Manegus Acquilla

Pronunciation: MAYN-guhs + uh-KWIHL-luh

Occurrences: 36

First Reference: 3rd Endowment 11:7

Now the senior commander of A’Kontay was a man named Manegus Acquilla, the hero of Borah Terah, a man of great harshness and brutality; and being made aware of the son of Areta, and of all his words unto the senior cadets;

See: Borah Graccus, Borah Terah, Drakonia, First Power, First Track, Kronus Maximillius

Summary: During the First Track of the world of the First Power, in the days of Kronus Maximillius, Manegus Acquilla was a decorated war hero who served as the chief commander at the Drakonian Military Academy of A’Kontay. Acquilla was a large man who carried a calm and quiet demeanor but was known for his fierce temper and renowned abilities in combat. Over the years, Acquilla’s relationship with Kronus went from cautious and self-serving (3:11:56), to that resembling a father-son rapport based in mutual respect (3:13:15-28).

In the early years of Kronus’ military career, Manegus Acquilla came to his defense when the Emperor questioned whether or not Kronus could be trusted (3:17:8-43). Later, the Emperor placed Manegus in charge of Kronus’ personal guard (3:25:36). From that point forward, Manegus served as Kronus’ guardian and protector, and rarely left his side. When the empire fell into civil war following the death of Kronus, Manegus Acquilla was among those who fought to uphold the reputation of Kronus Maximillius and the social reforms Kronus and the former Emperor, Maximillius Drakonus, worked to establish (3:31:15-16).

Azrael’s Commentary - Manegus Acquilla

The Hero of Borah Terah, a man of unknown parentage. In his youth, he joined the legions of the empire as a common foot soldier who quickly rose through the ranks. His fierceness and courage earned the respect of his peers and the admiration of his superiors. At the battle of Borah Terah he held his position against overwhelming forces, and succeeded in advancing his line and securing a highly strategic bridge which later proved pivotal in achieving a major victory for the armies of Drakonia. The victory of Borah Terah eventually stripped the island of present-day New Zealand from the grasp of the Chen Empire. As a result of his bravery and leadership, Manegus Acquilla was promoted to the rank of Field Commander (equivalent to a Colonel in the army), and received a personal commendation from the Emperor, Caius Quintus Drakonus. Two wars later, he held the rank of Senior Field Commander and was finally chosen by Seti-Kahn to be the Commandant of the Military Academy of A’Kontay. It was there that he first came to know the young cadet which later became known as Kronus Maximillius.

Later, when Kronus Maximillius was given an expeditionary force of 5,000 men to harass and hold at bay the forces of the Chen in what is now present-day Alaska, Manegus Acquilla was chosen as second in command. But why would Kronus choose such a hard and violent man to go with him to fight the army of Ahgi Wynnaki? If you will read and ponder (3:13:15-28) you will perhaps discern an answer. For in these verses Manegus Acquilla clearly takes on the role of a father counseling a son. And in the years which followed this bond became greater. This is evident in Manegus Acquilla’s defense of Kronus before the Emperor Maximillius Drakonus (3:17:8-43). Years later, Manegus Acquilla was placed in charge as Kronus’ personal bodyguard (3:25:36), and in the years which followed, Manegus rarely left his side (3:29:18-19, 50-54).

As a person, Manegus Acquilla was no man to fool around with. He was a man of fierce and dreadful temper. This temper lay just beneath the surface of a smoldering calmness which made most men uncomfortable when in his presence. As recorded in the scriptures, Manegus Acquilla had successfully survived no less than forty duels. His favored weapon of choice was a brace of razor sharp dueling knives which he always carried on his belt, just slightly behind his back. Manegus would tolerate no insult to his name or honor, and to cross him almost always meant certain death. However, his temper was counter-balanced with quiet reserve. Manegus Acquilla seldom spoke, but when he did, everyone listened.

To most men of war, Manegus Acquilla was war and death personified. He was large in stature with a deeply cut scar which ran down straight across his face. His voice was deep and menacing and he had fists like sledgehammers. Yet when it came to Kronus, Manegus was both tender and rock hard all at once. For Manegus, Kronus was the son he never had. And to Kronus, Manegus was like a father. No soldier, no assassin in his right mind would think of attacking Kronus with Manegus Acquilla by his side.

After the death of Kronus (3:30:61), the empire fell into civil war. Manegus Acquilla fell in battle at the age of seventy-eight at the battle of Medora (3:31:15-17).

Azrael’s Commentary - Borah Graccus

[...] Borah Graccus was an old war companion of Manegus Acquilla, and both men had a great deal of respect for each other. For Manegus Acquilla, Borah Graccus was a reliable, no-nonsense, by the book soldier who was absolutely dependable regardless of obstacles or danger. For Borah Graccus, Manegus Acquilla was simply the most fearsome, deadly and courageous man he had ever met. [...]

Notes/References:

And not this only, for there attended Kronus unto the feast, the man Manegus Acquilla; being himself determined to watch most carefully the doings of all men; for he was assigned by the Emperor to guard Kronus against all harm.

And all men, seeing him beside Kronus, grew pale and filled with fear; for Manegus Acquilla was a mighty man, being wrapped about and fiercely fashioned by violence and death together; having killed in frightful duels, some forty men of skill and valor.

3rd Endowment 29:18-19

Mamre

Marcus Lucius Drakonus