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=== Stratonikeia, Cyprus; Sextilis 136 AD ===

It had been a few weeks since the Romans and their allies had arrived on Cyprus. With their arrival, they brought change with them, the most noticeable being the change in leadership. While many approved on Aetolikos, others were unsure of him due to the Roman ties he had. Annius had secured the island after Ptolemey died more from talks than actual fighting. He had met with many of the nobles that remained on Cyprus, smoothing out anything that came up with the introduction of the new client state. Still, fighting was unavoidable and thousands lay dead from both sides.

Annius had set up his main camp outside Stratonikeia. He had just departed the city, spending most of the day with boring talks with nobles, reassuring them that Rome would not interfere with any of their old ways, as long as they respected and paid tribute accordingly. He yawned lightly, worn down by all the talks. With his entrance to the fortified camp, Annius was set upon by his troops, who genuinely respected the Magister Militium. Annius greeted them with a smile and spoke to them all for a good bit. He was at place with his men, most of which joined him in Carthage, and had made the long journey to where they were now. After Annius got down from his Hispanic bred steed, Tiberius Fortunus Vitellius- Legate of XVI Tiberia Hispania- arrived.

“Salve Magister Militium, I hope your day didn’t go to badly?” He said with a slight smirk, knowing how Annius was after talking with nobles.

“Fortunus, how kind of you to ask! It was tiresome of course, but needed. Anything new to report?” Annius said as he adjusted the gladius at his side, along with his cloak.

“Yes sir, Titus Tullius has sent word that the island is now fully secured from any loyal forces of Ptolemy. We also have a detailed report on our casualties since we have landed.” Fortunus responded, the smirk turning into a frown. Death was something he could never get over, but knew it was needed at times.

Annius nodded solemnly, it never pleased him to hear of his fallen brothers. Scanning around him, he motioned the Legate into his tent. The Praetorian guards took up their position around his command tent, making sure no one would bother them. As they entered, Fortunus handed him the dispatch of Titus Tullius.

“4,400 Romans and all have fallen.” Annius said quietly to himself as he read over the parchment. “All for the betterment of Rome,” he told himself. He folded the dispatch and tossed it onto his desk.

“Sir, you have accomplished an almost impossible victory here. Word has already reached us from Rome; the people are very pleased with your actions.” Fortunus reassured his commander.

“Thank you Fortunus, but our mission here is not finished, I’m afraid. Our Emperor has sent word to me to begin preparations to invade Phrygia. I’ve sent word to Proconsular Legate Lucius Titus Vitellius to send us reinforcements, so we do not stretch out our forces along our newly acquired lands. I need you to begin preparations for our departure, and send word to Tullius to return with his forces on the Eastern portion of Cyprus. We have some time till we actually move out, but I want our men prepared.”

“Do not worry sir; they will be ready as always. You have the best men in the Empire to accomplish taking Asia Minor.” Fortunus said, the news not really surprising him, as Annius was never the one to stay in one area when there was something else to be done. With that, he took his leave from the commander’s tent and went to work on the task at hand.

Annius was left alone in the tent, pondering quietly to himself. He poured himself a glass of wine and thought about all the news he had heard from Rome. His older son was now joining up with the legions, with one of the new legions being raised. While Annius was pleased with this, every father worried about their son when they began their trek into a military life.

=== Ephesus, Pergamum; Some Weeks Later ===

"Annius, glad you made it." Cassius said, extending an open palm to his friend and cousin. He was in Ephesus, meeting over the past and future few days with Attalus III Eumenes about the future of Pergamum, and Asia Minor. "Attalus won't be joining us, this will be largely personal. This isn't on my Proconsular agenda. Any trouble getting here?"

Annius shook hands with Cassius, smiling openly. "No troubles at all my friend. With most of the sea routes now secure, travel is much safer. I hear the King here is ill or so the rumors say. Phrygia is next, correct. On enlisting the Seleukids help there, I haven't yet." He said shaking his head lightly. "I will if it's needed though. I'm gathering all the forces I can to judge that."

Cassius nodded unassumingly. "The original plan was to get Carus Florianus Julianus to bring his army east and invade for you. To reduce his numbers, and redeem himself. As far as I know he hasn't left the West, and Tacitus has gone to reconcile Hispania with Rome. You and your men are certainly experienced enough to handle the short time between their last campaign and next. I heard something about more men... from the south?"

"Florianus you say?" Annius said, eyes widening a bit, as he merely nodded with interest."Yes, the south, Titus Vitellius is in command in Alexandria and the regions around it. He is sending me up to 15,000 men I believe. With this, I will have an army of just over 30,000."

"Good. I've got Attalus on guard now that he isn't locked in a staredown with Ptolemy." Cassius yawned suddenly, covering his mouth. "He won’t invade, but he'll keep those Galatians on his border from invading him. According to his people, my last trip here with Maximianus Disius was a success: the Galatians are largely divided, mostly in favor of Rome and willing to fight themselves over it. I don't suppose to know how these things work, but I imagine it can be used in your favor. Raeus sent me, Disius and Tacitus Gaius Probus here a few years back to gain Pergamum for Rome, and destabilize Phrygia. This was the plan for years- so I know you'll emerge victorious."

Annius listened carefully. This was vital information he needed to know for his soon to be campaign. "I see, I will admit to you that I know little of the happenings in the region of Phrygia, but that has never stopped me before. I plan to learn quickly once things are set into motion, that’s for sure. If many are in support of Rome, perhaps they will fight on our side when the time comes for it."

"It's likely," Cassius mused. He couldn't remember all the details of his last trip, since it was largely Disius who travelled into Galatians lands to sow unrest, and Disius was dead. "I'll see what I can do for you while I am here, but I cannot stay for too long- I am Proconsul of Greece."

"I understand. I plan on adding some of their forces to my own private forces. They have a large pool of manpower I believe we can dip into to help with our campaign and any others in the future." Annius said, as he had further plans on sending aide to other parts of the Empire once this was finished.

Cassius looked unsure of what Annius meant, but continued on. "There will be a lot of spoils from this campaign, that I am sure. I hope you will award yourself more than your fair share. I would also like to ask that you funnel all of it that is to go to Rome, through Pergamum. The transition once Attalus passes may be tense, and an influx of merchants and money will ease the control to Rome. Is there any reason this couldn't happen?"

"None at all. I will make this one of my top goals once we achieve our victory." Annius said nodding confidently.

"Excellent, i'll tell Attalus as soon as I return to Ephesus," Cassius smiled. "Write me as soon as you are victorious. I have other plans for this region too,but they require Rome owning Phrygia... the Darnadelles will under our total control."

Annius nodded, standing slowly. "I will be sure to write to you immediately after our victory. Is that all my friend?"

"Nothing really pressing," Cassius said. "I wanted to meet with you face to face and get a sense of the situation. You know my relation to Basileus Iulios, and you're the victor of Cyprus. I felt a hello was in order."

"Of course, what am I thinking!" Annius chuckled, he had been so busy of late, that he felt like he always had to be on the move or he would miss something. He went over to a table in the room and fill up two cups of wine. He made his way back over to Cassius handing him one, and then sitting himself down."I'll catch you up from where we both left off in Carthage. Over a drink of course."

"Oh that was some time ago, when you were in Carthage. Before the first battle of Cyrene, right?" Cassius asked, thinking that perhaps Annius was referring to his nephew Tacitus Cassius, eldest son of his brother Lucius Tacitus. Tacitus Cassius had gone off as Legate of a Consular legion under Hadrianos Sylivios back then. Cassius drank healthily from his cup. "Things sure turned out well down there, haha. Better than expected. Were you disappointed not to fight Terpus?"

"Aye, you could say that. I had plans for him once I captured him, but fate stepped in. Either way, his death was fitting." Annius replied.

Cassius hmm'd, and drank again. "What of his treasury, and his army? Without a fight they would both be easy targets."

"His army defected quickly to our side. It was that or being put to the swords. Many of them participated in the Cyprus campaign and did pretty well. His treasury and such, split between my men and Rome. I took my share portion as well. I spent nearly 25 million in Carthage while I was there."Annius said with a slight wince.

"That's a fortune! I had no idea you were so flush; Once you retired to Sicilia we thought you were... you know, not participating in the marketplace. At least not through Tacitus." Cassius was surprised at the amount Annius spent. He was curious too, especially since he was hoping to make many times that for the family once Phrygia was taken down. He grinned at Annius, but it wavered. "What did you buy, or make? The only thing I know that costs that much is a legion... well, a few. Or a fleet of ships."

"I manage to do pretty well in the wheat business in Sicilia. Once I saw the rebellion coming, I sold much of my holdings there due to the chaos soon to come." Annius said remembering how he had to move his family to Rome."My expenses, well let's see. I raised Legio I Alipes, Cohor Afriacanus I and II. Brought Legio IV Fidelis and XVI Tiberia Hispania back to full strength after being decimated in Cyrene. Oh and the bribing of the Prefect of Classis Alexandria... that was 6 million or so."

Cassius nearly choked on his swallow of wine, and coughed it up. He smiled, feeling immature for his surprise. "You practically bought Rome's victory, Annius."

"You are right, kinda took the fun out of it."Annius laughed openly but then look serious for a moment."It wasn't the best feeling spending all that denarii though, but worth it."

"You'll make it back. With all the taxes and commerce flowing freely to Rome again, you could even ask for restitution," Cassius tipped his cup toward Annius, reaffirming the idea. "Truth be told I’m hoping to secure a large piece of these new lands for the family, before the rest of the nobles in Rome catch wind. I suppose I had an ulterior motive to take Greece then. Provincial expansion is in our blood, you and I. If I could go back in time I may join the legion so I could feel what it's like to earn the new land, instead of just milk and govern it."

"Indeed, it's a great feeling. Specially finishing of my father’s work." Annius said, finishing off his cup and wine and hopped up with a sigh."It was good talking to you Cassius, but I fear I must retire now, for in the morning I'm returning to Cyprus."

Cassius put his cup down and stood as well. "Why Cyprus?"

"I have to make sure our new client kingdom is well settled down before I set off on this campaign." Annius shrugged lightly.

"That reminds me," Cassius said, taking a few steps to the left and peering out a doorway. "Aetolikos came to Rome, apparently on your suggestion. It seemed to go okay, but I also heard Julius was less than friendly with him. What's the situation currently?

"That's something I will have to look into when I return to Cyprus. " Annius said in all honesty, now very curious himself before continuing, “I will send word to you soon my friend, if you need anything, just let me know."

"I'll be in Ephesus for a few more weeks, cementing relations with the Ionians before returning to Athens." Cassius said. He started to speak again and stopped, open mouthed, looking past Annius. Finally after a moment he said, "I should probably fortify Byzantium, if you're going into Phrygia. I don't suppose having their armies pouring over the Bosphorus into Thracia would do anybody much good."

Annius gave a quick glance behind him before chuckling and nodding."Aye, fortify the city. If all goes well, it shouldn't be a problem but things sometimes don't happen how we like."

Cassius smiled and nodded, "Alright then. I'll leave you be. Oh, if you see Tullius- he is with you, I thought? - tell him his Uncle Cassius wishes him well."

"Correct. I'm sure he will be pleased, he has been doing extremely well under my command." With this, Annius departed to his quarters. The following day he left Ephesus to return to Cyprus. After Cyprus, the campaign would be ready to go.

=== Alexandria, Aegypt ; A Few Days Later ===

It was dawn, when the sun just breaking when Proconsular Legate Vitellius made his way through Alexandria’s harbor. Lucius Titus Vitellius had been busy since Annius had set off on campaign against the Ptolemies. Everything that had been undone by the rebellion had to be re-done to get things flowing right. Grain, taxes, and trade all resumed after the short lapse of it during the downfall of Terpus.

Titus yawned lightly as he and his escort made their way through the military quarters of the harbor. All around them, units of Greek infantry and auxiliary were boarding ships who bore the banners of the Aegyptian fleet. Titus merely smiled as he thought about Annius, and how he had so many of these nations working together, when at times were pitted against each other. Who knew Annius could get the Seleukids to help in the Ptolemies’ undoing. “Strange days,” Titus said to himself.

As he came deeper into the harbor he came across the Legionaries of Legio IV Fidelis and her legate Raeus Lucius Vitellius. “How are things progressing?”

Lucius shrugged, as he scanned the harbor. “We’re loading quicker than those bloody Greeks. We should be ready to set sail when the tides are in our favor.”

“Ah, very good. From what Annius tells me, you men will be campaigning in Asia Minor. Remember, the Galatians are fierce tribal people. The landscape is horrible, and keep your men ready for ambush, horrible terrain.” Titus said, probably the fifth time since he knew where Annius next campaign was.

“I will sir; no one will catch us off guard. Farewell Titus.” Lucius said, turning and heading towards his ship.

“Lucius!” Titus yelled over the bustle around them.

Lucius turned towards the Proconsular Legate, “Yes?”

“Tell Tullius….” He though it over carefully, “Tell him not to screw up!”

Raeus nodded with a slight chuckle, turning and boarding his ship. An hour later, the Aegyptian fleet carrying the Roman forces with her allies sailed north towards Cyprus where they would meet up with the forces of Magister Militium Annius Sabaco.

=== Tarsus, Cilicia; Novembris 136 ===

“The terrain is going to be a problem. The Galatians have done well to live in these kinds of lands. We will need to keep our logistical lines free from the enemy or they will slow us down to a crawl.” Annius said, as he stood around a table with all his commanders. Six Legates an all, with the two Prefects of Cohors I, II Africanus along with Germanicus Varro.

“Indeed, from what we have figured out, there are three major tribes pretty much running things, with the lesser tribes just falling in line.” Tullius said as he started pointing out the locations of the cities. “The Tectosage tribe resides in and around Anakara. The Trocmi in Pessinos and the Tolstibogii in Tavium, just east of Anakara. We also know there is some bad blood between the Trocmi and the Tectosage which has been held in check by the ruling Phrygian house. With that, the Tolstibogii side with the Tectosage with every opportunity given.”

Germanicus Varro nodded, as he looked over to Annius. “This information could be useful. Perhaps we could use them against the Phrygians.”

“That would be the best idea, but we shall have to see. Once our armies cross into their lands, they might just band together to face us. That is what we’ll have to work on, to keep them separated.” Annius said, as he scanned over the scrolls on the table and added with a bit of a grin. “Although I wouldn’t mind if they all banded together to face us in a deciding battle. Would save us some time.”

The group started to laugh a bit, as they understood Annius’ humor, even if it was dry at times. They all knew though, that this wouldn’t be a short campaign if they didn’t make good ground before winter set in. That was why Annius had gathered his army so quickly outside Tarsus. Altogether, Annius had gathered 30,000 plus men for the job ahead, with most being veterans from his last two campaigns.

“So, when do we begin our march north Magister Militium?” Reaus Vitellius asked curiously.

“Two mornings from now, once we make sure we have everything ready.” Annius said as he looked over the men gathered. “Know this men, I couldn’t be more pleased to have you all with me for this campaign. We have gone through so much and accomplished more then I have ever dreamed. Rome’s eyes are on us now my friends; we must show them that Rome will be victorious once again.”

“Aye, and get a little rich in the process!” Julius Servo, the Legate of Legio I Alipes put in. He was a friend of Annius in the first Gothic war, who served under him. Since Annius had appointed him in Carthage, he had not regretted it one bit.

Annius laughed and agreed with the Legate. They talked things over for a few more minutes before Annius dismissed them back to their duties. With everyone gone, Annius strolled casually over to a window that overlooked the Eastern city. The Sun was beginning to dip down into the horizon, while darkness began to creep up. He leaned against the wall in deep thought as he looked out to the west, where he knew Rome was.

Written By: Marcus Annius Sabaco with RP from Ferus Juventas
Edited By: Ferus Juventas
137 AD

Excellent Annius! Now I have a competitor in the east!

lol Yep, once things start to settle done for me...(been a crazy two weeks) We should both be mopping up the East hopefully!