A/N: I checked my source material. In the previous chapter, Nayu and Yao discuss taking Dessria Way rather than going directly toward Alnus. Problem is that Dessria Way is EAST of Schwarz Woods and not west. It is also on the other side of the Tybe Mountains AND while it DOES run north to Italica, it would take them right past Alnus first. There is a road to the west that runs into the Appia Way which could then be traveled east into Italica but it is not named in the source material. I have labeled this as Domitia way, in honor of an ancient Roman road that crossed Southern Gaul. The previous chapter has been corrected accordingly.

And now back to our story:

The Janus Campaign

Eyes and Ears

Panache had a definite spring in her step, Bozes noted the next morning as her friend arrived in advance of their meeting with Lieutenants Taylor and Mayer. Before then, there was time for a quick briefing among the senior knights present. While Vermouth was back in Sadera, left in command of the Company of the Yellow Rose, Millet was present as Panache's deputy. Suissesse Co Mein commanded the detachment of the Red Rose left to Panache by Princess Pina. The knight Decimus El Sideros was a veteran soldier with over thirty years of service with the Imperial Army and as a trusted comrade of Sir Grey, commanded the Foot of the Order. These soldiers, many of them like himself and Grey, long-serving veterans, marched under the banner of a Black Rose and proudly called themselves 'Pina's Thorns'. The last member of the Order present was Nikolasha Le Mon, another ranking member of the White Rose. Before moving on to the official business, Bozes went straight to the issue that was of particular interest to most of those present, save Decimus who, catching the looks that the other ladies were giving Lady Panache, quickly decided to take an interest in the toe of his right boot.

"So? You seem to have had a good night," Bozes smirked looking at Panache.

"You could say that," Panache replied with a satisfied look.

"So?" Bozes leaned in, smile wide.

Panache merely smirked. "Ask me later. Perhaps after we get back from Alnus? Then we can talk about what or who keeps you warm at night, hmmm?"

Bozes began to blush furiously. "I have no idea what you're talking about!"

"Of course not," Panache agreed dismissively.

Still. Bozes was pleased for her friend. Later, she and the other girls would try to get the full details in a more discreet setting. For now, there were rather more important things to discuss. She turned to Decimus.

"How goes the training of the new guard? Will you require anything in the way of materiel?"

The veteran soldier shook his head. "We have weapons to arm three complete cohorts. Armor is a bit more problematic since the weapons of our 'allies'," Decimus said with care, "left much of what the bandits brought with them rather useless. We're salvaging what we can. A fair amount of chain mail, enough on helms," he considered. "I think we might salvage enough for six hundred men."

"I see," Panache considered. "So full equipment is available for six centuries. What about the manpower?"

"We have recruits enough," Decimus reported. "Local casualties during the battle were severe but between the survivors and volunteers immigrating into the city, we can fully outfit six centuries and train substantial reserves, though again, armor may prove a problem as aside from the armorers and blacksmiths here, virtually every skilled hand is working to re-equip the Imperial Army." He left their shared opinion unspoken that rearming with any intention of having another go at the offworlders was the height of waste and foolishness.

Panache frowned as she considered the difficulties in equipping Italica's new defense force. She had an idea, though an unhappy one that she would need to discuss with Lieutenant Taylor and then perhaps his superiors. "I think we can build a force of three full cohorts, leave the question of armor to me."

"As you will, My Lady," Decimus nodded.

"What about bowmen?" Bozes asked Suissesse. Suissesse Co Mein was well known as the best archer in the Order. Building a new cadre of archers to man the city walls had been a task placed into her skilled hands.

"Not many survived the battle," she admitted. "We've recruited a few from among the refugees. Obtaining the number of bows we need is not a problem and we've recovered a good supply of arrows but to get the number of archers I'd like, we will need to train a great many with no experience." Suissesse frowned. "I don't expect much to come of that. We all know learning the bow is very demanding. Our best option is to offer more pay to recruit more experienced archers."

"And crossbows?" Bozes asked.

Suissesse frowned. It was well known that she found the crossbow a vulgar weapon but she was professional enough to recognize its virtues. "I'll take as many as I can get. We need the numbers even if the individual quality may be lacking."

Bozes nodded. "I can't promise but I will speak to Her Highness. Perhaps she can arrange for a shipment of them. We will do our best to find the weapons you need."

"Thank you. I could ask no more."

"Of course," Bozes smiled.

"We have also been blessed by the 'Reaper's Herald'," Panache noted. "She has begun training many of the city's women in the use of polearms. This Naginatajutsu is certainly an impressive combat art." It was helpful that polearms, traditionally were among the simplest weapons to make. After the Siege of Italica, many of the city's wives, daughters, and mothers had sworn never again to be left helpless, many wishing dearly to avenge their grief upon the next army that should threaten Italica. After Corporal Nakamura had given a demonstration in Naginatajutsu, several hundred women had volunteered to train under her. For reasons of only having one instructor and limited weapons as of yet, only one hundred were selected. These women had begun training two weeks prior and had already adopted a black banner with crossed red lances.

"So, we should be able to equip a city militia of some two thousand," Bozes summarized. On its own, this number, combined with two hundred knights of the White Rose, another hundred knights of the Red Rose, and the entirety of the Black Rose added up to nearly a full legion's worth of troops, a formidable defensive force on its own. While this paled beside the power of the Pacific Allied forces, it was important to the morale and self-respect of both the Rose Order and the local residents to not simply leave the protection of Italica to others. Still, the presence of the hundred or so green-garbed soldiers of the Pacific Allies and the power they could call upon in an emergency was reassuring to have at their backs.

But while Italica was certainly well defended, that did not mean the rest of County Formar or the neighboring villages or roads was as secure. Panache had written decrees from Her Imperial Highness authorizing her to assume command of any Imperial garrisons in the area. Almost without exception, these garrisons were quite small. These men were from the Seventh Cohort of the 90th Legion, and were; in fact, based out of Italica. Two hundred of them had actually been in Italica during the siege, losing roughly half this number over the course of three days. They had also succeeded in antagonizing the City Militia in the months preceding and in giving the locals a rather negative opinion of Imperial troops. The surviving hundred had not measurably counted in Panache's plans for the defense of Italica and she well understood that had these men or at least their officers been held in higher regard by the Imperial Army, to begin with, they would not have been left on garrison duty out here. Five days ago, the 4th Century had arrived at Italica to take its turn in reserve, clearly expecting the 3rd Century to be waiting to replace them and completely unaware that the 2nd Century had never left Italica to take up the stations that 3rd Century had left. The commander of the 4th Century had actually tried to assume full command at Italica only to find himself reading official orders signed and sealed by the Third Imperial Princess herself. Panache had not sent the survivors of the 2nd and 3rd centuries to replace the new arrivals, feeling it better to start mounting patrols with her own people. Frankly, she needed to call in the other two centuries and get them up to speed on developments before they did something unfortunate.

Panache recalled how she and Bozes had tried to capture Itami's Third Recon as they encountered them on the road to Italica. It was only due to the fact that Itami and Taylor had gone out of their way to prevent a fight that thirteen knights of the Rose Order had not died that day. And even then, had she and Bozes insisted on making a fight and drawing blood with their swords, Itami's people would have quickly avenged their officers. She had no doubts that their good fortune had been a happy fluke.

Presently, the group reached the meeting room. As a matter of protocol, two of Countess Myui's maids stood outside the door. Inside, a large map of County Formar spread out on the table in the room's center and Lieutenants Taylor and Mayer already there. Taylor's eyes brightened just a bit upon seeing Panache before banishing the expression and emotions behind a hasty mask of professionalism.

"Lord Octavus, Lieutenant Mayer," Bozes addressed them. "Thank you for being here. As you know, there are certain matters concerning our plans for the defense of Italica and protection of the surrounding area that we wish to discuss with you."

"Anything we can do to help," Taylor replied. He still was not used to the title. It was just one of a few things he was going to have to try explaining to his mom and now sooner rather than later. He figured that 'mom' and 'mother' were either going to get along like a house on fire or a Worlds War would break out. He wasn't sure which thought was more frightening.

Unknowing of his thoughts, Panache smiled mildly and nodded. "Thank you, My Lord. Currently, we have two issues which we would like to discuss." She first turned to Mayer, who met her eyes calmly. His unflappable nature was one of the reasons Captain Douglas had chosen his platoon for this assignment.

"The first matter is that I would like to request that some of your marines accompany our patrols. Not only would it be useful to prevent bad things from happening were anyone to blunder into someone else's people out there, but your weapons and especially your 'radio'?" She tilted her head as if to ask if she had said the word correctly. Mayer nodded. "Yes! Your radios would be very useful."

Mayer considered. "I think we can arrange that. What size patrols are you planning on?"

"Say, ten mounted knights," Panache suggested.

Mayer considered. "I can spare three Humvees. A fireteam with each. That's four marines. One vehicle to each patrol."

Panache nodded. "We'll need some time for our people to become acquainted first but I think that will work very well." She then turned to Taylor.

"We do have a problem which we are hoping that you and General Hazama can assist us with."

"Oh?"

"Yes. We have weapons and volunteers enough to equip a militia of 1500 men but there is a decided lack of armor available. We believe we can salvage enough for six hundred men but that leaves us nearly a thousand suits of armor short. I was hoping that General Hazama might allow us to salvage armor left over from the armies that were lost at Alnus. While we carefully understand, that your people have full claim to such salvage and that we have no formal agreement beyond the agreement to protect Italica but the materiel is obviously worthless for your own men and very useful to us in improving the defense of the city. I give you my word that those chosen to salvage will not take even a single head for a spear, just enough armor for our men and we agree for your people to verify thus. Also, we might like to reacquire some of the horses your forces took at Alnus."

Taylor considered this. "Even General Hazama might have to ask permission to release any materiels. That said, I think he and ComPacFor will be favorably inclined to the idea."

"Excellent!" Bozes replied. "Will you be accompanying us to Alnus then?"

"Yes, I ordered some equipment from the other side that should have arrived by now. I'll need to get checked out on it while we're there."

"I'm sure that your company will be much appreciated," Bozes said throwing an amused look at Panache.

"I am the one who is honored to accompany such noble and lovely ladies," Taylor replied without missing a beat, taking Lady Panache's hand and placing a gentle kiss on it. It somehow just seemed right. Bozes' smirk grew as Panache blushed.

"Well then," Panache smiled. "Shall we leave tomorrow morning?"

"Of course. I'll see you then."

Along the Domitia Way

"It's hard to tell the real stories from the drunks and complete liars." Nayu quipped as she and Yao calmly walked out of a small tavern that quite likely would need some repairs come the next day.

"That drunken fool tried to claim he was one of the Green Men," Yao scoffed in disgust. He had then tried to grope Yao. who had snapped his wrist, yanked his arm behind his back and kicked him hard in the rear sending him careening into several other drunken bar patrons, setting off a full-scale brawl as Yao and Nayu calmly walked out.

Nayu smirked as she held a small bag of coins in her palm. Yao looked at her.

"What? I figure he owed us this for wasting our time." She then turned slightly more serious. "Besides, men tend to be less close-mouthed around people who will at least buy them a drink. We need the information." The smile returned. "So really, I'm just covering our expenses."

"Whatever." Nayu was right. Yao could not care less about a drunken fool being parted with his money. If they found those who could help their clan, Yao would bestow upon them the richest treasure her people had. She would willingly give herself in whatever capacity demanded if it would save their people.

Nayu shrugged. Yao's single-mindedness was part of why the Elders had sent her on this mission. But while Yao might be inclined to ignore everything that did not directly affect their mission, Nayu was different. She yearned to explore the greater world and experience as much as she could. Admittedly, the tavern scene was getting a bit redundant but her mother had taught her to savor and enjoy life. It was after all how her mother had managed to have a happy marriage even knowing that she and her husband would only be together for a few decades rather than centuries. The heart goes where it is called. Her mother had told her.

But they did need to focus on the mission now and while Yao might not have had any luck, Nayu had managed a little better. "Well, while that fat pig was busy boasting, I heard a young man in the Tavern muttering under his breath that they didn't call themselves 'Green Men' and that 'that idiot was too fat to even fit in one of their iron chariots." I think he actually was there." Nayu concluded.

Yao spun on her. "What? And you didn't tell me? You didn't find out anything else?"

"No, because that was right before the fight started. Do you want us to go back in there and try to find him?" Nayu asked as the sound of more glass being broken was heard.

"No. I suppose not," Yao admitted as they resumed walking away. "Wait. I didn't hear anything. Where were you standing when you heard this?"

"I was about six lengths away by the far wall."

"Then how did you take that fool's coin purse?"

"Oh! That? I snagged it when he first approached you. Then I figured I should stand out of the way."

"Probably right. Well then, what do we know?" Yao asked.

"We know that the 'Green Men' are being seen in more villages but not staying for long. They definitely were at Alnus though." Nayu replied and then turned to her partner.

"So? To Alnus?"

"To Alnus."

Sadera: Sapphire Palace

Claudia El Nerus, Second Imperial Princess leaned back in her seat and regarded her guest carefully. Livia Sol Augusta was Claudia's half-sister, the First Imperial Princess, mother of Marcus Sol Galba, whom she had named in honor of an uncle he would never meet, and now Queen Regent of the Kingdom of Hesperia. Livia had been two years old when Molt Sol Augustus married her recently widowed mother Vespasia. Though adopted by Molt, Livia's mother never let her forget her birth father had been Hadrian Co Augustus, the older brother of the then Prince Molt. In time, Livia's mother bore two more children. One was Marcus and the other was Claudia herself.

And then had come the children of Molt's concubines: Zorzal, Diablos, and Pina. And now, Marcus was dead. Livia widowed as her husband had loyally gone to fight in Molt's war. Only his death and the loss of the two thousand men of The Hesperian Royal Guard, coupled with the distances involved allowed Livia to plead to the Emperor that Hesperia could not spare an army to join the march on Alnus, leaving the comparatively small Kingdom with a now rather respectable army of 30,000 men

Claudia herself had been betrothed briefly before her intended spouse had also ridden off to war, never to return. She smiled as Livia bounced her baby son in her lap. Livia's devotion to her son was already becoming legendary. Claudia considered it quite understandable as Livia's father, brother, and husband had all been legally killed. To add insult to injury had been the exile of their mother after Marcus's execution.

"Little sister is up to something," Claudia noted.

"Oh?" Livia asked. "What makes you say that?"

"Little sister has always been too eager to try to play like the boys to understand the kind of games that really run the Empire. Some time ago, she visited dear father, demanding to know what he planned to do about the invaders on Alnus Hill. The old bastard decided to have her take that troop of hers and scout around the place."

"And here I thought dear little Pina was his favorite. How callous. But since she doesn't seem to have died, I take it she fared better than poor King Duran," Livia remarked.

"Well, suddenly, she has returned to Sadera with 300 of her knights. Apparently, she tells father that some force attacked Italica, in County Formar and she had to leave the balance of her knights behind to defend it."

"I suppose that's possible."

"Yes, and it would fit in well with Pina's image of Noble Chivalry but not everything quite fits. You see, Pina is keeping the remaining 300 close to home at the Jade Palace while Pina herself has been throwing parties."

"That's unusual for her," Livia admitted.

"Yes. Of course, I pointed this out to father. He's no fool. He would have noticed soon himself if he had not already."

"That could be unfortunate for Pina."

"Not necessarily," Claudia smirked. "I suggested to dear father that he consider sending the Crown Prince to check up on her. He'll mull that around a bit I think. But a visit from the Hyena of Sadera ought to put a reminder into Pina not to be so careless. And alas, if she cannot outwit Zorzal, then there is nothing else to be done for her no matter how much our brother adored her."

"But if she does, then what do we do about whatever it is she is scheming at?"

"For now, nothing. I will learn what baby sister is playing at in due time. Diablos is the one I need to be careful of. He may not appreciate pawns but he at least recognizes the value of them. Once I learn what Pina is up to, we can decide what to do."

To Be Continued...