Chapter 301: Prelude to War (I)

“As long as we could beat Consentia, we are willing to do anything!” Said Hegasitus radiating with decisiveness.

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The news that Theonia had declared war on the Bruttians had spread rapidly throughout Magna Graecia. Roscianum immediately sent someone to the Senate of Theonia to say that they are willing to send a thousand light and heavy infantry and fifty cavalries to the war.

Laos had also sent someone to actively express that they would send 3,000 light and heavy infantry to battle.

Even Heraclea, who had just joined the Theonia Alliance, was not willing to be outdone. They are willing to send 500 infantry and 100 cavalries to fight.

Although the numbers and strength of these troops were nowhere near those of the four legions of Theonia, Davos had still readily accepted them as the participation of allies in a war was a sign of unity of the Theonia Alliance. Only by fighting side by side could they deepen their friendship with their allies and gradually influence and assimilate their military systems.

Although the Council of Taranto knew in advance that there was a conflict between Theonia and the Bruttians (from what Tolmides had leaked), they had mixed feelings after they learned about the outbreak of war had come because: If Theonia won, the gap between Taranto and Theonia would only widen; But if Theonia suffered a heavy loss, then the Messapi and Peuceti, who had just signed an armistice may have new thoughts. Taranto’s manpower and resources are now devoted to the recovery of the war-torn territories of Taranto, so it is impossible for Taranto to assist Theonia. However, not long ago, Theonia had saved Taranto from a crisis by honouring their agreement.

Therefore, the Council of Taranto sent an envoy, Polidorus, to Thurii and politely inquired, “What do you need from Taranto?”

Davos had naturally noticed the embarrassment of Polidorus, so he immediately expressed his gratitude for Taranto’s concern and said politely, “For the time being, Theonia doesn’t need the help of Taranto.”

However, Davos’ politeness showed his confidence and made Polidorus feel slightly guilty while letting out a sigh of relief.

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The Crotonians equally have mixed feelings, and even most hope that the war launched by Theonia will suffer a tragic defeat. However, Scylettium, Terina, and Caulonia had all sent envoys, so Crotone naturally had to show something, as they were, after all, part of the South Italia Alliance.

However, the Senate of Theonia politely declined their expectation of participating in the war on the ground that these city-states had just gone through war and needed to guard against Locri. At the same time, he put forward his own request that he hopes they can provide some military provisions and allow the army of Theonia to pass through their territory and wait for an opportunity to attack Bruttii from Terina’s side.

The envoys of Crotone and other city-states had immediately agreed.

The envoys even boasted that their city-state is willing to provide free food for the Theonian army attacking from Terina’s side until the end of the war.

While the envoy of Terina just spoke a little, as he actually knew inwardly that the Senate of Theonia had long had a secret agreement with Siprus to attack Clampetia together! This time, he had come with the other envoys just as a cover-up.

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“Father, it seems that the Vergaeans are right. Theonia has declared war on Bruttii! We-” Gennat said excitedly.

Cincinnag interrupted his son with a sneer, “What are we going to do?…declare war on Theonia as well?! We a grudge against the Theonians, but don’t forget that Sedrum, that old bastard, had slaughtered our people! If it weren’t for Elea, that Vergaean envoy would never have walked out of Pyxous!” Said Cincinnag in a hateful voice.

The loss of Grumentum had allowed the Theonians to enter the heart of Lucania, and the small independent Lucanian tribes have been defecting to Theonia one after another like flies gathering around sh’t. Although the Theonians had not yet taken any further action at Grumentum, they still had made the Pyxousians feel the pressure. Although the envoy of Pyxous came to Thurii and brought back the promise of peace by the archon of Theonia, how could the cunning Cincinnag easily believe on that thin piece of paper!

Especially when Elea had announced their joining of the Theonia Alliance, it was like a huge drum causing a huge stir in Pyxous, as this meant that not only did the Pyxousians not dare to consider Elea as a slice of fat meat that they could plunder every year as they had done before, but it had also made the city of Pyxous be surrounded by Theonia and its allies from hereafter. Potentia should also feel the same danger, so when the envoy of Bruttii arrived and with his help, the two tribal power of Lucania, which had a feud for a long time, finally decided to unite to fight against Theonia in order to survive.

“We have to be patient and not be in a hurry!” Said Cincinnag to his son.

“Until when?”

“Wait until both Theonia and Bruttii fought to exhaustion! Wait until Potentia to act first!” Cincinnag’s narrowed eyes gleamed with cold light.

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In the assembly hall of Consentia, the Great Chieftains of the Bruttii Tribal Union were urgently discussing the information that their scouts had reported.

“Yesterday, Davos had led what they called the first and second legions out of Thurii and marched westward, seemingly preparing to pass through the mountains to Laos…in Aprustum…uh, the fourth legion is also starting to move south…Everyone, the attack of Theonia is coming!” Pian said with a grave expression.

“It’s about time! We have long carefully prepared to let these arrogant Theonians taste the strength of Bruttii!” Likumu waved his fist excitedly.

“It seems that the main focus of Theonia’s attack is Vergae! Because their archon, Davos, had personally led the first and second legion, together with the third legion of Nerulum and the army of Laos, and the number of soldiers he leads may even be as high as 20,000! Not only did we strengthened Vergae’s defence, but we have also built several defensive camps on the mountain road…however, we only have at most 4,000 soldiers, and I fear that we would have a difficult time resisting the attack of so many Theonian soldiers!” Said Sedrum, looking at the others with melancholy.

“Sedrum, you coward! You have started to become afraid before the war even starts!” Likumu sneered.

“It’s normal for Vergae not to be able to stop the full attack of the Theonians alone. The fourth legion of Theonia had also headed south. They must be planning to attack the north of the city of Terina, together with the Terinian army, whose soldiers I fear numbered over ten thousand, while the warriors of the city of Clampetia are but two thousand, so for Clampetia to hold on, we must have your reinforcements!” Pangam defended both Sedrum and himself.

Sedrum nodded gratefully to him.

“Just after Bruttii had united into a tribal union, we have met a strong enemy. This is the test of Amara and Brutus! Under the protection of the gods and goddesses, we must unite closely and defeat the enemy in order to forge the future glory for the people of Bruttii!” The high priests, Phitara, said with a solemn expression. The Bruttians prided themselves on being the descendants of Brutus, who is the legendary ancient hero, demigod and protector of the Bruttians, and Brutus was the son of Heracles and the Queen of Bruttii – Valentia. 

“The high priest is correct!” Pian looked at everyone and said, “I will lead ten thousand Consentian warriors together with Petaru to reinforce Vergae!”

Ten thousand warriors are almost the whole force of Consentia, so Sedrum hurriedly bowed and said gratefully, “Grand Chieftain, thank you for your full assistance!”

“This is what I should do as we are all comrades in the same union now. If the city of Vergae couldn’t hold on, then can Consentia be safeguarded?! If Consentia is occupied, what way out can there be for Besidice and Anbania?!” Pian said this as if to comfort Sedrum, but in fact, it was more of a reminder to Bodiam and Likumu.

“On the southeast of Anbania that leads to Aprustum is a narrow valley, and the Theonians does not dare to attack from here, as once found, our warriors would not even need to fight, and they just need to stand on the top of the valley and throw rocks at them, which would be enough to cause them heavy casualties. Therefore, I am willing to lead 3,000 warriors to reinforce Clampetia!” Bodiam immediately made his stance.

Likumu, unwilling to fall behind, said aloud, “The situation in Besidice is similar to that of Anbania. There are mountains and rivers as barriers, so the Theonians can’t enter through my territory at all. Therefore, I am willing to take two thousand warriors to help Pangam beat back the Theonians!”

Pangam also expressed his thanks to the two great chieftains.

“Brutus from above…this is how we should be! As long as we Bruttians work together as one, no amount of Greeks would be able to defeat us!” Phitara chanted the name of their god in a low voice.

“Although Anbania and Besidice have a geographical advantage, we should always be vigilant to prevent the Theonians from sneaking! You should all know how cunning the archon of Theonia is that it had even made Crotone lost twice with his cunningness, and Nerulum and Grumentum were also captured due to his sneak attack!” Pian solemnly admonished the two chieftains, hoping for them to strengthen their vigilance.

“Don’t worry. We have sentries at every peak of the valley, which would alert us as soon as the Theonians move.” Said Bodiam seriously.

“The riverbank path of Thurii leading to Besidice has long been blocked by a strong defensive camp built by us! If the Theonians were to come attacking, we would annihilate them!” Likumu said with confidence.

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