[brianeyci]

"Centurion!"

"Yes, mi'lord."

"Are all the troops gathered?"

"Yes, mi'lord."

Septimus looked from his balcony at the conscripts below. No, no, this would not do. The recent fight with the barbarians had depleted Elantrian ranks. Now the army was only a shadow of its former self. Septimus even thought he saw a man carrying a farming implement as a weapon. Many of the flags denoting now depleted units were torn and tattered from battle.

"How the mighty have fallen."

"Mi'lord?"

"We must recruit men."

"I agree Septimus."

Octavian moved beside Septimus. Since childhood, Octavian had been his trusted advisor. Now he was an old haggard man, with nothing left but his wits. That suited Septimus perfectly. He knew where his weaknesses were, and surrounded himself with men like Octavian to compensate. Balancing weaknesses and strengths was what his father had taught him.

"Who do you wish to be charge of the recruitment?"

"I will, personally."

"You will your highness?"

"Yes. Send messengers forth to Ironside, Q'thos, and criers in the city. We seek men willing to fight and die for Elantria."

"That will be difficult. There may be no men left. They may be unwilling. And the Senate..."

"Give them gold. Give the men gold, give the Senate gold, give the people gold. There is enough gold to go around now."

"As you command sire."

The army below marched out. Septimus clenched his jaw. The fools in the Senate would not get in the way. He knew Elantrian politics, and knew how to manipulate.

"Oh, before you leave Octavian, make sure to send messengers to Eldorneth, Heodai and the Lizard people."

"Yes mi'lord.

==

Army Trained
1761 Republican Legionnaires (Heavy Infantry +6 42/100 740 Gold Spent)
200 Republican Skirmishers (Light Skirmishers 56/200 56 Gold Spent)
100 Elvish Scouts (Light Calvary 32/100 54 Gold Spent)
100 Republican Engineers (Special Unit 35/100 35 Gold Spent)
115 Gold Remaining

5 Gold Sent with Messenger to Eldorneth.
5 Gold Sent with Messenger to Heodai.
5 Gold Sent with Messenger to Slianthia.
100 Gold Remaining.

Republican High Guard (Heavy Infantry +6, +2 Armor, +2 Weapons) assigned to Septimus as personal protection. At least twenty surrounding him at all times. 70 Gold spent on one hundred.
30 Gold Remaining.

==

Brian