Dom and his Century of Praetorian's under Centurion Septimius soon arrived at the access point created by the First Century of Centurion Percennius and the small unit of Wudang Archers that had been dispatched with them. A Legionary was crouched nearby waiting for them, his face covered in mud to help him blend in to the darkness and the cliffs.
The terrain had changed from grasslands to slightly rocky as they had made the short march in the almost dark, the sun only barely peaking in the far distance. Soon the word slightly had left the slightly rocky to only rocky as they had headed up the final approach towards the Cove. The Cove was located on a cliff edge that overlooked the Serene Sea below, the sea slowly receding as day light came. The area was mostly flat up until a short time before the Cove, where the eastern coast started to become more hilly and raised, allowing Dom to see the Red Woods and the rest of the southern half of his Kingdom beyond. The view was stunning, especially in the very early sun of the morning. Dom felt at peace viewing the almost untouched land and wondered if he would ever get this feeling in reality.
In the sea, Gan Ning's Serene Sea Fleet lay in wait, north of the Cove's entrance, awaiting the signal from Qin Ming to enter and begin their assault on the hopefully unaware town beyond. Small birds hovered in the sky above the Navy and Dom hoped that their appearance wouldn't cause the Navy to be noticed. Dom knew that Gan Ning would get frustrated if any of them decided to defecate on his deck, and part of him laughed at the thought of his General's reaction.
"Centurion Percennius is waiting below." The Legionary said politely as he quickly noticed Dom's approach. After a quick introduction, he directed Dom and Septimius towards a path that had been made through the cliffs below. Dom headed forwards first, leaving Actumerus and the others behind to follow him.
The path had clearly been reinforced by the scouts over the last few weeks, with some wooden planks placed here and there to offer those who were travelling the treacherous path some form of safe passage. Dom could see Percennius crouched nearby looking towards the cove, as the sun rose in the distance and illuminated it. Percennius was staring intently in the distance, hearing Dom's approach but not reacting.
The Cove was a large semi circle within the cliffs that surrounded it, a well hidden location on the gentle coast of the Serene Sea. There was a scenic white beach with clear blue water at the centre of the Cove, with rising houses that seemed to be built within the cliffs themselves. Dom wondered if there would be some fish within that water and wondered how if it would still be as clear after the battle.
The Houses that were pushed forwards from Cliff front had different food products growing on their roofs, as the scouts had reported. There was also a small collection of domesticated birds that could be seen walking through the thin paths that seemed to be zig zag up from the waters edge, through the beach and then up to the middle of the cliff through the houses and other small buildings that were built in to the cliffs front. Dom didn't recognise them, but they seemed flightless and well cared for.
Dom could see why those of the Cove hadn't left, as the cliff itself seemed to curve and tower over them, with the only way out by the sides that Dom was currently stood on. The cliffs were obviously climbable, even if treacherous. The cliffs that they stood on curved around and whilst there was places an enemy Warrior could hide, it seemed that this side at least was empty. In the distance the first signs of human activity could be seen as some residents of the Cove seemed to leave their stone houses and begin their morning routines.
"No Warriors sighted so far, but it will be hard to approach." Percennius explained. "Their archers will be able to take us down as we approach, we will also have to head to the water's level and make our way up."
"It depends on how far across we climb." Septimius commented from beside Dom, the Praetorian Centurion keeping himself low, having to take his helmet off so his crest wasn't obvious above the rocks they were hidden behind.
"How is Tomoe going to get down there?" Dom asked, looking at the cliffs. She'd have to come from each side and even then there wasn't a natural approach.
"Rope's would be the best way my Lord." Percennius replied seriously, "I am sure she is prepared for it, our mixed cohorts are quite reminiscent to those before Marius's reforms. Whilst not a true cohort of my understanding, we have a lot of depth with the different backgrounds and skills of the Warriors."
"That was a very diplomatic way of putting it." Dom laughed quietly as he looked towards the cove, around him so that he could see the rest of Percennius's men in position, crouched behind rocks and other areas. The Wudang Archers could be seen edging ever closer to the Cove itself, which was only a few hundred metres away.
"They would have been a great axillary force." Percennius commented, "They are exceptionally skilled with this terrain, I wish we had them in Germania."
"Or Britannia!" Septimius said from beside Dom, "We could have taught those Druids a lot of wonderful lessons."
"Centurion Chariovalda of the my Batavi has been speaking with Centurion Meng Ai of the Wudang Archers about their skills." Actumerus said from behind them, the tall Batavi Guard struggling to keep his large stature hidden amongst the rocks. If anyone looked in their direction, they would see his large exposed head regardless of what he tried. "Their combined skills could be a deadly combination for the future raiding campaigns, especially around the Rivers and Streams to the North West of us."
"That would be an interesting campaign to be involved in, but I would much prefer pitched battles than fighting in the forest." Septimius agreed, knowing where his own strengths and his Praetorians lay.
"From experience I would have to agree." Percennius commented, thinking back to his own memories of fighting in the Germanic forests. He paused for a second before bringing the conversation back to the battle ahead. "General Qin Ming signalled earlier that he was also in position. We are just waiting for the signal from General Subutai and the arrival of General Gan Ning and the Serene Sea Fleet."
Dom looked towards the cliffs above the Cove where Subutai and Tomoe should be stationed with their men, before turning back towards the entrance to the semi circle of cliffs where Gan Ning would appear from once Genghis was spotted in the air. The Eagle instructed to fly to Gan Ning's ship where he had been trained to land over the last couple of days. Dom was often impressed by the intelligence in Subutai's Eagle and wondered if a future Beast Hall could be used for it, after Meritamen's Dire Wolves.
"How have you found it since arriving?" Dom asked Percennius, trying to waste some time as they waited. His original Legion the Legio 1 Germanica had a complex past and Percennius had expressed hope of reclaiming some glory for his men, more of whom arrived daily.
"It's been rewarding Lord." Percennius replied honestly, "We have been treated well and entrusted with important tasks. My men are happy, especially with Heroes such as Crassus and Cicero who support us as well. I just hope that we can continue to show our worth and make you proud."
"You are doing a great job." Dom agreed, the First Century under Percennius having displayed a fearless attitude since arriving.
"Your men are solid." Septimius commented from beside Dom, "The stains of the past are being washed away with the blood of the enemies of our new Kingdom."
"Thanks brother." Percennius replied, clasping Septimius's arm in gratitude. Dom could feel the genuine truth of his words as a serious look covered his face.
"I hope they hurry up." Dom commented as he turned to look back towards the cove.
The sun was now slightly higher in the sky, the morning sun awakening more of those that lived within the Cove. The signal had still not been sent and Percennius and Septimius were growling frustratedly to each other as the sun began to reflect of their darkened armours.
"If we don't move soon, any surprise will be lost." Percennius grumbled in agreement, "We are almost like a torch in the night over here shouting for them to see us. Whilst we may have shields and armour, I still would rather avoid enemy arrows if possible!"
"Subutai will have a reason." Septimius countered, "I'm sure it would be a good one, he wouldn't risk it otherwise."
"Maybe the terrain was harder than they expected?" Dom asked them, with both nodding their heads in agreement that it could be the case.
"It's a lot of Men to move across terrain, it's not the most comfortable on your feet and a fall can easily cause a broken ankle or worse." Percennius agreed, "We need as many fit after this campaign as possible so we can push forwards."
"Look, Genghis is in the air!" Actumerus said from behind them, his voice a bit louder than planned.
Genghis flew straight over the Cove, circling in the air twice, before heading through the semi circle of cliffs to the sea beyond. Some of those within the Cove seemed to notice his presence, probably worried he was aiming for their domestic birds, causing them to start grabbing bows and look up towards the distance.
"They will definitely see us now!" Septimius commented, "They are looking straight at us, Genghis almost flew over our head."
"They might not have." Dom commented, as shouts could be heard from within the Cove as more people began to emerge, a lot more than Dom had expected.
"Where are they coming from?" Percennius asked in surprise as suddenly a couple hundred people appeared with bows, spears and swords from the houses. A few began to head down towards the beach and in the direction of where Dom and the others were stationed.
"If they come here, at least Qin Ming can sneak past!" Septimius stated, himself noticing the shining of Qin Ming's two Centuries that were hidden on the other side.
"I don't think we need to worry for long!" Actumerus laughed, pointing at the entrance to the Cove where the front of the Galatea could be seen coming around the bend.
"Yeah, they seem to be panicking a bit now." Percennius commented, as the enemies that had been running towards the beach to begin heading towards Dom and the others seemed to stop and begin pointing at the fast approaching Galatea, the drums of the ship echoing through the Cove as she entered. Beside her Dom could see the front of the second Trireme appearing, the drums in the same beat as the Galatea.
"Qin Ming is moving!" Septimius exclaimed, their armour reflecting the sun in the distance showing them slowly climbing across the cliffs towards the beach.
"Then it's our turn to go as well then!" Percennius agreed, patting his Optio in front of him on the shoulder and telling him to begin the approach.
"I want Pilum's ready to throw at first opportunity!" The Optio said to his men as he began to head forwards, the Wudang Archers beside him ready to give them covering volley's if needed.
"Still no Subutai or Tomoe!" Dom commented as Percennius began his approach with the rest of the First Century of the First Cohort of the Southern Tiger Army.
"They must be waiting for more enemies to be drawn out and Gan Ning's Fleet to engage." Septimius replied as he ordered his own Optio to follow the First Century. The Praetorians now also making the slow and deadly pathway towards the Cove across the exposed cliffs. Dom soon followed in the middle of the Praetorian Century with Septimius and Actumerus beside him. The other Batavi Guards behind him in the middle of the Century.
The first arrow was launched by one of the Wudang Archers as the enemy began to prepare their own arrows, the Wudang's range being longer with the upgrades from Subutai. Those on Qin Ming's side staying silent in response as the enemy prepared for Dom's side and the two Trireme that had now entered, their own Arrows being let fly as the third Trireme entered.
"Why does the Echo have a Ballista on the front of it?" Dom asked in surprise as the second Trireme let loose a giant arrow from the Ballista on the front, speeding forwards and impaling three enemies on the beach, whilst the arrows from the two forwards Trireme and the small contingent of Wudang Archers with Dom fell amongst them.
"I don't know, but it has them scared!" Septimius smiled in response, the enemy now backing away from the beach, whilst their own Archers began launching back towards Dom's force. The majority of the Arrows fell short, or were weakened from the extended range and were easily deflected by the shields.