Chapter 1: For example

For almost a dozen years tensions between the industrialized North and the farming empires of the South grew and grew until finally they exploded into a war at least in this place and time. It was 1861 and it would not be over until April of 1865. Wait, that it is over may not exactly be true; but in this story it has a similar meaning. To some the war would never be over until the war was won, a very true statement if you ever visit some Southern States, think ‘Sherman’s March’ as a bit more memorable than just an ‘act of war’.

It can also be said that while one side won, there were some who wanted to make certain that the victory endured. Well that was the aim or better said, the rationale thousands of years before also; to make your side better than someone else and remain top dog.

It was not the first time something like this had occurred nor would it be the last. You all realize don’t you that our existence is finite though? We see it all the time, worlds, sun’s, galaxies, constellation, whatever explode, collide or die-out, it is the destiny for earth too. Maybe another place will be better, only for a bit that is.

Things repeat themselves

In another place and a much earlier time, things were a bit different. Right, sure and pigs had wings; NOT.

Just like on this Earth, there was a Tiberius Caesar there who was a man with faults, faults he aimed to fix though. As a military man he felt secure in his ability, but as the ruler he saw nothing but violence and intrigue ahead and much he would have to do to change that. Playing to his strength, a barbarian general named Decius was chosen to command a large portion of his armies(10 Legions, some 100,000 combat troops plus 50,000 auxiliaries) for conquests while he would resist his known enemies, primarily Sejanus, Commander of the Praetorian Guard and the Senate in Rome.

It was hoped that old saying; ‘Out of sight, out of mind’ would not be true!

The more Decius claimed victories in the East though, the more fervent the outcries against Tiberius were from the Senate for not placing a Roman in-charge of those legions. The history of his string of victories, not to mention the gold, slaves and other wealth he sent back to Tiberius made any change in the military command, impossible for the Senate to demand a change. Success was his own self-perpetuating assignment. You don’t change something that is working, at least that was the attitude of most citizens in Rome. One other thing, a non-Roman hero would never aspire for more power in Rome itself.

Things just happen

Decius was not from Rome, as was said. He was a ‘Foreigner’, hence a ‘Barbarian’. The where he was from was as obscure as was the when, for Decius was rather unique. He had his own reasons to excel at war, I should say excel at total annihilation and destruction of the enemy. For whatever reason, the man, had his own troops that guarded him and his noble bearing made Tiberius choose him to command immediately.

He and his guard troops were strange, very strange. There was little doubt any of his troop would support and stay with him through thick and thin, though he always was victorious. That reasoning was proven true in the very first battle. His personal guard were also a reserve for the main Roman troops. Tiberius followed an age old rule of a commander; trust but verify. He had three legions plus part of the 7th as his own reserve. It was comprised of the 2nd, 3rd and 12th legions. The horse with the 7th were made part of the 3rd legion’s cavalry, which now numbering some 1,800 to act as a flank protection if needed.

A battle raged on all one morning and well into mid day. The flank was holding but the 5th legion was losing ground. The 10th’s gain was slight, but the 5th began to fold. Decius and his men surrounded Tiberius’s tent along with 2,000 archers and 3,000 foot of the guard with pikes; plus all his personal guard, sending the rest of the reserve, almost 27,500 foot and all the horse to reinforce the retreating 5th legion. His own guard of 6,000 now faced some 25,000 charging Thracians.

With the pikeman guarding, half raised shields and half created a ring around Tiberius, the first line of defence was Decius’s men. It became a near slaughter. They hacked, cut, thrust and slammed into the enemy and held the line like a wall of machines. Observers from Tiberius’s men said they saw hundreds if not thousands of Decius’s men felled, got cut or stabbed yet get back up and face the charging enemy time and again. When it was over, near all the Thracians lay dead, wounded or surrendered.

How a few thousand defeated so many none could understand. Winning the day and by showing that he cared more to protect Tiberius than himself forged a bond with him that would never be broken. Tiberius returned to Rome, Decius took on the task of more conquests for him.

Heading due East, some few tribes posed little resistance. Upon reaching what on Earth today is Zagreb, he had several decisions to make. The first was which way to go; North, South and East all had land ahead, and land was his primary as well as personal objective. It also would offer a reason, rather an excuse for what was his next move. It would mean a large increase to not only the risks involved but require a great number of legions to undertake his plan successfully.

Being aware of what was at stake, not only for Tiberius but for his own sake, he identified the things required but also offered up possible solutions and alternatives in the messages he sent back to Rome. The current Roman armies would be sent North to conquer those lands nearer to Rome while he would raise new armies to head further East and South. Those heading North would be under the command of one of his most trusted leaders until Tiberius identified another Commander. As he had for his guard, he would only recruit people he could trust and, in time, settle those other regions becoming allies of Rome.

To Tiberius it was a two-edged sword. He was losing his best military mind and a strong leader but gaining lands and support that would never be a part of Rome in his lifetime otherwise.

A message comes.

Out of a mist a rider appeared on a coal black stallion; an Arab mount by the look of it. It’s armour as that of the mount was black as was it’s garb. This happened so quickly that no challenge was given or met. The horse pranced forward, almost dancing it seemed. As it drew near it dropped its front hooves and the rider slid to the ground.

“Clotte, take me to my father!”

“Yes Princess, by your command!” She followed into the tent. Clotte held open the flap, bowed then left, increasing the guard around the tent.

“Father, you are needed back home. Demertas has ... has been causing problems since your absence.”