Page 23 - SagaOfBarak2

Hopefully though, with a little luck and a few sincere prayers to their Roman
Gods, Barak’s very blood soaked name, this backed up with his
awesome,fearsome presence and legend, alone could perhaps win through, just
as it had done so many times in the past.
Hell aye as even carefully plotted wars which were steeped in dark treachery
by the most cunning of usurpers and despots had been stifled in the many years
past.
Oh and all of this sometimes on the very eve of battle itself, when once Barak’s
support and allegiance for Rome and the Emperor was known.
Swiftly indeed, all of this hitherto scheming was stubbed, when once these
devious plotters were informed Barak had become involved, eagerly lending his
name, also his dragon sword in the backing of Septimius Severus.
With all of this being so, then perhaps with the gods willing, Barak’s savage
fame, combined with his fierce uncompromising notoriety would mayhap once
again be enough to put an end to all of this hateful, ambitious or mayhap rather
vengeful insanity which threatened to bring down the Empire.
Aye with a bit of luck and if things went to plan, then the coming of the ogre
to the fray would doubtless bring terror, scattering most, if not all of the
Emperor’s enemies to the four winds.
Sadly though for Rome, this well draughted somewhat cunning plan was alas
not to be, no oh no, this as it quite simply would not happen.
Even with this offer of an open purse, alas for Rome, Barak was not even slightly
tempted or interested.
No, as not all of the riches in Rome or its wealthy provinces could entice or lure
the giant back into paid warfare.
Barak after all was a retired soldier now, aye and that at days end was to be his
final word on it, this no matter whatever these desperate Roman diplomats
pleaded or promised.
Being so, the giant most politely declined all of these most generous tempting
monetary offers to fight once more under the once seemingly invincible Eagle
Standard of Rome.
True while the ogre did have both concern and sympathy for the Emperor
Septimius, who in truth he did quite like as both a reliable paymaster and also as
an honest man, well this at least by Roman standards.
Barak nevertheless thought quite rightly to himself that over these past years
he had done more than his fair share of warfare and killing, aye all of this
bloodshed in the name of Rome and of course it’s Emperor Septimius Severus.
So with all of this in mind and based over these past two years, of peace and
tranquillity being a well considered factor, Barak supposed that now was not at
all the time to weaken or falter in his long thought out retirement plan.

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