. The smell of burning flesh was strong in that pit, the remains of charred wood at the bottom and the smell of pitch was evident here.

The gazes of Vitus and Marcus were transfixed on the corpses in the pit, neither of them saying a word. In front of Marcus was the young Greekling, Demetrius, standing as a statue, his eyes on the pit that had cremated everyone he has known. Vitus could see the tears descending from his eyes like a flood.

The Frontier Commander approached the patricians, his voice was haggard with regret. "The past few days have been hot, Governor. The bodies were bloating, the process of decay had started faster than we could believe. In addition, with the blaze of fire, some of the corpses were caught and started cooking. The vultures descended on them quickly… It took us a while to dig this grave and put the bodies in, we were fighting off the vultures as we did so. There were at least a hundred bodies lying out… I take responsibility, I stand by my decision that it was the most prudent."

Marcus looked behind him, "It was. Your decision was correct in disposing of the bodies. We could not leave a hundred corpses lying out in the open. Cremating them was the correct course of action."

"Gratitude, Governor."

"When were you planning to bury their remains?"

"As soon as you left once you witnessed this."

"Hmm. Do it now. Bury them all."

"At once," he left promptly.

Demetrius rubbed his face of his tears; his sniffling grew louder. Vitus decided he had to speak to him, but Marcus Brutus approached to kid, sucking on his bottom lip in mild anguish.

"Demetrius…" the Roman muttered. Vitus was close enough to hear them.

"They are truly gone now… Father, Mother… they are truly gone…"

"Yes, they are, Demetrius. They are in Paradise."

"I wonder, when I shall see them once more… if I live that long, would they recognize me?"

Marcus faced the boy fully and squatted to meet him at eye-level, "Demetrius… My son, Marcus, is two years old. I know every detail of his face and I have examined every speck of his body. If he were to disappear for fifty years, and we were to be reunited… I would still know it would be him… Your parents are waiting for you, and they shall embrace you when you reunite… But not yet, Demetrius. Now is not your time."

Demetrius turned to Marcus Brutus, his eyes were red with tears, "How do you know?"

"Because you are still here."

"I… I am."

"Yes, you are, the Gods still have purpose for you."

"And what is that purpose?"

"Well, your purpose is to find that out now, isn't it?"

Marcus Brutus stood to his feet and brought the boy into an embrace. Demetrius wept loudly into the Roman's sternum.

Vitus' eyes fell to the charred corpses. He recalled his own father…

"Legatus…"

Domitius and Labienus were behind him, their eyes were lost in the pit of corpses. Domitius was covering his nose from the stench, yet Labienus refused to do so, perhaps to seem tough, but Vitus knew the stink was unbearable for his virgin nostrils. Vitus could see fear enveloping them. Domitius motioned his head to speak with their guardian privately.

"Yes, Domitius?" Vitus asked, stepping away from Marcus Brutus.

"This area, it reeks of death and blood… truly a hundred must have been slaughtered," Domitius coughed.

"They were."

"How are you not affected by the stench?"

"Visiting places of great slaughter… that has been my occupation since I was sixteen. This is the aftermath, be patient, and you'll truly smell the horrors of an actual battlefield, Domitius"

Labienus squinted, his mouth was tightened by a gust of wind that slammed the smell up his nose, "This is rather… horrid. Who are we chasing that has done this?"

He spoke slowly and soft, "Cruel men, who believe these peasants are nothing but the dirt beneath one's heel. They shall not move with impunity. Rome shall see to that."

Marcus Brutus approached Vitus and mentioned he would speak to him privately. Both patricians moved away to some place secluded, Marcus uncorked his wine pouch and finished half of tis contents. His eyes were narrowed furiously, he exhaled as he finished, "Fucking bastards, the whole lot of them."

"I know," Vitus replied.

"This display of barbarism, they shall rue this moment, Julius, mark my words."

"What of the boy?" Vitus asked.

He ran his hair through his blond hair, "He has nowhere to turn to. He shall accompany us until I deign what is best for him."

Vitus looked to him, "You shall bring a boy to a battlefield?"

"You brought along those two wards of yours."

"They are men, under the toga virilus, Demetrius is twelve."

"I comprehend the pain he endures and the fury that encompasses his heart. I seek to—"

"He reminds you of yourself," Vitus interrupted. "As you lost your father."

Marcus exhaled with closed eyes. "Servilia, eh?" He said, not looking at Vitus. "It was her, correct?"

"I understand the pursuit of vengeance. Such is why I am here, for my cousin, and the countless others of my blood who fell to the Arcani. I do not judge you for exacting vengeance. But to bring a child in this dangerous quest? Are you certain upon this?"

Vitus felt an overwhelming pressure being exerted by the Green Centaur, "Yes, Julius. I am. I am not granting him a sword to wield or armor to wear, he shall watch from the distance, but he shall not engage. I shall not deny him of seeing justice."

Marcus Brutus spun around, roaring, "Everyone, mount up! We're going after those fiends! Now!"

The squadron vigorously followed the trails of The Fist of Kronos through the countryside. They were pushing their steeds to the limit, moving at a consistent gallop. The trail had apparently led the mercenary horsemen through a more mountainous pass. Yet this land was Brutii and several of his Greek cavalrymen were born here. They knew of a shortcut that would take them around the pass to shave half a day's time. Through this, Equestris cavalry could catch the raiders.

The mercenaries had avoided any other village that they came across upon. It seemed that they targeted Demetrius' village out of necessity instead of wanton violence, yet Vitus suspected that they laid waste to everything to hide their trail. However, it would be quite difficult to hide the presence of three hundred mercenary cavalrymen.

Taking the route around the tight mountain pass, the Roman cavalry would pass by three separate villages that were 15 miles apart from one another. The elders in the village all spoke of how they heard a stampede of horses come by a day ago, racing down the road and through the crops of some of the villagers. They said it was an endless column of horses, over a hundred. And not one of them stopped. Brutus Equestris was elated at the news, they were only a day behind the mercenaries, a day behind revenge.

However, vengeance would have to wait. The sun would set within an hour and the squadron had rode their horses hard for the day.

The last village they encountered was located by a river that stretched for miles to the east and the west side was protected by mountain ranges. Brutus Equestris ordered for a camp to be established a fifth of a mile from the village. The village couldn't hold more than 70 people, so his camp would be out of the village's concern, and at the same time it was close enough for the horses to receive care if they needed it, and for his men to receive fresh produce and livestock to slaughter upon purchase.

Several of Vitus' Thracians purchased chicken eggs and cow milk to consume. Domitius and Labienus even came back with a large brown pig. When pressed upon why they purchased it, Labienus told them they were hoping Ardunas and the Gauls or Ligadis and the Thracians could slaughter it so the Roman boys could enjoy some pork. Vitus observed the young Romans playing with the pig, petting it lovingly and feeding it fruit and vegetables. They were all laughs and smiles. Vitus' felt uneasy.

Night had fallen and a half moon was in the sky. The patricians were by the fire with their loyal lieutenants by their side. The mood of the camp was somber due to the massacre they had witnessed earlier, being surrounded by comrade-in-arms had made Vitus feel somewhat easier.

"I do miss this," he said openly.

Ligadis chuckled, "You act as if we've been absent from the field of battle for a year. It hasn't been too long since we were in battle."

"Yes, you are correct, Ligadis. But still, after a year in Germania, then suddenly being in beds… you come to miss sleeping amid nature."

Labienus chuckled, "You miss not sleeping in a bed?"

Vitus shook his head, "You'll understand the words that I speak when you get older. It's the rugged comfort that invigorates your senses and makes you feel alive, such a comfort you cannot receive in a city."

Domitius scoffed playfully, "Give me a soft bed over the dirt at any opportunity."

"I agree," Labienus nodded.

Vitus stared at the two boys.

Equestris' eyes were fixed on the fire and the crackling wood in front of him. Vardanes noticed this and asked, "What troubles your mind?"

"My wife, my son. And my city… I hope that Scipio hasn't burn it to the ground yet."

Vitus looked to him, "Place faith in Lupus, I believe he shall not disappoint you."

Equestris scoffed, "Putting faith in a Scipio… Bah! What good has a Scipio ever done?"

Domitius twisted his head, "Were it not the Scipios who defeated Carthage?"

Equestris looked so offended that it was comical. Even his retinue were laughing at his expense.

"That was Africanus, boy, and that was hundreds of years ago, what else have they done recently?" Equestris countered.

"Yes, but," Domitius continued, "I was referring to the Scipio who destroyed Carthage fifty years ago in the Third War. And they also aided in expanding the Republic's navy and assisted in improving living cond—"

"Silence, boy!" Equestris shouted juvenilely. The Brutus' retinue were laughing harder.

Decurion Lucceius gave a soft applause to Domitius, "Smart boy, it lifts the heart that you were taught lessons of all houses in Rome."

Vitus smirked, "Do not fret about the Brutus, Domitius. History has never been a passion of their people."

Equestris sharply twisted his head towards Vitus, "Oh… So, Julius, your family, all of you believe that you are truly a descendant of a God?"

"Of Venus. Yes. We are."

"Hmm. Of course..."

"Do not seek to disparage my lineage because you have none of your own, Brutus."

"No lineage?" His scoffing turned more venomous. "You little Red shit… my family were the ones who expelled the last Roman king! We can prove as such!"

"As my family can prove lineage from Aeneas."

"Your family history is based on myth, ours is fact. More tangible, more prestigious, more revered. Your family had no acclaims to latch onto, so you weave this tale of fantasy in being described as "Sons of Gods". What hubris. And out of all the Gods you choose from, you pick "the Whore Mother"? Pathetic."

Vitus' mouth tightened. His eyes didn't falter. "You Green bastard."

"You Red laggard."

Everyone around them stared on awkwardly at the exchange. Ardunas muttered to Ligadis if they should leave to avoid this.

Even Vardanes was confused, "You two shall not come to blows now, shall you?"

Equestris scoffed with a smirk, "No. This is common. Greens, Blues, and Reds, hurling insults of shit unto one another. It's a way of life for us, right? You flaccid Red."

Vitus drank from his wineskin, "Indeed it is, you filthy Green. We of the Three Families always need to defend our clan."

"Besides," Equestris looked to everyone around him, "We are on an important task, I am not petty enough to fall to division over familial pride."

"As am I," Vitus nodded. "We are here to kill our enemies, not each other."

Equestris started chuckling, then suddenly stopped. His eyes were glued to Vitus inquisitively. He scratched his face, before asking.

"Enlighten my curiosity, but who was your first, Germanicus?"

Domitius and Labienus were blinking quickly. Domitius stammered, "Wh-What? What are we talking about? Is it a-about the Legatus' first time w-with a woman?"

The adults all laughed together.

Serapia leaned over and rustled Domitius' hair, "You are a cute one."

Vitus shook his head with a smirk, "No, boys, that's not what we're talking about. Just listen, and you'll understand."

The Julius looked back to the Brutus, "A Gallic chieftain. It was my virgin campaign. I was sixteen. My father conquered the last village in Gallia. His legion sacked the village and to make a statement to thoroughly demoralize the Gauls, and to ensure that I understand the weight of death in my hands, he forced me to kill him in front of the village."

Vitus knew Marcus was hanging on his words in fascination. "Really?"

"Yes. So, I drew my dagger and placed it to the old chieftain's neck. I looked him in the eye, and then I killed him. That was my first, an execution."

Lucceius leaned in, "What an honor, a chieftain."

Vitus nodded, "Yes… an honor… What of you, Lucceius?"

"A Maedi tribesmen," the Roman decurion answered. "He came at me during a battle, but I plunged my sword through his gut. He squirmed on the sword and died instantly as I retracted it."

"A Maedi, eh?" Ligadis commented.

Lucceius looked embarrassed, "A-Apologies, I forgot you were a Thracian."

Serapia slapped him in the back of the head. But Ligadis said, "No offense taken, for I am a Getae. To hell with those Maedi."

Lucceius exhaled, "Good."

"Yes, for my first kill," the Thracian bodyguard looked over to Ardunas, "It was a Gaul. I was in formation with the men and he came charging at our shield wall. I had my pilum at the ready and launched it at him. The javelin went through his skull."

"Ha!" Ardunas laughed, "That's funny, I can picture such now. I didn't kill until I was fifteen. The Aedui tribe were raiding us, and my father went off to war. So, I tracked his warband and observed the battle. Then an Aedui warrior snuck up behind me to slay me. He was massive, but slow. I scampered away from his attacks until his sword was caught in a tree because he was swinging wildly. I took up a rock and bashed his fucking head in several times, until it was naught but pulp. That was a good day."

"Very good," Serapia replied with a smile. She was giddy in her tale, "I was eighteen and I was traveling through the Greek countryside to reach Roman lands of the east. Outside one village, I caught these three men trying to rape this peasant woman. I drew my sword and walked as silently as death behind them. I sliced this one man's throat from behind. Then skewered the second man. The third man caught me, and we fought, but I ended it with four sword strokes. I hacked his cock off and watched him squeal as he bled his life away. The woman was grateful to me, and she started kicking the cockless man, even as he was dying. I felt I could conquer the world that day."

Ardunas was applauding, as was Ligadis. Vitus and Equestris exchanged looks of uncertainty, it was great to prevent a rape, but did one have to take pride in such violence used?

Vitus looked to the quiet Vardanes, "Have you a tale of your first?"

Vardanes wiped his face with his hand, "I do, but… I do not wish to share."

"Oh, I understand… uh, well then, Equestris, you recall your first?"

The Brutus nodded slowly, "I do. I was seventeen. It was an Armenian. These bastards were raiding Bithynia whilst under the Republic's protection. So, my father and I were sent to track them down with cavalry.

We came upon a river, and they ambushed us. Their cavalry came swinging down and got us good as we were crossing the river. I drew my sword, and my father ordered our cavalry to hurry through the river. But they hit us hard. Many of our horsemen were falling. One of the horsemen came for me and skewered my first warhorse."

Marcus was quiet, his eyes lost in the dancing flames that cracked the twigs. "I did not hold the pleasure of meeting the man that killed Glory in that ambush. If I see him now or a century later, I will carve out his fucking heart."

Marcus cleared his throat, "To redirect the story, I fell in the water, this freezing river… the shock of it sent my hair to stand on edge. I lost my sword in the water as they descended on us. So many men were being killed that the river changed into a light crimson.

"Then came this one man with his sword drawn. He rushed at me, I drew a stone from the river the size of a large orange and I slammed it in his face. He wore heavy armor and the weight sent him crashing down into the river. He was determined to rise to his feet, but I resolved for him not to. I pounced on him and wrapped my hands around his throat. I was strangling him as I forced his head under the river. Though he kicked and thrash, I squeezed his throat tighter, using my strength to keep him submerged. After a while, he stopped thrashing."

Marcus stretched his arms out and twisted his back, his spine cracked softly. "Yes, that was my first man. We defeated the ambush and inflicted heavy casualties on the raiders. I would later slay two other men, one with a spear, and the next with a sword. But it was strange, the sensation of slaying your enemy with weapons is quick, but doing so with your bare hands… My father was so proud of me for killing my enemies. He was so proud."

Vitus' eyes fell to the fire. It reminded him of the pyre. He recalled his father's own words. 'Though I have won many laurels in my lifetime, you two have been the greatest achievements that I have ever earned.'

The snorting of the pig broke the silence, all eyes fell to the animal that both Labienus and Domitius were petting. Labienus smirked easily, "I feel like he has a story he has to share as well, don't you, Chest?"

Ligadis blinked, "You named it?"

"I did, he's pretty smart, and he is as big as a treasure chest."

Domitius chuckled, "A good name for a good pig."

Vitus tightened his mouth. He recalled his own past… "Labienus, Domitius, you look upon your dinner."

Both of them turned to him. Domitius was the first to speak, "Apologies, may you repeat what you said?"

"That pig is your food," Germanicus explained.

"We know, we'll have either the Gauls or Thracians—"

"No, they are not going to do it. You both shall."

"What? But, how are we to—"

Germanicus drew his dagger and showed it to them. Both of the teens shivered.

"You can't—"

"I do." The Legatus, voice was cold, "You shall kill your pigs and cook them, or you shall not eat."

"Why do we have to kill him? Can't the Thracians or Gauls do that? What is the purpose of this?"

"For you not to die, of course. Now move with haste, pigs are intelligent creatures, they may catch on in your true intent. I recommend you both do it at the same time. If you miss its vitals, then it shall be startled and impossible to calm."

"B-But Germanicus—"

"I desire not excuses, but results."

Labienus looked queasy, "H-How do we… do it?"

"Take the knife, and slice its throat, or aim with a strong stroke to the jugular. I recommend you go for the jugular with a perfect stab. Because if you cut the throat to shallow, that animal will get away from and will never trust you again. Or you can use your gladii, I recommend that since it's large and easier to thrust."

Both of the teens looked at one another.

Domitius was biting his lips, "I-I don't think I…"

"No!" Labienus said.

Eyes fell on Germanicus. He titled his head at the young man, " 'No?' "

"I don't see why this is necessary! Why do we have to do this?!"

"You're the only ones present who have not hunted or killed an animal. I even believe Demetrius' father took him hunting to kill an animal! You two, have not had that experience."

"So let us hunt, not just butcher this animal!"

"There is no time to hunt, we're on a mission. And you should not grow fondness for a beast in a campaign that is not your horse or dog. You desire to eat? Then kill your food!"

Domitius was stammering, "It… I-I… It feels…"

The Julius' eyes narrowed, "What does it feel like, Domitius? Wrong? You two need to know what it feels like to take a life, to know what it feels like to sink your steel into something and to feel it bleed, shriek, and die."

"Th-That's the cause for our presence here in Thessaly? Just so you get us to kill something?"

"Yes, Labienus."

"For what purpose?"

"We are going after assassins and mercenaries; these people have made a profession over death and battle. And Sulla grants me responsibility over your lives, and how can that continue if you are afraid to kill? They shall not be afraid to kill you, I can assure you. Do you recall what I told you two in Arretium when Rupilius brought you to me?"

They didn't say a word, but he knew their thoughts. 'As long as you are with me, do not expect some cushy experience where you are exempt from fighting. This is the Twenty-Eighth, our specialty is killing and dealing in death to the Republic's enemies. If you ride with me, then you ride in the front and in the thick of it.'

Domitius looked as if he would retch, but Labienus looked the cooler of the two. Although there was bitterness in his eyes.

Vitus grunted, "You two were eager for the pig to be slaughtered by others earlier, but now you take pause when you are the ones doing the slaughtering? It's the same in war, it's easy to order your men to kill and die, but until you are the one who kills and the one who could die… it is an entirely different perspective." He pointed out of the camp. "I recommend you take your pig to the fifty-meter post out of the camp. I shall send Ardunas to watch over you to see that you do so."

"Ugh, for what purpose should I—" Germanicus snapped his head towards the Gaul. "—I understand."

Both of the teenagers stood up and led the pig away on the leash, their eyes glued to the dirt beneath their feet as they walked. The only sound that could be heard was Domitius' heavy breathing.

The Gallic archer stood up. "Ardunas." Germanicus said.

"Yes, Germanicus?"

"Once they have finished, assist them with removing the entrails."

"Will do." He left after them.

Vitus turned his head, Marcus Brutus looked at him silently, without any reserve of judgement. He spoke after a little bit, "How did that feel?"

Terrible… "It had to be done, Equestris. Every man needs to start somewhere in knowing how to kill. The younger you are, the more difficult it shall prove. Best acquaint them now with death than on the battlefield."

Marcus Brutus head titled up-and-down once, "You are a sharp mentor, Germanicus."

Five minutes later. A high squeal broke into the night. Those by the fire looked at Vitus. He wore his mask stoically. Was this what his father felt all those years ago?

Again, I must unfortunately say that chapters will be uploaded inconsistently, due to my schedule. So please be patient.

Thank you for reading.

-Kanuro5