Aquila:Rhine River Patrol - A Beginning

This article is from the Nova Roma publication "Aquila".

Rhine River Patrol - A Beginning

Rhine River Patrol Story Index.

The dawn slowly became more prominant in the distant sky as Apollo's Chariot approached the rim of the world. The smell of melting pitch began to drift upon the air, it's heavy odor heady and strong but somehow pleasing to one long accustomed to such, and the saw-pits by the launching ramps added to this aroma the rich smell of new-sawn lumber. These odors in the predawn hours raised many memoriesin the mind of the man who stood above the shipyard on a small hill. The place was the Lower Rhinus Ship-Building Yard and just acoss the river were the ship-storage sheds still half full of river vessels from the winter storage, but now silent and still prior to the mustering of their crews. Only two sentries moved along the narrow river-frontage piers.

The huge piles of lumber which not so long ago had been the only indication of intention were now reduced to a mere few unneeded planks and in their place were three fine new sleek and low slung liburnians on the launching ways. His new command!! These ships now almost complete would soon taste the water of the Rhinus and then they would patrol the Coast of Germania, and escort Roman merchant vessels to their destination either up the Rhinus to the Legon Bases or back to Ostia, and then to Rome. Soon once again the calker's hammers would begin their unceasing chatter, and the shipyard would come alive once again,like a great beast awakened from his slumber. But for now, only a few slaves stirred, feeding the fires under the ptch pots which lit the shadows along he waters edgewith their flickering, dacinging flame-light.

The river itself flowed smoothly along, without a ripple, a quiet entity now, undisturbed and moving toward it's ultimate destintion in the deep sea, which would end it's long journey from the Mountains thaosands of stades from this place. Marcus made a sign of respect to the Rhinus God. He knew better than most men of the rage and damage of which the river god was capable when it's flow was prevented or interfered with, by the hands of men. He knew too the destruction that could be wielded by the minions of the God Rhinus in times of flood or of the ice breakup each season of the rains when the God Rhinus rampaged in his bed and brought destruchtion and suffering to those who had forgotten he power of his forces. The river Rhinus was a valuable ever-flowing road into the interior of Germania whose service to carry upon it's bosom trade, patrol, and commerce was as necessary to Rome as were it's much vaunted land roads, the ever hungary legions, and the growing cities of this western colonia. It was prudent indeed to show respect to such a diety as this, particularly since his well-being as well as his military career depended in large part upon his affinity for this fluvia upon which he now gazed.

Next: Aquila:Rhine River Patrol - A Meeting