Ave Princeps, Fili Rhomée!
Chapter One
Reunion atop the Mountain
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"Position our 6th and 8th Auxiliaries here and here," the locations had little marks added on the large map, "We will add the 10th and 16th Legions to defend these locations as well," more markers, "Here is where we will trap the Savages, though, and," the sound of a fist into a palm, "Destroy them. Any questions?"
There were none. The present commanders all knew this by now. Except one, who was frowning.
"What of my knights?" He showed the three markers that represented his three separate commands, "We have no assignment."
The leader nodded, "Because you will be right there. I want you as a fast support eleme- I know, I know," he immediately began to placate the offender leaders of the knights, "But remember what happened at the South Bend of the River Reach?"
Everyone grimaced at that memory.
"Yeah," the leader grumbled to himself, that had not been one of his better plans, "I learned at least. So I decided that since the knights are not well suited to this terrain, you'll be a mobile reserve and independent strike force. More than that, if the Savages receive reinforcements, I want you to strike them before they join up."
"Not happy," one of the knight commanders muttered, shaking her head, "Few are going to like those orders. I know I don't."
"I would say tough, that's an order, but let's be a bit more prepared this time," he indicated where the knights were, "You'll have the ability to cut off their retreat if nothing else and finish them, freeing any prisoners. A rather clean knight, fresh to the fight, will strike a better pose than my bloodied and dirtied and very exhausted Legionaries and Auxiliaries will."
"Less glory," another knight commander argued.
"I'm aware, but I'm keeping an eye open for a knight centric fight," indicating his Legion commanders, "They're starting to worry about our Reserves of Legionnaire trainees. With good reason."
"While we're flushed with reserves at this point," the leader of the knights nodded, "We'll follow the orders," then he smirked, "After all, you're as good as your word."
"I better be!"
There was general laughter at that response. Their commander had made his living on his word. Not once failing, no matter what came. He always kept his word.
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It was late into the afternoon. Several men and women were gathered at a wooded outcropping, observing the fires as villages burned from Savage attacks. While they could have gone to their defense, the moment the Savages would see them, they would attack with overwhelming might.
Not that they couldn't win.
But the Savages would disengage and retreat to attack somewhere else. Necessitating a continued pursuit in which they could only hope to get in front of them. This time, they hoped to lure them into these mountains and proceed to destroy them.
Nearby Clan Gael had been kept uninformed of what was to come. It was a necessity, but not one anyone was happy with. Clan Gael could potentially fight the Savages, but their losses would be… unacceptable.
It was… best they would be told after the fact.
"The Gael are hardly fools," one officer shook her head at the far off fires, "They likely already know we and the Savages are here. That we're using their people and lands as bait to trap and destroy this force of… of… ARGH! Why can no words explain their actions and the aftermath!?"
"Words can sister," the one who called her that, was leaning back against a pillar of stone, a knife in hand as he was shaping a wooden flute into use, "Why else," he brings his product up to eye carefully, "do you believe we call them Savages."
The woman only growled at her brother, but remained silent.
Guards nearby had turned their heads before turning them back to their shared meal. Their charge had been napping under a nearby tree for the last couple of hours. As the generals made their plans, they waited. Not too far away, the impatient knights waited as well.
Another guard was playing a lyre as another played a harp. A third beat a small drum. A gentle tune had filled the small camp. Heard among the larger gathering of troops beneath, encamped on the mountainside's small plateau.
At least small as mountains go. For them, you could put a fair size village on it with plenty of space for ranching and farming. A good spot for an observation tower too.
Just not in a good place to set up, given how difficult it was for them to climb up.
There is a path that leads to a nearby village. One they had taken pains to avoid being seen by. As they needed surprise for this to work. Some knights would likely protect during the coming battle. If it needs so or if they can arrive beforehand.
If the latter, well, they can at least avenge the villagers and rescue any still alive.
As everyone rested or glared angrily towards the smoke, the leader of the group was still asleep beneath his chosen tree. His nap was likely going to be his last restful sleep for the next few days. As his forces positioned and readied themselves for the inevitable.
Then he twitched.
His closest guard saw his foot move in a sporadic way. An uncontrolled twitch that one makes when abruptly awoken. That is when the guard heard it and made a ready just in case.
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"EY-HAH!" The rider snapped the reins and ducked his head beneath a branch that one of his pursuers cut down with a threatening cry, "HOLD ON!" the rider shouted to his abrupt passenger who could only do what he said as she clung to his horse, bridle, and saddle after being thrown across it like a sack of potatoes.
"DEATH! DEATH! DEATH!" one of the pursuers shouted, which was a mistake as the rider went around a bend, he and his horse were introduced to a new weapon a soldier had bought for just this very moment from a merchant who had hailed from the Far East.
Called the Naginata, the blade was far longer and curved, slendered blade than any normal spear and was shaped differently from normal polearms.
As such, one swipe was enough to slice through the horse's neck, bulging and full of exposed veins, and through the Savage's unarmored side in a single stroke.
The horse was a devil of a mount. Trained to enjoy meat and blood, it was an evil thing. Sometimes they were let loose on women and girls, most assuredly once their blood was up. Terrible mounts for a terrible devil.
The finely crafted blade sliced deep enough that the horse gave a half gurgled death cry as it turned to tumble. The rider, caught just as finally through his side, gave a startled death cry as he fell from his mount. The soldier having been lucky enough to also nearly remove one of his arms in the process.
The mount hit first and rolled, promptly getting in the way of the others behind it. They either had to jump, leaving them vulnerable to counterattack or go around and being cut down by other perimeter guards. Two still collided with their fallen fellow and ended up tumbling themselves down the incline to where soldiers grabbed their weapons and waited as the pair came to a stop, unable to get up or move fast enough.
One of those two lost its head to a particularly tall soldier with a very large ax as the other was pinned in place by spears, even the head.
The dying rider hit the ground next. Bouncing a few times as he tumbled end over end before slamming face first into a rock in an explosion of blood.
There was no mistaking his assured death.
The other pair of fallen riders were descended upon as they had also bounced and tumbled.
When they came to a halt, one soldier struck with a stake mallet bashing his face in just a few strokes, leaving him a bloodied, but very dead mess.
The other tried to get back up. But five guards and an officer were on him. Spears and swords stabbing deep into him. The officer pulled an ax from nearby and slammed its blade into the man's neck, severing his spinal cord and killing him instantly.
Elsewhere for the Savage riders, it was a disaster.
The soldiers had risen up and cut them down. The guards fought those at the perimeter. Unable to get their fearsome mounts to readjust and just attack, they died with their mounts. The soldiers knowing the evils of the felled beasts intended not for either rider or beast to survive.
"Two are getting away!" a guard shouted as the last pair turned and fled.
"EY-JHAH!" A voice came and a lone rider set off in pursuit as others tried to chase on foot until four of the personal guard, one of the attendants, and an officer with a small knot of men pursued after their leader.
"His Majesty pursues alone?!" the woman who was complaining earlier shouted as she got her helmet on and prepared to follow, "Send for some knights!"
"His Majesty gave orders!" it was the rider, a Dispatch Rider of all people!, who started all of this, the young teenage girl now upright on his horse, "The nearby village is under attack by a previously unknown force of Savages."
He reached over to the woman and handed her the message he was to deliver, "I have renewed orders, but the girl!"
"I'll take her!" the woman responded, reaching out and the girl was helped over, even though she felt safer with the Dispatch Rider.
"I'm going for the knights, I'll return soon," he declared to them both before turning his horse and making a mad dash to the nearby knights.
"You'll be safe with me," the woman soldier breathed into the village girl's ear, "Let's move! Form up!"
Several riders rode past on their way to support their Emperor. A small knot of soldiers and their commanding officer, having prepared as others fought, followed suit. They would fully rested and would be able to keep a good pace going.
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The fleeing Savages looked back to see a high ranking lone pursuer. His spear at the ready. Both nodded to one another, they could take him and ambush the others before returning to the others with news of the enemy. It was fortunate they ran into that girl and her group. The others should have caught up to the rest by now and sure enough, as they rounded a bend, the rest of the group had finally been surrounded in the middle of the road.
But before they could shout a warning, the soldier behind them caught up and with incredible skill, sliced the hind leg of one of the felled beasts, causing the beast and rider to suddenly collide with a tree, killing both.
"Damn you!" The other turned to fight, but only lost an arm and tumbled from his monster horse as he was cut up along his side.
Without stirrups, he instantly fell away. His dying form impaling on a rock outcropping.
His mount didn't last long. A flash was all it saw before blackness as the back of its neck was cut in half and it dropped to tumble. The head turned the wrong way too far too fast for it to even understand what had just happened.
The surrounded group of medicinal herb gatherers and their attackers turned just as the well clad man, his cape bellowing out behind him and weapon raised and readied, charged into the group, killing two men and their mounts in seconds and without stopping, leaping his horse over all the maidens, and killing another pair opposite.
He, though, did not stop to turn back.
He did not have to.
Following soldiers cut through the rest. They tagged-team their enemies. Killing both rider and mount equally as they passed. Those who did not fall were thrown into confusion until others caught up and killed them.
"Everyone!" The village girl cried out in joy at seeing her fellows, safe and for the most part unharmed as most soldiers continued to charge onward while a small few stopped to help them and protect them, "You're all safe!" she turned to the lady soldier, "Thank you! Thank you so much, Lady Knight!"
Blushing under helmet, the woman managed, "I'm not a knight, I'm a Legionnaire in the service of his Imperial Majesty himself!"
Still didn't change the fact they had rescued them.
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A handful of bored Savages were looking for something to kill. Or perhaps female gatherers to assault.
That's when they heard charging hoofs and looked up as a man clad in brilliant armor came around the corner of a bend atop an armored warhorse. His long yellow cape flying out from behind him, his armor and raised sword catching light and blinding them.
In moments, half their number were dead. One was beheaded while another had his head nearly sliced in two. A third's throat was slashed and a fourth was run over by the horse.
Two more were stuck by the horse and sent flying, but they survived, albeit with broken bones. Which left them vulnerable as the following soldiers caught up and killed them. Along with the pair of the group as they tried to recover from the abrupt charger.
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"Hold the line men!"
The old man guided the Village Militia through the fight so far successfully.
The Gael were not men to be trifled with. They all had swords and spears at the ready. Their skills with hammers, bows, and axes were not to be underestimated either. They also had shields more than capable.
But Savages were on a whole different level. The Gael's light weapons and armor are better for holding off Monsters and Bandits, even fighting small groups of enemy soldiers. The Savages, though, were far more than any of them had expected, but nonetheless, they had held the barricades strongly.
But the old man with them?
He was different.
When a Savage managed to get on the ramparts, killing a Village Guardsman in the process, the old man was there. Going hand to hand with the brute. The brute was shocked at an old man overpowering him with his bare hands.
Then the old man pulled up the fallen Guardsman's ax and with a mighty swing, severed his opponent's arms off at the elbows.
The brute let out a surprised scream of pain before the old man ended his life and kicked the carcass back over the barricades before swinging the ax and removing the fingers of another Savage, causing him to scream before two Militiamen ended his life with their poleaxes.
"They're in the village!" someone shouted seeing that the Savages had overpowered a section of the barricades and were dropping into the village streets.
Fortunately, they were landing near some of the minor vegetable gardens that had been picked clean already. They could call for help and food later on, once they had survived. But the defenders would have to be quick to-
A tremendous crash caught everyone off guard.
It was followed by an explosion of wood and iron.
"The gates have been destroyed!" the Village Guard Captain shouted, "To the secondary barricades! First and Third with me!"
The Guardsmen answered the order as the old man joined the retreating defenders, some being killed as they attempted to reach the secondary barricades.
The First and Third Units obeyed their Captain and drew up their line. Sure enough, the Savages came charging through the smoke. In hand were clubs and crudgles. They had no armor, which was the norm for them.
They did not favor armor or more effective weapons.
Despite that, their strength and reach could make up for it.
The first volley of crossbow bolts from the second barricade, though, put paid to an immediate rush. The Guardsmen fired the last of their arrows, ironically enough. Then they threw their bows to the side and charged with their weapons in hand.
It was a bloody exchange. The Guardsmen gave as good as they were getting. Some even do better than they could have been expected to do. They were men of Gael after all. They would not fall so easily.
But they are still easily being overpowered by numbers and raw strength.
Their lines threaten to collapse as they are bodily shoved or thrown to the secondary barricade.
Then the old man is there. Staff and sword in hand. The Savages caught off guard as the old man cuts and bashes with both.
He spins the staff and stabs a Savage between the legs, the man screams out as his family jewels clearly break before his throat is slashed open.
Spinning to dodge an attack, the old man strikes with his staff once more. The head of the staff slammed at an angle into the Savage's right knee. The bone audibly breaks and the brute falls down, screaming in pain as he lands on his good knee before his screams are cut short as his head is separated from his body by the old man's sword.
Using the staff, the old man keeps two enemies at bay as he removes the arm of a third, followed by the third's enemy's leg allowing a Guardsman to stab his spear into his face and end his life.
Then together the pair fight the previous pair, successfully killing one and forcing the other to back up, only to be killed by a crossbow bolt to the side of the head.
"Yeah! Take that, why don't you!" an older villager yells from the secondary barricade.
The Guardsman is then slashed, but avoids death and fatal wounds thanks to his armor. Though the back piece is utterly destroyed by the attack.
Another Guardsman lets out a battlecry and cuts down the offender and grabs his wounded friend.
"Go, I have you covered," the old man urges and the Guardsman nods before retreating with his friend.
Five Savages began to approach the old man. They were cautious, but aggressive. Trying to use their strength and each other to wear him out, but the old man proved more elusive.
The first to lose his patience, saw his wrist broken. A second tried to take advantage of the distraction, but his throat was crushed by the old man's staff. The first then lost an eye as the third tried to ambush, but lost both his weapons and his hands followed by his groin and a leg.
The fourth and fifth struck, the fifth slowed by the wounded first.
As such, several arrows caught him in the chest and killed him instantly.
The fourth saw what happened and became distracted. In doing so, he allowed the old man to finish off the first one by disemboweling the brutish man.
"Damn you old man!" the final Savage growled as he went to shoulder charge the old man, only to be tripped up and struck in the back and sent tumbling to the ground.
As he tried to get back up, the old man chopped his sword into the back of his head. The Savage's mouth opened and blood spilled out before he dropped dead.
'I cannot hold out for long alone,' the old man thought as he drew steadily back with the remnants of the First and Third Units, 'Nor can the rest of the village defenses.'
"The Savages have broken through at the Granaries!" a report was shouted.
"Go sir, we have here!" The surviving Sergeant of the Third Unit told the old man even as two villagers left the secondary barricade to replace him, though they could never match his skill, they could at least make the enemy work for their win.
"The beacon is lit, do not die needlessly!" the old man shouted as he withdrew to go to the threatened area, close to where the villagers were in shelter, "Arawn will be here soon! Survive!"
"HO!" the defenders shouted in response, thrusting weapons into the air.
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Several Savages reached where the villagers were hiding.
All around fires raged as small battles were fought. The waging battle for the village was reaching deeper and deeper. Blood and bodies filled the lanes and streets along with broken wood and destroyed property.
The Savages had gained an advantage and pushed.
Yet the defenders, the men of this Gael Village, had redoubled their efforts.
Explosions occurred here and there. Some were traps. Others were things reacting poorly to fires. A few were explosives used by the defenders, hurled into the invaders' ranks with deadly effect.
Nonetheless, the Savages pushed forward.
But they soon found a surprising impediment.
A young boy who looked more like a light rabbit snack than a deadly dark threat.
The boy bounced off one support beam and flew back at his opponent. The small knife would never take the Savage's life, but the eye was a different thing.
"RA-AAHHH!" the Savage dropped his weapon to cover where his eye had been cut and removed from its place.
A Militiaman saw his chance and spun his spear, disemboweling the invader in one clean move.
"Bell, get back to safety!" the Militiaman shouted even as he had to fend off another invader, "Damn it!"
Bell could not kill. Even though he knew he would die. He was simply too small for it. But he had learned well from his grandfather. He could and would fight as they were so close to the other villagers now.
So the small boy used his small size. He moved like a rabbit not among wolves, but among giants. Giants too big to react to him moving about their legs, slashing and tearing at them.
It was a distraction that halted them. They had to defend themselves, lest the Militia and Guardsmen get a free shot. Which they were now getting plenty off.
Bell even sprang surprising traps, such as using his full body weight to reactivate the controls to cause water to spray out of one of the village's water mains used for cleaning certain crops.
The Savages were knocked over or became mired in mud, as the system wasn't used at this time of year.
Bell landed on another switch, which caused an empty elevator to shoot up. Enemies were either struck between the legs, tripped over, or just plain struck and knocked about. This left many of them open to the outnumbered defenders who took advantage of their abrupt vulnerability.
His small knife carved as well. Leaving bloody gashes and toes, fingers, eyes, and in a few cases, noses separated from their owners. Bell fought with all he could, as best he could.
Despite his bravery, his body still shook like a leaf in the wind.
But he did not hesitate. Sliding between the legs of one enemy to flip a switch and swing a heavy load of wood timbers around to smash into several invaders. The one that he slid under smartly dodging out of the way and turning to fight him, only for-
"GRANDFATHER!" Bell shouted as the old man, his grandfather arrived and killed the brute himself.
"Bell, back to the others!" his grandfather shouted.
"We are at the others!" Bell warned and the surviving defenders cursed as they realized they had been driven to the shelters.
A line of the older boys stood ready. Spears and bows prepared. They were as scared as Bell, but they formed a line anyways.
"Damn the Savages!" a Guardsman shouted before a horse announced itself with a loud cry.
"Huh?" everyone turned as exploding out of smoke billowing from fires was an armored man on horseback.
"In the name of Zeus, God of Thunder, be punished for your transgressions!" The man shouted as he ran down a line of enemies before they could defend themselves, his spear spinning and cutting before he threw it to impale an enemy to a thick pole and drew his sword.
"Follow the Emperor!" another rider appeared out of the smoke, his sword leveled and ready.
Moments later Cavalry and Infantry burst through the smoke as well with battlecries.
"In the name of Zeus!"
"For the Emperor!"
"Glory to Rhome!"
"Zeus Protects!"
"The Emperor Protects!
Armored soldiers had arrived. Help had come despite all the long odds.
Caught between defending spears and attacking swords, the Savages were cut down where they stood.
The leader of the entire Savage group attacking happened to be in this particular group.
With a battlecry, he cut his way through friend and foe alike towards the Emperor.
"Die Emperor Cael!"
The biggest Savage there swung his axblade at the Emperor of Rhome, but the man pulled in a specific fashion on his reins and kicked his heels.
His word whined by jumping to the slide, literally. The massive ax struck the ground where they had been prior. The blade cut into fallen bodies and into the earth itself where it became stuck.
"What?!" the Savage shouted before Cael's kicked out and struck the Savage in the head with a crunching sound of bone cracking into pieces, knocking him to the side.
"He-YJAH!" Cael commanded and his horse reared up with a battlecry of its own and kicked forward with its front legs.
"BAGH-AHHH!" the Savage leader was kicked back with the sound of breaking bones.
Leaping from his horse with sword and shield in hand, Cael landed and rolled, coming up and ducking beneath a wild swing from the leader of the invaders.
A quick spin and sword slash cut a groove, not as deep as before, but Cael expected that from the Savage Leader.
These Monsters in Human form were made of sterner stuff.
He would not fall so easily.
But neither would the Emperor who dodged a wild kick and sliced again.
The leader roared and threw a haymaker that missed and was cut and jabbed by sword and shield.
Another punch hit air as Cael carved his blade through the hand and down the length of the arm. Fingers and the thumb fell away as blood exploded and skin hung, draining more of the crimson lifeforce.
A wild kick again. A shield strike right behind the knee cap. The Savage leader fell to his side and still tried a wild swing that Cael dodged before stabbing out enough to jab his blade only tip deep.
This was a process that went on and on.
But the soon very bloodied leader collapsed coughing up a foaming mess of blood.
Blood washed off him like a waterfall. His breathing was laborious and shallow. He tried to cough, but couldn't. The Savage tried to get his legs back beneath him, but couldn't.
He then looked at Cael, Emperor of Rhome who only nodded to the unspoken question.
Cael could not win a straight up match of power and endurance. But he could cut his opponent many times over. As for all of his strength, he had very little fat to hide his blood veins from Cael's blade.
For all his muscles, he had no defense against Cael's planning.
With a fingerless hand, he reached out to Cael, but Cael merely freed his spear and stabbed it into his opponent's face, ending it.
"Your Majesty!" a knight had crossed from the front of the village in search of him, "The village perimeter is retaken. The Savages are in retreat. All forces engaged as per your orders. We were able to surprise the Savages who did not expect us to simply attack them out of the forest and rocks. Victory is all but assured as a Gael army approaches, led by Arawn himself!"
"Reunite our forces," the Emperor of Rhome ordered, "Once so, send out scouts and let us find any remnants or confirm there are none left to threaten again."
"At once, Your Majesty," the knight took off to deliver his liege's orders.
As the last of the Savages fell to arrows, bolts, spears, polearms, and more, the battle for Dromore Village has ended in victory over the Savages.
The village will yet stand. Now and for years to come, perhaps.
But the Emperor turned his attention to the old man, Bell's grandfather, among the defenders.
He approached the old man. The Gael men readying their weapons, just in case. But the Emperor calmed all around him before he stood before the powerful old man.
"Truly, did they not realize what they fought," Emperor Cael declared before spreading his cape out behind him and kneeling down before simple old village who was not so simple or a villager, "Hail, Lord Zeus, God of Thunder, in your name, we Children of Rhome, give you victory!"
"Lord Zeus?!" a Legionnaire shouted in surprise and before long many began to gather around to see the old man and soon, what little was known of his appearance could be seen.
"Hail Lord Zeus! Our God and Father!"
Soon those words were echoed as the Rhoman soldiers knelt before him. Ignoring the blood and mud. For their Patron Deity was before them and they showed him their loyalty.
"I-I-I," Zeus coughed into one of his fists, clearing his throat, glad to have gotten a quick stiffening drink and some water since the fighting had begun to end, "I am very grateful for your victory and courage this day."
Zeus had straightened up to stand tall. He stopped hiding his energies, allowing everyone around to know they stood in the presence of a Deity. Resting his sword and staff, he looked down to the Emperor of Rhome.
"Emperor now, eh?" Zeus scratched at his beard, "I'm impressed Kale Cranel and here I had presumed you died."
Bell wasn't the only person to do a double take at Zeus' words.
"Death did come for Kale Cranel," the former Kale Cranel declared, "But I have fallen low and risen high. I am, once more, your humble follower if you would let me once more follow you, Lord Zeus, my master and lord."
"None can speak a lie to a God or Goddess," Zeus declared, surprised by the change in his ex-Child, "But I can grant a second chance to those who have truly shown they are deserving and I have more than a feeling, you have risen back up in honor."
"I thank you, Lord Zeus," the fallen ex-Adventurer of the Zeus Familia kept his head low, "Are you unharmed, My Lord?"
"I am well," Zeus nodded, "Just as winded as any other here. Maybe a bit more so, I'm not as energetic as Hestia is!" he laughed a great belly laugh and Cael took that as a sign to rise, "You've done well, I suppose."
Looking his ex-God in the eye, "That I have. I'm even married now, with two beautiful daughters from an equally beautiful wife," there was a difference between this Cael and the Kale that Zeus could recall, "Lord Zeus?" the man had tilted his head in some confusion.
Then realizing he had been silent, Zeus shook his head, "It's like looking at you, back at the very beginning once more. I wouldn't say that you've changed so much, but have returned to who you truly are at heart."
Cael was taken aback by Zeus' words. Had he truly changed so much for the worse? If Zeus said as much, then it must be true. Fortunately, he had changed once more and for the better, if not returning to who he truly is at his heart.
"Tell me then, Emperor Cael, where do you stand," Zeus inquired all of a certain, the look in his eye calculating, learning.
"Before your Judgment once more," Cael was ready for Zeus' judgment.
The strategy chosen had been unpopular. But there was no popular choice either. There needed to be an end wrought upon these marauding Savages. Only a trap like this was felt to work.
Zeus brought a hand up and tapped two fingers to Cael's forehead, the force behind them was nothing to sneeze at. Zeus may be old, but beneath those farmer clothes were muscles of a warrior. Zeus wasn't just powerful as a God, he was powerful as a Warrior when he had to be.
"We will talk more at length about this decision making," Zeus informed Cael, "But I suspect that it was not an easy nor desirable decision to make on your most vindictive day."
"It wasn't," Cael agreed, "We had to put an end to these marauders. So many other attempts had failed. We were feeling like we were at our wit's end. Many of my soldiers felt more like caged animals as they watched the towering plumes of smoke from other villages."
"And our own?" it was Bell, hiding behind his grandfather's legs and looking up at the man with eyes as red as his own in wonder and curiosity.
Cael was taken aback by Bell's appearance. His brother's eyes. They stared back at him.
But he pulled himself away from those eyes to answer.
"We had hoped you were too far away," indicating the dead Savages littering the village grounds, the fallen villagers had priority for proper recovery, "This group was one that went undetected until they started chasing some of your medicinal gatherers, one of whom was safely and quickly retrieved by a Dispatch Rider and brought to the safety of my camp. I rode out at once and we rescued the rest and arrived here," seeing the fallen villagers and families grieving over fallen loved ones, "A scene I've grown so weary of. If only we had learned when we should have."
Zeus placed his hand on Cael's shoulder, "You've done a lot to stop them. Choosing the many over the few is a leader's task, as thankless a job as it is. A decision not worn easily by the just of heart. But a burden that describes a man's character and core."
"Thank you, Lord Zeus," Cael felt the unease relax within him. It was still there, but no longer so demanding.
"Well, best see to Dromore," Zeus remarked as the boys who had taken up arms were held close by their family, their mothers in particular, "Glad we didn't lose any of the boys. We lost so much as is."
"Dromore is fortunate to have had you," Cael admits as he sees the sight himself, "For all the strength of the Men of Gael, Savages are not something they could be reasonably expected to fight alone."
Zeus merely hummed. He has had years of concerns with the Savages. Here, his concerns were laid bare.
If a Savage wasn't killed or fatally wounded. They would continue to fight. They felt pain like anyone else, but they could tolerate it better. These ones seemed usual as though not as accustomed to pain, but their dead horses and members attested that they were still Savages.
"Unusual group," Cael agreed, nodding solemnly, "We've heard that some have been accused of growing 'soft' by others in their numbers," seeing the dead around them, "Perhaps it is true. Most concerning."
Zeus did not disagree.
If the Savages felt the need to 'toughen up' then they would spark wider violence. All for the sake of being strong. Even Ares would put an end to his violent behavior or think things over in time. The Savages did not and that bothered Zeus greatly.
"Zeus," Emperor Cael turned to his people's Patron God, "Please return with us to the capital. From there, together, we might finally come up with an effective plan to put an end to the threat of the Savages. Once and for all."
Zeus nodded with a humming sound. He knew Kale had returned to what he once was, a good person. So as such, he knew that the man before him was not advocating the complete elimination of the enemy, just merely the destruction of the ability to harm others as best as they could.
It was a decision he could support. Destroying the Savages' ability to carry out conflict on a large scale would reduce them to more easily managed raiding parties. Something that, over time, could be defeated more easily by fewer forces.
Zeus nodded, but then gently pulled Bell around and placing both hands on his shoulders…
"This is Bell Cranel, my grandson," Zeus declared to the Rhoman Emperor, "He comes as well."
Once more looking to the boy. The Emperor could see his brother in those eyes and the woman his brother loved in that face. The hair was as white as her own hair, yet held that grayish coloring that represented Benton Cranel as well.
"He is my nephew, is he not?" Cael looked the God in the eye as he said that.
"He is," Zeus answered without hesitation, much to Bell's shock as he looked up to his grandfather.
Taking a few deep breaths, Cael then asked the question he did not want to.
"Did he fall with honor? Live a good life? Was he a better man than I until the end?"
"Yes to all," Zeus answered, "Sadly, he died before Bell's birth and Bell lost his mother shortly after."
The pain was searing. Cael wanted to sob then and there. But swallowed air and choked that response, for now. He can mourn later. He had to the Living to attend to.
"Thank you, My Lord," Cael's voice was still raspy, but with a cough, he cleared it and soon gave his orders.
XXXX
Word had come that the Savages had been greater in numbers than thought.
Despite that. The forces of Gael and Rhome had crushed them to the last. The Mreelrea Mountains had become the grave of many dead Savage. No longer to menace the world.
But, so too, did many villagers and soldiers fall.
The lands of Gael weren't the only ones hit either.
While the Savages and Rhome had been essentially at war for decades, Gael was a recent addition to the conflict. The war-like Kingdom of Rakia as well. Other nations had already been destroyed by the Savages. Those not burned to the ground were absorbed into the Rhoman Empire, allowing its forces to expand and fight a seemingly never ending war.
Nevertheless, various other kingdoms and realms were attacked. The Dark Elf Clan of Dunmer had been hit. Much like the Gael Clan, they are a larger Nation State rather than a simple Clan. But even that and their territory known for its rock outcroppings and sturdy trees had not been enough.
More than half of the Dunmer Clan was lost in very little time. Only sheer size allowed it to organize a defense.
Beyond Dunmer, the Magic City of Altanla was hit as well. The City State was able to erect its fabled barriers, so powerful that they had held Rakia and the expansionist Empire at bay. But some Savages had gotten through and found a pillar of the Grand Arcs Barrier and destroyed it.
The Altanla Army was forced, for the first in its current history, to actually fight a war where it did not hold an advantage. Only the arrival of the Barbarian Clans of the nearby Frigid Isles and the Plainspeople of the Sacae Tribes helped turn the tide. The Lycia League had also dispatched forces to establish a forward base, which held the Savages to its borders and drew off threats to the other three.
And these are among the nations still standing. The powers and alliances that have mobilized to hold against the Savages. Others have yet to face them, such as the Empire.
The main force facing the Savages, though, is still none other than the Rhoman Army and Navy. At sea, the Savages called Raiders are fought routinely when their operating areas are determined. On land, the Rhoman Legions have long carried the fight, but the Rhoman Knights have started to engage far more frequently as the Legions' manpower dwindles due to losses.
It is this history, fully explained among other facets that convinces Zeus he has to reconsider his Familia's status.
Should he leave it destroyed for now or resurrect it, barely 15 years after its main force was destroyed and just over 10 years since the last, all but Bell and Cael, have passed from this world?
That is Zeus' dilemma.
For Bell and Cael… It's growing accustomed to one another.
Zeus is Bell's grandfather, the boy himself had made that clear. But he also sees a father figure in his newly discovered uncle.
Both Zeus and Cael have essentially put the past behind them. Though Cael had made it clear that if even found the man responsible for what happened, he would bring him before Ouranos to be judged. He'd have his revenge and clearing of his name so that Bell would not need to live with his stigma, let alone his wife and daughters.
Zeus agreed. Having some idea of who. He warned Cael to be careful and wary. Cael revealed he suspected whoever that was, is also behind the Savages.
Once more, Zeus agreed, suspecting the same.
It had taken a few weeks to reach the Rhoman Capital. Like Dunmer, Gael was essentially cut in half. Unlike Dunmer, Arawn was a capable leader in war and with his Falna added to that of his people, the Gael had regained considerable territory.
Sadly, the Mreelrea Mountains were not strategic enough to risk forces for.
And with the continued threat of the Savages potentially invading it, Zeus and Arawn had agreed to move all villagers to the safety of Rhome for the time being. They would live near one of the crucial junctions between the two. Gael was securing support of the Zexon Republic and other nearby nations to reinforce its military strength. Zexon would likely fund a large support force simply because Gael was an important trade partner and to resecure their maritime frontiers.
The Islands Nations Federation had announced a mobilization in the meantime as well. Such was the size of this conflict even far off lands were beginning to stir. Considering sending armies and navies to aid.
Zeus and Cael talked about it constantly. As the reports arrived and Cael read them and informed Zeus of what was happening.
But boy and man were still trying to come to an understanding.
Though, unnoticed by both, Cael had started to take on a fatherly concern for the boy. And in return, Bell wanted to impress this man who was his uncle, but now more like his father. When he caught a pair of really, truly massive fish, the guards with Bell had exclaimed they had to weigh together the boy's own weight!, he had run back to show the pair his catch.
While Zeus was not so happy at the outburst, Cael, accustomed to his daughters doing so, had taken it in stride. If anything, he was suitably impressed the boy had not only caught the fish, but had run back with them in hand. They had to be as long as he was tall and he kept them both from the ground!
He praised Bell as the little master fisherman and sent him on his way with a fatherly pat on the head that had Bell preening the whole way to get his fish cleaned and gutted.
Zeus had been surprised by the byplay, but had smiled. He wasn't about to get in between the two. No. Cael deserved his second chance and Bell had a surprising understanding of people.
Another evening, when Zeus had been working late, trying to make up his mind, he had decided to once more table his Familia's future once more and was heading to bed when two of Cael's guards approached him.
Taking him, he was surprised to find uncle and nephew asleep together under a rather nice tree.
The guards were worried as it was a little chilly that night. But they couldn't get either up to return to their respective tents. Bell especially was curled almost into a ball, much like a baby rabbit, against his uncle. The pair looking more like a father and son as they slept.
Zeus said simply to throw something up around them and let them rest where they were. The guards nodded and it wasn't long before both were resting under a rather makeshift tent, covered in blankets. But the sight warmed many a heart as they had rarely seen their Emperor sleep so peacefully on campaign.
And Bell added that Human feeling to the Emperor. That he wasn't just some aloft monarch, but a man like the rest of them. Mortal flesh and blood.
It might seem odd to others. An Emperor always had to present a mighty figure. Yet, they were still Human too. So being allowed their Human moments allowed them to live easier.
When the two had awoken in the morning, they even looked like in their dull looking faces until they realized what had happened.
Emperor Cael had to endure a teasing the likes of which he had not endured in ages it seemed like.
His soldiers called him the Blushed Emperor as a joke for the rest of the day too.
Even Bell couldn't escape and was known as the Blushing Prince, which only made his girl troubles that much worse, or better. Depending on who was asked.
At some point, a group of traveling artists joined the main column. One of them, a painter, saw Bell on Cael's lap. The difference in their clothes led the man to believe that Bell was an orphan the high ranking officer had adopted. So he quietly painted them as they enjoyed a vista to see a great open rolling plain of farmland and ranches. The image was indeed of a father and son smiling and laughing and enjoying a moment of peace in a time of chaos.
Indeed, the same painter would later paint Cael fighting Savages that had attacked the columns of soldiers and refugees.
Behind Cael was a wagon full of sick refugees from another village. In front of Cael were several Savages.
But at his side was Zeus, again clad as he once had been as leader of The Most Powerful Familia.
In his hands were his staff and sword. As he fought alongside Cael. Bell could be seen peeking out of another wagon further down the line.
The painter recalled it all and painted it.
'God and Emperor Protects' that image became known. It would be hung up in a place of honor to be sold, with other pictures and art made during the artists' time with the Rhomans and Gael, in one of Orario's smaller art houses.
The image caught the attention of a tavern owner who looked it over and was surprised to see Zeus once more as a mighty leader as opposed to the broken man she had seen before.
One of her staff saw all the zeroes, and other numbers, and remarked on it.
A week later, the tavern had the picture and several more to give a bit of a feel for some of the more rambunctious types they got. The woman owner looked at the companion piece, 'Father and Son on the Hill.' There was no mistaking the boy and man seen in both as one and the same. For there they were, in contrast, but alive.
"Well, Kale," the woman hosted a glass to the man, "Yer've turned yerself around and gotten yourself a boy."
Up in her Tower Office, the Goddess of Beauty, Freyja enjoyed one of her finest Gael wines. The apple scented and flavored wine was impressive to behold and was from a small village called Dromore, which she had learned had to be evacuated due to the Savages attacking it.
She, of course and naturally, pouted at losing a source of such fine wine. Annoyed enough to ask if her champion and Captain of her Familia felt if a few of their members should head off and see how many Savages they could teach a lesson too. He was not particularly for it, but also not against it either and so decided to lead the small expedition himself.
He returned several weeks later with the expedition and knowledge that the Savages were a lot more than a mere expedition could deal with.
Not that he left any Savages alive in his wake.
Nor had any member of the expedition either.
They also instilled, however briefly, a terrifying fear in the Savages. Until those that feared the Freyja Familia were killed by other Savages for being what they deemed 'weak.'
But the time bought by them, allowed the powers arrayed to focus their strength more readily.
Indeed.
With the reborn Zeus Familia leading the way.
But as many have said throughout history, that is a story for another day.
For now, many wonder what became of the trio? They did safely ride on after several attacks. Arriving in Rhome itself. The beating heart of the empire that bore its name.
And dear… Are you still upset that the you choose to be an assassin instead has become my champion?
Oh my! You are angry!
But our wager is not yet over. Not very soon. Nor as quickly as I would like.
Why did you insist on this?
What purpose does it serve?
You are beyond hubris and arrogance. And when Ouranos catches you, you shall know not his wrath, but his pity. His pity for all those you used for this selfish game of yours.
If only I could withdraw now. The stakes are not so high. It is the destruction and loss of life that are. I cannot agree to them. How did this happen? How did I get talked into this?
My champion, Cael, Emperor of Rhome, please be victorious.
The world needs a champion as much as a hero right now.
XXXX
"There they are Bell," Cael smiled as he pointed to the great fortress gates that protected Rhome itself, "Once we pass through the long central road, we will exit to the other side and through their gates to the city itself."
The small boy looked on with wide eyed wonder as he and his father rode on the latter's horse.
"Father, it looks so big from here!" Bell looked up with a smile to his adoptive father and by this point, neither were denying it.
Zeus next to them let out a rumbling laugh, "Aye, Bell my boy, you're in for a grand treat, isn't that right Cael?"
"Yes, he is," Cael's only smile was almost as infectious as Bell's smile.
But all the Rhomans were happy to see their capital's great guardian fortress before them. Once inside, they would head down Central Avenue to the Forum and the Emperor would announce their victories. They would then explain their campaign to the eager people of Rhome and present to them, on the way of course, Lord Zeus who would give some words himself.
The new, if only temporary, alliance with the Gael would also calm the frontiers as well.
With the Gael beside them instead of against them, the Rhomans might yet put an end to the Savages.
They know that trade would benefit. Perhaps making the alliance long lasting. As products and people moved between them, they might know a better, longer lasting peace. When the current conflict is over, of course, but that is something to look forward to. A peace in which they can rest and enjoy time with their families.
"Still about an hour away," the commanding general remarked with a smile, "Think you can keep it up, Lord Zeus?" the man teased after learning the general good nature of his Patron God.
Zeus took the tease well, "Indeed I do!" he laughed with the rest, "Though hopefully Hera can mind her own business for me to actually enjoy a vacation here, hahaha!"
Everyone had a good laugh at that.
Zeus and Hera were highly regarded, but Cael had known both and was not enthused at all into encountering Hera again. Especially after so long and what had happened before. Even on her best days, Hera was simply unbearable.
And despite himself, Cael tightened his hold on Bell, causing the boy to look up and see him looking down with a smile.
Bell broke out into another big smile with a small joyful sound, that just maybe, a rabbit might make if it was happy.
Then he looked up to see the road to home and his wife and daughters.
'With a son now,' Cael thought, 'I wonder how things will change?'
At the same time, he thought that Hera better stay back. Bell was his child now. She best keep her distance if she didn't want to be sent to Orario to become Freyja's problem.
Cael enjoyed a mental snicker at that.
An hour passed and soon they were before the gates.
The general in command of the fortress rode out to meet them. The woman and her retinue spreading out to form an honor guard to welcome them home. Soon she was beside her Emperor.
"Hail Emperor, welcome home to Rhome!" the woman was soon next to her Emperor on his right as Zeus rode on the left.
"Hail General Elayza, I thank you for your forces escort home and welcoming," Cael acknowledged the woman as both shook hands.
"My Emperor," the woman smiled, they had both served in the same Legion so long ago, "I see you have a pair of guests with you. Who are they? The leader of the refugees and his grandchild?"
"Yes and no with another yes," Cael chuckled and Elayza rolled her eyes, "Oh come now, it's not like Agate Hill all over again!"
"Then please tell me it is the Sapphire Mines again," the woman was mirthful despite her drawl.
"Of course, of course," patting Bell on the head and causing the boy to briefly look up, "This is my son, Bell Cranel, only born of my brother and his wife before their untimely passing around his birth," Cael's smile had become strained as he remembered he had to organize a memorial wreath for them both later.
Elayza nodded sadly, "So it is true then. Your brother did fall," the woman shook her head, "So many fallen when Orario fell on hard times."
"Indeed," Cael agreed and gently rubbed Bell's shoulder to remind him, that yes, the boy was still very real, "This is the man who raised Bell as his grandson," Cael began to introduce, "My old leader and head of the Zeus Familia, Lord Zeus himself."
The look on Elayza's face was visible through her helmet. She flipped the visor, she preferred the knight style helmets to cover the various scars on her face when in public, and her wide blue eyes were almost comical.
"Lord Zeus?" she swallowed hard, "You have brought us Lord Zeus, the Patron Father himself?"
"I have," Cael confirmed as the three rode along.
"By the blessed names of the Ancient Spirits, you are most successful!" The woman declared as word, as always, rapidly went up and down the ranks of the fortress troops as to the Emperor bringing home a son and Lord Zeus, "The Senate will be at your mercy for some time. For once."
Cael let out a chuckle that mildly disturbed Bell, "Oh how I know it. About time I put those windbags in their place," turning to Zeus, "Not all are bad or so bad, but far too many have been pushing to make their appointments lifelong and, dare I say it, hereditary."
Zeus snorted in an undignified manner, "Of course they are," he rolled his eyes, "When they know they can lose for being idiots, they'll do anything for power. Even stop governing to pander lies and conspiracies that support their position."
"Did not Argonaut face that?" patting Bell on the head to keep him from interrupting, Cael had to smile at the boy's love for heroes.
"Yes," Zeus confirmed, "A few times. Real idiots those ones. He always outwitted them in the end. I was always very surprised by his ability to do so. But he was also highly intelligent, more so than has been accredited to him."
"Then the Feast of Argonaut shall be on time, I should hope," Cael turned to Elayza while making sure that Bell didn't fall out of the saddle in excitement at hearing that.
"The intelligent ones in the Senate, as well as the smart ones in general, have made sure it would be on time," the woman general even chuckled aloud, "They've even outdone themselves this year with a grand parade planned and yes, Elena had checked to make sure we could do so."
"Leave it to the Empress to keep track of the records and update the books while I'm gone," seeing Bell's look out of the corner of his eye, "Your new mother, my wife, that you'll meet soon enough."
Bell was about bouncing in the saddle as they rode on into the first gate and through to the courtyard where people gave a mighty cheer and flower petals began to drift from above as people welcomed the victorious heroes and their guests home.
The Emperor Cael, so comfortable to be home, that he had taken his helmet off long ago and exchanged it for his crown. He would need to have a small one commissioned for Bell once the day was over.
Until then, the wife of one of the Guard Captains offered a beautiful tiara from her childhood. It did fit Bell well and though girly, it made both appear truly as father and son. Their hair being very much the same messy nature, though Bell still took after his mother with his bangs.
Together, the pair alongside Zeus and General Elayza led the procession as people cheered and welcomed them home. Some approached offering food and drink that the soldiers and knights could enjoy as they walked. Others providing some aid to the refugees who could finally indulge in the comfort of safety as they rode on into Rhome as friends.
Through the great and cavernous tunnel, the procession went on. The great checkpoint from the Exalted First Highway to the Central Avenue, was indeed a man-made cavern system. But it was also straight and wide to handle the heavy traffic through it both ways.
People inside met them, cheering loudly and waving banners as confetti drifted down, some of the defenders helping to toss it out, spreading it over the length of the columns.
The same went on as they exited to the otherside, where the walls were a bit lower, but allowed the tops of buildings to be seen clearly. Some were taller than the walls themselves. Upon which people in bright clothing saw the procession begin to exit the main thoroughfare and begin to approach the city itself.
Great horns blew as drums rumbled as music now filled the air, welcoming the soldiers home and the refugees to a city that will give them peace of mind as they make plans for the future.
"This is where we part, Hail Lord Zeus! Hail Lord Emperor! Peace and Long Life be with you!" Elayza and her companions began stopping at the edge, "Hail General Strom, I pass the Emperor, Prince, and Lord Zeus onto you!"
The new general was somewhat portly and bald, but he had a scar that closed one eye on his face, but his voice was just as strong as General Elayza, "Hail General Elayza, word has reached me! Gladden am I and I shall take charge henceforth!"
While it was more or less nonsense and the two generals had a brief chuckle before clasping hands and shaking, "I've got them, no worries."
"Who said I was?" The two laughed at her response before separating.
"Hail Lord Zeus! Hail Lord Emperor! Hail Young Prince!" General Strom smiled as he greeted the trio, "Welcome to Rhome, your home and I assure you, that everyone is eager and waiting, except maybe a few now very upset Senators," Strom was not fond of the blowhards in the Senate.
In fact, in his opinion, they couldn't even do a blowjob right, even if they were the ones receiving it!
Though he didn't voice that too loud, for fear his wife would learn of his language.
"Always the charmer, eh?" Cael laughed heartily, "Hail General Strom, my old commander, how are you today?"
"Excited to hear you return not only victoriously, but with a son and Lord Zeus!" Strom answered back as he took up Elayza's spot as the woman watched them go and calling for a cheer of their victorious army and to welcome their new allies.
The four emerged into the city itself once they crossed the final gateway into it.
Blinding sunlight had prevented Bell from seeing the city proper through the gates. Though they were also bent as part of the defenses. So no enemy could simply charge through the whole fortress with ease. They were also off centered slightly, relatively speaking, to aid in that as well.
So when Bell's vision cleared, he gasped at the sight before him with wide eyes.
"HAIL LORD ZEUS! HAIL THE EMPEROR! HAIL THE NEW PRINCE!"
People cried, word already reaching these first people who welcomed them home.
"Raise your right hand and wave it slightly with just soft movements of your wrist," Cael taught Bell how to greet the citizens and wave back as they rode down the street, "You are their prince now. So no worries. This is your first time and you'll learn more as you get older, I promise."
Bell looked up and nodded with an embarrassed blush, but still, he was enjoying himself as he rode with his new father down the great street, so wide, Bell was certain a dozen of the Dromore's granaries could be placed next to one another with room to spare for all the equipment to fill them and empty them and still have room for more work to be done.
His little imagination wasn't too far off.
It was still wide. Wider than the avenues of Orario. Like all the major avenues, it was truly massive. Built to facilitate movement of people and product and to let the armies widen out when they returned home from campaign. Especially in parade form like now to celebrate a victorious campaign.
Bell saw how beautiful the city was. It was surprisingly well laid out. With great monuments all around. As well as flower beds and small gardens along with massive parks.
Water flowed through aqueducts and small channels and other waterways. Some waterways turn great waterwheels adding to the beauty and majesty of the city. There were ponds, creeks, rivers, and even a lake.
The buildings were generally white, but there were other shades, typically lighter colors. The columned buildings were intermixed with buildings of brick and stone with wooden buildings here and there. Everywhere appeared to be painted or of specially colored stones to give gentle, warming tones to the city.
It was like a picture painted into the real world to be seen and enjoyed.
On a size scale, while nowhere near as large as Orario, the city of Rhome was still massively large. Though it was somewhat better planned out. As such the space was taken up to make the city liveable, workable, and beautiful.
Of course, Rhome didn't have a Dungeon literally under it.
Though a nearby mountain was considered home to many monsters and so was the surrounding forest. As such, they were considered a Dungeon by the locals. Especially ancient ruins, some predating Rhome, within the pair. Soldiers constantly kept watch for danger from that direction.
But not as much today.
Soldiers and Constables kept the crowds at bay as the soldiers and refugees headed down Central Avenue. People cheering the new arrivals and returnees alike. Welcoming them home to Rhome.
Still, there were the odd number who got through. Some were family who spotted loved ones and raced to them. Such as the commanding general's two youngest sons and his wife chasing after them. He only laughed and managed to fit his wife and boys atop his horse as the rest of his children piled onto one of the supply wagons brought forward to carry them.
Cael had laughed at the man's embarrassment when his sons nearly managed to pull him from his horse, but they were just so excited to see him. The general had taken it well. He remembered eagerly running to his mother when she was a Centurion. What felt like a lifetime ago.
And he wasn't alone.
For many, they had watched these parades before as children. Now they are the parade. Leading wagons full of captured enemy arms and equipment. Guiding their injured and displaced allies through their city to safety.
The Gael looked upon the city in disbelief. Avalon had nothing on Rhome, but Avalon still had its charm with its great apple orchards. Rhome was of power and Avalon of rest. There was a difference in how they were laid out, but still, Rhome was something. Just as Avalon would always been something to them.
A young girl had broken through the barricades and was soon being chased by two constables.
Cael, seeing the girl approaching directly the head of the march, slowed and easily dismounted without disturbing Bell who quizzly tilted his head.
Guiding his horse and Bell off to the side, Cael met the girl, "Hello there," he greeted as he knelt down, showing he was still a citizen of their great empire as any other and so he would meet the girl as an equal.
The girl caught her breath before offering the bouquet of flowers in her arms, "I'm sorry I don't have more for the Prince as well. I only just learned, but would you please take these? To celebrate your safe return from battle."
Chuckling, Cael did more than take the bouquet. He picked the girl up gently and settled her onto his horse, "Why don't you meet your new Prince as well?" Cael smiled to the girl, "That way, he can meet someone his age in his new home."
The girl and boy both blushed but nodded with a pair of chirped, "Yes!" both then looked at one another and blushed before giggling and Cael laughed heartily, indicating for the Constables to walk with him as well, much to their surprise, but they did so.
"Breath it in gentlemen," Cael spoke to the two peacekeepers of Rhome, "Not many days like this come by in several lifetimes."
"Yes sir/Thank you, sir," both agreed and indeed did enjoy the pleasant walk with their Emperor and Prince while the Prince struck up a conversation with the girl, both giggling at the fact they enjoyed Hero stories, much to the adults' amusement.
To see their Emperor walk as a person as children chatted atop his horse, the people cheered louder for him. He was not above them, he was with them. The bouquet in his hands as he honored all of his people with the gift.
There were still those, though, that felt disgusted by the man. Though they wisely refrain from speaking out. Especially where they might be heard.
Cael was not one to tolerate injustice towards the people.
Nor potential sedition easily.
Though friendly and jovial, he was still the Emperor and took his duties very seriously.
And his return with Lord Zeus only further cemented his power.
While it was no secret that Cael had no intention of creating a dynasty, it was a secret that he was the force behind preventing any dynasty from forming.
To him, Rhome had been through nearly one tragedy becauses of would be rulers. Rhome did well as it was and should be. A few held awesome responsibility and guarded that responsibility through the generations. The rest carried that responsibility for as long as they could through provence not blood.
As they looked down, they saw Zeus roll his head and seemingly look at them.
The God was already flexing his power and now the forces opposed to Cael and his Conserative Faction knew that the Progressives and Conservatives would ensure, for the time being, their power was curbed.
Then Zeus rolled his head again and enjoyed the people welcoming him.
He had missed this feeling from so long ago. At the same time, he could see Bell having the time of his life. Even meeting a new girl, something that took effort, given Bell's innate shyness.
Perhaps, Cael would be a great father to Bell, yet.
As far as Zeus was concerned, things would only look brighter for the time being ahead. The storm clouds removed and the sky so brilliantly clear.
He had missed this feeling of peace for far too long.
XXXX
This practically wrote itself. Imagine my surprise. I was expecting to finish another story's chapter first. Instead, this gets done first. Go figure, right folks?
Anyways, this chapter bites the dust.
So what'cha think?
Did I make Zeus into a cool fighter or what?
Yes, a bit of a Gandolf there. But I couldn't come up with a better weapon. And that's in spite of my plans of him doing more barehanded combat.
Anywhos!
So now Bell is a Prince of Rhome!
How many people saw that one coming? I dares ya to speak up! Come one, don't'cha be holding back now!
Next chapter will likely be underway very shortly. Who knows, maybe I'll hammer out two more before long. Or not.
Three days until I'm out of the quarantine. Still need to be tested before I can got back to work. That'll be important. Otherwise, I'm off to bed now. Once this is posted of course.