SPQR

Chapter 1

December 12, 171 C.E.  Germania

Centurion Gaius Septimus stood with his troops along the front line. They were some of Rome’s finest soldiers. Each one was a battle hardened veteran, forged from half a decade of constant war against the barbarian tribes of Germania. Gaius rubbed his hands together trying to keep them from going numb in the chilly winter air. The rest of his men stood silent, ready to begin their slaughter anew. The only contrast of movement between them was the occasional puff of vapor from their mouths. The forest ahead only greeted them with silence, a sound that every soldier comes to dread.

The silence was shattered by the howls of thousands of bloodthirsty Germans, determined to drive the Roman intruders off of their land. Gaius blew a single shrill note from his wooden whistle and instantly the legionnaires began to hurl their pilum into the enemy ranks. Scores of barbarians fell as the projectiles pierced wooden shields, making a sickening crunch as they made contact. One unfortunate warrior was skewered right through the gut. He moaned in agony trying to gather his entrails as they spilled onto the ground. His death would not be quick, nor would it be unique. The barbarians that hadn’t been caught in the initial volley crashed upon the Roman line.

Gaius found himself face to face with a German berserker, charging at him wildly with a pair of iron axes. The centurion held up his shield to parry the oncoming blow and was knocked back a few inches from its sheer ferocity. As powerful as the blow was it had lodged one of the barbarian’s axes into the shield, rendering both of items useless. Gaius quickly dropped his shield and took advantage of the barbarian’s momentary confusion by kicking him in the knee. The barbarian grunted in pain and swung his remaining axe toward Gaius’s midsection. The blow connected with the harsh sound of metal scraping against metal, knocking Gaius to the ground.

The centurion coughed violently as he tried to catch his breath. His chest hurt like hell but at least he wasn’t dead. The barbarian grinned savagely as he brought down his axe to cleave the Roman’s face in half. Unfortunately for the barbarian, Gaius had other plans. With a quick thrust the Roman plunged his sword straight through the warrior’s throat. The barbarian let out a wet-sounding gurgle and collapsed to the ground.

Gaius pulled his sword from the barbarian’s neck and inspected the battlefield. A chorus of wails and moans resonated throughout the field, like some macabre symphony. Many Germans lie dead or dying along with a sizeable number of his own comrades. He found one of his legionnaires sitting on the ground, his chainmail armor caked with blood and grime. Gaius patted the soldier on the back and helped him to his feet.

“The barbarians put up one hell of a fight didn’t they?”

The soldier nodded. “Yes sir. I very nearly lost my arm when one of them swung at me with a long sword. Good thing I was quick and managed to smash his face in with my shield.”

Gaius laughed. “Ah well a lot us of forget that a shield can be just as deadly a weapon as a sword. You’re a quick thinker and I like that. If you keep that up, you might be a centurion yourself someday.”

The centurion made his way over to the command tent to receive his next orders from the legate. The tent was simply furnished despite the importance of the man who occupied it. Inside was a large wooden table with a map laid on top of it. A small bed covered in animal furs lay directly across from the table, where a very tired looking legate sat rubbing his temples. Gaius pounded his chest and gave the traditional Roman salute to his commander.

The legate returned the salute. “At ease Centurion, this isn’t the parade grounds.”

“Umm thank you sir. I was just wondering what we intend to do next, now that the barbarians have been routed.”

“The emperor has made it clear that he wants these savages completely broken. To do that we must burn down a few villages, to set an example as it were.”

Gaius frowned. “But sir that means…”

The legate held his hand up. “I know perfectly well what it means. The men need to vent some of their stress. Tell them they may take any spoils they deem necessary. And I do mean any spoils. Do I make myself clear?”

Gaius took fifty of his men to a nearby German village. Most of the houses were simple wooden structures with thatched roofs to provide some protection against the elements. The smell of smoke and animal dung purveyed the air as the soldiers began to fan out. A small detachment of five legionnaires approached one of the houses, kicking down the door so they could take everything of value. They were surprised to find that one of the warriors from the battle charged at them, burying his sword into one of the Roman’s skull. Two of the other soldiers held the German down, while another savagely beat him with the pommel of his sword.

Once the Romans had gotten their fill of revenge they noticed a middle aged woman and her teenage daughter were huddling in the corner. They shook violently at the unspoken prospect of being put in the slavery, raped, or worse yet both. Gaius moved onto the next house and was surprised to find an old woman sitting on a chair in front of a stone fire pit. Despite the woman’s calm demeanor she had a wild look to her. The woman’s grey hair was stringy and out of place and she wore various animal skins, including a hood made from a wolf’s head. The strangest part about her was the myriad of tattoos that adorned her face and arms; they seemed to glow from the dim light of the fire.

“I promise that no harm shall come to you if you do not resist.”

The old hag laughed. “Resist? I am an old woman, how much resistance could I possibly put up? Surely the legion has better things to do than slaughter defenseless old crones.”

Gaius’s eyes widened. “Wait…you actually speak Latin?”

“Indeed I do. Is that surprising to you, that some savage can learn your language?”

“In any case, your people have fallen and it would be in your best interest to let us go about our business.”

The old hag scoffed. “But of course, the business of raping and pillaging is such a strenuous task! Far be it for me to interrupt. You may take what you wish I have little of value.”

As if on cue, blood curdling screams could be heard from the house across from them. Gaius merely sighed, rubbing his temples. The old woman clicked her tongue and continued to stare into the fire.

“You don’t approve of comrades’ behavior do you?

“I…no I’m afraid I don’t.”

“And why might that be?”

Gaius pounded his fist against the wall. “I shouldn’t even be talking to you, much less telling you my personal issues.”

The old hag grinned. “I am but an old woman, who is not long for this world. Indulge me, young one. However, if I had to hazard a guess you have family no?”

“I had a family once, a loving wife and a beautiful daughter. They died in a fire about two years ago. I…was on campaign when it happened. It’s just that…every time I hear the screams of women being ravaged, I can’t help but picture their faces. It sickens me.”

“Hmm I hope that their spirits found peace. It would seem to me that very little holds you to this mortal existence. Tell me, do you seek death? Is that why you stay in the legion?”

Gaius sighed. “I don’t know. Some days I can still feel the fire of life burning in my belly, but other days I crave to join them in the fields of Elysium.”

“Come, sit next to me child.”

The old woman placed her wrinkly hand on top of his and gripped it as tightly as she could. She began to mutter something in her own language. Gaius was not a very religious man, but he swore he could feel something in the air…almost like a presence. The tattoos on the hag’s hands and face began to glow an eerie green color as she continued to chant.

“I cannot send you to Elysium, but I can offer you an alternative. By my rights as the village shaman, I shall use the last of my magic to help you find the redemption you seek.”

Gaius was enveloped in shroud of emerald light as the old woman’s eyes glowed white, with some other worldly power. The room began to fade away in a swirl of colors as he felt the very ground beneath him give way. The last thing he saw before losing consciousness was the old woman bursting into green colored flames.

Sweet Apple Acres, Ponyville

Babs Seed stared up at the clouds, wishing that something exciting would happen. It was one of those lazy summer afternoons that made you want to sleep until supper time. The gentle rocking of the hammock wasn’t helping matters much as she found her eyelids becoming heavier…that was until Apple Bloom decided to show up. The energetic young mare poked her cousin’s side.

“C’mon Babs I’m bored! Ah wanna go do somethin’. Ya can’t stay here and laze about all day in that hammock.”

Babs blew a strand of her mane away as she rolled over. “I can if I wanna. It’s summer time Bloom, we don’t halfta go out and try ta find our cutie marks every day.”

“You don’t understand mah sister like ah do. If she finds out that we aren’t doin’ anythin’, she’ll make us do all kinds o’ chores. Ah can’t spend mah precious summer muckin’ the pig pens!”

Babs rolled her eyes. “Alright you win. Are Sweetie and Scoots gonna be in on the action?”

“Ah think Scootaloo is busy trainin’ with Rainbow Dash. We’ll have to drop by Carousel Boutique and see if Sweetie isn’t busy helpin’ her sister.”

“Aww it’s a real bummer that Scoots can’t come along.”

Apple Bloom’s ears flattened. “Ah know, but we’re not little fillies anymore Babs. You know important her big sister time is with Rainbow Dash and well…she might even be gettin’ a part time job with the weather team.”

“That makes me feel like a total shmuck! Sweetie’s learning how to make dresses, you work on the farm and here I am sitting on my plot doing nothing.”

“Don’t feel too bad, we’ve just got families that have a business ta run. I’m sure Granny will let you work if ya ask. Hay, she might even give ya a few bits!”

Babs ran her hoof through her mane. “I might take you up on that offer. But for now I still wanna do something. Do you have any ideas?”

“Ah was thinkin’ we could head on over ta Zecora’s place and learn about potion makin’. Ya never know what kinds of useful things potions can do.”

“Maybe I’m missing something but…isn’t her hut near the Everfree Forest?”

Apple Bloom nodded. “Sure is! Oh but don’t worry ah know how ta get there without too much trouble.”

Carousel Boutique, Ponyville

Rarity cringed as she saw her little sister stab herself in the hoof with a needle once again. The fashonista had tried her best to teach Sweetie the basics of tailoring but the young mare was a clumsy as ever. At this rate it would take centuries for her sister to match the level skill she had and Sweetie was no alicorn. With a sigh she kissed Sweetie on the forehead.

“Let’s take a break for now darling. All of this work has given me quite an appetite! How about we get ourselves a little snack?”

Sweetie sucked on her injured hoof. “I guess so…”

“Look I know you’re upset about the whole dress making thing, but believe me when I tell you that such things take years of practice. You don’t think I was good at it right away did you?”

“Well no. But it seems like no matter how hard I try, I always mess everything up!”

“That’s to be expected darling; you’ve only just begun using your magic.”

Sweetie’s lip quivered. “B-but when Twilight was my age she could already hatch a dragon egg and turn ponies into plants.”

“Ah but Twilight isn’t just any unicorn. Her specialty is magic, so it’s only natural. You however are still a growing mare.”

“Everypony keeps telling me that. I’m tired of merely growing up! I just want to be good at something.”

Rarity wrapped her sister in a tight hug. “I promise you will Sweetie, give it some time. I want you to know that no matter how long it takes, I’ll support you one hundred percent of the way. Now how about I get you some ice cream? Surely that will cheer you up!”

Rarity levitated a peanut coated ice cream cone into her sister’s eager hooves. As Sweetie began to nibble on her dairy based treat, somepony rang the doorbell to the boutique. Rarity trotted over to the door as fast as her dainty legs could carry her. She opened the door to find two very familiar Apple family members grinning at her.

“Howdy Rarity! We were wonderin’ if Sweetie was available.”

“She most certainly is. I believe she’s still in the kitchen enjoying her ice cream cone. Both of you are welcome to see her if you like.”

As Apple Bloom and Babs entered the kitchen they were greeted by a messy faced Sweetie Belle, grinning ear to ear. “Hi girls! What’s up?”

Babs snickered. “Hey Sweets you got something on your mouth. You might wanna take care of it before we go.”

Sweetie blushed. “Oh hehehe…yeah I kind of a made a bit of a mess. But I can’t help it; the ice cream was soooo good!”

“Bloom and I are headed to Zecora’s place, you up for going along?”

“I’d like to…but I don’t think Rarity would like it very much.”

Apple Bloom grinned. “Don’t worry ah have this.”

Rarity trotted into the kitchen. “It’s so good to see that your visit has cheered my sister up. She was rather depressed earlier and it…”

Apple Bloom tapped Rarity on the shoulder. “Miss Rarity we were thinkin’ about goin’ ta Miss Zecora’s house later fer some potion makin’ lessons. Would it be alright if Sweetie came along?”

“Oh good heavens! As much as I enjoy Zecora’s company I simply cannot allow a group of young mares to go trotting about in the Everfree.”

Apple Bloom bombarded Rarity with her best puppy dog eyes. “Ah promise we’ll stay on the most traveled paths. Please Ms. Rarity…it might help yer sister out if we go.”

Rarity bit her lip, trying to fight the adorable onslaught. “I…well that’s not to say…OH FINE GO THEN! Just please be careful while you’re out there. If I so much as see a hair out of place on your manes, it will be THE…WORST…POSSIBLE…SPANKING for all of you!”

Sweetie Belle gulped nervously. “Don’t worry sis, we’ll be careful.”

The Everfree Forest, Equestria

Gaius felt like he had been stomped on by an elephant. He looked around trying to get his bearings in what appeared to be heavily wooded area, not unlike Germania. However it was clear to him that he was no longer there. For one, he was out in the open rather than in the old hag’s house. He also noticed that the air lacked the distinct smell of blood, shit, and smoke. At least he still had his armor and weapons with him in case the situation got hairy. Gaius knew that his first priority was to find water. He’d seen plenty of soldiers die of dehydration. It was a truly foolish way to perish, considering that it was easy to prevent.

After about fifteen minutes the centurion came across a small stream. He proceeded to fill up his animal skin canteen to the brim and then promptly dunked his head in the water. Sure, it wasn’t as nice as a hot bath but it felt nice to wash away some of the grime. Once he had a few gulps of water he noticed that a narrow path was worn through a small clearing a few feet away from the stream. It was far too worn to be an animal path, so Gaius took this as a sign that civilization might be near. He waited in the bushes to see if he could catch anyone passing by. And so he made himself comfortable, because this could be a very long wait.

Apparently the gods decided to favor him this day. Within minutes Gaius heard some voices approaching his position. He noted that they sounded very high pitched and almost…child-like. Why were a bunch of children running around in this gods-forsaken forest? Where their parents so addle-brained that they couldn’t see the danger in leaving children unattended in the wild? Despite this Gaius bided his time, waiting to observe the children. He was surprised to see that they weren’t humans but colorful little fillies. Was that really where the voices were coming from? He waited a few seconds and sure enough they spoke! It was a strange combination of high pitched noises that sounded similar to whinnying.

Babs snorted. “I don’t what’s the big deal about this place. We haven’t run into any trouble at all! Hay, I’d even go so far as to say it’s kind of beautiful.”

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. “Well that’s ‘cause we’re on a well-traveled path. You’d be real scared if we went deeper into the forest. Ah remember mah sister tellin’ me about how creepy it was when she went to the old castle ruins.”

Sweetie Belle’s ears flattened. “Umm girls I-I think I just heard something.”

“C’mon Sweetie don’t be such a scaredy-foal. Ah bet it was just a bird or somethin’.”

“No I’m serious you guys! I know I heard something. It sounded almost…like growling.”

The three young mares shrieked in surprise as a Timber wolf jumped in front of them. The wolf’s glowing green eyes tracked them as they began to back away, edging ever closer to them. Despite their fear, the ponies could smell the tell-tale odor of sulfur coming from his slobbering jaws. Huddling together they awaited their gruesome fate.

Gaius felt that now was the time for action. While they weren’t humans, he felt that it was his duty to protect children from harm. He burst out of the bushes with his sword drawn, yelling to try and get the creature’s attention. Luckily the centurion’s ploy worked. The Timber wolf pivoted his head towards the fool that dared interrupt his meal. The wolf charged at Gaius, trying to take a bite out of his midsection. The creature was surprised to find that instead of viscera, his mouth clamped on steel.

While the wolf’s bite did indeed hurt, but it only managed to break a few links in his chainmail armor. Gaius sighed, knowing that he’d have to find a decent smith to fix it at some point. With the wolf slightly distracted, he bashed it in the snout with his shield. The beast roared in pain as a few splinters of wood showered the ground. Wasting no time, Gaius kicked it in the ribs and climbed onto the creature’s back. Try as he might, the wolf couldn’t seem to shake off this annoying interloper. Once Gaius got close enough he plunged his blade into the wolf’s brain, instantly killing it.

The centurion collapsed onto the ground, utterly exhausted. As he went to adjust the mail on his chest, he noticed that his hand was covered in blood. “I guess the bastard actually did puncture my armor. At least those fillies are safe…”

Apple Bloom rushed over to the strange armored creature. “Hey are you alright? My friends and ah just wanted ta thank you fer savin’ us.”

Sweetie nudged his arm. “Apple Bloom, he doesn’t look too good. I think he might be bleeding.”

Babs nodded. “Yeah that’s blood alright. The Timber wolf must have gotten through his armor. We better get him to a hospital.”

“Alright ah guess ya have a point. Oh mah sister’s gonna kill me when she finds out about this.”