237

The first signs of the Greecian army came just after dawn three days later.

A scout burst into Julius' tent, breathless and pale-faced, dirt streaked across his armour.

He barely saluted before blurting out his report.

"They're here, sire,"

the scout said, voice shaking.

"The Greecians… they're far more than we expected."

Julius stiffened, setting down the map he'd been studying.

His eyes narrowed.

"How many?"

The scout hesitated, as if afraid to speak the words.

"At least a hundred thousand, sire. Maybe more."

For a heartbeat, there was silence in the tent.

Even the air seemed to be still.

Julius' jaw tightened, but his expression didn't waver.

"More than double what we expected,"

he muttered, almost to himself.

"Perhaps more than that."

General Haddin, standing at Julius' side, swore under his breath.