Here is the fourth installment of my Major Work. In truth the story exists in six parts counting the prologue, but "The Tempest Begins" and the next section "Thunderbolts, will be submitted in two/three sections each.
Part Three: The Tempest Begins
Caesar
As the first two legions crested a turn in the pass, Caesar stared ahead of them in disbelief. Barely three hundred yards away, crossing the entire pass was a stone wall, well over fifteen feet high. As he stared, he became aware that standing on top of it were several hundred men. It was then he saw that they were archers.
Fall back! he bellowed, wheeling his horse. Back around the pass! The legions formed up quickly and turned, marching quickly but in a disciplined fashion towards the safety of the turn. Behind him, Caesar heard one of the Gauls shout Loose! and turned as he rode to see a hail of arrows descending upon the rear of his army. They fell into his ranks and several men screamed as they were hit. Cursing, Caesar galloped towards them, and directed several of the legionnaires to bear their wounded comrades to safety. He himself carried one man back on his horse to a hastily raised surgeons tent, and then cantered down towards where the encampment had even now begun to be set up.
Caesar swung down off his horse and strode angrily towards his commanders. With a curt gesture he ordered them to follow him into one of the tents that had been quickly raised. He then ordered the men to fetch both a table and chairs, as well as a flagon of wine, before following the commanders inside.
Can anyone think of a way to overcome this obstacle? Caesar demanded. We have no engines with us, it will take time to build ladders and take the wall. Even if we do take it, what if there is another wall behind it..... Winter is coming fast. In less than two months this pass will be completely blocked. We must get through this wall within five weeks, at the maximum. If we dont, we will be unable to destroy the Nervii in time to return to Italia before the snows. We will be cut off for half a year from Rome...... he trailed off, and then smashed his fist upon the table.
One of the officers cleared his throat, and then spoke when Caesar looked at him. My general, I am afraid that we will have to storm the wall. I believe that it is over fifteen feet high, and that we can construct ladders long enough, in perhaps two days. If there is another wall after the second, we will be able to plan more carefully. All we can do is trust in our legionnaires skills and courage to win the wall.
Another of the men nodded, and then said, Perhaps, my general, we can send a message to Trelius. He was sent to attack them from the rear, perhaps we can coordinate and assault to take the wall properly.
Caesar stood. Very well. Prepare the ladders. We cannot afford a lengthy delay here.
Rothlin
Rothlin tipped his sword nervously as he stood on the wall waiting for the Romans to return. It was all well and good for Zeltar to appoint him a commander, but he was still unsure that he knew what he was supposed to do.
The ride over the past few days through the pass had been terrible. It had been freezing cold the whole time, for the past two days it had poured rain, and most of the men had been tempted to turn back. But thanks to Zeltar, they had all arrived. Somehow he had kept them together long enough. And, Rothlin reminded himself, they had been just in time. The commander already at the garrison had told them that Caesar was due to arrive within two days. Zeltar had used the time to familiarise his men with the layout of the area, and Rothlin had found himself as the initial wall commander.
Lad! Zeltar called from down at the base of the wall, shaking Rothlin free from his reverie. Come here for a moment!
Be right down! Rothlin called back, then swung over the edge and quickly climbed down the ladder to meet him.
Lad, we have to send an emissary out to speak to the Romans before they attack us. For one, we may just be able to delay them that much longer, maybe even convince them to abandon the campaign, although this I doubt. Maybe even offer them the chance to surrender and Zeltar laughed, his deep voice echoing off the pass.
Let me guess.... Youd like me to go? Rothlin asked ironically.
Zeltar grinned. Well, if you insist lad. Oh, and I think that I will join you in this little adventure. Might even be able to intimidate some of the Romans. Some of them are doubtless old enough to remember the Night Stalker, and perhaps some have seen me fight back in Rome. Never know what may happen.
Rothlin nodded and turned, shouting for one of his lieutenants. When the worthy arrived, Rothlin told him what was happening, and sent him to fetch a white cloth for use as a peace signal. When this had been obtained, Rothlin and Zeltar climbed the wall and swung down the outside on ropes. A company of six riders had led some horses around the wall, through a circuitous crevice in the wall of the pass. Zeltar and Rothlin mounted two of the horses, and then they all cantered along the pass towards the Roman camp.
How do you think Caesar will respond to this, Zeltar? Rothlin asked as they rode.
From what Ive heard, he may merely seize us and then attack the fort. Zeltar scratched his chin, and then turned to look at Rothlin.
Lad, Caesar, for all his faults, is still an honourable man. He knows the rules, and he probably thinks that there are only a few people here anyway, and so he may listen just so he can catch hints of our battle strategy. As for executing us, well, Caesar has always been one to try for a great deal of power, and if the Senate back in Rome heard that he was executing ambassadors, they might not vote him the support that he seeks. So I think it is unlikely that he will do anything more than talk with us, perhaps offer us some wine, and then send us on our way. Likely he will then build scaling ladders and attack the wall within the next day or so. And then the fun begins.
As they cantered towards the Roman camp, sentry stopped them and took their horses before escorting them to what Rothlin assumed was the command centre. Rothlin nodded at several of the men to act as an escort, before he ducked into the tent. Inside, they were shown to seats, and had wine fetched for them. A centurion then asked them to wait, whilst runners went and fetched the officers of Rome.
Zeltar rubbed his hands together eagerly. Now the real fun starts, lad, he whispered, exchanging a glance with Rothlin.
Talia
Talia sat down behind Rothlin and Zeltar at the table. Her heart was thundering in her chest, but she had to be here. She had come to this place in order to fight the Romans, but she would first try to stop them from attacking at all. She saw Zeltar suddenly raise his head to the door, and was barely able to pull her hood a bit close before several men strode in through the tent entrance. Two of them had the epaulets of legion commanders upon their shoulders, but the thirds uniform was bare, almost severe in appearance. However, judging by his sheer physical presence, this could only be Caesar himself.
Caesar stared at them, his eyes lighting briefly upon each before fixing upon Rothlin and Zeltar as obvious leaders. He quickly scanned Rothlins face before moving his gaze to Zeltar. He frowned, as if Zeltars face was somehow vaguely familiar to him. Talia watched as he seemed to shrug, then turned and seated himself across the table from the Celts. He folded one leg over the other, and stared at them calmly before speaking.
What can I do for you here? Do you wish to surrender, or do you have a proposal for me? Be brief, for I have a wall to take, and a province to punish. He said it calmly, but as if he expected to be answered. Clearly, Talia thought, this man is used to having his orders followed, and quickly. Zeltar made as if to speak, but before he could Talia stood. She was trembling, but she knew that this had to be done. She pulled back her hood, revealing her face. The light from the doorway sparkled in her hair, and Caesar stared at her in surprise. She glanced at Zeltar, and saw that his eyes were wide with shock. She dismissed him from her mind, and returned her attention to Caesar.
I am Talia ne Galeth, daughter of the Lord Bladrath, and titular heiress to the tribe of the Nervii in South Belgae. I have come bearing greetings from my father, and the hopes that peace may still be achievable between us. Zeltar was staring at her, whilst Caesar leaned forward slightly as if interested, but unwilling to show it. She pressed on. I know that you come to punish the tribes for rebelling against you, but especially our tribe for the slaughter of your garrisons throughout our lands. I bear the apologies of my father and his council for this deed, and the promise of their loyalty if you will but spare our people.
Caesar leaned back in his chair, and stroked his chin before replying. All this may indeed be true....Talia, but the fact of the matter is that you have rebelled against the rule of Rome. Rome owns what was your land now, and Rome must have control over what is hers. Thus it is not my decision to attack your people, but that of Rome herself.
But it is you who are the governor of this region. You have the power to turn aside from us, to spare us and the punish the other tribes. We implore you Caesar, turn your men aside.
Caesar laughed. Talia, I have no need to turn aside. My troops, as you know, are more than a match for your people. Three years ago I entered Gaul with only forty thousand men, and took the entire region for Rome. Now my army is much larger, and much more able to defeat your people. I have no need for your submission, although the apologies are accepted. Still, your people rebelled against me, and the tribes must see what happens to those who rebel against Rome. Your people will be that lesson.
Zeltar rose languidly to his feet, and said casually, Well, now that thats over with, we may as well return to our camp. After all, Caesar will undoubtedly be busy preparing to storm the wall, and we also must prepare. Come along Rothlin, Talia. He motioned for the others to rise, and to leave the tent.
Caesar held up his arm, and the guards on the door crossed their spears. Who are you, old man? Your voice and face seem familiar, but I cannot place them.
Zeltar turned, and faced him. My lord, how can you not know me? he asked in mock surprise. After all I did for you. Caesars face showed anger, but still no recognition. Very well then. My name, I believe that you know. I once lived in Rome. You saw me there many times, fighting for my life, as often as not.
Caesar looked thoughtful. You were a gladiator, then. I dont know of very many Celtic gladiators. I once was friends with one, but he is dead now. So then, what rank did you hold? Did you compete in the tournaments?
I arrived in Rome seeking fame and fortune, and became a gladiator, with you as my sponsor, Caesar. Within three matches I had challenged Gladiator One. And I won, I killed the best gladiator in Rome within heartbeats of the match beginning. I was the one that they named the Blade. You yourself called me your friend, the best there ever was. And yet, when I was attacked and killed my attackers in self defense, you were the first to label me a criminal, Caesar. Friendship you forgot, and you led the chase after me. I killed many of your men on my way north, including one of your cousins. But that was unavoidable, Caesar. You did not believe me before, likely will not now. But it is truth. And as I slew your men then, I am here to kill them again now. The word of the Blade.
Caesars eyes smouldered as he nodded slowly. Zeltar. They told me you had died, slain on your return to Gaul. I should have known that you would be more difficult to kill, after how you fought against my legion. I would never have expected to find you here in Gaul, much less fighting for the Nervii. I believe that you once said that you would never fight for politics, only for ideals. He stood. Show them to their horses. They came under a flag of truce, and shall not be harmed. However, Centurion, send a patrol out in precisely half an hour. Kill anything in our territory here, you understand? The centurion clapped a hand against his breastplate and escorted the Celts out. Talia turned, and bowed her head to Caesar. He inclined his, and then turned away, taking up a goblet of wine as they were led back to their horses, and to the wall that waited for them.
Š2001 Ben Thomas, Andiyar Enterprises. All Rights Reserved.
(This message has been edited by Tarnćlion Andiyarus (edited 11-27-2001).)
