On The Rocks (Arturo Sandus Book 1) by Peter Rhodan

Author:Peter Rhodan [Rhodan, Peter]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-02-04T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

The Scotti

Con Lewellius heard the beat of some sort of drum long before those making the sound appeared over the rise. He watched the men of this Arturo fellow come marching up over crest with some trepidation given the things he had heard. The lead group swung right, probably about ten men. The second group turned left, also of ten men. These two groups marched five paces each, right or left then halted. On command the first group turned to face the men of Wern as one, although they kept marching on the spot. The second group did the same moments later. The third group of ten spread out in the centre. Behind them came four young looking men with drums seemingly strapped to their legs and two men who carried huge flags. One was red with a blue diagonal cross. The other was white with a red cross and in the centre of which was a symbol Con couldn’t quite make out at this range. When all thirty, two rows deep, were lined up there was a shouted command upon which they all stopped marching at once. There immediately came a second command and they rested the bottom their large shields on the ground next to them on the left and allowed their spears to drop their butt end down on to the ground to their right.

Each man was wearing a greenish blue uniform and besides the large shield and long spear they looked to have some weapon strapped to their backs and a leather container rather like a short quiver on their right hips. On their heads they wore a simple helmet that looked like it was iron and most sported some sort of metal scale armour although a couple had ring mail vests instead.

“Damn that’s impressive.” He found himself saying to Dileen.

“If anything Bryn understated how scary they are.” Dileen answered quietly. ”I am awfully afraid he was right about their effectiveness.” As they watched there was another command and the soldiers drove their spears into the ground. He couldn't see but he presumed that each had a butt spike as they spears stayed upright. The men the moved their shields over so they leaned against the spears and smoothly pulled the other weapon around from behind them. Bryn had told them of the new manuballistas they were supposed to be armed with, but this was the first time Con had seen one. He decided almost immediately that being in front of them was not a good place to be!

Con nodded to his partner. “I thought he was exaggerating I must admit. Seeing them lined up opposite us is much more intimidating than I anticipated.” A quick glance at townsmen lined up behind him showed they were impressed as well. The casual attitude was gone and they all looked very serious now.

Dileen nodded. “Aye, that's the truth.” He noticed a group of mounted men had moved up to the right of the infantry. One of them now rode forward.

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