“At least they won’t try from that avenue of approach,” Artorius replied. He sat up on his bunk, took out a cloth and some oil, and started to wipe down his gladius. His armor would need some oiling as well. Too much time had been spent in the wet snow, and it would soon start to rust.
Magnus was taking a hammer to his javelin, attempting to straighten out the metal tip. The rest of the men in the section either slept or were still at the bathhouse.
“How many do you think we killed today?” Magnus asked.
“I don’t know. I’ve stopped paying too much attention to those kinds of things,” Artorius replied. “What I look forward to is the decisive battle which will finally end this thing.”
“If Arminius can be convinced to face us out in the open,” Magnus said.
“Something tells me he will,” Artorius answered. “He cannot continue to allow us to ravage his lands while only offering token resistance. His influence will fade with his own people. No, he’ll have to fight us sooner or later. I think by us invading so deep within his territory, it will come sooner.”
Arminius sat in his chair with his chin in his hand. He was deeply troubled and even more deeply angered. While his siege of Segestes’ lands had been carried out successfully, his father-in-law had escaped. Worse yet, Segestes’ daughter, Thusnelda, Arminius’ own wife, had been spirited away as well. Arminius knew Thusnelda carried his child, a child that would be raised by the Romans! It would be better if the child had been slain!
The attempted raids on the Roman docks had been, for the most part, unsuccessful. A couple had inflicted some loss on the Roman boat-building efforts, however the raiding parties paid a heavy toll. Other groups had been ambushed and destroyed before they had even reached the docks. The Romans could replace their burned ships a lot faster than he could replace dead warriors. He had ordered a stop to the raids in order to not suffer any more unnecessary loss. This, of course, had been met with opposition. Any time he ordered anything less than a head-on attack, the other war chiefs voiced their disapproval.
So…the Romans would finish their boat building. Then what? It was obvious they intended to strike deep into Germania and force him into a decisive engagement. The Cherusci lands, for the most part, had gone unmolested, but now they would no longer be safe. He would have to finally face the Romans and end this war once and for all. Since Teutoburger Wald, he had prayed nightly to all he believed in that he would never have to face Tiberius on the battlefield. Now he faced another Tiberius. Germanicus had learned the lessons of his uncle well. That hateful bastard, Severus, whom Tiberius had sent to aid Germanicus, was proving to be a nightmare to face as well. Though he was advanced in years, the old mentor of the Emperor had lost none of his tenacity, cunning, or sheer ruthlessness. This had been made very clear at Ahenobarbi.
Very well, if a confrontation with the Romans was inevitable, then at least he would choose the ground. He rose and nodded to the guard at the door to his chamber. The man left and was soon accompanied back in by a host of warriors, great chiefs, and influential fighters who would help Arminius in his final campaign against Rome. All looked solemn and some more than a little anxious. Arminius knew if he did not act decisively on this campaign, he was in grave danger of losing all influence amongst his fellow warriors. Sadly, not one of them could tell the difference between a Varus and a Germanicus. To them a Roman was simply a Roman. If they had been so successful in Teutoburger Wald, then why had they not been as effective for the last few years? Arminius realized that he had to give them a victory.
“Friends, allies, fellow warriors,” Arminius said when all had been seated, “we all know of the Roman ship-building that has been going on since the end of the campaign season. They are intent on striking deep into the heart of our lands. They have a huge army with which they hope to destroy us. Therefore, if we are going to face them in battle, we will need every warrior you can muster. None must be allowed to remain back. We gamble everything on this. Everything we fought for and won in Teutoburger Wald must now be defended to the last.
“There is a place called Idistaviso, towards the end of the Weser River. There we will make our stand against Rome. They will be far from home, alone, and cut off from any hope of support. We, on the other hand, will have mustered every fighting man from every last tribe within our lands with which to finally exterminate the Roman presence in the west!”
A loud cheer erupted as warriors stood, shook their fists in the air, slammed the table, and clamored for the head of Germanicus. Some even called to make Arminius king of all the united tribes of Germania. When they had left, Arminius was left alone to stew over his decision. Though he had been goaded into this by practically everyone, his uncle, his fellow war chiefs, the Romans themselves, he still bore full responsibility for the outcome. All he had told them was where they would be fighting, yet they had not so much as even come up with a rudimentary plan of attack. He walked out with much on his mind.
Chapter XVI: The New Optio
Germanicus watched, concerned as soldiers practiced launching their barges into the river. They seemed to leak excessively, and he worried about the possibility of them sinking once fully loaded.
“I wouldn’t be too concerned, sir,” a young tribune at his side said. “They generally only draw a couple centimeters of water and then they’re good.”
“Tribune, are you planning on riding into Germania on one of these barges?” Germanicus asked.
“No, sir, staff officers are supposed to ride on one of the Triremes,” the tribune answered.
“So you won’t have to spend weeks sitting in a couple centimeters of water, all the while wondering if your whole ship will up and sink.” Germanicus looked at the tribune sternly. “Get as much tar and pitch as you can get your hands on and seal up all the seams in these damn barges!”
“Right away, sir!” with that, the tribune left in a hurry.
The tavern was packed with soldiers, as was the norm when the century was given leave time. The weather had started to improve. The snow was off the ground, and the air was beginning to warm. For Artorius it felt good to stand outside in the open air and enjoy his wine. A young Gallic woman had been vying for his attention for some time. He was about to oblige her when he saw Vitruvius arguing with Flaccus by the corner of the tavern. He had seen Flaccus point his way a couple of times. He wondered if their argument was in regards to the rumors they had heard about Vitruvius being selected to replace Valgus as optio. It was well known that Vitruvius did not want the position. It was also known that the higher command had been pushing Vitruvius to take a promotion so they could groom him for the centurionate. Whether he wanted it or not, Artorius had a feeling Vitruvius would now be on the move up through the ranks. He was the type that would occupy the optionate only long enough for a centurion vacancy to come open.
While he watched the unfolding debate, of which he couldn’t hear a word, he felt a touch at his elbow. The young Gallic woman was standing there, with her arm looped through his. She was a pretty thing, blonde hair flowing about her shoulders, pretty lips, and a full set of teeth. He had to laugh to himself, remembering the semi-toothless woman from the butcher’s shop that had struck Valens’ fancy a while back. This one looked so sweet and innocent. Ha!
“But you’re not so innocent, are you?” he said aloud.