Sorry for the big delay, I've had a lot on my plate this week, but I'm all set now, so you won't have to wait long for the next one.
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A small white snowflake fell to ground as the Roman army under Megas Domestikos Alexandros Beliarious marched towards Dauphine. It was by now early October, and the chill of winter had come early this year.
Alexandros had marched his soldiers hard for the past two weeks, knowing that they would need to arrive at Dauphine and crush its garrison before December, less they become endangered by the high attrition that winter always brought.
Georgios Curcuas sighed as he marched slightly ahead of the 19th, now in column formation. He could see his breath in the winter chill as he glanced at his surroundings. He had to admit it, the snow was quite beautiful, but he also knew that it could be deadly at the wrong time.
His train of thought was quickly broken by the sound of several horses coming up beside him. Glancing to his side he spotted Center Commander Damian Xerus Rshtuni IV riding with his usual retinue. Georgios quickly saluted the Commander on the march, only to have Damien sneer down at him, nose turned to the air.
“Ah, Georgios was it?” He said in a slightly contemptuous tone.
“Yes sir.” Georgios said with a nod of his head.
“Hrmph, try not to make a fool of yourself. Though I understand that you peasants can rarely help that.” Damian said with a rather high-pitched laugh, which his retinue echoed.
As Damien rode forward, Georgios was left to wonder what the hell just happened.
“Huh…pompous ass…” Georgios muttered under his breath.
“Did you say something, sir?” His Lieutenant and second-in-command Adrianos Mauropus questioned him. Georgios felt himself blush slightly,
“Ah, no, no. Carry on Lieutenant.” He said with a slight wave of his hand. I better watch me tongue; never know who might be listening. Georgios thought to himself with a slight sigh. Not that it mattered so much that Adrianos heard him, Georgios knew he wasn’t the type to tell.
Adrianos had been the same rank as Georgios before his promotion, and had been the closest thing he could call a friend within the army. They usually watched one another’s back when the 19th became engaged in hand-to-hand combat, and would sometimes share a drink or two. When Georgios was promoted, he appointed Adrianos as his lieutenant; wanting somebody he knew he could trust as his second-in-command should he become unable to lead his regiment himself.
Glancing over his shoulder, Georgios smirked slightly, “I hope that wherever we’re going has some decent food. I nearly cracked a damn tooth on that French bread.” A few soldiers who managed to overhear him cackled slightly.
“Yes sir. Though I’m more interested in if they have any good women over there. In the past few cities and towns we’ve been through, they’ve all looked at us like they wanted to kill us. Even the whores!” Adrianos said, his voice rising perhaps a bit too high on the last part, drawing glances from the officers in the two regiments on either of their sides, and sending much of the 19th into snickering frenzy. Adrianos quickly felt himself blush,
”N-not that I would know anything about that! Its just something that I heard…” He said, coughing slightly.
Georgios felt his own face grow a deeper red, as his fellow Regimental Captains gave him odd looks from across the column.
“In any case Lieutenant, I wish they would tell us where the hell we’re going. The air is becoming colder by the hour, and we should be in a city where it is warm, not out here marching to God knows where…” Georgios grumbled, as he felt a chill run through him from the increasing cold.
“I hope we get there soon…” Georgios said, gazing up into the sky.
At the head of his army Megas Domestikos Alexandros Beliarious rode, his wing commanders at either of his sides. Normally his center commander would also be with him, but he had apparently gone to make the march more unpleasant for the infantry than it already was. Alexandros personally did not like the arrogant Aristocrat, but had been pressured into appointing him by the Emperor, who was a personal friend of Damien’s father, Alexios Rshtuni.
The sound of hoofs behind him caused Alexandros to glance over his shoulder; speak of the devil… he thought to himself as he watched Damien quickly riding forward to join them. He gave a salute to Alexandros, while still managing to keep himself devoid of anything resembling humility.
“The army appears to be in perfect order, Megas Domestikos!” Damien reported.
“Ah…yes, thank you Commander Rshtuni.” He didn’t remember telling him to report on the army’s condition. Alexandros could tolerate Rshtuni for now however. Though not exceptional in the least he wasn’t necessarily a poor commander either, other than the fact that his soldiers neither liked nor feared him. There was also the fact that his family’s connection to the Emperor was nothing to scoff at.
“Commander Cydones, how far would you estimate us to be from Dauphine now?” Alexandros questioned his right wing commander, who also was in charge of sending scouts ahead to get a feel for the land.
“We still have roughly three weeks of marching left at our current pace, Megas Domestikos. I cannot recommend pushing the soldiers any harder than we already are, however. The cold is beginning to take its toll on us all, but many of our men’s uniforms are becoming tattered, and their boots worn. We honestly can’t expect much more out of them.” He said with a hint of grimness in his voice.
Alexandros nodded slightly, “I see. Hopefully General Domnus can keep order within his army long enough for us to reach him.” Alexandros said quietly as he looked to the sky at the falling snowflakes. He will have to…
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While Megas Domestikos Alexandros Beliarious and the Stratos Italias marched towards Dauphine to relieve General Domnus and the Romelia Tagma, the Stratos Ano Afrikes under Col. Yusuf was landing in the Spanish Balearics. This landing was ordered by the Emperor himself in order to provide a geographically close staging area for his planned invasion of Spain. Emperor Konstantinos XV believed that he could knock Spain out of the war by landing a large army in Valencia and quickly marching on Madrid. By Konstantinos’ reasoning, King Philip V would be forced to flee his Capital, breaking the Spaniards will to fight on.
The small army protecting the islands was quickly defeated, and the meager fortress put under siege. Yusuf chose to starve the garrison out rather than assault the fortress with his limited army of 10,000 men. The Imperial Navy had gained complete control over the Mediterranean Sea, sinking any ships that attempted to leave France’s southern ports, and utterly smashing what remained of the Spanish navy.
Spain at that time, partly because of the damage done by the Roman Empire, and partly because of there own internal policies, power struggles, and bankruptcies, was in serious decline. The once mighty Spanish Armada was virtually non-existent and modern historians are astonished that they were able to hold on to their colonial possessions during this period.
If it were not for the large Spanish population that lived in the Americas who were able to form semi-organized militia to put down the native revolts, it would have surely been the end of the Spanish Empire. King Philip V was still very young, being not even 21 at the time of the invasion of the Balearic Islands.
With his Grand Domestic in France however, Emperor Konstantinos chose to put off the planned invasion until he could personally consult with the head of his military. By early November, the Stratos Italias had finally arrived in Dauphine and Alexandros immediately had them reinforce Domnus’ Romelia Tagma in their siege of Dauphine.
The final assault to take the fortress began on November 8th.
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The ground was covered with white powder. It fell from the sky, onto the soldier’s uniforms. Its effects were clear as it helped to freeze the very breath that that came from within them. Huddled around hastily made fires, the men of the Stratos Italias struggled to keep warm against the bitter chill of the coming winter.
Georgios sat with a small group of soldiers from the 19th, all gathered around their small fire as they made idle talk to attempt to pass the time. Tossing another block of wood onto the fire, Adrianos glanced at his Captain who, rather than talking with the others, was looking off in the distance towards the fortress of Dauphine.
It was like he was studying it. He didn’t know why, it wasn’t the Captain’s job to devise any strategy beyond keeping them organized. He was simply supposed to lead us where he was instructed. Leaning forward slightly, Adrianos nudged Georgios on the shoulder,
“Captain?” Adrianos questioned arching a brow.
“Hrm?” Georgios snapped out of his gaze and turned to him. “What is it Lieutenant?”
Adrianos chuckled slightly, “Something on your mind Captain?”
Georgios sighed slightly and looked out towards the fortress again, “I was just thinking about the coming assault. I was hoping the Megas Domestikos would allow us more time to rest. We have been marching for weeks on end through the cold, and I don’t know if the men will be up to attacking Dauphine by tomorrow morning.”
Adrianos listened to his Captain speak, and could understand his concerns. Alexandros had indeed pushed them extremely hard over the past few weeks.
“Don’t worry Captain, the men of the 19th will be ready tomorrow, you can count on it!” One of the soldiers by the fire said enthusiastically, as his comrades joined him in reassuring the Captain. Georgios smiled slightly, nodding his head.
“Speaking of which, I want you all in your tents. Make sure the rest of the 19th does the same.” Georgios ordered, receiving grunts of displeasure from several soldiers who were playing Baccarat. They did as they were told never the less.
Georgios stood up, making his way towards his tent. “See you in the morning, Lieutenant.”
Adrianos waved slightly, remaining on the ground for a while longer, as he looked out at the fortress. Such a fortress wouldn’t stop the 19th. The Captain was just on edge from the long weeks of marching, he was sure…
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Hope you enjoyed. Read and reply as always.
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A small white snowflake fell to ground as the Roman army under Megas Domestikos Alexandros Beliarious marched towards Dauphine. It was by now early October, and the chill of winter had come early this year.
Alexandros had marched his soldiers hard for the past two weeks, knowing that they would need to arrive at Dauphine and crush its garrison before December, less they become endangered by the high attrition that winter always brought.
Georgios Curcuas sighed as he marched slightly ahead of the 19th, now in column formation. He could see his breath in the winter chill as he glanced at his surroundings. He had to admit it, the snow was quite beautiful, but he also knew that it could be deadly at the wrong time.
His train of thought was quickly broken by the sound of several horses coming up beside him. Glancing to his side he spotted Center Commander Damian Xerus Rshtuni IV riding with his usual retinue. Georgios quickly saluted the Commander on the march, only to have Damien sneer down at him, nose turned to the air.
“Ah, Georgios was it?” He said in a slightly contemptuous tone.
“Yes sir.” Georgios said with a nod of his head.
“Hrmph, try not to make a fool of yourself. Though I understand that you peasants can rarely help that.” Damian said with a rather high-pitched laugh, which his retinue echoed.
As Damien rode forward, Georgios was left to wonder what the hell just happened.
“Huh…pompous ass…” Georgios muttered under his breath.
“Did you say something, sir?” His Lieutenant and second-in-command Adrianos Mauropus questioned him. Georgios felt himself blush slightly,
“Ah, no, no. Carry on Lieutenant.” He said with a slight wave of his hand. I better watch me tongue; never know who might be listening. Georgios thought to himself with a slight sigh. Not that it mattered so much that Adrianos heard him, Georgios knew he wasn’t the type to tell.
Adrianos had been the same rank as Georgios before his promotion, and had been the closest thing he could call a friend within the army. They usually watched one another’s back when the 19th became engaged in hand-to-hand combat, and would sometimes share a drink or two. When Georgios was promoted, he appointed Adrianos as his lieutenant; wanting somebody he knew he could trust as his second-in-command should he become unable to lead his regiment himself.
Glancing over his shoulder, Georgios smirked slightly, “I hope that wherever we’re going has some decent food. I nearly cracked a damn tooth on that French bread.” A few soldiers who managed to overhear him cackled slightly.
“Yes sir. Though I’m more interested in if they have any good women over there. In the past few cities and towns we’ve been through, they’ve all looked at us like they wanted to kill us. Even the whores!” Adrianos said, his voice rising perhaps a bit too high on the last part, drawing glances from the officers in the two regiments on either of their sides, and sending much of the 19th into snickering frenzy. Adrianos quickly felt himself blush,
”N-not that I would know anything about that! Its just something that I heard…” He said, coughing slightly.
Georgios felt his own face grow a deeper red, as his fellow Regimental Captains gave him odd looks from across the column.
“In any case Lieutenant, I wish they would tell us where the hell we’re going. The air is becoming colder by the hour, and we should be in a city where it is warm, not out here marching to God knows where…” Georgios grumbled, as he felt a chill run through him from the increasing cold.
“I hope we get there soon…” Georgios said, gazing up into the sky.
At the head of his army Megas Domestikos Alexandros Beliarious rode, his wing commanders at either of his sides. Normally his center commander would also be with him, but he had apparently gone to make the march more unpleasant for the infantry than it already was. Alexandros personally did not like the arrogant Aristocrat, but had been pressured into appointing him by the Emperor, who was a personal friend of Damien’s father, Alexios Rshtuni.
The sound of hoofs behind him caused Alexandros to glance over his shoulder; speak of the devil… he thought to himself as he watched Damien quickly riding forward to join them. He gave a salute to Alexandros, while still managing to keep himself devoid of anything resembling humility.
“The army appears to be in perfect order, Megas Domestikos!” Damien reported.
“Ah…yes, thank you Commander Rshtuni.” He didn’t remember telling him to report on the army’s condition. Alexandros could tolerate Rshtuni for now however. Though not exceptional in the least he wasn’t necessarily a poor commander either, other than the fact that his soldiers neither liked nor feared him. There was also the fact that his family’s connection to the Emperor was nothing to scoff at.
“Commander Cydones, how far would you estimate us to be from Dauphine now?” Alexandros questioned his right wing commander, who also was in charge of sending scouts ahead to get a feel for the land.
“We still have roughly three weeks of marching left at our current pace, Megas Domestikos. I cannot recommend pushing the soldiers any harder than we already are, however. The cold is beginning to take its toll on us all, but many of our men’s uniforms are becoming tattered, and their boots worn. We honestly can’t expect much more out of them.” He said with a hint of grimness in his voice.
Alexandros nodded slightly, “I see. Hopefully General Domnus can keep order within his army long enough for us to reach him.” Alexandros said quietly as he looked to the sky at the falling snowflakes. He will have to…
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While Megas Domestikos Alexandros Beliarious and the Stratos Italias marched towards Dauphine to relieve General Domnus and the Romelia Tagma, the Stratos Ano Afrikes under Col. Yusuf was landing in the Spanish Balearics. This landing was ordered by the Emperor himself in order to provide a geographically close staging area for his planned invasion of Spain. Emperor Konstantinos XV believed that he could knock Spain out of the war by landing a large army in Valencia and quickly marching on Madrid. By Konstantinos’ reasoning, King Philip V would be forced to flee his Capital, breaking the Spaniards will to fight on.
The small army protecting the islands was quickly defeated, and the meager fortress put under siege. Yusuf chose to starve the garrison out rather than assault the fortress with his limited army of 10,000 men. The Imperial Navy had gained complete control over the Mediterranean Sea, sinking any ships that attempted to leave France’s southern ports, and utterly smashing what remained of the Spanish navy.
Spain at that time, partly because of the damage done by the Roman Empire, and partly because of there own internal policies, power struggles, and bankruptcies, was in serious decline. The once mighty Spanish Armada was virtually non-existent and modern historians are astonished that they were able to hold on to their colonial possessions during this period.
If it were not for the large Spanish population that lived in the Americas who were able to form semi-organized militia to put down the native revolts, it would have surely been the end of the Spanish Empire. King Philip V was still very young, being not even 21 at the time of the invasion of the Balearic Islands.
With his Grand Domestic in France however, Emperor Konstantinos chose to put off the planned invasion until he could personally consult with the head of his military. By early November, the Stratos Italias had finally arrived in Dauphine and Alexandros immediately had them reinforce Domnus’ Romelia Tagma in their siege of Dauphine.
The final assault to take the fortress began on November 8th.
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The ground was covered with white powder. It fell from the sky, onto the soldier’s uniforms. Its effects were clear as it helped to freeze the very breath that that came from within them. Huddled around hastily made fires, the men of the Stratos Italias struggled to keep warm against the bitter chill of the coming winter.
Georgios sat with a small group of soldiers from the 19th, all gathered around their small fire as they made idle talk to attempt to pass the time. Tossing another block of wood onto the fire, Adrianos glanced at his Captain who, rather than talking with the others, was looking off in the distance towards the fortress of Dauphine.
It was like he was studying it. He didn’t know why, it wasn’t the Captain’s job to devise any strategy beyond keeping them organized. He was simply supposed to lead us where he was instructed. Leaning forward slightly, Adrianos nudged Georgios on the shoulder,
“Captain?” Adrianos questioned arching a brow.
“Hrm?” Georgios snapped out of his gaze and turned to him. “What is it Lieutenant?”
Adrianos chuckled slightly, “Something on your mind Captain?”
Georgios sighed slightly and looked out towards the fortress again, “I was just thinking about the coming assault. I was hoping the Megas Domestikos would allow us more time to rest. We have been marching for weeks on end through the cold, and I don’t know if the men will be up to attacking Dauphine by tomorrow morning.”
Adrianos listened to his Captain speak, and could understand his concerns. Alexandros had indeed pushed them extremely hard over the past few weeks.
“Don’t worry Captain, the men of the 19th will be ready tomorrow, you can count on it!” One of the soldiers by the fire said enthusiastically, as his comrades joined him in reassuring the Captain. Georgios smiled slightly, nodding his head.
“Speaking of which, I want you all in your tents. Make sure the rest of the 19th does the same.” Georgios ordered, receiving grunts of displeasure from several soldiers who were playing Baccarat. They did as they were told never the less.
Georgios stood up, making his way towards his tent. “See you in the morning, Lieutenant.”
Adrianos waved slightly, remaining on the ground for a while longer, as he looked out at the fortress. Such a fortress wouldn’t stop the 19th. The Captain was just on edge from the long weeks of marching, he was sure…
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Hope you enjoyed. Read and reply as always.
