The armies of the Moesian campaign marched south with their heads held high and their backs straight with pride. The men had been made rich from the spoils of campaign and only the recent and mysterious deaths of Roman generals made for ponderous thoughts as the men marched.

At the head of the column were legion light cavalry checking, even now with Moesia laying at Rome 's feet and the army marching through Macedonia , the ridges and tree line for enemy ambushes. Behind them were the legates of the legions and a chosen guard from among their men. The Emperor rode with these men, speaking of the riches they would receive in Rome for their loyal and dedicated service to the Empire. The Praetorian Guard followed these men, 7,000 strong now after Prefect Vitellius had left with 3,000 of their number and headed towards Rome .

The Emperor had business in Athens for the moment and was very unpleased that only one of the three legions he had ordered north actually came. The legate of Legio XXVI had marched to Moesia and given his apologies for his contemporary's defiance. The Emperor had just thanked him for his loyalty and granted him double pay for the year.

Once the army had reached the ancient city of Athens there were grand festivities. Poetry readings in Greek and Latin, a statue of the Emperor was unveiled, and also a meeting of the Aegean League council. Pompeius had never met these individuals, and in truth he had never really familiarized himself with the Greek provinces too much.

As the meeting began, the Emperor and the members of the League shared words of praise to each other and for the deeds of the previous years.

"I would like to thank you all, Councilors, Proto-Archon, for meeting with me. I regret the fact that during my reign thus far I have not met with this body. Though, after the conquest of Moesia , I thought it time enough to be here." The Emperor smiled warmly at the men, speaking in Greek and looking into each of their eyes, so they all knew his good intent.

"Thank you Basileus." replied one of the Councilors to Pompeius. "Is there any matter that you would like us to discuss?"

"Yes, there is. I have only a few things to discuss, but I am also here in case you gentlemen have anything that you wish to bring forward." Pompeius paused for a moment. He sat at the table with no notes or paper in front of him. Mentally, he had prepared every point of this meeting and would remember all that these men had to say. "Firstly, I would like to thank you all for operating your classis in the Aegean Sea to combat piracy between the Greek mainland and the lands held by Perganum."

"Certainly. There is really no need to thank us, as our merchants benefit from the peaceful seas."

"Yes, I know. I was wondering as to how your fleets compare to that of the Ptolemy's and Seleucia ."

The Proto-Archon Paramonos spoke, "Do you want to know relative strength?"

"Yes, that would be best." the Emperor said shortly. After looking through some pieces of papyrus, a servant handed the piece of parchment to Paramonos. The leader of the league spoke with Pompeius over some approximations of fleet sizes and strengths, their battle readiness and morale.

"As you can see, combined with Pergamum , we are a match for the Ptolemies and Seleucids combined, at least in our waters. But the southern front is a greater concern." the elder statesman finished.

"I agree, I have been under a lot of pressure from Rome to move one of the Imperial fleets back into the Western sea. Do you think the situation will destabilize at all because of that action?" Pompeius knew that a leader was only as wise as the council he held, and there was not too many councils more esteemed than this.

"Hmm... you could probably afford to deploy the smallest of your three fleets to the west, but it could only provide limited coverage."

"Yes, I understand that. As for another concern I have, what do you men know of the situation of the Ptolemaic Army now? Many of their forces are tied up in Nubia, but I do not know what they posses in the north now."

"Well, that is difficult to determine. The Ptolemies in Cyprus are very secretive and paranoid. As such, our abilities to assess their military forces are limited. We know that they have a strong army, and a large percentage of that military is deployed to the south. Cyprus, they correctly assume, is immune from invasion at the moment."

"But their holdings in Asia Minor are not nearly as well protected I assume?"

"Those holdings are fairly well defended. They have a considerable garrison. However, we cannot directly invade Ptolemaic lands at the moment."

"No, I wouldn't presume so. I just wonder as to their offensive capabilities." After a pause, Pompeius continued. "You see, for the next few years I will be busy rebuilding the Empire's military to what it was before and then surpassing that. Now, after I am finished, I will be far too old to lead a campaign against the Ptolemy's or any other enemy in the east. I do not plan on doing that in my lifetime. Although, as you all know, there are many factors that lead nations into war, some foreseen and others not."

"Of course, that is understandable."

"Well I thank you for this information gentlemen. Are there any points of concern you have for me? Your new Propraetor, Justialus Pius, how is he working with you?"

"He has been around for some time and we have an excellent relationship."

"I'm glad that he and this council are working together so well. Is there anything else, gentlemen, that I can do for you?"

"In the past, Emperors have consulted with us on matters involving Eastern affairs or potential war with states. We hope that you and your immediate successor shall follow their lead."

"I certainly will Proto-Archon, and I will make sure my successor knows this as well. I am not a hasty man, but I will not hesitate for an instant to defend the Empire. But I do give you my word that before any offensive is taken against the east, you will be consulted."

"Thank you."

With that, the meeting was adjourned. Though, after, more words were spoken and then the Emperor went back to his camp outside of the city. Athens had much to offer, but Pompeius had other problems that needed tending to. All things had to be finished before he could return to his beloved Rome in triumph.

Emperor Varro sat at his desk. Outside rain poured and it pounded against the sides of the leather tent. Pompeius could never bring himself to not live under the same circumstances as the soldiers he commanded, and as such he would not stay inside Athens . A few minutes earlier, the aging Emperor had sent for Legate Cicero Julianus. He had urgent matters to discuss with the man.

As he stared blankly into the paper, Pompeius heard some whispers outside the tent flap. "Enter" he said in a calm authoritative tone. A Praetorian lifted the flap and immedietly after Legate Julianus entered. "Legate Julianus, thank you for your promptness. You always had a nack for arriving right on time."

Cicero was red in the face after walking through the cold, pouring rain. His well polished armor glinted and the water beaded on the oiled surface depicting Mars protecting a legionary from an archer. After a brief exchange with the guard, Cicero entered the tent and saluted as the Emperor greeted him. "I try Sir," he responded as modestly as he could, then he stood at ease while he waited for Emperor Varro to begin.

"You have no legion now Cicero , that is a problem that will soon be remedied. But do not worry, there are always places for men like you in the military. I have a job for you Cicero , and it requires the utmost secrecy." Pompeius looked into Cicero 's eyes, reading his response.

Cicero blinked, digesting the news. Another legion would be more than he could have hoped for from the Emperor, and he knew he had to prove himself with this second mission. "I would be honored to hold your confidence in any mission you should see fit to assign me."

"I'm glad to hear it son." Pompeius said with a warm smile. "Here is what will happen." The two men spoke over the details of the plan. The Emperor went in depth about how things should be done, but still left plenty of room for Cicero to make the command decisions. "Now Cicero , do you have any questions?"

Cicero silently went over his orders. They were clear cut and he could think of nothing he needed clarified. "No Sir, I understand completely," he said quickly.

"Very well Legate, you're dismissed. Prepare the fleet and legions, we sail as soon as possible."

"Yes Sir," Cicero saluted and exited the tent, reentering the rain.

“Careful,” the voice of the dock master rose above the sounds of thousands of men loading up on the ships; Cicero turned his head in time to see massive stallions being moved onto one of the ships. The creatures were nervous and a few of the men moved too fast and spooked them. He grinned as he saw the dock master lay into the men much the way an optio used his staff on the legionaries when they didn't hold the line in drills.

The men had been loading ships with supplies for awhile now, and finally they were ready to go. With the blessing of their Emperor they had begun boarding the ship and word had spread even to the officers that the men were excited to form the Emperor's honor guard, and they acted with the discipline that a veteran force should be known for.

Cicero had been saddened when his old legion had been assimilated into the Praetorian Guard, but he was happy to see his former legionaries regarded as the elite of Rome. Their new armor glinted in the sun as they moved about, the Praetorian symbol standing out in sharp relief against the new metal. It was probably for the best though, many of the men had to be devastated to see how small XV Auditrix had become after the battles, and placing them into a full size legion helped their morale as much as the name of the legion they were in.

One aspect of the war that Cicero acutely appreciated was the difference it had wrought on the individual soldiers. The men were hardened, they knew each other well and considered themselves to be part of a family; the blood of the fallen had tied them as close as brothers and they all regarded their great Emperor as a father… or so he hoped.

The men of the legions were not seafarers. As they boarded the ships they looked over the sides nervously. Cicero grimly acknowledged the fear that he privately shared with many of them, the fear that came with the knowledge that if you fell overboard that you would never be rescued. At the same time, many of the men had never been on a ship before, and they looked forward to the adventure as only a legionary could.

The dockyards were slowly returning to a sense of normalcy as the majority of the legionaries boarded. Cicero would be among the last on, making sure that every man was accounted for. It had been a logistical nightmare to load all of the equipment the legionaries carried with them normally. The crane on the dock had been of great help in this, but Cicero had spent a few nervous nights trying to think of ways to increase the speed they loaded the ships so that the endeavor stayed on schedule.

It was a good thing Cicero had worked so hard, they were loaded and ready to sail right on time. Cicero stood on the deck of the galley, looking at the port as the ships hands untied the ropes that held the large vessel to the dock. Emperor Varro walked up behind the legate, "You've done an excellent job Cicero . I must thank you for doing this all for me. I've been busy for the last while in Athens and it would have taken another two weeks if I had to do it myself."

Cicero turned and saluted smartly as Emperor Varro approached, "It was my pleasure Sir, I was glad to help however you needed me to."

"The Empire will require more of you as we enter Rome . After the return, the ships will turn back and come pick up the rest of the men. I will need you in Rome with me, but Tribune Maximus Lupidius will supervise the loading on the next trip. One of my projects once we get back will be raising new legions, and I will expect you to aid in their training."

Cicero nodded, training a new legion was something he didn't have much experience in, but he had no doubt of his ability to apply what he had learned on the long campaign to the fresh new recruits. "Of course Sir, I would be glad to do so. The glory of Rome requires us to keep her military in top condition, and I have no doubt that I can bring any group of men into top form quickly."

The Emperor nodded, "Very well, because it won't be just one legion. Congratulations Proconsular Legate Julianus." With a hand on Cicero's shoulder and a smile to the young general, Pompeius moved away and towards a group of milling soldiers.

As the great fleet lifted anchor, the men gave a roar that could be heard for miles. The sea, great and mighty was the path to the next great adventure in the illustrious careers of Pompeius Varro's veterans.

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By: Rufus Pompeius Varro
Edited by: GMs (JOM)

AD 106