Fallout:Blood and the Bull

Any opinion and comments are welcome

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Three months passed with relative calm. The bridge issue, and thus the involvement of the church, had resolved in the most predictable manner. All the Free Cities vying for control of the bridge ended up paying the church to withdraw its forces, only to discover that the church had found another way to exploit the situation. They began charging tolls to anyone crossing, a decision that, unsurprisingly, did not endear them to the merchants. Greed and politics had neutralized a potential military threat.

Meanwhile, in my camp, the days seemed to dissolve into a constant routine of preparation and planning. I hadn't grown any wealthier personally during this time; nearly everything I earned was reinvested into maintaining and expanding my forces. Salaries, equipment, and the purchase of new slaves to replace losses or bolster the cohorts consumed resources almost as quickly as they came in. It was an endless cycle, but one that was necessary to achieve my ultimate goal.

At present, I commanded seven cohorts, most of which were composed of slave legionaries. These men, though disciplined to varying degrees, remained a work in progress. The slave cohorts lacked the experience and resilience of my original northern legionaries, but they grew stronger under the guidance of my veterans each day.

My original forces, the nine hundred men I had started with, had begun to "melt away" under the southern sun. Between battle losses, disease, and attrition, only six hundred remained. These men were more than soldiers; they had become the backbone of my army. Most occupied key positions as decurions and optios within the slave legionary cohorts. Their experience and discipline were indispensable for maintaining the structure and order required in an army that was growing quickly but was still far from being a true legion.

My ambition remained clear: to form a complete legion—not just an armed force, but an institution capable of rivaling the ancient Roman legions I had read about in books. This dream was not cheap, and I knew every coin spent was a long-term investment in that vision. For now, the cohorts trained and hardened themselves with each raid and skirmish as I waited for the right opportunity to take them to the next level.

As time passed, the contract binding me to the Free City of Freimarkt came to an end. For the first time in months, I was free to seek a new employer. Freimarkt, aware of the value of my services, tried to secure my loyalty with a significantly improved offer: they tripled the standard payment of one gold coin per legionary per month and offered an advance of three thousand coins. This made their proposal exceptionally generous, almost a desperate attempt to retain me.

What they failed to understand was that my true work was already done: my reputation was cemented. I had fulfilled my contract to the letter, and thanks to the meticulous work of the frumentarii, that reputation echoed in every marketplace and plaza of the Free Cities.

The network of frumentarii, now under the command of a dedicated centurion, had grown exponentially during these months. We had infiltrated agents not only in these four cities but also in several other Free Cities and strategic locations. One of our most effective tactics was exploiting the weak points of the imperial postal system.

This system, vital for communication in the region, offered low pay, required constant travel, and had such high turnover that there were almost always vacancies. The frumentarii, disguised as simple applicants, infiltrated with ease. Their work in the imperial postal offices, though humble, gave them access to crucial information: troop movements, correspondence between nobles, and political rumors.

Additionally, frumentarii deployed as merchants, militiamen, butchers, or peasants in the cities served as contact points. All the information they gathered flowed back to me through the imperial mail. Day after day, messages arrived with details about rumors, troop movements, and any relevant occurrences in these cities. It was a constant stream of intelligence that kept me one step ahead.

At the same time, the frumentarii spread calculated rumors, reinforcing our reputation. These rumors emphasized three key points:

Our forces were disciplined and lethal. We were not disorganized mercenaries but a professional army capable of executing any task with precision and brutality unmatched by local forces. Tales of our tight formations, strategic use of spears and gladius, and combat efficiency were becoming local legends.

My loyalty to contracts was unshakable. I had fulfilled every detail of my agreement with Freimarkt. I neither betrayed nor dealt double-handedly. This made me a reliable option for the leaders of the Free Cities, who knew they could trust me once I signed on.

Our reputation as a fearsome force was unparalleled. Rumors spoke of our ruthlessness: how my men never hesitated to subjugate enemies, enslave peasants, or ravage lands. The impenetrable formations and iron discipline of my cohorts were recurring topics of conversation in marketplaces and plazas.

This steady flow of information and propaganda ensured that my name inspired both respect and fear in equal measure. Simultaneously, it gave me an invaluable strategic advantage: I knew what was happening in the Free Cities before their leaders did. And that advantage, more than any amount of gold, was my greatest weapon.

This attention drew offers from all rival Free Cities. As soon as my contract with Freimarkt expired, emissaries began to arrive. Representatives from Freimarkt, Hochbruck, Flussdorf, and Brückenstadt presented themselves with contracts in hand, each more eager than the last to secure my services. Even Flussdorf, which had recently placed a bounty on my head, now sought to hire me with terms designed to erase past tensions. The irony of this situation did not escape me.

Aware of the impact this could have, I gathered the four emissaries in my camp. The central tent was prepared for the occasion: a weathered wooden table, surrounded by my most imposing centurions, armed and silent, as torches cast flickering shadows on the canvas walls. Each emissary had their place but also the uncomfortable company of their competitors.

With a gesture, I ordered Freimarkt's representative to begin. His tone was formal but tinged with a clear attempt to maintain his position as my most recent ally.

"Freimarkt offers payment of three gold coins per soldier per month, tripling the previous rate. Additionally, we will advance three thousand coins and grant exclusive access to our weapon and supply depots to ensure your forces remain well-equipped for future campaigns."

Before I could respond, Hochbruck's emissary, brimming with confidence, spoke up. "Hochbruck recognizes your value. Therefore, we offer four gold coins per soldier per month, an advance of four thousand coins, and priority access to our finest slave markets and forges. We are also prepared to cede one of our minor fortresses as a base for your operations."

Flussdorf, with a calculated tone, immediately interjected. "We know our past wasn't the most amicable, but we want to correct that. Our offer is five gold coins per soldier per month, with an advance of five thousand coins. Additionally, we will allow your men complete autonomy within our lands, ensuring unrestricted logistical support."

Finally, Brückenstadt's emissary, confident in the wealth of his city, spoke with a clear and firm voice. "Brückenstadt has always been a bastion of strength and pragmatism. Our offer is six gold coins per soldier per month, an advance of seven thousand coins, and exclusive rights to manage and exploit any dungeon within our territories."

Each emissary tried to outdo the others, their offers escalating in value and conditions with every turn. Meanwhile, I remained silent, observing their expressions: the attempts to project confidence, the subtle gestures of discomfort, and the furtive glances exchanged between them. I let the weight of my silence stretch, allowing the tension to dominate the moment.

Finally, I leaned forward, interlacing my fingers on the table. The emissaries' eyes were fixed on me, their expressions tense as they awaited my response. I allowed the pressure in the tent to build, savoring the weight of silence pressing on them.

"Your offers are interesting," I said at last, my tone calculatedly neutral. Then, I let a small smile play on my lips. "However, I am considering changing my area of operations. I've heard the south is brimming with promising wars... conflicts ripe with opportunity." I paused, letting the idea of my departure settle in their minds.

The emissaries exchanged uneasy glances.

"But," I continued, leaning back slightly, "I'm not ready to leave this battle just yet. Not before I line my pockets." My smile widened as I studied them closely. "So here is my counteroffer: instead of paying me what you've proposed, each city pays me ten thousand gold coins. For one year, you won't have to worry about me joining the other side. You can rest assured that once I sign, there will be no turning back."

The silence that followed was heavy, broken only by the crackling of the torches. The emissaries seemed to weigh my words, calculating the implications.

The representative from Brückenstadt was the first to react. "Ten thousand coins… that is a substantial sum," he said, his tone more cautious than confident. "But ensuring that we won't face you for a year is reasonable. Our city can agree to these terms."

The emissary from Hochbruck nodded after a brief moment of reflection. "I can take the offer to my superiors. I don't doubt they'll understand the necessity of securing your neutrality in this conflict."

However, Freimarkt's emissary scowled, his face betraying a mix of skepticism and indignation. "This is extortion," he spat. "We've paid you well in the past. There's no reason to accept such a demand."

Flussdorf hesitated as well, though with less certainty in their voice. "It's… a steep demand. What guarantees do we have that you'll keep your word?"

I regarded them calmly, letting their resistance fill the air before responding. "The same guarantee I've always offered: my reputation. I fulfilled my contract with Freimarkt without fail, despite the temptations of betrayal. If that's not enough, perhaps you should worry about those willing to sign."

I rose slowly, placing my hands on the table. "Because if any city here decides not to agree, I am more than willing to serve the other three. And I can assure you that with my help, that city will not only face a war but also its annihilation."

The emissaries from Brückenstadt and Hochbruck exchanged glances, clearly intrigued by the offer. Flussdorf began to waver in their objection, muttering about consulting their leaders. But Freimarkt, nursing their wounded pride, abruptly stood.

"You will not intimidate us with your threats," their representative declared. "Freimarkt does not need your services or your neutrality. We can handle this without you."

I looked at him calmly, letting the echo of his declaration fill the tent. Then, a slow, dangerous smile spread across my face. "As you wish."

I turned to the other three emissaries. "It seems we have a candidate for our future operations. If any of you are interested in ensuring Freimarkt does not survive the next year, you have my attention. And my sword."

The tension in the tent was palpable. The emissaries from Brückenstadt, Hochbruck, and Flussdorf leaned forward, now more eager than ever to secure my loyalty. Meanwhile, Freimarkt's representative stormed out of the tent, his steps firm but tense.

As we began preparations to move the camp to align with another Free City, a Freimarkt emissary arrived unexpectedly. He wore the official garb of the city, but his face betrayed a mix of anxiety and resignation. The sentries let him pass, and soon he stood in my tent, presenting a sealed scroll bearing Freimarkt's emblem.

I broke the seal carefully and read the contents. The offer was signed. Freimarkt had capitulated. It seemed the prospect of losing more than three thousand well-trained men and facing not only me but three other Free Cities backed by my forces had proven too serious a threat to ignore.

I looked at the emissary, who stood waiting for my response. For a moment, I let him sweat under my gaze, ensuring he understood this was not a negotiation but a lesson.

"You will deliver a message to Freimarkt," I said finally, my tone deliberately neutral. "Tell them I accept their offer, but this is the last time I tolerate such doubt. If they question my position or my word again, there will be no second chance."

As the Freimarkt emissary left, I let the silence reign in the tent for a moment. My centurions, gathered around the table, awaited my reaction, their expressions ranging from curiosity to contained satisfaction.

Finally, I turned to them with a slight smile. "Well," I said, breaking the tension, "we're getting paid to do nothing. What do you think?"

A few chuckled under their breath, and others exchanged knowing glances. One of the most seasoned centurions, a man with a scar running across his cheek, shrugged. "As long as the gold keeps coming, commander, I don't mind standing here staring at the stars."

Another centurion, younger but equally pragmatic, added, "Better than slogging through mud or facing priests and mages on the whim of another Free City. If they want us to do nothing, we'll give them the best 'nothing' they've ever seen."

Quiet laughter filled the tent. I knew my men appreciated the respite, even if temporary, and even more so when they were being paid for it.

I raised a hand, silencing the room. "Make no mistake," I said, my tone firm and resolute. "We will march south. We'll seek new contracts, closer to the Imperial capital. That's where the big leagues are—where nobles clash with Free Cities and the church itself. That, my friends, is where we will make our fortune."

My words resonated through the tent, and the centurions began nodding, their expressions shifting from satisfaction over our recent political victory to anticipation for what lay ahead. They knew the south meant greater risks but also greater rewards. The conflicts near the Imperial capital were infamous for their brutality, but they were also where the true players proved their worth.

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Any opinion and comments are welcome