For the Glory of Rome: Chronicles of an Isekai'd Legion

It took Marcus a little effort to get an audience with Gaius. Nothing too extensive, of course, but the recent march meant a bit of reshuffling compared to the command hierarchy he'd gotten used to. He just needed to know who to talk to.

The young officer—apparently called the tribunus laticlavius, or tribune for short—had always been a bit more positively disposed toward the bard than the Legatus. Even with all that Marcus's winning charm and generously offered assistance had served to smooth the edges off the new emperor's craggy exterior. So it wasn't particularly surprising when Gaius greeted Marcus with a smile as he stepped into the tent—though he noticed that the officer didn't stand up from the desk.

"Bard Marcus. I was told you wished to speak with me?"

Marcus stepped aside, allowing Eleanora to follow him in. This made Gaius raise an eyebrow, and Marcus cleared his throat.

"Officer Gaius, it's always a pleasure. As much as I wish that this were merely a social call, it seems I must be the bearer of a rather unfortunate and distressing report." He sketched a flourishing bow toward the man, keeping it just a little more shallow than he would have for the Legatus. "It appears that there may soon be a bit of trouble in the town."

"Oh? What kind of trouble?"

Marcus nodded. "It seems there are plans for a rebellion in the works. Intentions to evict the Legion from Habersville and close its walls to you. Plans made by a very small subset of people, mind you, not the entire populace by any means. Regardless, I thought it best to come to you with the information directly, as soon as possible." He gestured toward his fidgeting companion. "I have brought Eleanora to tell you more. She claims to have quite a bit of information about the ploy, though I can independently confirm that I have heard rumblings of much the same. I think it's best if she speaks first."

Gaius leaned back in his chair and considered his words, then looked at Eleanora. "Ah. The [Healer], correct? I will say, I am pleased that you don't intend to betray the Legion."

The young woman swallowed thickly and nodded. It didn't take an expert to read the sheer terror in her expression. "Yes. Um, well, the Legion has helped me a lot recently, saving me from the spiders and all. And leveling. So, uh it doesn't feel right. And..."

Gaius gave her a comforting smile, albeit a somewhat patronizing one. It gave the impression of a tolerant uncle looking at his niece, despite the similarity in the pair's ages. Marcus figured it was one of those things the tribune had probably learned from watching Tiberius—or one of the other older Legionnaires, considering how infrequently that man seemed to smile. In fact, with a little more gray in his hair, it would have come off just as intended.

"So. Tell me, healer. What are the details of this supposed plot?"

She swallowed and looked between the two men before her. "Um… Well, before I start, I just want to make sure I won't get in trouble. I'm not involved in any of this, just so you know. I was there for a meeting, but I didn't want to be. I don't like any of it."

Gaius nodded. "I can promise that you won't be held responsible—should your information prove accurate. Provided you tell me everything you know, I can mostly guarantee your safety."

"Mostly?"

He shrugged. "I can provide clemency regarding the punishments we will mete out among the offenders. But I cannot entirely assure you that these rebels will not seek retribution against you. It may be safer for you to remain in the camp while we handle matters."

"What if I… I leave? If you give me an escort home—"

Gaius was already shaking his head. "No. Sending my men into unknown territory in small numbers is too much of a risk. Nor can we spare the manpower to send a more substantial force."

Marcus saw Eleonora deflate at the news. He couldn't help but feel a bit sympathetic. Still, he had warned her that this would likely be the outcome.

"However…" Gaius leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk before him. "I can make you a different offer. I have been researching skills and the workings of the System since we have arrived, and I find myself fascinated by yours. The abilities of a [Healer] appear to be quite valuable indeed. How would you like to work with the Legion?"

Eleonora frowned. "I'm not sure I understand. I already am."

"More directly, I mean." Gaius waved her comment off. "With war looming on the horizon, I expect that we will not be at a loss for injured men. And given your class, perhaps that will provide more opportunities for you to level and develop your own skills. Perhaps we can mutually benefit from having you perform medical duties for us.

Marcus saw Eleonora's eyebrows furrow, then rise. For all that she'd said about wanting to return home, the fact remained that she had made incredible leaps and bounds in her growth under the Legion. That couldn't be disputed. If she wanted to continue that…

"...I don't want to fight Novara," she said. "It's where I grew up."

"You would not be engaged in direct combat with them. Rather, you would be simply plying your trade and working with our medics. Surely that is less objectionable."

She didn't look entirely convinced. Still, Marcus could tell that Eleonora wasn't entirely against the suggestion, either.

"...Of course, I understand if you still desire to return home," the tribune continued. "As such, we would be happy to retain you in our employ until you have the ability to safely return or move to a new location—with stipulations, of course. But for a class so vulnerable as your own, perhaps you would find this offer acceptable."

The girl wet her lips before shooting Marcus a nervous glance. He gave her a reassuring smile that he didn't entirely feel. Everything he'd seen so far suggested that this wasn't quite as generous of a deal as Gaius seemed to suggest. It would likely be months before Eleonora was able to move on, if not years. It all depended on the trajectory that this war took. However, he also knew that it was really the only way forward. The only way that would ensure both her cooperation and the Legion's satisfaction.

Marcus reminded himself that it wasn't all bad. After all, it wasn't like she'd get nothing out of it. Her leveling was proof enough of that.

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"...Ok." She finally agreed. "I… think I can live with that. Only if I'm free to go when I want to."

"Again, we'll need to put certain stipulations on that," Gaius reminded her. "At least during the beginnings of this conflict. But that can all be discussed, along with appropriate compensation."

That seemed to reassure the [Healer]. Her shoulders relaxed visibly, making Marcus breathe a private sigh of relief. He'd kept his end of the bargain. He'd put in a good word. It had been somewhat indirect, of course, but just making this introduction had likely guaranteed her life and gotten her even more. That was good enough in his book.

Eleanora looked between the two men one more time, as if gauging whether their words could be trusted. Then, she cleared her throat and began to speak.

Her tale sounded very similar to Myra's in the broad strokes—except Eleanora knew more. A lot more. Not only did she have details about individuals who were involved, but also about the specifics of what they were bringing to the table. Like the fact that the mayor's mysterious "reinforcements" from the baron not only existed but were expected to arrive in a day or two. Who or what they were still remained frustratingly vague, and he still couldn't be entirely sure that they were real. She also revealed that the timetable for everything had been accelerated in light of the Legion's recent departure.

She did her best to downplay any part that her party had in the rebellion. However, Marcus could read between the lines. It was all too apparent that Jack had put a lot of time and effort into helping to plan this. He could have even been considered one of the ringleaders. How an idiot like that hadn't managed to get him or his party killed yet was a mystery in itself.

Gaius listened patiently, making occasional notes on a slate at his elbow. His demeanor didn't appear particularly concerned. When the [Healer] finished her story, he turned to Marcus expectantly. He stepped forward with another bow.

"Through my own sources, I have managed to confirm a decent amount of Eleonora's story," he said, rattling off a few examples of what he could confirm. "However, there are some pieces that I cannot currently attest to—namely, what form the baron's reinforcements shall take, if they exist at all."

"Hmm." Gaius tapped his desk with one finger. "I believe we have a small dossier written up on the local baron from what you've told us of him. In light of this, do you have any additional information to share about him?"

Marcus racked his brain and blew out some air. "It's difficult for me to recall what exactly I've told you. The Legatus has asked quite a number of questions over the weeks, you understand, so many that they run together in my head. However, I am more than happy to look over your notes and fill in any gaps. Perhaps something will rattle my memory."

Gaius called for an aide and sent them to fetch the stored information. "Excellent. In the meantime…" The tribune's gaze returned to Eleonora. "I don't believe you have anything to worry about when it comes to your own safety. As for your party members… I can't promise much for them. Especially if they do side against us as we expect."

The words were delivered casually, in a matter-of-fact tone. It was not unlike how Gaius had been speaking this entire time. However, there was a difference to it now. There was a certain kind of glint in the man's eyes, a hint of hardness that Marcus wasn't entirely sure how to interpret.

Eleanora paled and swallowed, but nodded and didn't say anything in protest. After a second of heavy silence, she muttered something under her breath. "I was planning on finding a different party, anyway…"

Marcus frowned as Gaius began sending out aides with additional orders. He wasn't quite sure that he liked that look of his. He knew the Legion were a strict, no-nonsense kind of people. That much was evident—though fair about the rules they imposed, they didn't hesitate to dish out punishment when they were broken. There had even been a couple of lashings he'd heard about for some particularly egregious offenses, though infrequent.

But something about all of this set off alarm bells in his head. Perhaps the lack of severe consequences had simply been because of the town's compliance up to this point. He had no doubt that the Legion could deal with this threat, of course. The real question was, what would things look like in the aftermath?

***

Tiberius tried to relax his jaw as he continued marching. As it turned out, the activity was just as bad as he remembered. The skills of this world made it infinitely more tolerable and efficient, to be sure—they'd already covered at least four times as much distance as he'd normally expect. But that didn't mean it hadn't started to wear on his old bones.

Of course, not that he'd ever admit to such a thing. Not in front of the thousands of men that followed after him. Most of them had likely long since retreated into that distant headspace that every soldier knew well. But just in case any still remained observant through the mind-numbing hours… it was better to be safe than sorry. Still, he couldn't help but feel a slight touch of jealousy whenever he sent Quintus off to investigate another settlement.

The best he could say was that the travel gave him time to think. To solidify plans that he'd already set into motion or ones that he would need to soon enough. There were even a few logistical matters he was able to work though in his head—though those were much more difficult without the numbers in front of him.

The other officers were faring… considerably less well. That was evident enough. It was to the point that Tiberius had asked Quintus to keep an eye out for any horses on his outings just to improve their pace and silence any complaints. Unfortunately, none had been forthcoming so far—at least, according to him. Perhaps, beneath that professional demeanor of his, Quintus simply enjoyed watching the comparatively soft officers suffer along with the rest of the men.

Of course, he'd never accuse him of such a thing.

Tiberius spared a glance toward one of the tribunes—another young man, older than Gaius, yet also inexperienced. Sweat poured from his brow beneath the sun's rays as he stubbornly put one foot in front of the other. He'd made the mistake of asking Quintus to requisition "whatever kind of mount he could find" during one particularly rough stretch of hills. The primus pilus had solemnly agreed, returning spoon after with a rather handsome dairy cow—complete with a saddle. His stony expression hadn't so much as cracked in the face of the officer's sputtering.

Tiberius couldn't help but smile at the memory. The little stunt had earned Quintus a smack upside the head, of course. In fact, it would have earned him a lot more had he not been discreet in presenting the "noble steed" to the officers over a hill and out of sight of the other men. It would have been well within expectations to have him flogged for such insolence. But fortunately for him, Tiberius was willing to extend a bit of leeway to his old friend—well, as much as an officer and a centurion could be friends.

And it was pretty funny.

This time, though, when Quintus returned from one of his excursions, Tiberius noticed something different. He and the legionnaires were not alone. Between them, several of the Legionnaires hurried along or altogether dragged a group of bound captives. The Legatus stepped aside and halted, waiting as the ranks of the Legion streamed behind him.

Quintus stepped forward to meet Tiberius as he and his men saluted. "Legatus."

Tiberius acknowledged them with a nod. "Report, Primus."

Quintus began to speak, launching into a story of a captured farm and illicit drugs. It seemed that this latest excursion had proved quite a bit more eventful than the last few. He looked at the bound men who'd been made to kneel before him. "And these are the criminals in question? Can you verify this?"

"I am certain," Quintus responded, nodding. "Even without the illicit substances being grown, these men attempted to ambush and kill us."

Tiberius nodded slowly. "Hmm. We will investigate the herb of which you spoke. But later. For now, keep the farmers growing and leave a contingent of guards at that farm. They have orders to retreat if an overwhelming force comes to retake it. Otherwise, they are to keep the farm safe, operational, and leave the illicit herbs untouched."

Quintus nodded. "Yes, sir."

"If the plant has any use, we may leverage it in the future. If not, we will sell it elsewhere. Best to make some profit and destabilize our foes at the same time. Or, if it's not too harmful…" Tiberius gave a wry smile. "Well, perhaps we'll have a solution to the lack of drink."

"And the captives?" Quintus asked.

The two men shared a look. Tiberius knew. Quintus knew. But the order needed to be officially given.

"Take care of them."

Tiberius turned and increased his pace, returning to his spot among the Legionnaires.