The Summer Sword

Hraban has become his father. Like Maroboodus, Hraban serves Rome in secret, and ultimately seeks a position where he will never be pushed out of, a pedestal so high in Roman hierarchy, it shall forever keep his family safe, no matter the cost to Germania, to his honor, and to his friends. To make Tiberius the new Augustus, would guarantee him that immunity from his enemies, and would give him all he ever needed, save for his lost honor. No matter the cost, he would make sure none would ever threaten his son. The cost had already been high. His friends had abandoned him. Worse, Germanicus, insulted once in Rome by Hraban, has had Cassia killed. The man’s revenge had ripped Hraban’s heart out. He still had a son, and a mission, and with Adalwulf, they both would see it through. Make Tiberius the lord of all the world, and they would be rewarded. It involved killing Germanicus, for the man threatened to take the place of Tiberius in the helm of Rome, but Hraban would willingly kill the man. He wanted little more than that. He would serve Rome, no matter what, his heart empty of all emotion save revenge, his mind focused on the promise of Tiberius, on a promise for safety, and power. Revenge, and safety for his son. He had to serve Rome now. To do this, he treacherously rode with Armin the Cherusci, the man whom he had helped to achieve the impossible. They, the northern tribes, had beaten the Roman legions into ruin. Armin, the killer of Varus, the fabulous King, rather than a simple Thiuda for one summer at a time, a man who now challenged Rome directly, was preparing for a full-blown war with Rome, and needed savage men, even such as Hraban and Adalwulf, who had a bad reputation. So Hraban served Armin, and he would bleed Germanicus’s fame and ultimately his life for Tiberius. He’d gain victories for Armin. When Germanicus, the last true male decedent of Augustus was finally dead, and the time came, he would do anything to give Rome victory. He would kill Roman nobles and soldiers to make Tiberius the great man, and then he would kill Armin, and destroy Germanic dreams. And yet, Hraban wasn’t his father. Unlike Maroboodus, the Bear, the Raven slowly healed. The emptiness in his soul was slowly filling. The sorrow was being replaced by guilt, and then by purpose. His new Chatti wife, his growing son, his old friends, and the dream Armin was building into reality with blood and sacrifice in wars against Rome and the surprisingly resourceful Germanicus, were filling a hole Hraban had not expected could be filled, ever. Hraban must choose where his allegiance stands. He must make hard choices, and a man who is not known for his honor, can decide the future of Germania. It can be made into a part of the Roman world, or into mighty Germanic power. The path Hraban takes will determine the future of both Germania, and Rome, and his very future. As always, he will take the devious path, and lead his men into a dark road that topples kings, generals, and possibly, fathers. He let go of the Winter Sword. Now, he must be the Summer Sword of hope. But nothing is ever simple, for even Armin is changing as a man, and Tiberius is growing mad.