Death of a king.

{Centurion Alexander}

Night falls quickly and we wait finally the High Centurion Bellona rises and motions for us to advance. We slip down the embankment advanceing in a crouch. I reach the first guard and strike my hand wraps around his mouth as my sword exits his chest. He slumps back against me and I let him carefully to the ground. We continue using the buildings as cover slowly advancing through the town. Finally the alarm is raised. A guard manages to scream. The High Centurion leaps to her feet and growls.

"Kill or incapacitate anyone who comes out."

There is a gasp from my left. A man has come out of his house. I look at him and he quietly steps back into his house. I look at the veterans.

"Kill."

We stand up and fan out. Stealth is done with now we have fun. I run towards a guard and use a cart to kick off launching myself. He manages to block my sword and I am momentarily suspended my sword against his before my foot slams into his chest and I backflip. Landing in a crouch. The guard has fallen over and I take the advantage i use my hand to keep from falling as I speed forward and plunge my sword into his tunic. I stand and turn down the street several of my veterans are fighting it appears they found the guard house. I run down the street grabbing a spear from a fallen guard and pass the hight Centurion who is holding a fat man with her ripper to his throat.

"Can I have your attention please?"

The guards glance at her then do a double take. She smiles and pulls the trigger of the ripper quickly carving through the mans neck.

"Thank you."

I toss her the spear and she slams it point first into the ground then with a squelch mounts the head on the shaft.

"You have 2 choices. Kneel or die."

Several of the guards drop to their knees but two rush at her. I kick the closest in the knee and she blocks the sword of the other and punches him in the throat. I move to behead the one closes to me.

"Wait. We need some to crucify Alexander."

I chuckle. Before throwing my head back and screaming. In an instant torches are lit out in the darkness surrounding the village on every side our arm waits. As the guards look around at the forces the rest fall to their knees.

"Crucify a quarter of them and any townsfolk that give us trouble." "Yes High Centurion."

{High Centurion Bellona}

A full month has passed since we subjigated the first town. We spent 4 days bringing it into submission. We then continued the march taking the other two towns we are currently encamped surrounding the walled city. One of the centurions in the east found a traider who quickly gave up a map of this kingdom. And from what we can tell this is the capital. Caesar wishes to take this quickly so I have been given every Legionary we can spare expansion has stopped in all directions so that Legionaries can be funnelled to us. I have also received the first batch of recruits. The woman who approached me in the tent is among them. They have been placed among the Legionary Recruits however I cant help but notice that they have crude wreaths painted on their helmets. I'm kinda starting to regret doing that. We have maintained a constant blockade around the capital. Several traiders have arrived any who claimed to be a part of this kingdom have been crucified and their wares claimed. The rest have claimed to be from somewhere called Yunkai which they say is a free city. Most of these traiders have been turned back however one was a piece of work so he got crucified. The city has sent out several emissarys however they stopped when the 12th was crucified. Now they keep guards on the top of the walls at all times. However I have been informed that their are Frumentarii inside the city ready to open the Eastern gate. I am sat in my tent reading a book on romean history when a Legionary burst in. Legate, High Centurion we have a letter. He holds out a scroll attached to an arrow. I take it and read.

'They are planning to assault the blockade from both sides. They have used raven's to communicate with their towns in the south and they are sending an army that will arrive tomorrow night. They are planning to send their army out at the same time.'

I hand the letter to Centurion Alexander.

"We must attach tonight." "I agree." "You prepare the defence I'll lead the assault on the city." "You would refuse me the glory of battle?" "We need a defence incase this letter is inaccurate you keep half the army and prepare the defence. I'll take Centurion Ilens and prepare to take the city by nightfall." "Yes High Centurion"

I stride out the tent and summon Centurion Ilens.

"We need to take the city today. An army will arrive tomorrow. Get half the army stationed at the eastern gate. Break out the guns we will need them.

By nightfall we are ready. I have my half of the army spread around so they aren't suspicious. But as night falls one of my archers leans back and fires a flameing arrow. We wait as the seconds tick by. A commotion can be just be heard and the Eastern gate swings open.

"NOW"

Arches and Legionaries open fire at the top of the walls and I set off at a run. Soldiers scream from both side as arrows decend and bullets rise. I reach the gate and pull out my Sequoia, that ranger doesn't need her anymore, and blast the guard trying to close the gate I force it open more and step through bodies are strewn about and several Frumentarii are among the bodies.

"Hold the gate open and send a medic to check thr Frumentarii."

Centurion Ilens nods and I stalk forward my ripper at the ready. A guard rushes me his blade slices my arm and I punch him. In yhe face as he reels my ripper lasher out and tears through his throat. Legionaries rush past me engaging more guards in battle. I glance down at my arm. The wound isn't deep and no where near bad enough to need dealing with now. I advance behind the Legionaries. Every now and then someone will play the hero and rush me. They usually get a small cut before I break their nose and then introduce them to the blade of my ripper. By the time we reach the palace. My Legionaries have opened the south and northern gate allowing more of my forces in. My Legionaries are running rampant throughout the city and several fires have been started. Men women and children are being dragged from their homes and escorted out of the city while Legionaries ransack the buildings. I stand before the palace. Men in bright highly polished armour stand ready.

"Intruder we will give you one chance to bow before the Sorcerer King and repent." "Shut the fuck up. i in the name of Caesar give you the chance to kneel or die." "As if we would kneel before some weakling war lord." "Thats what I hoped you would say. Kill!" The Legionaries accompanying me rush forward to engage. I walk among them on of the guards rush me. His blade catches against my ripper and I kick him in the knee I drive my knee into the back od his head his helmet coming off. I drive his shoulder to the ground with my boot and lower my ripper. Someone grabs my hair and pulls, i grab my machete from my thigh and slice through my hair. He screams as my machete takes some chunks out of his fingers. He reals back and gets a spear to the stomach. I wrap my legs around the first mans torso and grab his head wrapping my arm around his chin. I grab my hand and begin to twist. He grabs my arms his nails digging into my flesh. Then a boot slams into my arm and his neck snaps. I release his body and stand up. I look up to see one of the woman who arrived with the new recruits, she hands me back my ripper. I check my arm and the imprint of her boot is already bruising.

"I will be recommending for you to be promoted to prime Legionary. But next time aim for the head not my arm."

She beams. I turn and continue advanceing on the palace doors. The sunlight cuts through the gloom as I stride inside. A man sits on a throne. He raises his hand and a figure in full plate armour leaps from the shadows. My ripper tears up the edge of their blase and I kick them in the chest. They remain low stalking sideways. I chuckle and raise my Sequoia. The first shot throws them off balance as it ricochets off there chest piece. I smile and leap forward my ripper sends sparks as it dances across the plate at their shoulder and cuts the strap. I backhand them across the face causing the helmet to come lose. I pull them in close and kiss them on the lips. They freeze up then scream and cough up blood as my machete digs deep into their side. I let them drop. And lick my lips tasting their blood.

"You taste lovely."

Their helmet crumples under my boot. I slam my foot on the handle of their sword causing it to flip into the air and catch it.

"How dare a woman stand before the great"

I throw the sword it spins through the air before pinning him to the seat.

"Gold is valuable but a poor construction material. Too soft. And a gold throne is a waste."

He splutters feebly pulling at the sword. He raises a hand and a wave of fire erupts from his hand scortching across my head. His laughter is drowned out by my scream. I lunge across the room and grab the haft of the sword twisting it free from his flesh and begin punching. I only stop when Centurion Ilens drags me off his corpse.

"Burn the city down. The kings guard will be crucified at the gates along with a quarter of the military and civilians."

I push him off and storm out the building. My head spins and I am back there the soil landing on me the claustrophobia. The pain in my head. Benny is stood infront of me, his suit his hair his fucking grin. My hands are free this time. My fist strikes his face and he goes down. His goons grab me pulling me back. No, they are dressed in red with black helmets. I blink. The man on the ground is a Prime Legionary not Benny. I need a drink. I make it out of the city and back to my tent. The bottle is on my table, I pop the cork and down half the bottle. The fuzzy oblivion of alcohol soothes everything again.