Invicta by Chris Hackett

Author:Chris Hackett [Hackett, Chris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Fantasy, Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Publisher: Tall Tales Press
Published: 2023-10-27T00:00:00+00:00

XVIII

Chalcedon Estate, Southern Gaul

The air had been buzzing with anticipation since Eschelus had begun the final rally. Every soldier seemed to know their role in assembling the army, the result of years of preparation. Immediately outside the walls was the bulk of the army, in makeshift tents and bases assembled from local wood. Inside, Eschelus and his most elite guard were organizing the weaponry, which would shortly be distributed.

Gargarus and his family were watching from the doorway of their villa, unable to conceal the worry on their faces. Eschelus had promised to leave them a small expeditionary force, but it wouldn’t be enough. The day that the army departed would be the day local barbarian warlords knew that the last independent Roman estate in Gaul was ripe for the taking.

It was a countdown to doomsday, and all Gargarus could do was pray that Eschelus would do what he said and bring the empire back from the ashes.

His entire family had been single-handedly shaken from the news that Eschelus was working with Theodric. The Goths had killed dozens of their friends and family across Europe. Eschelus had assured them that these were a “different” group of Goths than the ones who ended up taking Spain under Alaric, but to his family and to the hundreds of families who suffered under them, it was all the same.

Eventually, out from the door behind them, came the two barbarians Eschelus had brought back with him from that night excursion. The older, Tufa, was one of Odoacer’s generals who had surrendered to Theodric early in their war. He was a quiet man who only spoke to Eschelus. Even then, he only spoke when he needed to. His son, Torix, was much more open but his training to become a knight had taken up most of his time since he had arrived.

Now, stepping out of their villa, he was nearly indistinguishable from his fellow knights. His armor, his demeanor…he was one of them, all right. And it gave Gargarus some hope that Eschelus had made the right decision.

“Thank you for your hospitality,” Tufa said softly, with a gentle nod toward Gargarus. As he spoke, Gargarus realized that he had never actually heard Tufa’s voice. He spoke Latin very well given his background.

“Thank you for what you are about to help do,” Gargarus answered.

Eschelus, Michael, Bracchus, and Roman had approached to meet the two of them on horseback.

“Are you and your son ready?” Eschelus asked.

“We are.”

“Then it is time. We will be meeting Theodric’s army as reinforcements to the main assault.” Turning his attention to Gargarus, Eschelus could see the fear in his family’s faces. “Gargarus, don’t appear so forlorn. It is only temporary. Once Rome is ours again, it will only be a matter of time before I march back north and retake all of this for the empire.”

Gargarus didn’t reply. They had already said their goodbyes before. He didn’t believe Eschelus would ever be back, even if he did retake Rome. It would take all of his army’s strength to just hold on to Italy.

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