November 25th, 1863. It was any old Friday for Lord Ulricus in Ravenna, having deep conversations with his daughter and son. Until about halfway through the fifteenth hour, that is, when a commotion broke out in the town square. It was Sir Gaius, stood atop a pedestal.
“Listen, everyone! I regret to inform you all that earlier today, there were reports of The Bronze Maelstrom, General Asher’s personal, Legion-issued frigate, having suddenly begun sailing south with no crew aboard. Alpinus has also been reported missing. As I’m sure all of you know, as he often comes here to interact with the people here in Rubica, this is unlike him. We believe he has been kidnapped, or killed. Go on with your day, we will be investigating the situation.”
One of Ravenna’s four frigates had been stolen, and General Asher was nowhere to be found. Thoughts ran through Ulricus’ head. How has this happened? Who could have done this? Why the hell would they? Panic set in. Though he was long retired from the Legion, he relied on them for his and his children’s safety, and if one of their four strongest forces vanished, who’s to say what would happen next? Would Valerii be assassinated and Fort Castrum seized? Would Argos be shot dead the next time he’s in public, his senses dulled on account of his old age? These were his fellow men, he would not let them be killed off. For the sake of Ravenna, and for the sake of his children, he had to get to the bottom of this. Elius was only sixteen, and Carina but a year older. There was no way Alpinus could’ve been taken out, he was too committed to security after the death of his father at Cassia Town—in no world would the General have allowed someone to breach Fort Magna, kill him and steal the frigate—It simply wasn’t possible. With fear in his expression, he ran home.
Barging through the door, he hollered as loud as his aged lungs could manage. “Elius, Carina! Come here this instant!” Quickly, he heard a stampede from down the hallway.
“Father, what’s the matter?” Elius whimpered, fearing he had done something wrong. He was a mischievous one, but he hadn’t done anything to warrant such a reaction in years. He was confused, more than anything.
“Take care of your sister,” Ulricus muttered, out of breath. He had put everything he had in that scream. “I must go, Ravenna needs protection.” He began walking out the door, when suddenly, a strong grip landed on his shoulder. Carina pulled him back.
“Father, are you okay? What the Tartarus has gotten into you?” Ulricus, in a mix of emotions, pulled his shoulder away, slammed the door, and sprinted, winded, to the Castello.
He was met with guards holding spears, trying to fend him off. Those guards were met with a gust of warm air, as he ran past every last one of them. He barged into the King’s throne room, outraged. “How could you have let this happen, dammit?! The kingdom is at risk, Calvus! The life of every Ravennan is in jeopardy! We have to… to…” He was stopped in his tracks. He looked upon three generals, tens of centurions and captains stood before the King. He, a retired soldier, had interrupted one of the most important meetings of the century. What did he think he’d walk in on, Calvus dancing around as the nation’s security dwindled? What a fool he was. Argos slowly turned around, his gaze piercing Ulricus’ soul, crushing his will.
“Lord Ulricus, what might you be doing here?” He began approaching, as Calvus leaned back, resting his head on his hand. “You, sir, are interrupting important, confidential Bronze Legion business. I hope you understand the severity of your transgression.” Ulricus stood, flabbergasted.
“In the name of our Ruler, the house of Caesar… I command you to kneel.” Valerii chimed in. He was clearly enjoying putting Ulricus in his place.
“No matter the position you held before retirement,” Julian adds, “you are but a common Ravennan now. This is a serious matter. To think the Bronze Hound would stoop so low as to disrespect the Legion. I’m astounded, Ulricus. Outright astounded.” Unexpectedly, Calvus voices his thoughts.
“Ladies, ladies. Let’s all calm down for a moment. Lord Ulricus is a war hero. We shouldn’t just put him down so quickly. Let’s hear what the disrespectful bastard has to say.”
Surprised by the King’s letting him speak, Ulricus trips over his words for a moment. “Well, I-uh, I think we should be prioritizing finding out what has happened to General Asher first. O-oh, and working to find a replacement, maybe?” Calvus scoffs.
“And this is why you don’t intrude on conversations without knowing what they’re about, you infertile cuck. Arwald, Caesennia, escort Lord Ulricus out of the Castello. Now.” In near perfect unison, Captain Arwald and Dame Caesennia turn to look at Ulricus, Arwald chuckling, before walking over and grabbing his arms to bring him back into Rubica. Ulricus was devastated, trying to think of anything to shout in anger at the King and his cronies, but falling short.
“Dammit… damn it all!” Ulricus screamed at the top of his lungs, letting the whole of Rubica hear. He stormed to his home, past Elius and Carina, and dropping himself onto his bed. “Motherfucker…” he mumbles. “They won’t get away with this. I won’t let them. Whoever did this to General Asher… I’ll fucking kill ‘em.”
got inspired by gamehero’s chronic obsession with dame caesennia, so i decided to write seriously for once about my little au where my character is a ravennan general and abandons the kingdom
spent more time working on the title for this than actually writing it im ngl
im open to feedback and criticism, in fact i encourage them, my writing is far from perfect and id like to know what i can do to improve it