Prola 5

Boom! Sounded through the air as the onagers' boulders first smashed into the city of Prola. Some aimed for the gatehouse and walls, and others aimed flaming boulders inside the city, attempting to damage the morale of the defending barbarians. The city was rocked as boulders continued to be fired every 20 seconds from the onagers, destroying many houses and the people within and starting many fires. On the other hand, the Ballistas aimed for the barbarians on the walls, but unfortunately, most of the arrows hit the crenellations, protecting the barbarians behind them. 

Elsewhere, under the rising sun, groups of 10 scouts ran toward the tree line, spreading out. The groups of legionaries, including Legate Rascius, stayed 100 meters behind them, attempting to stay hidden, ready to spring into action if barbarians were found. As the scouts reached the tree line, they slowed into a jog, becoming cautious and constantly watching their surroundings for enemies. Quickly, they came across enemy lookouts in the trees, which they swiftly dealt with by slitting their throats. 

Within five minutes, one group of southern scouts hidden in the bushes came across a makeshift camp teaming with barbarians, all drinking and partying, celebrating yesterday's events. The camp had animal pelt tents lying everywhere, disorganized, and most men were sitting around the firepits drunk as skunks, not expecting to be exposed. The scouts laying low counted 500 barbarians, but most concerning of all, they spotted what looked to be mages among them, dressed in all-black robes from head to toe with a prominent symbol of a green laurel reef on the back of the robes.

Upon seeing this, the head scout of this group immediately said, "Jamus, send word to the legionaries behind us that we have found a group of around 500 barbarians. However, they seem to have company, most likely mages, due to their lack of weapons on their waists. Tell them to be careful when approaching to avoid giving up our position."

Immediately, Jamus turned around, running stealthily half-crouched towards the legionaries trailing them to call in the spot. After running 100 meters as silently as possible, knowing where the legionaries were, Jamus spotted them quickly in the bushes, crouched as low as possible, and attempted to camouflage. 

Slightly panting, Jamus explained to the Centurion of this cohort what they had spotted and the oddity that lay within warning of possible mages. With a concerned face, the Centurion immediately ordered his cohort, which consisted of 1000 swordsmen and spearmen, to spread out and surround the camp slowly, staying low and being stealthy. He told them that in 30 minutes, he would initiate the attack, and at that time, stealth would be broken and to charge in with him, hopefully surprising the enemy. 

Within the next 30 minutes, 1000 legionaries stealthily crept around the camp hidden in the bushes, very careful not to make any sudden movements that would cause their armor to clink. In less than 25 minutes, they had crept around the camp surrounding it and were lying in weight for the attack signal from their centurion. 

In no more than five minutes, suddenly, a man dressed head to toe in full royal red Lorica segmentata flanked by 50 legionaries was seen running full pelt at the partying barbarians. Roma Invicta! Screamed through the air as the remaining 950 legionaries started their assault, all wanting blood for what had happened the previous night. 

The barbarians and their allies were so taken by surprise that they didn't even have time to reach for their weapons before the Centurion reached the first campfire slaughtering the 8 men around it instantly. 

"Kill them all for His Majesty the King. Roma Invicta" screamed out the Centurion at the top of his lungs. 

Soon after this was shouted, some of the barbarians had managed to get on their feet but were stumbling around drunk as skunks, unable to mount a defense. Soon, the legionaries reached them and cut the barbarians down where they stood. Unfortunately, the unknown mages provided a much greater threat. While still slightly tipsy, they were smarter than the barbarians and quickly used spells to defend themselves and counterattack, killing a few legionaries.

Watching this unfold out of the corner of his eye, the Centurion quickly ordered the legionaries to close the gap between them and use their physical advantage against the mages. This immediately turned the tide of the battle against the mages, who were sluggish because of the alcohol. 

In no less than five minutes, all the barbarians and their allies were dead, betrayed by the substance that had brought them joy just moments before. Seeing that they had unexpected enemies, the Centurion decided to get a few legionaries to pick up two of the dead mages and take them back to the siege camp for inspection. After sorting this out, they moved out again onto whatever else awaited them deeper in the forest. 

Elsewhere, with Legate Rascius coordinating, similar situations were happening throughout the forest as the brave legionaries slowly cleared out their enemies, slowly turning the forest red with blood. 

Back at the siege camp Marshal-General Helvius and the remaining Legates were on the walls watching as the onagers fire boulder after boulder at the city of Prola. 

The Smiling Marshal-General said, "Well, this is a sight for sore eyes, watching them reap what they sow. Our spies also tell us that potentially the High Chieftain is inside the city, probably cowering inside a residence. Let's hit them with everything we have for a week before proceeding to the next phase of the plan surrounding the city completely before the final assault."

While the Legates nodded, a messenger arrived with a report from the scouts about what was happening in the forest and the surprising revelation of the barbarian's new allies. Upon receiving this new information, the leaders left the walls to view the dead bodies of the mages interested in this symbol. Reaching the bodies, the leaders saw two bodies still covered in black robes with the addition of blood smears. 

Shocked, Legate Droniu immediately began speaking with a trembling voice. "Marshal-General, I recognize this symbol. This green laurel reef was next to the Commander's signature on the letters we seized from the bandits that rocked us a few years ago. 

"This is indeed troubling. It seems we have a full-on conspiracy on our hands. Somebody doesn't like our kingdom's new ruling order. We will fully investigate this after this war, but for now send word to the capital to keep them informed. We need to focus on the battle that awaits us." Replied an uneasy Marshal-General.