A man scribbled furiously in a dilapidated motel room in a run down quarter of Verona.
'Dominus, the situation in Italy is far more precarious than first thought. Not only has Ravenna fallen, Verona now is aflame with discontent and a rebellious Italian empire is been formed. It is not likely that word has yet reached Constantius, due to the difficulties in the East. This presents a rare opportunity for action. I advise a quick response in the matter. I do not think Constantius will be able to raise enough men to restore order. Rumour abounds that even Africa is awash with strife. I shall further investigate here in Verona and try and come to some conclusions as to the merits of these usurpers, even work it to our advantage.'
Felix
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
The dreaded invasion of the Berbers eventuated. A colossal army encamped at the walls of Cartenna. Cornelius Marcellinus, now appointed the governor of Mauretania Caesariensis, had no idea as to whether Verenianus had sent reinforcements. The Comes had not been thoughtful enough to reply to his letter. Further west, the limes fort that guarded the way into Russadir was besieged by a general known as Bonildeqart.
Vibius had finally crossed over and landed near Russadir after gathering all the men afforded to him. Convention in not using the auxilia limitaeni troops as front line soldiers instead of garrison troops was ignored for this occasion, with the Hispanian field army remaining behind under Verenianus. Vibius decided on dealing with the Berber general first.
Back on the mainland, the Alamanni had invaded eastwards and crossed over at the upper Danube fordes and beseiged Augusta Vindelicorum yet it was observed that after several weeks, the bulk of the barbarians had simply headed back across the river and left behind a token force. These that were left behind blanched when faced with the sallying Romans and decided to retreat back over the Danuvius.
And then, the guards stationed along Hadrians Wall reported that the Gaels had been sniffing around like curious dogs. In fact, Gaelic agent had been apprehended, tortured for information (a large army awaited just beyond the walls) and then killed for good measure. Tiberius Secundus had assembled a large standing Britian army, to deal with the Saxons. However he had yet to engage...time would surely be short if the Gaels burst across the wall and begun to lay waste to the countryside.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Salutius Secundus and Aurelius Dometianus combined forces to drive what was left of the Alamanni out of Germania Prima. Aurelius would have wished he had stayed back in Argentoratum and not plodded around staining the snow red.
Salutius had the crest, Aurelius came from below, effectively hemming the Alamanni between two forces. Mederichus was not fazed in the slightest. The warlord sent forth his heavy cavalry to destroy Aurelius.
The governor of Argentoratum had a light force suited for garrison duties. He had not expected to be involved in battle so early, his presence was to merely provide backup if needed and kill any routers. Instead, rather cleverly Mederichus, did exactly the opposite of what the Romans thought would be the right course; deal with the biggest threat first.
His numeri and auxilia limitaeni infantry were crushed under hoof of the cnihte.
On the hill, Salutius was having a rather tough time and found himself suffering casualties. This time, the entirety of the Flavia Vitrix Constantina fought bravely, the humiliation of the 2nd cohort fresh in their collective memories.
Even when surrounded and separated from his main forces, Mederichus and his beastly warriors enacted a terrible toll upon the Gallica Honoriani
The Alamanni proved particularly tough to break. Salutius was forced to use his reserve of limitaeni as missile troops. Eventually, Merederichus saw futility in continuing the battle and he sounded the retreat. It was every man for himself. Aurelianus had since fled back to Argentoratum to try and minimise his high casualties. The Alamanne warrior himself made it back over the river and took refuge in Chnodomar.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
It was just absolutely ghastly. The esteemed Senator was on his bloodied knees, his garments torn, dirty and stained with blood. His eyes pleaded for mercy but he saw none in the two men before him, flanked either side by the Domestici of the city. 'Please! Please! I can give you what you need...just spare me!' he pleaded in wretched sobs. One man simply laughed. The other smiled a thin smile without humour.
'We already have all that is yours...those estates will be handy feeding the people...your wife, though rather recalcitrant, was just delightful. Your children fetched a tidy sum with slave traders. So no, you can't give me all that you have...it's all gone' The pair laughed like hyenas. One nodded at a trooper next to him. The hulking Germani stood forward and simply ran through the senator with his sword, through his heart and out the back, drawing him close to his face as he died.
The body just crumpled to the pavement. Men cheered with delight. There were shocked wails of terror amongst others; they were other Senators earmarked for proscription, bound, beaten and dead men walking. The supporters of Constantius and also the rich were in the murderous sights of these two men. They were enacting a process that had been abhorrent to Romans for centuries. It had been forbidden. It had cost dictators and other men with power their life.
Before the frightened rabble, stood a King, a self style King at that. Ammianus Pescennius revived the ancient Kingship, all the way back to Tarquinus the Proud. He paraded like a glorious peacock, a handsome 40 year old, with dark hair but unsettling ice blue eyes. When he looked at you, it was if he was staring deep into your soul, prizing out inner secrets. 'Behold fellow Romans! The glorious Kingdom of Italy!' There were cheers from his men, half hearted cheers from citizens who could scarcely fathom the chaos that played out before them and just shocked looks of dismay on the aristocrats.
'We can no longer rely on the bloated, decaying mess that is the Imperial bureaucracy to ensure our safety and to feed and protect the citizens. It's long since past the time to act. Be aware that he who stands against me, is my enemy! Join me and prosper...reject me and die' He left his words to hang in the air. He then gestured to the Domestici to kill the rest of the Senators and then rode back to palace.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
'Dirty bastards' Chnodomarius suspected treachery had been afoot, that the Romans had influenced his men to act against his wishes. That impertinent little rat, Magnus Drusus was probably behind it. The King found himself alone, save for his Suebiske Adalinge, out in the open with no defences whatsoever. Defying fatigue and the great distances, he set out to find exactly where his army had gone. As they crested yet another hilly range, he saw a sight that made him sick with despair and anger. His men were fleeing like frightened goats, trailed by a considerable Roman force. They were in great disorder but it appeared that the Romans had not yet engaged his men.
Without their famous King, they had no thought but for the comforts of home back beyond the river. That is exactly where they headed. He could see the river that divided the Roman world with that of his people. The Romans appeared not to follow up the Alamanni. They could have simply attacked as they madly scrambled across the river yet they hung back, satisfied that they'd be stuck across the river. There Julius Athanaes could deal with them.
As he turned back to confront his men, he saw something he had totally missed earlier. Another Roman force marched towards him. 'They do not fight fair' he spat. He then organized his men on a higher position and simply waited. 'We will see our kinsmen and families again, in the after life yet before we depart, lets give these dogs a thing or two to think about...Die well my brothers' He then said no more, as he watched the Roman archers ascend to the left of him. The scutarii trotted to his right and he watched the infantry arrayed before him.
He noted they were not the comitatensis, instead the border troops, which Chnodomarius found strange. Perhaps it was some impertinent garrison commander seeking fame and glory. There shall be a few more Romans joining us in the afterworld he mused, neither sad at the prospect of death nor happy that he'd be joining illustrious ancestors in the great halls beyond this world.
'Let us get this over with then eh?' he shouted to his men. They roared their approval and at once, under missile fire, raced down the slope and smashed into the disconcerted line of infantry. Men with golden masks, huge swords and the finest armour, they were a sight to behold for regular garrison troops.
The Alamanni begun punching a hole in their line, as the rest of the Romans stood and watched. Another line of infantry assembled on the slope, this time behind Chnodomarius. They hurled their javelins, disregarding their comrades in front. The Alamanni were cut down like wheat until just a few were left.
It was soon over the great King, who after having his arm hacked off, and then run through the stomach, had a moment of despair when he realised that Hortar, a 20 year old reprobate, would become King of the Alamanni. That was the last thing he thought when he hit the turf dead.
Re: [IB SAI:AAR] The Last Pagan Emperor
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Originally Posted by Ganbarenippon
To Battle!
