Marcus patted his hand on Tiberius’s shoulder before walking up the tower finding a stash of armour and weapons that had been gathered from the barracks. It did not take Marcus or his men long to equip themselves and emerge from the tower in their normal equipment.
Marcus lined up his men behind the barricade with Sextus and his century prepared behind them as well as the archers up on the wall.
“Your archers will have to leave the wall after the next tower, the ramparts between the second tower and the gate house are still under construction.” Sextus shouted up to Marcus.
“Very well, at the next tower the archers will split off into two groups, one staying at the tower and the other coming down to provide what support they can at street level.”
The archer commander shouted his agreement back down.
Confident in his men Marcus signalled the advance through the barricade towards the south east gate.
As they neared the tower it was clear that reports were correct that this had been the breach point. The nearest barracks were ablaze and the tower smoking. No man was alive who had been on duty or unfortunate enough to be nearby as both the street and the approaching wall were littered with Roman dead. Marcus took heart in the number of Satyrs that lay among them, a truly valiant defence had been mustered but the sheer number of enemy and their strength had overwhelmed them. Marcus signalled for the archers to go back along the wall and find another way down while he and Sextus pressed on.
The further along the wall they pushed he heavier the air became with the smell of death and blood.
“Praefectus!”
Marcus felt the force of clawed feet pound against him, knocking down to the ground with a heavy thud. A familiar screeching began to echo around him as Harpies descended on him and his men, emerging from the smoke and rubble. Marcus staggered to his feet, slashing at the monster that had knocked him down.
‘Damn the loss of the archers’ Marcus cursed in his mind, aware that they were outmatched without them.
Marcus turned to Sextus who had ordered his men into four tight testudo formations, with gladius fruitlessly stabbing out.
Marcus and men followed suit, forming a tight square and raising their shields in all directions.
“Hold out for the archers return!” Marcus shouted towards the other formations. “Move back!”
In a steady and strict manner the testudos creeped back towards the smoking tower. The sound of clawed feet hammering on the shields tormenting them as they moved. The sharp sound of men shouting their battle cries made Marcus to halt the movement in this formation as the Harpies took off into the sky.
“Pick your target and shoot level, watch for our men!” the archer commander bellowed to his men as they launched arrows at the Harpies who began to flee. As the sound of arrows whistling became the only sound they could here Marcus disbanded his formation.
“Ceasefire!” the archer commander shouted.
“Excellent timing.” Marcus shouted to him.
Sextus disbanded his formations before approaching Marcus.
“If that is the only defence the enemy has prepared for us then we can advance with ease now.” He said confidently.
“I wouldn’t be so sure Sextus, they were more than likely their first line of defence.”
The slight smile faded from Sextus’s face.
“Then we shall keep pushing whatever the odds.” Sextus tried to cheer, Marcus sighing as he did.
However, much to Marcus’s dislike, Sextus was right and pushing forward was the only option.
At a glance the casualties from the Harpies was light, the rapid movement into testudo had saved them from most harm. Never the less Marcus was now more careful in his advance, restructuring their column to incorporate the archers among them. Shields and swords were now more readily prepared with the tight formation advancing shoulder to shoulder. Once more they advanced from the smoking tower towards the gate.
The appearance of black figures by the gate halted their advance as they neared it. Crouched to the floor a Harpy stood before a group of Minotaurs, pointing and directing them towards Marcus and Sextus’s advance. The Minotaurs looked at Marcus’s shield wall and let out their grunting cries before lifting their heavy weapons up and beginning to scrape their hooves on the ground.
“Archers front formation!”
As the Minotaurs began to move forwards the shield wall opened letting archers move amongst them.
“Fire at will!”
Arrows pelted against the Minotaurs bring some down after successive hits to the chest and legs while others seemed ignorant to them and charged head first into them. “Shields up!” Marcus cried bringing the shields back to the front just in time to try and hold the Minotaur charge.
The front line of shields buckled against the force of the Minotaurs smashing into them with many of the men being trampled under hoof, nowhere to fall back as a second line of shields pressed forward. Marcus pushed up the ranks, seeking out the Minotaurs who had pushed deepest into the formation. He quickly ducked below one as it lifted its great axe above its head, preparing to crush the man before it, and thrust his gladius into the creature’s chest, ending it instantly before pushing it backwards.
“Quick stab!” Became the battle cry of the Romans as they quickly learned from their commander.
While the Minotaurs charge was effective they were now deprived of the space to wield their large weapons that made them easier to defeat as the Romans pushed up to them with shields and made their sharp quick thrusts into any part of the creatures they could. Frustrated by their rapid losses several Minotaurs tossed their weapons into the Romans, killing a few from the sheer weight of them and resorted to their brute strength, punching and kicking the Romans. One Minotaur lifted one of the soldiers above its head before tossing them into the collapsed building nearby, only to be cut down in swift revenge.
Steady and secure the formation advanced, pushing closer and closer to the gate and cutting down any Minotaur who tried to charge them. Despite their low intelligence the Minotaurs were learning as they slowly backed off from the Roman advance, swinging their weapons from their intended range. Marcus held the formation together, advancing one step at the time adding small spacing between each line to allow for the front to step back from the heavy swings of the Minotaurs. The beast’s frustration was becoming more apparent as they began to hurl anything they could at the Romans or simply charged in a frenzy, only to be cut down.
It was now that the ground began to feel hot and ash seemed to drift up from it. Cracks began to break through the cobbled road and steam rose up from them. The Minotaurs stepped away, their frenzy faded. Marcus quickly spaced the men to avoid the glowing red liquid now flowing through the narrow cracks, blackening the ground around them. In that moment it felt as though the black night sky had fallen to the ground as the air felt heavy and only the light from the glowing red liquid could break through it. Through the darkness the shadowy shapes of the Minotaurs stood waiting, perfectly still as if frozen. Marcus hushed his men who began to panic in fear as their vision was reduced to nothing but for the shadowy shapes stood before them.
Marcus peered forward, gently turning his head left and right, manipulating the outlines of the shadows to give him clearer vision of them. He stopped. A single shadowy figure moved through Minotaurs. Although smaller than the Minotaurs it was still taller than the average man but in all other ways it was undoubtedly the figure of a man. Despite this the Minotaurs did not react allowing the figure to walk among them, untouched and unhindered moving only when they were in the shadowy figure’s way.
‘Who is he? Is this their leader?’ Marcus’s mind ran away with questions, each creating more questions for him. He needed to know.
Without real thought he ran forward until he was almost among the black figures of the Minotaurs, who seemed alert to him but made no move at blocking him. There was little point going any closer as the figures, now barely a few arms lengths
away were no clearer to him, while the air seemed even heavier to breathe. Still the only light was that emanating from the red liquid, a dim warm glow at that. As the figure continued to pass him Marcus knelt to the floor before thrusting his gladius into the crack where the liquid flowed. If the light would not reach the figures face, then he would move the light closer.
In a second his gladius was warm, and Marcus felt it grow hotter and hotter. In a swift movement he scraped his gladius through the liquid gathering some on the blade. The liquid, although flowing was thick and held a slightly solid form on the blade. In a single swift swing he launched the liquid into the air, hurling it at the figure. The blob of liquid flew as true as Marcus could have hoped only narrowly missing the figures head and revealing, in its dim glow, two human eyes. The figure stopped violently, jolting backwards from the liquid as it passed them.
Through the darkness the figure seemed to look at Marcus before running for the gate, the Minotaurs flanking them like a bodyguard. Marcus rushed the final few steps to the road and looked as the figure and the Minotaurs vanished through the gate. In a flash the gateway erupted with flames as the figure stood centre of them, shrouded in darkness. Marcus bathed in the light of the flames stood paralyzed by the gaze of the figure which gently raised its arms out to the sides. Behind the figure the huge shape of a Hydra moved, its heads each pointing to Marcus, jaws opening.
“Praefectus!” Sextus cried as the figure clapped its hands together and the Hydra blew forth the flames in a swirling tornado of fire, engulfing Marcus.
The flames stopped and began to die away as the Hydra roared, collapsing the gateway. As the flames died the smoke from the ground faded revealing the crouched figure of Marcus. Crouching tight to his shield wedged on the ground before him he tremored slightly. The men stood in amazement as Marcus slowly rose from behind the charred and blackened shield. “Praise the Gods Marcus.” Sextus said offering his hand to Marcus as he edged slowly forward, scraping his feet through the ash laden floor.
“Water” he gasped peeling the leather vambrace from his left arm revealing severe burns.
“Send a party back for the medic and tell him to bring the bandages!” Sextus ordered as water was gently applied to Marcus’s arm. “And establish a perimeter.” Sextus signalled for Marcus to be given what help he could.
Marcus was guided to the wall by two soldiers who sat him down and began to remove parts of his armour in an effort to cool him down. Sextus marched over to him and looked to him in amazement.
“You look a little warm Praefectus.” He said, trying to make light of it all.
“Practically melting, Centurion.” Marcus replied.
Chapter 5
Men hurried about the south east gate, moving water and supplies along the wall. With the recapturing of the gate Marcus and Aulus’s plan had moved quickly. Sextus had continued Marcus’s advance along the south east wall and meet up with Aulus somewhere along it. Marcus himself had remained at the south east gate, his strength sapped from him, he had stayed behind and begun to coordinate the forces that they had gathered. His left arm was heavily bandaged, and he had been ordered by the medic to avoid using a shield or applying too much pressure to it. Despite Marcus’s determination to get back into the fight the pain from moving was a convincing reason for him to rest at the gate. He had instead sat himself atop the largest of the dead Minotaurs, finding it more comfortable to sit on than the floor and no other chair being available.
Marcus had managed to successfully plan the next step from his position at the gate and was merely waiting for the final messengers to return along the wall to tell him of the troops readiness. Once he had received that then he would sound the trumpet, its sound being passed along the wall by strategically place trumpeters so that the entire wall would receive the order to attack as close to each other as possible. It had taken an hour to finish setting up this stage of the plan but Marcus was still sure of a strong enemy presence inside the fort as the sounds a fighting and the injured from them had reached Marcus’s position regularly.
Gaius was believed to still be alive somewhere inside the fort as reports had reached Marcus of a band of Equites riding through the fort, striking at any of the beast horde they came upon before vanishing back into the smoke. Regardless Marcus remained concerned for him and the Legate, who was said to be commanding the troops in the centre of the fort from the headquarters. With much of the outer areas of the fort secured the beast horde would surely focus inwards to regroup and make for a breakout.
Marcus’s wondering stopped abruptly as the sound of thundering hooves could be heard, getting louder and louder. He looked down at the Minotaur he was sat on.
“Sounds like I might get another chair.” He said as he stood up and signalled for the men to move to the half-built barricade that was assembled in the centre of the main road leading into the fort. With gladius in hand he climbed to the top of the barricade, standing behind a shield that had been mounted to it for his personal use.
“Steady men” He shouted to the men that formed a shield wall either side of the barricade.
Archers readied their bows behind the barricade, waiting for Marcus to give the signal to fire up and over the barricade.
“Steady” the smoke began to swirl in front of them as the hooved figures emerged.
“Stand down! Stand down!” Marcus shouted turning to the archers who lowered their bows.
Beyond the barricade Equites circled each other looking to Marcus.
“I do hope you weren’t planning on shooting me then Praefectus?” Gaius shouted to Marcus.
“Only if your feet were hooves. Let them through.” Marcus replied before climbing back down the barricade.
The shield walls disbanded, and the Equites rode passed the barricade over to the wall before dismounting, save for Gaius who remained mounted a while longer, waiting for two other Equites to come and help him. Pulling his walking stick from his horse he hobbled over to Marcus who signalled for Gaius to join him sitting on the Minotaur opposite his own. Gaius shook his head in amazement before sitting.
“What’s happening in the centre then Gaius? We have managed to secure almost all the wall now and are making our preparation to advance into the fort.” Marcus asked.
“It’s difficult to say really. The Legate has a small force hold up around the headquarters and there are pockets of troops defending their barracks throughout all the fort. I’m surprised you didn’t go straight to the Legate yourself. It appears most of the enemy’s strength was directed into the town across the river, while only a portion of their forces remained in the fort to sow chaos and disruption.”
Marcus shook his head. “I would have undoubtedly been tasked with a defensive role if had. I much preferred to be on the walls leading the men in retaking them.”
Gaius rolled his eyes. “You can’t keep a good soldier down eh?”
Both men shared a brief chuckle.
“Do I even want to ask what happened to your arm Marcus?”
Marcus looked down at his bandaged arm, “the enemy possess far more creatures than we already knew of.”
Gaius furrowed his brow. “what kind of wound is it?”
“A burn.” Gaius leaned back. “What creature is capable of burning you to such an extent though?”
Marcus sighed. “A fire breathing Hydra.”
Gaius looked in fear. “Gods help us then.”
Marcus nodded softly before turning his attention to the approaching men.
“Praefectus, I report that all the troops around the wall are in position and the trumpeters await our first call.” One of the soldiers reported.
“Very well, we can continue our discussion later with the Legate Gaius. I want you to lead your cavalry down the main road and get word to the Legate that we are closing the net around the enemy.”
Gaius nodded and signalled for his men to help him up and onto his horse. Marcus put his helmet on and moved forward to the barricade where the
men were lining up in front. The trumpeter stood atop the barricade ready to sound the attack on Marcus’s order.
Marcus drew his gladius signalling the advance which the trumpeter echoed with three sharp blasts of his trumpet. The sound of trumpets could be heard across the fort as they echoed the message to attack as Gaius rode his Equites into the smoke ahead of Marcus and the Legionaries. Gaius soon vanished into the smoke and Marcus had his troops fan out into smaller groups, clearing every alley and building of any beasts that they came across.
It was organised slaughter and the further they advanced into the fort the tighter the circle of men became around the beasts that now found themselves surrounded on all sides. Marcus could see the frenzy starting as Minotaurs ran wild in alley ways and Harpies vanished into the early dawning sky. It was becoming clear the strength of the beast horde was in surprise and sheer physical strength, something the Romans knew how to counter well.
“Take no prisoners!” Marcus cried as he advanced towards the headquarters in the centre.
As the light of dawn began to rise and the smoke cleared as fires were put out across the fort Marcus could see what lay before him. Along the south east side of the headquarters Romans lay on the floor while their remaining comrades desperately tried to fend off a group of Minotaurs and Satyrs who seemed unfrenzied. Instead they seemed to be fighting with a cool efficiency, attacking in unison with one another. Marcus rushed forward with any man he could get as he watched the beasts pour into the headquarters.
As he reached the door he quickly dodged a flurry of attacks before launching attacks of his own, cutting down both a Satyr and Minotaur with quick succession. His men crashed into the beasts with their shields, staggering the enemy against the wall of the headquarters before thrusting their blades into them. Reinforced by his men Marcus burst through the door to the headquarters meeting similar opposition as they had outside. Never the less they made quick work of those on the ground floor, the Minotaurs resorting to their hands to attack, unable to swing the large weapons they carried inside the comparatively small rooms.
Remus Rising Page 5