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It was dark and damp in the bar where Julian sat amongst his comrades, drinking ale. The town had hardly been worth taking, with only a meagre amount of wealth stored away by the people, and almost no resources, the town was just a worthless speck of rock.
"Hardly worth it was it? coming all the way to this frozen island to take a villlage whose name I can't even pronounce!" Gaius, one of the Milites slurred, clearly drunk.
"No! why does the King even care about this speck of rock?" another soldier said.
They're right. Julian thought to himself, but remaining silent because of the increased attention the conversation was bringing.A hulking member of Julius' Candidati came and sat on the table next to them with two of his comrades, eyeing the grumbling soldiers suspiciously.
"He even named the town after himself! the arrogant bastard!"
The soldiers chuckled, and the Candidati even allowed themselves a smile.
Vithimer walked into the bar rigidly, and the men fell silent. All eyes fell upon Vithimer as he pointed at Julian. "You. Come with me." he said sternly. Julian rose from his seat confused. soldiers raised their eyebrows in puzzlement and mixed feelings of fear and dread went through Julian's mind as he left the bar to follow Vithimer, he lead him through winding alleys and twisted paths through the town until they came to a large longhouse, the former Saxon Chieftan's hall.
Heavily armed Candidati flanked the enterance, preparing to stop the pair until they saw the Gothic centurion shoot them a cold stare. They let the two pass unmolested, but Julian looked behind him and saw a merchant being searched before entering.
Julian forcibly calmed himself before entering, but his hands were shaking with anxiousness. The Candidati saluted as Vithimer strolled past, and they soon approached a large door. It swung open to reveal Julius seated at a small table. Julian straightened his back, placed his hand upon his chest and shouted "hail commander!" in a large a clear voice, mimicking the grizzled Gothic centurion. Julius saluted in return and motioned for Julian to take a seat, while Vithimer stood in the corner like an imposing statue.
"Greetings Julian. your commanding officer has told me of your prowess in battle, and your obedience at following orders to the letter. at a personal reccomendation from Vithimer, you have been promoted the the rank of decurion, and your duties take immediate effect. what say you?"
Julian was speechless. "I..." He stammered.
"Well soldier?" Julius asked.
"Of course my lord." Julian replied, regaining his composure.
"very well. you are dismissed."
Julian was ecstatic as he left the room and raced back to the barracks. Suddenly, the future didn't look too bad.