The people in the town hall of Bari were in an uproar. The scout flinched under the shouts of the present nobles. It felt like they blamed him for providing information on the enemy troops. The golden sceptre of the count hit the marble ground three times. The conversations died out as all eyes turned to their leader.

“Do you swear on your life and that of your family, that the report holds true?”, the count asked to verify the information. The scout became even more nervous but kept to his story.

“Yes my lord. The enemy should number between 2500 and 3500 soldiers. I and my comrades have seen them disembark. Prisoners have also been sighted. Mostly forced conscripts from the villages”, the scout repeated.

“And did you gather any more information on those troops? What is their purpose on our soil? The flags are Neapolitan flags, but the legionaries look like they come from the east”, the count inquired and other nobles looked expectantly at the scout.

“We don’t. The equipment and ships are definitely eastern, but it doesn’t make sense for them to send such a low number of troops. Maybe some eastern noble or warlord is trying to capture a few cities during the conflict. A new ally of the Vespasianus maybe”, the scout guessed.

“What kind of scout is this? We need real information. Send them back to investigate the enemy. They shall only return when the enemy identity is clear. Let them die, if even that is too much for them”, a noble suggested and the scout gulped audibly as the count nodded as well.

“We will do so. You will gather further intel. Return only if you know who we are facing. In the meantime, we should plan a sortie and test the enemy’s resolve. They will surrender when they feel the might of our legion!”, the count proclaimed loudly and the cheers of the nobles rang out through the halls.

“Father please let me lead the attack. They hold my bride captive”, the sixth son of the count requested. Falling on one knee before his father.

“You may lead a cavalry contingent and try to restore your and your bride’s honour. Don’t disappoint me again son”, the count allowed and gestured his son to stand up and leave.

“Your grace should we ready all troops for the sortie?”, an armoured man next to the count inquired.

“No. Ready the cavalry and skirmishers. I don’t want a full out battle. Not now at least. Let us test the enemy’s response to this attack. Inform the surrounding towns to close their gate and confiscate all supplies from the villages as well. Let us see when they start to starve”, the count answered and the armoured man departed the room. Followed by a few nobles and soldiers.

“Is there anything else to discuss?”, the count asked.

“Are there any news about the siege of Messana?”, asked a baroness with raised hand.

“The city still stands and the siege continues. The enemy legion is on its way to relieve the siege, but they lack the numbers to do so”, the count informed. The nobles started to mumble under each other.

“Silence!”, the count again used the sceptre to restore the order. “It seems there are no more questions. The next meeting will be after the sortie is executed.”

The nobles raised from their seats and left the hall. Already gathering their respective faction to discuss their next steps and implement the new information in their plans.

Home. I was finally home again. Alaric stood beside me on the beach as the men and women around us made haste to unload the ships. Crates were pulled forwards by animals and the first light cavalry units prepared to scout the enemy. Enemy scouts were near our position and observed our every move. They were our first target.

“Alaric doesn’t it feel nice to be back home?”, I asked, ignoring the shouting around us.

“Not particularly. We should focus on the battle before us”, he answered without enthusiasm. I threw my aide an expecting gaze and received raised eyebrows in return. A shout behind us captured our attention.

“Two silver that you won’t hit him”, one of Cycnus men incited his leader to try. It worked because it was Cycnus. Of course, it would work.

Alaric and I watched as the head of my bodyguard pulled out a pilum from one of the weapon crates.

“He is not going to ...”, I trailed off as the minotaur threw the javelin into the direction of the enemy scouts. The weapon impacted a few metres to its target’s left. The scout hastily jumped on his mount and increased the distance to our troops.

“Horseshit. It was the wind, that doesn’t count!”, Cycnus argued but was already in the process of pulling out the coins.

“That was stupidly close”, Alaric remarked.

“I agree. I will join our scouts for the first mission. Do you remember the plan?”, I asked as a soldier brought a horse to my side. I took the reins from him and mounted it.

“Prepare the legion for a march. Ready the heavy cavalry to deal with enemy raids. The ships will stay close to the shore”, Alaric repeated and I nodded in his direction.

“Good luck and we will plan further when I return. You are to make your own decisions when the need arises”, I informed and galloped forwards. A few of my man cursed at me when I rode dangerously close to them only to fall silent when they recognized me.

I stopped near the thirty other riders. Their captain moved forward and bowed shortly. Valeria was a demi-human and had worked as a ranger in Aegyptus. She had joined for the coin and stayed after being promoted for her performances.

“Boss do you intend to lead this mission?”, the short woman asked.

“It is still your grace, Prince Vespasianus or my lord for you. Don’t start to take after Cycnus Valeria. I will stay in the back. Proceed as you would normally”, I informed her.

“As you wish your grace”, she said and turned to her subordinates. The group was split into ten units of three. I was the fourth member of her group. The scouts dispersed in all directions and I followed the group of my captain.

The enemy riders didn’t try to attack us once. Instead, they followed us while keeping a distance. We tried several times to catch one, but we never managed to bridge the distance between us. After riding on a small hill the city of Bari stood before us. My legion was positioned to the south of the city. To the east was the Adriatic Sea, the other cardinal points bordered the city with flat grasslands.

We continued the reconnaissance unimpeded. Several scouted positions were good places to set up camp, but I would wait until the other teams reported their findings. The enemy wasn’t idle either. Groups of fifty to a hundred men left the city and headed in a certain direction. All avoided the south.

Their mission was unknown to me, but I will need to guard against every possible flanking manoeuvre by the enemy. The last thing we need is to be encircled. Valeria stopped with raised arm when we were able to see the western gate of the city. I strained to see anything but failed.

“Why are we halting?”, I asked.

“It is unwise to continue further. Not with your grace being here. We could be caught or cut off from the rest of the legion”, Valeria answered.

“And what if I want to ride further”, I inquired. She had the same disapproving look on her face as my mother has when I made problems. I would allow this conduct, only because she had a point. “Then let's return.”

I turn my mount and ride with my group back to camp. Dust and motions to my left captured my attention. An enemy cavalry contingent was heading to marching legion. Followed by running skirmishers. I spurred my horse to move faster but realized we wouldn’t reach the troops. Alaric and Cycnus will have to organize the response themselves.

“Valeria gather any of the scouting groups in our vicinity. We will meet on that hill and observe the skirmish from there. Maybe even charge the enemy if necessary”, I command and could see the tension in their faces. Charging at the wrong time would kill us.

I reached the top of the hill and slowed my mount as the troops move to their positions. The enemy cavalry moves to our left, their skirmishers to our right. My heavy cavalry heads towards the middle. The light cavalry moves behind the hills to encircle the enemy. They will pass my position, but won’t reach the enemy in time. Not if the enemy doesn’t commit.

Light infantry with pilum and pikes march to match the enemy cavalry. Our ranged troops flank their sides. The heavy cavalry turns to the enemy skirmishers and prepares to charge them down. The enemy in return immediately retreats to the city. A continent of infantry heads from the city to cover the skirmishers' retreat.

“It looks like a dance doesn’t it?”, I said with a smile to Valeria. The woman watches in amazement as the troops manoeuvre around each other. Neither side lost any legionaries, but the enemy fully retreated near their walls when they spotted our light cavalry to their left

“Did we just win?”, Valeria asked.

“Hard to say. We didn’t get raided and secured the field to move our legion away from the beach. On the other hand, those soldiers could have helped to speed up the process of setting up camp. In the end, we sacrificed a bit of time and speed to protect us from enemy harassment”, I explained. Not quite sure if I did miss anything.

Our cavalry kept mirroring the enemy and we headed back to camp with twenty scouts. The others still didn’t report back. I dismounted and handed the reins of the horse to a random soldier. Alaric was speaking with one of the centurions but dismissed him when he noticed me.

“You handled the situation good”, I complimented.

“Thank you. How went the scouting?”, Alaric asked.

“There are still a few missing, but we already found one good position to set up camp. There is a hilly area four kilometres to the north backed by a small forest and several small freshwater streams. There we will set up camp”, I informed.

“What do you think about the enemy movements?”, Alaric asked further.

“Not sure. Perhaps they just wanted to test us or it was a diversion for something else”, I said. “We did see enemy troops leaving the city. They might try to flank us or do something else. We need to prepare for several possibilities”, I summarised. Receiving a nod from Alaric.

“Where is Cycnus?”, I asked.

“He is leading the cavalry manoeuvre with his war-band. Felt or heard anything about Quintus?”, Alaric changed the topic and I felt my mood fall a bit.

“The last time I saw him was three days before we left Aegyptus. He is alive and somewhere south, but no, I don’t know more nor if or when he might return”, I answered with a sigh. Was this what Niloticus had warned me about?

“He will return. I am sure of it”, Alaric reassured and received a weak smile from me in return.

“Let us proceed with the plan”, I said and we gathered the commanding officers.

The legion moved forward to set up camp in the hilly area. More scouts returned to report their finding one wounded and without his comrades. The enemy had been sighted gathering supplies from surrounding villages. Other cities and towns had also been informed of our arrival.

My biggest worries were put at ease by the reports. At least the enemy wasn’t trying to encircle us. Not yet. The inability to gather supplies from villages will hurt us nonetheless.

The legion reached its position after an hour-long march. The scouts continued to do their thing as the light infantry began to secure the forest with patrols and small camps. We used the streams to refill our water reserves.

Tents were erected and barricades set up to hinder the enemy from charging our position. The enemy wouldn’t be able to charge uphill and cross those barricades. Cycnus returned with the cavalry after another hour.

“Did you fight the enemy?”, I asked. There was blood on his armour.

“Those cowards hid near their walls. Never did they imagine we would just ignore their archers. We had a few fights with them under the walls before they retreated inside the city”, the minotaur reported.

“How many men did you lose?”, I asked further.

“Hmm, fifty maybe? Some are wounded, others probably captured. They lost definitely more though”, he answered sounding unsure.

Alaric shook his head as I looked in his direction.

“Cycnus rest for the rest of the day. Let one of the commanders report the details later”, I commanded and he departed for his tent.

“You shouldn’t have given Cycnus the command”, I said to Alaric. “He is used to fight small engagements. Not to fight on those scales.”

“But would we know that, if we never let him try?”, Alaric asked.

“You are right about that, but from now on he should focus on being my bodyguard. He will be sent into the battle only if the need arises”, I said. Alaric said a few words to a commander before following me to the general’s tent, my tent.

73 light cavalry units and 31 heavy cavalry units were lost during the fight. Not a big number, but it hurt nonetheless. Some probably even captured. The scouts reported no further enemy movements against our camp and the day started to end as the lasts tents and barricades were set up.

Alaric and I were planning the next steps for this campaign as a growing unrest under the soldiers became audible. We tried to hear what it was about, but I gave up shortly after.

“Do you hear what they say?”, I asked Alaric.

“It comes from the direction of the soup kitchen. It might be about the rations. We have reduced them three days ago to hold out longer in an emergency”, he replied.

“I better go there myself. Can you prepare the missions for the cavalry? We need to contact the surrounding cities and villages. There might be allies under them”, I asked as I left the tent.

“Will do”, Alaric answered as I stepped outside. I motioned for two of my guards to follow me as we headed to the soup kitchen.

There was a group of legionaries in front of the soup kitchen and I started to squeeze through the ranks. My guards helped and everybody who recognized me tried to make way as well. When I finally left the cluster of soldiers a bowl flew in my direction. I caught it with my left hand and could finally hear the conversation properly.

“You call this soup? This shit is water with a few bread crumbs!”, the soldier shouted as he stood before a crumbling civil servant. No doubt responsible for giving out the rations

“We were ordered to do so. So please stay calm. I can’t do anything about it”, the woman said as she trembled before the legionary. His hand was dangerously close to his gladius. I moved in front of the legionary and my guards restrained him as he tried to touch me.

“One bowl please”, I requested with a smile. The woman behind the counter looked even more nervous now. Recognizing who I was.

“My lord! This isn’t adequate for your lordship. Let me ...”, she mumbled.

“A bowl!”, I repeated more loudly and clearer. The woman twitched briefly before fulfilling by request. Not daring to meet my gaze as she finally handed over the filled bowl.

I smelled the bowl and found out that there wasn’t much to smell. This ration was mostly water. I blew once and then down the content of the bowl. The legionaries around me grew quiet as they observed their leader. I put the empty thing back onto the counter and turned to face the troops again.

“Some of you might find the rations unfair. Not enough of a proper meal for a legionary who is supposed to do battle. And you are right about that. They are not enough”, I started and heard them agree, the one who had been held by my guards did so as well.

“But we need to think about our current situation. Before we secure further supplies we are stuck with the leftovers of our crossing”, I continued and now their enthusiasm widdled down. They realized there wouldn’t be more food.

“We are rationing now so that we won’t suffer hunger later. You can have proper meals when the operations in the next few days are successful. Until then everybody from servant to general will eat the same ration. I am as hungry and eager for a proper meal as you”, I said and a few soldiers grumbled, but most looked at me with newfound respect and camaraderie.

“So I ask of you to endure as I do and perform your best for the days to come! And then when we have secured victories you can feast as much as you want!”, I proclaimed and promised. The legionaries looked at me with mixed emotions. But one thing was clear. They were eager to perform and they wouldn’t complain about the rations when they knew their leader, a noble, didn’t do it either.

The crowd dispersed and I went back to the camp. I ignored the thankful exclamation of the woman in the soup kitchen. This might have been closer than I thought. We couldn’t risk deserters or a mutiny and the supply issue was from now on our top priority.

“Alaric, my personal supplies and that of all the higher commanders, share that with the soup kitchen make sure the soldiers see it. And sent note to all commanders that they are to collect their food from the soup kitchen”, I said as I entered the camp.

“So you resolved the situation?”, Alaric asked as he handed me a map of our surroundings. The work of our scouting.

“Yes. It wasn’t bad, but we have to prevent the soldiers from feeling deprived of their meals. They will endure when they see we do the same”, I explained.

“The villages are our top priorities for supplies, a town would be even better. We will need to craft a plan to capture one. Without a siege. There may be also things to forage in the forests. The locals could help us”, I continued while studying the map.

“Should I hold the fort again? It seems you want to head out again”, Alaric said and I smiled. He was good at understanding me.

“Yes, I want to meet with the mayor of a town or the village chiefs. They may be more willing to cooperate with me”, I explained.

“Take Lithia with you. Her connections might help us”

“Good idea. We will depart at dawn”

We planned for a few hours before heading to sleep. The next phase of the campaign would begin tomorrow.