Odyssey of a Hero

[Journier]

very nice story

[civman2000]

hmmm...let me guess, the brits annoyingly take neapolis from the babs and you never get it back?

[Sovy Kurosei]

Gosh, wonderful story...

I wish I could write as good as this, eh?

[WTE_OzWolf]

Episode II - Continued

A plume of water spiked next to the Frigate Diligence that Versali and Julius were now aboard. Admiral Vivictus had asked both of them to come aboard so as to confer with them about the next step of the operation.

The appearance of the English was an unexpected surprise but not a totally unpleasant one. So far, the English had ignored the Roman fleet and had continued their harrassment of the Babylonians. Versali was sick again. Admiral Vivictus smiled wryly.

"Attacking the Babylonians must seem like a promising task by now." Vivictus said. Versali smiled wainly in reply.

"I wouldn't be lying if I agreed." He replied. "I would give anything to be on solid ground."

"That's why I have asked you here, General." Vivictus said, not showing any sign of begrudging Versali his title. "What do you want to do?"

Versali looked across the ocean at the battling fleets.

"Only if you can get us to the shore without losing your fleet." Versali said, praying to any god that it was possible. The Admiral's smile gave Versali hope.

"No problems there General." Vivictus said. "I'll dispatch the ironclads to attack the Babylonian fleet and I will leave the frigates on escort duty."

Versali nodded and turned his attention to the chart the Admiral had laid out.

"Well, for safety's sake," he said, "I want the galleons and frigates to head south and come around Neapolis Island from there. It may take us a couple of extra days, but it will mean we're out of immediate striking range of the Babylonian fleet here should they want to make trouble."

The Admiral nodded his consent.

"Very well General." He replied. "We will divide the fleet and remove the Babylonian scurge from our Empire once and for all."

* * *

For the sake of hiding their true intentions, the galleons and frigates hung around the fringes of the raging sea battle for three hours. The constant rumble of gunfire was like the sounding of a nearby storm. The Roman ironclads, only matched by the French equivalent in the whole world, attacked the Babylonian fleet with ferocity. Their high power turrets blasted away at the wooden ships of the Babylonian ships and suffered little to no loses themselves from return fire.

Even the English fleet seemed awe-struck by the show of power from the Roman navy. They backed off, preferring to give the ironclads a wide berth, even their powerful Man-o-Wars not willing to draw any fire.

Not a single piece of communication had passed between the English and Roman fleets, but by silent mutual agreement, they left each other alone. Versali was glad of this, because it meant the frigates did not have to engage their bigger brothers in the English Man-o-Wars.

Slowly, the frigates and galleons swung south. By nightfall, all that could be seen of the massive fleet battle raging to the north was the flicker of light on the horizon.

* * *

Versali was sick of being sick. He was sick of being cooped up on the galleon. He was sick of looking at the ocean. He was just sick of not being on land. The sailors appeared to lap it up. They took the harsh life of the sea in their stride and enjoyed their existance. Versali envied their ability to immerse themselves completely in the life they had chosen.

The distraction the Babylonian-English-Roman fleet battle had died down three days ago. With excitement gone, Versali and Julius had returned to the monotonous job of not trying to get in the way too much.

Just as Versali began a prayer for the sight of land for the four hundredth time, the lookout cried out.

"Land a'hoy!" He shouted. Versali couldn't help himself as a large smile of relief crossed his lips. Julius noticed it.

"Sir," he commented, "why go ashore? Three more months and we might actually have our sea legs."

The look Versali sent Julius stopped that suggestion dead in its tracks. Versali moved over to where Admiral Vivictus was.

"Admiral," he said, "I would like to return to my troops on the galleons to prepare for our landing."

Admiral Vivictus nodded and quickly ordered a boat be readied to return Versali and Julius.

"Well, I hope your stay wasn't too uncomfortable, General." Vivictus asked. "And good luck on the landing. My ships will begin bombardment in five hours time."

Versali shook the Admiral's hand and clambered down into the boat. With swift, powerful strokes, the sailors pulled away from the Admiral's frigate at a good speed. Even as they neared the galleon Versali would board, the first shots from Neapolis' coastal fortress began firing at the vessels. The shots fell well short, but it was obvious that the Babylonians recognised their enemies.

"Looks like they're laying out the welcome mat." Julius remarked wryly. "Hopefully the navy boys can quieten the party down a bit."

A nearby sailor smiled.

"Don't worry sir." He remarked. "We'll keep your feet dry."

"Huh, thanks." Julius replied. "Just make sure our feet stay facing downwards as well."

The sailor simply smiled, as did Versali. The soft scrape of wood on wood told him that they had arrived and he clambered up the offered ladder with the ease of youth. Once onboard, he headed directly for his ready room to prepare for the invasion.

* * *

The large flotilla of boats steadily made their way towards the shore. In front of them, five frigates sailed up and down the coast blasting away with broadsides from their cannons at the coastal installations.

In the front came the row boats packed with red-uniformed riflemen. Behind them came a number of flat-bottomed punts that carried the cavalry and artillery.

Versali stood in the lead boat as they passed through the frigate line. The constant boom of cannon shot filled his ears as the frigates continued to launch broadsides and the Roman-built, Babylonian-controlled defences answered in kind. A nearby boat was blasted out of the water by a direct hit. Versali did not see anybody waving for assistance.

Twice nearby shots rocked the boat dangerously. Three other boats were destroyed, along with one punt carrying three cannons. But surprisingly, the casualties were lighter than Versali had expected. The frigates had done an excellent job of giving them the cover they needed.

The boat scraped against sand and Versali jumped ashore. He ran unsteadily up the beach, his sea legs giving him trouble. Followed by his men, he finally made it to a much safer position to begin the initial assault.

Only light enemy fire greeted them at the beach-head, and Versali had to assume that the Babylonians didn't have large defences in place. Looking behind him, he saw that the entire infantry contingent was now ashore and the first of the cavalry were landing. He ordered his troops to move forward and to gain a better foothold.

The resistance was little and proved no challenge for the seasoned Roman troops. The terrain however proved hard. Thick jungle occupied Neapolis Island where Neapolis City didn't. Trying to move an army of three riflemen divisions, three cavalry divisions and two cannon detachments through the terrain was slow and painful, but by dark, the weathered walls of Neapolis were within the Roman army's sights.

* * *

The flash of the cannons firing lit the jungle like daylight. The roar of the cannons firing sounded like the God of Thunder himself was riding down on the Babylonians. With futile effort, the Babylonians tried to answer with flaming shot from catapults, but the protection of the jungle gave the Romans as much cover as they needed.

Squinting through the acrid smoke, Versali saw that the walls were now nothing more than rubble. Raising his sword, he charged.

With his breath rasping in his throat, Versali emerged from the jungle, his soldiers following him. Withering fire descended upon them from the destroyed city walls. Soldiers fell like wheat before a scythe. The Babylonians only had musketmen, but they had the advantage of fighting from within a city.

Versali felt a hot tug at his left shoulder, but ignored it. By the time Versali had reached the walls, only a third of the riflemen were left. Coming up behind them came the cavalry, the riders trying to spur their mounts on faster. More fire from musketmen tore into the cavalry ranks and Versali's men fell. He fought back the anguish screaming in his mind. Now wasn't the time to grieve the dead.

With a scream, he ran into the city proper, a division's worth of soldiers streaming after him. Closely following was the cavalry. Against the initial onslaught, a good deal of the enemy musketmen fell, but the battle wasn't over yet.

The running street battle was the worst combat Versali had ever seen. Every shadow, window or doorway was potential death. The remaining Babylonian musketmen slowly picked off the Roman forces. Versali had no idea what other troops were stationed in the city, but the musketmen were causing enough problems on their own.

The tide of the battle turned when a large group of enemy musketmen had been cornered in a house. After reducing the Roman forces to one cavalry division and half a division of infantry, the Babylonians were on their last legs. They refused to surrender.

Versali ordered a number of cannons forward and with devestating accuracy and results, they blew the house away, musketmen and all. Numb with what he had just done, Versali then lead his troops to the complete liberation of Neapolis. For some reason, however, darkness had been tugging at the edges of his vision and he couldn't figure out why.

The battle finally drew to a close and for the first time in a decade, all Roman cities were now under Roman control again. Out of three riflemen divisions, three cavalry divisions and two cannon detatchments that had come, only half a riflemen division, three quarters of a cavalry division and the cannon detachments remained.

For the first time during the day, Versali saw Julius. Julius' eyes widened as he saw the numb, glass-eyed look of Versali. When Julius looked at his shoulder, Versali noticed the wound for the first time. The pain finally registered in his mind and he let our a small moan of pain. The intensity of the wounds pain continued to increase and eventually, Versali welcomed the encroaching darkness with pleasure.

* * *

Versali refused to show any courtesy when he went before Caeser once more. The wound in his shoulder constantly complained, which didn't put him in the best of moods, but the two-faced ways that Caeser led Rome with was enough for him to lose all civilty. He would have been happier sitting down to a meal with a Babylonian general than enter the snakepit that was Caeser's palace.

Versali had a good idea why he was being called here. He was alive. Caeser would send him elsewhere. Rome was once again controlled by Rome, but that wouldn't satisfy Caeser. Versali was still alive. Julius in his resourceful way had found out that Caeser had gone into a rage when he had discovered Versali had survived the last battle.

Sighing with resignation, he pushed open the door to the audience chamber and strode in. The general murmur of the usual gathered crowd died as Versali strode up to Caeser who was lounging in his throne. Caeser's face carried barely controlled malice as he watched Versali with smoldering eyes. The Emperor flinched, though, when a sneer of contempt crossed Versali's face.

The Emperor stood, but was smart enough not to offer any gesture of comradeship. Versali had personally torn down the masks of politics. He was now a soldier and had no time for games.

"Where do you want to send me to be killed this time?" Versali snarled. Caeser looked taken aback. The gathered crowd gasped.

"What makes you think I want you dead?" Caeser asked, not totally convincing. Versali snorted in derision.

"Don't play games with me Emperor." Versali said. "You will not be happy until you can appear to mourn at my funeral."

Caeser snarled.

"Guards, arrest this man for high treason!" He ordered. Not a single guard moved.

"ARREST THIS MAN!" Caeser screeched. Still no response. Versali stood where he was, chuckling menacingly.

"You pathetic man, Caeser." He said. "These soldiers, all the soldiers of Rome, fought under my command to free your empire. Do you really expect them to arrest me?"

Caeser looked at Versali, fear evident in his eyes.

"But know this Caeser, I still serve Rome and I still serve the Emperor, no matter how much of a self-centered b-----d he is." Versali stated. "What are your orders?"

Caeser swallowed visibly. He paused, obviously trying to decide what to say. Finally, in a quavering voice, he spoke.

"We will invade Babylon." He ordered. Versali had a feeling this command was coming, but his mouth still fell open.

"You want us to travel overseas and attack a country that is no longer a threat to us?" He asked. He personally thought Germany was a better option, if they had to attack somebody. Even though the German-Roman War had finished five years earlier, a state of war still existed between the two countries.

"We will attack Babylon." Repeated Caeser. "And you will ensure that the nation never threatens us again."

[Journier]

loved the part about the guards

made me sorta smile

[Giovanni August]

"Don't worry sir." He remarked. "We'll keep your feet dry."

"Huh, thanks." Julius replied. "Just make sure our feet stay facing downwards as well."

Great Job OzWolf.
This is even better than Generations so far

Saluti

[WTE_OzWolf]

Conclusion

"The Roman Empire had been liberated." The storyteller continued. "Versali Trinitus was a national hero. He was the Saviour of Rome. He held the respect and undivided loyalty of the entire Roman Army. But the Emperor wasn't finished yet. He sent the Roman army to invade its first country: Babylon."

The crowd murmured. The final parts of the story were coming.

"Caeser kept wishing Versali dead," he continued, "but everytime he tried to do it through battle, Versali emerged stronger than before, a bigger hero than he had ever been before. Caeser was sure that Versali's luck would run out."

He paused for effect before continuing.

"The next part of the story takes us to the harsh deserts of Babylon." He said. "The English-Babylon War had finished as soon as it had started. Elizabeth simply wanted access to saltpeter and seemed content with the one city she had captured. The engagement the Roman fleet witnessed and took part in between the Babylonians and the English was a freak occurence...two enemy fleets passing at the wrong time, or the right time for the Romans."

------------

Far from home and becoming drastically outnumbered, the Roman armies lead by General Versali Trinitus were effectively trapped from retreat to the waiting Roman fleet. Hunkered down in a crude bunker dug into the sands of the Great Babylonian Desert, Versali thought back to the mistake that had been invading Babylon.

For six years, the Roman army had fought a futile and useless war against an enemy who were firmly entrenched and fully geared for war. The English threat had placed the Babylonian army at a high state of readiness and it was a fully prepared enemy that had met the sixteen divisions of men that had landed on their shores.

For six years, the Roman army had tried to push inland, along the coast or even through English territory. In that time, countless waves of Babylonian soldiers had flooded across the desert intent on killing the Roman invaders. For six years, the sixteen divisions of Romans had been whittled down to three and in that time, they had not once been able to get near a Babylonian city.

Requests to Rome for reinforcements had been bluntly rejected due to the increasing threat of a renewed German attack on the Empire. Versali saw it as a flimsy excuse by Caeser to ensure he died here in this foreign country. But Versali no longer feared death. It had pursued him constantly for sixteen years and at the age of 33, he would welcome it with open arms when it finally did arrive.

He had recently received news that his mother had died, but there was little he could do about it. He doubted she would even recognise the son who had fled Ravenna those many years ago. Sighing, Versali looked at Julius, his long time companion and good friend. Now a Brigadier, Julius had been by Versali's side since his annoitment as General by Caeser.

"Will we ever see our homes again?" He asked Julius. Julius had the look of a man who was completely weary with the world. Versali doubted he looked any better.

"I don't like our chances." Julius replied.

The occassional crack of gunfire reminded them that the Babylonian armies were still there. The armies of Babylon itself were well equipped with rifles and cannons, unlike the ill-equipped and isolated garrisons of occupied Rome.

"He knew, didn't he?" Julius asked. It was a familiar topic that the two friends discussed frequently.

"You know as much as I do just how important killing me is to Caeser." Versali stated. "And what better chance to have than sending me to lead a futile invasion against a fortified enemy."

"We're really going to have to do something about him when we get back." Julius said, half-jokingly. "A stern talking to might be in order."

Versali sighed. He had reached a more serious conclusion.

"Caeser must be removed." Versali said in a voice weary with the decisions he had to make.

Julius looked at Versali, shock eminating from him like light does from the sun.

"You're talking about overthrowing a fifteen-hundred year old dynasty, Versali." He said. "Who will take over as ruler."

Versali sat back, his eyes half-closed.

"The people." He said. "The leader of the Roman Empire will be chosen from the people by the people."

Julius looked dubious.

"It'll never work." He said. "The people need to be led by people who are raised to be a leader."

"With somebody like Caeser at the helm," countered Versali, "Rome is destined to be destroyed."

"No ill-intent, Versali, but he only goes to war because he wants to kill you." Julius said.

Versali simple gave Julius a wry smile.

"My friend, Caeser is very adept at politics." He replied. "He knows how to make people watch one hand while the other is doing something else. He wants the world, Julius. But he wants it for himself. While I still live, he does not have one of his own lackeys in charge of the army."

"Then why all this?" Julius asked, gesturing to the torrid, sandy conditions they were living in.

"Because his real target is Germany and its continent." Versali said. "This is simply a feint to draw attention from his real target."

"And he sent you because he knew it was a feint destined for disaster." Julius deduced. "He intended for this army never to return."

"Yes." Versali nodded. "We were given sixteen divisions. When we left, this was a quarter of the standing Roman army. The Roman army now stands at over ninety divisions and a fleet second to none. Caeser had no intention of sending us any reinforcements at all."

Julius gazed off into the distance, filtering what he had just heard.

"So what do we do?" He asked finally.

"First, we get out of this god-forsaken country." Replied Versali. "And then we start the revolution."

------------

"You could say that the Roman Federation was born in Babylon." The storyteller said with a wry smile. "But how it came about is something that people know little about. The concept of a democracy had been discovered some years earlier by Roman philosophers, but Caeser refused to relinquish the reigns of power. Instead, as Versali had correctly surmised, Caeser intended to take the fight to the world. He saw visions of himself as the ruler of all men on this planet."

------------

"There's not much use for tactics." Versali said to the remaining divisional commanders surrounding him. "The enemy have us surrounded. We can't be subtle. We need to break out and head for the coast."

"What of our cannons and infantry?" Asked one commander.

"The cannons will be abandoned." Answered Versali. "Their weight will only slow us down. We have more horses than riders, so for the time being, our infantry will have to be dragoons. Ride horses to travel, dismount to fight."

The commanders nodded. The only thing they had left to protect after six years of harsh fighting was their lives.

"We will ride out at night." Versali ordered. "I want us as close to the enemy positions by first light. We will do it stealthily and we will attack with speed. If all goes to plan, then we will punch a hole through their lines before they realise what has happened and we will be riding at speed for the coast."

Once again the commanders nodded. After some more minor commands were given, the commanders dispersed to prepare their men. Versali leant against the table. A single tear rolled down his cheek. Julius, standing nearby, remained quiet.

"Thirteen thousand men killed." Versali said, the anguish pulling at his words. "And for what? So a madman back in the capital can entertain thoughts of world domination. Not anymore Julius. Caeser has brought about his own undoing. Our country has been at war for sixteen years. Caeser would see us stay at war for the next thousand years."

"You have the backing of the armies, Versali." Julius said, using Versali's name instead of his title. "And I'm pretty sure High Admiral Vivictus will support you as well."

"We will need the support of the army for what I am attempting to do." Versali said. "Without it, Caeser can do what he wants."

* * *

The Roman's moved through the night silently. The only sounds were the occassional clatter of hooves hitting rocks potruding from the sand. Versali kept them as much out of site of the project enemy positions as possible, but was still surprised that they hadn't been spotted when the sun started to hit their backs.

With whispered commands, the infantry divisions dismounted their "borrowed" horses and got into position. They all moved into position. Once all was ready, Versali raised a whistle to his mouth a blew. With a roar of defiance, the Roman army charged the Babylonian positions.

With rifle's firing, the infantry advanced on the enemy positions. Disregarding the cautious approach, the remaining cavalry units attacked with speed and ferocity. The area soon became blanketed in acrid gunpowder smoke and was permeated with the noise of steel-on-steel and the screams and begging of dying men.

Versali strode through the nightmare, completely accustomed to the environment. The smoke was accompanied by a thicker dust cloud as both sides scuffled for supremacy. The Romans, with the initial element of surprise, were gaining the upper hand. Versali was starting to feel the first tugs of hope when his world was shattered.

Emerging from a bank of smoke and dust, he saw Julius wrestling with an enemy soldier on the ground. Even as he brought his pistol up to fire at the enemy, a flash ignited from closer to Julius. With a sickening thump, a bullet hit Julius. He collapsed to the ground. Versali quickly dispatched the enemy soldiers then dropped to his knees alongside his fallen friend.

Julius opened his eyes and looked at Versali.

"Long live Rome." He said with his last breath.

Versali simply knelt there with his friend's head resting in his lap. He closed his friends open eyes and wept.

As he sat there, a shadow burst out of the smoke and dust. It was one of the commanders.

"Sir!" He called over the noise of the fighting. "We've broken through. We need to get out of here."

"We can't leave him." Versali said, his voice a hoarse whisper. "He is a hero of Rome."

The commander helped Versali place Julius' body on his horse, then with the remainder of his army, Versali rode to the coast and to the safety of the waiting fleet.

------------

"The loss of Julius changed Versali." The storyteller continued. "He had lost thousands of his men under his command, his father and his best friend simply to fuel the dream of a physcopathic madman. His arrival back in the capital to a mute welcome. The Saviour of Rome had failed. His crusade overseas had netted the Roman Empire nothing."

The crowd was hushed. Some people wept.

"Even though Caeser was delighted that Versali had lost face," explained the storyteller, "he was still alive. So, Caeser ordered Versali to lead the army against Germany. But..."

The storyteller held his breath, anticipating the response from his next comment.

"...Versali refused." He said and the crowd gasped. "He refused to assist Caeser anymore. It caused an uproar. Versali had the backing of the largest contingent of the army plus High Admiral Vivictus. For the High General to do Caeser's bidding was treachoury, but Versali had judged his status correctly. Caeser no longer had the power to control him."

The crowd reacted, somewhat cheered by the rise of Rome's hero.

"But since Versali had left for Babylon, Caeser had gathered loyal forces to himself." The storyteller described. "Rome fell into civil war."

------------

Rome was burning. Not just the capital, but the entire Empire. Neighbours fought against neighbours, friends against friends. The country was divided, but Versali was determined to remove the despot Caeser from his position as Emperor of Rome.

The loss of Julius cut to Versali's heart. The pain reminded him of why he was rebelling against Caeser. He needed to stop the Emperor from causing other people such grief. It hurt him to fight his own countrymen, but Versali had no other choice.

People were scared to come out of their houses. The civil war had raged for a year. The sound of gunfire once more could be heard across the countryside. Versali's revolutionary forces were gaining the upper hand in the war. Thanks to High Admiral Vivictus, they had cut of supply lines to the loyalist forces via the sea. As more people came across to Versali's side, entire cities began riots against the Emperor and his government.

Versali looked around. It was the final thrust and parry as far as he was concerned. His forces, having been kept out of the capital for so long, were now marching up the streets towards the palace. Loyalist forces all over the city were throwing down their weapons and surrendering. The revolutionary forces gave their breathran full quarter.

They finally reached the palace, and the army stopped. Only Versali was going to enter.

He climbed the steps and entered the palace. Guards threw down their weapons and dropped to their knees. Versali told them to go outside and they would be treated like citizens of Rome. The guards left.

Versali entered the throne room to find Caeser standing with his back to him looking out the window.

"We could have ruled the world, Versali." Caeser said, not even turning around.

"No Caeser." Versali replied. "You could have ruled the world. You never would be able to share the limelight."

Caeser turned to Versali.

"No, I couldn't." He sighed before lifting his arms. "Are you going to shoot me for treason?"

"No." Versali said, though he wished he intended to kill him. "This is a revolution, Emperor. The type of revolution where the country brings the leadership into line with the values that the people have. Your dynasty is at an end. You will be placed under casual arrest until the day you die."

Caeser looked defeated.

"I thought of much." He said. "Always the morale one, aren't you General?"

"Until the day I die, Caeser." Versali replied. "Just remember, it was your greed and paranoia that brought this on yourself."

"Everyone must gamble with life, Versali." Caeser countered. "I just gambled wrong."

Versali didn't answer. He followed Caeser out of his palace.

* * *

Versali stood atop the steps of the royal palace, a scroll in his hands. Once the loyalist forces throughout the Empire had discovered that the Emperor had been captured, they surrendered. The civil war had ended. Versali was prepared to step down from the military, but he had one more task to do.

"Your attention please." He asked the gathered crowd beneath him. A hushed silence fell over the people. "I have two orders of business to complete here.

"First," he began, "I issue this public notice that I am stepping down as High General of the Roman Armies."

A startled outcry rippled through the crowd.

"My last act as High General and Saviour of Rome is to read the following decree:

"As of this date thirteenth of September, Fourteen-Seventy-Three, I hearby proclaim the birth of the Roman Federation. The Federation, born from the ashes of the Roman Empire, shall be ruled by a duly elected member selected from the people by the people.

"As of this date fourteenth of September, Fourteen-Seventy-Three, I hearby proclaim that High Admiral Vivictus shall remain as caretaker President until a duly elected person is selected to become the Federation's inaugural leader.

"The past rights and decrees of the Roman monarch are hereby revoked. All political prisoners of the Empire are hereby pardoned as they are not prisoners of the Federation.

"This is my solemn decree and last act as High General of the Roman Armies. Versali Trinitus."

He lowered the scroll. Silence greeted him, but slowly, like a light breeze, clapping cascaded across the crowd until finally everyone was cheering. Versali stood there, finally released from his burden he had involuntarily taken eighteen years ago.

Admist the cheers, a solitary shot rang out. Nobody noticed it until Versali collapsed at the top of the steps. People rushed to his side, but the single wound over his heart told them he was already dead. When they looked at his face, he wore a smile that portrayed his final peace.

------------

"The assasin of Versali Trinitus was captured shortly after and confessed everything." The storyteller said. "Emperor Regulus Caeser had ordered the assasination. The assassin and the Emperor were both executed for treason. The public grief at the loss of their greatest hero was overwhelming. While Caeser was buried in an unmarked grave within the Caeser Mountain Range, Versali was given a national funeral that no other person has ever received since.

"High Admiral Vivictus remained caretaker President for three years before the first duly elected President took power. Vivictus returned six years later to be elected President himself." The storyteller concluded. "Vivictus carried on the philosophies of Versali. He made peace with Germany and Babylon. The only set back was a vicious war against the treachorous French that saw the Federation annex their country.

"Even today, Versali's grave within the Roman capital is a nation monument. Even today, Versali's legacy lives on."

The crowd stood and gave a standing ovation. The storyteller bowed and smiled. It was always his favourite story.

[ElDiablo]

Simply amazing, WTE_OzWolf...
You really capture the reader's imagination and place us right into the middle of every major event that occurs.
Great job!

[civman2000]

incredible ending! best story I've ever read!!!

[WTE_OzWolf]

Bump...seemed to have disappeared.

[Samuel Johnson]

What is it about a computer game that makes bards out of us? This is a great story - thanks for bumping it , I had originally missed the ending!!!

[Richelieu]

Great Story! Even better writing! Way to go!

Now i have to go back and dig up everything you've written...

[Jaguar]

This story is great. How close is it to your real game? That was a pretty dramatic comeback. I congratulate you if you managed that.

[WTE_OzWolf]

It was actually what happened. The God of the Randomizer was on my side that day. Down to one city and I managed to claw back my own territory with a couple of mounted units and foot soldiers. Legions, though "technically" out-dated, still proved their worth. Fun though to come back from the brink.

[civman2000]

let's bump up the new story contest winner!!!