Kanuro5: Okay, some bad news, my trusty laptop died a month ago when this chap was just getting started, so I wasn't able to write. Good news, I had my files saved to a cloud and I got a new laptop. Also, this is the longest chapter yet, the first draft was originally longer, but I had to edit it down for being too long. But I stand by the length for the sake of narrative in this chapter. Enjoy!
XVI
Apollonia
Two Days Later
~Umbra~
He wasn't wearing his mask. He was reclining under a shaded tree on top of a hill. His eyes were set upon the port city of Apollonia that was only three miles away. It was a large city with great stone walls that wrapped around the settlement neatly, only stopping at the edges of the river to where the Adriatic and Ionian Seas met. Even from miles away, Umbra could notice the mixture of ancient Greek buildings along with Roman construction to give this port city a true flare of Greco-Roman. A city where Roman sailors first interacted with Greek philosophers, a city that's history throughout the centuries existed as a melting pot of culture between the two civilizations, until the Brutii captured the city less than two hundred years ago.
And now this city was to be sacked. On orders of a savage mercenary, and approved by Umbra's superior, Taurus.
He sighed. He truly desired he was under orders from Vipera. Alas, Umbra was loyal. Whether to the Arcani, Taurus, or Taurus' father, he couldn't fully determine. But he was here now. Under the shade of a tree, calculating what the destruction of this city would be like, and would it serve as a solid precursor when they destroyed Rome…
On his leave from Athens, Umbra had trimmed his raggedy beard down neatly and clipped his hair. Now that he was done wearing the guise of a homeless old man, he now looked his age at thirty-three.
Biga had finished pissing behind the tree and came from the back of it with a jaunty exhale, "Whoo! I near spelled my name with that amount of piss!"
Umbra looked over at the big man with a smirk, "It surprises me that you can even spell your name, Biga."
Biga stretched his arms, "My mother did not raise a simple brute, Umbra. She instilled the utmost values of intelligence unto me."
"And what did your father instill unto you?"
"I cannot say, the cunt was not present."
"Such is why you are a brute."
Biga picked up a pebble and chucked it at Umbra.
Umbra could pick up the galloping of horses, their hooves clopping the dirt in the distance. There was more than one rider, but under ten.
He was proud of his boys, right on time. Four horsemen came dashing from the outskirts and stopped in front of Umbra. They had brown cloaks draping over their bodies, hiding the blackened armor of the Arcani.
As a senior man of the order, Umbra was in charge of his own men. He originally had ten men, but the glorious Bloody Ides claimed six of their lives, and the remaining four had just arrived. All of them have five years of experience in the Order.
These four men under his command were Vulpes the Fox, Mare the Sea, Pugio the Dagger, and Orbus the Orphan.
All four of them hopped off their horses and bowed their heads before Umbra. Vulpes, the most senior of the four, spoke first, "We have accomplished our tasks, Umbra."
"Rise, all of you. What do you report?" Umbra asked them all openly.
Vulpes pointed to his partner, "Well, Pugio and I neutralized the watchtower several miles in the south. Six of their guards are dead, and the next patrol isn't slated to arrive until four days."
Umbra nodded in approval, "Four days, such news lifts the heart. Now, Mare and Orbus, what of you two?"
Mare spoke as he motioned to Orbus, "For us, we went north and spotted the mercenary band, Kleos, moving here. They are well known in Epirus and Illyricum, and their movement is not seen as unusual, the Romans assume they're being hired to fight against Mithridates."
"How long?"
"We estimate less than a week."
"Fortuna blesses us in that regard," Umbra exhaled. "The four of you maneuvered well. We shall-"
"Umbra, there's something else…" Vulpes said with tight lips.
"What is it?"
"I killed a courier who was trying to reach Apollonia, and, well…" Vulpes dug in his pouch and handed some parchment to Umbra, "here is what it says."
Umbra opened it and read it aloud for everyone, " 'To the Governor of Apollonia, there has been a slaughter at Eastern Watchtower #6 among the Pyrrhus Hills, five guardsmen of said watchtower were found dead with their throats slit. It was discovered by several peasants of an army of foreign warriors moving west, with several reports of foreign cavalry razing the countryside. We of Watchtower #7 requests more patrols in the province to spot these raiders…'"
Umbra folded the paper, "They said the 'Pyrrhus Hills'… we passed them two days ago. When did you kill the courier, Vulpes?"
"Yesterday."
"Shit…"
Biga put his hands on his hips, "Perfect… I knew we could not go undiscovered, but to think they are becoming aware of our presence this quickly."
"I am aware," Umbra said to him. "We need to hurry with this plan, the last thing we need to be is trapped in the mountains with 20,000 men."
The young Orbus looked to the mountain path that was behind Umbra and Biga, "How in the Three Furies are 20,000 men situated up there?"
Umbra looked at him, "Quite cramply."
"They are packed tighter than balls in a vise," Biga remarked crudely.
The four Arcani laughed, Umbra shook his head with half a grin.
Pugio spoke up, "What shall we do now, Umbra? Should we return with you and Biga?"
"Hmm… no, continue as you were. Stick to your pairs I assigned. Do not wear your armor or your masks as you have, only do so if combat is unavoidable. Continue to scout for 30 miles and return with any news of enemy movement. If nothing shall occur, or if you do not hear from us, then proceed to Rally Point Harpy."
"H-Harpy? What about Phoenix as ordered by Taurus?" Mare asked.
Umbra looked down at Apollonia. "We shall take Phoenix within a day or two, and yet, I have a feeling that we shall leave Apollonia immediately upon taking it. Once we take Rally Point Phoenix, I feel the sleeping wrath of the Republic will descend on us post haste. So, move to Rally Point Harpy."
"How do we get there? It would take forever to reach there by horse."
"Then take a ship, you would need to cross the water to best reach it."
The four junior assassins looked uneasy, and Vulpes said to his senior, "I do not seek to question, but is this wise to scatter us so far?"
"Believe me, if I had my way, we would not be this far east and this scattered. Vipera and his men are in Gallia and Hispania, we're here in Epirus, Aries and the rest are in Athens, and Taurus is moving east. We are too overextended, and thus we cannot coordinate efficiently. All we have to move on is our own intelligence and initiative. And I do not trust these mercenaries to scout with efficiency and not compromise themselves."
Vulpes nodded, reinvigorated with confidence, "I understand, Umbra. We shall follow your command."
"Good, may Mercury grant you clairvoyance on your travels, and may the pantheon keep you safe on your travels."
"And with you," the four men responded as one. They mounted their steeds and galloped away.
"You have good men, Umbra."
"Gratitude, Biga. They are good men. You should have your own by now."
"I told Taurus and Vipera this, I am no leader, I only follow."
"Like a brute."
Biga slapped the chuckling Umbra in the back of the head.
Both men looked out to the city, they could hear the multitudes of gulls squealing from the harbor from where they were. This serene settlement of the Republic was to fall.
"Do you imagine Heracleo has a plan?" Biga asked.
"I do not believe any of us do," Umbra responded.
"The Gods do."
"Yes, they do, it would lift the heart if they could make us privy to such plans."
"Careful, Umbra, of such thoughts…"
"Yes, you are right. I believe it best that we return to Heracleo."
"Right, and up the mountain pass we go. Masks on?"
Umbra took out his black mask, "Masks on."
It took the assassins nearly an hour to make it to the summit of the mountain pass that overlooked Apollonia. From the boulders emerged twelve archers who guarded the pass. Their arrows were on their bowstrings, but they eased them uneasily as the Arcani identified themselves.
They moved past the sentries to enter the encampment. Through the cliffs and patterns of boulders, multitudes of tents were erected with thousands of mercenaries roaming through the camp. 20,000 strong.
The primary language of this makeshift army was Greek. Very few of these mercenaries spoke Latin. Since Umbra last recalled, there were twelve separate mercenary bands under Heracleo's command. Yet four major bands stood above the rest: The Black Dogs, The Band of the Red, The Cyclopes, and Prometheus' Pawns. They had the most men, underneath Heracleo's exclusive band, and their leaders shared subcommands beneath Heracleo.
Conditions of the camp were miserable, and morale was low. Violence and threats seemed to rule this army. Just last night, when all the wine ran out, a drunken cock-measuring contest erupted in a violent quarrel after a Black Dog slurred how a Prometheus' Pawn's mother swallowed his massive girth. The offended Pawn severed the Dog's cock, leading blades to be drawn and four men lay dead after the altercation. In retaliation, the Pawns enlisted the aid of Cyclopes arsonists to set ablaze a few Dog tents. The fire spread into the Band of the Red, and they retaliated against the Pawns, killing three and crippling two. This was just one wholly related incident that occured last night, in a night where thirty-five men died in seven total unrelated incidents.
Umbra had seen this before when he was in the Legion. When soldiers were bored and lacked discipline and recreation, they would do anything to relieve boredom, including fighting one another. Especially those of another legion that was camped nearby. Oftentimes, this rivalry between legionaries would lead to camaraderie when in battle; but here, these barbarous Greeks, Thracians, and whatever foreign scum present, 'rivalry' transformed into blood feuds.
The Band of Red couldn't stand Prometheus' Pawns and would fight them with the Cyclopes; the Cyclopes were notorious bandits and Greek deserters, and they would steal from the Band of the Red and only tolerated Prometheus' Pawns, Prometheus' Pawns would bring blades to fistfights with both the Band of the Red and the Cyclopes. Everyone hated the Black Dogs, the Dogs had a penchant to claim all the spoils from a battlefield and steal contracts from up under the other mercenaries, the other three would often settle their differences just to fight the Black Dogs. But they all paled in comparison to the Fists of Kronos, who had the most men and the best discipline out of all the mercenaries gathered. Yet the Fist were just as ruthless and violent to their fellow mercenaries.
The Fists of Kronos were renowned for their skill and ferociousness of battle. They had strong infantry and even stronger cavalry, a model in which their leader, Heracleo, modeled off Alexander of Macedonia's legendary army. Even the archaic phalanx that gained famed for Thermopylae and were perfected by the Macedonian kings, Philip and Alexander, were utilized brilliantly underneath Heracleo. Its soldiers claim descendancy from the Spartans of old and the Argead Macedonians. They would hold the line of the enemy and allow their employers to flank around the enemy and destroy them from the rear.
Throughout their time with these mercenaries, Umbra and Biga always wore their masks and tried to keep all conversations to a minimum. The battle hardened mercenary veterans of war would silence themselves when the two shadow men approached; they would clear the way of them. They would spit and curse behind the assassins' backs, but never to their faces. The duo didn't care, these soldiers of fortune were scum who did not receive providence from Jupiter Optimus Maximus. Why should the faithful of Jupiter worry about these savages?
The shadowy duo came upon the sentries for Heracleo's tent. Though the guards were scarred and held a menacing appeal, they had a twinge of fear in their eyes.
Umbra spoke calmly in Greek, "We need to break word with Heracleo, let us pass."
One of the guards summoned up false courage, "He is meeting with the other leaders, no one is to enter."
Umbra didn't move. His voice didn't change. "Let us pass."
The guards moved away.
They stayed in the shadows and hung back near the walls of the tent, they stepped softly and yet moved with purpose. The arguing of the army commanders was louder today.
Umbra and Biga came to the inner tent, decorated with spoils of war hung on display. Armor from various armories and flags taken from fallen foes were standing proudly within the tent. Four men draped in different sets of armor were on their feet, cursing one another viciously. Yet the fifth man was sitting down, sipping on wine as he watched the four men verbally battle. And they all spoke Greek.
All four of them were leaders of the four major mercenary bands. There was Deon of the Black Dogs, then it was Glaukos of The Band of Red, followed by Ilus of The Cyclopes, and the last man was Theopompos of Prometheus' Pawns.
"I desire his name and his head!" Deon of the Black Dogs sneered.
"Fuck your desires, Deon!" Theopompos of the Prometheus' Pawns responded indignantly. "You shall get shit from me!"
"If your fucking man didn't castrate mine, none of this would have fucking occurred!"
"Fuck off, Deon! I shall not hear this today from the likes of you savage mutts! My concern lies with Glaukos and his fucking band! How dare you attack my men!"
Glaukos of The Band of Red groaned, "You and your men are at the root of all this shit, Theopompos, and then your men had the gall to come to the Cyclopes like cowards to burn down our tents."
Ilus of the Cyclopes rolled his eyes, "Leave me out of this pettiness, my men are not in the wrong, unlike you Glaukos! You criticize us and yet your men murdered the most beautiful thing in the world!"
"Fuck this preening Macedonian!" Glaukos of The Band of Red slurred.
"You Reds, drank all the fucking wine!"
"And you Cyclopes burned my men and our tents!"
Ilus of the Cyclopes stood, "I already made an example of those who committed arson, this matter is settled!"
"Settle my cock, deserter! You and your band of thieves have plundered this fucking camp!"
"He is right, Ilus," Theopompos of the Prometheus Pawns countered. "My boys dug through your tents and documented hoards of stolen weapons and treasures."
Ilus of the Cyclopes turned red, "Well, who the fuck are you to search through the tents of my men as if you are the law?! What gives you such right?!"
"My steel, care for an interrogation?"
The man sitting down and drinking had finally had enough. He groaned before rising to his feet, "Do I have an army of warriors, or fucking women?"
"Heracleo! What are we to do? We reside in the mountains, we have no wine, and my men require coin!" Deon of the Black Dogs slurred.
"Do you understand how much assurance I had to give my boys to not plunder the countryside, per your orders?" Ilus of the Cyclopes explained.
"Can you not control your men for a bit longer? By the Gods, I am paying you all for your service, yet our army shall fall due to infighting. Where are all of your fucking balls?!" Heracleo demanded.
Heracleo stood brazenly among them. The most discernible feature was his face, he had a piece of fabric strapped to where his nose would be if it was still there, the strapped looped around his head and was hidden in his dark brown hair. His brown beard was sprinkled with grey and lice.
"You all shall receive your rewards for patience. I can assure you," he told them.
"What possible assurance is there?" Theopompos of Prometheus' Pawns groaned. "Since Asia Minor have we marched! My men are exhausted, morale is low, they need plunder. I need plunder!"
Just hearing this squabbling among the leaders after witnessing the near anarchy of the camps was giving Umbra a throbbing migraine. If only Taurus could see what how grand scheme was falling apart.
I am ending this dribble.
He moved forward from the shadows and spoke loud, but calmly, "Heracleo." His voice booming through the tent.
All arguments stopped. The four mercenary leaders under Heracleo buckled backwards in surprise. Biga emerged from the shadows as well.
"Damn it! Would you stop doing that?!" Deon shrieked at the shadow men.
Heracleo drank from his cup and laughed. He stood up to point at the leaders, "You shallow cunts, you fear these Black Masks?"
Theopompos of Prometheus' Pawns hissed, "They are unnatural. Unholy. Are they even men?"
"Of course they are men. Men on divine assignment from Thanatos himself! You all fear these men. You all scorn these men. But I? I embrace these Black Masks as fucking brothers!"
Heracleo rushed in and hugged Umbra with a boisterous laugh. The assassin did not return the affection, staying as still as a statue.
"One day, you shall grow fond of my affection, Umbra."
He said nothing.
"Any news from your scouts, Umbra?" Heracleo asked with a teeth-revealing grin.
"Yes, they neutralized a watchtower from the south, and reported that the band known as "Kleos" marches south."
"How many days?"
"Less than a week."
Deon of the Black Dogs snorted, "Kleos moves south, eh? Another 10,000 mouths to feed…"
Heracleo continued with Umbra, "Anything else?"
"This." Umbra dug in his armor, the leaders recoiled back softly, their hands reaching their weapons. Heracleo made no movement, he waited patiently. Umbra removed a letter, "My men captured this from a courier yesterday," and handed it to Heracleo.
"This isn't in Greek, this is Roman."
"Yes, it is."
"What does it say?"
"They became aware of the slain guardsmen by the watchtower by the Pyrrhus Hills two days ago. That letter was to be sent to the Governor of Apollonia."
The jovial nature died within Heracleo. "To the fucking Brutus, eh?"
The leaders grunted irritably. Ilus of the Cyclopes shot his hands up in the air, "It is as I said! We have been idle for too long! They are now aware of us! We need to march to Rome now!"
"No! We are not leaving! We are taking Apollonia first!" Heracleo roared adamantly.
"And how are we to do this?" Deon of the Black Dogs was the most vocal. "We have no siegeworks, Heracleo! And if we fucking did, the entirety of the Brutus lands would descend on us!"
"My plan is with these two men!" Heracleo pointed to the Arcani. "They alone shall bring Apollonia down!"
Umbra was thankful for his mask, because he was making the same face as the stunned leaders were.
Deon of the Black Dogs exacerbated. "What?! Our plans lie with these two? Are you mad?! We are cooped up in the mountains, killing each other, just for these two shadowy shits to conquer a city?!"
"You say this to the men who orchestrated the Bloody Ides? These men of the shadow were the ones who butchered many of the Three Roman Families, especially the damn Brutii! They did that!"
The four leaders looked on as if a curtain was lifted from their eyes. Heracleo continued, "If not for them, we couldn't even get this close to Rome. They left the Republic in anarchy. They snuck into the homes of hundreds of aristocratic men and slayed them. They did such. So they shall enter the city and open it for us."
Deon of the Black Dogs spat near Umbra's foot. He walked up to the silent assassin, trying to peer through the eye slits. He spoke to Heracleo, but his eyes were glued to Umbra. "I find their status to be unfounded. I heard many of the Three Families had escaped your wroth, Black Mask. I heard that at least a hundred of your brothers were slain on that night. Are you truly as legendary as you say?"
Umbra's eyes did not lose their glare, but he knew that this man wasn't worth his rebuttal.
Biga, however, approached slowly, "You're the leader of the Black Dogs, eh?"
Biga, don't do this… Umbra thought.
But the bigger assassin continued, "I heard of your band, the Battle of the Ponds, I heard that tale well. Cut to pieces like worms for fish against the Brutii, eh? Turned tail and ran, eh? How appropriate you are named after dogs, whimpering, as you fled."
The merc sneered in disgust, he was now chest-to-chest with Biga. "You truly are men. For only a man can make such a grave mistake as you have."
"And only a man can back up his words," Biga told him.
Deon went for his dagger, drawing it halfway out the sheathe. Biga suddenly slammed his mask forward into the leader's nose. The merc crumbled backwards, covering his face from the impact.
The three leaders gasped.
Heracleo laughed.
"You fucking cunt!" Deon shouted as he writhed on the floor, blood was exiting a nostril.
"You are not worth the drawing of my blade," Biga bellowed slowly. "You name yourself 'a Black Dog', a bitch is more of your standing."
"Cunt!" he stood up. He pointed to Heracleo, "You laugh at me?! Fuck this contract, fuck all of you cunts! My Black Dogs are leaving!"
Heracleo's laugh ceased as sudden as a hiccup. He put down his cup. "I paid you to serve under me, shall you break your contract?"
"Fuck this! I do not deserve such disrespect!" he turned to leave the tent.
Heracleo's glare menaced into a twisted vortex of darkness. "Broken contracts, broken bodies."
Deon stopped, his foot one step away from leaving the tent.
Heracleo continued, "No one, holds the Black Dogs in esteem, once you leave my tent, your contract is broken. Glaukos, Ilus, and Theopompos shall have no qualms about taking your life and reaping your treasures. Isn't that right, boys?"
"More coin for us," Glaukos chuckled
"I shall not waste any sleep on dead dogs," Ilus sneered
"Fuck them all," Theopompos menaced.
"Now, shall you break your contract, Deon, and forfeit your life, your men, and your treasures?"
Deon's arm trembled in anger, he turned around and glared in humiliated submission, "I shall… not."
"Good. It lifts the heart to hear such. Now get the fuck out of my tent, Deon. Everyone leave, except the Black Masks."
The three leaders grumbled under their breaths and exited. Deon stared at the Black Masks, blood dribbled to his mouth as he walked out backwards, his glare never ceasing.
"Beautiful! Fucking beautiful, you tall bastard!" Heracleo suddenly erupted. "If only my balls were as heavy as yours, friend! But I assure you that they are hairy!"
He hugged Biga, but the big man did not move.
Heracleo poured himself some whine and made an audible sniff, rubbing the cloth that was covering his missing nose, "What are you two here for?"
Umbra stepped forward, "Apollonia. What is your plan?"
"To take the city, as is my right. Your master, Taurus, promised me a city of my choosing before we take Rome. I want Apollonia."
"For what purpose?"
"You ask me that?"
"Our goal is Rome. Everyday we delay, the enemy becomes more aware of our scheme. My brotherhood has provided you with more coin than you have ever seen to procure this massive army. We are destined to march on Rome… so for what purpose should we take this city? To what end?"
Heracleo nodded calmly, he put his cup down. "Fair question, that be. I hold two notions for seeking Apollonia. Firstly, you do not understand logistics in the mind for hired warriors. They seek plunder and earthly rewards. What good is marching against the Republic if they see no immediate profit? Apollonia falls, they receive their spoils."
"It shall not be enough. The city is too small for all of them."
Heracleo grinned, "Exactly. You show a dog a slab of meat in order to excite him. You give the dog a piece of that meat, to reward his loyalty and salivate his appetite. He consumes the smaller piece; then, he would do anything for the entire slab."
"I see, and that 'slab' is Rome."
"Precisely. I assume you were present during that early display of quarreling between the four. This coalition is tearing at the seams. If we stay the current course to Rome, absent plunder or wine, the groups would all war with each other and your plans will fade in the wind. Morale is shit, and Apollonia shall reinvigorate them."
"..."
"Such is why we must capture the city tonight."
"What?"
"I desire Apollonia tonight."
Biga stepped forward now, Umbra was too stunned to initially respond. "What madness is this?! You ask us to capture the entire city, by ourselves, tonight?!"
The noseless merc's voice burst out in laughter. "Of course I do not expect you two to take the entire city. The city shall fall tonight, and you two shall open the gate for my men to move in at night."
"And you are just now telling us this?!"
"I would have sent a message to you later, but you arrived before I could do so. And I was not expecting for the army to be fraying so soon at this point. I believed we would have been in Italia, before such occurred."
Umbra found his voice, "Biga is correct, you should have told us, so that we may have been planning this."
The jovial side of Heracleo was dissipating, "Did your Order not infiltrate every city within the damn Republic?"
"Any man could infiltrate a fucking city in disguise!" Biga roared. "What you ask of us is to open the gates so an entire army can surge through! In a settlement that shall already be alert to our presence. We at least need another day to prepare."
"At least one day," Umbra echoed.
Heracleo looked at them both, "We have no siege equipment available, and it would take too long to form them to combat the walls of Apollonia. I dare not send any mercenaries to spy. They live for war, not intrigue." A smile rose on his face, "Not like you and your brothers. You were birthed in the shadows and the only ones who are skilled enough. This army cannot last another day without spoils. We do not have two days! I want that city tonight! We gain this city, and our next destination is Rome!"
Umbra had to fight back a shriek of frustration, yet some of the emotion bubbled over, "All of this, to destroy Rome. For what purpose do you seek to destroy Rome? You hold belief that Rome can fall from your herd of mercenaries?"
"I wouldn't have ventured this far and spent this much coin if I did not believe such, Black Mask. As Taurus specified, the Republic is weak! They have little to no legions in Rome. The Brutii are in Anatolia with Mithridates, the Scipii are in Egypt, and the Julii are still in Germania. And Sulla's legions in Rome are still weak and recovering form the Civil War."
"Do not underestimate the speed in which Rome can reinforce its legions, especially under threat of invasion."
"At most they would raise green boys and old men, no match for hardened veterans. One look at our phalanx and heavy cavalry and they shall all desert in pure panic. You do not know us Greeks, we are the finest warriors in the world."
Then how did Rome conquer you? "And you do not know us, Romans," Umbra countered. "Rome shall rally at the phrase 'Hannibal is at the gates'. Do you understand such an adage?"
"I do not."
Umbra nodded solemnly, "You shall."
"Hmm, if I didn't know better, I would believe you are trying to dissuade me from destroying the Republic. Is such true?"
Umbra approached Heracleo closer, the menace was in the assassin's voice, "The Republic needs not to be destroyed, our only target is Sulla, remember that."
"Of course, he is."
"And I speak to you to only inform you of the dangers of fighting Rome, and I seek to understand why you are going this far to attack the heart of the Republic. Many men have immeasurable hatred towards Rome, but you actually hold the stones to attack them. For what purpose?"
Heracleo searched in a burlap pouch and pulled out Roman denarii. He threw one against a set of armor that was hung within the corner, the coin clanged against the metal.
"What a lovely sound, to hear coin jingle against metal. Imagine what else could be as valuable inside the 'greatest city in the world'? Rome is filled to the brim with liars and thieves, men who ravaged the word with their uncontrollable lust! They pillaged the goods of life, and hoard the treasures of the world in that city. What better way to show their arrogance then by sacking the city with all the enemies who Rome has ever insulted? And we shall take all the treasures within that fucking city! That is why I fight!"
"I see… So what was the second reason you desire to sack Apollonia."
"Because Vibius Brutus resides in that city."
"That is all?"
Heeracleo looked at him, "That is all."
Biga cleared his throat before speaking, "Did you ever hear about the Fable of Patience, from Aesop? Of the crow trying to drink from the pitcher?"
Heracleo stroked his beard astutely, "Yes, I have. But the crow didn't have fucking hands, we do. And as my fucking hands, you two must find some way to get the water from the pitcher and open up that fucking city."
The mask hid Umbra's eye rolling. Why, Gods, why…? "So what do you suggest we do?"
"You are the 'masters of the shadows', are you not? Do what you normally do and infiltrate the city. At the hour where the moon is at its highest peak, my men shall be ready with our cavalry down at the mountain pass. A signal should be made. I know they drape their flags over the edge of the walls. Set fire to their flag and open the Eastern Gate. But be advised, we are taking this city tonight. If you two shall be killed, we shall still attack. If I delay longer, my army shall kill itself with infighting. That is the plan."
If Umbra had known this, he wouldn't have sent his four brothers away on their own mission. How was he to open the city gates with just Biga in under twelve hours?
The duo walked back down the hill with a mercenary accompanying them with a mule. On the mule's back was the corpse of a Black Dog. Umbra had asked Heracleo if there was any mercenary that died recently. This one died an hour ago from a broken neck. Umbra shook his head at the degree of viciousness of this rivalry.
Their eyes were on the city as they descended. The problem wasn't entering the city. It was how to enter the city with their gear and weapons when the entire Republic was looking for them. They would have to enter Apollonia in disguise, they would have to go without wearing their masks and armor.
Both men stuck their armor, swords, and capes down two burlap sacks and fastened them to the mule's back. They only carried their daggers as emergency weapons. They wore simple white and green tunics they procured from guardsmen from one of the watchtowers, and they wore beige cloaks over top of their attire. The only piece of their Arcani armor that the duo wore was their masks, and such was only so that the mercenary muleman wouldn't recognize them.
The three of them came to the bottom of the hill and walked a mile out away from the mountain and were a mile shy of the front gates. They hid behind a low hill, where the mercenary dumped the corpse and the gear by the assassins' feet. After the merc and the mule went back up the mountain pass, did Umbra and Biga remove their masks and stuff them in their bags.
"I'm surprised that this poor bastard shall allow us entry into Apollonia," Biga remarked, eyeing the corpse.
"Oh, he shall not. Not by himself."
"Oh, so how are we to enter the settlement? Especially with our gear?"
"Hmm, I have thought of this… I offer a solution."
"Yes?"
"Punch me."
"Wh-What?"
"I said, 'Punch me', Biga."
"For what purpose should I punch you?"
"To make it seem as if we were attacked by brigands, hopefully a wagon would be around in a little, and hopefully a driver who is compassionate enough to assist strangers. It would be strange if there was a dead man present and we had no bruises or wounds to speak of. That is how we shall enter Apollonia. Now, punch me."
"I see your point, but I cannot just hit you suddenly."
Umbra sighed, "Of course you cannot, I don't expect any child spawned by a mother with a fat ass and limp lips to hit me…"
Biga's face menaced, "What was that?!"
"Does that anger you?"
"What must you bring my mother into this, Umbra?!"
"Because only a fat ass mother could birth such an inbred craven as yourself, Biga. Do you actually have any balls?"
Umbra suddenly jabbed Biga in the crotch. The bigger man collapsed to one knee in a hoarse shriek. "Huh, I guess you do. I am quite surprised, Biga."
"Bloody bastard!"
Biga shot to his feet to deliver a thunderous right hook to Umbra. The smaller man fell to his knee, his face was stinging. Biga punched him thrice more, then seized him by the throat and threw him into the dirt and stomped on him heavily.
"You fucking, bloody, bastard!" Biga emphasized with each kick.
After enduring the blows, Umbra seized the timing in between attacks to lunge forward and grab his partner's leg and tripped him to the ground. Umbra backed away with his arms outstretched, "That was fantastic, Biga, a job well done!"
"You bastard…" Biga muttered in realization, he lowered his fists.
"I know, but it worked, you hit me. Hard." He rubbed his jaw, it felt as if teeth were loose, he could taste the iron of blood in his mouth. "Now it is my turn."
"Do your worse, I deserve it, Umbra."
Umbra got in a stance, he remembered his training in the Legion and under Fornax. He slammed his fists twice into Biga's massive cheeks. Biga staggered backward with a loud hiss.
"All right, the job is done," Umbra announced, shaking his right hand, Biga's skull was like steel.
Biga massaged his cheeks, "That is it? Just two blows? After what I did to you?"
"I am smaller than you, it would be more convincing if I'm the one with the most damage."
To Umbra's surprise, Biga seemed genuinely taken aback by this. "Apologies, Umbra, I did not mean to lose my temper if I knew you—"
"Do not fret over this. Again, this is most convincing." It truly was, his entire face was singing in pain. "Come now, assist me with the body, let us place it near the road."
Biga hefted the armor corpse upon a single shoulder, the two men walked from behind the hill and onto the paved road that led directly to the city. Biga dropped the cadaver near the edge of the road, and per Umbra's instructions, took his knife and stabbed the corpse in the throat, to ensure that it was evident a fight occurred. And then the two men waited.
Within five minutes, a horse-drawn wagon was on the road and seemingly heading to Apollonia. A man who seemed to be past middle-age was leading the wagon with a beard full of greying black.
"Please, stop!" Biga emerged from the grass on the side of the road, pleading in Greek. "A brigand has attacked us!"
Such a sudden act started the driver, but he ultimately stopped. "What? You were attacked?!" He began to quiver, his head moving from east to west to spot the danger.
"We fought off the attacker, and slayed him in defense, but my friend is wounded! Please help!"
The grizzled driver hopped off of his wagon and came to assist them. Umbra was on the ground, covered in dirt and bruises, moaning as he held his face. The driver examined Umbra, but recoiled at the sight of the bloody dead body.
"Zeus' mercy!" he exclaimed. "Was he-"
Biga panted, "Yes, he was the man who attacked us! We fought him off, and we had to kill him with his own weapon."
The man examined the corpse closer, still hesitant, "What kind of armor is he wearing, what brigand is this?"
"We know not, but please help my friend," Biga pleaded.
"Yes, I shall. Let's get him to his feet."
With the assistance of both the driver and Biga, Umbra stood to his wobbly feet and moaned on his way to the wagon. The old man urged Biga to put their bags in the back of the wagon. Biga found it to be filled with food, Biga stashed their gear deep within the bottom of the food, then hopped in the wagon.
"How serious are you wounded?" the old man asked Umbra.
"He knocked me around fiercely with his fists. That bastard hits hard."
Biga gave him a look.
The old Greek dug in his wagon, "I have wine mixed with honey, this should relieve your pain."
"Gratitude, citizen." Umbra took a drink, the wine actually aided in making his face feel better.
"I cannot ever recall seeing armor of that nature. What kind of armor was that?"
"The foreign kind," Umbra responded.
"Strange that you were assaulted so. After the 'Bloody Ides' the Brutii have been patrolling the roads a lot more aggressively. I would assume no brigands would dare attack."
"Desperate times," suggested Biga.
"Yes, with the Romans waging war against the Pontians, many citizens move further west. And I suppose so do the brigands…" The old man asked, "Were you two heading to Apollonia?"
"We were, may you take us there?"
The old man beamed, "Of course I shall. My name is Deimos."
"Gratitude, Deimos." Umbra smiled.
"And who are you two?"
Biga looked at Umbra subtly, yet the bruised assassin played it cool.
"My name is Kassandros," Umbra told him. He pointed to his partner, "And my companion is Aeson."
Deimos patted them on the shoulders, "Blessings upon you two. Shall we head to our destination?"
Deimos mushed the wagon forward. "It is fortunate that I arrived when I did. Are you two from Apollonia?"
Umbra spoke, "No, we are not. We come to Apollonia for possible employment, we heard they were hiring men to fill the Town Watch."
"Then I hope you gain employment in that regard," Deimos smiled.
The wagon came to the gateway of Apollonia, it seemed to be a checkpoint for those who entered the city. Several guardsmen were interrogating everyone entering and checking their possessions. Umbra gripped his dagger subtly, he prayed they wouldn't have to fight their way in.
One of the lead guards wore the armor of Rome, but his language was Greek. "Next!"
Deimos mushed his wagon on forward. The guard extended his hand for him to stop, a few guards began to examine the contents of the wagon.
"I did not expect such security," Biga remarked into Deimos' ears.
"A result of the Bloody Ides, Aeson, no one enters or leaves the city without inspection."
The guard looked to the old driver, "State your business in Apollonia."
Deimos humbly lowered his head, "I am Deimos, I reside within the Harp District, residence number six-five. I return with goods from visiting my son-in-law in the country."
Umbra eyed the guards examining the goods of food in the back. He could feel his heart beating louder than Deimos' conversation. One glance at Biga had told him that he was feeling the same sudden rush of dread. Umbra dearly hoped that Biga buried their gear deep within the wares.
"All clear," one of the guards announced. Both assassins breathed easier.
"Who are these two?" the guard questioned Deimos.
"This is Kassandros and Aeson, I picked them up on the road here, they were assaulted by a brigand near the mountain pass."
And like that, their breath was gone again.
"Attacked?" The guard approached Umbra closer, "He got you good by those bruises on your face. Did you see the attacker, what did he wear?"
"It was of Thracian design, I believe, it was green armor with brown greaves, he wore no mask but had brown hair of sand, he was of average size and threatened to kill us for our coin," Umbra explained, not breaking eye contact with the guard and using his hands to inflect. That was one of the first lessons of deception he was taught.
The guard sighed, "I see, they are not the men we seek. What became of him?"
Biga stepped in, "We wrestled him to the ground to get his sword, he beat my friend, so I… used the sword to end him, to save Kassandros."
"You did? Hmm… I appreciate such candor, you shall not be punished, for this was an act of defense, as attested by this fellow witness." The guard looked to both Deimos and Umbra, "I shall make a report on this and begin an inquiry."
"Gratitude, that lifts my spirits," Umbra smiled.
"All right, you three, move along."
The guards stood out of the way and the wagon entered the city of Apollonia. The settlement was smaller than Athens, but no less beautiful to admire. The great and radiant God of the Sun, Apollo, stood high within the center square, playing his harp melodiously, all in bronze to capture his beauty. The white architecture was a true fusion of Greco-Roman aesthetics, with buildings of old having a Greek design, whilst new buildings looked strictly Roman.
Many citizens were out in public, meandering through the street and carrying out their business in such a style that it reminded him of Romans. This city was indeed a hybrid, while Athens was predominantly Greek and a minority were Romans, Apollonia seemed to have an equal number of Greeks to Romans. There were many Roman men who were clean shaven and walked in their unique short sleeve tunic design and women in their more conservative long sleeved tunics and woolen stolas. The Greeks were more liberal in their clothing. The men were bearded that ranged from a medium length to a large design that ran down their chest. They wore a more open design of a tunic that would sometimes bear parts of their chests. The women's clothing was more transparent and made of a light material, it rose to their knees, whilst the Roman style draped to the ankle. What an intriguing city.
Deimos took them to his residence and the men assisted him in removing the wares from the wagon and placing them inside.
"Gratitude for your assistance," Deimos said, once they were finished. "Where are you two to lodge? Perhaps you can stay at my home. My wife seems away at the moment, enter, I beseech you."
"That is too kind of you, Deimos, but we-"
"I insist, you two were attacked, allow me to display hospitality. Stay for the night. And allow me to show you around the city?"
Biga chuckled, "Gratitude for your insistence, old man, but we may-"
"Actually, Aeson," Umbra told him with a look, "Having a guide to inform us and to offer lodgings may yet prove most beneficial, do you not agree?"
"Yes. Quite right, Kassandros."
"We humbly accept your offer, Deimos."
That put the old man into a brighter mood, "Wonderful news, follow me."
Old Deimos had shown the two men throughout the major spots of the city, and as with Athens and Rome, Apollonia was much larger inside than it appeared to be from outside. He had lead the two through the Agora market, past the Dockyard, across the Archery Range, the Academy of Apollonia, and the Large Temple of Juno-in which Umbra and Biga asked Deimos to stop in order to pray to the great Sky Mother for healing, and for their mission.
The three men continued their tour throughout the city. Umbra looked to Deimos, "How many men garrison this city?"
"At last recollection, around 500 men."
"Trained soldiers, or do they stand watchmen?" Biga asked.
"Mostly watchmen, they are all good lads, though some of them stand veterans in wars past."
"Greek or Roman?"
"A mixture of both."
"What of legionaries under command of the Brutii?" Umbra mentioned.
"There are around 200 of them, but they are here to rest and recover from the wars with Pontus, and they come here to traverse the sea to the Italian peninsula."
"Any more?" Biga asked him.
Deimos chuckled, "I know not, I am not a guard. It lifts the spirit that men in their prime are so passionate about our safety."
"Yes, quite."
Umbra stopped, a tall and wondrous building had seemingly emerged from thin air. It radiated regalness and prestige, on its walls were the green banners of the Brutii.
"Is that…?" he pointed.
"Yes, the Pro-Consul's Palace which resides in the heart of Apollonia," Deimos answered.
"What man is this governor?" Umbra inquired.
"A Brutii of a martial nature. He bested the Dacians and some Illyrian rebels. His name is Vibius Brutus. He resides here with his family. The Lady Brutus, their son, daughter, and grandson. A fair man, but a Roman all the same."
"I have heard of him," Biga remarked.
"If you live on this side of Greece, then it would be strange if you had not."
Umbra continued to stare at the Palace, "Aeson, have Deimos accompany you over to the guard station, inquire about recruitment and gauge their worth."
"All right, and what of you?"
"I desire to marvel at the Palace of the Brutii. Go on, Aeson, I shall rejoin you back at Deimos' residence." Biga and Deimos waved their hands to him and left.
It took Umbra an entire twenty minutes to walk around the entire gated perimeter of the Governor's Palace. From what he could see, the only way through was the exterior gates, which was guarded formidably, then to break inside the interior of the Palace, an even harder outcome. This Palace would be locked down soon after the first alert is sounded. There had to be a way inside that wouldn't be suicidal.
He saw a window, a possible opening high up, but it wasn't clear enough to see if it was a viable option. He needed more elevation. He didn't want to draw too much attention, but time was of the essence with the sun falling. He spotted a large tree growing upward, and he scrambled up it as if an animal. He rested on the branches and spotted the opening, it was sixty meters high from the ground, the opening itself was a balcony. It was slightly too high to use a grappling hook, not that the two had one anyhow. The walls had grooves in them and the outside held furnishing from Greek architecture, perhaps they could scale the walls, though it would take a while, especially if the Palace would be on high alert once the attack begins.
Umbra spent a while up in that tree trying to find a way up the Palace that would be quick and efficient. No ideas came to mind, but he wouldn't give up. They must get the city gates open, and then rush to secure the Brutii governor and his family.
"They say if you stare at the Palace long enough, the Gods shall pluck you up on the spot and place you inside."
He looked down to his right to see a woman smiling up at him. From the tree, he could see that she was a rather endowed woman with a fair complexion, her brown hair was curled in an aristocratic style and the remainder of her hair draped to her shoulders. She was accompanied by a female slave with a collar around the neck. She looked to be in her mid-twenties and her body was shapely, her hips wide as if she had given birth once.
"If the Gods came to me, then I would not need to be in that place," he smirked back down.
"Preferably in a tree?" she remarked.
He looked down and noticed several bystanders were looking up at him and pointing. He grumbled audibly as he thought, Wonderful, Quintus, aren't you supposed to be skilled in stealth?
"Uh, I should best get down from here," he called down to the woman.
She was still smiling, "That would be wise, before some sends for the guards."
He wrapped his arms around the tree and shimmied himself down within a few seconds, landing safely in front of the woman.
She recoiled backwards in surprise, yet her expression was cheerful, "Wow! That was quick, was your mother a squirrel?"
He feigned offense, "How could you dare insinuate such baseless claims?! She was, in fact, a lioness."
"Ah, so you have lion;s blood, eh? What were you doing in the tree, picking out a target?"
"Of course," he pointed to the Palace, "I target the Palace for my next choice of residence, if I lived there, I would not have to be in trees."
She giggled, "A noble goal, but I do not believe the current occupants would take it too kindly if you evicted them."
"The Brutii hold many riches, they can buy or build another."
"Riches can never be relied upon."
"Wise words."
"I thank the Gods for bestowing me with such wisdom."
"The Gods have given me many things, but not a residence such as that."
"And what have the Gods bestowed on a soldier?"
"Oh, I stand no soldier."
She eyed him, slowly, from head to toe, "Are you certain? You have that look to you?"
"What look?"
"The short hair, the beard, the muscled physique, the bruises on your face, and…" she chuckled softly as she continued, "you stink."
He took a whiff of himself, he truly did. He played the role of the homeless for a while, and his journey west had hindered his chance to bath. He was too used to his own smell that he failed to notice.
The aristocratic woman shook her head with a grin, "Did you get thrown out of a tavern for starting a fight?"
"It was not my first choice to brawl in the tavern. The whorehouse was too full."
That got a surprising laugh out of the woman. He used his nostrils to take a whiff of a different aroma that was being blown in the wind.
"Then again, the tavern didn't have the fragrance of thyme and almond blossom." He took another whiff, he was familiar with this scent, "Of the Athenian variety, if I'm not mistaken."
Her face lit up in surprise, "My perfume! What a nose, and to think that you cannot smell yourself," she said in a giggle.
"Things that are sweet always tend to catch my attention."
"A quick nose, wit, and tongue, most remarkable, soldier boy."
"You still insist I am a soldier, I could be a simple traveler who has had a long journey."
She shook her head tenderly, "No, I do not believe so. When I said you look like a soldier, you possess something else."
"And what is that?"
She approached him closer. Her slave gave warning, but the woman ignored it. Her eyebrows contorted upward, her face fell into a hurt expression. "You have sad eyes," she answered.
Such a comment took him completely off guard. "I do? What do you mean?"
"Your eyes, they have a history of misery behind them. The way your eyes are wrinkled and the cautious way you carry yourself, even when you were laughing earlier, your eyes still held sadness in them. Death and suffering are no strangers to you, you lost friends and those close to you. I… those close to me possess the same kind of eyes."
"Your husband?"
"He did," she admitted slowly.
"Then how did the Gods cure his sadness?"
Her eyes fell, "They ended his suffering…"
"Apologies."
"None are required. You do not offend. But gratitude. I speak mostly of my father."
"How long has he been fighting?"
"For over twenty years, he has seen misery and death for many years…" chuckling came from her mouth, but they were stifled and weak, "I just met you and I confess this… Now I am the one who must apologize," she smiled tenderly.
"Do not worry about such. I figure our apologies cancel one another's out."
"Yes, I figure such is true."
This noblewoman's eyes were bright green, they shined off the sun. "Your accent is remarkable," she said in Latin with a soft smile.
"Apologize, I do not know the Roman tongue well enough."
She giggled, then rolled her eyes, "I know you stand Roman."
He blinked for a moment. "Was my accent that bad?"
"No, it was great, as I said."
"How could you tell?"
"When I told you that you had sad eyes, your response to me, you had no accent. I guess such self-realization could break the character of the greatest actors."
By Minerva, was she sharp.
He brought his chin up, "So, you believe me 'great'?"
"Well, you do possess a certain charm to you."
"As do you, your tutors must have been paid well to spruce you up as such."
She gave a look of feigned offense, "How dare you insinuate such baseless claims?!"
"You take my words?"
"As I have taken your gazes, it seems that your eyes are all over my 'charms'," she playfully winked.
"If that is what you believe, uh…"
"My name is Vibia. Would you care to walk with me?"
Umbra looked at the palace, then back to her, "I would be delighted to."
They moved forward into the marketplace side-by-side with her slave behind them.
"What is your name?" she asked.
"I am Quintus."
She blinked innocently and giggled, "Do you not have a family name where you come from, Quintus?"
Umbra smirked, "I shall tell mine, if you tell yours, Vibia."
"Ooooh, we are to play this game, huh?"
"I am brave enough, how about yourself?"
She sighed playfully, "Brutus. I am Vibia Brutus. Now, what is your name?"
The smile fell from his mouth. She frowned at the sight.
"And such is why I don't tell others my last name…" she forlornly muttered.
He stammered, "A-Apologies, I was stunned. You wear nothing to signify you belong to the Brutii. You do not even wear the Brutii green."
"Yes, my father and mother hound me on such things. I desire to venture out into the city absent identification."
"Do you dislike the life of a Brutii?"
"No, I love my life and my family. But even then, we need a break from such lives, am I wrong?"
"No, you are not."
"So, what is your family name then, Quintus."
"Unimportant."
"What a lovely name."
"My mother oft told me so."
"Come now, Quintus, what is your family name?"
"You wouldn't know them."
"Please?"
"Fine, I shall tell you. My name is Quintus Fonteius."
"The Fonteia? Hmm… Apologies, Quintus, but I do not-"
"Told you," he smirked.
She again visibly feigned offense, "Quintus, do you not know how rude it is to interrupt a woman?"
"About as rude for admitting you do not know of someone's family name?"
She shook her head as she chuckled. Five militiamen of the Town Watch marched past them.
"So you are not a soldier with the legion?" she asked.
"No, I am not." Not anymore...
"I do not see any Romans with beards that aren't soldiers or sailors."
"Well, my profession has me interacting with Greeks frequently. And you know how they are, they trust no man without facial hair."
"Not here in Apollonia."
"Besides, I was told the beard brings out the charm in my eyes." He gave her a smirk, his eyes smouldered. "Do you not agree?"
"Well, I would bear false tongue if I said 'no', you can pull off that beard look. Perhaps if you kept it more neat and trimmed."
"Would you perhaps care to trim it for me?"
She recoiled slightly with growing eyes, "Wh-What me? Uh, n-no, um…" she cleared her throat to regain composure, "I respectfully believe you are pressing your station, Quintus. I am a Brutus, and you a pleb, we cannot do such things."
"Apologies, I forget my place. You are quite easy to speak to."
"Oh, um," a blushing smile formed on her face. "Gratitude."
"Why are you outside the palace, anyhow, absent escort except a body slave?"
"I am no songbird to be kept in a cage, I can venture out as I please. But I desire to purchase a toy for my son, Amelius."
"Is it his birthday?"
"No, he has been learning his lessons well, his understanding of Greek is utterly amazing at his age."
"How old is he?"
"He is seven."
"Do you not believe a slave could do such a task as purchasing a gift?"
"They could. But I seek to go out and make my presence known. Besides, perhaps I could attain a discount based on who I am."
"Such corruption…"
"How dare you!" she playfully said. "As if you wouldn't seek a discount for goods."
"Oh I would, but I do not possess the name to hold the weight of discounts."
"No, but you got that wit and tongue of yours."
"The whores could attest to that, but their masters, not so much."
"Are you sure you stand no soldier? You are quite vulgar like one."
"As vulgar as your eyes have been on my body?"
She blinked in a maddening blush and turned her head forward quickly.
Umbra chuckled before he continued, "I suggest your son should receive a wooden sword, boys at that age love to fight and pretend to be soldiers."
"I suppose, he idolized his father. And he is to be like his grandfather, then a sword shall be great for him. Gratitude, Quintus."
"It lifts the heart to help."
"So what are you doing here in Apollonia?"
"My profession, I was told that the City Watch needed more men, particularly translators for the Greek population."
"The city could always use more protectors. Do you know where to find the Town Watch headquarters?"
"I do."
"Good, I hope you attain service here in the city. But, uh, if you do not gain employment, how long should you stay in Apollonia?"
"For a few more days, I need to prepare with my companion for a great undertaking if we do not attain our mission here. Perhaps we would venture for Rome."
She smiled, though tried to dial it back to hide the evident eagerness, "Where shall you be tomorrow?"
"In the tavern or whorehouse, a whore on my lap and wine in my belly. Or perhaps start another brawl and get thrown out."
"Oh, what a shame, you rather spend your time with a slave girl and sots than a noblewoman."
"Name the place and time, and I shall come. And I guarantee you shall as well."
"Are you certain you are no soldier?"
"Just a man trying to get through in life and to honor the Gods."
"You do not see such nobleness in plebeians."
"Nor such charm in patricians."
"Is that a compliment?"
"Meet me tomorrow and find out."
"Oh, you are a smooth one, Quintus."
He smirked, "I know."
She played with her hands, an obvious thought was in her mind. "If you seek employment with the guard, I could talk to my father to ensure you receive employment."
"You would do that for me?"
"We need more honest and talented men in the Republic."
"Yes, we do…"
"Come see me tomorrow, meet me near the Palace."
"But I cannot enter."
She pointed to the western side of the Palace, "Do you see that opening before that gate?"
"Yes?"
"Promise not to tell others, but the guards do not patrol that sector too often. If you can get through the outer gates and wait by the outside of the palace, I shall meet you in the morning."
"I shall keep that opening in my memory. Gratitude, Vibia. I cannot wait to see you tomorrow."
She smiled, brushing her hair from her face, allowing the sun to shine on her fair features, "Until tomorrow, Quintus Fonteius."
"Until tomorrow, Vibia Brutus."
Curfew had been called. The guards had ordered all citizens to remain in their homes, any citizen seen violating curfew would face judicial punishment of a minimum of two weeks imprisonment.
Umbra and Biga had a carp dinner with Deimos and his wife. She was quite surprised at their arrival, but upon revealing how they were attacked, warmed instantly to them. They came together and offered wine that was watered down, but both men refused, their minds had to be sharp when the night arrived.
The sun had fallen long into the horizon. The dogs were barking in the night, and one could hear the footsteps of patrolmen cobbling on the tiles outside. The old couple had retired for the night, leaving Umbra and Biga to sleep on the floor in cot, but they did not rest. It was time.
Umbra inquired softly, "What have you discovered?"
"Since our night of glory, they have doubled the guards at the gates. There once stood five to seven men, but now a dozen men guard each gate."
"Of course…"
"And I took a closer look at the gate mechanism, it requires two men or more to open it."
"Any more good news?"
"There's to be a full moon tonight."
"How is such news welcoming? That shall illuminate us more."
Biga grinned, "The moon brings out the color in my eyes."
Umbra chuckled, it was pretty funny. Biga chuckled as well, and lightly tapped Umbra's chest, "I have faith that we shall get this done. I traced the way from this home to the gate, we take to the roofs and skulk down to the gates and silence them."
"Good."
"What of you?"
"I found a way into the Palace."
"Truly?"
"Yes." Her emerald eyes flashed in his mind. "A helpful songbird told me." Her smile radiated brightly in his head.
"Are you all right, Umbra?"
"I am fine. What's wrong?"
"You look… distracted."
"I am fine, Biga. I'm just thinking over everything. This is our chance, and we only have one opportunity. Once we take the gatehouse, we burn the Brutii flag to signal Heracleo and get the gate open."
"Understood."
"Let's get to it."
They had two sets of armor. One made of boiled leather for maneuverability and stealth, and the other set made of metal for combat. Both were solid black. Both men chose the metal. They fastened their bracers and greaves. They pinned their black capes to their shoulders. They took out their masks to press their foreheads against them and clenched their eyes. They offered a prayer of protection to Jupiter Optimus Maximus, for whenever an Arcani donned that mask, they were to be the God's humblest of servants until they removed it.
They did not place their masks on yet, not until they left Deimos' home. They wore thin brown hooded cloaks that were long enough to obscure their armor from neck to shin. Both men had two sets of daggers on their persons, along with vials of poison, and cords of rope to either ensure an escape or to strangle their enemies. They got their dual gladii and equipped them to their persons. Unlike the standard sword belt that would go on a man's waist, the Arcani strapped both swords on their back-both in diagonal angles with one sword facing up and the other facing down-to allow an easier time using both weapons without hindering movement on their waist if they had to sneak.
Umbra nodded to Biga and they moved towards the door.
"You cannot break curfew!" a curt whisper came from the dark. "No matter what! The Romans do not pity the Greeks as they do their own kind. They shall imprison you and most like torture you. Do not leave."
Deimos was wide awake and had stirred his way through the dark. Umbra and Biga quickly closed their cloaks.
"Deimos, why have you risen from your sleep?" Biga asked in a whisper.
"I had to relieve myself, then I saw you two up and putting on your clothes. You two cannot venture out!"
"We shall be fine, Deimos," Umbra told him.
Biga looked at him and smirked, "Deimos, the meal that your wife prepared was delicious, I cannot recall a better tasting carp."
Umbra smiled as well, "And you pulled over when you saw us in aid, despite possible dangers, and you offered us your hospitality. As befitting a true Greek."
"Of course, I cannot stand by and, what do you mean, 'a true Greek'?"
Umbra's eyes fell to the floor, then quickly back to Deimos. He approached the older man and placed a soft hand on his shoulder, "Allow me to repay you. Deimos… I have a dreadful feeling about tonight, wake your wife, gather all the food you can, and hide in your cellar."
"But for what purpose—"
Umbra placed his palm around the back of the man's skull, and gripped firmly. "I have a dreadful feeling about tonight. Wake your wife, gather all the food, and hide in your cellar," he repeated slower.
The old man's eyes quivered in realization. He nodded softly, "Oh, uh, yes… I shall… I shall do that… B-B-But what of you two?"
Both men pulled up their hoods. Biga locked eyes with the old man, "You are a good man, Deimos."
"You are indeed," Umbra affirmed, "Gratitude, for everything."
They opened the door and left the residence.
Again, I never intend for my chaps to be this long, it just sort of happens like that. I love writing from the POV from the antagonists, particularly this one. What shall befall Apollonia?
Thank you for reading.
-Kanuro5