2 The foreigners

Amulius checked the rosters one by one, he know that he can establish a city here with the people he has. He never voiced out his plan, everyone just know that they are temporarily here to wait for rescue or that they will find a way to go back to Rome. But the legionnaires know well that returning to Rome will not be that easy. Although the legionnaires are aware that their stay here might be permanent, they think that it is better this way because once they went back to Rome, they will be treated as deserters and death awaits them. The legionnaires think alike but they are not that stupid to voice out their thoughts as what they are trained for. Even their families know nothing of their real thoughts.

"Justus, I want you to manage the civil affairs. Prioritize the construction of wood houses, stable food and water gathering, blacksmithing production for housewares and weapons, construction of a public bath and a port." Amulius issued series of orders as he wants his uncle to display his prowess in governance.

"Where are you going? Even though I'm your uncle, you cannot just pass to me all your burdens. I can help but I cannot do it all. Too old for that." *cough* Justus said to his nephew as he knows that governance is not an easy stuff. If things go wrong, he will be held liable for all of that. He might be loyal but he is not a stupid uncle to follow all commands of his nephew.

"Don't worry uncle, it wont be long. This just for the mean time since I cannot trust anyone in laying foundation for this settlement." As soon as Amulius said this, he carried his wore his helmet and carried his provisions then made his way out of the command tent. The trust of Amulius to his uncle is unmeasurable since he knows that his uncle is geniune to his oath and his instincts can tell.

Amulius and his team of 20 legionnaires, they are in full combat gear and a 3-day worth of ration as they do not know what might happen to them in the wilderness. Amulius didn't bring his head scout as he want him to keep an eye on the surrounding areas and Amulius just brought the map.

As their current position is in the east coast, their first destination is to the north where the scouts reportedly saw small creatures observing them. Amulius instructed his men to group of five and travel distant to each other. They are already familiar with ambushes that they had experienced or heard way back in Britain during the conquest. They do not want that to happen to them that is why its easier to move and react if there are spaces.

"Sir, I found horses to our left. " A legionnaire said, Amulius then looked to their left. He saw dozens of horses of quality. These horses look wild but he knows they can tame them.

"Bring out the ropes. Slowly approach them and tame." Amulius and the legionnaires tamed these horses since all legionnaires know how to do it. Their location is not that far from their settlement, that is why they took the horses back to their settlement first before continuing their survey to the territory.

"Amulius, this settlement needs a name. I want you to name it." Justus said this to Amulius as soon as he arrived. Justus knows that naming this settlement will give an extra vibe of belongingness to its people.

"Name it after Rome or anything related to it, I cannot think of anything better than that." Amulius didn't want to think alot about this matter, he and his men geared the 21 horses as their ride. He instructed the immunes to construct stables for the remaining 40 horses, and Amulius looked for someone to tend the horses and to possibly breed them.

Amulius and his 20 men galloped their horses to the northern direction. It is mid-day, the sun is scorching hot. Amulius and his men placed their baggage to their horses while they decided to walk on foot. Their armors are heavy but they are professional soldiers, they will never remove their armors whatever the situation may be.

After a few hours of hiking in the wilderness, Amulius and his men noticed the small creatures that are running. The Roman expeditionary team followed those little creatures. The small creatures are humanoid but cannot be considered human. The Romans saw that small humanoid creatures were carrying fruits and animal meat while rushing to enter a small cave barely enough for a child to fit. The small creatures hurriedly entered the small cave as soon as they notice the Romans approaching.

"These little creatures looked scared, I hope someone will come out to talk." The legionnaires approached the cave, they set up camp a few steps away from the cave. The Romans looked as if they are not in a rush and that they are willing to spend some time here. Some legionnaires set up the cooking area and prepared for dinner. Along their way here, they caught a few rabbits. Other legionnaires even set up a hammock to relax. However, whatever these Roman legionnaires do, they are always on high alert since this is just an act.

Amulius and his men spent the night while guarding the cave on a shifting schedule. Even in the next morning, no signs of those small creatures going out soon. Amulius decided to continue surveying the the Mountain range. He took 5 men and left 15 men that will stay on-guard until the small creatures go out. Amulius didn't want to show hostility to these creatures, he wants knowledge about this place. These small creatures might prove useful in the long run as long as handled properly.

Amulius and his five men continued surveying the mountain range, they encountered a lot of species. These species are of the same species in the empire but the animals here are much bigger and fiercer. When Amulius encountered a mountain tiger, one of the legionnaire lost his arm. They took the skin of the tiger and ate the meat. They left their 3-day worth of ration in their small camp near the cave, they only rely now on animal meat and wild fruits for food.

Whenever Amulius and his men approached, the fairies and the small animals quicky hide. The Romans are considered aliens in this land that is why the inhabitants of this area are hostile. Along the way, they noticed a Roman helmet and a scattered spears.

"Something happened here. It looks like its Flavio's group encountered something here sir." Humans are afraid of the unseen, legionnaires are not exempt for that. Amulius and his men quickly became on high alert as they move forward. The tracks that they see now looks like from days ago. As they followed the tracks, the forest here feels more creepier than usual. In this part of the mountain range, the trees are bigger and lusher.

*Shoot* An arrow was shot to one of the legionnaires. Amulius and the team quickly went on defensive formation. They raised their shields in defense against the arrows. Quickly, they made their retreat back to their camp.

As soon as they made it back, the injured was then attended. Amulius waited for weeks in this camp without daring tto explore more of the unknown. After a long time of starvation, the little creatures decided to go out. Amulius saw one of the legionnaire was talking to a small creature. Its color was light green, long pointy nose and ears, and its eyes are big and yellow. Amulius approached them and conversed with the small creature.

"Can you understand me? Who are you? " the first question of Amulius as he have speculation that these small creatures are also intelligent beings like the humans. But these creatures are truly cannot be found in the known world, he suspects that they are in another world.

"Mercy milord. I am ajak, chief of the hul'juk goblin tribe, take this milord. " the small creature gave a fist-size shining stone. The small creature identified themselves as goblins. These goblins surrendered probably because of starvation. There are probably more goblins inside and their food supply is limited that is why they decided to submit to the Romans. They might be numerous but they know that they are no match to these foreigners in full combat attire. The goblins are not all savages, this goblin tribe prioritize their people's life more than anything. As a proof of their geniune submission to the Romans, they gave their precious stone to Amulius.

"What is this stone?" The stone that was given to Amulius is not from the known world that he was from, this stone piqued his interest.

"Mana stone milord, that is one of our tribe's treasure. I hope this stone is satisfying to you milord." Goblin chief Ajak is not a fool, he knows that submission requires gift that is why he brought out their precious Mana stone. A moment later, the goblins who were hiding inside went out of their cave and thrown their weapons before Amulius. This is complete submission, a submission without a fight.

Amulius unconsciously light-gripped the mana stone and inserted his will while listening to the plead for mercy of the goblins. The mana stone shone brightly, and the light transferred to him through his arms then the light died down. Amulius was shocked to find that he feel something different in him. 'Is this magic?' his mind is focused on the overflowing energy that was inside him now. This energy is what they call mana, the sensation that he feel includes empowerment in his inner self. Amulius noticed that his eyesight becomes clearer and sharper. He also notice changes in his sense of smell, hearing and touch becoming sensitive all of a sudden. Overall, his instincts sharpened the most.

"Can you tell me who are the other inhabitants in this mountain range?" Amulius asked the goblin chief as he wants to know their neighbours and potential enemies. The practice of most Roman officers is to get a clearer picture of their situation as what most professional military officers should do.

"Not far from here to the east near the shore is the sanctuary of the trolls. I do not recommend offending them milord as they are real savages that eat any flesh other than their kind. Further west deep in the forest is the nest of the harpies, they are also not that kind to foreigners. Then next to them in the southwest are the most savage orcs. They did not dare conquer the whole mountain range because of the harpies since they cannot kill flying creatures. Other than that, the plain where I believe you are situated is safe and there is no other inhabitants except you humans. But be warn, the harpies did not attack you since they are defensive in nature, the orcs are different." the goblin chief Ajak told Amulius in detail, Ajak notice that these humans know nothing of this place that is why he did not dare told him the other goblin's hive. Ajak now hopes that these humans will leave them be so that they can notify the orcs, the trolls and the other goblin tribes of the human presence in the plains. Of course, Amulius noticed this hidden motives of the goblins because of his heightened instincts.

"I want to see all of your people, let them all out." Amulius relaxingly said to Ajak to hide his real intention. Once the last goblin was out, two legionnaires blocked the cave. Amulius unsheathed his sword in a flash and threatened Ajak the goblin chief. " Submit or death". The goblin chief Ajak knelt down to Amulius.

"The people of hul'juk tribe is now under the protection of the Roman Imperial army." By announcing this, Amulius tied the goblins then brought back to their settlement. Before leaving, Amulius looted the goblin cave where he got jewelries of pure precious minerals. He discovered that there are different kinds of mineral ores in the cave and that the cave stretch deeper into the mountain. Amulius decided to just send people here later and just used the goblins to carry the treasures right now and other unique stuffs from the goblin cave.