LEGENDARY TALES OF THE THEBAN LEGION

First Book Of Naphtali: Brothers, Sands, Hordes

The tales I layout before you are as follows. I was there, in the year of our Lord, 286 A.D. I was there – on the battlefield with him.

I am Naphtali, humble servant to The Highest God, and Candidus, first lieutenant to Maurice, commander of the Theban Legion. As an act of certain reverence and humility, I wish to reveal to you a story, not just of war or sand, or kingdoms of men, but of bravery, courage, blood, and sacrifice.

The stars, infinite and magnificent though they may be in their eternal march through the heavens, are still pale compared to the wonders and beauties discovered by one such as I.

Not always was my path one of the warrior's. For me, life started dull; a shepherd's son was I once, raised on a bounty of warm bread, milk, and a mother's love. Strong in both stature and conviction was the man who taught me to fear and love the one true God and the world and heavens he created. Taphnat was my father and teacher. There was no better man, and it was from him that I gained clarity and a deeper understanding of the world around me.

Unfortunately, my father's teachings would not last as the great plague ripped my parents away before I reached the age of 13. Before my eyes, their bodies withered until only faint words of sorrow for me and gasps of foul air remained. I prayed then as I prayed now with tear-soaked eyes and white-knuckled hands, but there would be no salvation from God for my beloved parents. Was this wrath? Was this the Lord's final punishment for a murderer? Were my endless guilt and shame not sufficient enough punishments?

     With his last breath, my father said to me, "God has a plan for us all." His words did not fall on deaf ears, and when I became of age, I took those words and my faith with me on a quest to find the legendary Theban Legion. I heard stories of these men who put God above all else, these men who walked through life with divine purpose and bravery. I surmised that if there were a plan or path laid down for me by God, it would be found in service to this Legion wherever they roamed. So I serve, and I pray, and I fight because God spared me for a reason and a purpose. And when it is all over, maybe I will also have made my father proud, or so I hope.

"RAIDERS!"

Candidus's warning crosses camp as swiftly as the desert winds. Raiders, in mass numbers, were again approaching the vast western border of Thebes. At that time, Thebes was under the Legion's protection. We were camped just northwest of the large city at Bir Abu Minqar.

No less than 6,600 of my brothers in arms shared my fate on that dusty, stone-riddled plane, and no less than 6,600 swore to defend Thebes with their lives. In serving my commanders these past three years, I have become familiar with these sights and sounds. But I knew my position was to aid my generals without hesitation.

A gentle hand found my shoulder as I sat, with eyes shut tightly in prayer outside of the General's tent. I did not look up immediately as regular prayer often leads one down a path of blindsight where one can quickly become pleasantly lost within the light of God. When I finally did lift my eyes – I could see that it was my master's hand. "Raiders again, Naphtali, ready my camel, and my armor...hurry! And may The Highest grant you speed in your tasks."

"Yes, my Lord...I will move with all swiftness and urgency," I replied.
I rushed first towards the armory tents lining the eastern side of our encampment. We had been stationed towards the furthest point of our great kingdom in Abu Ballas for six months without concern or worry. However, within the last three weeks, there has been much bloodshed and horror. A vast horde, ignorant to the teachings of the Highest God, sent waves of bloodthirsty attackers into our ranks posted closest to the desert's edge. Although we managed to prevail against such attacks, we did so with massive losses as we continue to patrol the swirling sands outside of the city.