Volume 4: The League of Dionia, Chapter 36: Triumphant Return and Former Comrades-in-Arms (Part 1)

After a while, the shore came into view, along with the harbor and its dense cluster of ships, one after another, like a wooden wall.

"What a lot of ships! Looks like it's not inferior to Ephesus!" Xanthiparis exclaimed in amazement. Agasia remained silent, noticing that in the month or so he had been away from Thurii, the harbor had changed significantly—not only had its area expanded and more piers been added, but a breakwater was also under construction.

Just then, a patrol boat approached and signaled them to stop.

"I am Agasia, a senator of the Thua Alliance Senate. I want to disembark at the dock inside Thurii!" Agasia stood at the prow, looking impressive, which made the mercenaries quite envious.

The captain of the patrol boat—who had to be an alliance citizen—was familiar with the dozen or so senators, even if he hadn't dealt with them directly. He signaled to bring the patrol boat closer. After a careful look to confirm Agasia's identity, he saluted respectfully and said loudly, "Honorable Senator Agasia, Midorades, captain of the alliance's maritime patrol, salutes you! I assume you've been away from the alliance for some time?"

"Yes, I left in September for Ephesus and have only now returned."

"No wonder you didn't know the alliance has changed its name to the Daonia City-State League, no longer the Thua Alliance!"

"What?! Changed its name? Why?!" Agasia asked in surprise.

"Because the alliance has captured Nerulum, and we have another city. The name 'Thurii-Amendolara Alliance' no longer fits. What's more, Laüs has become our ally! Lord Davos has fulfilled his promise. We no longer have to worry about Lucanian invasions!" Midorades said excitedly.

Captured Nerulum, made Laüs an ally, changed the alliance's name! Agasia hadn't expected so many things to happen in just over a month away, as if he had suddenly become a stranger. He wanted to get back into the city immediately, but the patrol boat still blocked the way. "Sir, today the alliance is holding a triumph in Thurii for the generals and soldiers who have returned victorious from Lucania. To prevent any mishaps, the alliance has decreed that no ships may enter the Crati River. I'm afraid you'll have to disembark at the port." Midorades glanced sideways at the mercenaries behind Agasia and added, "Also, the alliance has ruled that only citizens, preparatory citizens, and invited guests may enter the city to watch the ceremony. Foreigners and freemen can only watch from outside the city walls—again, for security."

Although disappointed, Agasia understood the reasoning behind the alliance's measures. He managed a smile and said, "Thank you. I'll head to the port to disembark right away. Has the triumph already begun?"

"It shouldn't have yet—you should still make it."

As soon as the patrol boat left, the mercenaries crowded around Agasia.

"Agasia, you didn't deceive us—you really have become a noble of a city-state!"

"Honorable Lord Agasia, when will we ever be like you?!"

"Congratulations to the Daonia Alliance on taking another city! Agasia, just how strong is your Daonia Alliance in Magna Graecia now?"

Faced with all those envious and admiring looks, Agasia's vanity swelled with satisfaction. To Timasion's question, he replied proudly, "As I told you before, the alliance holds Thurii and Amendolara, and now Nerulum, with Laüs and Castron as subordinate allies. These are all real cities, each with its own towns and villages. Thurii especially—its territory is no smaller than Attica of Athens, yet far more fertile. And the alliance has plenty of surplus land, just lacking people to farm it. If we have enough citizens, our strength will be unmatched in Magna Graecia!"

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go see Davos right now!" the men clamored eagerly.

The merchant ship followed the pilot's directions into the harbor and docked at the pier.

As soon as they left the dock, they were stopped by a patrol. It turned out the mercenaries had converted all their loot from raids into money, and apart from the armor and spears they carried, the patrol deemed it dangerous for dozens of armed men to be on the move, especially when a triumph was about to take place. Even Agasia's guarantee as a senator was not enough to override the requirement: they had to deposit their weapons if they wanted to enter alliance territory.

Frustrated, the men stowed their weapons back on the merchant ship. Amid their grumbling, Agasia felt compelled to explain: "Right now, the alliance has few citizens but far too many foreigners and freemen flooding in. Fights and disturbances are common. This strictness is for the alliance's safety!"

Some mercenaries continued to complain, but leaders like Timasion, Cleanho, and Xanthiparis kept silent. They were used to a free and undisciplined life, but Agasia had repeatedly reminded them on the journey: once they reached the alliance, they must obey the laws and avoid trouble, because the alliance's laws were very harsh! Among the dozens who had come with Agasia, most were mercenary leaders and officers who had been relatively well-behaved. They had initially dismissed Agasia's warnings, but now, as their excitement was doused with cold water, they realized that even the guarantee of a senator like Agasia meant nothing here. The seriousness with which these people carried out their duties was evident.

In truth, they forgot that in other city-states, mercenaries—even when hired—were rarely allowed inside the walls.

The harbor had indeed changed a lot: not only had it expanded in area, with more piers and buildings, but a wall had also been built, with soldiers standing guard and patrolling. Agasia and his party had to pass through a checkpoint at the city wall to enter alliance territory.

The sentries at the checkpoint questioned them carefully, registered them, and only then allowed them through.

Timasion frowned and said, "Agasia, your regulations are strict. It's easier for us because we're with you. Our other brothers who will arrive later in twos and threes might have trouble."

"No problem—I'll come here every day to pick them up." Agasia had already considered this and replied bluntly. Three thousand men was no small number. Everyone else also voiced their willingness to come with Agasia to welcome the rest.

The marketplace of Thurii was right next to the wall and had also expanded greatly. Beside the market stood new buildings: an armorer's shop, a cloth shop, a wagon repair shop, a rope and rigging workshop, a gold and silver smithy, a pack animal rental, a bakery, an inn, a restaurant... But the market, normally bustling, was strangely quiet.

Agasia and his group skirted the market and reached the main road, where dozens of cart drivers swarmed around them. "Going to see the triumph, are you? It's about to start! Take a carriage and you'll still make it!" The drivers coaxed in a chorus.

At one obol per ride, the price was reasonable. Although the market was only a few stades from Thurii, the mercenaries were happy to try riding in a carriage.

The carriages raced along the flat road—fast and smooth. While they were still intoxicated by the thrill of speed, a huge wave of sound hit them.

In front of Thurii, the crowd was enormous, a sea of people roaring with cheers. One voice rang out across the earth: "They're here!!! They're here!!!"

To the west of Thurii, facing the warm morning sun, a golden dragon of a procession was advancing toward them.

The drivers all stopped. There were too many people to get close, but standing on the carriages, they could still see the spectacle within the crowd:

At the very front of the procession marched the standard-bearer, chosen from the bravest and most outstanding soldiers of the campaign. Lizaru never imagined he would receive this honor; all the way on the march, his usually stiff face had been smiling nonstop. As he approached the crowd, he straightened his chest again and raised the Army Corps standard high. The cheers, exclamations, and compliments converged and washed over him like a divine elixir, filling his entire body with strength in an instant...

Timasion squinted and saw clearly the top of the standard soaring in the air: a dignified and imposing bronze statue of Hades wielding a Bident. It reminded him of the old rumor that "Davos is the God-Touched One of Hades."

Gazing at the flag embroidered with the golden characters "First Army Corps" and four golden five-pointed stars, listening to Agasia's explanation of their significance, Timasion and his men couldn't help but be dazed.

Right behind the Army Corps standard-bearer came another military standard. Beneath the snarling bronze statue of the Death god with spread wings, the flag was embroidered with the golden letters "Second Battalion, First Company." The Fourth Battalion originally deserved the greatest honor for this campaign, but considering public perception, Davos had given the honor of being the first unit into the city to the Second Battalion, First Company, since they had also worked hard and achieved much—their merit in holding the Lao River Fortress alone silenced any objections. As compensation, Davos granted the honor of serving as the Army Corps standard-bearer to a Lucanian.

The soldiers marched with vigorous steps, chests out and heads high as they entered the crowd, soaking in the people's cheers...

The mercenaries watched them intently. Laymen see the excitement, experts see the skill. Xanthiparis said to Agasia, "Your soldiers are good—good fighting spirit and morale."

"But they're still inferior to us!" Cleanho said defiantly.

Agasia said nothing, just smiled.

Then Tolmides exclaimed, "Look at these soldiers! They're not Greeks, are they?"

Agasia looked closely. The second unit entering the crowd was holding a standard embroidered with "First Army Corps, Fourth Battalion."

When did the alliance get a Fourth Battalion? Agasia wondered. Then he looked at the soldiers' faces. Remembering that they had captured the Lucanian city of Nerulum, he understood a bit why Davos had done this: "Those are Lucanians. Since they can become Corps soldiers, they've probably already become citizens of the alliance."