Reluctant Siege Read online

  “The Syracusan army is marching on Messina,” Alerio explained. “I traveled to Messina and got drafted into the Sons of Mars. What I don’t understand is why did they asked the Empire to come into their city. What difference does it make which pack of wolves you let into your hen house?”

  “The Sons of Mars have been raiding Syracuse farms and outlaying towns. Hiero the Second defeated the Sons at the river Longanus years ago. He left after a promise that the Sons would stop raiding his people,” Velius related as he placed his hands on his knees to help him stand. “They broke the promise. So, the Sons allowed the Empire to come in and protect them. The Qart Hadasht may claim sovereignty and declare Messina part of the Empire. But, unlike the King of Syracuse, they won’t begin by crucifying the Sons of Mars.”

  “The Empire sent Admiral Hanno to command Messina,” Alerio explained as he followed Velius into the Planning and Strategies room. “He does seem to have taken over.”

  “I don’t know the Admiral,” the Tribune admitted as he shuffled to the tabletop relief map. “But I do know the Republic has a problem.”

  Alerio reached into a box. He pulled out a yellow Qart Hadasht block and placed it on the section of the map occupied by Messina. Not to be out done by the young Legionary, the Tribune pulled a blue Syracuse marker and placed it beside Messina.

  “The Empire is on our threshold,” Velius stated. “I hope you’re ready to travel. We’ve got to inform the Senate.”

  “After we report, do you think I can take my leave and visit my family?” Alerio asked as he headed for the internal doorway.

  “Like ocean tides, the debate will ebb and flow,” Velius answered. “But unlike the cycle of the seas, the Senate takes more than a day to reach a high-water mark.”

  “Is that a yes or a no, Tribune?” Alerio inquired before entering the long hallway leading to the Legion offices and his gear.

  “We shall see, Lance Corporal, we shall see,” mumbled the Tribune as he studied the map. With the Empire not much farther than a bow shot from Republic soil, the head of Planning and Strategies for the Southern Legion had other things on his mind. A vacation for Alerio was low on the list.

  Chapter – 53 Arriving and Leaving the Capital

  Consul Appease Clodus Codex was livid. Not so much at Tribune Velius’ news about the Empire being in Messina but at his analogy.

  “If we had Qart Hadasht forces that close to the Capital, it would be a siege,” Velius explained once he and Alerio had been granted an appointment to see the Consul. “I understand your reluctance, but we need more resources for the Southern Legion.”

  “Your understanding is merda,” burst out Consul Codex. “Flaccus emptied the Republic’s coffers to seek revenge on the Etruscanons at Volsinii. The citizens are screaming for infrastructure necessary to expand the Capital. The Senate is divided over funding for a thousand and one problems. And you promenade in here asking for a Legion to march against the Empire and start a new war.”

  “No Consul. All I asked for was funding for more Legionaries to protect our southern border,” pleaded Velius. “Maybe I could have chosen a better comparison.”

  “Maybe so. I’ll bring it up with the Senate,” Codex promised. “Keep yourself available for questioning, Tribune. Now, get out of my office.”

  ***

  On the steps of the Capitol building, Alerio turned to the Tribune.

  “Does the Consul mean I should keep myself available, as well?” inquired Alerio.

  “No Lance Corporal. Go see your family,” Velius explained. “But stop at the stockyards and buy a horse. I want you back in four weeks. We have more work to do. King Hiero the Second will delay his march on Messina so we have time.”

  “But the Syracusan army is ready to march,” advised Alerio.

  “That was against the Sons of Mars,” Velius informed the young Legionary. “The Empire and Syracuse have a treaty keeping them both from invading the northeast of Sicilia. King Hiero will send protests to the Empire before he marches. If he marches.”

  “How is it that Hiero was going to capture Messina?” inquire Alerio. “And now he’s protesting the Empire’s occupation.”

  “That lad is foreign politics by old nemeses,” replied Velius. “Now off you go.”

  “By your leave, Tribune?” Alerio asked.

  “Dismissed, Lance Corporal Sisera.”

  The End

  A note from J. Clifton,

  When I started Clay Warrior Stories, I was uncertain if readers would enjoy adventure stories set in the mid Roman Republic. There are many books using the Roman Empire as settings. I went against the trend by writing in an earlier period.

  To complicate matters, the Republic before the first Punic War differed from the vast regimented Empire that is familiar to most people. By studying ancient technology, reverse engineering tactics, reading about historical events, searching for Latin curse words, and looking up Gods and Goddesses, I hoped to bring the mid Republic to life.

  The result, you like my work and sales are great -a big cross chest salute to you.

  I’ve answered many e-mails from readers discussing the differences between the Empire and the Republic. All taught and challenged me to grow as a writer. Most were positive. Quite a few were informative. And a few were super critical. You can’t please everyone.

  I appreciate the readers who reached out to me with e-mails expressing their opinions.

  The first four books in this series covered the years before the first Punic War. In book five, we’ll follow the first Legion units to cross a body of water to fight an established Empire, and a Kingdom, on foreign soil. Hopefully, you’ll come along with me for the adventure.

  Thank you for reading Clay Warrior Stories.

  Military Adventure both Future & Ancient

  Other books by J. Clifton Slater

  Clay Warrior Stories

  Clay Legionary

  Spilled Blood

  Bloody Water

  Reluctant Siege

  Galactic Council Realm

  On Station

  On Duty

  On Guard

  On Point

  I like chatting with readers and I do read reviews on Amazon.com and Goodreads.com. If you have comments or want to reach me, I am available.

  Thank you,

  J. Clifton Slater

  E-Mail: [email protected]

  Twitter: @GalacticCRealm

  FB: facebook.com/Galactic Council Realm & Clay Warrior Stories

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