Note from Kanuro5: This chapter will focus strictly on the barbarians. And by the way, even though they are all speaking the same barbarian language, please note that in real life each of these cultures had their own unique language. I just wrote them speaking the same language so it would be easier to comprehend for the reader without having to say that they kept code-switching to their own language. Hope you enjoy the chapter.
XI
The Meeting of the Kings
Inside the great Meeting Hall of Montius, the three barbarian kings had gathered around a large circular wooden table to discuss how they would deal with Lucius' legion. The three kings all despised each other to no end and would rather allow the venom of a snake to kill them than for them to convene like this. But the Roman threat of expansion was too great to ignore, so this uneasy alliance between barbaric cultures was made. At the table sat Segovax, the king of the recently destroyed Gauls; Cunovindus the Butcher, the king of the Germanians; and lastly there was Lugotorix the Bloodyhanded, the king of the Britons.
Segovax was a Gaul of average height but with an impressive build. He had coursing, wild jet black hair and a light black beard that made him sexually appealing for the women that saw him. But through his stunning handsome looks, he had the eyes of a true warrior; stubborn and strong. He was a decent king in his reign and won some battles against some quarreling rebels, but could never win a war against his longest enemy, Rome. He was a prideful man, who often would accomplish feats by himself, so when he was urged by his men to accept an alliance with Germania and Briton; it wounded his great pride.
Cunovindus stood over six feet and had long, fiery red head and a thick fiery red beard. He was a strong yet unforgiving king whose stubbornness met no bounds. And that is what became his defining trait which is also the Roman stereotype for all barbarians; stubbornness. He believed that because he was king, his way was the only way. Only a few people could offer him such advice that would change his mind, and if he so much as did not like what was said to him, he could easily have the man who made the suggestion killed.
Lugotorix of the Britons was a different barbarian than his mainland counterparts. Whereas Cunovindus was stubborn and aggressive, Lugotorix was complying and stoic; whereas Segovax was prideful and obscene; Lugotorix was cold and calculating. Lugotorix stood at six feet and three inches and was at the age of 40 with bright blonde hair and a thick yet sharp handlebar mustache and beard. Even though he ruled his own island, it was not enough. He remembered his father telling him of how the northern lands of the mainland once belonged to the Britons a hundred years ago before they were driven out by the Gauls. But now it seems that Rome would claim these lands, and Lugotorix, the man who forged this alliance; would not tolerate it.
At the sight of Segovax sitting across from him, the Germanic king, Cunovindus, turned to Lugotorix and said with a smirk, "What is this man doing here in our presence?"
Lugotorix didn't say a word. He turned his emotionless face to look upon the Gallic king, Segovax, who was glaring at the smirking Cunovindus, "What words just flew from your tongue?" Segovax asked with indignation.
"Surely all the death and carnage that you experienced in Samarobriva has not made you deaf? I require to know why you are here with us."
"I am here to consult with you two, the tribal kings," Segovax sneered.
"That is correct, the tribal kings…but you are not one anymore," Cunovindus said conceitedly.
Segovax began to grind his teeth and his fist began to clench. What the Germanic king said was utterly infuriating, but true. With Samarobriva still being held by the Roman Praetor, Marcus Maxentius; and with the last of his lands being seized by Lucius Julius; Segovax was effectively a king without a kingdom. And with no kingdom, he was just a rebel leader who was open to attack by any nation, including his allies.
"All I need is my city back from that tiny shit, Maxentius!" Segovax growled.
"No, all that you need is to concede to the inevitable destruction of your people," the Germanic king chuckled.
Angered by the complete degradation of his people's name, Segovax rose from his seat drawing his sword and began spewing a multitude of curses at the Germanians. Cunovindus rose in turn as well after seeing the Gallic king draw his blade, and Cunovindus' bodyguards drew their weapons as well. The Gauls and the Germanians began shouting, cursing, and waving their weapons at each other manically; it seemed that this talk would erupt in inevitable war with the barbarian tribes.
"ENOUGH!" All the quarreling warriors turned to see the Brittonic king, Lugotorix, standing tall and composed with arms spread out to calm the warring warriors.
"Is that how you mainlanders are—animals demanding slaughter?" Lugotorix asked the now still crowd of Gauls and Germanians, "You think with sword for one opportunity, and think with your cocks for another? Why do you squabble amongst one another, when a larger threat looms on the horizon? You all disgrace the lands from where you hail for your behavior."
Segovax and Cunovindus peered at each over with annoyed eyes and regained their composure before finally taking their seats once again.
"Your point is well made, Lugotorix," Cunovindus said, not wanting to feel like that he had to apologize.
"I spent too much time forging this alliance between the three of us, and I will not see it destroyed over pettiness," Lugotorix profoundly stated.
"But, all of this was a result, just because you wanted a piece of land on the mainland," Cunovindus said to himself aloud.
"I fear that if we do not act against Rome soon, than my sake for land will be the least of my concerns. So now, let us discuss the solution for how we can crush this so-called "elite" legion of Rome."
Segovax sighed loudly at the mention of the "elite legion" and said with disdain, "They are the Twenty-Eighth Legion of Rome, under the command of General Lucius Julius the Mighty."
"I have heard of such a man, the merchants that would come to my island would bring back news from the rest of the mainland world and often of his exploits which seem too impressive to be true."
"At first glance of hearing these tales one would think that they are being deceived," Cunovindus spoke up, "But the tales are all true. With one legion, Julius has accomplished the impossible. With his superior legion, he conquered Hispania and destroyed their tribes." Cunovindus leered at Segovax before continuing to speak, "And he most likely slain over 500,000 Gauls in his lifetime and has currently destroyed Gallia."
"Such exploits are revered for a king," Lugotorix said, in an almost admiring tone.
"Yet as you know, Rome does not have a king. But Julius is not the leader of his clan."
"Clan? Roman clans? What do you speak of, Cunovindus?"
"Contrary to our beliefs, the Romans do have clans," Segovax explained, "But there are three clans or "Houses" that rule above all in Rome. The Brutii, the Scipii, and the Julii; which the name "Julius" is derived from. Each clan takes their orders from their measly Senate like the dogs they are to decide whom to attack. The Scipii wage war against the Carthaginians and Egyptians in the south, the Brutii wage war against the Greeks in the east, and the fucking Julii wage war against us in the north."
"'Waging war?'" Cunovindus scoffed in annoyance, "That comes to mean that both sides suffer casualties. The Julii feel little sting and it is us, the Germanians and the Gauls that lose countless villages and tribes."
"Is your war with the Julii clan this harsh?" Lugotorix asked the two kings.
"It is with Julius the Mighty as their vanguard," Segovax further explained with frustration. "When we face other inexperienced members of his clan, they prove too moderately easy for us to destroy…but…it is just his elite Twenty-Eighth…that slaughters us all. 5,000 to 6,000 men, have easily bested 16,000 Gauls in the past."
"You refer to that battle on their Lucretian bridge, where your uncle was exterminated?" Cunovindus asked, lowly snickering to himself as he remembered hearing about the upset victory for the Romans.
"Yes…that is what I refer to," Segovax lowly spat with seething anger, "the Roman general, he is undefeated and a tactical genius."
"He never lost a battle?" Lugotorix asked incredulously.
"Not once," the Gallic king emphasized. "His feats alone have placed him as legend in Rome. He is revered as one of the greatest Roman heroes; next to Calpurnius Flamma and Scipio Africanus."
"I must say, I am truly impressed with your knowledge of Roman history," Lugotorix genuinely expressed.
"My father told me, 'To destroy your enemies, you must first seek to understand your enemies.'"
"I could not agree more. This is why we must discuss different methods of destroying this legion."
"'We?' There is no we that exists. I will be the one who will destroy Lucius Julius!" Cunovindus shouted with pride.
"Do not be a fool," Lugotorix chastised. "Did you not just hear Segovax explained how triumphant this Roman's legion is? We need cooperation to defeat this adversary."
"'Cooperation?'" Cunovindus laughed aloud at this notion, "Your Brittonic army is in the north right now helping Segovax's shattered Gallic army keep Maxentius within Samarobriva. My army is the only army here that is within range of attacking the Roman legion. If I need cooperation, I will have you send your men to me so that I may take command so that I may send that craven Roman dog towards his end."
The impudence that Cunovindus was showing was enough to cause Lugotorix to curse him out himself, but he couldn't afford division amongst themselves, if it means to endure Germanic king's taunts then so be it.
"Numbers count for little in war," Lugotorix explained, "Quantity can only do so much against the value of quality. And we are speaking of a man whose own personal army has been waging war for two decades. Do not underestimate him!"
"Take what this Briton says as true," Segovax stepped in, "I, as a Gaul, rely on strategy with high quantity of warriors, but this is not enough!"
"At this moment, I have an addition of 3,000 warriors coming from across my lands to reinforce my army. I have more men than you two combine and I will use those numbers and the savage ferocity of my warriors to butcher Romans!"
Lugotorix quickly grew annoyed with this man's stubbornness, "Cunovindus, your boisterous Germanic berserkers may turn the tide, but we cannot win a two front battle. As long as Samarobriva is still in Roman hands, then we will have to face with a possible breakthrough to the city in the north, and fending off an attack from the south. I plead to you, continuing setting up ambushes against the Romans to give my army time to smash through Samarobriva."
"I have no need of ambushes, I have abandoned such tactics long ago."
"WHAT?! You ignored my command and stopped setting up ambushes along the road?" Lugotorix asked in disbelief.
"I did as you suggested and placed ambushes outside of Alesia, but after the third ambush, I ordered my warriors to fall back to the Meeting Hall. I find that ambushes have no use, I rather destroy the Romans in their entirety instead of picking off five or six Romans."
"How are you king and you do not understand the necessity of ambushes?" Lugotorix groaned. "By placing ambushes along the road; it slows down the Roman advance, granting us precious time to attack Samarobriva. They would have to slow down in fear of walking into another ambush; it is part of a stalling action so that we may take the city and for winter to set in on them. It also attacks their minds and puts fear of the unknown into them, rendering them weak in the mind and weak in morale."
"I would not waste my men doing something so pointless, why wait for them to arrive when I can go forth myself and destroy them all?" Cunovindus asked with a conceited smirk.
"Do not even bother uttering another word from your tongue, Lugotorix. Cunovindus is in his own mind and will not be swayed by words," Segovax said, disappointed that Cunovindus will not listen to reason.
The Brittonic king's frustration was reaching its climax. Was there no way to possibly reason with this king? Did he not know that all the guilty and the innocent of his people will stand no difference when the Romans approach their lands and they are caught by Rome's wrath and vengeance; all because of his stubbornness and pride? Lugotorix knew, based on the records his forefathers kept on Roman tactics and listening to the news of the world; that the Romans could not be beaten conventionally. With his Brittonic army and Cunovindus' army, they could destroy this invincible legion by using unconventional methods. He just needed Cunovindus to open his eyes to the reality.
Lugotorix exhaled slowly and regained his calm composure and asked Cunovindus, "What is the thing that your people hunt most?"
Every man in the hall looked at each with confused faces at the random question. Cunovindus' face scrunched up and asked, "What fucking question is that? What relevance does it hold—"
"Just answer my question," Lugotorix said politely, even though he interrupted him, "What is the thing that your people hunt most?"
"Boars."
"'Boars'…I see…and you Segovax, what is it that your people hunt the most?"
"Boars as well."
"So it is boars on the mainland. On our Northern Island of Briton, we hunt wolves. There are other beasts that we hunt, but wolves are the most because they are the most populated animal on our island. They are more of a plague though, the dens of wolves are everywhere. We came so accustomed to having wolves that we can sleep peacefully through the night as the wolves howl to the great white moon. You cannot cross 50 meters without spying a wolf den. So we hunted them until the lands surrounding our villages were free of wolves. But they still surround the wilderness—"
"What is the point of all this?" Cunovindus asked in annoyance.
"It is a simple comparison," Lugotorix continued, "Rome is like the Great Wolf. They are strong, fierce, and place fear in any nation that looks into their ravenous yellow eyes. Their howl to rally their armies is the very sound that is used to thin the blood of Rome's enemies. Rome was even founded by the wolf. And each nation they defeated, they have added to themselves like how the wolf adds to its pack. And like the wolf, Rome finds its prey and stalks it until it is position to be either assimilated or destroyed, and if the prey refuses, Rome would attack and pursue it for an eternity until the prey has fallen."
"I still do not see what this has to be involved with," Segovax spoke up.
"Do you know the way to hunt the Great Wolf, you must become like a wolf yourself. My father's father was one of the greatest wolf hunters of all time and he told me eight steps to kill a Great Wolf. But before you stalk the wolf, several things must be in order; you must set up traps for the wolf to fall in, your weapons must be strong as your will, and if one of the steps fail; then you must have another plan to use. The steps that my father's father used was: One: Track the wolf. Two: Set out the bait. To kill the wolf, you must first let it come to you. Three: Plunge the wolf into your trap. Four: Cripple the wolf. You see, once you get the wolf by surprise, you will want to deliver the death blow, but you must first cripple the wolf to slow them down in case it tries to retreat back to its den. Five: Rain steel. Once the beast is crippled, you must loose your arrows and spears to further wound and terrify the creature. Six: Isolate the beast. Now that the wolf is wounded and crippled, you must force it to into a place where he cannot escape or rally his pack to help. This guarantees a certain kill. Seven: Aim for the heart. The wolf is already fatigued, and now would be the most opportune time to end it. With your spear in hand, you run the wolf through in the heart. And Eight: Victory."
The silence in the Hall spoke volumes on the random absurdity that everyone heard. But Cunovindus was the only man who was vocal enough to speak on it.
"And here I believed you to be wise and forthcoming, but yet you reveal to be fucking mad with the discussion of wolves and of the hunt." The Germanian entourage behind their king began laughing at the Brittonic king; however Lugotorix paid no heed to them, he was only invested in what Cunovindus had to say.
"We are trying slay Men, not meagre wolves!" the Germanic king spat, slamming his fist on the table for emphasis, "You damn Britons know nothing of war! I will not stalk the Romans as if I'm hunting! No, I will use my might, my berserkers, and my savages to slaughter all the Romans that dare challenge me! I will not see myself become undone for your foolish wolf hunt! I will meet against Lucius Julius the Mighty and kill the man with my army!"
Lugotorix groaned aloud and buried his face into his palm. He had said all he had to, but still, Cunovindus would not be moved. There was no further use to sway him. He had the larger army and the larger land which Segovax and Lugotorix were both on, giving Cunovindus more authority. He had the right to wage war on his lands with his way, but maybe…Lugotorix could help Cunovindus wage an open battle against the Romans. He didn't like the thought, but at this point, this may be the only way for them to truly win against Rome.
"Apologies for the analogy, Cunovindus. I am stuck in my old foolish ways, I shall help you wage this open battle against Julius the Mighty," Lugotorix said, finally relenting to the Germanic king, putting a smile on the stubborn Cunovindus.
"Finally! You see true reason! With your army behind mine, we will overwhelm the Twenty-Eighth legion and destroy it!" Cunovindus remarked with exhilaration.
"I will call my army to the south, and I will also think of plans and strategies for our upcoming battle," Lugotorix added on.
"And leaving me with my remnant of 2,000 men to keep the Romans in Samarobriva," Segovax complained.
"It is a necessary measure so that we may crush this approaching legion," Cunovindus explained, "But first, we need some maps to figure their location and their approach."
At the Germanic king's beckoning, a man came forth carrying a large map of the Germanic lands and laid it out on the table in front of the three barbarian kings.
"So we are currently here, in the Hall of Montius," Cunovindus said as he placed a pin on the map to mark their landmark, "And Samarobriva is…here near the tip of the mainland. And my scouts report that just yesterday, the Twenty-Eighth Legion just left the Candevaci settlement…here."
"And are you positive that they are taking this winding road to Samarobriva?" Lugotorix asked, studying the map fiercely.
"They are, my scouts confirmed it as well. This is the only road north that they can take that will reach Samarobriva. So if my army leaves today and heads south, then that means…that my army will meet Julius' army in seven days' time," Cunovindus stated.
"I cannot move my army that fast in a week," Lugotorix added, "But my cavalry can make it on the eve of the battle."
"Very well, your cavalry will be needed."
"So what is the strength of your army?" Segovax asked Cunovindus.
"As you know, I have lost some men in our first assault to reclaim Samarobriva, so presently at this moment, I hold an army of 9,500 warriors that are outside this Great Meeting Hall. And with addition of 3,000 other warriors that are coming from across my lands; I have totaled to 12,500 men."
"Such news lifts heart. Now what about Julius, what number does he hold?" Lugotorix asked.
"A Roman legion usually has 5,400 men; but knowing Julius; he must have a multitude of mercenaries under his command as well. I believe we must assume that he holds 6,000 men." Segovax remarked.
Cunovindus grinned at the comment, "6,000 against 12,500. I hold more than twice his number of men! Victory shall soon be at hand!"
"In seven days, you will fight the strongest Roman in history," Lugotorix ominously stated, "How do you feel about knowing such odds?"
"I relish the thought!" Cunovindus smiled darkly, thriving in his own bloodthirstiness against the Romans. "They shall be brought as lambs for slaughter! They will rue the day they stepped foot on sacred Germanian soil!"
And at that, the meeting of the three barbarian kings concluded. They showed the proper respect to each other and proceeded to go their ways. Segovax and his bodyguards quickly left the Hall and rode on their horses back to Samarobriva, 35 miles up north. Lugotorix would accompany Cunovindus as he led his army down south to face the Romans. Once Cunovindus made his way outside the Meeting Hall, his Germanic army rose to their feet at the sight of their king and let out a boisterous cheer. Cunovindus extended his hands and quieted them down before speaking to them.
"I come to you all, not as your king; but as a fellow warrior, and brother! We have been blessed with a most fortunate opportunity to kill some more foolish Romans. A Roman general leads his legion in an attempt to rescue the Roman Praetor in Samarobriva! But we will show him that he shall not pass! I cannot do it alone, so I request you all, as my brothers to help us see this done together! To split their skulls with our axes, to decapitate their heads with our swords, to eviscerate their livers with our spears! We will peel the skin off their flesh so to make them regret ever stepping foot onto our homeland. They will fear us! They will fear you! So I ask you; I beg you all, to give me the means to strike this fucking Roman shit and his fucking legionaries from this world!"
The thunderous cheers of over 9,000 warriors erupted throughout the dense forest, enough to shake the very barks of the trees that surrounded them. Each Germanian present cheered in unison until their lungs were on the verge of bursting. They couldn't wait, they were impetuous, they wanted blood, they wanted Roman blood and they were intent on shedding it. And there in front of the boisterous army stood their king, Cunovindus, laughing twistedly as he saw his army before him, the army that would lead to the destruction of Lucius Julius.
The army is on the move. The battle is set to begin in seven days.
I like to thank everyone who is continually reading this fic and leaving comments for me. I want you all to note that it is keeping me committed to the story.
-Kanuro5