***
Timonus stood dressed in his full military regalia atop a boulder before the members of the Lupa Faction. As the stars shone behind him, he looked rather imposing to the twenty or so youths that stared up at him expectantly. He eyed them back, all young men and women, none older than two decades. They were a sad group, he thought, underfed, unwashed and unorganized but, the Legate reminded himself, he had led worse forces in his days.
"Our best time to march on Odalia," he began, "will be during the munus. The people will be distracted by the festivities and most of the military will be contained in the area of the Amphitheater, guarding the Emperor."
"And when will that be?" Julian asked.
"In three days time, which doesn't give us very long to prepare. Thankfully, most of you are damn good shots."
They smiled at one another, patting Camilla, on the back as they did.
"But," he cut them off, "being a good shot will only get you so far - especially since we do not march upon Odalia with the intention to kill anyone."
"How will that ever work?" Julian sounded disappointed.
"As far as anyone there knows, I am still the Legate of Lycania and while I may have turned against my Emperor, I did not turn against my country. I believe the men there will still answer to me and I do not want the Emperor harmed in any way. He is to be taken prisoner and given a trial. Lycania will then fall under military rule with my command until a proper Senate can be formed."
"What will happen to-"
"Wait!" A far off voice cried out from behind them. They turned to see that one of the lookouts who had been stationed towards the south was running towards them under the light of the full moon, waving his arms above him, "Wait! Hold everything!" He joined them a few moments later as his words came spilling out of his mouth in a breathless rush, "Wehavetoleavenow!"
Timonus stepped down from the boulder and went to him, "Slow down, boy! What is it that you're trying to say?"
"Gigantes," he gasped, "they're headed this way!"
Timonus felt a familiar sense of fear wash over him at the mention of the Giants, "Are you sure?"
He nodded, gasping, "I saw them in the distance... Hundreds of them! And based on the direction that they're going, I'd say they are heading to Odalia, which means they will cross this place soon. We need to move camp, now!"
"How far are they behind us, then?" Timonus inquired.
"A couple of hours, at most."
"Dammit!" he swore. "Then we need to leave and regroup in a more northern location, closer to the forest so that we stay upwind." He turned to address the group again. "Everyone, grab up your supplies-"
"Wait - there's one more thing," the lookout said, panting as he was still trying to catch his breath.
"Yes?"
"The have that venefica girl with them."
A Sword Of Wrath, Book I: Blood And Dust Page 26