Chapter 429: One Enemy Left

"Is everything in place?" Looking into the distance, Julius fiddled with his ganulet and asked Octavius. Octavius looked around and took a deep breath.

"I have done all I can. Now we can only wait." Octavius clenched his fist in annoyance, "Waiting will be the death of me. Each day that passes leaves me anxious."

"He will come. We haven’t received word to say otherwise. Magnus is properly gathering reinforcements after the losses from the previous battle." Octavius nodded in agreement.

"It’s likely. Have the men ready at any time." Julius patted Octavius’s shoulder and looked deep into his eyes, "I want this ended. Don’t fail me, Octavius."

"I have no desire to." Octvaius deeply smiled, looking into the distance. Julius tapped his shoulder once again and walked off. Strolling down the long road, he saw his camp in the distance. The soldiers he passed all stood up and bowed towards him, with deep respect. Looking at them, Julius waved his hand, offering a friendly smile as he did.

His gaze had changed since the first time he saw them. Before, he didn’t care. They were men fighting his war, not his friends or comrades, simple soldiers. Whilst he still didn’t particularly care about their personal lives or dreams, he did feel a slight difference. Before, they were blank faces in his mind, people who didn’t matter. But now they were men he had fought alongside, shed blood with. Many had died protecting him, and he had protected them.

If they fell, he wouldn’t shed tears for them, but he did hope that none would die in the coming battle and be able to return home, to their families, to their lives. It was a childish hope, he knew that.’War is quite a horrid thing.’Bitterly chuckling to himself, Julius arrived at his tent, a messenger standing outside it holding a few letters.

"Your Majesty. Word from Antila." Julius nodded and snatched the letters. Taking a seat on his bed, he pulled the mask off his face and wiped down the sweat covering his scarred skin. Only when he felt clean did he tear open the letters and read them.

Recognising Janus’s word, Julius grabbed his chin and carefully read, his lips cruelly curling up as he did. A light chuckle was stuck in his throat as he read the details explaining Bardas’s betrayal and his disappearance. Julius re-read the letter numerous times, picturing Bardas’ pitiful escape and hateful appearance as he was forced to run away.

Each time it came to mind, his lips curled higher as he tried his best not to burst into laughter. Taking a few deep breaths, he calmed himself and collapsed backwards onto the bed provided for him. Covering his eyes, he chuckled once more before sighing. "Ohh Bardas." His voice was full of delight knowing his half-brother was gone, but he still felt bitter, "Why couldn’t you be a good dog and get captured?"

He wanted Bardas to suffer more, to be the one to inflict it on him. He knew now that Bardas had vanished, it would be nearly impossible to recapture him without Bardas revealing himself on purpose. Even if he hated him, Julius still respected the man’s ability to survive in a world that hated him. "This will have to do for now." It was all he could say to calm himself. The thought of Bardas’ hateful appearance at having to leave everything he was working for behind was enough to satisfy him for now.

’Thedosius, Cato, Bardas.’ Three down. Magnus is next.’He didn’t realise it, but the list of men he had sworn to take his revenge on had dwindled to one. Constance still existed in his heart as a target, but it was one that was unrealistic. He needed Constacne and Constacne needed him. As much as his brother said he didn’t care who sat on the Severian throne, out of the choices available to him, Julius was the one he was most aligned with, even before their deal. They may have had a terrible relationship, but the truth was that they could trust one another, not out of love, but because of a similar disdain for their enemies.

"It will be over soon. So soon." Smiling to himself, he closed his eyes. The war and constant need to watch over his shoulder had left him mentally exhausted. All Julius wanted was to return to the Palace and laze in bed for eternity, leaving everything to his council.

’Another stupid dream.’It was impossible to have that, but when the war was over, although he would be busy, he would at least be sleeping in his own bed surrounded by food that at least had a taste.

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"There’s a chance for you to leave." Elias walked into Bardas’s room and took a seat.

"When and where?" Looking up at Elias, he still couldn’t properly trust him. Elias saw the distrust in his eyes and smiled.

"Although I wish to hand you over and let the council deal with your treason, I don’t forget your debts, Bardas." Elias sternly said. "So if you want my help, don’t look at me with such a gaze. It sickens me."

"Forgive me." Lowering his head, he avoided eye contact, knowing he couldn’t change the look in his eyes, "So..."

"A trade vessel will be heading to the Gotic Kingdom. From there, it’s up to you. I hope you aren’t complete scum and head to our enemies, but I doubt that." Elias stood up, "Be ready in four hours. If you are not, I will see it as you turning down the opportunity. There won’t be a second."

Elias left the room, slamming the door behind him. Clicking his tongue, Bardas stood up and looked through the document she had brought with him. Making sure not a single one had been taken when he slept, he smiled and closed the bag, going into the wardrobe and selecting an outfit and packing a few goods he would need on his travel.

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Bardas strolled along the street. His steps weren’t panicked, nor was she in a rush. Looking around, he took in the sights of Antila. he didn’t know when he would be back and wished to burn it into his memory. Looking behind him, he gazed at the palace that loomed over the city. His heart ached at having to leave it behind. Years of work and ambition had been terminated in a single day.

’It’s not over.’Taking a deep breath, he calmed himself down,’I can still return.’Telling himself over and over, Bardas carried on down the street. His pace was quick, and he soon arrived at the port of Antila. Looking around the ships, Templars and city guard still patrolled, checking every man who came and went, trying to find Bardas, Horace and Halfdan.

Bardas didn’t hide himself. He had already made the preparations and changed his hair colour. Putting on a pair of glasses that hid the slight green tinge in his eyes. Walking down the port, he arrived at the Gotic merchant ship Elias had prepared for him.

A Templar stopped him and analysed his appearance. "Name?"

"Sarus." Giving a fake name he had made up, Bardas tapped his foot in annoyance, acting like a merchant who wished to hurry up. The Templar stared at him for a few seconds and moved out of the way. Out of all ships that came to the port, those belonging to the Gotics were the least survivors, being the closest ally Sevria had at the moment, other than the church.

Smiling towards the Templar, Bardas climbed up the ship and leaned over the railing. It soon took off down the large river, and Bardas sighed, watching as Antila and the palace slowly became smaller.