by Griff Hosker
The first rank were trying to climb out of the ditch with stones falling like rain and, as the second rank crossed the ditch the Centurion roared, “Front rank! Testudo formation!”
As soon as they went into the tortoise formation they stopped taking casualties. They could stay that way and not take any more casualties although it would be hard for them to assault effectively. The front ranks were next to the palisade and they began to hack at the wood with the swords. It was as the second rank was forming testudo and the two centuries were close to the wall that Radha unleashed her most devastating weapon, the boiling water. Although the testudo was effective against solid weapons it was no defence against the huge kettles of boiling water which were poured from the tops of the walls cascading down onto the armoured men. As soon as the scalding liquid fell upon them the testudo broke and men appeared on the palisades pouring an unrelenting fire of stones, arrows and spears, some of them previously thrown by Romans, down onto the legionaries who were writhing in agony on the ground. Centurion Bucco knew that the battle would be lost unless he did something urgently and he turned to roar, “Second wave javelins…” It was as far as he got as an arrow struck him in the throat ending his command and as his life blood gurgled down his armour, his life as well. The only centurion left alive was that of the Second Century. He held his shield over his head and scanned the hill behind him. The ditch was filled with the dead and the dying. The second wave was too far from the walls to be in effective javelin range and the slingshots and arrows were decimating them. He turned to his signifier. “Sound the retreat!”
Aulus Salonius had watched in horror as the attack had faltered and then halted. The first two lines of legionaries had just disappeared in a wave of scalding water and missiles. The second attack was halted on the steepest part of the hill and he saw them reel back. When he heard the retreat sounded he pounded his saddle in frustration. Glancing to his left he saw that the Fourth Cohort was still not in a position to attack. He would not be capturing the hill fort this day!
When the Legate returned to the camp with the remains of the Second Cohort Prefect Karus knew that the day had not gone well. The Legate did not bother to speak with the Prefect, he and his bodyguards went directly to their quarters. The Prefect went, along with the capsarii to greet the battered soldiers.
The senior Centurion saluted and the Prefect asked, “What happened?”
“Centurion Bucco died sir. We only managed to reach the wall and they used boiling water, arrows, stones; we didn’t stand a chance. The ditch has lillia and they were able to use the tops of the walls to pour the boiling water. We needed artillery to clear the walls or auxiliaries to keep their heads down. It wasn’t war sir, it was a slaughter. This is all that remains of the Second Cohort.”
The Prefect did a quick head count. There were barely three hundred men left. “And the Fourth Cohort?”
“The Legate left them watching the fort sir.”
“Right Centurion, see to your men.” He put a consoling hand on his shoulder. “Tomorrow you and your men can rest and recover.” He turned to see Cassius and his men behind him. “Anticipating eh Decurion?”
“We heard the noise and knew that something had happened. What would you like us to do then sir?”
“I need intelligence. Where is the King? Did the Quartermaster get through? You need to answer both those questions for me.”
Cassius nodded. “I will send Seius and one of his men to Coriosopitum and I will head north. Hopefully we will meet Lentius and save ourselves a journey.” He lowered his voice, “The fact that Decius has not returned leads me to believe that perhaps the quartermaster did not get through.”
“It is what I fear as well.” The Prefect returned, with slumped shoulders to his tent.
“Seius take your man and go to Coriosopitum. But be careful. Decius should have returned and he has not. Do not take chances; if we are surrounded and trapped then the Prefect needs to know.”
“Sir!”
Macro and Marcus were eager to be out of the camp but Cassius cautioned them. “We are heading out into enemy territory. They know this land better than we. If we were silent before then we need to be ghosts now.”
As they headed up the trail they passed First Spear. He held up his hand to halt them. “Be careful. Some of my men thought that they heard warriors in the trees.” He shrugged, it may be nothing but your eyes and ears are better than ours.”
Cassius nodded and leaned forwards, “The attack failed. Centurion Bucco and two hundred men were lost.”
“Thank you for that. Marius was a good friend. Let us hope that the rest of us do not join him.”
As soon as they had left the last legionary behind them, they headed into the thickening trees. Already the sun was dipping behind the western sky and the valley became very dark very quickly. Riding in single file minimised the trail they left but relied on the first rider picking the safest route. Marcus felt the burden as he led them up the valley sides. He used not only his ears and eyes but his horse as well and when its nose suddenly came up he halted and raised his arm. He slowly unslung his bow and fitted an arrow. At first he could see nothing and then he felt, rather than saw, his mount turn its head to the right. There, less than sixty paces away was a lighter area of the forest. It looked unnaturally light and Marcus surmised that it was a man. He pulled back the bow and the arrow flew straight. The sentry knew nothing as the arrow buried itself in his skull. As he fell to the ground Marcus braced himself for a shout of alarm. When he heard none, he moved forwards slowly through the woods. He made sure that he was to the left of the dead man and he hoped that he had been the last of the sentries. When they emerged from the forest and saw the empty skyline then he knew that he had been.
“Well done Marcus. Good ears and a good shot.”
“The shot was mine, “he ruffled his horse’s ears, “the ears were his.”
Macro led the next section as they rode through the night heading for the road. They knew when they were getting close as the tree line thinned but before they reached it they heard the unmistakeable whistle of an Explorate. They halted and Macro gave the response. Lentius and two of his men rose like wraiths from the ditch in which they had hidden.
“Are we glad to see you Cassius? The King and his army are camped just two miles up the road. We were just waiting until we saw which direction they would take Coriosopitum or towards Tamburgh.”
“We can answer that Lentius. Tamburgh.”
“Do you now have second sight or are you privy to the King’s plans?”
“Neither. The Queen is in the hill fort we are besieging. The King comes to rescue his Queen.” He looked around. “Where are the rest of your men? Watching the King?”
“They are dead Cassius, we three, and the messenger I sent yesterday, are all that remain of my command.”
“And I fear your messenger may not be returning. Decius was sent to Coriosopitum and he has not returned. It appears the Legate has got us surrounded.” Lentius gave a quizzical look. “There are warriors watching and guarding the valley. But for Marcus we would have been killed or captured ourselves.”
“So we return to Tamburgh?”
“Aye and swiftly before they add more guards.”
It was dawn when the weary Explorates eventually reached the fortified camp. The Prefect was engaged in a heated discussion with the Legate and, as he did not wish to instigate a further row about the dead Hunni, Cassius and Lentius went to their tents for a quick sleep. Seius arrived soon after they had nodded off but he felt he had to awaken the two decurions as his news was important. “Sorry to disturb you sirs but…”
“No problem Seius what it is it?”
“I found the Quartermaster, he and his men are dead. They barely made the road; their heads are atop spears and their animals taken. And I lost Gaius whilst we were trying to get through their lines. There is a line of mounted sentries and they know how to use the cover of the trees.”
Ca
ssius looked at Lentius, “The Explorates are shrinking in numbers. Let us hope that Drusus has more luck than we.”
“Well Cassius as we are awake we had better find out if the discussion has ended.”
The argument was indeed finished and they could see First Spear preparing the Third and Fifth Cohorts to march out of the camp. From the angry face of Prefect Lucius Aemilius Karus it was obvious that it had not ended amicably. “Ah Decurion. I hope that you bring me good news but from your demeanours I fear not.”
“No sir. We are surrounded by our enemies and the Quartermaster did not get through. There is a warband of horsemen preventing further escape. I fear we have been trapped. We do not know if Decius made it.”
“Ah. And the King?”
“He will be here within the day. He may even now be filling the forests with his men.”
“How many men does he have?”
“A rough estimate would be three thousand and then there are the horsemen in the forests.”
Cassius hated adding more bad news but he blurted out, “And don’t forget the Selgovae. Although we don’t know if they are to attack us or their neighbours.”
Karus shook his head, “I fear that the way our luck is going they will be here to fight against us. Perhaps that argument may hold some sway with our General, although I doubt it.” The weary looking Prefect strode off to catch up with the Legate who was in deep discussion with First Spear.
* * * * * *
Lugubelenus greeted Baroc warmly. “Well done kinsman! None have escaped?”
“No sire. We caught the only wagon which tried to escape and we have killed one of their scouts although one of my sentries was killed which may mean that someone has escaped with the news.”
“In which case I want a hundred of your men watching the road and the fort at Coriosopitum.”
“ Already done.”
“Excellent. And the refuge how goes it there?” The worry and tension were clearly in the King’s voice as he fretted over his wife. They had both known that their decision was a risk but they had felt that it was worth it to make a statement to their people, their neighbours and, most importantly, to Rome.
“The first attack was easily repulsed yesterday but it looks like they are going to try today with three cohorts. The Queen and her defenders may find it a little harder today.”
“They will attack straight up the hill?”
“Straight up the hill.”
“Good. I have an idea which may help both us and the Queen. I want you to bring half of your men with me. I will leave some of my men here to replace them.”
“What do you intend sire?”
“We will take as many archers and warriors as we can and fire on the Romans from the opposite side of the river. The Tinea is cold and deep at this time of the year and if they try to cross we will kill many and be able to escape before they can close with us. We will be firing at their rear ranks and we may well be able to cause more casualties that way.”
“And their camp?”
“Leave it. They will be eating their supplies and they can get no more. I told you before Baroc, I do not want to suffer high casualties when we defeat these Romans. There are other enemies a little closer to home. I fear that my cousin Petroc and the King of the Selgovae are friendlier than I would wish. We can let hunger be our ally this time. Let us go.”
The two and a half thousand warriors melted easily and quickly into the trees. They did not take any horses but all had a missile of some description. As they were not encumbered with ranks and order they filtered through the trees faster than the slower Romans so that they arrived at the river opposite the fort before the two cohorts could reinforce the Fourth.
* * * * * *
“Right First Spear I know where Centurion Bucco went wrong yesterday.” Piso flashed a look of pure hatred at the Legate who seemed not to notice. The decision to attack and the formation had been the Legate’s; to blame a brave, dead soldier seemed to the First Spear to be the lowest form of cowardice. “We attacked on too narrow a front. Today we will attack on a wider front with the Fourth and the First. The other cohort can remain in reserve mop up after we take this hill fort.”
Piso was not convinced but he nodded dutifully and began to organise the men. He took his place at the right hand side of the First Cohort, and next to him stood Centurion Ocella, the centurion of the First Century. “This isn’t right sir. We should have auxiliaries to keep their heads down and artillery to hurt their walls.”
“I know Gnaeus but you know the way it is, we follow orders. Make sure that we eliminate any bugger who stands on the palisade. I don’t fancy being scalded with boiling water.” The Aquilifer came over, Appius Seius Caecus was the longest serving soldier in the legion and he would retire when they returned to Eboracum. His best friend had been the original First Spear, wounded in the last battle. Despite that he had taken to Centurion Piso and they had become firm friends since they had met in Eboracum. He listened to the conversation.
“Me neither some of those lads yesterday took all night to die. I am just glad they don’t have oil.” Ocella shuddered at the thought. Dying to a blade was one thing but to die by water? It seemed wrong somehow.
“The way this is going they may well have.” He nodded to the Aquilifer and the Vexillifer.
Caecus said, “I will make sure that the eagle is close to the front. It may spur the men on.”
“Thank you Appius but for Mithras’ sake do not lose it,” he added quietly, “or yourself.”
“Don’t worry about me Tiberius, I have a little inn marked out already and me and my old mate First Spear will have a nice little business serving the Ninth Legion and making a bit of money out them at the same time.”
“Good. I look forward to enjoying a beaker of wine with you.”
“Just bring plenty of money; we’ll be a pair of old pensioners. Not rich legionaries with coins to throw around.”
When the horn sounded the three lines headed steadily up the hill. This time the line extended all the way along the hill and the Legate was counting on the fact that the occupants of the hill fort would not be able to concentrate their fire all along such a long line. There would be casualties but some would get through. He had realised that the narrow frontage of the previous day played into the defender’s hands.
Once again Radha waited until the advancing line was almost on the flat part of the hill and then the barrage began. As the line was longer than before the impact they had was less but, even so, the two cohorts took heavy casualties. The Legate, standing at the bottom of the hill nodded in satisfaction and turned to Mongke, ignoring the Centurion from the reserve cohort. “This will work Mongke, see there are fewer casualties.”
Just then they heard the whirr of arrows and suddenly the rear line of the Fifth Cohort began to fall and crash to the ground as the arrows, spears and slingshots, fired from the other side of the river, struck unsuspecting legionaries in the back. The Legate was too shocked to react but the Centurion roared, “About face!” His quick thinking saved many men but there were over a hundred and fifty bodies lying close to the river. “Fall back!” The centurion could see that they had no means of coming to grips with an enemy across a river.
“Halt!” The Legate’s voice screamed.
“But General my men will be slaughtered unless we move.”
“Your only move will be up the hill when the First and the Fourth have entered the hill fort.”
The Centurion knew he had to obey orders but he could at least minimise casualties. “Testudo!”
Across the river King Lugubelenus saw that, although his plan had worked he would be wasting ammunition if he continued to fire at shields. “Cease fire!” His men looked disappointed. The King pointed at the horsemen. “Change your targets. Archers and slings, those are the demons who defiled our women. Kill them!”
The Hunni had been indifferent to the losses suffered by the Fifth but when arrows and stones fell amongst them
they just ran from the battlefield. They couldn’t guard the Legate from arrows and stones. Gulak was the first to die struck by a stone and an arrow at the same time. Mongke stood his ground but had the presence of mind to hold his small shield above his head. He did it just in time for he felt the thud of arrows and stones. He shouted to the Legate, “If we stay here we die!”
Reluctantly the Legate had to agree and the only place left to go was either up the hill or back down the path. The decision was made for him when the Fourth suddenly fled down the hill as the boiling water was directed just at them. Aulus Salonius had no choice. “Sound the retreat!” The Fourth needed no urging and they fled to the trail, having no defence against the boiling water.
First Spear Piso brought down the First in good order, maintaining their line and discipline; the boiling water had not been directed at them and his men retreated calmly and efficiently. Centurion Ocella was as good as his word and was with the last century retreating down the hill still in good order.
There was a cheer from inside the hill fort which was echoed across the river by the King. This was the first time that the warriors of the Votadini had seen three cohorts of a legion retreat. It showed them all that they could win. The Romans did have weaknesses. They had had a victory; only a small one but it gave them heart. The Romans were not invincible. There was hope for the barbarian warriors.
Chapter 8
Aindreas watched with satisfaction as the Romans retreated. He turned to his advisers. “I think that has made the decision for us. We join the Votadini.” Let us go and join our brothers.
King Lugubelenus was watching the Romans retreat when Petroc attracted his attention. “Sire. The Selgovae and their King. They are in the forests.”
The King of the Votadini was unsure about what was happening, for the first time since he had begun his fight against the Romans. Had the Selgovae joined the Romans against him? Had he fallen into a trap rather than the Romans? The Selgovae were a dishonourable and treacherous tribe but he found it hard to countenance that they would fight for Rome. Baroc had heard the words and quickly surrounded the King with armed warriors willing to sacrifice their lives for their King.