|
|
Post by Gandalf on Sept 15, 2021 15:12:27 GMT -5
After a swift march through Greece and to Athens, Pro-Consul Sertorius and the Legio Italica had taken a ship to the coast of Italia, specifically the port of Brundisium. Though under no legal authority to enter Italy under arms, the legion had strongarmed their way into the city and established a garrison there, in the interests of 'keeping the peace'. With news from Saturninus of the events in Rome, Sertorius thought it best to wait for any sign from his ostensible ally that he still lived.
Legio II Italica
1 Allied Italian Legion
20 Quinquireme
Quintus Sertorius
Sertorius the Younger
|
|
|
|
Post by Royal Joker on Sept 18, 2021 11:09:12 GMT -5
A single rider could be seen closing in on Brundisium from the north, driving his horse as if the hounds of Hades were on his heels. As the man arrived at the gates, he announced himself as Gaius Mamilius Vitulus, Tribune of the Plebs, requesting entry to the city.
|
|
|
|
Post by Gandalf on Sept 18, 2021 11:58:31 GMT -5
Brundisium’s gates open. Italy’s main southern port now resembled more an armed camp, the streets and walls manned day and night by a constant garrison.
Sertorius immediately has Vitulus admitted to his de facto headquarters; the manse of one of his wealthy Italian clients that held estates in southern Italia. The Pro-Consul was dressed in a simple red tunic, a sword fastened around his waist, and was in the company of both his son and the tribunes of the second legion.
”Tribune. What news do you bring? What has become of Saturninus?”
A slave fetched Vitulus and the Pro-Consul some wine. The tribunes looked at Vitulus with a mixture of fear and anticipation. Sertorius seemed implacable, the weathered green eyes of the ex-Consul betraying little emotion
”I have heard nothing but bad tidings. If it is as I fear, then we shall soon be declared enemies of the Republic.”
|
|
|
|
Post by Magnate Lucius on Sept 18, 2021 12:23:44 GMT -5
With Vitulus was Lucius Atilius Regulus. Upon entering with the Tribune, he finds himself present with Sertorius, who was the Pro-Consul of Asia
News was circulating of Saturninus' death when I departed after Vitulus. It seems he boldly entered the encampment of Legio VIII, commanded by Atellus, and was promptly captured and executed. His death was confirmed by one of his signet rings being sent to us, along with a letter written by Metellus.
Lucius had learned of the details from Vitulus on the road.
Fortune was with us though... a group of cavalry sought to capture us but the wind gave our horses flight and we evaded them.
|
|
|
|
Post by Gandalf on Sept 18, 2021 12:41:09 GMT -5
”I shall break the news to my daughter this evening.”
Sertorius gravely replied, sinking into his chair. With an abrupt gesture, he dismissed his officers from his presence, before turning harshly on both Vitulus and Regulus.
”I suspect he strung you along in this poorly thought coup? One that we will now pay for with our heads, given that he broke every law of the Republic!”
The Pro-Consul slammed his fist down onto the table.
”I had hoped, a vain hope, that I could negotiate a peace with the Senate. But things have gone too far out of hand and been handled too ineptly to present them with a strong front. You have brought me nothing but grief and poor news, gentlemen. It might have been better that you fell on your swords as my son in law did.”
A harsh expression of anger, but it was well warranted. Quintus knew that they would be all be thrown from the Tarpeian Rock, including himself and his son by association. There was a long silence.
”We have little options left, gentlemen. If we wait, the Senate only grows stronger. I fear we must cross the last threshold and march on our own Republic under arms, Jupiter save me. Either that or we shall all lose our dignity in being branded as petty criminals, which I shall not suffer while still living.”
|
|
|
|
Post by Royal Joker on Sept 19, 2021 14:13:12 GMT -5
Brundisium’s gates open. Italy’s main southern port now resembled more an armed camp, the streets and walls manned day and night by a constant garrison. Sertorius immediately has Vitulus admitted to his de facto headquarters; the manse of one of his wealthy Italian clients that held estates in southern Italia. The Pro-Consul was dressed in a simple red tunic, a sword fastened around his waist, and was in the company of both his son and the tribunes of the second legion. ”Tribune. What news do you bring? What has become of Saturninus?”A slave fetched Vitulus and the Pro-Consul some wine. The tribunes looked at Vitulus with a mixture of fear and anticipation. Sertorius seemed implacable, the weathered green eyes of the ex-Consul betraying little emotion ”I have heard nothing but bad tidings. If it is as I fear, then we shall soon be declared enemies of the Republic.”Vitulus gratefully accepted the wine before consuming it in a single swig, disregarding any norms of etiquette. He had driven his horse as hard as he could have, which left little time for nourishment. The tribune looked haggard and half-dead, the luster in his eyes having left him. He was quiet for a moment before answering, quivering lips as he spoke. "Saturninus is dead. I have his signet ring here, and a letter detailing his suicide. You're completely correct, we lost complete control of the situation in Rome and had to flee. We tried to buy the loyalties of the Vth and the VIIIth legions. I was successful, it would seem that Saturninus was... not." "I fled to Brundisium to catch a ship on its way to you in Asia, to find refuge among allies in the provinces. But if you're here, Sertorius... why are you here? Were you recalled by the Senate?"
|
|
|
|
Post by sforza on Sept 19, 2021 14:44:36 GMT -5
"So it is true then, father"
Sertoria said as she entered the room where Quintus was present in the manse. Only a few hours earlier she had recieived Saturninus' death letter. Though Sertoria knew him only for a short time, the letter did move her and made her uncomfortable and irritable.
"My daughter shall not know his father then"
Sertoria said, the voice in her tone indicated sadness. No child should be without their father. Sertoria looked painfully hurt by that thought.
|
|
|
|
Post by Gandalf on Sept 19, 2021 14:46:10 GMT -5
”I came because the situation demanded it. Lucius sent me a letter, alas that I arrived to late to try to force a resolution.”
A former Consul might have given them some legitimacy, a voice of experience and reason to guide what was at best an erratic and ill-planned seizure of power. Sertorius sighed, and waved at Vitulus a missive from the Senate.
”Now I am to be tried in Roma, no doubt to be found guilty of conspiracy. You and Regulus have already been labelled as enemies of the Republic.”
The Pro-Consul fell silent. If Vitulus had won a legion, perhaps there was some chance of victory by force of arms.
”I shall send my son to the Consuls to try and secure peace and amnesty. If that fails, I fear my hand will be forced.”
Sertorius then turned to his daughter as she entered, face cloaked in a frown.
“Leave us, daughter. We are discussing business. There will be a time to grieve for your husband later.”
|
|
|
|
Post by sforza on Sept 19, 2021 16:19:26 GMT -5
"Always politics"
Sertoria mumbled to herself, still somewhat shaken by the letter she had just received. Quickly she left the room with the assembled men, smiting the door behind her so hard that the sound of the closing door could be heard all over the manse. She'd retreat to her room where she would just sit there and mull over everything.
|
|
|
|
Post by Gandalf on Sept 21, 2021 4:32:15 GMT -5
With his command certain to expire and no resolution with the Senate in sight, Sertorius musters his officers as well as Regulus and Vitulus to a summit within the legion encampment.
|
|
|
|
Post by Magnate Lucius on Sept 22, 2021 2:35:13 GMT -5
With his command certain to expire and no resolution with the Senate in sight, Sertorius musters his officers as well as Regulus and Vitulus to a summit within the legion encampment. Lucius Atilius Regulus joins the summit, wondering what was going to be done.
|
|
|
|
Post by Royal Joker on Sept 22, 2021 10:33:54 GMT -5
With his command certain to expire and no resolution with the Senate in sight, Sertorius musters his officers as well as Regulus and Vitulus to a summit within the legion encampment. Vitulus joins the summit.
|
|
|
|
Post by Gandalf on Sept 22, 2021 12:31:01 GMT -5
"Gentlemen. It appears my appeals to the Senate have fallen upon deaf ears."
Began Sertorius, his brow wrinkled into a taut frown.
"While I have not been declared an enemy outright, the term of my office has expired and I remain accused of treachery. Furthermore, you both remain as enemies of the state."
The victor of the Cimbrian wars looked at both Regulus and Vitulus.
"The best you can hope for from a settlement would be honourable exile. Regulus might eventually be forgiven. I am certain that you, Vitulus, will be hunted until the end of days."
Saturninus had been condemned as a traitor and his death had sunk whatever hope they had at legitimacy. If his son-in-law had not been such a fool, then perhaps things could have proven different. Sertorius grimaced, turning now to his officers.
"But I believe you deserve a better fate than dishonour and death. We all do. And so I will not bend to it. Not when I have shed blood for our Republic against the Cimbri, and saved Italia from the ravages of barbarism."
Now, he was dictating orders to his tribunes, filled with a sudden defiance and renewed vigour. It seems an idea had crawled into his brain from the Gods above.
"Send a rider to every Italian city south of Rome. Tell them that Sertorius seeks to claim vengeance for the slain Saturninus, a sacrosant tribune cruelly murdered by illegal criminals under arms. For those that support my righteous cause, Roman citizenship shall be granted wholesale. Starting with my men, the veterans of the Cimbrian wars. Make it so!"
Suddenly, the tent was awash with officers and equestrians running around like headless chickens. None wanted to be subject to their commander's newfound wrath. Soon enough, only Regulus and Vitulus remained in the tent.
"I shall send my son east to retrieve my other legion and secure help from my allies in Thrace and Bithynia. It is my profound regret that all our good has come to this."
|
|
|
|
Post by sforza on Sept 22, 2021 12:56:23 GMT -5
A rider arrives to Brundisium, he looks tired and dirty for he and his horse had clearly rode a long way. The rider carries a letter with him.
"To Sertorius
I and my group of insurgents to the north of Rome pledge allegiance to your cause. Give us instructions and we shall carry them out.
G.A.D"
|
|
|
|
Post by Royal Joker on Sept 22, 2021 13:14:30 GMT -5
Vitulus listened in silence to Sertorius as the proconsul made his grand declaration.
"You're risking a lot for a few men, Sertorius. Are you sure this is a wise decision? You still have the chance to make a deal, to salvage what's left of Saturninus' legacy if the Senate can be persuaded."
Mulling over their options, Vitulus remembered something crucial.
"The Fifth Legion may stand with us still, though I do not fully know their loyalties at the moment. I've arranged for my associates to supply them with adequate pay for now, but will they stand with us at the deciding moment? I pray they do."
|
|
