Alea Iacta Est

19th of the Snow Moon, 877 CE.

It had been a hectic few weeks ever since Romulus's victory against the Minotaur rebellion. Even now they were still recovering, taking care of their wounded, and getting their many captives settled. Romulus had been organizing his legions throughout the west, making sure to have them garrison strategically located forts.

Roads and supply lines had to be reestablished, after the long siege in the Iron Hills. Everything did however seem to come into place, except for one annoyance.

Romulus sighed, as he looked away from his personal correspondence to a tiny pile of letters that had been sent to him directly from Canterlot. They carried the royal seal, which meant they were being sent directly from the Princesses. Or perhaps he should say the newest Princess, Twilight Sparkle.

His lips curled into an annoyed snarl. He had heard much about this personal student of Princess Celestia. The element of magic, and now an Alicorn. Her feats were surely impressive, he wouldn't deny her that. But the content of those letters did nothing but annoy him.

The latest one was yet another letter asking him to withdraw his legions from the west, and come back as a normal civilian. So far, they had been more requests than actual orders, so he could legally ignore them, and sent letters back explaining why he could not do so.

He hadn't spent eight years away from Equestria, fighting to bring peace to the west, and making many new allies to just abandon all he had accomplished, and those who now relied on him!

True enough, he had gone beyond his original mandate, and he had raised legions using the spoils he had gained from his many victories. Nothing that was strictly speaking illegal, but he knew they drew a lot of frowns from Canterlot. The only reason Princess Celestia and Luna hadn't directly commanded him to stop, was probably thanks to all his success.

But now that the war was over, Romulus had little doubt that was about to change...

Romulus was brought out of his thoughts as he heard the flaps of his large command tent being pushed aside, and in trotted one of his legates. He was a pegasus stallion with an almost constant smug expression about him. Skystrike was his name, and he had quickly earned the admiration of the legion.

Romulus liked him, true, he was a bit rash at times, but a good soldier, and somepony he knew he could count on. Skystrike trotted up to Romulus desk, and saluted by pounding his hoof to his chest.

Romulus inclined his head, and let out a sigh. "How are the preparations coming along?" Romulus asked, returning his gaze to the many reports in front of him.

"Well enough," Skystrike answered lightly, trotting over to one of the tables and pouring himself a cup of wine. "The 12th and 13th should be able to move closer east and ride out the winter better."

Romulus nodded. "Good... We'll have to burn the camps when we leave." He said, and turned to another report. "I don't want any would be rebel leaders using them against us."

Skystrike gave a nod and sipped on the wine. "Mm, good thinking." He said, and took a moment to savor the taste. "You really think anyone else will dare after Iron Horn?"

"I do. The minotaurs are proud, and if they sense weakness, or as much as a chance, they will take it. Even if it would be pure suicide at this point." Romulus replied without looking up. "Until the west is fully tamed, I don't want to leave it to chance. Even with our new allies."

"Ah, speaking of." Skystrike nodded, taking a bite out of an apple as he trotted to a seat and let himself plop down. "You really think the Princesses will honor the promises you made to them? Even if they agree, the council will have to give their consent too." He reminded Romulus, and took another bite out of the apple.

"Of course they will." Romulus assured his legate, finally taking his eyes off the reports and leaned back in his chair. "We have gained some good connections out here. It would be foolish not to recognize them as official allies, and recognize their new sovereign territories."

Skystrike's smile faded a little, his expression growing more serious. "You know it won't be that simple." He said, putting the apple side, and looked at his general. "You've heard the rumors about Princesses, haven't you?"

Romulus let out a sigh. "You mean the rumors about them retiring?"

Skystrike gave a nod. "And leave the throne to Princess Sparkle alone. If that is to happen when you return to Equestria..." He hesitated for a moment. "Well, you know she is against everything we have done here."

Romulus let out an annoyed grunt. "I was commissioned to fight the Minotaurs, and assist the deer tribes beyond the river to the west of our border."

"But then we kept marching west, and you raised seven legions on your own." Skystrike reminded his general. "Look, general. I'm just saying what Princess Twilight will probably say. Not to mention you don't exactly have a lot of friends in the council. I've heard talks about Prince Blueblood campaigning to have you stripped of your command, and brought back to Equestria to face trial."

Romulus sighed. He knew Blueblood well. He was as spoiled as he was cunning. Romulus too had heard from his friends in Canterlot, that Blueblood was making a show of accusing him of all sorts of things to any pony who would listen. The political scale could turn against him if this kept up.

"Still," Romulus said, letting out a tired sigh. "We cannot abandon the western region, not now. Not after everything we have done to get this far. Not after all those we have lost. Princess Sparkle will just have to deal with it." He leaned forward again, and started to write a letter.

Skystrike watched him for a moment, then nodded. "As you say." He stood, saluted, and turned to leave.

"I want the 13th to start marching at dawn. The 12th the day after." Romulus said before Skystrike left.

Skystrike was surprised by the order, but gave a nod. "Understood," he replied, then left the tent.