Swords of Rome

Ballista was driven back off of his feet as he tried desperately to keep his shield held firm. To lose it now would put him at a serious disadvantage as his shorter sword, good for thrusting, was not ideal against Ha

Ballista screamed in agony as a bone in his wrist did indeed snap. His shield, now broken into three pieces splintered to the ground as it dropped into the mud-soaked ground. Before he could react, Ballista only saw the blur of Ha

Ha

“You filthy whore!” Ballista spat a mouthful of blood, which landed against Ha

Ha

“It is Rome that will burn, and it is your Senate that will lick the shitfrom my feet before I’m done. Nevertheless, I’m afraid you won’t be alive to see that day come to pass.” Ha

The heavy iron blade sliced into Ballista’s head, splitting his skull like a burning stone drenched with water. Brain and bone mixed with hair, and blood gushed over Ha

The rest of Ballista’s men were dealt with in short-order as Ha

The ground rumbled as Ha

“Well done, brother. I’m sorry you left me so few to kill,” Mago gri

“There are plenty more waiting to face our iron, brother. Do not let them wait much longer,” Ha

“Please general, I beg you!” the cries of the city-father were cut short as the axe blade sliced through the soft flesh of his neck, freeing his body of the burden of the man’s head, which rolled carelessly onto the blood-soaked ground before it was picked up by one of Ha

The sun was still set high in the sky, beaming its blazing heat down upon the ruins of Saguntum, which burned as its streets and buildings were filled with the terrifying screams of women being raped, and men botched like pigs. The blood that had soaked Ha

“Ah, it was a hard fight — long and brutal, but you did it, my brother. You truly did it!” Mago bellowed as the warm honey wine drizzled down his gullet. “But shouldn't we spare at least a few of these vermin to ransom to Rome?”

“No. Rome, and all those that hear of this victory will learn what it means to defy me, brother,” Ha

“So what now? One victory does not make us conquers,” Mago asked bitterly.

Ha

“No, it does not. Even so, this victory will go a long way in subduing those Gallic tribes that stand in our way. Those that were not fearful of us will now back off, and those that will stand before us, we can pay off.”

“And those that don’t do either?” Mago asked.

Ha

As the old man’s head was taken and his body, which twitched violently, was dragged away, Ha

“Eight months is hardly easy,” Mago commented, knowing full well that wasn’t what his brother was speaking of.

“Indeed. There will be many more battles, harder fought that we will encounter, brother, and our men must be ready. I want only the strongest for this journey. The trek and those we face on the path to Rome will weed out the weak. When we reach Italy, Rome will be facing an army the likes it has never seen before.”

Mago smiled as he slapped his brother on the shoulder. “Then my brother, we have a lot of work to do before your war with Rome can begin. Maybe even year’s worth before the first drop of Roman blood is spilled.

Ha

CHAPTER TWO

Gaius steadied his breathing to calm himself. He listened carefully as he stayed within the tall brown wheat that was almost ready for harvest. He couldn’t hear anything save for the sounds of the wind as it blew across the seemingly endless field. A few geese flew overhead in perfect formation; their constant honking braking the pristine quiet momentarily as they passed high above. The only other sound was the thumping of his heart. And then, he heard a sudden rustling in the grass to his right.

Gaius held his breath as he gripped the hilt of his sword tighter, with the blade at the ready. After a few tense seconds, the noise sounded again, nearer to his position; sweat dripped from his brow as he knelt on one knee.