by James Mace
With the possibility of battle being joined as soon as they crossed, all Centurions and Options had been ordered to leave their horses with the baggage trains. The Frisians had to know the legions would pursue them after breaking the siege around Flevum, and what better place to set up an ambush!
“I don’t like this,” he said as he was joined by Centurion Vitruvius. His superior made an assessment of the situation and shook his head.
“Neither do I,” he replied. “These people aren’t stupid. They knew better than to engage us in force when we liberated Flevum. No matter where we cross it’s going to be a nightmare if they are waiting for us on the other side.”
“My thoughts exactly,” Artorius added. “And with this damn fog we can’t hardly see each other, let alone what may be on the far side.”
“I suspect they’ll hit us with everything they’ve got as soon as we’re across,” Vitruvius continued. “It’s like we are at the River Styx assaulting Hell itself.” The air was damp and Artorius felt his skin crawl as a feeling of dread came over him. He then took a deep breath.
“Well if we’re going to die storming the pits of Hell, we might as well get it over with,” he said with a grin. Vitruvius returned the grin and winked in acknowledgment.
“Vitruvius!” shouted Master Centurion Calvinus, who was still on his horse coordinating final movement orders. “The Third will cross here and anchor the right. Make sure you leave enough room for everyone else to fall in on your left. And be sure you get across as quickly as you can; this place gives me the fucking creeps!”
“Yes Sir,” Vitruvius nodded before turning back to Artorius, his grin returning. “Well old friend, since I’ve already got you here, why don’t you do the honor of leading us to the other side.”
“It would be a privilege,” Artorius replied as he clasped his Cohort Commander’s hand. Vitruvius became somber once more.
“Get over that damn bridge as fast as possible and start pushing out to the right,” he ordered as he clutched Artorius’ hand harder. “Dominus will follow you with the Fourth; I will take the center, all other centuries on my left.” He then released his junior Centurion’s hand and rendered a salute, which Artorius returned. Vitruvius then nodded to his Signifier, who waved the Signum to let the rest of the legion know they were set. In the distance, the Legion’s Aquila was tilted forward; the signal to advance.
Artorius stepped onto the bridge, drew his gladius and pointed it in a high arc towards the far side. He turned back to see Rufio directly behind him with the Century’s Signum, the rest of his men but a few paces behind, anxiously eyeing their Centurion. He cocked a half smile to reassure them before sounding the order in his loudest command voice.
“Second Century follow me!”
Bibliography
1 – Speech of Marcus Lepidus, as written in the Annals of Tacitus, Book Three
2 – Speech of Emperor Tiberius Caesar addressing the Senate, as written in the Annals of Tacitus, Book Four
The adventures of Artorius and his legionaries continues in Part Four of The Artorian Chronicles,
Soldier of Rome: The Centurion
A new trilogy of Ancient Rome by James Mace
Available now through Amazon and Amazon U.K.