The Last Legion

The legend began

beneath these dark hills

And under this same sky.

It tells of a sword

of great power,

Forged for the conqueror

Julius Caesar.

This weapon was passed

down until it reached

The last of Caesar's noble

line, the emperor Tiberius.

On his death. It was hidden away to

keep it from the hands of evil men.

For generations. It

lay in a secret place.

Marked by the sign of a pentangle.

And as it was written. Under

the very gaze of Caesar.

I, Ambrosinus, born in Britannia...

Was one of many

men who sought it.

In a time of injustice,

I made it my life's

task to find the sword

And the one righteous

enough to wield it.

I journeyed far

across the Continent,

Through the heart of an empire

that ruled half the known world.

Now a threatened Rome was

calling back her bravest and best

To defend her boundaries.

GUARD:
Make way!

Good to be home, Commander?

Is this what I'm

supposed to wear?

I can't even remember

how to put it on.

Why ask, Vatrenus, hmm?

Why me?

Because they trust you.

You are a true Roman.

Besides, 'tis a glorious thing,

they say, to guard the new Caesar.

We held Africa for them for 10 years,

Grew old on their battlefields,

Lost good men.

What was it all for?

We're soldiers, Aurelius.

Politicians make the decisions.

AURELIUS:
Two breeds of men

to be avoided like the pox-

- (Blade scrapes)

- ... politicians and philosophers.

You know, in Alexandria they

cut off the hand that steals.

No, please.

Once the hand is off, it's for God

to decide whether you live or die.

Most die.

Batiatus!

Do it outside. It'll make

a mess. Blood everywhere.

- Who's this?

- Thief. Caught in the act.

I'm not a thief.

Now he's yours, big man.

- One hand or two, Commander?

- Oh, just the one.

(Chuckles)

No, let me go, please!

I wasn't gonna steal it, I

swear to you! I give you my word.

AURELIUS:
Your word?

You?

A street boy? A thief?

How can you be a

man of your word?

I just wanted to look at it.

I am Aurelianus Caius Antonius,

commander of the Imperial Guard.

I am asking you,

do you lie to me?

I would not lie to you.

You come back in ten years, boy.

I'll give you your own sword.

Now get out.

Another worthy foe

vanquished then, Commander.

It's heartening to see soldiers

of Rome display such valor.

Who are you?

One who knows humiliation

to be a poor teacher...

For both men and boys.

I smell a philosopher.

Are you all right?

- Take the boy and go.

- In our own good time.

Heh. He said go, old man.

More than a philosopher, then.

(Blowing softly)

How'd he do that?

Every time we have goose for

dinner, you do that same old trick.

Oh, dear.

Have I done that one before?

And I didn't need your help.

(Fountain trickling)

Either way, you missed

your Greek lesson.

How come you never told

me you knew how to fight?

Get out of here, both of you. Go, go!

Let them pass.

- Odoacer.

- Orestes.

For ten years I have supported Rome.

Ten years my warriors

- Have fought beside your legions.

- Who is that?

(Whispering) The commander of the Goths.

ODOACER:
So now here I am...

To claim my dues.

And what are your dues, General?

One-Third of all Italy.

(Scoffs)

You think I'm joking?

Is this true, Orestes?

Did you make such a pact?

No... how could I promise

what isn't mine to give?

ODOACER:
One-Third of Italy.

That way the alliance continues

And your new Caesar

Will not topple from his throne

like the others before him.

I promised you nothing beyond

the reward you were already given.

You've grown so tall, Orestes...

You forget whose shoulders you stand on.

Romulus, where have you been?

We've been looking everywhere.

Ambrosinus, you took him

outside without a guard?!

- You know the

danger. - No, I-

It's a fine morning. We went

for a walk. No harm done.

You know what tomorrow holds for him?

For all of us.

I know perfectly well, Orestes.

I have as much care for

your son as you have.

What did you say?

You go too far, schoolmaster.

Leave us.

Orestes, sometimes I think

you forget he is just a boy.

He has your blood in his

veins, bloodline of the Caesars.

He was never just a boy.

Mother, in five years there

have been five emperors...

And they were all murdered.

What will happen to me?

You will be guarded by the best.

You will live long and rule wisely.

(Cheering)

My son...

This day you join the immortals.

Caesar! Caesar! Caesar!

(Clanks)

Mother, am I now the most

powerful man in the world?

You are.

Then why can't I stay out

on the day I am crowned?

What am I to be, a god or a boy?

You are Caesar, and my

Caesar must be protected.

But who would harm me?

The one you saw, Odoacer the Goth.

He is our ally.

And you, teacher of words and numbers,

What is the business

of the state to you?

My only concern is the

welfare of your son.

You make concern yourself no longer.

He is Caesar now.

He's still a boy.

Perhaps he still needs me.

Well, your task is over.

Leave us. Don't come back.

ORESTES:
Romulus...

Hail, Caesar.

This is Aurelius, of the Nova Invicta.

He will command your personal guard.

May I see your sword, Commander?

He must do everything

to protect me from harm,

- Must he not, Father?

- Indeed, he must.

To the last breath.

And do I have your word on that?

You have his word.

He is sworn to serve you.

Is it so, Commander?

Thank you.

I only wanted to look at it.

(Blade scrapes)

VATRENUS:
Open the gate.

AMBROSINUS:
And this

is also Caesar's will?

VATRENUS:
You've been well rewarded.

Go back where you came from.

My crime is putting new

ideas into a young head,

Teaching a lad to think for himself.

This lad is our emperor.

Which do you serve:

Caesar or your own ideas?

"A wise man never asks

what another man serves...

...for only his actions

will speak the true answer. "

You've read your Seneca.

I find poets as

dangerous as philosophers.

And you...

Where did you get this?

AMBROSINUS:
A long time ago...

In another land.

(Screams)

...from a man who loved only power.

So you're an adventurer, as well.

If I see you again in Rome,

it'll be on the point of my sword.

Take care in the mist, Commander.

It may hide what the gods

themselves dare not look upon.

NESTOR:
but who will guard

the guardians themselves?

Nestor?

Leave us.

A senator.

Well, these sit better

on me than armor ever did.

How is it with you, Aurelius?

Oh, a little older... no wiser.

After all these years?

Did you ever marry, have children?

No.

So what do you make of Rome?

Different.

Uneasy.

If you're to guard our new

Caesar, keep your wits about you.

And come see me. Friends are

a rare commodity these days.

I will.

GUARD:
The Goths! They've betrayed us!

(Shouting, swords clashing)

(Catapult rumbling)

GUARD:
You! To the wall!

Commander!

Prepare to fire!

Aurelius!

Down!

Defend the Emperor!

Get back, behind! Go! Go!

Form wall!

MAN:
Over this way!

Get back, boy!

Yah!

(Yells)

Ugh!

Father!

Odoacer wants the boy alive!

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