The Roman Incursion (RpLover213 x Rmaggs96)

[rmaggs96]

Crete was burning... The Roman invasion and blockade of Crete had gone on for some time, but now the Roman armies marched over once beautiful Cretan soil, taking all the loot they could and slaughtering all those who resisted. The Roman General, Maximus Vindictus, rode his white stallion over the conquered territory and advanced on the Cretan capital, home to the palace of the royal Cretan family. Once this shining monument of Crete's economic prosperity was captured, Crete would truly be in the hands of the Roman Empire, and Maximus would once again have proven his worth as an effective general.

Maximus, his Prætoean Guard unit, and a legion arrived at the gates around 3 o'clock and broke them down. The massive gates fell to the ground with a massive *GONG* alarming all those inside the walls that they had finally been captured and defeated. Native Cretans began running, hiding, and some even tried fighting back, but it was clearly useless. The Romans were much better equipped and trained. It was merely a matter of time before the entire city was under complete Roman control.

The Roman troops took control of the city in about 2 hours. Finally, it was time for Maximus to claim his prize, the Palace, but unknown to him, there was another prize inside that he would soon stumble upon. He and his guard unit walked into the massive palace and began searching it for any remaining royalty or armed militia.

 

[RpLover213]

Elizabeth of Crete had become alarmed by the imposing armies that were surrounding the island. It wasn’t long before they began to invade and take control. The Roman Empire was vast and like many countries, the small island of Crete didn’t stand a chance. Elizabeth was a beautiful young woman having just turned eighteen. She usually would be looking forward to being courted but the war side-lined that. It was now the final day of the war and it was clear that Crete could not stand up against the might forces of Rome. Sure, the Cretes had been known for their navies in the time of the Minoans but those days were long gone now. The few remaining navy ships didn’t stand a chance against the invading armies.

Now Crete was burning with the invading armies. Crete and been the first place to ever build a palace. It was no wonder that its beauty stood even now after so much time. The gates to the palace were soon broken and the invading army pressed onward. Elizabeth had her guards with her but they'd be asked to step down if she decided that their life was in danger and that fighting would be futile. She didn't know what had become of her father and mother. They were likely dead and she figured that she might meet the same fate. She considered it an honorable death though and so she held her ehad up high.

 

[rmaggs96]

The banging on her chamber door resounded loudly. Maximus stood, waiting patiently as his guards smashed through the thick, intricately carved wooden doors. Then suddenly, the doors burst open, and all Maximus saw was a lovely, young Cretan girl. He walked in, his short-sword drawn and eyed up the guards who were with her. His own guards followed him, their weapons drawn as well. It was clear the Roman troops were more prepared to kill.

Maximus glared at the men and then his eyes locked with the girl's. He stood about 3/4 of a foot taller than her as Romans were typically short. He had short, wavy, dark black hair, tanned skin, a five o'clock shadow on his face as he had been through a rough day of fighting, and a very defined muscular structure. His eyes were deep, dark brown, and his face was very rough looking, with a small scar on his cheek.

"Well hello there Miss." He said, calmly. "Would you and your guards like to come with us without a fight, or die painfully... The choice is yours. I recommend the first option, much less messy. A beauty such as yourself doesn't deserve to die." His spoke in her native tongue, but with a thick foreign accent. His words drifted through the room. Tensions were clearly high, but he was trying his best to ease them.

 

[RpLover213]

Elizabeth cringes at the sound of the banging against the door but stood her ground nonetheless. She faced the door and took up her sword preparing to fight unto death if that was what would come. She wasn't wishing to go down without a fight as far as she could help it. The wood door was carved with some of the finest art and it was a shame it was treated so poorly as it was now. She also didn't feel comfortable with staining her floor with blood but the enemy gave her no choice in the matter. The guards quarreled with the Romans for a bit, even some dying in the process as the maidens hid back behind the princess. "You have no place here scoundrels. Now be gone or else..." She snaps looking back at them with her fiery glance showing her determination. She continued to stand her ground but any harm threatened to those in her care would likely change her mind real quick. "I go no where with the likes of you." She replies heatedly and brushes aside her long blonde hair.

 

[rmaggs96]

"Oh princess, that was a very unwise choice." Maximus commanded his troops "You three, seize her and lock her up. The rest of you, take the guards and maidens to the prisoner camp." in Latin. They quickly responded and three Romans quickly overpowered the young princess and had her chained up. Maximus commanded, once again in Latin "Take her to my quarters and keep her chained up with 2 guards with her at all times." The soldiers nodded and took her away. Maximus stayed and continued to oversee the fall of Crete. Finally, victory was his.

 

[RpLover213]

She scowls as he answered insisting that was an unwise choice. "Roman scum, I'll never surrender to you." She snaps heatedly with her chin up with dignity. She tried to resist the three guards but there were more of them and less of her as she angrily struggles against them. "You better not lay a hand on them or else..." She spoke of the maidens with that same fiery anger in her eyes. She knew latin despite him probably thinking she did not. She was soon bound though before she was taken away to be watched over. She began to ponder her ways of escape and what she'd do when she was free. She'd probably start with seeking to kill the general.

 

[rmaggs96]

Hours later Maximus returned to his tent. It had been a long day of fighting and he was finally ready to rest. As he entered the tent he saw the beautiful princess and smiled. "You may wait outside of the tent," the Roman said to his bodyguard which had been watching over the princess. The soldier nodded and exited. "So princess, what is your name? How does it feel to have finally lost everything you once had? Must be painful, no?" He enjoyed teasing her, she was too headstrong for her own good and he was going to put her in her place. After pouring himself some wine, Maximus sat in a small chair and looked the princess over, waiting for her response.

 

[RpLover213]

Elizabeth heard foot steps and soon found Maximus returning to the tent. She saw him instruct his guard to stand outside and would have objected but the guard was under the rule of Maximus. She bites her bottom lip wondering how it had come to this? The Romans were everywhere and spreading their culture and gods much like many other great empires. Those of Crete had wanted independence but it seemed that this was not to come to them. "I am Elizabeth of Crete. You should release me since I am someone very import. In fact, I probably am more important than you." She insisted thinking she could weasel her way out of this. She ignored his statement on having lost everything since she didn't wish to think about such things.

 

[rmaggs96]

The Roman general slowly walked over to the princess and then said to her softly, "Girl, you are in no position to be telling me what to do. You have no power left. A Roman governor has already been appointed to control this wonderful new addition to Roman territory. I suggest you start to learn to show me some respect as your new position in life requires you to show me respect." He then turned, walked into another room, and began to take his armor off and change into some more casual clothes.

About 7 minutes later Maximus returned with two glasses of wine as he was feeling generous. "Do you drink miss...?" He let the question hang in the air as he was still unsure of her name.

 

[RpLover213]

She glares back at him in difiance and was both bold and brave. She knew she was in no place to speak but so she did anyways. :Not for long. Our allies will come to our aid and crush you like a bug." She insists even though she didn't really believe that they would do anything now that Crete had fallen. She watched him change and return after taking off his armor making her uncomfortable and nervous. She stares at the wine feeling a little thirsty as it were. "Yea and my name's Elizabeth of Crete." She told him with her chin held high as she stated the name of her homeland.

 

[rmaggs96]

"Still have a bit of fight in you I see... It's in your eyes... Hmmm. Well in any case I do hope to see these allies. I enjoy myself a good fight. Although, I believe we would be the ones crushing them." He gave her a glass of wine and then raised his glass. "A toast, to the dawn of an even greater Rome." He smirked and took a long sip. "Drink up Elizabeth. It isn't like you have any important princess duties anymore. No need to look professional in front of the people."

 

[RpLover213]

Princess Elizabeth knew that she did not have a kingdom left but that didn't stop her from considering herself to be royal. She raises her chin up at him and makes a disapproving sound, "Hmmm" She stares at him and the wine asking, "What you trying to do? Get me drunk?" She still had an icy chill to her tone but she was thristy. "I've have some water." She then told him as she smooths out her white dress.