Note from Kanuro5: I do apologize for the hiatus. School is always keeping me busy. And on top of that, I was writing another chapter which I ultimately had to move ahead forward, and replace it with this one. That time as well. And on top of that, I am in the works of making a more direct sequel to my original fic, Invictus. Please enjoy!


XII

The Shadow

"Coin? Spare coin for a veteran?"

The beggar offered his filthy hands together towards a passing couple; the couple did not look in his direction, they did not even hear him. They walked along, laughing at the engaging stories they were telling one another. The beggar sighed and sat back down next to the wall.

He then saw a bearded man who had the mark of a philosopher walking near him. The bearded beggar smiled and locked eyes with the philosopher, who in turned quickly averted his eyes from the homeless man and power-walked away.

The beggar sighed; another bit of coin was lost.

The beggar was in the prime of his life at the age of 33, yet his raggedy brown beard and unkempt hair made him look as if he was 50. He had been a soldier for six years and had killed at least a dozen men in his years of service. He still had several more years in his enlistment, but after the horrors he witnessed his general ordered his men to commit, he decided to desert the army in the middle of the night.

And now he was here, begging on the streets of Athens, observing everything around him and begging for his next meal. He had a crooked cane next to him to assist him in walking. His legs were bad and thus were bandaged heavily to keep them warm and the sores dry. Times were tough on him and his brothers, but he must thank Jupiter for all the blessings that passed by.

He overheard a commotion coming from a small group of Greeks within the circle. A young man was perspiring and gasping for air, he claimed that he was running straight from the port to tell all Athenians news that was "horrid". The beggar was too far to hear what was so "horrid", but the sprinter had spread something fearful to everyone; they shivered at the news and ran down to the port.

The sprinter was running past the beggar, but stopped after he called for him, "Good fellow, for what news of horridness do you spread?"

"Oh, poor soul," the sweaty sprinter responded, "a plague of Romans has just sailed into port! Thousands of them, marching into Athens as we speak! I believe they return to harm us all!"

"Wait, what? What?! Roman soldiers are here?!"

"Yes! Actual soldiers, like the ones under Sulla! They have landed, take shelter while you can!"

The sprinter continued on running, shouting the calamity of the incoming Romans. Instead of running for shelter, many Athenians began making their way to the port to witness such a thing. The beggar jumped to his feet, his mind trying to recollect all that the sprinter had told him.

The news gripped him with such surprise that he forgot all about his disguise as he ran to verify the news. He even left his cane.

The beggar sprinted down the hills, vaulted over ox carts, climbed the walls of households, and leapt from roof-to-roof of the homes. What would take a regular man ten minutes to reach the overlook of the port had taken the agile beggar four minutes.

He got to the final rooftop that overlooked the Port of Piraeus. He saw them as they were marching through the derelict Long Walls. Legionaries, thousands of them. An entire legion had just landed in Athens.

"Fuck…" he said to himself.

But these legionaries were not the green-cladded soldiers of the Brutii. No. Even from the overlook, the beggar could notice the different colors. These soldiers wore crimson red, the red of the Julii. The Julii were here as well?

"FUCK…" he said it louder.

In the Port of Piraeus, he bore witness to scores of ships, all with blue sails on them. The sails had specifically a blue wolf's head that was riding the waves. The man gasped loudly. This flag belonged to Gaius Scipio Lupus, the Wolf on the Waves. The Scipii, Julii, and Brutii were now working together? And they were here?!

"FUCK!" he screamed in panic.


The beggar nearly pushed an elderly man out of the way as he sprinted through a crowded maze of Athenians who had not yet heard the news. He emerged in the Marble Sector of the West Side of the city. He climbed up a tree as if he was squirrel, he needed a vantage point to find who he was looking for.

There he was! He spotted another beggar who was lying underneath a colorful statue of an Athenian hero. He was a sizeable man with chestnut hair patted in mud and with a beard to match that pitiful state. The beggar leapt from the tree, rolled on the ground and back to his feet, running to that beggar under the statue. That poor beggar looked at him and said in a Greek, "Would you be so fortunate as to spare—"

"Enough, Biga! Legionaries are here in Athens!" the sprinting beggar said in Latin, his accent was gone.

The beggar looked at him with crossed-eyes, "What of it? There are already soldiers here in Athens."

"No! Actual soldiers from a Legion, not the damn Militia! These are legionaries from the Julii! And they sailed here on Scipii ships!"

The beggar under the statue, known as Biga, stood to his feet. His eyes were wider than a shield. "What?! You mean—" his accent was gone as well.

The beggar looked around and leaned in close, "Yes, they know we're here. We must alert the others."

Biga leaned in close as well to the beggar, "Umbra, are you certain?"

"I am. We need to alert Taurus."


The two men went down a decline past the residential district and came upon a man-size opening to the Athens cistern system. Through the cistern, the two beggars could see two other homeless men rolling around in the darkness of the cave, lustfully kissing one another in a passionate embrace. The two filthy lovers looked at the two men, and one slurred, rather drunkenly in Greek, "What strikes fear in children, fascinates youths, and gladdens farmers?"

The beggar answered the riddle impatiently in Latin, "A lightning bolt, from Jupiter Optimus Maximus."

The two men who were voraciously kissing each other had ceased in a blink of an eye, they both stood to their feet and nodded to the beggars, "Is that Umbra and Biga?"

"It is, we bring news of grave import. Is Taurus inside?" the one known as Umbra asked.

"He is. What of the news?"

"More Romans arrived, a legion's worth. I saw them myself," Umbra said.

"By Jupiter…"

"Exactly. You two, keep up that act, but watch for anyone entering here."

One of the lovers sensually swatted the other lover's behind and winked at the two, " 'Act', you say?"

All four men shared a quick chuckle. Umbra and Biga walked past the sentries to venture deeper into the waterway. After a minute of roaming, they found two torches propped against the wall and took them. They went down through the underground system for five minutes, their torches illuminating the way. They came to their destination, a wall with three holes that were oddly spaced out. Umbra nodded for Biga to open the secret passageway.

Biga handed Umbra his torch and pressed his hands firmly against the wall with the three holes and pushed hard. The wall began to give way as it moved back, then Biga shifted it to the left to fully open it. With torches in hand, both men walked down a staircase past the wall and entered into the Headquarters of the Arcani.

It was a giant underground cistern that was carved through rock by the Athenians centuries ago. But during one of the many sieges that Athens endured during the centuries of its existence, the top layer was partially obscured and then forgotten; the opening at the roof of the cistern was large enough for sunlight to illuminate the waterway, but small enough where many Athenians would overlook it. Except for the Roman assassins, who made it their base of operations in Greece.

It was large and spacious, with wooden walkways constructed so men could walk above the water. The assassins made this their home, they took straw and linen to construct their own makeshift beds as their barracks within one of the chambers. To the east of the barracks was the training circle, filled with training dummies to practice against and a small ring for sparring. To the south of the barracks was the armory that contained whetstones of various size and consistencies to sharpen blades and racks with swords, arrows, and daggers; all polished and sharpened to perfection. To the north of the armory was the bust of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, preserved from the Temple of Jupiter from Rome that was destroyed in that bastard Sulla's war. It was polished, anointed with the finest oils they could find, and sacrifices are made to him every day, in fact, every assassin prays to him before and after they go to sleep.

Upon entering the cistern, Umbra was greeted with the sight of his assassin brothers performing mundane tasks, whether it was sharpening their weapons, practicing their pankration in the ring, or praying to the bust of Jupiter. But most of the assassins that were in the cistern were watching a duel in process in the training circle. Two against one.

In the training circle stood two men who were initiated a month ago, both armed in the Dimachaeri style, the form of wielding two swords. Umbra didn't remember their names, nor did he care to. They had so many initiates as of late, very few managed to stand out in his mind.

The opponent of the two men was the Co-Leader of the Arcani, Taurus, standing proud—no, brazen, against his two opponents, confident they will not land a blow on him. He stood armed with two gladii against the two. He was of average height, but with a strong build and a toned body. His hair was reddish-brown as chestnuts and it was kept short as that of a proper military cut. He was a proud and pious man. Proud of his faith, strength, his youth, and his heritage. And with pride comes passion, passion to dedicate his all into whatever he did. And if he fell short in this regard, his passion turned to inextinguishable fury. Such as why he chose the name "Taurus", for his fury and strength was mighty as a bull's, and how he was willing to be a sacrifice to the Gods.

All members of the Arcani chose their codenames, shedding forever the names that they were given by their mortal family, dedicating their new identities to the will of Jupiter Optimus Maximus.

Umbra had chosen his name for "Shadow", for he was deemed skilled in hiding from others and how quiet and quick he was in darkness. Biga took his name for "Chariot" because despite his large size, he was quick on his feet. To Umbra's recollection, there had been two other assassins who've bore the name, "Umbra" in the past, they were recognized for their valor and stealth; Umbra pledged that he would honor his predecessor in everything that he did.

The fellow assassins cheered as the fight was to begin. Taurus raised his swords in the air and yelled with pride. The two men fell on Taurus at once, yet Taurus charged forth with a bellow. His blades swung with clear purpose, deflecting the weapons of his attackers. Taurus spun with fluidity and kicked one of the attackers to the ground. He turned around and slammed both of his swords into the second attacker's guard, breaking it and sending him to the dirt.

Taurus then pressed this attack, hacking his swords at the guard of one of the men who was still on the ground. The defender futilely raised his swords up to protect himself against Taurus, yet Taurus swung with fury. His strength alone had broken the guard, forcing the swords out of the initiate's hands. Taurus delivered a thunderous boot to the initiate's face.

The second man sprung to his feet with his weapons raised. Taurus looked to the second man and smiled. The leader threw away his own swords and motioned for the new man to attack. The new man was unsure if such was wise, but upon being called a "lactating woman" by Taurus, he charged. Taurus was a very quick individual, he lunged low and grappled his opponent around his waist, heaved him up in the air, then proceeded to slam him hard to the ground. It was a classic wrestling technique that relied on speed and strength, two attributes that Taurus was in strong supply of. Taurus leapt on top of him and jammed his forearm into the unarmed assassin's throat and viciously pinned him until he submitted.

Taurus released the man and roared in victory. He then laughed brazenly, picking up his own swords and tossing them to Aries. Aries was the first to congratulate Taurus, boasting how the leader was blessed my Mars. Umbra groaned with an eyeroll, Aries was a senior assassin among the Arcani, just as Umbra was, yet Aries and Umbra always quarreled. Perhaps it was because Aries always had to suck the cock of his superiors to boost his own position that Umbra found grating, or the air of superiority that he always put on in front of others.

Taurus faced the vanquished opponents, "Not bad, you two. A mighty challenge you have given me, if I were fighting Greek catamites."

The other assassins laughed boisterously. The initiates looked down defeatedly, one of them said, "Gratitude, Taurus. Your demonstration shall strengthen our fighting prowess."

Taurus smirked, "See to it that it does. Never assume that just because you outnumber your foe, you shall triumph. And if you are pressed to the floor, do not lie there as dead fish; you must rise to your feet and regain advantage."

"We shall remember that."

The other men of the Order clapped for their leader. Aries clapped louder. Biga and Umbra clapped as well, but not as enthusiastically. Umbra's lips were pursed tightly. Why must this elicit applause? Fighting against two men is tough, but experience is always a factor. These two novices have been in the Order for a month, whilst Taurus has been in the Order for eight years. What honor is there in besting newcomers?

Umbra groaned to himself, it was decided that he would be here with Taurus, if only he and Biga could have been with Vipera. Vipera would have had a solution to deal with Sulla's—

Umbra finally recalled the reason he was down in the cistern.

Umbra suddenly jostled towards Taurus saying, "Taurus! We hold dire news!"

Taurus uncorked a pouch of wine with his teeth and asked before drinking, "Umbra, Biga, for what reason do you both appear dour?"

"And why have you left your posts?" Aries asked, walking behind Taurus.

Umbra and Biga looked at one another. Umbra decided to speak, "They're here, Sulla sent a legion to Athens. They docked not too long ago."

Taurus started choking on the wine, nearly spitting it from his lips. All the other assassins made muttering remarks of surprise.

"Impossible!" one of them said.

"How does he know we are here?" asked another.

"One of our brothers must have confessed…"

Taurus recovered from his coughing fit, "Umbra, are you certain?!"

"Yes, Taurus. My eyes bore witness to the legion marching through the Long Walls."

Aries scoffed, "And how did you divine that Sulla sent this force? Did he lead the legion, or did it hold his standard?"

"No. It was a Legion of the Julii with their red armor, and they landed on Scipii ships, within a Brutii-held settlement. So, break pleasant words, Aries, which man in Rome could possess the clout to have Two of the Three Families work in unison to this common purpose?! Cincinnatus?"

"Watch your mouth, Umbra!"

"Do not test me, Aries!"

"ENOUGH!" Taurus bellowed; he regained his voice from coughing. "We shall not fall to excitement! Umbra, Biga, Aries, Gelae, and Velum, come with me for council." Taurus looked to the others, his eyes were large and fierce, "Everyone else, back to your duties!"


The council chamber was lit by many candles and torches, the shadows danced off the walls and floors hypnotically. The six senior men of this branch of the Arcani gathered around a rectangular table. They consisted of Umbra, Biga, Aries, Gelae, Velum, and of course the Co-Leader Taurus.

This generation of leadership of the Arcani was based on seniority, those who had usually served the longest in the Order were chosen as leader. Umbra and Aries have both served in the Order for 10 years. Biga and Gelae's time in the Arcani numbered 9 years. Taurus has served for a completion of 8 years. Amongst them, Velum was the most junior at serving for 6 years. Yet in this organization, all brothers stood in the shadow of service, compared to the other Co-Leader of the Arcani, for Vipera had served the noble cause of the Gods for 22 years.

Aries was the first to speak, "So, Umbra, what did you witness, exactly?"

"What I have described. A legion worth of soldiers, draped in Julii crimson, exiting galleys of Scipii blue. And it seemed like Marcus Brutus Equestris was leading them inside the city."

Taurus pressed his hands on to the table, his eyes lost in the map. Umbra continued, addressing Aries, "As I have stated, Sulla has shown his hand. Sending both the Julii and Scipii after us here in Athens. He knows."

Aries looked to Biga with suspicious eyes, "Biga, did you witness such things?"

"I didn't, only because Umbra came to me with such news. He would never leave his post if urgency wasn't required. I do recall on our way here; many Athenians were falling to discord and were either rushing to the port or fleeing to their homes."

Taurus was silent, his eyes glued to the map of the known world.

Umbra leaned forward, "Taurus, I beseech you to listen. They know we are here; we must assume that our brothers who have not returned confessed under torture."

"Such is a possibility…" Velum muttered.

"Agreed," said Gelae.

"Ha! If such knowledge is aware to them, then why send a single legion to destroy us?" Aries said with the roll of his eyes.

"A single legion is all they need, you fucking fool!" Biga shouted.

"Do not profane me, you dim beast!"

"What did you call me?!"

"Cease!" Taurus ordered. "Both of you stand down!"

Biga and Aries exchanged vile looks, but they obeyed.

Taurus looked at Umbra, "Our brothers are strong, we were trained to resist torture."

Umbra didn't want to explain it to him too harshly. "No man could resist the cold instruments of torture forever; such actions even drove the great Hercules to madness. Pressure and time can crack the strongest of stones. And we know what a monster Sulla is… And if not Sulla, then those that have not returned, they may not have been killed, but captured alive and tortured by vengeful members of the Three Families…"

Everyone present, lowered their heads. They recalled how many did not return after the night of the Bloody Ides. So many smiling faces that Umbra would never see on a dawn. The men who he served beside that were as blood brothers to him, gone forever.

Umbra looked to those around the table, "Our brothers died valiantly that night. All for the sake of liberty under the yoke of oppression by Sulla. We shall not let their sacrifice prove fruitless. We must act, now!"

Aries actually seemed somewhat impressed with those words, his voice held no degree of bitterness, "What is your suggestion, Umbra?"

Umbra looked to the leader, "Taurus… I believe we must relocate. Immediately."

Taurus looked to him, "Flee? Now?! Like rabbits?!"

"Think of it, members of all three Families are here in Athens. One of them brought a damn legion to the Greek shores and the other brought a navy. They know we're here, and it will not take them long to determine our whereabouts."

Taurus returned his eyes to the map in front of him, "Athens is a huge city."

"Made smaller with the addition of 6,000 men, Taurus."

"There's only a few of us here."

"Look, the more time afforded to the legion, the tighter the noose becomes around our throats. They'll most like post more sentries at the gates to search those entering and exiting the city. Security at the port shall be amplified. Martial law can now properly be enforced with an addition of thousands of men. We need to escape whilst we can."

"And where should we withdraw, Umbra?" Biga asked.

"West. Back to Italia, or even to Gallia. I believe this to be our best plan of action. We are few in numbers, we must reorganize with Vipera out west."

Gelae nodded, "A legion here in Athens puts our plan in jeopardy, what should happen if they discover what is occurring in Macedonia and Thessaly?"

Velum leaned over the table and jabbed his finger at the map, "A withdraw to the West can only be done outside of Athens, we cannot risk sailing from the port of Athens with the legionaries present."

Biga sucked his bottom lip, "If we cannot sail from Athens, then we must head west through the mountains of Greece, we can evade an army if we move in smaller numbers in the mountains. But we may fall prey to brigands, the mountains shall also consume vast amounts of time."

"Then we should avoid the mountains entirely," Velum advised, "We steal some horses and ride to hook up with Heracleo's army that are marching west in Macedonia, if such is still the plan?"

"Why not just kill these three patricians of the Three Families? Our brothers failed in that endeavor, why can we not make up for their failing?" Aries suggested.

"Besides the obvious?" Galea spoke up, "After the 'Bloody Ides', all members of the Three Families most likely procured additional security."

Aries made a scoff-like noise, "There's three of them here, and thirty of us. I believe we can take them and their security."

Umbra raised his voice, "Aries, cutting off the head of this hydra will just grow more heads. If they should perish suddenly within this city, their men will clearly know we are still active and hunt us with extreme severity. It will alert the Brutii to confirm that we reside in this region of Greece. Within Athens, we no longer hold the offensive, so we should not act as if we do." He looked to the leader, "Taurus, we were fortunate in that the City Watch was few in number, so we were able to slip in-and-out of the city at will. But now, with a damn legion present…"

Taurus drank from his wine. "Killing them should be a last resort, not the first." He studied the map of the known world, his eyes looking to the West, specifically at Rome. "Jupiter, Minerva, grant me wisdom and clarity…" His eyes then moved to Hispania. "What of Vipera? Any word arrived from him?"

Velum, who was in charge of correspondence, cleared his throat and removed a parchment from his sleeve, "Actually, word arrived just last night."

Taurus' face crumpled, "Then for what purpose do you delay in informing me?!"

"You were absent last night within Athens, I figured I would tell you when you returned today."

Taurus groaned, "Fine, so what of Vipera? Did he survive? Did his men succeed?"

Velum nodded solemnly, "He is alive, but he states that forty of our brothers have not returned."

The organs below Umbra's heart had twisted at the news. Biga slammed his fist against the table, Aries exhaled in disbelief. Taurus closed his eyes for a moment, a silent prayer was on his lips.

"May our brothers tread in peace in the Elysian Fields," all the assassins chanted in unison.

"Forty, they have fared better than us…" Gelae remarked, pouring wine into his own cup to drink.

Umbra silently nodded in agreement. Before the "Bloody Ides", the Arcani had numbered around 150 men. Now they were down to less than half of their men.

"And what of Vipera's target?" Taurus asked.

Umbra pursed his lips in anticipation. For someone as experienced as Vipera, he went against the biggest threat within the Republic borders. His target was the Governor of Hispania, the legendary Quintus Sertorius.

Velum opened the parchment and reread Vipera's message, "Uh… Vipera had stated in his message, 'It's been taken care of,' Taurus."

Taurus grew a grin, "Good, fortunate news. That traitor, Quintus Sertorius, has breathed his last."

"Uh, no…"

Taurus spun around, "What? Speak sense, Velum. Or see my fist remove any from your skull! You just stated that Vipera took care of it!"

"That's what the letter said, but he also said that his target yet lives, but he has 'been taken care of,' Taurus."

"Give me that letter!" Taurus seized it with fury. His eyes raced across the parchment twice over. Taurus grunted in anger, "That fucking man! What madness does he spew now, him and his schemes! What does this even mean?! Is Sertorius dead, wounded, a prisoner?! The bastard had the gall to write me this. What did my father ever see in that man?"

A patriot and a leader, Umbra thought to himself. Umbra's own father had always told him it was a sign of weakness to disparage a man when he is not present to defend himself. Umbra wondered how Taurus' father would react upon seeing his son lead the Arcani. Most likely, he would have been disappointed.

"So, Vipera and his remaining men reside in the West, huh?" Aries spoke up. "Where do they reside, exactly, Velum?"

"Gallia Transalpina, between Hispania and Italia. Probably for the best, to avoid major territories held in Rome. And yet, Vipera also states that he personally is spending his time in Osca."

Aries blinked in confusion, "But, Osca is the capital of Hispania."

"And Sertorius' headquarters," Umbra added.

Taurus raged, "Fucking mollusk! This must be a game to him! That's it! Nothing but trivial riddles he gives me, his mind crafting new fancies for him to indulge in at the cost of precious men and resources! Why the fuck is he in Osca?! And what is the state of Quintus Sertorius?! The man who is the biggest threat of the Julii with an entire peninsula under his beck and call, and the man who can singlehandedly ruin our entire stratagem… and Vipera is in his capital and Sertorius may yet draw breath?!" Taurus threw his cup of wine against the wall, shattering it to pieces.

And so his name is Taurus, for the fury of the bull… Umbra had thought. Whilst Vipera is named for the cunning of a serpent. What is he thinking? He must have a scheme in his mind if he is not providing Taurus a direct answer… does he not trust the man he is sharing leadership with? What is your plan, Vipera?

The five men examined their leader fuming in anger for several moments. He then regained his composure and fell silent with his eyes closed and head leaning over the table, mumbling a prayer to the gods.

He opened his eyes, fury burned in them, and yet he spoke calmly. "Fine. If Vipera has his schemes to push the success of the Arcani, then so do I. I know what I must do. Aries, you are left in command until my return."

"To where do you venture?" Biga asked.

Taurus scoffed, "Where do you think? I need to see that king again. He deserves to know the knowledge that our schedule has been moved up."

"No!" Umbra said. "Taurus, you must not!"

Taurus nodded mockingly, "So you are in command?"

"No. I advise, if you would allow me."

"I allow it."

"I do not believe such a move prudent. Instead of dividing ourselves, we should be as one."

"I agree with you, Umbra, but we are too short-handed for such a notion. To cover all of our resources available to us, we must venture out to ensure the plan comes to fruition."

"All right, that may be, but must you be associated with that king? We have already disgraced ourselves seeking the aid of a barbarian king. He holds no love for any Roman. Jupiter held you in close embrace the last time you spoke to that man, he kills all Romans in his province. We should not associate—"

"We are no longer Romans!" Taurus screamed. "Not as long as that bastard, Sulla, still reigns in Rome!"

He gnashed his teeth before he continued, "As long as Rome is a dictatorship or a monarchy, then its citizens are no longer Romans, but freedmen—worse, slaves. The Republic shall live once more. For that to be, Sulla must die. As do all who have and continue to support him. We are the vengeance of Jupiter. And it shall be meted out."

The council was silent. Taurus cleared his throat and stabbed his finger at the map. "We continue with my plan. I'll ask the king for more supplies and men. Umbra, take a horse and meet up with Heracleo. You have a history with mercenaries, use that to your advantage. If he is on schedule, then he should be entering Macedonia. Tell him we are still on schedule."

"I understand. Uh, Taurus, might I have Biga accompany me?"

"Very well. Aries, you are to remain here along with Velum, start recruiting from the populace."

"Your will," Aries said with a bow of the head.

"Apologies for my comment, but is such a course wise?" This time, it was Gelae. "We are to be recruiting with the scrutiny of Rome bearing down on us?"

"We need to replenish our numbers, you know this, Gelae."

"I do, Taurus, but… we are already moving onto the next phase, it is too late to be recruiting men to our Order, we cannot train them in such a short amount of time. In addition, there are few Romans in the city that are not affiliated with the Brutii and are of fighting quality."

Finally! Someone else speaking sense, Umbra thought to himself.

Taurus stared at Gelae with intensity. Aries spoke up, "I know some rough youths around the city that could bolster our numbers, and if anything, they can be used as fodder for the Three Families. Believe in me, I can accomplish your task."

Taurus nodded to Aries, "I know you can, that's why you are in command." Taurus continued, "Gelae, you shall accompany me East to meet the King. Pick three others to accompany us."

"I understand… and I know just the three who shall accompany us."

Taurus looked back at the map, "Because of this legion, we shall leave in an hour. Ensure that you pack the essentials. Take your masks, weapons, and armor. Umbra, you can track down an army, can you not?"

"I've been a scout in the army before, and if Heracleo's leading an army of such a massive size, then they should not be hard to track."

"Excellent. You bring a quarter of the remaining treasury to him and his men as motivation. Stick by his side until he reaches Italia."

"I shall."

Gelae raised his hand, "One last thing, if the Families shall seize our headquarters here, where should we meet?"

All eyes looked to the leader, who was chewing on his bottom lip in contemplation. Umbra could tell he was adamant about leaving the headquarters, doing so would be seen as weakness. Yet Umbra could also notice that Taurus was actually considering the likely possibility of the Families discovering their base.

"Fine then," Taurus finally said, "Aries, Velum, you two shall destroy all evidence in the base. Ensure that nothing survives. This will take a few days, but while you are at it, have some men investigate the Three Family members that are here, I leave autonomy to you in how they should be dealt with in my absence. And when all is said and done, lead an exodus to Rally Point Phoenix. That is where we shall all converge on. And Velum, forge a letter and alert Vipera to my plans."

All five men bowed their heads. Taurus looked to them, "We are committed. This is our plan; we shall move with haste. Brothers, I wish you all fortune on your missions and pray that Jupiter keeps you in his sight. I desire to see you all at Rally Point Phoenix."

They all bowed their heads as one and prayed to Jupiter Optimus Maximus. They then dismissed. Taurus left the council chambers and headed down to his own compartment. Aries ordered Velum to follow him to speak to the other junior members of the order. Umbra, Biga, and Gelae were left in the council chambers, all three wearing the masks of disappointment.

Gelae groaned audibly, "Bait. He would have Aries and Velum as bait to ensnare this legion from leaving Athens."

"You think that is his reasoning?" Biga asked.

"Most likely," Gelae growled. "What other reason exists to have the remainder in Athens surrounded by the enemy as the veterans are assigned to leave the city?

"But if that's the case, then why leave Aries in command?"

"Because Aries would do what he is told to fulfill a command, even if such runs over a period of time. Perhaps even Taurus grew tired of Aries tonguing his ass for favors."

That got a good chuckle out of Umbra and Biga.

"If what you believe is to be true, then it is sound stratagem," Biga muttered. "We keep the legion and the Navy in Athens, and they cannot respond in what will happen in Italia. But to sacrifice our brothers… if that is his real plan…"

Gelae shook his head, "If only we three were saddled with Vipera. I hope Velum would come to his senses to not revere Taurus, it's already too late for Aries. If only Vipera was here—"

"Exactly," said Biga. "Out of the two, we had to be stuck with Taurus! The impetuous one."

"Pardon me, you two," said Umbra, walking away. "I need to speak with him, one-on-one. Biga get our stuff ready and prepare some horses to travel, this shan't take long."


Umbra went after the leader; he must listen to his thoughts. He traversed down the carved-out hallway and came upon Taurus kneeling down in front of a trunk that carried his personal effects. He lifted up a black mask with three slash marks that were carved deeply into the front. Taurus' eyes were lost within the mask, fondly. Umbra recognized the mask, for it belonged to the great Fornax, Umbra's mentor and Taurus' father.

Fornax was the predecessor to both Vipera and Taurus, a man of great ambition, skill, and piety. He was seen as a father to a lot of the assassins for his compassion and firm sense of duty. He and Vipera were best friends, both joining the Order at the same time. It was commonly believed that Fornax's successor would be Vipera and Vipera alone. Yet it shocked everyone when he publicly announced upon his death, the mantle of Leadership would fall to two men, Vipera and Fornax's son, Taurus. Umbra recalled the shock of all the assassins and their outcry.

The Arcani having dual leadership was not unprecedented, it happened thirty years ago during the time Rome was fighting wars on multiple fronts. To contend with the Numidian king, Jugurtha, in North Africa and to fight off the barbarian Cimbri in Gallia; the Arcani elected two leaders to lead separate fronts during that turbulent time in the Republic.

No one could deny Taurus' skill and bravery, but leadership was given to seniority and at the time, Vipera was pushing on 20 years, while Taurus had just broken five. Umbra had suspected that Fornax foresaw the turbulent period erupting in today's time with the entire world seemingly at war and figured that the Arcani must be everywhere at once. If such was so, then what a prophet he was. And just like many prophets, he was killed prematurely, two years ago. Betrayed by those he swore to serve. And now all that was left was his son, trying desperately to live up to the memory of his father…

"Umbra? Do you need anything else?" Taurus asked, his voice was emotionless, he didn't even turn around.

"I do. I offer words of concern."

Taurus grunted. He put down the mask and rose to his feet, "Is this a continuation of the council?"

"Partly, but without eyes and ears on you and desires corrupting your mind."

"You speak of Aries, then? He has proven himself time and again, so do not—"

"No. It is not Aries' corruption I speak of. But your own."

Taurus turned around fully, his eyes holding a light of confusion and anger. "Repeat those words of yours."

"Our own desires can corrupt our sense of rationale. It is easy to fulfill one's desires, but harder to fulfill one's needs. Do not act on impulse, we are so close to your father's vision of ridding the monsters of the Republic. You know we are."

Taurus looked back on his father's mask that sat on the trunk, then looked again to Umbra, "So, what do you suggest?"

Umbra sighed as he walked closer, "Hear me out. I suggest we either withdraw to the West to meet with Vipera, or we wait for Vipera—"

The calmness of Taurus dissipated. The bull had emerged, "Why does everyone say that?! Vipera is on the opposite side of the world! He's in Hispania. He does not lead this organization alone; we both share responsibility. I command the Arcani as much as he does!"

"That you do, yet our situation is unknown to him. We hold knowledge that he does not know, and it is evident in his message that he possesses knowledge that we do not. His mind may be crafting a stratagem of import."

"And my mind is not?"

"Such words were not spoken, Taurus. We should regroup with him and his men and collaborate with one another and share our intelligence. I only voice exercising patience."

"Patience before movement? Were you not the one who voiced alarm and fleeing with haste at the sight of the Legion?"

"That is different. I issue a strategic withdraw out of the Legion's enclosing snare. But going to see this king and ordering those mercenaries to continue with the plan... I advise only caution and patience."

"We had an entire year of 'caution and patience', that's how we were able to achieve the glory of the Bloody Ides. Now is the time to strike with fire and fury! The Gods demand it!"

"They demand justice, yes! I agree with you. But the blade of justice should be tempered with patience, not rashness."

"We have been called by Zeus to be his scourge!"

"Yet we are not the Gods, but that of mortals. If we commit error, our lives are forfeited. Even scourges can be repelled. I only exercise the notion that we are moving too quickly, we are too disorganized, and there are too many moving pieces of this game that are moving beyond our control. We already have an army in the field and now you seek to procure a second one?"

"We are striking against the Republic; we need all the swords we can purchase!"

" And what if we purchase too many? What if their appetite is not sated with the city of Rome? Then we have a new scourge on Roman soil, barbarians and foreigners butchering the entire peninsula for plunder, something that the great Scipio Africanus fought so hard to prevent! I still do not stand with this strategy, Taurus."

"You've made your displeasure known, quite well."

"Killing Sulla and those who sided with him, fine, I hold no qualms with such. But for ordinary citizens in the city who worry for daily coin and following the virtues of family and duty, for the ordinary citizens who held no part in the politics of Cursus Honorum, for the ordinary citizens who still reel from the horrors of Marius and Sulla inflicted on them, for those who still cry for the need of return of a republic—"

"Oh, cease with that drivel, Umbra! The 'ordinary citizens' should have risen as one when Sulla's men burned the Temple of Jupiter! They should have risen when Sulla started purging hundreds for an entire year! They hold no willpower to rise up and overthrow this dictator. And for what purpose? Fear of death? Such shall seem minuscule to the fear of damnation from the Gods for allowing Sulla to turn the Republic back into a Monarchy! We allowed the citizens a year to overthrow Sulla, and such has not occurred. So now we must overthrow him, at any means!"

Umbra clenched his fists; it was the same argument he had with Taurus since he had announced his plan. Many of the assassins cheered at first mention of Taurus' grand scheme to overthrow Sulla. He claimed it came to him in a vision by the Gods. Experienced men like Umbra and Biga listened on in quiet uneasiness.

The Arcani had been so certain that after Sulla's bloody civil wars to seize power, the mob of Rome would rise up instantly and depose him, or a brave patriot would kill him. And so, the Arcani did nothing. A week had passed, and Sulla was still in power. Sulla then passed his proscriptions to start killing off his enemies, dozens died within a month. Yet Sulla was still in power. Many months had passed, and hundreds were dead, and yet Sulla was in power. The Arcani had underestimated the cruelty that Sulla would use to cowl the mob into fear, and they had also overestimated the courage and piety of the Roman citizens to depose this man.

For the sins and cowardice of all Rome for allowing this man to power, for the Senate in betraying the Arcani and labeling them outlaws, and for the destruction of the Temple of Jupiter during his sack of Rome; Taurus had decided that they would overthrow Sulla by using an outside force. The biggest army of mercenaries ever seen to oust the Dictator from power. Men from Greece, Macedon, Scythia, Pontus, Egypt, Gallia, and Germania; all nations that held a vendetta for what Rome stood for and would be all too eager to sack Rome.

The army was already on the move from Macedonia and was getting closer to the Italian peninsula. It would only be a matter of time, perhaps a month, before they reached Italia. A month before Rome would feel the Arcani's wrath.

Taurus approached Umbra and peered into his senior's eyes, "You served my father well, Umbra. I still ask you to serve me in the same capacity. My plan shall succeed. Hold faith in it. Sulla shall fall and the Republic shall be restored. The Gods demand it."

"At what cost do we draw that line, Taurus? By allying ourselves with people who despise Rome. In this attempt to 'save' the Republic from evil, do we not become evil? We become not liberators, but conquerors if we trek down this path."

" 'Liberators and Conquerors'. Hmm. Such a way to justify the deaths of many… Tell me this, Umbra. Liberators, conquerors, when you are staring down the edge of a sword, what is the difference?"


I feel that this chapter was overdue, such is why I posted this one instead of the following chapter.

Feels good to make a chapter that firmly introduces our antagonists into the story.

Chapters will be uploaded inconsistently, got a lot on my plate, including that new Invictus story. If the stars align, I may release it in June.

Thank you for reading.

-Kanuro5