The packed earth holds beneath Titus's feet. Beyond the flank, smoke thins around a rough command post of shields, stakes, and overturned crates. A dust-covered military courier, his weathered face and sun-darkened skin marked by a pale scar at the brow, a lean middle-aged man with close-cropped brown hair and a torn white tunic beneath his cloak, hurries toward them.
Marcus Septimius
Courier from the rear. I carry sealed orders for the men holding this flank.
He breaks the seal and extends the wax-marked tablet toward Titus. Behind him, the Roman soldiers tighten their grips while the Punic front recoils beyond spear range.
Marcus Septimius
Marcus Septimius, military courier. By order of the army command, advance before the Carthaginians regroup and strike the command post.
Gaius Fabius
That ground is not secured. Their retreat may be a lure, and our cohort is still dressing its ranks.
Gaius Valerius
Or it is the opening we have been waiting for. Take their post, and every eye in the army will see who broke their line.
Lucius Varro
And every eye will see this cohort exposed if the order is wrong. Titus, the decision is yours. Fabius and Valerius are with you; I remain here to hold the sealed ground.
✓ Quest Accepted
Take the command post