The Eagle in Darkness

The evening winter sun shone dimly through the vastness of the Coetirian forests. A wide but winding road, flanked by the numerous thick trees and underbrush made up the terrain on either side of the marching column.

Marcus surveyed his men from atop his mount as they filed past him and gave his horse a pat on the neck. The cold light of the sun let Marcus see that the legionaries of the IV Atlani legion were miserable as they trudged through the dark and foreboding forest road. Frequent glances to either side from the men told Marcus of their unease, a sentiment Marcus shared. It was the perfect place for an ambush. Unfortunately, without ships, it was also the only passage to the North out of Coetirian territory and into that of the Apomeinári. It appeared that the Dryad lord of that land took exception to the Atlani replacing of his puppet with Count Aimeric, a friend of the Republic, so Sertorius had seen fit to extend the legions stay in the region to help secure Aimeric's County from immediate seizure from their mutual enemies.

Marcus heard the cantering of hooves off to his left and turned to see Decurion Lucius Veronius, one of the legions Alae cavalry squadron commanders riding up to him. He saluted to Marcus before nodding to the men filing past, “They seem tense.”

“Merely wary.” Marcus replied, “They’ve tested their mettle against many foes in battle already, and Dryads are no new threat to them. I doubt they fear them any longer.”

“Oh I'm sure you are right tribune, but I wasn't talking about the Dryads." Lucius responded. Gesturing around him he continued “It’s the forest that has them on edge. My lads are holding it together ok all being considered, but the horses don't like it."

"Indeed" Marcus said, looking around with unease at the surrounding trees, "It does carry with it a certain oppressive dread to be sure. But we will be through by tomorrow morning, and then onto Lacoppios and then on into enemy territory, which I understand is more open and hilly than Coetiria was. Your cavalry should be more than happy then."

"Be that as it may, we're not out of the woods yet tribune." Lucius responded still glancing around at the surrounding woods. They seemed to be hanging over them, like giants, peering down at bugs beneath them wondering whether or not they are worth crushing.

Marcus shook his head at the thought. "Perhaps," he said instead "it might put their minds at ease if you were to take your horsemen and ride ahead a little. Maybe seeing the end destination will put your horsemen in better spirits, and the site of your cavalry patrolling the area will give my men a greater sense of security."

"Very well tribune, if those are your orders?"

"Yes they are. Carry on decurion."

Lucius saluted and wheeled his horse around to gather his men. As he left Marcus noted that small white snowflakes had begun falling, lightly dusting the legionaries lorica segmentata and the packs slung over their shoulders. A quiet wind began to blow through the trees deepening the chill and piercing through Marcus cloak and the tunic beneath his own armour and causing the surrounding flakes to swirl and dance. He suppressed a shiver and turned his horse to continue marching along the path down to the head of the column. It was not long before they were due to arrive at their campsite and Marcus should be there to supervise the setting up of the legionary camp in time for the arrival of the II and III legions to allow them time to rest and recover for the following day's final push out of the forest and to Lacoppios.

Once again, Marcus heard the sound of hoofbeats, this time approaching from the right, the rear of the column. Marcus turned to see one of the IV Legion's gestatores approaching. Marcus had ordered them to scatter across the column giving him reports of the columns progress as it marched.

The horse and rider slowed, near Marcus and the young rider, for many young men who could afford mounts chose to serve in the gestatores, put his fist to his chest in salute to Marcus before bending low over his horses neck to address the Tribune.

“Gestator Lucinius Varo, Legio II Hastae.” He announced himself. Marcus nodded for the man to continue, “respects of Imperator Sertorius Marius. He requests an update on the timetable of our arrival at campsite.

Marcus returned the salute before replying, "We are closing in on the campsite, should be there in a matter of an hour or two. Furthermore I have sent a squadron of Alae horsemen under decurion Lucius Veronius to travel down the road and gather some intel. I shall send word when he returns.”

The gestator nodded, "Very well tribune, is that all you have to report?"

"It is."

"I will inform the Imperator. Be advised that the gaps between the legions are widening, it might be worthwhile slowing your pace a little to allow time for the other two legions to catch up."

"My thanks Lucinius." Marcus said.

And with that the gestator rode off back in the direction he had come. Marcus looked after him, before reluctantly riding off to the head of the column. He was loath to slow the march, but the last thing the legions needed was to be split in a place like this. The men would just have to tolerate the march for an hour or so longer. Soon they would be out and in the open air again, free to claim more lands for the Republic.