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Post by Gandalf on Jul 5, 2022 8:49:47 GMT -5
The mustering field in which Rome’s armies seasonally gather when in a state of war.
Levied Troops:
Legio I Romanum
Legio II Romanum
Roman Manpower:
Latium: 12,000 men
Colonies:
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Post by fairies wear boots 👢 on Jul 9, 2022 14:53:53 GMT -5
As the two legions amassed and formed on the field of Mars, under the rising winter sun, so too did the tribunes present themselves to the two Consuls.
One of them, dressed properly but bruised across the right eye socket, was the last of the tribunes and officers to present himself before consul Claudius Marcellus.
Claudius could recognize in this young man the blood of Quintus Servilius Ahala, marking him as the "errant" son the father had put under Claudius' wing.
"I, Quintus Servilius Ahala, son of Quintus who was son of Quintus, have come to serve as military tribune as summoned," he said, repeating a formulaic introduction with a single, flat tone. With him came his horse and all the proper equipment, no doubt supplied by his father.
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Post by Gandalf on Jul 9, 2022 17:30:17 GMT -5
Marcellus looked as splendid as any of the old patrician consuls now that he was beyond the sacred bounds of the Pomerium. Seated upon the back of a pale horse, red cloak flowing in the breeze, bronze breastplate polished to a bright sheen that glinted in the morning sun.
”Ave, Ahala.” Greeted the Consul, whose face was slightly obscured by the cheek-plates of his plumed helmet. Ahala would not see his grimace at the blackened eye - by now it was something of an open secret that the young man had been going around the Aventine at night looking for a fight. By the consul’s side rode his own son, who was a little younger that Servilius. Marcus Minor was a bright eyed, classically handsome youth that had eagerly been enlisted to the latest campaign. It seemed he was among a party of men all of a similar age, presumably the other young tribunes that had been conscripted into the Republic’s armies for the coming war.
”You are just on time. We march imminently down into Campania.”
Announced Marcellus to all present. In truth, Ahala was a little late, for the legions had assembled shortly before dawn. But there was little to be gained in humiliating the young man from the outset.
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Post by fairies wear boots 👢 on Jul 9, 2022 23:21:52 GMT -5
Quintus was nearing thirty, with even a couple silver hairs emerging from his tousled black hair, but had a short and spindly stature, making him seem younger than he was. He frowned, ever so slightly, his sleep-deprived eyes betraying nothing but dread and dolor. The likeness was there, but it was hard not to wonder where and how the father had gone wrong with this one.
"As you command, imperator," he answered still rigidly with little energy.
Ahala ground his teeth as realization of his tardiness showed in his pupils, but he decided to say nothing of it.
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Post by Gandalf on Jul 10, 2022 7:44:52 GMT -5
With a nod, Marcus rode off to pass the command on; the legions were to move out. Servilius was expected to fall in with the rest of the tribunes, mostly being men who were either below him on the social rung or several years his junior. Marcellus did not seem interested in getting to know the young man personally, instead riding imperiously at the very front of the column with none but his consular bodyguard by his side. Marcus preferred silence on the march, at least for the clarity of his own thought, so there would be little opportunity for the two to speak at least until sundown, when the legions would make camp again.
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