Praetor Julianus, I would like my legion to have the night’s watch, with permission to scout the area for Maxus’s spies,” requested new General A. Augustus Vitellius. Praetor Julianus had been following the progress of this young man, an especially astute military strategist and even more of a fighter. Julianus thought about this unusual request deeply, aware of the passion Augustus has for the fight, for battle. He has seen his especially gruesome tactics. They were gross, but effective at instilling fear in the enemy. The Praetor nodded yes, and Augustus smiled, ready for his escape.

Late into the night, General Vitellius directed his legion further and further away from the rest of Praetor Julianus’s legions until, while the rest of the legions slept, he had managed to take his entire legion to Praetor Maxus while the rest of the legions and their Praetor slept. It would be morning until the Praetor realized he was missing an entire legion.

At about the same time as this discovery, word reached the Praetor that Augustus had declared his loyalty to Praetor Maxus and the cause of the rebellion. Augustus had times these events perfectly. The Praetor knew that he would not be able to catch up to the Elite Legion, but knew that they would meet again soon. Meanwhile, General Augustus Vitellius and Elite Legion XIX met several days later with Praetor Maxus, whose rage against the emperor grew day by day.

He relished the opportunity to command an Elite legion, and immediately started planning with the General and one of his capable Officers, Tiberius Julianus.


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By: Agrippa Augustus Vitellius