Britannia- The Invasion Chronicles 1 by John Waite

Author:John Waite [Waite, John]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: John Waite
Published: 2015-06-09T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

“Plautius is clear on this point, brother. We attack as soon as the bulk of their force is located by your scouts.”

Sabinus glanced up from the maps and papers spread across the table. The insubstantial glow of the flickering lamps cast his features in light and shadow alike, making him look almost demonic. He set his brother Vespasian with a hard stare before responding to the order relayed from Aulus Plautius, supreme commander of the invasion force.

“I hear you, brother,” he answered. “And my scouts are following up on intelligence leads now, in order that we may soon know of the precise location and disposition of the main enemy force. If I am right, we will find them not far from here in the next largest settlement in the land of Cantium.”

“Durobrivae.” said Vespasian nodding; realising where it was that Sabinus was referring to.

“Just so.” confirmed Sabinus, pausing to sip on a cup of wine and to consider his next words before he spoke once more.

“The settlement sits an easy two days march west from here on the banks of a large river and I am certain that the army that awaits us there will outnumber us by at least five to one, even if we can use three Legions with full auxiliary support.”

“Which is precisely the force that we will have at our disposal,” Vespasian confirmed.

“General Plautius has already despatched Gnaeus Hosidius Geta with the IX Hispana to move across country to the north of us and to locate and track the river that you spoke of inland. Geta awaits our messengers for word of the battle plan that we are to establish before committing to any fight. In the meantime the XX Valeria will also move west but they’re to sit this one out and act as support Legion should we need them.”

“Excellent brother.” enthused Sabinus. “Then I suggest that this is how we will play our game.”

I listened intently as Sabinus outlined his plan to Vespasian who stood and absorbed the details, nodding approvingly as the strategy took shape. Vespasian was of a stouter, stronger build than his older brother. His thick neck, bald crown and strained features almost made him look like some sort of rough farm hand in a Legate’s armour. Although, anybody that knew him also knew that his looks were extremely deceptive. Far from being the cloddish country bumpkin that he appeared, Titus Flavius Vespasian was a shrewd tactician and a brilliant artillery officer who was beloved of his men.

I knew from past experience of their meetings that if he felt Sabinus’ plan was flawed, there would be no hesitation in bluntly promoting his own strategy or opinion, even if it meant conflict with his experienced and ambitious older brother. As it was, the plan tabled by Sabinus was clearly sound and Vespasian embraced it in its entirety.

The intention was simple enough. XIIII Gemina would march to the river and take up a position on the opposite bank to the settlement of

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