Chapter 6
Music: Sasuke's Destiny
Praetorian Hoskuld stepped outside of the messaging chamber. Why are they coming so soon? he thought. They haven't ventured this far in the past four years. Did they somehow catch wind of the Operation? Hoskuld shook his head. No. There's no way they could've ferreted out one of our spies. Besides, even if they did why would they assault this fort? They remember what happened four years ago.
Hoskuld walked over to the next divination circle and gently clasped the Mage's shoulder. "Soldier, sound the alert. Level 5," Hoskuld said with an emotionless voice. He moved onto the next divination circle. "Soldier, I want all optiones to come to the command room after they have collected their centurions." Hoskuld turned crisply and walked towards the balcony. He clasped his hands behind his back and looked up at the sky. It looks like it is about to rain, he thought. Let's hope that it rains with Gaul blood.
-----
Jas Jaeda was lounging underneath a tree in the fort's forum when he heard the alarm. He closed his book (titled Pax Romana) and listened intently to the tones. Soldiers began running across the forum. Fifth level alert? he thought. This is serious. I'd better gather my soldiers.
-----
Inside the fort's medical ward, Artimus and Calmar were laughing as the available medic treated Artimus' wounds. "Well, you should be fine," interrupted the medic. "You had some severe internal bleeding, but it looks like my cure has done the trick."
Calmar smiled and pat Artimus on the shoulder. "Good to hear that, Caldark! Considering how often we end up here, you medics should pass out frequent customer cards."
Caldark smiled as he stood up, removing his glowing hands from Artimus' shoulder. The light blue aura winked out as he dusted off his hands. "Well, it would help if you two would take the proper safety precautions. I'd give you another arcane safety scroll, but between the two of you we've ran out of stock."
Artimus leapt out of the bed. "Why, I feel as fit as a fiddle!" he exclaimed. "Now! To the pie!"
Just then, the alarm sounded. Artimus groaned in disappointment. "Fifth alert? But I'm so starving..."
Calmar grabbed Artimus' shoulder and ushered him towards the forum. "C'mon now, this could be interesting. A little bit of work today wouldn't kill us," said Calmar.
"Work, schmerk," grumbled Artimus. "You think you could cover me for a bit? I'm just going to go grab the pie."
Calmar shook his head. "No, I don't think so. The optiones arcana will get all huffy is she doesn't see you at the assembly. This is probably just a drill. The Gauls don't have a force within 200 miles that could threaten this fort."
-----
Trebil Sloren sat in horse's saddle, on top a hill in the woods. He shielded his eyes from the midafternoon sun as he searched his companion. Where be that bloody youngling? He should've made it to the checkpoint an hour ago. Something must've happened to him. Trebil gritted his teeth as he hunkered down into his saddle. I've no seen any of the signs, so he must be northwesterly yet. Trebil sighed. That's the direction the Gauls are coming from.
An arrow whistled through the woods and snapped Trebil of his reverie. He whipped around to see a camouflaged Gaul fighter standing six feet away from him, holding his Great axe overhead. Two arrows stuck in his chest.
"For Apollo's sake old man, get moving!" yelled Telarian's voice from the forest.
The bushes erupted with camouflaged Gaul warriors, who screamed their battle cries simultaneously. Trebil counted six as he deftly rolled out of his saddle and drew his twin gladii. He braced himself for the oncoming assault.
"Ten denarrii says I take at least four of them!" roared Trebil.
-----
Jas Jaeda grabbed a nearby saddle and threw it over his mount. "Easy, boy," he murmured. "It looks like we going to have plenty of work today."
A tall soldier jogged into the stable. Towering over six feet tall and wearing a massive set of half-plate armor, Mailanna Jaeda leaned on her knees to gather her breath. "Brother, have you heard any word?" she asked.
Jas shook his head slowly and comforted his mount. "No. I haven't heard anymore than you have." Jas frowned. "Besides, what are you doing here? You should be gathering your troops."
Mailanna's faced burned with embarrassment. "I don't see your troops anywhere! I could ask the same of you!"
Jas turned over his shoulder and shouted back in the stable. "You guys doing alright?"
"Aye, Centurion" replied several voices. Jas turned back to his sister and raised an eybrow.
Mailanna crossed her arms and turned away. "Well, I had best be going," she said. "Little brother..." she hesitated. "Watch yourself out there."
Jas' mouth twisted into a wry smile. Mailanna jogged off into the distance.
-----
Hoskuld stood in the center of the scryroom. The room was designed in the shape of a perfect circle. The only natural light came in through the peak of the domed ceiling, which enveloped Hoskuld in a puddle of light. Twelve wizards with scrying balls surrounded the room. They projected a 360 degree view of the surrounding countryside. Hoskuld stood facing the northwest. A dust cloud covered the horizon, and the setting sun painted the countryside with a reddish-orange light.
"Eleven o'clock, magnify times ten" commanded Praetorian Hoskuld.
On the northwestern wall the image of the countryside zoomed at an amazing speed, until individual soldiers became visible. Hoskuld squinted at the image.
"Eleven o'clock, magnify grid five, times two."
The image focused on the cavalry unit leading the march towards the fort.
"Eleven o'clock, focus grid eight."
Grid eight expanded to fill the entire image, which made individual faces were visible. Hoskuld took in a sharp breath as he recognized one of the soldiers.
"Eleven o'clock, focus grid four."
The image sharpened and centered on the leader of the cavalry. He was a heavily muscled man with long flowing hair that trailed behind him. A large scar crossed his face, left to right. It matched the scar on Hoskuld's face.
Hoskuld clenched his fists and lowered his gaze. "Hossein. I have been looking forward to this." Hoskuld smiled.