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

gyrus and begin training straight away.  You are going for more taxes and recruits?”
    “Yes we will have a quick turnaround and we should be back within three weeks.”
    “My orders are clear.  I leave in three weeks no matter how many men I have.  There are other officers charged with raising bands just such as this.”
    “I am tempted to come with you.  It might be interesting to see barbarians led by Romans.”
    Spurius sniffed, “Could be a disaster too sir.  Imagine having a thousand barbarians on your flank.  I know most of the Ninth would be a bit twitchy about that.”
    “I think Decurion, that this is the future. The Emperor seems intent upon conquering the known world and we have a limited number of citizens we can use.  I suppose we will have to use the conquered people at some time.”
    “That’s as may be sir but the prefect here had best sleep with a pugeo under his bed if he wants to live beyond this campaign.”
    The Pannonians lounged lazily near their horses watching the seven Romans who were holding some kind of meeting. They had all joined for different individual reasons but the one reason which unified them all was a desire to fight.  Some of them were even casting hateful glances at others whose clans they had fought in inter clan disputes. When they were established there would be some old scores to settle. Wolf and his small group kept to themselves.  Wolf was not worried about the other warriors but Darvas and some of the others were. Wolf had decided that he would not back down it trouble broke out.  He was not called the Wolf for nothing.
    “We do not have the time I would like to get to know you.  You have all volunteered.” There were a couple of looks askance at the fortress.  “If anyone feels they were coerced then now is the time to go back to the legion.  There will be no recriminations but if you stay then you are mine for a year and you obey my orders.” He was pleased that they all stood a little straighter. Which of you is Flavius?” A diffident looking trooper held up his hand.  “You speak their language?”
    “Some.”
    “Don’t be coy trooper, can you or can’t you speak with these,” he waved a hand behind him, “Pannonians?”
    “Yes sir.”
    “Good. Then until they learn our language, you are designated interpreter. Stay close by me. You are all being paid at optio rate, as you know.  That, of course, is less than a decurion would receive.  I will try to get you Decurion pay but in the meantime I will address you as Decurion.  It will make it simpler for all of us.” They nodded their agreement. “We have three weeks to organise this horde into a functioning cavalry until which will obey orders.  Regard them as new recruits with the advantage that we don’t need to teach them how to ride and, apparently, how to fight. We need to do three things first.  Get them to build a camp here. Secondly, sort them into six turmae, each one under your command and thirdly make sure they understand the orders to move, halt charge and retreat. We have no cornicen so we will use the standard.”
    A trooper held up his hand, “Yes er…”
    “Sextus Vatia sir.  Do we have a standard?”
    ”No yet so give it some thought and then try to find one of these warriors who might be able to carry it and use it. Now when we get to the Rhenus there will be armour and weapons for them but, until then they use their own.  Just make sure that all have a sword of some type.  Let me know of any deficiencies and I will see what the quartermaster here will do.” The looks them men exchanged told Marius that the quartermaster was like most of that office, tight regarding every item as their own personal property. Well he would cross that bridge when he came to it. “Now Flavius we will organise them into six equal groups.”
    “How sir?”
    “I will choose six men and then you will tell them to choose a line.  Then the rest of you will count them and make sure