Soldier of Rome: The Legionary (The Artorian Chronicles) (32 page)

“Yes
, sir,” Severus agreed. “One thing they may attempt is to remain in the woods and fight us there. The trees would break up our formations and perhaps even the odds in their minds.”

“Then we smoke them out like vermin,” Germanicus countered. “Once we have all of our assaulting elements arrayed, we’ll pound the tree lines with artillery. They’ll either have to face us in the open or they can slowly burn to death as we torch their sacred groves. That should draw them out.”

Severus smiled at the thought. “Very good. And I take it you’ll want the auxiliary infantry out front to act as a screen line?”

“Yes,” Germanicus nodded. “They can act as a delaying force in case the Germans decide to advance prematurely. Plus
, we can use them to stall the enemy’s momentum long enough for the legions to engage. Just make certain they maintain visual contact this time!” He scowled at the thought of the auxiliary’s debacle the year before.

“That’s already been taken care of,” Severus said with a half smile. “Trust me
, there will be
no
mistakes this time.”

“And how are you so sure of this?” Germanicus asked, curious as to how his second was so certain.

“Simple,” Severus shrugged. “I told the auxiliary commanders that if there were any lapses in discipline this time, I would personally castrate and
crucify the lot of them.”

Germanicus nodded. That would do it, alright.

“I will take the cavalry,” Germanicus continued. “Once the battle is fully engaged, we will work to encircle the enemy, harassing the flanks and rear. We’ll also try and lure their cavalry into the center, negating their maneuverability. I’m going to leave it up to you when you want to deploy the reserve legions. Just make certain you do it before the ones up front become too beaten down. We’ll still need to use them as a reserve once the legions in the rear commit.”

Chapter XX: Idistaviso

***

A red sun dawned. Blood would be spilt that day. The sun cast it
s light over the ground as the legionaries went about readying themselves for the coming battle. For the huge number of men assembled, it was unnervingly quiet, at least to the outside observer. The rustle of armor being donned, the sound of gladii being drawn and looked over one last time before being sheathed with the occasional smothered oath from someone were the only audible sounds.
 
Every soldier was very calm and deliberate as he made his preparations. Unlike their barbarian adversaries, the Romans found it pointless and a waste of energy to dance about, making all sorts of noise before a battle. All that would do is lead to anxiety and allow for breaches of discipline. Only at the last, when they were about to directly engage the enemy, would the Romans come alive with a roar. Until then, all would be quiet, a silence that would soothe their soldiers and rattle the enemy more than any battle cry ever could.

Meticulously, Artorius inspected every piece of equipment he would be using that day. He made it a point of donning a fresh tunic. He checked the straps and soles of his footgear as he strapped them on. With an oil dampened cloth he wiped down his armor, checking every rivet, band, and strap for serviceability. He then did the same with his helmet. He donned both, tugging on straps and making certain that everything fit right. He followed this up with a quick check of the brass strips and handle on his shield. He then looked down the shaft of his javelin, ensuring that it was straight, and the point honed sharp. Lastly, he drew his gladius and gave it a quick wipe down with the cloth. Artorius smiled to himself as he examined the blade. As always, it was razor sharp. Once everything was done, he removed his helmet and stood by, leaning on his shield.  Several deep breaths helped to calm his racing pulse.  He cleared his mind in anticipation of the coming battle.  Slowly, he felt himself ready for what was to come.

Sergeant Statori
us walked over and checked his soldiers one by one. Very little was said as he checked their armor and weapons. When he came to Artorius, the decanus nodded for him to don his helmet. He did a quick visual inspection, checking all of his soldier’s equipment for serviceability and wear. He then held out his hand. Artorius drew his gladius and handed it to the decanus, who smiled as he hefted the weapon.

“You’ve taken good care of this,” he said quietly, running his fingers over the blade and pommel. “One would never guess how much action it has already seen. I daresay, one would think this weapon was brand new off the armory’s rack.”

“Thank you, sergeant,” Artorius replied.

Statorius then handed the weapon back to him handle first.
“She’ll serve you well
today, lad.”

Artorius placed the weapon back in its scabbard. Statorius then gave him a friendly smack on the shoulder and went about checking the next man.

Macro, Vitruvius, and Camillus stood off to the side, watching as the
decani finished the last minute checks of their men. Camillus wore the traditional bear skin over his helmet and shoulders. He had both hands wrapped around the century’s standard he leaned against. Macro and Vitruvius were fully armored, each carrying their helmets under their left arms. Flaccus stood over by where the inspections were being conducted, each decanus reporting to him when their section was complete.

Finally, he turned and walked over to Macro and reported.
“All sections are ready.”

The
centurion nodded his approval and the sergeants gathered around their commander.

“Get all sections on line, and then have them stand easy,” he ordered. His voice was strong but very calm and relaxed. “Once the order is sounded, we will fall in directly behind
Proculus and the First Century.” He nodded to where soldiers of the First Century stood a few meters ahead of them, going through a similar ritual with their officers. He then continued with his briefing.

“As you all know, the Twentieth Legion will be among the first to engage the enemy today. Keep an eye on your men. Make sure they keep an eye on each other. If someone goes down, whether they are on our line or the one in front of us, pull him off immediately. Our armor will protect us against most of our enemies’ blows. Don’t give them the opportunity to finish us should we fall. Only together can we hope to survive this day and achieve victory. You all kn
ow what to do. Know that every soldier in this century has my utmost faith and trust. Now, let us show the Cherusci why we are known as
The Valiant!”

Arminius rode through the glade
. It was packed with Cherusci warriors, most of whom stood shoulder to shoulder. Many cheered as their war chief rode past; warriors thrust their weapons in the air and banged them against their shields. There was an air of confidence and anticipation as they waited for the Romans to come.

Arminius reached the top of the hill
overlooking the valley below. In the distance, he could just make out the first signs of the Roman army’s approach. As the shouts and cheering died down, everyone could hear the soft cadence of men in step, marching towards them. The sound grew louder as the legions advanced. Gradually the blurry mass took on individual
shapes. The Roman auxiliaries screened their front in four ranks with the legions behind them. Arminius was just able to make out wagons to the very rear of the Roman army, wagons bearing their hated artillery. No other sound came from the Romans except for their footsteps, and the soft beat of their sword belts bouncing against their armor in cadence with their steps.

“Their footfalls come as the steps of doom,” Arminius whispered. Though he maintained a calm expression on his face, his knuckles were white as he held the
reins of his horse in a death grip. He took a deep breath and suddenly took heart. He knew that all would be settled on this day. It was up to him to drive his warriors to final victory over the hated legions. He turned and faced his men, giving as stirring of a speech as any he had given before.

“These Romans are the most cowardly fugitives out of Varus
’ army, men who rather than endure war had taken to mutiny! Half of them have their backs covered with wounds; half are once again exposing limbs battered by waves and storms to a foe full of fury and to hostile deities, with no hope of advantage. They have had recourse to a fleet and to a trackless ocean, that their coming might be unopposed, their flight un-pursued. But once they have joined conflict with us, the help of winds or oars will be unavailing to the vanquished. Remember only their greed, their cruelty, their pride. Is anything left for us but to retain our freedom or to die before we are enslaved?”
1

Ingiomerus paced back and forth amongst the warriors in the trees. He walked over to the edge, where the area opened up onto the plain below. Through the surge
of warriors surrounding and in front of him, it was difficult to make out the legions in the distance. From what he could see, they seemed small, insignificant. Though he could not see them very well, he could hear the cadence of their march growing steadily louder. He decided to drown out that despicable sound.

“Brother Cherusci!” he shouted, with his sword held aloft. “The Romans have at last come to make battle with us. And what a battle we shall give them! Their arrogance, their vanity, and their air of superiority will avail them nothing!”

Cherusci warriors started to shout in agreement.

“So let the Romans know that we are here! Let them know that it is the Cherusci who will send them to hell’s door!”

With that the warriors went into frenzy. The forest seemed to come alive. Ingiomerus was certain their battle cries could be heard all the way to Rome.

The army was arrayed in battle formation. Everything was set. Germanicus looked proudly towards his army. He thought briefly back to the speech he had given to his men before the order to advance was given.

“It is not,” he had said, “plains only which are good for the fighting of Roman soldiers, but woods and forest passes, if science be used. For the huge shields and unwieldy lances of the barbarians cannot, amid trunks of trees and brushwood that springs from the ground, be so well managed as our javelins and swords and closefitting armor. Shoulder your blows thickly; strike at the face
with your sword points. The German has neither cuirass nor helmet; even his shield is not strengthened with leather or steel, but is of osiers woven together or of thin and painted board. If their first line is armed with
spears, the rest have only weapons hardened by fire or
very short.

“Again, though their frames are terrible to the eye and formidable in a brief onset, they have no capacity of enduring wounds; without any shame at the disgrace, without any regard to their leaders, they quit the field and flee; they quail under disaster, just as in success they forget alike divine and human laws. If
, in your weariness of land and sea you desire an end of service, this battle prepares the way to it. The Elbe is now nearer than the Rhine, and there is no war beyond, provided only you enable me, keeping close as I do to my father’s and my uncle’s footsteps, to stand and conquer on the same spot.”
2

Preparations had been meticulous. The auxiliary infantry were out front, supported by archers. They would bloody the Germans and fix them in place. Four
legions were behind them, along with two cohorts of the Praetorian Guard that Germanicus had hand-picked to take part in the attack. Germanicus himself rode in the center of this formation, along with selected members of the cavalry. Behind them were the four legions in reserve; behind these were mounted archers who acted as a rear guard. At the very back was a line of onagers. Pilate had ordered his crews to overshoot rather than under. Germanicus wanted to use the artillery to hammer the enemy rear, thereby driving them into their waiting swords. As the army slowly advanced, Germanicus looked up with amazement to see eight eagles flying in the direction they were traveling. They were arrayed in exactly the same type of formation that his legions were, four in front, four behind. Surely it was another omen, eight eagles, one for each legion! Any doubts he may have had about the pending battle evaporated in an instant.

“My
brothers, look!” he shouted, pointing to the heavens. “The gods favor us this day! The Eagles of our Legions fly towards destiny and victory!”

A shout sounded from those who looked up and saw the eagles. Germanicus’ heart soared.

The Twentieth Legion
, Valeria, advanced on the right-hand side of the formation. The Second Century occupied the second rank in the Third Cohort. Artorius could see the auxiliary infantry and archers to his front. They were maintaining discipline and visual contact. There would be no mistakes this time.

The barbarian hordes were
gathered
on the high ground to their front. The hills sloped downward, converging on the plain where the legions now advanced. By Hades, there were a lot of them! The entire horizon was literally covered with barbarian warriors. How many were there? Tens-of-thousands? Hundreds-of-thousands? There was no way of knowing for sure. The ridge was covered in woods, the sacred groves of their foul god whom they had the audacity of comparing to Hercules. Thousands more stood hidden in these groves that they thought would give them divine protection. Ha! Their incredible
numbers and even their gods would be no match for the might of the Roman war machine!