The campsite was quiet, save for the occasional crackle of the fire and the faint rustle of the forest. Shadows flickered across the faces of the men gathered around the blaze. Scombras and the elders of Amendolara, weathered by six months of imprisonment during the city’s darkest days, bore the night’s discomfort with stoic endurance. Compared to their ordeal, sleeping under the stars was no hardship.
The Thurii elders, however, were a different story. The howls of wild beasts echoing from the forest sent shivers down their spines, and the thought of insects burrowing through the soil made them restless. Still, none dared complain. Seeing Juleios himself wrapped in a woolen blanket and lying on the ground, they followed his example, though they tossed and turned through the night.
Out of the restless silence, a voice emerged, soft yet piercingly clear. "Archon, may I ask... after taking Neutum, does our League plan to continue advancing northward?" It was Vespa, the Lucanian elder.
The Thurii elders stirred. One of them, unable to contain himself, responded before Juleios could speak. "Taking Neutum to shield Thurii from Lucanian attacks is already an achievement. Advancing further north is a folly we cannot afford! Look at these treacherous mountain roads. Transporting food would be a nightmare. The terrain ahead is unfamiliar and unforgiving, and our heavy infantry would be easy prey for Lucanian ambushes. I do not wish to see another tragedy like the annihilation of Thurii’s army."
Juleios recognized the voice. It belonged to Enanilus, a respected elder of Thurii whose family had once thrived in shipbuilding. The Crotonian invasion had destroyed their shipyards, and one of Enanilus’ brothers had fallen in the battle against Laos. His fears were rooted in bitter personal loss.
Juleios’ voice broke through the darkness, calm yet commanding. "Enanilus is right. We do not plan to advance further north at present. Our priority is to secure Neutum, integrate its Lucanian inhabitants into the League, and gain the trust of other northern tribes. This will take time."
Vespa exhaled audibly, relief washing over him. For the leader of a tribe often caught on the frontlines, the idea of further conflict was a heavy burden.
But Enanilus, ever astute, caught the implications of Juleios’ words. "Archon, from what you’ve said, do you intend to advance into northern Lucania in the future?"
"Of course," Juleios replied, his tone light but resolute. "When news of our victory reached Thurii, weren’t you all clamoring to defeat the Lucanians entirely? I even recall someone suggesting we conquer Poseidonia."
"That was me," admitted another voice, somewhat sheepishly. Massisacus, a Thurii elder whose family had prospered through mining, shifted awkwardly. "I acted impulsively. After walking this road, I see now that Thurii’s army was destroyed not just because of poor leadership but because of the harsh terrain itself."
Massisacus’ family, once rich in resources and slaves, had been decimated by the Crotonians. They now focused on stonework and sculpture, their wealth diminished but their ambition intact.
Noticing the growing circle of elders awake and attentive, Juleios spoke with conviction. "Why shouldn’t we aim to advance north? To take Poseidonia? To conquer Picentia? Our League needs a port city on the western coast. Such a base would open trade routes, enrich our treasury, and establish us as a force not just in Magna Graecia but across the Mediterranean. These are not dreams. They are achievable goals."
Enanilus hesitated. "But the risks..."
Juleios turned to Vespa. "I’ve heard there are small iron mines in the Lucanian region. Is that true?"
Vespa nodded. "Yes, in the mountains between Potentia and Grumentum. That’s why the Lucanians can craft armor and short swords—unlike the Bruttians, who rely on crude weapons."
Juleios’ eyes gleamed. "Where there’s iron, there may also be copper, tin, and lead. Add to that the timber, furs, and livestock the mountains provide. The wealth of the Lucanian lands is immense, waiting to be unlocked. Don’t you agree, Massisacus?"
"Yes...yes!" Massisacus replied, his excitement growing.
"But more importantly," Juleios continued, his voice rising, "we Greeks of Magna Graecia love the sea. We build our cities along the coast for trade, but that makes us vulnerable to attacks. To grow strong, our League must push inland. We must expand our territory, integrate with the Lucanians, and turn former enemies into allies. Only then can we stand against greater threats."
The firelight flickered over the elders’ thoughtful expressions. After a long silence, someone asked, "Archon, do you foresee a powerful enemy rising against us?"
Juleios’ gaze swept across the group. "Isn’t Croton already a formidable opponent? A century ago, Sybaris was the strongest city-state in Magna Graecia, yet it invited the wrath of its rivals. In Greece, mighty Athens fell to the Peloponnesian League. Whether out of fear or jealousy, our growth will provoke opposition. This is an age of turmoil. If we fail to strengthen ourselves, one defeat could bring ruin."
The elders pondered his words, the weight of his warning settling over them like the night’s cold air.
Vespa, breaking the silence, asked, "What then is our next step, Archon?"
Juleios smiled. "For now, we stabilize Neutum. We show the Lucanians that joining our League brings peace and prosperity. We let their rival tribes weaken one another with infighting. And when they are ready, we extend our hand—not as conquerors, but as allies."
The elders nodded slowly, the vision taking root.
The next day, the party emerged from the mountain pass and reached the Lao River Fortress by noon. Juleios inspected the garrison, commending the soldiers of the Second Battalion’s First Company for their diligence in fortifying the stronghold. He announced that they would return to Thurii to lead the triumphal procession, a reward for their steadfast service. The soldiers cheered, their voices ringing through the hills.
As the group continued north, the terrain began to shift. The path widened, flanked by the Lao River to the west and rugged mountains to the east. Heraclides the Younger, surveying the land, remarked, "The Lao River’s cliffs and swift currents make it nearly impossible for an army to cross. Building a bridge upstream will be no easy task."
Juleios listened, his mind already turning over solutions. The road ahead would not only connect cities but cement the League’s future—a future where Greeks and Lucanians stood united, their strength unshakable.