AmongHeroes
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Orders will be coming in a couple hours or so. Thanks for your patience everyone.
LancerDancer said
I appreciate that greatly. I understand that this forum is quite limited at the moment, and so I cannot cede you control of the thread itself - which is annoying. Therefore, adding new legions to the list and accepting players will be out of your hands, and any new comers will have to wait until I get back. However, what you can do is keep the other players, and yourself, busy with things to do. If most of the players have finished their missions, then you have the full authority to direct them further. I know I have written nice little letters from the Consul to the various legates, but I can't expect you to have the time for that, as well as for your own legion's responsibilities. So with that said, you can be more formal about matters and straight to the point. Put up an "Orders from the Senate" post, given by Consul Scipio this time, and you may simply say "Legio blah blah to do X". So long as the commands are understandable, then this will be fine. Of course, the players may not be ready to move onto their next mission, or may wish to wait for me to come back. This is fine, if that's the case. But I would feel better knowing that someone, i.e you, is there to move things forwards if everyone is eager to press on. You seem to understand the subject matter, which is an additional bonus. With all this said, I am taking my laptop with me up to Scotland, so I might be available. It really depends on how much work I need to get done up there, as I'm being thrown into a very rushed situation.
Sounds good. I'll keep it chugging along if you get tied up. Hope Scotland treats you well.
I'll volunteer to help out.
@TheMusketMan-So I went ahead and posted from the perspective of the VI Legion in the Second Battle of Syracuse. It was hard not to take some liberties with the Legio V Almeria, but I tried to limit it as best I could. I was thinking that if you wanted, you could tackle the actual destruction of Hasdrubal's army in your next post. If you want that to be the outcome, that is. If you do, feel free to setup and use the VI Legion as you see fit. A collab would be great in this situation, but I'll admit I don't have a lot of spare time to do that.
Lastly, and most importantly, if you have any issues with my post, just let me know and we can work it out.
Lastly, and most importantly, if you have any issues with my post, just let me know and we can work it out.
Pomponius sat atop his horse, regaled fully for battle in armor, helm, cape, and the distinctive wolf pelt that ever adorned his shoulders. The morning sun was rising above the distant sea, casting a bright highlight off of the thousands of legionaries arrayed before their Legate in the lowlands south of the Simeto river. The Legio Sexta Ferrata was set in a classic manipular formation, with the ranks of hastati, principes, and triarii formed into the distinctive triple battle order that was the signature of the Roman legions. Off some distance from the first offset maniples of hastati, the velite skirmishers formed their own loose battle line as the whole of the VI Legion marched towards the looming might of the Carthagian army.
From his vantage point among the triarii, Pomponius could clearly see the shining symbol of the Aquila, and the roaring wolf banner of the Legio Sexta Ferrata that fluttered beneath. The sight of the honorific standard filled Pomponius with pride, and the sentiment managed to dull the sharp edge of his anxiety. Yes, fear was present in the Legio legatus’ heart, and the man would never deny that such existed at a time such as this. To do so was folly, and an insult to the courage of men who overcame such fear. No, Titus Pomponius Philo was not a man without fear, he was simply a man accustomed to harnessing it.
Pomponius looked to the left of the main formation of the VI Legion, and he could see the organized lines of the equestrians advancing in time the triarii. The Ironclad cavalry’s primary purpose was to defend the Roman left flank. The VI Legion’s right flank was set against Legate Aelius Horatius Servius’ Legio V Almeria, and thusly Pomponius feared little for any threat to his right.
That is, Pomponius thought with a scowl, if the V Legion doesn’t decide to ignore their orders, and stop to rest.
In the scant weeks since the arrival of the Legio V Almeria in Syracuse, and the shock that Horatius had not led his men to meet the Carthaginians as Pomponius had understood them to be tasked, the relationship between the two legate had been strained. On some level, Pomponius understood the misinterpretation of the Consul’s orders as they had been relayed to Horatius, but the miscommunication now put the hard won gains of the Legio Sexta Ferrata at risk. Not to mention the possibility of losing the entire island of Sicily to Rome’s enemies. In the end, when scouts had located Hasdrubal’s army, and the Alae arrived to reinforce the Roman fighting force, there was nothing left to be done but relinquish the past, and face the reality of the moment. If the two legions did not band together to fight, they would most assuredly perish.
The Legio Sexta Ferrata’s involvement in the Second Battle of Syracuse began in classic Roman fashion. Arrayed facing the northwest, the VI Legion advanced with the higher ground of the Sicilian interior upon their left flank, and the formidable force of the Legio V Almeria upon their right. Pomponius’ velites opened the battle with volleys of javelins before retreating between the maniples of hastate, and moving to form a rearguard for VI Legion.
Continuing their advance, the VI Legion engaged the large Carthaginian army fully. The overwhelming size and ferocity at first pressed back the lines of hastati and pricipes, forcing them to retreat and reform with the ranks of the triarii. With his infantry organized, Pomponius again threw the VI Legion against Hasdrubal. When the two sides met once more, the battle developed into a pitched engagement, and maneuverability on both sides became extremely limited. This was exactly what Pomponius had been waiting for.
With the main body of the Carthaginians engaged with the Roman legions, Pomponius ordered the light and maneuverable cohorts of the Etruscan Alae to advance from their hidden position in the higher ground to the southwest of the battle, and strike at Hasdrubal’s exposed right flank. The Etruscan horsemen, supplemented by the equestrians of the VI Legion, pressed with audacious fervor into the ranks of the Carthaginians. So effective was their attack that the untested ranks of Sicilian traitors capitulated, and either fled the battlefield or were destroyed outright.
Lacking a means to effectively maneuver to meet the attack upon his flank, Hasdrubal’s heavily armored force was obliged to fold and retreat, lest they became fully enveloped by the Roman units.
Consul Tiberius Sempronius Longus,
I write to you from the field, as the great legions of Rome pursue the villain of Carthage, Hasdrubal. It is with pride that I inform you that the Legio VI Ferrata and the Legio V Almeria were successful in rebuffing the attack of the Carthaginians, and are even now giving chase to utterly destroy them.
The Senate’s wise deployment of the Alae to reinforce Rome’s holdings in Sicily proved to be an invaluable asset upon the field, and without their assistance, I fear many Roman sons would have been lost in the pursuance of their duty. Toxilus Maecenus of Vulci is to be commended for his valor and astute command of the Etruscan ranks, and I pray the Senate remember him in the coming years. I have taken it upon myself to separate the ranks of the Alae, and deploy the Etruscan infantry to maintain order and security over Syracuse. Toxilus Maecenus, along with his slingers and cavalry, remain with the Legio VI Ferrata, and aid in the hunt of Hasdrubal.
Further, though I cannot speak to the disposition of the Legio V Almeria, I must also extol Legate Aelius Horatius Servius for his prude actions during the battle. His shrewd style of command, and selfless courage, surely allowed Rome to win the day.
I will keep you well appraised, as best I can, of our unrelenting mission to destroy Hasdrubal and the Carthaginian aggressors. With the continued grace of Mars and Disciplina, we will surely succeed, and return Sicily to its rightful place beneath the banner of the Republic.
Humbly and sincerely,
Legatus Titus Pomponius Philo
From his vantage point among the triarii, Pomponius could clearly see the shining symbol of the Aquila, and the roaring wolf banner of the Legio Sexta Ferrata that fluttered beneath. The sight of the honorific standard filled Pomponius with pride, and the sentiment managed to dull the sharp edge of his anxiety. Yes, fear was present in the Legio legatus’ heart, and the man would never deny that such existed at a time such as this. To do so was folly, and an insult to the courage of men who overcame such fear. No, Titus Pomponius Philo was not a man without fear, he was simply a man accustomed to harnessing it.
Pomponius looked to the left of the main formation of the VI Legion, and he could see the organized lines of the equestrians advancing in time the triarii. The Ironclad cavalry’s primary purpose was to defend the Roman left flank. The VI Legion’s right flank was set against Legate Aelius Horatius Servius’ Legio V Almeria, and thusly Pomponius feared little for any threat to his right.
That is, Pomponius thought with a scowl, if the V Legion doesn’t decide to ignore their orders, and stop to rest.
In the scant weeks since the arrival of the Legio V Almeria in Syracuse, and the shock that Horatius had not led his men to meet the Carthaginians as Pomponius had understood them to be tasked, the relationship between the two legate had been strained. On some level, Pomponius understood the misinterpretation of the Consul’s orders as they had been relayed to Horatius, but the miscommunication now put the hard won gains of the Legio Sexta Ferrata at risk. Not to mention the possibility of losing the entire island of Sicily to Rome’s enemies. In the end, when scouts had located Hasdrubal’s army, and the Alae arrived to reinforce the Roman fighting force, there was nothing left to be done but relinquish the past, and face the reality of the moment. If the two legions did not band together to fight, they would most assuredly perish.
The Legio Sexta Ferrata’s involvement in the Second Battle of Syracuse began in classic Roman fashion. Arrayed facing the northwest, the VI Legion advanced with the higher ground of the Sicilian interior upon their left flank, and the formidable force of the Legio V Almeria upon their right. Pomponius’ velites opened the battle with volleys of javelins before retreating between the maniples of hastate, and moving to form a rearguard for VI Legion.
Continuing their advance, the VI Legion engaged the large Carthaginian army fully. The overwhelming size and ferocity at first pressed back the lines of hastati and pricipes, forcing them to retreat and reform with the ranks of the triarii. With his infantry organized, Pomponius again threw the VI Legion against Hasdrubal. When the two sides met once more, the battle developed into a pitched engagement, and maneuverability on both sides became extremely limited. This was exactly what Pomponius had been waiting for.
With the main body of the Carthaginians engaged with the Roman legions, Pomponius ordered the light and maneuverable cohorts of the Etruscan Alae to advance from their hidden position in the higher ground to the southwest of the battle, and strike at Hasdrubal’s exposed right flank. The Etruscan horsemen, supplemented by the equestrians of the VI Legion, pressed with audacious fervor into the ranks of the Carthaginians. So effective was their attack that the untested ranks of Sicilian traitors capitulated, and either fled the battlefield or were destroyed outright.
Lacking a means to effectively maneuver to meet the attack upon his flank, Hasdrubal’s heavily armored force was obliged to fold and retreat, lest they became fully enveloped by the Roman units.
Consul Tiberius Sempronius Longus,
I write to you from the field, as the great legions of Rome pursue the villain of Carthage, Hasdrubal. It is with pride that I inform you that the Legio VI Ferrata and the Legio V Almeria were successful in rebuffing the attack of the Carthaginians, and are even now giving chase to utterly destroy them.
The Senate’s wise deployment of the Alae to reinforce Rome’s holdings in Sicily proved to be an invaluable asset upon the field, and without their assistance, I fear many Roman sons would have been lost in the pursuance of their duty. Toxilus Maecenus of Vulci is to be commended for his valor and astute command of the Etruscan ranks, and I pray the Senate remember him in the coming years. I have taken it upon myself to separate the ranks of the Alae, and deploy the Etruscan infantry to maintain order and security over Syracuse. Toxilus Maecenus, along with his slingers and cavalry, remain with the Legio VI Ferrata, and aid in the hunt of Hasdrubal.
Further, though I cannot speak to the disposition of the Legio V Almeria, I must also extol Legate Aelius Horatius Servius for his prude actions during the battle. His shrewd style of command, and selfless courage, surely allowed Rome to win the day.
I will keep you well appraised, as best I can, of our unrelenting mission to destroy Hasdrubal and the Carthaginian aggressors. With the continued grace of Mars and Disciplina, we will surely succeed, and return Sicily to its rightful place beneath the banner of the Republic.
Humbly and sincerely,
Legatus Titus Pomponius Philo
Well the legions in Sicily are indeed in a pinch. Nice twist LancerDancer.
Hopefully that IC post is what you're looking for. If I took my turn way too far, or if I need to change anything, please let me know.
Legate Titus Pomponius Philo looked to the distant, yet still imposing walls of Syracuse, and his face set into a grim expression. His hand rested upon the large pommel of his gladius, and he almost scowled at the uselessness of the weapon set against the reality of the day. The traitors of Syracuse were locked firmly behind the formidable barrier of their walls, and the might of the Roman sword alone could not hope to dislodge them.
“Excuse me, sir?” Came a voice from behind Pomponius. The large man turned from his view of the walls of Syracuse, the wolf skin that draped over his armor and crimson cloak shifting in an almost lifelike manner, and looked to the rough man that had spoken.
“Yes Laelius, what news?” Pomponius said to the Centurion. Lealius was one of his most trusted officers, and as such Pomponius had sent the man to personally begin preparing the VI Legion for siege.
Laelius nodded, his tight-lipped mouth parting to reply. “Sir, the gathering of materials for the siege engines is proceeding apace. The engineers are overseeing the men felling the lumber, and they have given me assurances that we should have all we need to begin construction by the end of the week.”
“Very well,” Pomponius replied. “Continue to send out skirmishes to scout and probe the walls, all along its length. The Syracusans know we mean to breach their city, but as of yet they know not where. I want them guessing for as long as possible.”
The centurion’s head bobbed in understanding. “Yes sir. I shall see to it myself.” With that, Laelius saluted his general with a firm press of his fist above his heart, before turning to carry out his orders.
Pomponius watched Laelius for a moment before looking back to the walls of Syracuse, and returning to the solitude of his own thoughts.
Time is not with me, the legate spoke within. I pray that I am not forced to trade expediency of my mission for the blood of my men. Mars, I beseech thee, grant me such favor.
The VI Legion bent to the task of subjugating Syracuse with alacrity, eager to gain honor in the eyes of their Roman brethren. Yet, even with the might of their will behind them, Pomponius Philo and the rest of the Ironclad, found themselves wanting.
Pomponius had first called for the construction of two siege towers that were to be used under the cover of onagers, and other siege engines, to allow the VI Legion to scale the walls of the outer city. Though his engineers completed the construction of these implements successfully, the Syracusian defense of the walls was fierce. Even with the cover of artillery, the repeated Roman attempts to bring their towers to bear was in every instance rebuffed. The siege was stalled for weeks, and eventually the Syracusian defenders were able to set fire to one of the Roman siege towers, resulting in a large loss of both men and material for the VI Legion.
Seeing that he was wasting valuable time in an effort doomed to fail, Pomponius ceased his attacks, and set back to regroup and reevaluate his strategy.
The light of the waning sun cast a deep orange glow upon the walls of Syracuse. From his vantage point atop a hill overlooking the city, Pomponius could see the face of the stonework was pocked and scarred--wounds from the attentions of his siege weapons. Yet, the walls of the city stood defiantly strong, almost daring him to crash the living wave of the VI Legion against them.
Arrayed before him on the field surrounding the walls, the bulk of the Ironclad stood arrayed in formation. Scattered within their midst were the onagers and ballistae, and in the center of it all stood the remaining siege tower. The glow of torches flickered from the ranks of the soldiers, making them seem almost like a crop of burning stalks in the waning light of the day. Atop the walls, the Syracusian defenders could be seen as well, silhouetted like dark ghosts against the torches of the battlements.
Pomponius moved his attention to the rider that was fast approaching. The man astride the horse was a centurion among the equestrians, but as the use of cavalry in the siege was limited, the man had be relegated to the task of runner. If the man looked with ill-favor upon his new tasking, he was wise to not show it in the presence of the Legio Legatus.
“Sir!” The centurion yelled as he brought his steed to a skidding halt before Pomponius. “All cohorts are set, and ready to advance at your command.”
“And what of the engineers?” Pomponius replied.
“They also declare that everything is in order, sir.”
At hearing this, a strange calm seem to set over the commander of the VI Legion. His dark eyes cast themselves once more over the men below, before drifting inexorably across the daunting walls of Syracuse. At last, Pomponius’ attention returned to the rider.
“Sound the attack.”
The second press of the VI Legion was a daring maneuver, and a strategy that could have easily failed had fortune not favored Pomponius. Since the failure of the siege towers, Pomponius had ordered the construction of a mine beneath the longest span of the Syracusian outer wall. While the engineers worked to fulfill their mission, Pomponius ordered the near constant assailment of the city with his siege artillery. Night and day the engineers and sappers dug towards the great walls, while at the same instance, Syracuse was bombarded from above.
After months of work, the engineers at last declared themselves ready to fell the walls from below. Using the bulk of the VI Legion, Pomponius ordered a full-scale night attack as cover for the breaching of the walls. With the remaining siege tower as a diversion, the Syracusians set to defending the city from yet another Roman attempt to scale over the top of their defenses.
While the attack began, a small group of experienced triarii used the cover of darkness, and the distraction of the main battle, to scale both the outer and inner walls of the city. Once inside, with the battle for the outer walls raging, this group laid in wait. The engineers beneath the outer walls fired the supports in the mine, and subsequently a large section was destroyed. With an opening now made, the VI Legion stormed through the outer defenses.
Hearing that the outer walls had been breached, the small group of triarii emerged from hiding, and fought their way to the least defended inner gate. Once there, they managed to open the gate, and allow the VI Legion to continue its assault into the heart of Syracuse.
My dearest Consul Tiberius Sempronius Longus,
It is with a pleased heart that I inform you of the completion of the Legio Sexta Ferrata’s tasking. Syracuse, and all the traitors within, have fallen to the will of Rome. Even now, as I write to you, my brothers in arms take to refortifying the city in preparation for any further aggression against the Republic in Sicily. I pray that our brothers in the Legio V Almeria are able to stem the advance of the Carthaginian vermin, but I declare that Syracuse, as well as the Legio VI Ferrata will be ready should we be called upon once more.
Along with the news of my success, I must also inform you with a heavy weight upon my soul the cost of Rome’s great victory at Syracuse. In the course of the siege, the Legio VI Ferrata suffered almost a third of its strength to casualties of death, sickness, and injury. Of those lost, I claim full responsibility. The Syracusian defense was sound, and wholly ferocious, and I will confess to my own initial ignorance of the depth of their cunning. If I am to draw the ire of the Senate for the result of my actions on the field, I will bear such solely upon mine own shoulders.
With all my heart I pray you well, and I shall not soon forget your devotion and love for the late Fulvius Lupus. I am but a servant of Rome, and I stand ready for whatever call she bade me follow.
Humbly and with all regards,
Legatus Titus Pomponius Philo
“Excuse me, sir?” Came a voice from behind Pomponius. The large man turned from his view of the walls of Syracuse, the wolf skin that draped over his armor and crimson cloak shifting in an almost lifelike manner, and looked to the rough man that had spoken.
“Yes Laelius, what news?” Pomponius said to the Centurion. Lealius was one of his most trusted officers, and as such Pomponius had sent the man to personally begin preparing the VI Legion for siege.
Laelius nodded, his tight-lipped mouth parting to reply. “Sir, the gathering of materials for the siege engines is proceeding apace. The engineers are overseeing the men felling the lumber, and they have given me assurances that we should have all we need to begin construction by the end of the week.”
“Very well,” Pomponius replied. “Continue to send out skirmishes to scout and probe the walls, all along its length. The Syracusans know we mean to breach their city, but as of yet they know not where. I want them guessing for as long as possible.”
The centurion’s head bobbed in understanding. “Yes sir. I shall see to it myself.” With that, Laelius saluted his general with a firm press of his fist above his heart, before turning to carry out his orders.
Pomponius watched Laelius for a moment before looking back to the walls of Syracuse, and returning to the solitude of his own thoughts.
Time is not with me, the legate spoke within. I pray that I am not forced to trade expediency of my mission for the blood of my men. Mars, I beseech thee, grant me such favor.
The VI Legion bent to the task of subjugating Syracuse with alacrity, eager to gain honor in the eyes of their Roman brethren. Yet, even with the might of their will behind them, Pomponius Philo and the rest of the Ironclad, found themselves wanting.
Pomponius had first called for the construction of two siege towers that were to be used under the cover of onagers, and other siege engines, to allow the VI Legion to scale the walls of the outer city. Though his engineers completed the construction of these implements successfully, the Syracusian defense of the walls was fierce. Even with the cover of artillery, the repeated Roman attempts to bring their towers to bear was in every instance rebuffed. The siege was stalled for weeks, and eventually the Syracusian defenders were able to set fire to one of the Roman siege towers, resulting in a large loss of both men and material for the VI Legion.
Seeing that he was wasting valuable time in an effort doomed to fail, Pomponius ceased his attacks, and set back to regroup and reevaluate his strategy.
The light of the waning sun cast a deep orange glow upon the walls of Syracuse. From his vantage point atop a hill overlooking the city, Pomponius could see the face of the stonework was pocked and scarred--wounds from the attentions of his siege weapons. Yet, the walls of the city stood defiantly strong, almost daring him to crash the living wave of the VI Legion against them.
Arrayed before him on the field surrounding the walls, the bulk of the Ironclad stood arrayed in formation. Scattered within their midst were the onagers and ballistae, and in the center of it all stood the remaining siege tower. The glow of torches flickered from the ranks of the soldiers, making them seem almost like a crop of burning stalks in the waning light of the day. Atop the walls, the Syracusian defenders could be seen as well, silhouetted like dark ghosts against the torches of the battlements.
Pomponius moved his attention to the rider that was fast approaching. The man astride the horse was a centurion among the equestrians, but as the use of cavalry in the siege was limited, the man had be relegated to the task of runner. If the man looked with ill-favor upon his new tasking, he was wise to not show it in the presence of the Legio Legatus.
“Sir!” The centurion yelled as he brought his steed to a skidding halt before Pomponius. “All cohorts are set, and ready to advance at your command.”
“And what of the engineers?” Pomponius replied.
“They also declare that everything is in order, sir.”
At hearing this, a strange calm seem to set over the commander of the VI Legion. His dark eyes cast themselves once more over the men below, before drifting inexorably across the daunting walls of Syracuse. At last, Pomponius’ attention returned to the rider.
“Sound the attack.”
The second press of the VI Legion was a daring maneuver, and a strategy that could have easily failed had fortune not favored Pomponius. Since the failure of the siege towers, Pomponius had ordered the construction of a mine beneath the longest span of the Syracusian outer wall. While the engineers worked to fulfill their mission, Pomponius ordered the near constant assailment of the city with his siege artillery. Night and day the engineers and sappers dug towards the great walls, while at the same instance, Syracuse was bombarded from above.
After months of work, the engineers at last declared themselves ready to fell the walls from below. Using the bulk of the VI Legion, Pomponius ordered a full-scale night attack as cover for the breaching of the walls. With the remaining siege tower as a diversion, the Syracusians set to defending the city from yet another Roman attempt to scale over the top of their defenses.
While the attack began, a small group of experienced triarii used the cover of darkness, and the distraction of the main battle, to scale both the outer and inner walls of the city. Once inside, with the battle for the outer walls raging, this group laid in wait. The engineers beneath the outer walls fired the supports in the mine, and subsequently a large section was destroyed. With an opening now made, the VI Legion stormed through the outer defenses.
Hearing that the outer walls had been breached, the small group of triarii emerged from hiding, and fought their way to the least defended inner gate. Once there, they managed to open the gate, and allow the VI Legion to continue its assault into the heart of Syracuse.
My dearest Consul Tiberius Sempronius Longus,
It is with a pleased heart that I inform you of the completion of the Legio Sexta Ferrata’s tasking. Syracuse, and all the traitors within, have fallen to the will of Rome. Even now, as I write to you, my brothers in arms take to refortifying the city in preparation for any further aggression against the Republic in Sicily. I pray that our brothers in the Legio V Almeria are able to stem the advance of the Carthaginian vermin, but I declare that Syracuse, as well as the Legio VI Ferrata will be ready should we be called upon once more.
Along with the news of my success, I must also inform you with a heavy weight upon my soul the cost of Rome’s great victory at Syracuse. In the course of the siege, the Legio VI Ferrata suffered almost a third of its strength to casualties of death, sickness, and injury. Of those lost, I claim full responsibility. The Syracusian defense was sound, and wholly ferocious, and I will confess to my own initial ignorance of the depth of their cunning. If I am to draw the ire of the Senate for the result of my actions on the field, I will bear such solely upon mine own shoulders.
With all my heart I pray you well, and I shall not soon forget your devotion and love for the late Fulvius Lupus. I am but a servant of Rome, and I stand ready for whatever call she bade me follow.
Humbly and with all regards,
Legatus Titus Pomponius Philo
It's great to see so much interest. This should be a fun RP. Great work, LancerDancer.
Thomas’ eyes closed at the touch of the warm cloth against his face, and a tight lipped smile accompanied the expression.
“It is something indeed,” Thomas said. “Lightfoot was a man whose opinion was made quickly, and finally in most cases,” Thomas scoffed at the memory of the man, “so I would warrant his approval as a success.”
Opening his copper eyes, Thomas looked to Antonia and smiled more fully. The cast of the firelight upon her caramel-brown skin was beautiful, and the curls of ebony that framed her face gave the rogue a strangely angelic quality that made Thomas want to reach out and touch her. As Antonia reached to his face with the cloth once more, he gently stopped her, and withdrew the cloth from the rogue’s hand.
“As for the consequences of Lightfoot’s disapproval, well…” Thomas stood and stepped to the cauldron of hot water. For several moments Thomas washed the rag clean as best he could in a small basin of cool water, before wetting it with the water from the cauldron. He moved back to Antonia and resumed his seat. With the same careful touch that his love had granted him, Thomas reached upward to clean the angelic face seated before him.
“…If Lightfoot had expressed condemnation over our match,” Thomas said, completing his thought at last. “The man on the island, lost soul or not, would have received a beating worthy of such attentions.”
For several more long moments, Thomas continued his ministrations with a pleasant glean to his face as he wiped the layers of dried blood from Antonia’s countenance. The pleasant thoughts of Lightfoot, and the warming quality of speaking of his love only buoyed him from the present only so long however, and soon his features once again began to darken.
“We’ve lost so many,” he began suddenly. “We won’t be sure of the numbers until we have a count, once the storm has passed, but I fear the Dusk Skate may be dangerously undermanned.”
Thomas’ dark confrontation of his ship’s fate was swiftly diverted by the thud of the galley’s wooden door, and the abrupt entrance of Jax. Beneath his arm, slung like a sack of grain, was the boy Luc. Despite his grim disposition, the sight brought a smirk to Thomas’ face.
“Hello gentlemen,” Thomas said, standing slowly. “I’m glad you dropped him by, Jax. We’ll certainly take the lad.”
Thomas shuffled towards where the barrels of hard biscuit and jerky were stored, as Jax bent to speak to Luc. Taking a wooden bowl, the captain began to place a small portion of the dried food inside. His ears listened intently to Jax’s words as he worked however, and as Thomas filled a small earthen mug from a cask of drinking water, he nodded in agreement to Jax’s words.
“Captains especially.” Thomas said, speaking to the harsh existence of the nightmares they all shared. Looking up from his work to the dark eyes of the boy, he continued, “Come on m’boy, try to eat something, and share a spot near the fire. It’s not delicious fare, but a filled belly is a blessing in its own right.”
Luc moved to the pair of his aunt and the captain, looking back over his shoulder to the helmsman’s wink and gesture of encouragement.
Thomas moved his eyes to the helmsman, and gave the man a smile and a nod that spoke to his thanks for watching over the boy. “We’ll have work to do soon enough, Jax. Storm or no, we can only drift for so long before we must get the men aloft, and get the Skate righted proper-like. I’ll call on your skill shortly, my friend.”
With that, Thomas watched the man leave the way he had come. His eyes lingered momentarily upon the darkened doorway of the galley before he turned his attention to Luc, and handed the boy the bowl of food he had just prepared.
“It is something indeed,” Thomas said. “Lightfoot was a man whose opinion was made quickly, and finally in most cases,” Thomas scoffed at the memory of the man, “so I would warrant his approval as a success.”
Opening his copper eyes, Thomas looked to Antonia and smiled more fully. The cast of the firelight upon her caramel-brown skin was beautiful, and the curls of ebony that framed her face gave the rogue a strangely angelic quality that made Thomas want to reach out and touch her. As Antonia reached to his face with the cloth once more, he gently stopped her, and withdrew the cloth from the rogue’s hand.
“As for the consequences of Lightfoot’s disapproval, well…” Thomas stood and stepped to the cauldron of hot water. For several moments Thomas washed the rag clean as best he could in a small basin of cool water, before wetting it with the water from the cauldron. He moved back to Antonia and resumed his seat. With the same careful touch that his love had granted him, Thomas reached upward to clean the angelic face seated before him.
“…If Lightfoot had expressed condemnation over our match,” Thomas said, completing his thought at last. “The man on the island, lost soul or not, would have received a beating worthy of such attentions.”
For several more long moments, Thomas continued his ministrations with a pleasant glean to his face as he wiped the layers of dried blood from Antonia’s countenance. The pleasant thoughts of Lightfoot, and the warming quality of speaking of his love only buoyed him from the present only so long however, and soon his features once again began to darken.
“We’ve lost so many,” he began suddenly. “We won’t be sure of the numbers until we have a count, once the storm has passed, but I fear the Dusk Skate may be dangerously undermanned.”
Thomas’ dark confrontation of his ship’s fate was swiftly diverted by the thud of the galley’s wooden door, and the abrupt entrance of Jax. Beneath his arm, slung like a sack of grain, was the boy Luc. Despite his grim disposition, the sight brought a smirk to Thomas’ face.
“Hello gentlemen,” Thomas said, standing slowly. “I’m glad you dropped him by, Jax. We’ll certainly take the lad.”
Thomas shuffled towards where the barrels of hard biscuit and jerky were stored, as Jax bent to speak to Luc. Taking a wooden bowl, the captain began to place a small portion of the dried food inside. His ears listened intently to Jax’s words as he worked however, and as Thomas filled a small earthen mug from a cask of drinking water, he nodded in agreement to Jax’s words.
“Captains especially.” Thomas said, speaking to the harsh existence of the nightmares they all shared. Looking up from his work to the dark eyes of the boy, he continued, “Come on m’boy, try to eat something, and share a spot near the fire. It’s not delicious fare, but a filled belly is a blessing in its own right.”
Luc moved to the pair of his aunt and the captain, looking back over his shoulder to the helmsman’s wink and gesture of encouragement.
Thomas moved his eyes to the helmsman, and gave the man a smile and a nod that spoke to his thanks for watching over the boy. “We’ll have work to do soon enough, Jax. Storm or no, we can only drift for so long before we must get the men aloft, and get the Skate righted proper-like. I’ll call on your skill shortly, my friend.”
With that, Thomas watched the man leave the way he had come. His eyes lingered momentarily upon the darkened doorway of the galley before he turned his attention to Luc, and handed the boy the bowl of food he had just prepared.
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