The Prefect and the second turma had ridden on ahead, leaving the second and third centuries behind. It didn't take long for them to begin their journey as well.
It was monotone, but rapid progress was being made at a steady pace.
Fortunately, the sun seemed to become less intense as they entered a more forgiving climate.
Their march, previously upon dry rocks and sand, soon transformed into patches of fresh grass upon humid earth. The occasional lone tree and shrubbery they passed by were welcomed sights, and the refreshing wind washing down on them from the looming mountain was heaven-sent.
This was great because Rainer was exhausted, and had been sweating buckets. He now marched with his back slouched, and his spear had long taken on the honorable role of a walking staff.
Rainer had asked around for their next location and he was told that it was the City of Apulum.
If he remembered his history correctly, Apulum around this time was a major Roman military and administrative stronghold, a place where legions went to resupply both manpower and logistics.
However, it was a very busy place as there were numerous military officers, soldiers, and people there. He doubted the cohort would head there directly, they would likely set up camp farther out from Apulum itself.
"Camp in sight!"
A yell broke through the din, and Rainer peeked out the side of the column.
Ahead lay a wide, sprawling camp not unlike the one in which he was crucified a few days ago. Only this time the palisades were still under construction, so he could see a lot of hazy movements within.
Rainer's face lit up.
"Finally! The march is over!"
He let out a relieved cry, falling out of formation to sprawl on a patch of grass. Many auxiliaries saw this and thought it humorous.
"Haha! They didn't march at Olympus, did they?!"
"The gods have it easy!"
"Idiots! He's not in his divine body!"
"To think that Greek slave became a god."
"Wasn't he a daemon?"
The soldiers lively bickered amongst themselves as they marched on, also happy to have reached camp
Rainer looked up at the wide blue sky with tired, sunken eyes.
"Aye! I'm famished! I'm definitely going to cancel training tonight. I need food and a long sleep..."
Rainer thought, yawning as his eyes shut.
....
When he opened his eyes again, he languidly looked around.
He had unknowingly taken a nap for what felt like an hour.
He yawned and drew himself to his feet, eyes attracted by the cacophony of activity exuding from the camp.
*Uuurrrrl!*
Rainer idly caressed his growling belly.
'I wonder where Hops is. I need him to get me some grub. I'm famished.'
He wondered before proceeding toward the camp.
The cohort's deep green banner snapped in the wind as he walked past the guards at the gate. The golden tiger silently watched his movement, an act mirrored by half the soldiers who spotted him on the way.
The path between neat rows of white, eight-man, goat-hide tents was churned by boots and hooves, and the smell of iron and sweat only increased as he trudged in deeper.
The clanking of spoons and pots echoed the soldiers' hunger as many tried to whip up a meal for themselves, and the woodsmoke was so intense it prickled the eyes. Yet, Rainer's eyes were wide open, taking it all in. The nostalgia he felt then was of an uncanny intensity that threatened to suck him back to past lives; glorious times with his brothers in the legion. Times when it was easy to admire the Roman Empire, to be wrapped in a near-zealous fervor over its potential to become timeless.
But he knew better now...
His eyes drifted to the people, and it was at that moment that he truly acknowledged it.
These weren't Romans—No, not yet.
He looked around and saw adventurers, thrill-seekers, and mercenaries simply here to partake of Rome's treasury. Men of coin and less of spirit.
He did not feel—nor see much of the fire he'd found in the eyes of men during his services in the legion.
He disappointedly looked away, shaking his head.
He wondered why he sought to find such here, or why it was even needed.
He never spent much time with the auxiliaries, but he knew they served the function well. The fangs of the beast known as the Roman Empire: versatile, dangerous, and much more expendable than legionaries—than Roman blood.
An intrigued smile suddenly tugged at his lips.
Nonetheless, he was pleased with the situation. He'd get to see firsthand how the auxiliaries operated.
To someone like him, new experiences were always welcomed.
At that moment, he spotted Hoplite walking across the path, meandering through the crowd.
'Found him!'
"Hops! Hops-kun!!"
He called out, eyes alight with anticipation as he waved.
Hoplite turned and froze when he looked toward him. His expression was a picture of horror like a deer before a headlight.
Then he hurried off.
Rainer's excitement died and his arm fell. He had a perplexed look.
"Hm? Why is he avoiding me—"
It was then that he noticed a presence ominously standing behind him.
He glanced back to find Commius, looking down at him.
He was draped in a simple flowy tunic, his bandages seemed to have been changed, and even through them, his Germanic muscles were clearly defined, bulging.
Overall, he looked good.
He gazed down at him and let out a malicious smirk.
"Do you find your weapons comfortable, godling?"
He taunted, letting out a raspy laugh.
Rainer raised a questioning brow, frowning slightly.
'What?! Is he in love with me or something? A stalker with nothing better to do?'
Rainer turned fully to get a good look at him.
'I mean... I got nothing against buff boys but I'd like my S/O to at least have some feminine traits.'
His thoughts aside, Rainer sighed and shrugged.
"It'll get easy in no time."
He stated and Commius scoffed, amused.
"I heard you fell unconscious after the march. It was a pathetic display..."
He said, looking him over with a subtly predatorial gaze.
"Perhaps, somewhere in there is simply the lazy slave I strangled to death."
Rainer felt his body instinctively freeze, his mouth dried up and his throat became raspy—reflexive actions born of fear.
A fear that was not his.
Rainer let out a light chuckle, idly running a hand across his hair as he looked away to hide his dark smirk.
'It seems I'll have to teach this guy to find someone else to bully.'