Marius' Mules VI: Caesar's Vow by S.J.A. Turney

Author:S.J.A. Turney [Turney, S.J.A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: army, Vercingetorix, roman, caesar, Rome, Gaul, legions
Publisher: Victrix Books
Published: 2014-01-13T05:00:00+00:00

* * * * *

‘A welcoming party?’ Antonius muttered to Priscus, as the army tramped at a steady pace through the fine, soak-you-to-the-bone drizzle. The prefect widened the viewing hole in the hood of his cloak in which he had almost cocooned himself for the last day of the journey. It had been less than a week in total since their three legions had left the very gate through which their ‘welcoming party’ now emerged: the west gate of the massive camp of Samarobriva.

‘Not a good sign.’ Priscus shifted his sore rump as the bony nag beneath him bounced up and down.

Over the past three days, returning from the borders of Carnute lands, the weather had turned inclement again, this time warmer, but considerably wetter than the late winter had been. Complaints and grumbles had become the norm among the three legions - as well as their officers. All everyone wanted to do was get into that camp, drop their armour to the ground, peel off the soaked wool and bathe, change into something dry and then go to sleep, inside and warm.

The small knot of mounted officers converging on their column from the gate suggested that such a dream was a way off as yet.

‘It’s Rufio,’ Antonius frowned. ‘Him and a few lessers. What in the name of Juno’s bony arse is he doing coming out to meet us?’

‘We’ll find out soon enough,’ Priscus muttered and turned to the rider behind him, who sagged under the weight of his cornu. ‘Sound the halt.’

The man extricated himself from the enclosing circle of the horn and tipped it upside down to empty the collected rainwater before blowing a somewhat soggy call through it. The column came to a halt as the order was repeated back through the Tenth, the Ninth and the Seventh. The legates of the three legions, riding alongside to stay out of the press and the mud, kicked their horses forward to meet the commanders at the fore.

Waiting, rained-upon and tired, the returning victors - such as they were, having fought a grand total of two men - waited for the approaching riders. Rufio reined in his steed as they met on the low ground before the camp.

‘Miserable day you’ve brought back with you.’

‘Cut to the point, Rufio,’ grunted Priscus. ‘I’m cold.’

‘We’ve been waiting for your return. Caesar’s convened the assembly, but he’s also announced our next move to the staff. As soon as matters are settled with the natives, we’re moving against the Menapii in force.’

‘Surely he plans to let us settle in and get dry first?’ Priscus snapped.

Rufio chuckled. ‘Some of you. The Tenth are to return to quarters and stand down until after the assembly, but the Seventh and the Ninth have been redirected. Trebonius and Plancus are to take their men and make immediately for Labienus’ camp, along with the entire army’s baggage train. Labienus is being given overall command of three legions in order to crush the Treveri, while we squeeze the tribes from the north, starting with the Menapii.

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