Maximus nodded, then turned to look at the ranks of his troops: The soldiers wore loosened armor, carrying large square shields on their backs. In their left hands, they leaned on wooden staves made from tree branches, while in their right hands they gripped the tail ends of Forka Wood Sticks. The Forka Wood Sticks rested on their right shoulders, with the horizontal rods at the end carrying swollen bags. These bags held not only their everyday necessities but also sacks filled with wheat. Helmets hung from their left shoulders. Their belted tunics were torn to shreds by branches and thorns, and their leather sandals were slashed by the jagged mountain rocks. Their hair was tangled, their skin dark and grimy, and their expressions were weary... Some had blood-soaked bandages wrapped around their heads, arms, or legs.
To call this an army would be a stretch; it looked more like a group of beggars. The sight made Maximus feel a deep pang of sorrow, so he ordered, "The army will halt here. Find a relatively flat area and set up camp."
The command was met with cheers throughout the ranks. They quickly found a spot near a riverbank with plenty of space. However, no one rushed to pitch tents; instead, they first divided into groups to bathe in the river. Even the horses and livestock were relieved of their burdens and led to the river’s edge to drink and be washed.
Meanwhile, the elder from the Aldean Tribe hurried back to his village to bring its priest, who carried medicinal herbs to treat the soldiers bitten by snakes or insects...
The riverbanks were filled with laughter and joy, washing away the somber mood accumulated during the past days of marching.
In the days that followed, Maximus’s army marched along the southern bank of the Kupa River as much as possible. However, the terrain was still challenging: uneven hills, overly dense forests, and sudden towering peaks forced the troops to take frequent detours.
But unlike before, the areas they passed through were no longer desolate. Instead, they occasionally saw fishermen casting nets along the river, hunters roaming the woods, shepherds herding their flocks on the hills, and farmers cultivating the flatlands. These people were initially wary of Maximus’s army but calmed when they noticed the tribal elders within the ranks, preventing any panicked retreats.
Furthermore, Maximus’s army passed through several Aldean villages, which were either perched on low hills or located at the edges of forests.
Maximus observed that none of these villages had walls; most consisted of simple thatched huts scattered haphazardly along the slopes. However, the Aldeans treasured flat land immensely—every small patch of level ground surrounding the villages had been cultivated into farmland.
As the Aldean Envoy members gradually returned to their own villages, not one invited Leader Maximus to camp near their settlements. It was evident they were still apprehensive about such a large army disrupting their villages’ order.
The Maximus Army then turned southeast and, after several days of trekking through mountain paths, reached yet another sizeable river.
The river was called the Dobra. Karsipengpas explained that it was a tributary of the Kupa River, flowing into the main river some ten miles north of Validosi.
Maximus’s army crossed the river at a shallow point and continued marching southeast. A few days later, another broad river extended before them.
This was the Murenica River.
Karsipengpas noted that the Murenica River was merely another tributary of the Kolana River, which passed through Valdosi. However, in Maximus’s eyes, the banks of the Murenica River were far flatter and more expansive than those of the Kupa River. Standing on higher ground, he gazed upstream to the southwest and saw rows of houses and farmland densely packed on either side of the river, with villages lining up one after another...
At this point, Cleobrotas announced his departure, as he needed to personally report on the alliance and land purchase agreements to the Aldean Great Chief. The Great Chief’s main camp was located some ten miles southwest, on the eastern bank of the Murenica River.
The Aldean Tribe had only one main camp, which housed the Great Chief. Whenever the main camp’s population grew too large, noble families from the camp would lead groups of tribesmen to establish new settlements elsewhere. If a village developed well, its leading noble could become a candidate for the position of tribal elder.
The Aldean Great Chief’s position was largely hereditary. The council of tribal elders consisted of a fixed fifty members, initially elected from over 200 villages every three years. However, the number of villages had dwindled to fewer than 60...
Maximus learned this information during his casual chats with Karsipengpas along the way. By now, only two envoys remained in the group: Karsipengpas and Budocaribas.
The army continued their march eastward along the northern bank of the Murenica River. After just one day’s journey, they arrived at Budocaribas’s village.
At this location, steep peaks flanked both sides of the Murenica River, and the riverbanks abruptly narrowed.
This village was somewhat unique, with its tribesmen living on both sides of the river, both areas surrounded by wooden palisades. Watchtowers stood within the walls, and a floating bridge connected the two riverside settlements. Compared to other Aldean villages, this one resembled a military stronghold.
Budocaribas lamented to Maximus about his hardships. He explained that his village had originally been located in Validosi, a land of fertile soil and abundant aquatic resources. It had been one of the strongest and largest villages within the Aldean Tribe. However, years of warfare with the Pannonians had left them with countless casualties, forcing them to retreat to their current position. Even now, they were frequently harassed by the Pannonians, leaving the tribesmen’s lives in extreme hardship...