Date: A.D. 79,
{Location: North Yorkshire} - Garrison of The Ninth Legion, Army of Governer Julius Agricola III (Aka Agricola the ousted)
3rd Person POV
In a lush mossy green field on the land of what would later come to be known as England, stood the great Ninth garrison's local tavern, chanting and cheering could be heard within, coming from roman soldiers, workers and whores alike.
" VIRILUS, VIRILUS, VIRILUS"
what was all this chanting and cheering for? Who or what is Virilus ? the answer is simple. Everyone is cheering for the arm-wrestling match currently taking place in the center of the tavern, and Virilus is the nine-game winning streak contender, also a soldier by the looks of his roman armor and the pristine gladius firmly strapped to his hip.
" Wooooooooooo!!"
"You go Virilus!"
"I'll win big gambling on this guy, I'll be rich.!"
As the match progressed, many observers made comments and bets, while others cheered and laughed while drinking from cups filled with ale. The match was fun to watch, especially since Virilus proved to be a pro at the game hence the previous nine wins. so, the tenth win for Virilus and loss for the other guy was inevitable.
" AND the win goes to Virilus !!"
"WOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"
A man in the crowd acting as referee announced the soldiers win once again, and the crowd cheered. Some who betted on Virilus won big and celebrated with another cup of ale, while those who dared to bet on the other guy was left sour and bitter.
" That was fun, now we! the ninth celebrate our victory. Bring us your best ale and women, tonight we spend big. HAHA! "
Virilus said with a smile. followed by a short bout of laughter. he then began to move towards his fellow comrades to celebrate their win but was soon stopped by the shout of a scorned and bitter Ten-game losing streak man.
''AGAIN!!"
he said with partially red eyes and anger in his tone. causing Virilus to look back with a smile.
"ENOUGH! you put up a good fight, now you drink with me. Septus, my good man get us more ale."
Virilus stated while warmly patting the man's cheek as a sign of friendship, before receiving another cup of ale from his friend Septus and placing the cup in front of the man, who was having none of it and violently slapped the cup across the tavern the moment it hit the table, the tavern grew with silence, and then the loser broke it.
" Again Virilus"
The loser demanded. causing Virilus to lose some of the warmth in his smile before declaring.
"You're a drunk. An ugly drunk"
Causing the crowd to burst out in laughter. Virilus then began walking away with Septus but was again stopped, this time by the sound of the loser's dagger piercing the table, silencing the crowd.
"And not too bright." Septus chimed in.
"Isn't ten times enough to know when you're beaten?"
Virilus said with a sigh, now losing the warmth his smile possessed completely. As for the crowd they could only awkwardly gawk and chuckle at the situation.
" DAMN YOU, AGAIN!" The loser screamed while gesturing at Virilus to continue.
"Once more"
Virilus said exasperation clear in his tone, before sending a glance to Septus and stating.
"Septus, you're ruling.... And watch my flank." With that last piece being whispered. Virilus once again sat down and clutched the man's hand. and once again the crowd began to cheer his name, and people made their bets, those who lost before tried winning their earnings back and like before dared to bet on the loser. they then proceeded on with the match. And like the other ten matches, no matter how much the loser struggled to win, no matter how much he screamed in a rage, no matter how much his friends cheered him on and prayed to the gods that he wins....
" Virilus Wins!" Declared septus.
The outcome was the same, he lost yet again. With his arm tired and sore, his body sweaty and rank, and his mind completely blinded by rage and humiliation his desperate eyes drifted toward the dagger that was beside his sore arm. All he had to do was slit the throat of this bastard Virilus and his honor would be restored, and his coin would once more find its home in his pouch.
As things would have it though. Virilus noticed the man's gaze and without any hesitation; while still grasping onto the loser's arm, He grabbed the man's dagger out of the table and plunged it through the loser's arm severing arteries, piercing bone and pinning the arm to the table. Not satisfied with just that he grabbed the man by the pathetic thing he called a head, since he was most obviously not using it nor be needing it any longer and smashed it into the hard wood table.
* CRACK*
The sound of the man's skull cracking echoed throughout the tavern once again silencing everyone. A few of the older and wiser drinkers there immediately took their winnings and fled not wanting to see the mess that would soon unfold. Those who chose to stay were not as wise, the gamblers who lost all of their earnings and the buddies of the idiot who "lost" in every sense of the word...they figured it wise to confront Virilus, and his fellow soldiers.
" He's dead. You killed him, You piece of shit!" One of them glared at Virilus and said, rage seeping into his every word.
" Don't look at me like that. he was a short-tempered dumbass, and sore loser, he won his prize"
Virilus said, tone calm. while coldly staring down those who dared to pick a fight, along with his comrades who themselves got up. some picked up chairs, others bared their teeth while some simply clenched fists. Virilus then gave Septus a look, who then shouted.
"What the hell are you waiting for, an order? GET STUCK IN THERE!" The soldiers and men charged at each other and a brutal brawl ensued. The brawl's outcome? Obvious. The Ninth stood tall. By dawn, the tavern smelled of stale ale and blood.
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{Location: York Barracks}
On a cold morning a man could be seen in the barracks with his head deep in a barrel of water, after a moment the man pulled his head out and took a breath of fresh air and spoke.
"Phew that'll sober a man up quick! by the way Septus when will people learn not to fuck with the Ninth?" virilus said to Septus, who pulled out a tooth and was tending to his own wounds. and spoke. " You know Virilus some say its irregular for you to be seen drinking with the men of the legion"
Virilus smiled.
"Septus, my old friend, they forget. I am of the legion"
he said while drinking gurgling some water to dislodge the dried blood in his throat and spitting it out. While he was doing this, he didn't notice a young man on horseback looking down on him. The man sneered and spoke.
" Soldier have you been fighting?"
" Fighting is my job, son," replied Virilus finally noticing the young man, he gave a slight smile.
" I'm no son of yours you fool; I have a message for your general. Now point me in his direction before I have you flogged."
(Ah another prick)
Virilus and Septus thought simultaneously. Fed up, virilus rolled his eyes and spoke to the man child any warmth in his smile gone.
" Who are you?"
"I'm personal envoy of Governor Agricola. Now where is your general?" the man said with shameless pride while raising his head up just a bit.
"Well then... BOY I suggest you get down off that fucking horse and give me your message, BEFORE. I. HAVE YOU FLOGGED!!"
Taking Virilus's words as a cue Septus spoke. "General, sir! it would be my pleasure!" The envoy scared shitless leapt off the horse and onto his knees before promptly handing the general a letter. and trying to apologize.
" Sorry, General, sir..."
"Shut the fuck up." Virilus cut him off.
"Return to Agricola at once. Tell him we rode out within the hour. Now get the hell out of my face."
"Yes General"
The man squeaked out before jumping on the horse and Cowardly fleeing from further embarrassment.
A chuckling Septus was quickly stopped by Virilus's next words.
"All leave is cancelled. Alert the senior legates to break camp and prepare the men. Agricola is mobilizing the Ninth.... Where going to War Septus."
'GODS DAMN IT! Here we go again with this bullshit' Thought Septus.
Though clearly displeased, evident by his mannerisms the man could only follow his general's orders and do what he was told. "Yes sir" and went on with his business. leaving General Virilus alone to himself for a while. Who was displeased as well.
' SHIT!'
Virilus thought.