Hosker, G [Sword of Cartimandua 04] Roman Retreat Read Online Free

another wounded Centurion reported to him. “The third century is down to forty who can still fight.”
    Marius looked at the Centurion, one of his older friends.  He could see in his eyes that the forty who remained included many wounded soldiers. In the dying embers of the day fighting still raged sporadically around the ramparts. They had repulsed so many attacks that Marius had lost count.  All of the officers had suffered wounds. He had had his leg slashed open by an axe. Gnaeus Rullus had lost three fingers of his left hand as he had fended off three warriors trying to gain the honour of killing Marius.
    “Thank you Centurion. You have done well.  All your men have done well.  I believe the fighting will die down.  Feed half of your men and repair what you can.  In the morrow they will attack again.” The unspoken words were that it would be the last attack and they would all die.
    “Well First Spear.  Will our friends arrive?”
    Marius shook his head.  “I fear not.  Even if the riders reached the fort Prefect Strabo could not be here before the day after tomorrow.  If he forced a march he might arrive by nightfall tomorrow but you know, old friend, that we will not survive past noon.“
    The aquifer nodded. “We will make these barbarians pay for these old bones.” He looked around as the fighting died down and nightfall fell like smoky blanket about the wrecked and burning fort. “What a place to leave our bodies eh Marius. This place forsaken by the gods filled with blue painted monsters who do not know when they are beaten.”
    Marius laughed. “Had General Agricola still been with us I know that they would have known defeat but this boil will fester and grow until the whole of Britannia feels its poison.”
    “Aye but take comfort for we shall not be here to see it.”
    “No we will be supping at the Allfather’s table.”
    “I wonder what good food and fine wine taste like?”
    Laughing First Spear said, “Well by tomorrow eve we shall know.”
    Marius was awake long before his slave came with the jug of water and hard bread. Nodding to him he said, “Today, if you get the chance save yourself.  They may not notice an old man dressed in rags slipping away.”
    The old slave nodded.  “Thank you First Spear.  It does you great honour that you think of an old man on this day of days but I shall remain here and die with the rest of you for I would perish alone in the woods and I would prefer to end my days here with comrades.”
    Marius nodded for the slave was a Batavian and understood the concept of honour and comradeship.  “Then arm yourself and sell your life dearly.”
    The fort looked far worse in the cold early morning light. The repairs had been done hastily completed before the soldiers fell asleep through exhaustion and Marius could clearly see that they could be brushed aside if the Caledonii made a strong attack. He nodded and the buccina sounded. The red eyed and weary warriors dragged their reluctant bodies to the ramparts and the Centurion did a quick head count.  There were barely two hundred men left standing. Their wounded companions numbered less than a hundred and many of those would not see noon. Marius smiled wryly to himself; none of them would see noon.”Stand to.”Silence echoed like a bell and every eye was drawn to the bloodied figure. “Today we make our last stand against the barbarians.  Today will see the end of this cohort and its noble history.  We will all be together in the afterlife at the Allfather’s table where we will talk of this day, this battle and this honour.  We may die today but we will not be defeated for we will have remained at our posts and died like men. I salute you.” The men responded by hitting their swords against their shields and cheering rhythmically.
    Ninian was gathering his forces when his men suddenly looked up as they heard the cheering. “Have the Romans been relieved?”
    “No they are preparing for their