Chapter 199 - 135 Alexander the Great
"We all come from humble beginnings, we’re not afraid of mosquitoes. Besides, we can burn certain herbs outside to drive them away." Volenus, understanding Quintus’s silent cue, also reacted to support Quintus’s statement: "The mountainous terrain here isn’t a problem. I noticed the soil on the hills is quite thick, and we have some Samnite soldiers in our ranks who are skilled at cultivating farmland on mountains."
Budocaribas was momentarily at a loss for words, beginning to rack his brains on how to persuade further.
Maximus glanced at him, understanding why he was acting this way. Based on the previously observed terrain, there are two marshlands as barriers east of Budocaribas’s village, yet he is still harassed by the Pannonians, likely because they pass through the gap between the marshlands. On the other side of the gap is the hilly area he mentioned. If the Maximus Army establishes a settlement there, it would completely block the Pannonians from harassing the Alde Tribe. But if the Maximus Army’s base is built on this side, the route for the Pannonians to harass the Alde Tribe would remain unimpeded.
"Let’s go, let’s also take a look at the hills over there." Maximus’s words made Budocaribas’s eyes light up again.
"I don’t know if we can cross the river?" Maximus inquired further.
"We can cross, we can cross." Budocaribas responded hastily: "Although the Kolana River is relatively wide, the water is shallow in autumn, and in several places, it can be easily waded across, let alone riding a horse across."
This is also what gives Budocaribas the biggest headache, as Pannonian incursions increase during autumn and winter.
..........................................
As Maximus and his group were crossing the river on horseback, Cleobrotas was in the Aldean Great Camp, giving a brief account of his experiences to the Great Chief Acoupaigos.