Note: Sorry Guys, my country just went through a semi coup d'état. The government cut all broadband and cell phone internet access. That's why I was unable to post anything. But expect regular uploads from now on.
"Sir we have successfully landed all our men. They are moving up the shore as we speak!" Your journey continues on m-vle-mpyr
There was a scout with a very pleased face reporting as such to Lord Macht, who was currently sitting atop a large, magnificent black steed- the only one that was brought to this expedition.
"Hmmp.... Good. Keep it up!" The favorable news got a small humming nod from the large, black man, although his stoic face was yet to betray an ouch of pleasure.
But it could be gleaned from his body language he was glad with the results.
For a brief moment back then, Lord Macht had even assumed he might have to call off the attack, as the bodies in the water began to pile up.
However, after that initial scare, they seemed to be finally now back on the right track, as the men pushed on even after taking much more casualties than expected.
Lord Macht was silently pleased by the tenacity his men displayed here.
While observing his strict commander reveal the slightest gentleness, the messenger quickly produced a flattering smile and went on to add with a swing of his arms in an elaborate gesture,
"Also, our men have captured two strange weapons of the enemy's. Those were probably the ones they were using to throw stones at us. Look! Here they come, my lord."
As if it had been rehearsed, the moment the scout said this, the two catapults were wheeled in front of Lord Macht right on cue, each being pushed by only two men.
The veteran warrior was privy to a lot of Sybarian secrets and so naturally recognized the weapon that his scout was alluding to.
Wooden, on four wheels, with a strange metal like bucket attached to a lever tied to some kind of wound up rope, the sight of them very closely matched the descriptions in the reports as well as some of the primitive concepts the Heeat family themselves had built in the meantime, although Lord Macht judged these weapons to be far more refined than their crude attempts.
Comparing the two was like trying to compare a vase made by a professional potter as opposed to that done by a child- one was a great work of art in perfect shape and painted beautifully, while the other was a misshapen attempt with blotches of unmatching paint scattered all over.
At least that was what Lord Macht felt like when observing his captured loot, as Alexander's catapults had quite the mature, finished aesthetic look to them.
It had smooth, round polished wooden edges that were clearly sanded down.
There were strong iron sheets with steel rivets nailed to them, holding them firmly in places where the catapult's body needed a bit more support.
It was painted in bright, vibrant colors with eyes drawn on the front to give the weapon an anthropomorphic feel as if it was looking at you.
The launching steel bucket was shiny and engraved with luxurious patterns.
And lastly, its wheels were not made of wood, but of solid cast iron!
It was a sight that most definitely caught Lord Macht's greatest attention, especially given that it did not look like one solid round mass.
Rather these wheels appeared to be shaped like a car's, meaning while its outer fringes stuck out much of the center of the surface was hollow, allowing it to be dressed in a black leathery substance that Lord Macht was unable to determine at the moment.
In this way, the officers and commanders tried to keep morale up while their units kept retreating, unwilling to stand and fight.
Because Scorpyo knew the moment they were caught and became engaged in melee, would be the moment they became pinned down.
After that, retreating with any form of cohesion would be a pipedream.
Thus, the experienced officer wisely decided to run away to his camp and try his luck there.
And courtesy of the head start they had as well as the legionaries being much more mobile than their bulky, long spear wielding counterparts, they luckily managed to reach their destination before the enemy could overwhelm them.
"Get in! Get in! Quick!"
"Hurry! Hurry! There is not much time! We cannot keep the gates open for long!"
"They are right behind you! Quickly! We need to close the gates... quickly!"
The camp gates were guarded by a small token force that Scorpyo had left there, along with the camp servants, who noticing the rising dust cloud and recognizing the familiar cheers worked to hurriedly remove the large bars holding the gates together and open the door.
And as the retreating legionaries approached the end of their line, in their excitement, they quickly broke off their brisque march and turned it into a full fledged marathon, sprinting to enter the door as fast as they could.
Like the men holding the gates said, Lord Macht was right on their tails, and the gates needed to shut before they could get there.
Fortunately for them, due to their small numbers and the substantial distance between the two parties, all the legionaries managed to retreat into the safety of their camp with little trouble.
"Quick! Man, the walls! Up the towers!"
"Hurry! Arrows! Where are the arrows?"
"Bring every bolt we have! Shoot till we run out!"
"I don't want to see a single arrow left by the end of the day! Make sure every single one of these bastard get a taste!"
Upon entering it, the legionaries did not waste a single second to catch their breath, but under Scorpyo's orders swiftly worked to take up the various defensive positions along the walls, aiming their replenished crossbows and javelins at the incoming enemy and letting them rip.
"Dammit! Not again!"
"Again with this farce! Urgghhh!"
" Slow down! Shields up! Slow down and get your shields together!
While facing this second round of fire, the commanders of the leading units cursed so, frustrated at the thought of having to deal with a siege.
And this would not be all that they needed to worry about because by now Remus had already landed on the island.