The Eagles of Avalon

Sorry gents, it's coming. I'm in a position where I'm awaiting VJ's next update on an external site, and his Senate revolt is necessary before Remus' final move into Rome can occur. I'm assured it'll be soon and I've just proofread his latest snippet.

Deamon, I'm hooked on Arthurian Total War and I wish I could pit its units in battles against the other late Roman mod I use, Invasio Barbarorum. It would be perfect. Thanks for the recommendation, sir!

Ok, V-J put out his next update at alternatehistory.com, which you guys can enjoy in this thread:

http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=72738

I will be continuing from this real soon and can get to the Rome climax at last!

Jalex said:

why dont you copy and paste it here?
im sure VJ wouldnt mind

Click to expand...

I inquired of an Admin about whether it would be feasible...alas, it is not. At least VJ can still write and I can link to his stuff from here, so we can continue with the story in our way.

von Adler: I can't see either of them running far. No doubt a confrontation looms...

Chief Ragusa: I guess the stutterer hopes to make himself relevant in the coming order. Which is probably what the Senate is trying to do, make themselves relevant.

alex994: Yeah, unfortunately it makes you register, but I don't get any email from that forum or anything, you can enjoy VJ's writings in peace.

Thanks all! I hope to have my next stuff up real soon over here!

June 492

Claudius watched the ships’ fade in the distance, the military vessels easily outstripping their lumbering compatriots. The merchants, too, clearly feared looting and ruin at the hands of the occupying army. And the approaching fog gave haste to their escape plans. He frowned slightly as he counted the ships, and concluded that almost half of the imperial squadron had escaped. A slow trickle of naval construction had meant that a strong squadron of thirty galleys regularly patrolled the waters off the mouth of the Tiber. There would be piracy and naval struggles ahead, he concluded. The old navy had always been an imperial creature. Selenus’ fleet in Sicily would have to be brought north when the time presented itself. For the moment, he knew Remus would be disappointed. Already flames had caught at several abandoned vessels in the old Ostia harbor. Valuable stores would be lost and commerce would avoid the port for some time before it could be seduced back.

Romulus had preferred the old Claudian harbor at Ostia rather than Trajan’s hexagonal Portus just to the north. Its simplicity made it easier to maintain and had more direct access to the Tiber rather than the silted canals. They both had their advantage, sure, and he knew that whoever administrated this town, much work would have to be done to revive the port. The episcopal see at Portus was already upset over the imperial preference at Ostia, and no doubt Remus’ regime would inherit this interference. Militarily, however, his seizure of Ostia was complete and Rome was now isolated from the sea. More importantly, Claudius had sealed off Romulus’ last escape route. Now it remained for the army to squeeze and await events inside the city. Every major road leading out of the city boasted a strong infantry camp. Cavalry kept a close eye on each gate, night and day, and horsemen regularly patrolled the countryside in all directions for up to ten leagues. Personally, he felt Remus was taking chances banking on a Senatorial backbone, yet time would tell. The Senate would make a nice mantelpiece on things, though surely not necessary.

The crunch of rocks told him that his solitude was being disturbed. He turned to eye a well-dressed official flanked by several of his men – advisors, perhaps – and further by a squad of beneficiarii. Their distance was respectful but wary. From the look on the official’s face, Claudius anticipated an angry complaint. To his surprise, the oncomer was rather soft-spoken. His blue tunica was graced by several overcoats of fine fabric, not too ostentatious, yet representative of wealth and influence. Claudius knew almost nothing of fashionable people yet from the cut of his clothing, here was someone who was clearly not an Italian native.

”General,” the man said, inclining his head. The Greek accent clearly pegged him. ”Annaeus out of Neapolis. Here in Italia on the Imperator’s behalf.” He had heard the name before, from the eastern embassy that had fruitlessly treated with Romulus over the past years.

Claudius tightened cautiously. ”Romulus sent you here?”

A small smile appeared on the man’s youthful face. In many respects, he reminded Claudius of Selenus, a youth just maturing into adulthood. Like the other man, he was sporting a fledgling beard, as black as his prolific curly hair.

”The Imperator, he intoned, with a subtle yet definite emphasis on ‘the’. ”Anastasius thinks it best to keep an eye on affairs here on the peninsula. And with good reason, from the looks of things…” he said calmly, looking around at the burning ships. His eyes were sharp, and clearly took in more than just the visual element. ”I arrived just before your army, it seemed. The local officialdom scattered and then I found myself accosted by your guards here.” He glanced at his ‘escort’, with a hint of bemusement.

”And you wish to register a complaint?” Claudius asked neutrally. The veiled slap at Romulus’ legitimacy still echoed in his mind.

”Certainly not,” Annaeus replied. ”Many precautions are warranted in war, don’t you agree?”

Claudius nodded.

”Good. I was hesitant to visit the Roman court again because, I believe, there is to be an imminent change in ownership?”

His information on Annaeus’ embassy was sketchy, yet after the failure of the treaty with Zeno, the proposed imperial marriage, and Romulus’ failure to bend a knee to the East, the embassy was made moot and withdraw to Brindusium for a time and then Campania. The Ostrogoth invasion made Constantinople mud in Roman circles, and Annaeus’ isolation in Neapolis was a clear indication.

”You dance so well with words, Annaeus, surely you’re a politician then.”

”Merely a humble ambassador,” he replied, bowing slightly. ”I do hope to meet with Macrinus soon, if this is permissible. I’m told his praetorium sits near Veii?” Claudius stared back blankly, which brought another smile to Annaeus. ”But of course you won’t divulge military secrets.”

He turned, and spread his arms wide. ”And what of this? I am no soldier, general Claudius, yet let me hazard a guess. Rome is caught in Macrinus’ vise. He has the only army of consequence in the entire peninsula. Within a month, he will be the new ruler in Italia, yes? And what, I wonder, will come of the West. Will he use his Dalmatian allies and seek revenge against the Ostrogoths? Will he continue the work he and Selenus began and subdue the Visigoths and Vandals?”

Again Claudius stood blank. He wondered the very same thing, but knew better than to trust himself in such a conversation. Generals did well to keep silent during such discussions. And besides, the more you let someone talk, the more you yourself learned. The mention of the Ostrogoths made him blink.

”But perhaps I stray,” Annaeus said quietly, picking up on Claudius’ reluctance. ”The late Imperator is dead, Zeno has passed. And Romulus is to follow, it appears. Which brings new men to power in Constantinople and Rome, Anastasius and Macrinus. New minds, new strategies, new…positions?”

”Far beyond the thoughts of an old soldier, Annaeus. I am but Remus’ servant.”

Delighted at Claudius’ grudging reply, Annaeus began walking along the harbor shore, Claudius reluctantly trailing him. The ambassador’s own servants followed in turn, flanked by the guards. Who led whom?

”Very wise, general, though you underestimate yourself. Everyone knows you’re part of the inner circle, one of the three most powerful men in the West with Macrinus and Selenus. What will your role be, I ask? And I’m curious…when the army moves on Rome?”

Claudius barked a harsh laugh. ”Ha! I know you know better than to ask that, so clearly you have some other purpose.” He shook his head, enjoying the mild banter in spite of himself. ”This is why I prefer the simplicity of the field.”

Now Annaeus grew more serious. ”Your timing is your own, then. Soon enough Macrinus will hold sway…and you, and Selenus, and Senator….”

He paused long enough for Claudius to venture, ”Regulus…perhaps Decius, too.” He regretted the answer though it was common enough knowledge.

Annaeus nodded gratefully. ”So it is. When Macrinus sits comfortably in his palace, do remind him that I am merely leagues away here in Ostia. No doubt the mind of Anastasius will weigh on Macrinus’ mind and he will call for me.”

And with surprising authority, he walked away from the harbor, back to the occupied town, no doubt to secure acceptable lodging. Claudius, who had no wish to provoke a diplomatic gaffe, let him go. As much as the arrogant ambassador irked him, he was correct. No West without minding the East. First things first, however, he thought as he glanced towards the Tiber.