Napule was slowly ousting the dark of the night. The silence slowly gave way for the sound of dawn. People and animals alike began their day. The same was true for the mansion in the heart of Napule.

Three pairs of small feet scuttled on marble tiles. They stopped suddenly.

"You go in first", Ivy ordered.

Silas looked at his sisters. A shy and nervous expression on his face.

"Why do I have to go first?", he whispered.

"Cause you are the youngest. Be a good brother and obey your older sisters", Ivy smiled down on him. Pushing him towards the door.

"Mom and dad love you. They won't be angry if our little Silas asks. Just don't forget the plan", Iris tried to reassure him.

Ivy opened the door and Iris shoved the still unsure Silas into their parent's bedroom. Closing the door behind him. Their ears on the door.

The boy slowly went to the bed of his parents. Stopping next to it.

"Mom, dad?"

The sheets moved. Though no answer came.

Silas climbed up and pushed against his wrapped up mother.

"Who? Silas? Let us sleep a bit more. It isn't even morning", Serenity grumbled sleepily. Jagu snored loudly next to her.

"I want to visit Lucius", Silas said.

Serenity kicked Jagu. The snoring stopped abruptly.

"What? Why Ren?", he said half awake.

"Your turn", she answered and turned around to sleep again.

"Come here Silas", Jagu said. The boy followed, rounding the bed until he stood in front of his father. Jagu yawned. "What happened? Bad dream? Did you have an incident in the bedroom?"

"No! Not that!", Silas shouted and looked to the door. Hopefully, his sisters didn't hear that. "I want to visit Lucius. Can't we visit?"

"Not again. The situation is complicated."

"But..."

"Did your sisters put you to this?"

"No we didn't", Ivy's voice sounded behind the door. "Ouch!"

"Idiot!", Iris added.

"Come in dear daughters."

The door slowly opened and the sisters joined their little brother. Serenity had stopped trying to sleep. Moving to sit next to her husband.

"Maybe we can ask Lucius to visit us instead. Would you like that?", Serenity asked.

"Yes!", they answered in unity.

"Good. We will do that then. Now go to your rooms and get ready for breakfast", she added. The three little ones ran out of the room.

"Morning Ren", Jagu kissed her.

"Morning", Serenity answered. Still sleepy.

The pair prepared themselves for breakfast with their children.

Breakfast was uneventful and soon the tutors occupied all of the children's attention.

Duke and duchess went to work. Both signing reports and issuing commands to their vassals. Bringing order to what was the feudal system of Neapoli.

"How does the schedule look for today?", Serenity asked.

"We need to prepare the last invitations for the gathering of our vassals. Written personally by the duchess herself of course", Jagu smiled. Serenity glared at him in turn.

"Fine."

"The governor of Roma will likely be on top of the agenda."

"Who would have thought? They don't like the prospect of Lucius taking over. This is a problem. Something we need to address soon. I don't want to see a succession crisis."

"Maybe. Maybe not. We are young. Give him a decade. Then we will see."

A knock on the door interrupted the discussion.

"Enter", Serenity spoke calmly.

Firnadena Nightbringer entered shrouded in a dark cloak.

"Duchess, Duke", she bowed to both. "War has erupted in the north. The Franks will fight against Raetia and Aquitania."

"Does Charlemagne have no allies?", Serenity asked. Tension in her voice. Jagu was staring at the map hanging on the wall. Showing the borders of the west.

"Not that we are aware. But he is seeking them. We suspect him to be talking to Pannonia, Illyricum, Hispania, the duchies…."

"And us", Jagu finished.

"Yes. He offers to let us keep any meter of ground we take from the dwarves", Firnadena explained. "We have three months to decide."

Duke and duchess fell into silence.

"Would that be all?", Jagu asked.

"Yes duke", Firnadena bowed and left the room.

The married pair continued to go through the reports for an hour.

"So what do you think?", Serenity asked.

"Hm?"

"About the offer."

"It is certainly enticing. But the risks match the rewards."

"And that means what Jagu?"

"We wait and see."

"We are hardly ready for another conflict."

Jagu looked again at the map. "That we aren't, but ..."

"But it is an opportunity", finished his wife.

"At least there is a new matter atop of the agenda."

The pair continued to work. Their vassals were starting to stabilize. The streams of commoners towards Roma got smaller with every week. Those were good signs. Taxes from the region should rise. Vassals would start to develop their holdings.

Diplomacy was also starting to bear fruits. Carthage is becoming a reliable partner in matters of trade. They also help to limit the influence of the east in North Africa. Jagu hoped that they could build up an even closer partnership. They needed allies if they wanted to survive the coming war.

The duchies of Sardinia and Corsica were less cooperative. They had no interest in bettering our relations. Not without a marriage between our houses. Negotiations had reached an impasse. House Vespasianus refused to give a centimetre in that matter. At least a deal for iron and copper was struck. Thanks to Lucius and the son of Rastus, Valerius.

"How do the reports concerning the province of Roma look?", Jagu asked.

"Should we really monitor him that much? It's good and bad", Serenity pushed a pile of documents toward her husband. "Outside of Roma, the people prosper. They arrive as refugees, get their own land and work hard to build something up for themselves. We might want to adapt parts of his ideas into our style of governance."

"We do, but only in our personal holdings. How about Roma itself, the finances."

Serenity sighed. "Read it yourself."

Jagu did. His brow furrowing.

"A deficit. He needs to cut funding. We can hardly subsidise him with our own vaults being quite empty."

"Dear that is hardly his main problem."

"A civil war in Roma between the nationalities. I do not know how to prevent such a thing. Not without a lot of bloodsheds. More guards perhaps. Harder punishments. Maybe exile troublemakers to work in the mines for the rest of their lives."

A knock on the door.

"Enter", Jagu said.

A servant strolled in bowing with letters in her hand. "The prince sends messages."

"Put them on the desk and leave", Serenity ordered. The servant followed the order.

They read through Lucius' messages. His plea for help with the civil unrest and the lack of a steward and treasurer.

"What now?", Jagu asked.

"We help of course."

"But we don't know how."

Serenity thought for a while. "We don't. But others might. Send Romulus and Remus with the remnants of our legion. I will ask my parents to help Lucius with the steward thing."

"Duran's boys? Is that a good idea?"

"Do you have a better one?"

"No. Do as you want."

Messengers were sent to Serenity's parents and Duran's sons. They would both agree to help and begin heading towards Roma.

I was watching my legion march on an empty field near Roma. Alaric to my right, Cycnus to my left.

I needed time outside the city. There had been a few more conflicts in the last night. To our luck, just a handful of fistfights between easterners and Neapolitans. Nobody died.

To watch the legion train was a calming distraction. It also allowed me to focus on another matter. The reformation of the legion system.

The Romans had conquered the Mediterranean Sea with their heavy infantry. Relying on allies to provide cavalry and skirmishers. Though that didn't stop their fall. The question was how should we improve the system.

"I wish Romulus and Remus were here. They would be invaluable with the time they served in the military", I said. The legion split up into smaller forces and performed a retreat. Keeping their cohesion.

"A letter will be sent to inform them", Alaric added. I nodded.

"Why wait? It is clear what your legion lacks", Cycnus interjected. We both turned to look at him.

"You do?", we asked.

"Yes. Isn't it obvious? It has too few minotaurs", he explained. A smile on his face.

"Where do I get thousands of war-ready minotaurs?", I asked.

Cycnus scratched his head. "No idea. Give me a few years and I will manage to increase our numbers. Oh, do I miss that maid."

"Yes...", I didn't found a fitting response.

"I advocate for a professional army. We need more archers or slingers and better cavalry with the heavy infantry remaining as the core", Alaric shifted my thoughts back to the topic again.

"Why archers and slingers?", I asked.

"Because they can slow down the enemy. Even rout them under the right conditions. And that without losing a lot of men."

"You remember the battle of Bari? Our skirmishers were near useless with their volleys. They ended up as a meat shield. Hardly a good performance", I countered.

"That is why we need more of them", he said.

"How many?"

"All of them."

"All of them? An army purely made of archers and slingers? Do you hear yourself?"

"Every Roman legionary was trained to use bow and sling. Now imagine six thousand men firing at the enemy and then they switch to shield and gladius", Alaric explained.

"That would be terrifying. And effective", I said.

"Though it requires a lot of training and discipline", Cycnus interjected. "That heap of legionaries can't pull it off."

"Not now. But with enough training … perhaps", I mused.

A messenger arrived and said something to Alaric. "The spymaster informs she had news for us. Shall we return?", Alaric asked.

"Yes. Let's see what Juladia found out."

We turned around and mounted our horses. The legion continued their drills as we left.

You could feel the tension in the city. People were glancing left and right several times when leaving a street. Most of them also chose to travel in groups.

Those groups exchanged insults though it never escalated to violence under the watchful eyes of the guards. I wouldn't want to imagine what would happen without their presence. There has to be something we can do.

The residents looked at us and our escorts as well. The expressions varied. Some looked angry, others neutral and again others thankful. At least a few seemed to appreciate my rule.

We entered the forum and reached the temple soon after. Juladia was leaning against the wide entrance. Eyes fixed on me. We passed and she moved to follow me on my left side.

"What news do you bring?", I asked.

"War has broken out. The Franks fight against Raetia and Aquitania."

"Finally!", Cycnus exclaimed smiling. I stopped. This changed things.

"Alaric, call for a meeting of the council. Tomorrow if possible. Otherwise in two days."

My friend bowed shortly. Leaving to inform the council members.

"What else did you find out?", I asked the elf. Moving towards my office.

"Others are preparing themselves. Either for an attack or a defence. This includes your parents. I found minions of my mother."

"You did? Anything else?"

"The east is reducing their export of iron and copper."

I smiled. "So they will intervene as well? Now we need to be extra cautious. Don't want to end on the wrong side"

We entered the office.

"Lock the door behind you."

I settled down. Putting all the reports of the day to one side of the table. Moving a map and a blank paper before me.

"Do we know the cause of their conflict?"

"A border-war as it seems. Details are hard to verify. Someone razed villages of the franks. Though we don't know who."

"Pull all your agents back. I want everyone focused on Raetia. Northern Italia to be precise. Collect information on local garrisons and militias. Search for people dissatisfied with Raetia's rule. Note down where fortifications are and if they have a weak point. I want every weakness of our neighbour revealed. When we strike we need to make it count."

"What about your parents? You can hardly declare war by yourself."

"I can't. I will head towards Napule after the gathering."

I started to write. First came our finances. We were stretched thin as long as the company wasn't sold. A matter that would need at least two months to be finished.

"Is that all Juladia?"

"Yes", the dark-elf left the room.

I sat there and planned. There were a handful of issues to discuss during the gathering and with my parents.

Firstly how we will acquire funds for the war?

Secondly how we will acquire trained men with fitting equipment?

Thirdly how our neighbours will react? We can't push north only for the east to invade our unprotected rear.

Fourthly was the ever-looming problem of unrest in Roma. It could end badly to pull the legion away. I was unsure if the guards would be able to control the situation by themselves.

The list grew and grew longer. Who would govern the province should I lead the legions north? Will I even lead the legion northwards? What are my parent's plans? What about the army reform, should we wait for this war to end or do it before the campaign?

Messages were sent to my three centurions. They were invited to join the council meeting. Their experience will be helpful. They will also be able to summarise the current state of the legion.

Night approached quickly and in the end, I had a stack of papers with problems and questions but no answers.

The door opened Alaric entered.

"I informed all council members. The meeting will be held in two days", he said. Looking through the notes I had written. "We need to be careful. There are enemies within this city, the province."

"I am aware of the unrest."

"No, not just that. The temples and former nobles or rich merchants", he explained. Flying over my notes.

"You talk of problems with them. We hardly had any with them", I countered.

"And that is what worries me. They should have attempted something by now. There is no way they will accept the changes without trying to resist", Alaric finished and put down the papers.

"So? What should I do? We can't arrest somebody for something they might do. Juladia's informant network hasn't noticed anything yet", I said. Locking eyes. "Do you know something I should know?"

"No", a pause. "They could be working with the dark-elf."

I glared back at him. "No. If I am sure of one thing it is her loyalty. She had plenty chances to kill me."

"What if killing you isn't their goal?"

"Do you have proof? Don't suspect council members without it."

"Perhaps part of her information network is compromised", he added. We fell into silence for a while.

I didn't doubt the loyalty of my council members. The commoners outside of Roma were also not a problem. They wouldn't rise up in rebellion. Even if supported by the temples or former elites.

Though his hunches did make sense. I hadn't done much for the temples in the province. I hadn't even attended a single ritual yet. Maybe it was time for a bit of appeasement.

"Alaric are there any upcoming rituals for tomorrow?"

"Why? Do you want to attend one?"

"I am thinking about it. As a sign of goodwill to give them face", I said with a sceptical tone. There weren't my allies, but I would like for them to not be my enemies as well.

"There is one. In the temple of Apollo. A sacrifice", he answered. "I would advice a smaller but stronger escort and plenty of gifts for the temple."

"Make the arrangements. Also plan a gathering of all temple heads in the province. The last I could do is talk to them. And if that does not work… all of them would be in one place."

Alaric frowned. "I would advise against violence against priests. The last thing we need is a martyr or hundreds."

"Worry not. There are plenty ways to remove priests from power. Worst case scenario we replace them one for one. Then they could also make an acceptable ally."

Alaric and I continued to make plans for the temples. For now, we were aiming for cooperation. I didn't want the temple's help with the education project. And they clearly didn't like that their help had been denied.

My parents had a silent agreement with their temples. They would attend rituals and provide gifts. In return, the temples would praise them and keep out of politics. Such a compromise was acceptable… for now. What happens when things calm down is another matter though.

We concluded the meeting and I went to bed. The coming days would be fundamentally for my future. Can't make a mistake now.

A clearing in the endless green of the great forest. A herd slowly entered it. Their fur black, white and brown. Antlers decorated both male and females. Those of the females being bigger and more colourful.

The herd slowly began to graze. Enjoying the grasses that could only grow with the absence of treetops.

A distant noise echoed through the forest. The animals turned to look in the direction. Then they resumed their feeding.

The noise echoed again closer this time. The process repeated a few times.

A warning call was produced by the matriarch. The herd vacated the clearing quickly.

Silence reigned for a moment.

Two figures crashed into the ground.

Noise filled the clearing again. A massive eagle screeched loudly. Then the beak descended to attack the prey pinned under his feet. An adult green wyvern. Its tail tip was missing and red blood was flowing out. One eye had experienced a similar fate.

Three small green dots followed the fighting giants. The mother warned her young with a roar. The moment inattention rewarded with the beak landing in her chest. A painful growl filled the clearing. The small ones landed on the top of a tree. Torn back and forth between helping their mother or escaping.

The fight continued only for a few more minutes. The eagle cried victoriously, standing on top of the dead wyvern. He looked to the young and then he started to feast. Ignoring their wails as he did.

The young ones could only watch as their mother was consumed. They continued to chirp at the eagle. They didn't quite manage to roar yet.

The eagle suddenly looked up. A roar caught his attention. A shadow broke through the clouds.

It roared again. A creature circled over the clearing. The eagle replied in kind. Accepting the challenge.

He rose into the air. Evading an attack from above.

He outmanoeuvred his enemy. Managing to land on the back of the black wyvern.

His claw embedded themselves into Quintus' back. The wyvern cried out in pain. Quintus' stinger shot out. Entering the eagle's backside. Entwined both plunged to the ground. Impacting hard on the forest ground.

The eagle lost his hold on Quintus when they crashed. The wyvern quickly turned. Black flames enshrouded the eagle. Its cries of pain were cut short when Quintus leapt at him. His stinger added another dose of poison. His maw bit into the eagle's wing. The eagle died after a dozen seconds of struggling.

Quintus roared and began to eat. His wounds were surrounded by black blood. Most of them would become scars like the others.

As he ate the three small ones approached him slowly. First, they inspected their mother. They tried to communicate with her. Nudged the still bleeding head. She didn't answer.

An hour passed. One of the green wyverns tried to take a bit from the eagle. Quintus growled. The small one flew away. Settling on observing Quintus from a distance.

The black wyvern ate until he was full. Then he lied next to the carcass resting and trying to sleep.

The three small ones approached. They took small parts of the eagle. Quickly making distance again.

Quintus watched them as their fear of him was overcome by hunger and curiosity.

When they were full their attention turned to Quintus.

Quintus laid still as they neared.

One of the green ones moved to his head. Rubbing his small one against it. He chirped. Quintus answered with a grumble.

Another inspected his tail. Poking at the stinger with his own.

The last climbed onto Quintus back by using one of his wings as a leader.

Quintus stayed in the clearing for several days. First consuming the eagle and then the other death wyvern. When he was full he would play with the small ones.

He wasn't quite sure what do to with them. He expected them to leave when there was no more food.

As he moved to fly further south again they followed him. A massive black wyvern, six metres high, sixteen wide and eighteen long, followed by three that hadn't even reached a metre in length.

'Maybe his mother knew what to do with them?', Quintus thought as he left the great forest behind him.