Kotys shot him a grim look of doubt, and then he looked back to his sketches.
"The battles yesterday took a heavy toll on the rebels; they now number about a hundred, more or less. The garrison fort is located at a strategic location, cradled between a rocky ravine and a fast-running river, which they were able to channel around back into the ravine before we arrived."
Kotys' dagger swiftly cut through the soil, expertly fashioning the landscape he envisioned.
Rainer pointed toward the gate.
"That means a frontal assault is the only option."
"With the available siege equipment, yes," Kotys affirmed with a nod. "Hence my analysis about a single wall."
At that moment, two horsemen rode up to them, kicking up dust as they came to an abrupt stop before them.
"Daem—Stranger! We have been ordered to escort you to the front!" The horseman addressed from his high perch. His tone was forceful, albeit with a certain fretful quality.
The second horseman dropped a leather vest onto the ground with a look of disdain.
"Mercenary leather armor, courtesy of the Lord Praefect." He notified before casting a disgruntled look Kotys' way.
"Pedite, you may return to your century!"
Kotys simply nodded and stood. Then he went to a large rock, where a spear and a round reinforced wooden shield rested.
He picked them up and brought them back to Rainer, and he took them with an intrigued look in his eyes. However, he couldn't help but notice how the horsemens' grip on their weapons tightened when he did.
Rainer twirled the spear in one hand, testing the weight and finding its center. Then he grinned at Kotys.
"Nice work, Kotys! Just as requested!"
However, before Kotys could reply the spear Rainer twirled fell to the ground.
The horsemen looked at each other and guffawed.
"Son of Mars?! If Mars were a bloke!"
The first spat and the other mocked.
"I reckon a certain drunkard called Mars stumbled about my village in my youth. Could you be his lost spawn?!"
Rainer's brows furrowed and he clenched his fist, raising it up at them in annoyance.
"At least I had a father, bastards!"
They laughed even more, and Rainer bickered infuriatingly with them.
All the while, Kotys observed their interaction with grim silence. He shook his head, picked up his arms, and left.
Rainer glanced at him and called out.
"Kotys!"
Kotys stopped and glanced back.
"Be glad! Because you just won the lottery!"
Kotys brows furrowed mildly in confusion.
"What is that? This—lottery?"
Rainer gave a big grin.
"My friendship!!"
"..."
Kotys watched him with mild uncertainty for a while, but then he turned back toward the marching columns, leaving a word behind.
"Farewell."
Rainer sighed with contentment and looked down toward the armor. He picked it up and slid it over his tunic, the light weight centering him.
"The old man couldn't offer better armor? So stingy."
He muttered to himself, taking and hanging the shield to his back before picking up his spear.
*Buoooo!!!*
A powerful horn blasted into the sky in the distance, making the air tremble and filling it with a nervous energy.
Rainer smirked lightly in anticipation.
'This brings back memories... Though it somehow reminds me of high school life. Ha! Like the morning before an exam you weren't prepared for!'
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, feeling the dry air filtering into his nostrils.
'...But there comes a time when all things must prove themselves true before the heavens.'
When he opened his eyes again, his gaze was focused.
–––
The atmosphere was thick with tension as soldiers moved in formation. The dust-choked air rose from their march, clogging and scratching at the airways.
Beyond, palisades hedged into the ground stood interspersed around before a tall menacing wall. Rebel soldiers ran across the walls and windows, the stringent cries of their commanders booming across the sky in the distance.
*Cluk!* *Cluk!* *Cluk!*
The battering ram rattled, ponderously rolling forth as archers advanced into the safety of the palisades to exchange fire with the rebel archers.
*Buooo!*
The signal was given, and multiple formations formed a soft testudo, steadily marching forth into range of the barrage of arrows whizzing down.
Mounted on a glorious steed behind the formations was the Praefect Alexios. He was garbed in pristine muscle plate armor, sitting dignified between a pair of distinguished armored officers also on their steed, but slightly behind.
He coldly watched the wall brimming with lives soon to be extinguished with a merciless gaze.
"Rebel scum! They do not appreciate what Rome brings to these lands."
An officer beside Alexios spat, face twisted in disgust.
Alexios simply snorted at that.
"It is not wise to rebel against Rome...unless the rewards are within reach, and far outweighs the risks... Chieftain Teres is a crass fool, his bow shall be broken this day."
The officers exchanged knowing glances and smiled.
Suddenly, a pair of horsemen rode past the columns of reserve soldiers standing behind, and up toward Alexios.
"Lord Praefect! He is here!"
The horsemen came to a stop and Rainer dismounted. When he turned and looked toward the garrison fort, he didn't seem impressed.
"It's smaller than I imagined." He excitedly stated, glancing at the Prefect.
The officers behind exchanged odd glances.
"Really?" The Prefect mused.
"Yeah. I've faced worse." Rainer casually noted, and then he looked up at him. "By the way, do you have any special requests?"
Intrigued, Alexios leaned down toward him.
"Request?"
"Yeah, like the head of their leader or something."
He tilted his head slightly, face awash with doubt.
"You can give me that?"
Rainer shrugged. "I'll try, but you have to promise me my freedom. Honestly, I despise this slave status."
Alexios seemed struck with wonder and he soon began laughing, a steady hard laugh like tumbling rocks.
Rainer's nose pinched, frowning.
"What's the matter? You don't agree?"
"No..."
Alexios shook his head, trembling in delight.
"No, I agree. Bring me Chieftain Teres' head and you shall be 'well rewarded'."
Alexios face cracked into a wide smile, and from the looks on the startled officers ' faces, it wasn't something they were used to seeing.
A mischievous smile pulled at Rainer's lips and he thrust his spear into the ground
"Deal."
Suddenly, he sprang out at Alexios.
A hand swiftly pulled out his exquisite, white-crested gallic helmet, simultaneously Rainer's other hand unhooked his gem-encrusted dagger from the sheath, to the shocked and stupefied expressions of all who saw.
Alarmed, the officers were already drawing their weapons. However, Rainer had already grabbed his spear and ran.
"I'll be needing this!"
He turned and strapped the helmet on while looking at Alexios with a mischievous grin.
"Worry not, boss! That head is yours!"
With that, he turned and sprinted toward the garrison fort.
Alexios stared on in bewilderment.
"Perhaps—he really is Mars' wayward son." An officer behind muttered in wonder.