The Meeting Of Destiny
The hooves of horses could be heard everywhere in Damme. The nobles dismounted from their horses on the front of the great meeting hall where the king was waiting. The nobles entered, as with the king's sons. "Welcome, brothers! I have called you here for a very important reason." "And what is that my king?" asked Hans, the ruler of Mogontiacum. "War." "War? How could we win a war?! We lost many wars against outsiders. How do you think we could win this one?" complained Alfred, the young general that accompanies the king's son, Arosaigus. "Quiet! I know that I turned down your request for help when your town was besieged. You ruled well and I regret not helping you but you need not become one of our childrenfolk again and complain! The gods will help us win, but we need to do our part. The omens are numerous. We have been oppressed long enough!" Everyone saw courage and conquest in the eyes of the old king as he raised his hands to the gods. "Our tribes were once numerous but many were fooled to think that they could stand alone against the world. The Britons, as they call themselves, disgust me by their cowardice. They ride chariots and have sailed away from us!" The congregation went into an uproar and soon, everyone seemed to agree with the idea. "The Gauls may be great warriors but who may be greater than us Germans?" Some stood up and shouted their battle cries, some drank their beer, some said, "Aye!" and some tapped the table loudly. Everyone had courage and conquest in their eyes like the king. "We know in ourselves that we are better than those fools! I have defeated the Romans in Teutoborg Forest. We all can defeat the Romans, too! The great gods be with you, my brothers. To arms!" The nobles were ready and the king did not see them as brothers only anymore. He saw them as great warriors that were lion hearted and brave enough to do anything for their country. Arosaigus, Hariulfus and Ricburgis stayed with their father in the hall when the nobles left. "My sons, lead your armies bravely. I shall take the rebel settlement up north with my men. Arosaigus, take Alesia. Hariulfus and Ricburgis, stay here with the other nobles so I will teach you the way of the hoplite. The Greeks taught me it when there was still a settlement of theirs here." "When will I attack Alesia, father?" asked Arosaigus, with wrath and vengeance in his eyes. "Whenever you want, my son." The great war was beginning and there was nothing anyone could do to stop it.