In Fine, Solum Est Tibi (A Quest in Rome, During The Fall of the Republic)

3.1 THe Homeland that We Never knew


[X]Convince the Legate to negotiate with the Scythians (High Risk of being denied): You need to handle this alliance and not face the mounted horsemen of the Steppe. You need the Greeks to be outnumbered.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You looked at the Legate, as he read the letter, casually trying to avoid looking annoyed, scared, or otherwise brilliantly done with his continual delays in making a decision, even with the other tribunes were not very… anxious, but that did not mean their nervous energy was not felt.

Murena was just sitting, thinking about everything that may occur when the time was done. You knew that he had to, as the risk that he had been placed may outweigh the challenges that may soon be there.

But you thought differently, taking 20,000 horse lords off the field of battle, and bringing them to the side of Rome was not only acceptable to you but a necessity to handle the situation.

Finally, you could not wait for his reply any longer. "Legate, I must-"

"You will do no such thing." He stated as he looked back to the other tribunes. "Tell the men to prepare for making camp."

Your face went down into a scowl, as Caeser and the twins walked away before you stood up straight. "Stay tribune Nerva, we need to speak."

You stayed still as the other men walked away, and you saw the disappointment on his face. He was furious and angry. "A criminal gave this letter to you? A Barbarian pirate that is serving the enemy in Pontus?"

"He's my uncle and the letter clearly states that he is a prisoner-"

"An even more likely fault that this entire thing is a trap to destroy this legion. Did you think of that kind of consequence? Did you even consider that there is work at play that will destroy this campaign and kill all these men?" He stated with absolute sincerity. "And you just happened upon a letter from your uncle who can help us?"

You nodded. It sounded insane, but you've never been one to look at the Gods help and refuse it. And this was the gods helping you, you could feel it. "I trust my uncle with my life, ever since my mother died. I would never lose faith in him, no matter where he is."


"Very well." He said with a quiet assertion. "But I am coming with you, I cannot allow such important negotiations to occur without my consent or the knowledge to Rome."

Your surprise quickly quieted, as you felt a sense of dread fill your veins. "Yes, Legate."

Something in your mind made you think things were going to go wrong.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

November 4th, 84 BCE

The Year of Carbo and Cinna

The Steppe

You had been riding for three days, with only ten men with you and the LEgate, as you rode to Scythian territory with a local guide, a man whom you recognized as a man of worth, having freed him from a small jailhouse after he was sentenced to hang for thievery. You had promised him freedom if he had helped you get deep into the Scythian territory.

He accepted. But you knew at the first sight, he would bolt off into the wilds, and so, you did the smart thing.

You had him bound.

"Why are you keeping me bound, I'm trying to help you?" He asked, once again, as you tried to zone him out, and try to focus.

The place was flat, and you knew for a fact, that in a few moments without warning, you could be killed.

Then you saw the Horses coming towards you. Lots of them.

And you did something you never thought you would do. "Legate, don't draw your weapons."

"Why is that?" He said.

"If we do, they will kill us all." You only had the basics of Heroditus' works to go off of, and you knew for a fact that you did not speak this language or dialect of the language. But you had your nerves, and you had your courage.

He would listen to you, and you would all survive, and you would prosper.

Or die.

The Legate nodded, as he dismounted, and the prisoner screamed. "We're all going to die!"

But you struck him and that made you feel dread.

Soon they reached you, and then everything went black.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Chieftain, or was it the khan, you did not know, was sitting before you, and you saw that you were bound. "Those of red. We have not seen your kind before. Who are you?"

The LEgate spoke. "Lucius Licinius Murena, a Legate of Rome. My subordinates and-"

"Yet why is one of your own a woman?" The question was asked, and he remained silent, gathering his thoughts for a moment.

"The Senate placed her under my command." He responded. "I obey. But as of this moment, I am a representative of Rome, and you shall treat me with the respect that is-" He was silenced when swords were drawn and a blade was held at his throat.

"You will remain silent, Legate of Rome, for the woman will speak, and if her answer is satisfactory, I will listen to you further."

THe chieftan studied you intently, before she spoke again. "There was a prophecy of Venus herself that would come down to the earth, and a blight upon those that have gone beyond the lands, those that call themselves our friend? I see a girl that is beautiful beyond all imagination."

"Tell me, are you, Venus? Come to scourge this earth and destroy these lands? Or are you something else? Something far more than the tricks that are beneath you?"

What do you say?
[]Write in.