Post by The Lord Our God (GM) on Jan 27, 2013 8:31:31 GMT
===Imperial Palace, Late, 530 BC===
Comes Domesticorum Florin Iberianus, officially he was the head of the bodyguards of the Imperial Palace. However this year he had served in a less then traditional role. He had spent most of the year in Dacia campaigning against the Gepids, commanding anything but bodyguard formations. But with the campaign season over he had returned to the Imperial Palace to oversee his duties until replaced at the end of the area.
He had debriefed Emperor Justinian on the events of the campaign and come under some scrutiny. The campaign against the Gepids had been difficult. At the Battle of Mons Serrorum he had lost 3,000 men. Mostly Comesitanes which would be hard to replace. During that same campaign his brother in law Comes Rei Militarias Venatius Liberius had captured Potula and ordered the killing of one in ten inhabitants. It had been a great dishonour to his reputation as a general to have one of his subordinates do this. He was seething with anger, but the man was his brother in law and so he had to keep said anger contained as not to bring further shame to the family and distress on his young wife.
The Emperor had given him instructions to organize an army for the invasion of Tuarica. Greco-Roman lands lost to the barbarians when the empire had been overrun first by the Goths and the Borani, then the Alans and finally the Huns. Over a hundred years had passed since its lost to the barbarians. Today he was looking for a young man named Darius Marius, a cadet-officer in the Protectores. He had heard many things of this young man and decided it would be best to meet him himself.
"Sir!" Darius Marius proudly presented himself and saluted his superior. It was an exciting time in the young man's life. His beautiful wife was pregnant with their second child, he'd served
admirably through the Protectores and was starting to get a reputation for himself, and now he was about to achieve his life long dream of entering the military, a Marian tradition dating back to the Republican era in old Roma. It was one of his ancestors that instituted the Marian reforms to the Roman Legions, which helped grant them victory after victory until the great debacle against the Barbarians. Retaking the lands lost to the Empire would be a great honor. "Darius Marius reporting, as ordered."
Looking at the man ten years his junior he nodded. He thought back to his time in the Protectores which was not that long ago. It was only three years ago that he was promoted from the Protectores to Tribunus of the 1st Galatorum Limantei Regiment. Now he was a Comes Domesticorum. "Lets go for a walk in the gardens, Marius". He said as he strolled pass the young cadet-officer down the corridor.
"Yes sir." Darius followed his senior, keeping up in stride. The
Palace was splendid, and one could get very easily distracted if they allowed their eyes to wander, yet Darius remained the consummate professional, sticking strictly to his superior. "Congratulations on your victory sir. News moves fast at the Barracks."
"Yes too fast". He replied, a comment on how much talking there seemed to be in the barracks these days. "I've heard positive things about you, Marius. I would not be surprised if you received your first command in the coming months". He stated as they passed a large arched doorway and into the palace gardens.
The thought sent his nerves afire with anticipation, but the young man contained his enthusiasm with self-control. "I'm honored that you think so sir. Fighting for the Empire has been a dream of mine, my entire life. My father constantly told the stories of the Marii that came before."
"Well you will learn soon enough what it is too fight for the empire". Iberianus replied. "I would suggest if you have the funds, to purchase a few horses. Yes the state will issue you with a horse, but you will find the burdens of campaigning is often too much for one animal".
Knowing the value of advice from a man like Iberianus, Darius nodded solemnly. "It will take some doing so, but I value your advice. I suppose it best not to be left hoping to find available horses while on campaign."
"Be fortunate your not an infantryman, the amount of sandals I wore out as a Pedes in the the Comesitanes". Iberianus commented with a smirk as he reflected on his humble past. You'll find though. Just do what your told and don't get the men under your command killed. If you get killed, that's fine, no one will care. Plenty more junior officers, but the regiment and all its equipment, that's expensive". He added with a chuckle.
It took a second, but when he realized Iberianus was joking, Darius allowed himself to smile. "I guess there are some advantages to being on horse back. Then again, riding around all day can be a pain in the ass... literally."
"Well Marius, I will let you return to your duties. No doubt I will be
seeing you again soon". He said as he walked off into the gardens.
"Thank you sir." Darius saluted once more. "I look forward to meeting you again. May God guarantee your continued success."
Written by Darius Marius and Florian Iberianus
Comes Domesticorum Florin Iberianus, officially he was the head of the bodyguards of the Imperial Palace. However this year he had served in a less then traditional role. He had spent most of the year in Dacia campaigning against the Gepids, commanding anything but bodyguard formations. But with the campaign season over he had returned to the Imperial Palace to oversee his duties until replaced at the end of the area.
He had debriefed Emperor Justinian on the events of the campaign and come under some scrutiny. The campaign against the Gepids had been difficult. At the Battle of Mons Serrorum he had lost 3,000 men. Mostly Comesitanes which would be hard to replace. During that same campaign his brother in law Comes Rei Militarias Venatius Liberius had captured Potula and ordered the killing of one in ten inhabitants. It had been a great dishonour to his reputation as a general to have one of his subordinates do this. He was seething with anger, but the man was his brother in law and so he had to keep said anger contained as not to bring further shame to the family and distress on his young wife.
The Emperor had given him instructions to organize an army for the invasion of Tuarica. Greco-Roman lands lost to the barbarians when the empire had been overrun first by the Goths and the Borani, then the Alans and finally the Huns. Over a hundred years had passed since its lost to the barbarians. Today he was looking for a young man named Darius Marius, a cadet-officer in the Protectores. He had heard many things of this young man and decided it would be best to meet him himself.
"Sir!" Darius Marius proudly presented himself and saluted his superior. It was an exciting time in the young man's life. His beautiful wife was pregnant with their second child, he'd served
admirably through the Protectores and was starting to get a reputation for himself, and now he was about to achieve his life long dream of entering the military, a Marian tradition dating back to the Republican era in old Roma. It was one of his ancestors that instituted the Marian reforms to the Roman Legions, which helped grant them victory after victory until the great debacle against the Barbarians. Retaking the lands lost to the Empire would be a great honor. "Darius Marius reporting, as ordered."
Looking at the man ten years his junior he nodded. He thought back to his time in the Protectores which was not that long ago. It was only three years ago that he was promoted from the Protectores to Tribunus of the 1st Galatorum Limantei Regiment. Now he was a Comes Domesticorum. "Lets go for a walk in the gardens, Marius". He said as he strolled pass the young cadet-officer down the corridor.
"Yes sir." Darius followed his senior, keeping up in stride. The
Palace was splendid, and one could get very easily distracted if they allowed their eyes to wander, yet Darius remained the consummate professional, sticking strictly to his superior. "Congratulations on your victory sir. News moves fast at the Barracks."
"Yes too fast". He replied, a comment on how much talking there seemed to be in the barracks these days. "I've heard positive things about you, Marius. I would not be surprised if you received your first command in the coming months". He stated as they passed a large arched doorway and into the palace gardens.
The thought sent his nerves afire with anticipation, but the young man contained his enthusiasm with self-control. "I'm honored that you think so sir. Fighting for the Empire has been a dream of mine, my entire life. My father constantly told the stories of the Marii that came before."
"Well you will learn soon enough what it is too fight for the empire". Iberianus replied. "I would suggest if you have the funds, to purchase a few horses. Yes the state will issue you with a horse, but you will find the burdens of campaigning is often too much for one animal".
Knowing the value of advice from a man like Iberianus, Darius nodded solemnly. "It will take some doing so, but I value your advice. I suppose it best not to be left hoping to find available horses while on campaign."
"Be fortunate your not an infantryman, the amount of sandals I wore out as a Pedes in the the Comesitanes". Iberianus commented with a smirk as he reflected on his humble past. You'll find though. Just do what your told and don't get the men under your command killed. If you get killed, that's fine, no one will care. Plenty more junior officers, but the regiment and all its equipment, that's expensive". He added with a chuckle.
It took a second, but when he realized Iberianus was joking, Darius allowed himself to smile. "I guess there are some advantages to being on horse back. Then again, riding around all day can be a pain in the ass... literally."
"Well Marius, I will let you return to your duties. No doubt I will be
seeing you again soon". He said as he walked off into the gardens.
"Thank you sir." Darius saluted once more. "I look forward to meeting you again. May God guarantee your continued success."
Written by Darius Marius and Florian Iberianus