48. Lucanus of Lucania

  April 5th, Zethos moved back to Potenza, hired 2000 glaive-men from the local population splurging 25,000 solidi, and gave Lucanus 3000 glaive-men and 1000 bolt shooters.

  “You will move through the various towns to accelerate the conquest of Lucania, I hired some extra scouts so that we can keep in touch,” Zethos said, “I trust you with victory over this province.”

  76,000 solidi, Zethos had 1100 glaive-men and 2000 mace-men and 1000 bolt shooters; with Lucanus having 3000 glaive-men and 1000 bolt-shooters, Lucanus marched on the town of Anzi and Zethos went to take Picerno. The two armies marched in differing directions to complete the subjugation of the province of Lucania.

  Gocelin in the meanwhile marched his forces from Barletta to Trinitapoli, overwhelming the small garrison who had heard the news of the Norman disintegration. He took the town of Trinitapoli and had barely a 1000 solidi from the plunder. He turned his attention to the settlement of Ceriniola marching in a hurried manner to take that town as well, to deny the Shadows ownership of the strategic town. His 4000 infantry and 5800 bolt shooters quickly moved on the town, hiring a very token garrison for Trinitapoli. Ceriniola surrendered 12,000 solidi worth of loot to Gocelin who promptly rested his army in the city after such vigorous marching. Left with a total of 88,000 solidi, he was in a fine position to rest and pay his troops if he needed to.

  “You rushed taking this town because of those damn religious fanatics,” Thorphinius said, “I didn’t realise we were in competition with our own people.”

  “They did a good job defeating the Christians, but look at them, they even burned down a church the other day,” Gocelin said. “We should rest and take Foggia.”

  In the meanwhile, the Shadows under Sauromates infiltrated Minervino, raising flags all across the city, as a confused garrison surrendered preemptively in terror.

  “Don’t kill me, I have a family!” A soldier shouted.

  Weapons clattered, and Sauromates had managed to take the town with a mere 100 agents, the psychological effect was such that they had already given up. The effect of the lost pitched battle also added to their fear which contributed to victory for the Shadows. Sauromates took 1000 solidi worth loot from the Churches and symbolically distributed among the local people, as a way to show the ostentatiousness of the church and the generosity of the polytheists.

  “The Shadows of Artemis and Hermes will always give to the people! Every slave in this town is free now. Every single one. All we demand is a small market tax in line with the Republic’s laws!”

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  Minervino, Canosa, Ruvo, Bitonto and Corato were now in the hands of the religious faction, Sauromates getting at least 200 more recruits from the local serfs and slaves.

  April 6th Zethos marched on the town of Picerno, augmenting his wealth to 77,000 solidi, which he had divided roughly equally with his lieutenant Lucanus.

  “Are you sure about dividing the forces like this?”

  “It’s a risk, but a risk I am willing to take, our forces are large enough to hold out, and we can cover more ground.”

  The small town didn’t have many supplies, but it was enough to at least rest his forces.

  Lucanus in the meanwhile, was looking around the countryside, breathing in a sigh as he looked at the men under his command.

  Never did I dream of this.

  By April 7th he took the town of Anzi, securing the church loot, he augmented the wealth of the Zethos army, even if he was a lieutenant. As part of their splitting agreement, some riders rode back and forth, making sure communication lines were open.

  “I am moving onto the town of Laurenzana,” he communicated to the rider, “make sure that Zethos knows this.”

  “Of course sir.”

  With 78,000 solidi divided neatly in two halves of 39,000 each, the two armies had effectively split.

  April 8th, Gocelin had corralled his troops intent on marching on Foggia, and he did, his troops taking a few hours before they arrived at the walls. The stone imposing walls, that were meant to hold enemies at bay, large towers supposed to be an imposing fortresses, instead the town surrendered, and the garrison pledged their allegiance to Gocelin.

  “Lord Gocelin, the most esteemed of the Normans,” one man said, offering a sword in a symbolic manner.

  “I am flattered,” Gocelin said, “in honour of the Republic, only the market tax is enforced, the land is now part of the Western Roman Republic.”

  “All glory to her name!” One man said lifting a spear.

  The attitude was different now, a papal legate came rushing to Gocelin, not quite bowing but preparing a piece of paper.

  “On behalf of the Papacy, we propose a peace, you keep the lands below Foggia, in exchange for peace and recognition.”

  Gocelin looked at the man in his robe, and his pitiful stance.

  This is almost certainly an action to stall for time.

  “That is for the Republic to decide, I suggest you talk to the council itself in Bari,” Gocelin said.

  The papal legate looked at Gocelin with a puzzled look and changed his tactics.

  “You are a most powerful lord now though yes? The most powerful of the Normans. Guiscard, Richard they are defeated, if you rejoin the fold, we will make you lord of the south. Duke of all.”

  Gocelin smiled, and Thorphinius likewise chuckled.

  “Even if I did, half the towns are now fortresses, you think I am so foolish to march on the very control centre that gave me bolt shooters, that has catapults and ballistae?” He explained to the Papal legate, “you go discuss your terms with Bari if you so desire. Until a peace is settled, I will pacify the areas around here.”

  The Papal legate hissed, looking with shaded eyes at the former Christian.

  “You are a most wicked man, to turn to the devil and work with them,” the Papal legate said, half trembling.

  “This is the same devil that according to you, your god made right?” Gocelin said, “even if I ignore that your theology is wrong, what the Republic offers and what the Christian states offer, is night and day.”

  The Papal legate spat at his feet, and rode off to go to Bari, looking all the while at Gocelin before disappearing. The most preeminent Norman sat down, and had a sandwich, sitting on a chair, before a bit of diluted wine was offered to him.

  “What a day.”