Camp of the Thirteenth Legion — Dawn, Day of Departure
The horn sounded. This time, truly.
Long, deep, sustained.The sound that marked the first step of a legion into the outside world.
The standards were unveiled. The golden eagle gleamed under the rising sun. The cohorts formed, column by column. The dust had not yet risen, but hearts were already marching.
Sextus felt every buckle, every boot, every breath. His group stood firm. Faustus made one last check of formation. Veturius spit into his palm like it was a ritual. Atticus said nothing.
"At last," Nerva muttered."Now the story begins."
But it wasn't the story that came.It was a scream.
From the camp's northern flank came a different sound:Not ordered, not ceremonial.A cry.
Then another.And then the horn... the other horn: not the one for marching, but for alarm.
The legate had not yet given the order to advance, but the optios were already moving. The men of the second cohort were turned immediately toward the palisade.
"To arms! Form defensive line!"
Sextus turned with his men without thinking. Training instinct moved faster than confusion.In the distance, beyond the dust… figures.
A dozen men. Armed, filthy, with crude shields and a desperate look.Not an army. An attempt.
Veturius muttered:
"Bandits. Or deserters from another legion."
They struck like a blunt blow. No tactics. No hope.
The Roman missiles flew first: javelins, stones, three arrows.Then, a clear order:
"Repel them. Do not pursue!"
It didn't last long.Five fell. Three fled. Four were captured.
But the dust had already risen. Not from marching… but from blood.
Hours later, with calm restored, the legate addressed the gathered cohorts.
"The world beyond the camp does not wait for your ceremony.It does not ask if you're ready.Today you saw what awaits you.Not a great battle. But constant uncertainty.You march this afternoon. Without delay."
Sextus, still sweating and with a dent in his shield from a poorly deflected strike, looked at his men.
There was no more solemnity.Only steps.
Steps that, now truly, crossed the border.