The Metaurus Campaign (Soldier of the Republic Book 10) by Kelso William

Author:Kelso, William [Kelso, William]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: KelsoBooks Ltd
Published: 2022-06-10T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen - Command

March 207 BCE - Apulia, in the far south east of Italy

The headquarters of the praetor Caius Hostilius Tubulus was sparsely furnished - the three men inside the army tent - silent. The dim, confined space occupied by a camp bed, a small wooden table, a cold brazier and a clothes rack from which hung the general’s civilian attire, weapons and equipment. While a large infantry shield emblazoned with the image of a boar leaned against the side of the bed. Standing in the middle of the tent, his arms raised in the air as a slave undid his coat of body armour Tubulus looked stern, his nose hooked like that of an eagle. His white hair contrasting with his deeply tanned face. It was just after dawn and drifting in from outside Julian could hear the army encampment starting to come alive. The guard being changed. The soldiers preparing their breakfast. The stamp and whinny of horses. Standing beside the table, clad in his military uniform, his plumed tribune’s helmet neatly tucked under his arm, he respectfully waited for his commanding officer to speak.

“I have got to go to Rome,” Tubulus announced at last without looking at Julian as the slave removed the coat of body armour and hung it on the rack. “The consular elections are imminent and my presence in the city is required. I don’t know who the consuls are going to be for this year but its imperative that we select the right men. Now more than ever we need competent men to be in charge. With Hasdrubal threatening to invade from the north and Hannibal here in the south we are effectively fighting two wars. Against two sons of the Thunderbolt no less. As usual there will be a vote in the Senate,” Tubulus continued gazing into space with a resigned look. “These matters can drag on especially with regards to the religious rituals and procedures that must first be conducted. The priests and the augurs like their moment of fame too. I should be gone for about fourteen days. So while I am away I am placing you in command,” he added abruptly turning to Julian. “Scipio speaks highly of you. Says you are a very capable and promising officer and men like that are in short supply. So you think you can handle taking command of a whole legion?”

“Yes Sir. I do,” Julian replied, his heart racing. Command of a whole legion. Five thousand men. He had not been expecting this when he had received the dawn summons to the praetor’s tent.

For a moment Tubulus scrutinised him warily. Then with a grunt the old general turned away. “You need to be aware of the strategic situation. It is this,” he exclaimed as the slave bent down and began to remove his leg greaves. “The Senate has authorised twenty-three legions for this year’s campaign. Four as you know are in Spain with Scipio. I have one here. Both consuls will be assigned two each.

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