"Orphan Jace Kasia might have found a home in the green hills and golden valleys of the Insubri. But several things prevented him from relishing his new life. He didn't know his name, he couldn't recollect his training, and he lived like a dog on a farm outside a border town.
Although the Carthaginian General had departed for Africa, the defensive profile of the Legions needed to contain Hannibal continued to linger like a bad odor.
Like other nations forced into agreements, the tribes sought to break treaties and unharness from the tack and yoke of Rome. And while hot-blooded young warriors agreed with the old men, the adults of the tribe stopped any aggressive actions.
Little did they realize, chaos was coming to the land of the Insubri. Yet, arising from an unlikely place, a war leader with the knowledge to defeat the Legions would emerge.
However, before he could assume the role of a War Chief, the Latian Dog had to get out of the freezing cold storage shed. Then all Archer Jace Kasia needed to do to claim his new home, and the Salvation of Exile, was to shake off the confusion in his mind and remember.
Welcome to 200 B.C."
"Some skills need to remain relevant.
Everybody starts at the bottom when they change careers. Alerio Sisera understood the concept. He even recognized the difference between being a military man who lived by the gladius and a politician who used a pen to craft agreements.
But the theory went to Hades when a series of brutal robberies required Lictor Sisera to investigate the crimes. Bringing fresh eyes to the scenes, a different perspective to the questioning, and postulating a hypothesis ended when blades were drawn.
In Abject Authority, Alerio is forced to fight for his life while trying to enforce the laws of the Republic. It seems even as a politician, Alerio Sisera needs to keep his blades sharp because some skills are never truly retired.
Welcome to 251 B.C."
"Savage Birthright is the plight of Princes, usurpers, and those who inherit the burdens of powerful fathers.
When extortion draws Alerio Sisera to an Illyrian capital, the Legion officer finds an old adversary who needs his help, a poison kiss from a masked woman during a street festival, and a city full of people who want him dead.
From a Prince who needs to prepare for the trials of ascension, to a Priestess who wants to be Queen, Savage Birthright throws Battle Commander Alerio Sisera into a nest of vipers with no way out.
Welcome to 252 B.C."
"The General's Tribune
Once the Carthaginian forces were removed from Iberia, the reinforcements and supplies for Hannibal Barca dwindled to a trickle. Even so, Hannibal held onto the southwest quadrant of the Italian peninsula and remained a danger to the Republic. Although made rich from his conquests, the architect of the victory in Iberia retreated to Rome.
Too proud to serve under another General, but too young to be a Senator or a Consul/General, Cornelius Scipio acted the part of a civilian. But under the toga, he burned with the desire to face Hannibal in battle. While trading political favors, he grew, thanks to his wife, in popularity with the elites and the citizens of Rome. To what end, few knew, and even less would understand his impossible plan.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Mediterranean, Cretan Archer Kasia worked on a contract in a comfortable urban setting. But war was coming to Egypt. When the rebellion materialized, God/King Ptolemy IV would raise a Pharaoh's army. And when the Pharaoh marched south, Jace Kasia would go with him.
Welcome to 205 B. C."
"The line of war elephants scattered the lightly armored Velites. In retreat, the skirmishers filtered through the Legion ranks. Not that it made a difference, but the First Maniple wore heavier armor and grasped bigger shields. But like the Velites, the Legionaries were no match for the enormous beasts. Tusks capped with bronze tips swung, defining the width of destruction expected by each Century. Archers on the backs of the animals launched arrows into the Legion ranks. Legionaries fell from the arrows, were pulled back and off their combat lines. Those were the lucky ones.
Behind the elephants, a horde of Hannibal Barca's best infantrymen kept pace. Modest in its simplicity, the plan was devised for one outcome. Ram through with the elephants, followed by the light infantry, who would maintain avenues through the Legion lines. Next up, the heavies infiltrated the broken lines, adding their spears and shields. Discipline would breakdown, Legionaries would panic, and victory would go to the killers of the African Corps.
With the Roman Legions across the field from the Carthaginian army, General Cornelius Scipio, and General Hannibal Barca would finally match wits. God-like in their commands with conquests by the hundreds, they were far above any contemporaries. Except perhaps for the General across the contested landscape."
"'Jealousy is but one road to the preordained,' Hektor offered.
'Are you a seer, now?' Alerio challenged.
'No, sir. I'm a youth who worries about how you're being treated.'
'Colonel, we're all apprehensive about what fate their jealousy is driving you towards,' Centurion Pelle added.
'I've sworn a Tribune's Oath to a God and a General,' Alerio informed them. He tugged the crested helmet down over his head before saying. 'We can sit with bowls of camp stew and talk about our feelings later. Right now, I have a battle to win.'
Welcome to 255 B.C."
"It's been said, 'You may not think you're at war. But a surprise attack by an enemy means they are at war with you, so you'd best prepare.' Metaphorically, the same can be said of an apprentice of war. There was no doubt, Hannibal Barca was a master of war. Since he came down from the Alps and swept away the Roman Legions sent to stop him, he proved it to Rome and to the rest of the ancient world.
Yet, from the first engagement on Republic soil, Hannibal attracted an apprentice. Unknown to the great Carthaginian General, a teen in the first battle of the 2nd Punic War began to learn from the master. He went through all the stages: That of an ill-equipped young man with a thirst for vengeance; later, a brash officer willing to test himself against the odds; and finally, to a leader who understood his own weaknesses.
Cornelius Scipio began to apply the lessons of Hannibal Barca and sharpen his skills in preparation to fulfill his fate. For now, he would focus his talents on Hannibal's brother and the other Carthaginian generals in Iberia. But an unexpected foe would insert itself into his plans. And he would learn not all victories are decided from dawn to death. Some come at you in the afternoon from unexpected directions."
"'Fresh hate is fuel,' Alerio whispered.
Groaning with agony from the pain in his tortured body, he struggled to get the tunic over his head. Reluctantly, Hektor handed him the armor and Senior Tribune Sisera added. 'They wanted someone to die this night. I'm only fulfilling their wish.'
Outside the tent, Alerio scooped a bucket of water from the barrel and carried it to Phobos. Picking up on his master's mood, the stallion danced sideways in anticipation of combat. The frantic movements reminded Alerio of lessons from his youth.
'You're right,' he uttered to the horse. 'Never allow your temper to rule your emotions. And never temper your revenge with passion or compassion.' Under the influence of the memory, the Legion officer's breathing calmed, and his mind settled.
Once the stallion had enough water, Alerio tossed the bucket in the direction of the barrel and mounted the beast. A moment later, man and horse trotted away from the supply depot.
Alerio neither rushed Phobos nor reined him in. Rather, he allowed the animal to move at a steady pace towards the Consuls' headquarters. Senior Tribune Sisera could have delayed the retribution, but honor demanded the killing take place before sunrise.
Welcome to 256 B.C."
"When a military commander makes a bold move, it can fail, making the situation worse. Or, the tactic can succeed, but create lackluster results. Yet rarely, the outcome is so dramatic, it changes the complexion of an entire campaign.
Cornelius Scipio marched his outnumbered Legions south, and in a lightning assault, captured New Carthage. The ramifications rocked the confidence of the three Punic Generals in Iberia. They vowed to drive the Legions into the sea and kill Scipio just as they had his father and his uncle. Plus, the loss of a large commercial center hampered Hannibal's activities in the Republic. And throughout the government of Carthage, the young General's victory cast doubt on the future. In one daring and potentially disastrous undertaking, Cornelius shuffled alliances, created treaties, and drew warriors to his Legions. The success made Cornelius Scipio one the richest men in Iberia. And, placed him among the most powerful military commanders in the western Mediterranean region.
His supporters in the Senate applauded his success and acknowledged the miraculous accomplishments. His detractors, one the other hand, considered Cornelius Scipio a danger to the Republic and a threat to the good order of Rome. Some even whispered the most vile insult one could lodge against a loyal citizen."
"'You treated us like dirt then taught us to fight as a unit. That is the mark of a professional military officer,' Metie stated. 'Last night you became a spirit and walked among the soldiers. Now you leave sacrifices for their dead and thank your Goddess for sparing us. That is very priest like. The guardsmen, Tribune, are conflicted.'
Alerio Sisera had made killers out of a handful of guardsmen to win over one Captain. The other three Captains were in their regions and hundreds of miles away. And each would require a different task to give Alerio an endorsement as a Military Attaché.
Tribune Sisera prayed for an opportunity to get all four Captains in one place. He should have remembered Aesop's warning, 'Be careful what you wished for, lest you get it.'
Welcome to 257 B.C."
"A clash of deities . . .
'You claim to speak for the Sky Father. That must give you an amazing feeling of power,' Alerio suggested. 'But Priest of Jupiter, the Goddess Nenia speaks through me. And it is not a feeling of power. In fact, the voice of death creates a sensation of hopelessness.'
Welcome to the spring of 258 BC.
The expanding war with the Qart Hadasht Empire is changing the Republic's military supply structure. Supplying scattered Legions and far-flung naval squadrons is overextending the provincial quartermaster system. Growing awkwardly to handle the needs, the military organizations are evolving, slowly. Now evil men have found a way to profit from the disorganization.
The mission for Alerio Sisera is to bring the thieves to justice. But the Tribune has no idea exposing a criminal enterprise will cause a clash between a God and a Goddess. And require vengeance from his alter ego, Death Caller."
"'The opinions range from holy man to talented tactician,' Marcus Flamma informed Alerio. 'And extend all the way to you being a brutal killer or a full on drunk.'
'If it pleases you, I am all of those,' Alerio replied. 'Usually one at a time, but often I combine them.'
'See, you don't care what other's think about you,' Marcus summed up. 'How can you do that?'
'Pray and think?' Alerio asked. 'Or fight and drink?'
Welcome to summer 258 B.C."
