Author's Notes
Hi to everyone!^_^
So, are you ready for Christmas? In these last times I had a lot of distractions, and that's why this chapter has been longer than expected to write. But finally we're on Christmas, and Santa Clause bought me a lot of free time, so stay tuned, because at least a new chapter will come before the end of the holydays (on Italy, Christmas Holydays end at January 6^^).
We'almost half of the way, next chapter will be even better, I promise^^
Stay tuned^^
See you soon and Merry Christmas!
Cj Spencer!^_^
5
The few soldiers still wielding their weapons formed a pale and weak defensive wall to protect the civilians, and even the few other ones capable to fight did the same, like Radika and Sadee that immediately recovered the first offensive instrument they found.
But instead of an army, all that appeared on the top of the hill a couple of minutes later Radika's alarm was a couple of soldiers, a mule-pulled cart and their apparent leader, a respectable middle age General with shiny armor and crested helmet.
«Those armors.» said a shocked Pharmenon. «It's the Empire!»
Hearing this, everyone started trembling with fear, and the soldiers regrouped even more, pointing lances against the newcomers and regrouping even more into a proper and true phalanx in the Plains' way.
On the other side, however, the shock for Agrippa and his men was even greater.
«A caravan?» Agrippa said. «These are refugees.»
«And judging by dresses and weapons, they're undoubtedly Haqabians.» said the senator.
«By the Gods, what the hell has happened to them? They're in a terrible state.»
«And they don't seem too much happy to see us.»
«I still have to know someone happy to see the Empire's flag.» the General answered before turning to his men. «Get ready to escape whenever they should try to attack. And keep the banner high.»
«Assuming that these barbarians know what it means.»
And in fact, despite the apparently unaggressive approach of the newcomers, the Calibrians at the opposite seemed have no intention to trust; on contrary, most of the civilians quickly went hiding behind their weak defensive line, which took an even more aggressive pose.
However, a shout came from those mass of desperate people all of a sudden.
«No, wait!» Lyndon said. «You see it? They have the yellow banner with them!»
«And so?» the only officer still alive answered with arrogance and a lot of fear
«It's a sign of peace! They have no hostile intentions!»
The soldiers however didn't seem too convinced by the young mage's words, and went on with their hostile approach.
«Archers ready!»
The less than ten archers immediately obeyed, and at that point Agrippa was about to command the retreat before the situation could become truly dangerous.
«Do I have to spell it out for you? I said they're not enemies!»
«Shut up, Imperial scum! We went too far to die here!»
Such tension immediately spread among the civilians, making everything even more tense and unbearable, in an endless and enervating chorus of cries, shouts and prayers.
«Stop!» someone suddenly shouted powerfully among the crowd. «Don't move!»
Everyone at that point turned in one same directions, and for the first time since all that had started, they thought to see a queen among them.
Anthelea then approached Lyndon.
«Are you sure about that?»
«Absolutely, Your Grace.»
Then, the princess turned to the soldiers.
«Lower your weapons.»
«But, Your Grace…» the officer tried to protest
«I said lower your weapons!»
The first to obey were the archers, and a moment later the soldiers of the wall did the same, lowering lances and loosening a bit the phalanx; even the crowd seemed to calm a bit, moved to trust by their newfound guide.
«Find a yellow cloth! Hurry!»
Second passed, with tension threatening to rise again, but at the end, for Agrippa and Valeriano's relief, a yellow blanked put on the top of a deadwood appeared from that crowd.
«Fortunately it seems there's someone with a bit of good sense among them.» the Senator commented
The, Anthelea left the crowd, followed by Pharmenon, Lyndon, Radika and a child wielding the banner.
«Stop right there!» the princess shouted when the newcomers made a brief attempt to advance further. «Who are you?»
«I'm a General of the Empire!» Agrippa replied. «We're camped not far from here! I need a bit of water to quench my men! I promise we'll leave once filled our jars!»
Anthelea turned to her fellows.
«They seem honest.»
Along the voyage, she and Pharmenon had chosen to speak with the most trustful of their remaining servants about the secret agreement initially reached with Reich, and right for this the mere idea of discussing something with foreigners was enough to scare some of them to death.
«I hate to speak against my own people» Lyndon said. «But an Imperial General is not the kind of guy you can trust.»
«With all respect, my lady» Pharmenon said «We could listen at least for what they have to say.»
The princess reflected for a bit, but at the end she chose to listen her uncle.
«Drop your weapons! We're doing the same! We'll meet halfway!»
«All right, as you desire!»
At that point the princess, Pharmenon and Lyndon put their batons down, but before leaving Anthelea turned again, this time calling to her the officer
«Tell the archers to get ready. If they try something strange, just take them down.»
«But we could kill you too, Your Grace.»
«We're mages. We know how to protect ourselves, even without batons.»
«As… as you wish.»
Finally, the two group met at the hill's slopes.
«I'm General Titus Quitus Agrippa, commander of the Ninth Legion.»
«And I'm senator Marcus Valeriano, Imperial ambassador.»
«I know you, Senator.» Lyndon said. «You too are from Perusia.»
«Are you a servant of the Empire?»
«I'm Lyndon, son of Kalis Mil Roggin.»
«I know him. He's been a fine legatus and a trustworthy administrator while working for the city. Is him healty?»
«He's dead. Three years ago. The plague.»
«Oh, I understand. He was also a good friend of mine. My condolences.»
«Thank you, Senator.»
Then, Agrippa turned again to the rest of the embassy.
«And you are?»
«You have no need to know who we are.» Anthela replied. «What do you want from us?»
«Nothing. All we need is some of the water of these springs.» Agrippa replied. «We're loyal servants of Her Highness Kanaria Livia Egrestia. We're here with unhostile intentions and a small escort for the Senator. In the name of friendship and hospitality whose law rules over the Plains, I ask you to let us take some water. Once done, we'll leave this place immediately.»
«Friendship and hospitality rarely marks the Empire's policy.» said Pharmenon. «And with all respect, right now we're paying consequences for having trusted wrong people.»
«The mere fact that we're here in front of you, with no weapons, should be enough to make you understand that our words are pure. Honestly, I could've just come here with my men and take water by force, but I chose the way of the dialogue. Because maybe I'm a General of the Empire, but I know that the laws of the Plains are absolute.»
Hearing this, both Pharmenon and Anthelea smiled in admiration: a not-too-well hidden from their guests to remember them that by refusing their request they would've violated that same law, ruining their pride of Haqabians and servants of the Gods.
«What if we should refuse your request?» Pharmenon demanded
«I must respect the laws of the Plains, but more important, I have to protect my men and fulfill our mission. If necessary, I'll have no choice but take what I need by force. But right now, this is the last thing I want to do.»
«And you swear to leave us alone if we accept to share these springs?» asked Anthelea
«On my honor, you have my word, and that Hardy takes my sons if I break it.»
«Let me speak with my advisors.»
Then, Anthelea and the others came back to the springs, while Agrippa and the other Imperials stayed on plays waiting for answer.
«So, what do you think?» the Princess asked once reported the newcomers' requests and proposals.
«Hell to those imperial scums.» the officer angrily said. «We already trusted the enemy once, and look where we are. I say, no more talks with barbarians!»
«Do you really want to defy them?» Radika said. «Did you hear them? They have three hundred soldiers camped right behind here.»
«Without their commander, they will be only three hundred sheeps without their shepherd.»
«Are you insane, young man?» Pharmenon said. «They came to us without hostility, and searching for help. We cannot break the holy rules of the Gods.»
«It's thanks to the rules if Calibria is in ruin! Now we know for sure, you cannot trust barbarians!»
«Please wait.» Lyndon tried to say. «I've heard stories of General Agrippa. He's a fine man and a loyal General of the North, and respects both the Gods and his honor. He would never break his word.»
«Shut up, you're one of them! Or maybe you think we forgot it?»
«Anyway, I don't think that kill them would be a good idea.» said Sadee. «Probably that General has left someone trustworthy behind him to lead the unit. And it's highly probable that they'll come here if they don't see them come back.»
«We know this place better than them.» Radika suggested. «We may tie them here and leave. This would make us gain an advantage without breaking your rules.»
«This is out of question.» said Medea «There are too many wounded, and most of them are exhausted. We need at least a night to stop before proceeding further.»
«Hardy's curse.» the officer grumbled. «Your Grace, please. Don't make your father's mistake.»
Meanwhile, Agrippa and Valeriano remained in their place, trying as possible to understand the turn of the discussion by looking into the foreigners' eyes and expressions.
Finally, the embassy appeared again from the crowd and started approaching, leaded once again by the young girl.
«Pray the Gods, Senator.»
«I stopped doing it years ago.»
Once face to face again, Anthelea waited a bit before talking; but despite this, both Agrippa and Valeriano saw no fear in her eyes, but only a deep and powerful courage.
«You can take the water.»
«Thank you, Young Lady.» the General said trying to hide his relief. «Really thank you.»
«Not so fast. It's not over yet. You and the senator will stay here and spend the night with us as a warranty. Once we leave tomorrow, you will be free to come back to your men. Not a single one of your soldiers will have to approach these springs as long as we're here.»
«Got it.» Agrippa said with no hesitations
«What!?» Valeriano replied. «No, wait…»
«I said, "got it".» the General silenced him, and at that point the senator surrendered.
Agrippa helped his soldiers to fill the jars at their maximum, and once the work was completed, the cart and its small guard came back toward the camp, taking with them the General's peremptory order for the rest of the unit to reach the springs not before next midday.
Then, both of them sat on a boulder, strictly surveilled by a couple of soldiers with broken armors and bent spears, the kind of that the General would've been able to kill with his bare hands.
But Agrippa had neither time nor desire to try thinking improbable escape plans: instead, he took some time in looking around, using is longtime experience to try imagining who were those desperate people and where they came from. For someone who had never seen the Plains, the Haqabian were all similar: but for a clever mind a dress, a movement, even the way to talk was enough to imagine their birthplace.
Obviously it was really difficult to try finding out something good from that mass of ruined vests, empty eyes and broken weapons; the only thing sure was that those people had most probably seen Hardy's dominion really close. There was nothing but fear and desperation in their faces, at the point that some of them had pale, almost glassy eyes, killed in their hearts by something so terrible that just thinking about was enough for dying inside.
Apart for nobles and few others chosen ones, almost every sentient creature of that world had faced one potentially mortal situation in its life, and despite having spent his whole life between life and death Agrippa had never seen someone so shocked and destroyed both in heart and in soul.
«I have a medic and some surgeons in my camp.» Agrippa said. «We could help you with all those injured.»
«We can provide for ourselves.» Sadee replied trying to hide her being at her limit.
Agrippa didn't insist further and came back to his thoughts.
«Look at them. What thing could've scared them so?»
«My dear, I'm starting to fear that something really bad has happened on these Plains.» Valeriano commented. «And I'm not sure I want to know what it is.»
However, there was something Agrippa was now completely sure, and when Anthelea went to bring them the same so-called soup of everyone else, he said it loudly.
«You're Calibrians, right?»
The princess remained shocked for a moment, and the same was even for Pharmenon and all the others that had been able to hear him.
«How did you find it?»
«I protected the northern border of the empire for years, and I learned to recognize your customs. I even visited Calibria once, when I was just a boy.»
At that point, Anthelea understood that it was absolutely useless to try denying, even considering that the General had seemed to her to be a wise men since the beginning.
«We are.»
«And you must be one of the royal family, aren't you?»
«I'm princess Anthelea of Calibria, and they're all that remains of our people.»
«I've always thought that Calibria was an impregnable city. Even the Empire has never been able to subjugate it since the Age of the Gods. What's happened? Who under the sky has been able to prevail where even the Empire has failed?»
«Maybe there's someone stronger and more dangerous than you in this world.» Pharmenon said while smoking his ivory pipe, the sole thing he had been able to save and take with him. «Someone you should seriously start to fear at this point.»
Hearing this, both Agrippa and Valeriano felt their bones trembling: their first thought went to the Green People, but according to the rumors, their way to act was completely defensive, not to mention that if the voices were true, no one was supposed to survive facing them on the battlefield.
But at that point, there was only one more option, probably even worse.
«R… Reich!?» the Senator murmured
The princess pointed her eyes to the advisors for a moment, and once received a small nod, she turned again.
«Reich has sieged Calibria three months ago. We resisted as long as we could, but almost all other cities of the Plains have sided with them, and at the end, our city has fallen. Right now, Reich and its allies control the whole Plains.»
«By all Gods!» Agrippa exclaimed, as shocked as few other times in his whole life. «Are you joking me?!»
That was worse than anything else, it was… an apocalypse. Because if now Reich had gained control over Haqaba, and the other cities apart Calibria were now on its side, there was nothing more between them and the Empire.
«And then, what are you doing here?» Valeriano asked. «With your city fallen, and all other ones surrendered already, where you think you can go?»
«That's not of your business.» Sadee replied with unusual lack of etiquette
«You can try reach the Empire, if you want. We're always ready to help refugees, especially if we share the same enemies.»
«We'll not sell our souls for a piece of bread and a sip of water.» Anthelea answered. «We'll take back our freedom, otherwise we'll die trying it. Even at the cost of accepting to pay for it.»
Hearing this, a suspect came to both men's minds. Like all other people of the Plains, the Calibrians in particular were too much proud to accept negotiating with the winners to become some sort of satellite nation, not to mention that Reich hadn't certainly reduced Calibria into dust just to give it back to its royal family in exchange for an oath of loyalty.
But there was one more option.
«Maybe you're going to… Castria?» Agrippa said.
Anthelea and the others didn't answer, but their shocked expressions were more than enough to unveil their thoughts.
«How do you know about Castria?»
«The more incredible some stories are, the faster they spread.»
«Do you mean that you too are heading Castria?» Radika asked
«We received order by her Highness Kanaria to take contact with the rumored Green People. That's all I can say.»
«The Green People?» Pharmenon repeated, pursuing Radika and Sadee to look each other with an enigmatic glance. «Is that how you Imperials call them?»
«Listen, it's obvious we have the same destination.» Agrippa said after reflecting for a moment. «And if what you said it's true, this place is incredibly dangerous to travel alone. So why not try to help each other?»
«But General, this is against our orders…» the Senator tried to protest.
«Shut up.» the General silenced him. «You have knowledge, we have weapons. We both have everything to gain from this agreement.»
That was an interesting and undoubtedly precious proposal, at the point that even the most suspicious ones in Anthelea's group of advisors started considering it almost immediately.
«How can I know that you'll not try to harm my people along the road, leaving us behind whenever we should become a burden?»
«If you're so sure that the Green People will help you against Reich, this means that you have probably already started some sort of official relationship with them. Who knows, maybe there are some of the Green People among you, right under my nose. I would be a fool to provoke their rage by harming the friend of someone I'm trying to meet in peace, don't you think?»
A very good point, so good that even the most skeptical among the princess's advisors agreed almost immediately once consulted.
«Ok, we accept.» Anthelea finally said. «We'll lead you across Arlea following unknown and less used paths that will make this voyage shorter and safer. In exchange for our help, I ask food and healings for my people, and a bit of food of course.»
«You'll have it. Can I sand someone to warn my men? If I tell them to reach us immediately, we'll be able to move tomorrow morning already»
«You can. But do not dare to joke us. As you said, there are some of the Green People among us.»
«On my honor, I'll protect all of you with my life if necessary. But now, I need to inform Vicequeen Kanaria of the situation.»
«Do it if you want. But now a word about our agreement. I don't want the world knows about my people's disgrace.»
«As you wish.»
At that point, Anthela tried to came back thinking to her poor plate, but Sadee and Radika reached her before she could try to sit.
«We need to talk to you.»
Then, the two girls took the princess into a quite secluded place at the springs' borders.
«What now?»
«Well…» said an almost embarrassed Radika. «The truth is that there's something we didn't tell you since the beginning.»
«About what?»
«Actually, we Italians are not the sole people came from another world. There's one more.»
«One more!? You mean, from your world?»
«They call Japanese, but the Empire call them the Green People. Their gate is located south, in the heart of the Empire's dominions.»
«But more important» Sadee said. «Right now the Empire and the Japanese are on war.»
«War!?»
«When the Gate appeared in our world» Radika explained. «The Empire has used it to launch an attack against the Japanese in search for new lands to conquer, but they've been rejected.»
«I've heard similar stories in Calibria, but I always thought they were just fantasies or fairytales.»
«The Japanese and the Empire are fighting since then. The most recent reports we received said that the conflict was still on course. We don't know if things have changed since when we left Castria.»
«You mean that they think that you are these Green People?»
«It's quite clear.» said Sadee.
«But if they're on war as you say, why are they actually trying to reach Castria?»
«Who knows? Maybe the Vicequeen Kanaria is trying to reach a ceasefire with them by her own, or maybe she's in search for help to counter Reich's expansion.»
«Anyway.» Radika said. «It's better for everyone if for now we avoid speaking about us with them.»
«But they'll eventually find out the truth in any case once we'll have reached Castria.»
«It will be a problem for our superiors at that point. There's too much at stake right now to create problems with inappropriate words.»
«What did you say?» Kanaria exclaimed in shock. «What means that Calibria has fallen?»
«It's true my lady.» Agrippa answered through the magic instrument. «They have reached an agreement with most of the other cities and defeated Calibria in a few months. Almost their whole army and royal family has been killed, and the few survivors are actually going to Castria to beg for the Green People's aid.»
The Vicequeen's hand started trembling, making the point of her baton ticking to the parquet, filling the silence of the library with that noise.
Those were her worse nightmares becoming real: now that the Plains were under Reich's control, there was nothing more between those savage and her borders; and worse getting worse, they had gained some really powerful allies, among the few ones that in over one thousand years had been able to endlessly resist to the Empire's conquest attempts.
«Are you absolutely sure of this report, General?»
«Yes, Your Grace. I spoke with the same Heir Princess of Calibria that leads the survivors. I proposed them to join our forces to reach Castria faster and safer, and they accepted. I'm sorry for not having asked for your authorization first.»
«Don't worry, Agrippa.»
«Then you approve my choice?»
«Of course. They know the Plains better than us, and we both have every reason to ask for the Green People's help to fight against Reich. Where are you?»
«Just a few tens of miles from Arlea. The princess says that by proceeding quickly, we should be able to reach one of the Green People's strongholds in the forest in a few weeks.»
«We cannot wait further. Listen to me, I'll leave right now for Tarvisium, and I'll wait there for your return. Once reached Castria, you'll have to bring their ambassadors to me as fast as possible.»
«With all respect my lady, it could be really dangerous for you to go so close to the border. Now that they control the Plains, Reich may try to launch an assault against the most exposed cities in any moment.»
«At this point, there's no more time to waste. I'll even take care of preparing our defenses personally. As you said, we need to be ready. Just obey me!»
«Yes, Your Grace. It will be done. May the Gods be with you.»
Even before closing communication, Kanaria run at her desk and started writing.
«Junius!»
«Yes, my Lady?» respectfully said her attendant entering the room.
«Order to prepare the faster of our wyverns and an escort. I must leave for Tarvision right now!»
«Tarvisium?» he said in disbelief. «But…»
«No talks, just obey!»
«Y… Yes, Your Grace. At your orders.»
«Wait! Entrust this to our best messenger. This letter must reach Calibria as fast as possible.»
Once completed the text and closed the letter with her seal, she gave it to the old man.
«I beg you. The same fate of the Empire lies on this letter. At this point, the Emperor will have to listen to me.»
«Don't worry, my lady. I'll leave it in good hands.»
Then, a few minutes later, at the same time a small group of wyverns departed from the Castle's garden, four equestrians, the messenger and three soldiers, left Padavium heading southwest as fast as the wind.
The four men galloped all day, pushing their horses to their limit, and before sunset, they were already in sight of Acri, the last Northern city before the Midlands.
The messenger chosen for this task was one of the most loyal servants of the Egrestia Family, while the Decurion and his two soldiers escorting him had been selected among the ones of the Second Legion, the most victorious and trustworthy of the Northern Army.
Orders were to proceed faster as possible, so the messenger chose to ignore since the beginning the Decurion's suggestion to stop for the night, and before the last piece of sun could vanish beyond mountains, the four men were about to cross the narrow stone bridge over the Falcade Waterfalls.
However, while crossing the waterfalls, the messenger noted that his escort had suddenly stopped at the bridge's beginning, and they were now looking him in a serious and almost worried way.
«What's the problem? Why did you stop? Let's go.»
They didn't answer, simply keeping to look at him on silence.
«Did you hear me? I said to proceed. Her Grace Kanaria has been clear, we must cross the border before the next moon. We have no time to-»
Those were his last words, because the arrow shot by the archer soldier pierced his throat, instantly silencing him. He tried to shout, but in a few seconds he was already dead at his horse's feet.
At that point, the three soldier finally reached him; the Decurion searched in his pockets, and once found the letter he briefly read it before crumpling it and forcibly using it to fill their victim's mouth. Then, all of them undressed of their imperial armors, putting them close to the corpse before covering everything with the wine of their flasks. Finally, the Decurion lighted up a bunch of dry grass with a couple of pebbles and threw it over that makeshift pyre, staying to look with his men the fire spreading quickly turning everything into ashes.
«Sieg Fuhrer!» they said all together