Hosker, G [Sword of Cartimandua 00.5] Ulpius Felix- Warrior of Rome Read Online Free Page A

had wanted Roman officers rather than using the native leaders.
    “So Decurion, go through the six men with your assessment of each one to give the Prefect an idea of what he can expect.”
    Decurion Spurius Ocella thought about what he was about to say.  He had taken a long time to reach the elevated rank of Decurion and he wondered how many times he had been discussed by others.  He determined to give an honest opinion of each man, regardless of how he felt about them as comrades. Sextus Vatia was an old friend and he felt safe talking about him first.  “Sextus Vatia joined about ten years ago.  He is reliable and follows orders.  Perhaps not able to come up with a plan himself he can follow any plan you give him sir. Then there is Quintus Atinus, he is the oldest one of these and he did have a family but the fever took them.  The lads confide in him. I know it isn’t important but your Pannonians, when they learn to talk a decent language, will tell him things.  He has that ability.” He looked at the Tribune. “He is the one we will miss the most sir; he is the one they whinge to and he normally puts them straight.  Now Flavius Bellatoris, he is the youngest of the ones you have and he is the one with ideas.  He is quick, both with his hands and his mind.  He is the best with a sword in the whole Turma. He can think his way out of problems.  Seems a pleasant lad too. One final thing, he can speak the local language.  Don’t ask me how but he can translate for you.” Marcus smiled to himself.  He suspected that to Spurius they were all young lads. “Now the other three.” The Tribune and Prefect exchanged a glance; the Decurion had given them the good news about the better three and now he was going to give them the bad news about the other three. “Publius Tullus. What can I say about him?  he is the dullest most boring man in the whole turma but, he is organised. The lads tease him because everything is laid out neatly on his cot and his armour is always polished, even when there is no inspection.” The Tribune smiled, his surprise inspections were notorious for keeping the men on their toes, and obviously Publius was not worried by such inspections. “Numerius Buteo, “The Decurion gave a knowing look at his commander, “Well you know what he is like. Fucking mental!”
    Marcus looked at Gnaeus, “Mental?”
    “Yes, Decurion Spurius is right and we considered long and hard about this one.  He seemed the best of the rest.  He is brave to the point of insanity. The number of an enemy does not worry him and I have seen him charge fifty men on his own. Luckily we have taught him to listen to the cornu and obey, albeit reluctantly.”
    “Thank you, that is handy to know.”
    “Finally we have your bastard, Aulus Murgus.  He is a bully. You will have to watch him he uses his fists more than he should but he is probably the best cavalryman you have.  Tough, a good fighter, he can think and doesn’t panic.  Me? I hate him and others like him.  there is no way I would recommend him for promotion in the regular army but,” he waved a had in the general direction of the barbarians who were following, “with a bunch of mad barbarians you might just need some steel and Aulus is just that, hard as nails.”
    “Thank you for your honesty Decurion and I am just sorry that you didn’t volunteer.  I could have used you.”
    The Tribune smiled, “And I couldn’t do without him Marcus so there is no way you would have got him.”
    The Decurion muttered under his breath, “No fucking way I would sleep with a bunch of hairy arsed barbarians within slicing distance of my dick!”
    The two senior officers heard and smiled.  The habit of slicing off Roman soldier’s manhoods by barbarians was well known and accounted for the harsh treatment of any barbarian unlucky enough not to die on the battlefield.
    “Well that is useful, thank you both. With your permission I will build a camp close to the