THE LIGHTNING COUNT
Chapter II: The Orphan
Germania Magna, Spring 368 Anno Domini.
The forests of Magna Germania felt like another world. Filled with old spirits and dark Gods. This was no place for Romans but then again the majority of these men were Foederati. They were at home within these lands. Valentinian and Gratian rode at the head of the legions, they were the Empire personified. Gratian relished every step he took alongside the legions. He had heard stories of the emperors and generals of old who brought the light of Rome to the barbarian lands and now he would be amongst them. His enthusiasm for the fight ahead brought a smile to Valentinian. He was confident his son would succeed him and make the Western portion of the Empire strong once more and maybe with the East rule over a strong united empire once again. But these were dreams, the real fight right now was to bring the Alamanni to their knees and they needed to do it as swiftly as possible.
Severus rode towards the head of the column of legions. He was out of breath, as was his horse. The lack of roads to their destination was impeding their march.
“They are up ahead. Not a great force. Easily taken. But it doesn't feel right at all. I advise caution when marching towards them. They are a sneaky sort”
Valentinian smiled, he knew this day had come and not too soon. They would pay for their brutality with brutality of a different kind. A Roman kind. Gesturing to his legions they advanced further into the forests until they came to open ground. Moving through the forest line the Romans began to grow in confidence. They had come through the wilderness unscathed and ready to bring the fight to the Alamanni.
“Roma locuta est. Causa finita est. Fight until they are but a few. They will regret crossing the Limes and giving us cause to break them. Roma Invicta!” Barked Valentinian as his men geared themselves up for the fight, the Foederati especially looking for a good fight. Germanic men in the service of Rome. They were looking for a fight against their neighbours and they would have it.
“They're not moving towards us.. what is this madness? Pondered Severus as he watched the Alamanni make for the nearest hilltop.
“Those cowards. We won't give them the satisfaction of retreat or higher ground. Legions move forward with haste. Cut them down!”
Rushing towards them, the Romans picked up pace. The grass beneath their feet fresh from the melting snow made it hard for their advance. They would not get away this day. The legions advanced at pace with the Foederati leading the way with Severus and Valentinian watching on alongside Gratian who was witnessing his first campaign. And it would be a memorable one.
The armies began to ascend the hill where the Alamanni had retreated over. Pushing themselves they climbed and climbed until they felt it, a rumbling from over the horizon. It was steadily approaching and began to pick up pace. Severus knew it. It was a trap. Riding headfirst towards his men Severus desperately wanted to keep the lines strong but it was too late. In the blink of an eye the Alamanni had swarmed over the hill and broke the onrushing Roman forces. It was an error, a stupid error that a lesser man would make. Not Severus and certainly not Valentinian.
The emperor rode headfirst into battle whilst Gratian looked on from the corners of the fight. “They must hold. They must” He muttered to himself as he rode towards the melee. His men ran behind him as fast as they could. They needed to reach them before it was too late. As they entered the fray Valentinian found Severus, the fight was going badly.
“Hold the lines, regroup, stop our men from rushing, they're cutting us down. Make them us!”
“Yes Imperator. Where is your son, where is Gratian?”
“He is with some of my men, he is safe.”
“If that is the case then why does he ride towards the battle?”
Valentinian turned his gazed from Severus to see Gratian and his guard cantering to the outlying skirmishes. His face frozen. There he was, an eight year old Gratian slowly coming towards the battle. Valentinian turned around and rode to his son. He could not forgive himself if his son was lost in battle at such a precious age. Gratian rode to meet his father. He arrived with a wide smile on his face, his confidence was that of an experienced commander and not an eight year old child.
“Father I have come to help”
“Turn around and stay away from the field”
Gratian's face went from glee to despair. He thought he could help. He couldn't let his father and Severus be hurt or overrun.
“I only wanted to help...”
“I know Gratian, I know. But this is no place for a child. Quickly before anything happens to you.”
“Yes father” sighed Gratian as he turned his horse around. Valentinian watched his son ride away, proud that he would come to his aid but this was not a place for him. Yet. As his son rode to safety he bellowed out to him at the top of his lungs,
“Te amo meus”
The fight was brutal in every respect. Neither side giving quarter as they hacked and sliced their way through one another. The Romans increasingly on the losing side of the battle. Neither Valentinian nor Severus could understand how they were losing. They were not going to lose. Even if death take them they would preserve Rome's honour. For hours they fought and rallied their remaining men. The tide was changing in their favour. The Alamanni had begun to question whether they could actually win this fight. They were facing an enemy so utterly relentless in their drive to win they had underestimated them.
After seven hours of fighting the Alamanni retreated, what was left of their forces deserted the field of battle leaving only an exhausted rump of the legions to celebrate. They had crushed the barbarians. But at what cost. The armies were breaking. With too few left to chase and wipe out their enemy they elected to remain where they were and rest. The victory was theirs. Valentinian embraced his men with affection, declaring them the greatest that Rome had to offer. But special praise was reserved for Sebiastianus and Severus for their steadfast dedication to their duty. Valentinian hugged them both and smiled. He was happy, the day was won, many lives had been lost for his empire and for the people of Rome. He took to his horse and in front of his men donned his helmet once more and raised the banner of the people of Rome. He was going to deliver to them their deserved victory speech,
“We have sustained many casualties today and lost many friends and brothers to the heathens. And in return we have gained a vital victory in keeping Rome safe and strong. There will come a day when you are old and grey and your children and their children will know of the sacrifice you and the fallen have made. We will rebuild, remake and reforge the legions because no matter how many they throw at us they forget one thing. We ARE Rome and we are the finest this empire has ever produced. We ar...”
And silence fell across the battlefield. He looked down, a single arrow protruded from his chest, his hands cupped the wound as his senses heightened. Another arrow darted through the air and struck him again through the chest. Valentinian's face lacked colour as he started at his men, Severus rushed towards his emperor and caught him as he fell from his horse.
“Assassin! Guard the emperor, form a wall. Hurry!” barked Sebastianus as he watched Severus held the emperor in his arms, his friend, his mentor. Valentinian choked as the blood filled his throat, he was nearing the end. Severus looked at the great man and began to hold back his tears. This could not be it. This should not be the end. Valentinian grasped firmly at Severus' armour and looked him in the eye, forcing the words out with his final breath and strength,
“Sic transit gloria Mundi... protect Gratian. Jovinus... Sebastianus... Theodosius and yourself. See he grows to be great... Thank you Seve...”
And with that the reign of Flavius Valentinianus Augustus ended as the sun set amongst the hills of southern Germania. Severus closed the eyes of the emperor and ordered it be wrapped and taken as quickly to Augusta Trevororum as possible. He was lost. He did not expect this. But he was now charged with a new duty. To serve and protect and raise the Emperor's son, Gratian.
“No one tell the child unless you want to join the dead. I will tell him. Sebastianus round up the men and survivors. Head to the Limes. I will meet with you there. I need to speak with the boy”
Sebastianus nodded in agreement, marshalling the remaining forces they prepared to exit as quickly as they had come. The emperor had fallen and on their watch. They were to blame and had brought dishonour to Valentinian and to Rome. The legions marched home. Passing by Gratian who eagerly waited for his father to ride past and embrace him. He waited and waited as all the men passed him. His face grew sad, the impatient but excited child who had ridden with his father was fading. In the distance his eyes caught the glimpse of a man on horseback clad in purple.
“Just like father to return last” Gratian thought. But it was not his father.
Severus dismounted his horse and removed his helmet. His face told Gratian all he needed to know. Kneeling beside the young boy he placed his hand on his shoulder and handed to him his father's sword and looked him in the eye, both were saddened by the loss deeply.
“I am sorry my boy. He died after the battle. Rather than fight us they fled and sent one of their own to assassinate him as he congratulated his men. There was nothing we could do. I am sorry my Emperor”
“I am not Emperor... I cannot be... my father is...”
“Your father is dead Gratian. He is dead and you are Emperor in the West. He has chosen myself and others to guide you and guard you and we will not fail you like we did your father. Now come... we must say farewell to him. You must show strength now. And you will. You are much like your father. Now mount your horse. I will lead you home Dominus”
“Thank you Severus... thank you”