Deleted member 67076
Thanks Rainbow Sparkle!
Okay, I split this chapter into more than one update, as it didn't seem to 'fit' with the others.
Map coming soon!
Okay, I split this chapter into more than one update, as it didn't seem to 'fit' with the others.
Map coming soon!
Chapter 6, Part 1
Eastern Gaul, May 28, 411
With the death of Gerontius in battle, his forces collapse, allowing Constantine’s army to crush them. Attempting to take advantage of the situation, Constantine sends his son and general Constans into Hispania to crush them, with the added mission of returning Hispania to his control. So far they have been successful, with spies reporting that Maximus had attempted to flee, only to be betrayed by his own men. Without Maximus, Iberia is an easy target for conquest. Unfortunately, barbarian activity in southern Gaul prevents Constantinus from moving the bulk of his forces and conquering Hispania.
Instead, they adopt a mostly defensive position, with Constantine himself currently stationed in a fort near the Pyrenees Mountains.
-----
“Sir, I have important news for you,” A soldier spoke as he opened the tent flap, briskly walking toward his superior before being stopped by a guard. His superior looked up from his work and turned towards the soldier, merely nodding. The subordinate began, “General Constans has arrived at the camp with important news. He says-”
“What, where is he? Why has he sent a messenger instead of meeting with me personally?” the superior interrupted.
“He said,” the soldier took a sharp breath, “He said... he’d like to show you the news.”
The general frowned, raised an eyebrow in suspicion, but he allowed the messenger to continue.
Picking up on the general's expression, the subordinated hurried towards the tent door and whistled. A moment later the tent flap open opened again, allowing three figures to enter.
Two soldiers came in, dragging a third figure by the arms to the feet of their leader, before unceremoniously dropping him on the ground.
The superior eyed the man. His appearance was unkempt and filthy. Bruises and dried blood stained his face and clothes. Judging by the looks of it the man appeared to be a prisoner.
“Wake up,” the general ordered, receiving only a groan in reply.
Sighing, he turned to one of the soldiers and said, “Wake him up.”
With a painful moan, the barely conscious man gingerly opened his eyes and raised his head, allowing the leader to get a look at his face.
The general grinned viciously, realizing why Constans decided to ‘show’ him instead of telling him. He knew who his prisoner was. Despite the filth and the growing beard, the face remained recongnizeable.
It was Maximus, the usurper from Hispania.
After a few seconds Maximus gasped in fear, the realization hitting him suddenly.
Across from him was Constantine, his former leader, sitting in a chair with his hands interlocked and a wild grinn. on his face
After a few seconds of savoring the look on Maximus’ face, Constantine spoke.
“Ave, Maximus. What brings you here?”
The prisoner opened his mouth, but no words would leave him.
“I would have been emperor by, you know.”
“I... I c-can explain!” stammered the fearful man.
Constantine’s expression became as hard as stone, then he swiftly and brutally punched Maximus in the nose, dropping him face first into the ground. “No excuses. You should have stayed loyal.”
Whimpering, the man attempted to get up, only to receive a sharp kick to the side, flipping him on his back.
Clutching his side, he attempted to speak “It-it-it was Gerontius! This was his idea!”
Constantine’s response was to stomp on the prisoner's neck.
Coughing up blood, Maximus pleaded, “P-please.”
“Please?” Grabbing him by the neck, Constantine lifted him in the air. Despite the pressure, Maximus managed to rasp out “P-please.... I... I can help...”
“How?” Constantine whispered angrily, before reaching a breaking point. “HOW?!” he demanded. Now using both hands, Constantine increased the pressure on the man’s neck.”How can you possibly help me?”
Gurgling was the only in response, as more pressure was added.
“Your armies have been crushed. Your men have betrayed you. They've sold you out to me, in an attempt to buy their freedom.”
More pressure was added, and Maximus’ face began to turn blue.
“You can’t provide me with men, you can’t provide me with money, and you can’t provide me with claims. YOU CAN’T DO ANYTHING! “
Constantine stopped, before snarling and dropping Maximus’ body. Rubbing the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger, he heaved a deep sigh.
“You should have stayed loyal.”
Eastern Gaul, May 28, 411
With the death of Gerontius in battle, his forces collapse, allowing Constantine’s army to crush them. Attempting to take advantage of the situation, Constantine sends his son and general Constans into Hispania to crush them, with the added mission of returning Hispania to his control. So far they have been successful, with spies reporting that Maximus had attempted to flee, only to be betrayed by his own men. Without Maximus, Iberia is an easy target for conquest. Unfortunately, barbarian activity in southern Gaul prevents Constantinus from moving the bulk of his forces and conquering Hispania.
Instead, they adopt a mostly defensive position, with Constantine himself currently stationed in a fort near the Pyrenees Mountains.
-----
“Sir, I have important news for you,” A soldier spoke as he opened the tent flap, briskly walking toward his superior before being stopped by a guard. His superior looked up from his work and turned towards the soldier, merely nodding. The subordinate began, “General Constans has arrived at the camp with important news. He says-”
“What, where is he? Why has he sent a messenger instead of meeting with me personally?” the superior interrupted.
“He said,” the soldier took a sharp breath, “He said... he’d like to show you the news.”
The general frowned, raised an eyebrow in suspicion, but he allowed the messenger to continue.
Picking up on the general's expression, the subordinated hurried towards the tent door and whistled. A moment later the tent flap open opened again, allowing three figures to enter.
Two soldiers came in, dragging a third figure by the arms to the feet of their leader, before unceremoniously dropping him on the ground.
The superior eyed the man. His appearance was unkempt and filthy. Bruises and dried blood stained his face and clothes. Judging by the looks of it the man appeared to be a prisoner.
“Wake up,” the general ordered, receiving only a groan in reply.
Sighing, he turned to one of the soldiers and said, “Wake him up.”
With a painful moan, the barely conscious man gingerly opened his eyes and raised his head, allowing the leader to get a look at his face.
The general grinned viciously, realizing why Constans decided to ‘show’ him instead of telling him. He knew who his prisoner was. Despite the filth and the growing beard, the face remained recongnizeable.
It was Maximus, the usurper from Hispania.
After a few seconds Maximus gasped in fear, the realization hitting him suddenly.
Across from him was Constantine, his former leader, sitting in a chair with his hands interlocked and a wild grinn. on his face
After a few seconds of savoring the look on Maximus’ face, Constantine spoke.
“Ave, Maximus. What brings you here?”
The prisoner opened his mouth, but no words would leave him.
“I would have been emperor by, you know.”
“I... I c-can explain!” stammered the fearful man.
Constantine’s expression became as hard as stone, then he swiftly and brutally punched Maximus in the nose, dropping him face first into the ground. “No excuses. You should have stayed loyal.”
Whimpering, the man attempted to get up, only to receive a sharp kick to the side, flipping him on his back.
Clutching his side, he attempted to speak “It-it-it was Gerontius! This was his idea!”
Constantine’s response was to stomp on the prisoner's neck.
Coughing up blood, Maximus pleaded, “P-please.”
“Please?” Grabbing him by the neck, Constantine lifted him in the air. Despite the pressure, Maximus managed to rasp out “P-please.... I... I can help...”
“How?” Constantine whispered angrily, before reaching a breaking point. “HOW?!” he demanded. Now using both hands, Constantine increased the pressure on the man’s neck.”How can you possibly help me?”
Gurgling was the only in response, as more pressure was added.
“Your armies have been crushed. Your men have betrayed you. They've sold you out to me, in an attempt to buy their freedom.”
More pressure was added, and Maximus’ face began to turn blue.
“You can’t provide me with men, you can’t provide me with money, and you can’t provide me with claims. YOU CAN’T DO ANYTHING! “
Constantine stopped, before snarling and dropping Maximus’ body. Rubbing the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger, he heaved a deep sigh.
“You should have stayed loyal.”
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