Heir of Aurelian

Chapter 79 A Desperate Gamble

After failing to negotiate his passing through the Pyrenees. Hagen and his Frankish warriors returned to Constantine’s ranks. It was not a long journey, but enough time had passed that Marcellus was made aware of the Franks’ attempt to desert. Currently, Hagen stood before the self-proclaimed emperor, who had a smug smile on his face. The moment the usurper saw the Franks return to his army, he desired nothing more to gloat, which is what he was doing now.

“Oh? Back so soon? And here I thought that you and your army would be in Gaul by now? What happened? Did you suddenly realize where your loyalties should lie?”

Hagen was instantly displeased by the shit-eating grin on Constantine’s face, and immediately informed him of what he had come to learn.

“Tens of thousands of Roman soldiers belonging to Titus Claudius Marcellus block the Pyrenees. It is an army assembled for a single purpose to trap us in Hispania and eliminate us once and for all. Since I could not penetrate through their defenses with my pitiful numbers, I figured the only chance either of us have of survival is to work together and break through one of the weaker defended routes!”

Constantine was no longer grinning when he heard these words. In fact, he was now scowling. He could hardly believe Marcellus had raised so many troops in such a short period of time. He instantly gnashed his teeth and began to rebuke Hagen for his perceived cowardice.

“Bah, an army of conscripts, nothing more. Clearly, you and your barbarian warriors are armed well enough to deal with them, even if they do outnumber you! No, there must be some other reason for your return!”_.

Hagen was thoroughly exhausted from Constantine’s stupidity and began to scold the man for refusing to recognize reality.

“Every man was armored in a scale shirt and an iron helm. Many of them wore manica. These were no mere levies, but a well armed, and well-trained force. By themselves, they could annihilate what remains of our army, especially after your disastrous campaign. However, you must be aware that we are also being pursued by the forces of Hispania. Their plan is clear. They seek to trap us in the foothills of the Pyrenees and encircle us with both armies.

If we do not combine our forces and break through one of the segments of their army, we will all die. Why else would I return to your incompetent ass!?! For once in your life, listen to the words of your allies!”

Constantine was outright stunned by this news. It was simply unfeasible for Marcellus to raise such a massive, well-trained army in the span of a little over half a year. What did he do with conscript every young male capable of bearing arms and make them professional soldiers? Where did he even get the coin to finance such a massive undertaking? The man was so flabbergasted by this news he could only repeat the same word over and over again.

“Impossible…. It is simply impossible…”

Hagen had finally had enough of Constantine’s inaction, and backhanded him across the face in an attempt to bring him back to reality.

“Clearly it is possible, for we all saw it with our eyes. Now, are you going to sit here and wait to be surrounded? Or are you going to get up off your ass and find the best route to break through?”

Rather than awaken Constantine from his stupor, he collapsed into helplessness. He shook his head fervently, as Hagen grabbed onto his collar and stared into his mad eyes.

“You don’t understand. I have already dispatched the bulk of my soldiers to recruit the plebeians of the land into my ranks. Yet they revolted when we tried to recruit them. In the ensuring rebellion, I lost a three thousand men. I no longer have the numbers to break through the armies who stand guard in the Pyrenees!”

It was Hagen’s turn to be stunned this time. He immediately tossed the fool to the ground and cursed at him in disbelief.

“How the hell did you lose a thousand soldiers to a bunch of fucking farmers?”

Constantine immediately backfired at Hagen’s callous remarks with a hint of fury in his tone, as he got up and shoved the massive Frankish warrior aside.

“This is your fault! When you deserted along with your warriors, you destroyed what little morale my soldiers had left. Under threat of a rebellion and an encroaching army, they broke ranks and routed, stripping themselves of their gear, and fleeing to the countryside!

I only have four thousand men left who remain loyal to me. If what you say is true, they are bound to flee the moment they hear about their impending doom. We simply do not have the capabilities to fight against Marcellus and his army!”

Hagen was about to strangle Constantine, but was interrupted by an officer who rushed into the tent.

“Your majesty, there are reports of Tasius’ scouts surveying our encampment. If we do not move from our position, we will be surrounded by nightfall, and will be forced to defend our current location to our deaths. We simply do not have the remaining men to prevail against our foes.”

Hagen immediately calmed his fury as he picked up the cowering usurper and dusted him off. Constantine was in no state to issue his orders. As such, Hagen took command as he ordered the officer to do the following.

“Gather every man and every horse we can find. We march for the Pyrenees. Our only chance now is to escape to Gaul!”

The soldier did not hesitate to question the orders of the Frankish Chieftain, even if he had just deserted a few days prior. He was more concerned with his immediate safety rather than the reason for the foederati’s return. It didn’t help that Constantine was clearly out of his wits at the moment. The officer quickly saluted Hagen before departing, leaving behind his confirmation as he did so.

“Yes, sir!”

After the officer had departed and Constantine was alone with his Foederati commander, he began to shriek in panic.

“Are you mad! Did you not just say that the mountains are guarded my Marcellus and his army? What sense does it make to go towards certain death?”

Hagen was in no mood to argue and instead fiercely glared before giving the command to the self-proclaimed emperor, who was about to soil himself in fear.

“If we stay here, we are as good as dead. At least there is a chance no matter how minute for a small portion of our forces to breakthrough if we go through the mountains. Besides, I would rather die in battle on my own terms, rather than my enemy’s. Get yourself prepared. We march as soon as we are able!”

In that moment Constantine could not find the strength to argue with his Foederati commander. All he could do was pray that perhaps they might get lucky, and escape with their lives. As for Hagen, he swiftly left the tent and began to rally the troops, making up an easy excuse for his return so that he can provide them with some small glimpse of hope. With the Foederati and Constantine’s forces combined, they had roughly 7,500 troops left.

In comparison, Marcellus had split his army into groups of two legions each, for a total of 12,000 men to secure the mountain passes that were large enough for an army of men to march through. Despite the overwhelming odds stacked against them, Hagen truly believed that there might be a chance, no matter how small, that he could escape with his life.

Hagen knew the likelihood was that the overwhelming majority of his men would die in this battle. He just needed a single instance where he could escape back to Gaul. He doubted Marcellus would expend much effort chasing down a single Frank. If he could return to Gaul, then he could raise the Frankish forces in rebellion against Marcellus’ rule.

After all, thanks to Ordius, Hagen knew that Marcellus intended to punish all Franks for their disobedience to the crown that now belonged to him. If he could return home with such knowledge, he would be able to unite the Franks against Marcellus but also, perhaps, even the Suebi. Such a large force of barbarian warriors would be more than enough to overwhelm northern Gaul and establish a true Frankish Kingdom. Especially when Marcellus needed to focus on strengthening his grip over Hispania.

Thus, while Marcellus sat back and waited for Constantine to fall into his trap, Hagen had already begun to plan not only his escape, but his rise to power. Whether he would be able to succeed was up to the gods. Still, in the mind of the Frankish Chieftain, it was better to die trying than to sit and wait for his demise. As for Constantine, Hagen had already abandoned him the moment he deserted. That fool was nothing but a useful ally, to distract Marcellus and his forces while he escaped.