Chapter XXXVII: Marcus's final years

Marcus, the personal scribe of the Western Roman Emperor, was a seasoned veteran of the battlefield. He had served his emperor with distinction for many years, recording the glories and defeats of the empire for posterity. Now, as his life drew to a close, he found himself recording a new chapter in the history of the empire – the start of the Hundred Year's War and his first personal command against the French during 1340.

Marcus had seen many wars in his time, but the Hundred Year's War promised to be different. The conflict had been brewing for years, with tensions between England and France reaching a boiling point. Now, in the year 1340, the two nations were on the brink of all-out war.

As the personal scribe of the emperor, Marcus was intimately involved in the preparations for the conflict. He recorded the orders given by the emperor and his advisors, the movements of troops and supplies, and the strategies and tactics of the army.

When the time came for Marcus to take command of his own unit, he was both excited and apprehensive. He had never led men into battle before, but he was confident in his training and the leadership skills he had honed over the years.

The first engagement with the French came unexpectedly. Marcus and his men were patrolling a stretch of coastline when they spotted a French ship sailing towards them. The enemy vessel was heavily armed and clearly intended to engage them in combat.

Marcus quickly ordered his men to prepare for battle, and they braced themselves for the coming fight. As the French ship drew closer, Marcus could see the fear in the eyes of his men. He knew that it was up to him to inspire them and lead them to victory.

The battle was fierce and brutal, with both sides sustaining heavy losses. Marcus fought with all his might, hacking and slashing at the enemy with his sword. Despite being outnumbered, his men fought bravely, and together they managed to repel the French attack.

In the aftermath of the battle, Marcus was hailed as a hero. His men respected him even more, and the emperor commended him for his bravery and leadership. Marcus felt a sense of pride and accomplishment, knowing that he had lived up to his duties as a soldier and a leader.

As he recorded the events of the battle in his journal, Marcus knew that he had witnessed the start of a long and brutal war. But he also knew that he had the skills and the courage to see it through to the end.

Despite his age, Marcus was still a man of action. He had seen many battles in his long and distinguished career, but the new siege weapons that had been developed in recent years intrigued him. These new weapons, known as bombards, used black powder to launch massive projectiles at enemy fortifications, and Marcus was eager to see them in action.

In the year 1341, Marcus found himself leading a siege against a French stronghold. The castle was a formidable fortress, with thick walls and sturdy towers that had withstood many attacks over the years. But Marcus and his English troops were determined to take it, and they brought with them a number of powerful bombards.

As the siege began, Marcus positioned his bombards within range of the castle walls. The sound of their thundering explosions echoed across the countryside as they launched their deadly payloads at the castle. The French defenders were caught off guard by the sheer force of the bombardment, and many of them were killed or injured.

But the bombards were not the only weapons at Marcus's disposal. He also deployed archers, infantry, and cavalry to surround the castle and prevent any supplies or reinforcements from reaching the defenders. As the siege dragged on, the English troops dug tunnels beneath the walls, hoping to undermine the foundations and bring them crashing down.

Despite the ferocity of the English assault, the French defenders held out for weeks. They fought valiantly, launching their own counterattacks and repelling several assaults. But in the end, the sheer weight of numbers and the relentless bombardment proved too much for them to bear.

Finally, after weeks of bitter fighting, the English breached the castle walls and stormed the stronghold. The French defenders fought to the last man, but they were overwhelmed by the English onslaught. The castle was taken, and Marcus emerged as the victor.

As he surveyed the scene of the battle, Marcus felt a sense of satisfaction. He had led his troops to victory against a formidable foe, using the latest weapons and tactics of the day. And though he was an old man, he still had the energy and courage to lead his troops to victory, and to write another chapter in the history of the Western Roman Empire.

After the siege, Marcus found himself wandering the streets of Aachen, the ancient capital of the Western Roman Empire. The city was a bustling hub of activity, with merchants, craftsmen, and travelers from all over Europe coming and going. But for Marcus, it was a place of memories.

As he walked through the narrow streets, he remembered his greatest moments with the Emperor Lazarus, who had been his mentor and friend for many years. He recalled the battles they had fought together, the victories they had won, and the challenges they had faced. He also remembered the conversations they had had about the future of the empire, and the ideals that had inspired them both.

Despite his age, Marcus still felt a sense of purpose and passion for the empire. He knew that he had done his duty as a soldier and a scribe, and that he had helped to shape the course of history. But he also knew that his time was drawing to a close.

As he walked through the city, Marcus grew tired, and he sat down on a bench in a quiet corner of the town square. He closed his eyes and breathed in the cool, fresh air, feeling a sense of peace and contentment wash over him.

Before long, he was surrounded by the townsfolk, who had heard of his deeds and his legacy as their scribe and historian. They came to pay their respects, and to offer their gratitude for his service to the empire. They spoke of his bravery, his wisdom, and his kindness, and they thanked him for his contribution to their world.

A grand funeral was held for Marcus by the current Emperor John of Bohemia during the year of 1342. The ceremony was attended by many of the great leaders of the empire, who came to honor Marcus and to pay their respects to a man who had served the empire with distinction.

As they laid him to rest, Marcus was remembered as a hero, a scholar, and a leader. His legacy lived on in the pages of history, and in the hearts of the people he had served. And though he was gone, his spirit and his ideals continued to inspire those who came after him, shaping the destiny of the Western Roman Empire for generations to come.