Hosker, G [Sword of Cartimandua 03] Invasion- Caledonia Read Online Free Page A

Sura dropped his arm and a hail of arrows stopped the attack in its tracks. The tribesmen were spread out and the arrows did not kill as many men as the Batavian would have liked but it was enough for Inir who signalled a retreat and his men disappeared into the murk.  He had done what he had intended.  He had defeated the vaunted Romans and killed many of their men. As his warriors climbed back up the hill Inir could see over seventy slain Romans. Tomorrow they would attack again and this time they would slaughter the rest.
    “Thank you sir.”
    “Don’t talk Quintus.  The surgeon is on his way.”
    “They surprised us sir.  How many ….?”
    “How many survived?”  Quintus nodded. “There are seven of you.”
    “I am sorry sir.”
    “Don’t be a fool.  There were thousands of them. Even the general knows our horses are useless in this country. Rest now and we’ll talk in the morning.”
    As Quintus was led away the general arrived. “So Decurion Princeps we have our war eh?”
    “Bit of a disaster sir.”
    “How many men did you lose?”
    “Seventy one so far and a couple of the survivors don’t look as though they will last the night.”
    “I don’t think they will attack again tonight but I will keep the Batavians out there until the camps are built.”
    Marcus watched as the general rode off. He was amazed by how calm he was. Perhaps the high casualties were acceptable but this was the biggest single loss that Marcus had experienced and he was angry. Decius came up along with Gaius. “A whole turma gone eh? That hasn’t happened, well not since Drusus.”
    “It is my fault Decius.  I should have trained the decurions better. Levius was too inexperienced and his turma was not the best one we had, Modius saw to that.”
    “We haven’t had enough time to train them sir. We didn’t have the time.”
    “We will have to train on the job; Gaius get Macro will you? And Agrippa.”
    Gaius trotted off and Decius looked curiously at Marcus. “What is going on in that head of yours?”
    “Something that the general said to me.  About adapting to our enemies and our terrain and I think these two might be able to help.” Agrippa and Macro arrived together both wondering why and macro wondering what he had done wrong. “You have heard about the loss of our men?” They both nodded. The general almost anticipated this. It looks like we will have to change our style of fighting.  We need to fight on foot.” The look of shock on Decius’ face could have been comical were the situation not so serious. “As Quintus and Levius discovered the horses get in the way. Cavalry work best in open country; the prefect, for all his faults, knew that. This is not open country. When we go into battle tomorrow we will fight on foot. I want the two of you to get around the men tonight and show them how to do it.” He held up his hand to silence the protests forming. “When we had the tournament I saw that they could fight with a sword. You two are the best weapon trainers I have ever seen.  You can do it. We will fight in the same formation as on horse, javelins at the front with a row of the best archers behind. Oh and tell the decurions, they fight on foot as well.”
    The two men walked away bemused and a little apprehensive. Decius was almost boiling over. “Us fight on foot? But it’s never been done!”
    Just then Cominius, who had been nearby walked over. “Actually Decius it has.  We have some units which are mixed cavalry and infantry.  It works quite well although they are trained specifically for that task. I have seen your men fight. They have the skills in arms. In fact it might be easier. They won’t have to control a horse.”
    “Yes sir but some of them will struggle to walk and wield a sword!” He walked off shaking his head as Marcus and the prefect laughed.
    “He will do it. He might complain but he wants this ala to be the best one ever. My only worry is that we fight tomorrow and