Infinite Courage

by J. Clifton Slater

  From the other side of the camp, 2nd and 9th Squads arrived out of the morning gloom.

  “Report,” ordered Optio Gustavi.

  “They made a lot of noise when they rose out of the grass,” described Stulte.

  “It must have been painful when we advanced our shields,” Dircium said with a laugh. “They ran right into them. You were right Tesserarius. It was insanity for them to try us in the dark.”

  “Shave and a haircut,” Alerio advised. “Drop your gear with 1st and 10th, they’ll clean it for you. One other thing, you surely proved you are craftsmen of war. Good work.”

  “Journeymen warriors,” a few of the Legionaries added while unstrapping their armor.

  ***

  By the time 1st Centurion Lichenis and Senior Centurion Publius marched into camp, all eighty heavy infantrymen stood in front of their tents dressed for battle. Alerio waited near the NCOs’ while Gustavi positioned himself on the far end at the infantry officer’s tent.

  “Why isn’t Megellus back?” questioned Publius.

  “He had trouble navigating the night, Senior Centurion,” replied Lichenis.

  “The same kind of trouble your Centuries had?” commented Publius.

  “Yes, sir. Can I suggest we get on with the inspection?”

  “Optio Gustavi, walk with me,” ordered Publius.

  They started at 1st Squad and moved quickly down the line until they passed 9th.

  “Corporal Sisera. Were the trip ropes your idea?” asked 1st Centurion Lichenis.

  “Yes, sir. I hope none of your Legionaries were hurt,” Alerio replied. “The 25th plays rough.”

  The four closest squads overheard the comment. They passed Alerio’s remarks up the line to the rest of the Century.

  “I heard reports to that effect from the men sent to harass your patrol,” Senior Centurion Publius announced as he guided the inspection team away.

  “Sir, if I might,” Alerio requested loudly.

  His voice carried all the way to 1st and 2nd Squads at the far end of the camp.

  Publius stopped in mid-stride. Lichenis and Gustavi nearly bumped into the Senior Centurion as he turned to face the Corporal.

  “Choose your next words carefully, Tesserarius,” he warned.

  “Your Centuries call that harassment?” Alerio bragged. “The 25th Century drilled harder, bled more, and climbed faster during our easy training days.”

  “What do you mean by that, Corporal Sisera?”

  From the middle of the Century, four voices shouted into the early morning air, “Victoria Hill.”

  The mention of the steep slope and the brutal runs up the face brought laughter from the squads. Publius snapped his head around and pivoted his face while looking up both sides of the camp.

  “You have a lot of faith in a Century that failed on the line yesterday,” Publius challenged.

  “Sir, that won’t happen again,” Alerio replied.

  “We’ll see about that,” the Senior Centurion stated. Then he suggested to the 1st Centurion. “Lichenis. The inspection is over. Let’s get back to the headquarters area.”

  The top infantry officers for the Legion left and a short while later Centurion Megellus staggered into camp.

  “Sir, orders?” asked Gustavi.

  Megellus peeled off his helmet and hung his head as if he was so exhausted, he couldn’t stand straight. From what the Optio and the Tesserarius could see, their officer’s nose had dried blood caked on his nostrils and he had fresh bruises on his cheeks.

  “When the trumpets sound the form up, make sure I’m moving,” Megellus said before staggering into his tent.

  “The Centurion doesn’t look well,” Alerio remarked.

  “I don’t believe he won last night,” Gustavi stated. “Make sure the men eat, Tesserarius. I have a feeling; it’s going to be a long day.”

  Chapter 15 – The Victorious Part

  The Century showed the effects of a short night and half rations. They kicked at the ground raising more dust which added to the cloud surrounding them. It only added to the clogging of their noses and coating on their equipment. Compounding the general misery, Centurion Megellus at the head of the column didn’t inspire confidence. His feet scuffed the loose dirt and his shoulders drooped.

  Ahead of the 25th Century, the twelve units of the veterans and eleven Centuries of other experienced units stomped the dirt into dust. Behind the 25th, twelve Centuries of the less experienced Legionaries followed. Far ahead, and waiting for the heavy infantry to arrive, was Colonel Bacaris, the battle commander, 1st Century, and the Legion’s command staff.

  As if the infantry units were a wagon caravan coming off the trail, the Senior Centurion indicated Centuries to the right and left as they arrived. When the ends of the twelve veteran Centuries were positioned, Publius nudged his horse to their front and began directing the experienced Centuries. The 14th and 15th marked one end. Keying off them, the Centuries fell out of the march and filled in the line.

  “I trust the 25th is ready for a fun day,” Publius called out as Megellus approached. “Cheer up Centurion. I have arraigned for your Legionaries to redeem themselves.”

  Megellus was too exhausted and numb to care, however, Optio Gustavi and Tesserarius Sisera did care. From their positions on either side of the Century, they caught each other’s eyes through the marching Legionaries. Both flexed their shoulders as if to assure themselves they didn’t have targets plastered to their backs. Except they did, and the Senior Centurion had just verified it.

  Corporal Sisera let loose a loud howl after noting the Senior Centurion’s words drove the Century into deeper despair. The animal sound drew the Legionaries’ attention and Alerio began a chant.

  “What good is a steel blade without a firm fist to wield it?” Alerio sang out.

  “What good is a steel blade?” the Century replied.

  “What good is a Legion shield without a stout shoulder to brace it,” Alerio called out.

  “What good is a Legion shield?” the infantrymen responded.

  “What good is an iron shaft without an ample arm to throw it?” Alerio asked.

  “What good is an iron shaft,” the 25th repeated.

  “Or a hefty helmet without a hard head on which to stow it?” their Corporal inquired.

  “Or a hefty helmet and a hard head?” reported the infantrymen.

  “It’s only flesh and bone without the spark,” Alerio sang.

  “It’s only flesh and bone without the spark,” eighty voices shouted. “Only rust and dust without the victorious part.”

  “Without the what?” demanded Corporal Sisera.

  “Without the victorious part!” came back to him in a roar.

  As the call and response continued, the men of the 25th Century lifted their heads higher and stomped the ground harder as they passed between the veterans and the forming lines of experienced Centuries. Of all the units in the Legion, only the men of the 25th chanted as they marched towards their position.

  Alerio pitched his voice higher and sang.

  “The warrior spirit that screams for blood

  Driving you off your knees and out of the mud

  To stand the line with shields intertwined

  To face the ax, sword, and spear

  To crush the horde as the barbarians draw near

  What good are the tools without the heart

  What good is the man without the victorious part.”

  “Without the what?” screamed the Century.

  “Without the victorious part,” Alerio cried back.

  “The victorious part,” the infantrymen responded.

  “Century halt,” Optio ordered as they reached their place at the end of the line.

  “Thank the Goddess Algea,” one Legionary whispered.

  “It is painful when the Corporal sings,” another added.

  “You call that singing?” another suggested.

  Alerio ignored the gossipers. He knew his sin
ging was beautiful and the men spoke out of jealousy. Across from his infantrymen, Corporal Sisera recognized the 24th Century. Experienced but not superior to the 25th, they shouldn’t present much of a challenge.

  The twelve least experienced Centuries formed their practice lines and once the three Legion battle maniples were in place, Senior Centurion Publius rode in front of the veteran Centuries. There he pulled the reins, stopped his mount, and studied the formations.

  “19th, pull out and move to face the 2nd,” he directed. It was an opportunity for an experienced center unit to test themselves against the end of the veteran’s line. “Close the gap 24th. 10th Century, fill in where the 24th was positioned.”

  In the shuffling to fill in for the displaced Centuries, the veteran 10th Century stomped over and took the pace of the 24th across from the 25th. Alerio and the Sergeant walked to their officer to see if he had any suggestions.

  “That’s what the Senior Centurion considers an opportunity for redemption?” Gustavi complained. “It’s more like additional punishment. Wouldn’t you agree, sir?”

  Fenoris Megellus didn’t respond to the question. His eyes were locked on the Centurion of the 10th. Across the line, the other infantry officer glared back with a smug grin on his face.

  “Him. Last night,” Megellus ground his teeth as he talked.

  “Are you making this personal, sir?” inquired Alerio.

  “Very personal, Corporal Sisera,” Megellus replied.

  “In that case Centurion, I’m hungry,” Alerio commented.

  “What does your stomach, Tesserarius, have to do with our situation?” Gustavi demanded.

  “There are full ration sacks over there,” Alerio said while nodding at the supply mule behind the 10th. “All we have to do is walk over there and take them.”

  “That’s the right-side center of the veteran line,” Gustavi pointed out. “I would think they would have something to say about it.”

  “What are you thinking, Corporal Sisera?” Megellus asked.

  “On the second rotation, we attack,” Alerio explained.

  “Can we beat them?” the Centurion questioned.

  “Yes, sir. If you let me set it up.”

  The infantry officer searched his Optio’s face for assurances that they could in fact successfully attack a veteran Century. He found none.

  “I don’t like it,” Gustavi stated. “We could lose the few supplies we have left.”

  Megellus rubbed his forehead, hit a tender spot, and jerked his hand away from his face. Looking at his fingers, the Centurion seemed lost in thought. Then a smile crossed his face.

  “Corporal Sisera. You have the lead on this,” Megellus announced. “The Optio and I will follow your guidance.”

  “Thank you, sir,” Alerio acknowledged. Then he called to the squads. “Lance Corporals Dircium, Caudini, and Tescum. On me.”

  Along with the squad leaders, Aternus from 7th Squad also broke from the ranks.

  “That’s the Century we pushed off the hill last night,” the Lance Corporal offered. “What’s up?”

  “We are going to rout them,” Alerio stated. “Now get back and spread the word. Any Legionary who doesn’t follow directions will have a special gladius lesson with me.”

  “Those are painful,” Aternus commented before walking back to the squads.

  ***

  Sergeant Gustavi studied the three Lance Corporals. He understood the reason for two of them. Trax Dircium’s arms were as big as most men’s legs. And Telesia Caudini was rawboned and carried muscle evenly distributed from his legs to his shoulders. The man resembled a Greek statue. But the third Lance Corporal didn’t fit in anyone’s idea of an attack line. Lucius Tescum was easily the shortest and lightest Legionary in the Century.

  “Tesserarius. Are you sure about the 10th Squad?” he asked.

  “Absolutely, Optio,” Alerio assured the Sergeant. “They are the right side of our front line.”

  The senior NCO shrugged and strolled over to speak with the other squads. Meanwhile, Alerio signaled for the three squad leaders to come in close so they could talk confidentially.

  ***

  Along the three lines, Legionaries locked shields and pushed. Behind the front ranks, the second rank waved javelins in the air and shouted.

  Junior Tribunes raced behind the opposing Centuries delivering messages. One jerked his horse to a stop and yelled at Megellus.

  “Centurion, rotate the 25th,” he bellowed before riding back towards Legion command to get another assignment.

  “Rotate,” Megellus ordered. Sisera and Gustavi repeated the instructions. All of the squad leaders and their pivot men echoed the directive.

  The three squads on the attack line slammed their shields forward, turned them to the side, and stepped back. From between them, the members of the next three squads eased forward, centered their shields, and delivered another thrust. In the space of a single heartbeat, fresh Legionaries were on the shield wall.

  The one’s relieved filtered back between the Legionaries of 2nd, 5th, and 10th Squads. That ended the first rotation for the 25th Century.

  ***

  The heavy infantry Centuries weren’t the only units being drilled. On the other side of the command group, light infantrymen were dueling with short blades and small shields. They also had Tribunes delivering instructions. On the flanks, cavalrymen rode in sweeping rushes before reversing and sweeping back in the other direction.

  At the center of the mayhem, battle commander Colonel Bacaris, Senior Tribune Nictavi, and Senior Centurion Publius shouted, strategized, and issued instructions.

  “Tribune, rotate the 25th,” Publius advised one of the junior staff officers. Then to Nictavi, he exclaimed. “My problem Century seems to be responding.”

  “How well?” the senior staff officer inquired.

  “So far, they’re keeping up,” replied the Senior Centurion. “But I’d like to see more from them.”

  While the Senior Centurion offered his opinion, the junior staff officer with his message rode around the veteran Centuries and entered the space between the lines of combatants. He kneed his mount and raced for the 25th Century.

  “Centurion, rotate the 25th,” he shouted before spinning his horse and galloping away.

  This time Megellus didn’t order the movement. Instead, he lifted an arm and pointed at his Tesserarius.

  Alerio nodded his understanding and looked to be sure Optio Gustavi caught the signal.

  “Rotate and stand by,” Corporal Sisera announced. The Sergeant and Centurion repeated the commands and the orders were reiterated by the squad leaders and pivot men.

  Trax Dircium and 2nd Squad, Telesia Caudini and 5th Squad, and the undersized Lucius Tescum’s 10th Squad plus his right pivot man, Palinurus, sidestepped forward. The original twenty-four men faded back and away from the shield wall. The newly set forward rank hammered their shields forward as was expected by the 10th Century. Both sides seemed to settle into the ongoing shoving match. Then Alerio called out a second order.

  “Half left, advance. Advance, Advance,” he shouted.

  The front twenty-four angled their shields forty-five degrees to the left, slammed forward, stepped up, and repeated the movements three times. On the second surge, the huge Private Palinurus caught the edge of the opposing Legionary’s shield. The man stumbled back opening a space. With room to swing, Palinurus sent two more men of 10th Century to the ground. They tumbled to the dirt and collided with the legs of their squad mates and the rank behind them.

  “Reserves, cover the ends,” Alerio ordered.

  The four Legionaries assigned to resupply, split apart and the pairs went to the ends of the 25th’s line. As Palinurus moved left, a gap opened to his right. One pair jumped in sealing the hole.

  “Half right, advance, advance, advance,” Alerio instructed changing the angle of attack.

  The standing Legionaries of the 10th Century had adjusted to the left angled attack. But t
heir downed men presented a problem for the Legionaries their infantry officer rushed forward. Suddenly, the attack shifted and the 25th Century came at them with right-angled shields.

  At the end of three more advances, the 10th was in disarray. Alerio smiled and turned the 25th loose.

  “Assault through them,” he ordered before the other Century could reset. “Go, go, go!”

  Telesia Caudini waded into the opposing Legionaries. With 5th Squad trailing behind like a wake behind a boat, he separated the opposing Legionaries. After punching through, 5th Squad stripped wineskins, water bags, and food sacks from 10th Century’s mule.

  “What good is a steel blade without a firm fist to wield it?” Lance Corporal Tescum sang.

  “What good is a steel blade?” the 25th Century replied.

  “What good is a Legion shield without a stout shoulder to brace it,” Tescum called out.

  “What good is a Legion shield?” the infantrymen responded.

  The heavy infantrymen from the 25th Century backed up. Keeping their shields tight, they protected the men carrying the captured food and drink.

  “What good is an iron shaft without an ample arm to throw it?” Tescum yelled.

  “What good is an iron shaft,” the 25th repeated.

  “Or a hefty helmet without a hard head on which to stow it?” Tescum inquired.

  “Or a hefty helmet and a hard head?” responded the infantrymen.

  “It’s only flesh and bone without the spark,” Tescum sang.

  “It’s only flesh and bone without the spark,” eighty-two voices shouted including Alerio and Gustavi. “Only rust and dust without the victorious part.”

  “Without the what?” demanded Tescum.

  “Without the victorious part!” a roar came back to him.

  Wineskins were passed to their Centurion, Optio, and the Tesserarius.

  “To our command staff,” Trax Dircium declared as he bit into a big radish.

  Across the line, the officer for the 10th Century glared at the 25th. But the sneer was gone, replaced by clenched teeth and tight lips.

  Centurion Megellus lifted the wineskin, saluted the other officer, and took a long stream of stolen vino.

  At the Legion command area, Senior Centurion Publius bowed his head.