Tiberius gave a loud sigh at the last remark. “Sejanus, I have told you how I feel about treason trials. Roman citizens are free to speak as they see fit, even at the expense of the Emperor’s character.” “I think you will want to look at these,” Sejanus persisted, holding up a small bundle of scrolls. “Many of the worst utterances came from friends of Agrippina.”
Tiberius turned abruptly and snatched a scroll, his temper finally getting the best of him.
Sejanus smiled internally. He had struck the final nerve, the one that would bring the Emperor to do that which he despised.
Once word reached Tiberius that Agrippina, or at least her associates, were using her sister’s death to strike at him, Sejanus would be able to use the Emperor to bring them down, one by one. The only thing that would be left standing between Sejanus and the Emperor would be Tiberius’ own son. He would handle Drusus another day.
Chapter XV: The Wrath of Germanica and Valeria
“That is one hell of an odd plan,” Flaccus replied when Macro had finished briefing the section leaders and senior officers.
“We are Romans, we adapt,” Camillus replied. “I kind of like it.”
“Calvinus said it was actually Centurion Draco’s idea,” Macro added. “Have to give him credit for his creativity. Alright let’s go over this again.”
“Seems simple enough,” Statorius remarked. “The first two centuries each form up in two ranks, with these men grounding their javelins. The remaining four ranks will be in standard battle formation, about twenty meters back.”
“Correct,” Macro replied. “And we make certain that all of our men in the second rank pair off with someone in the front rank. I’d prefer it if they can do so by section, if at all possible. With a plan like this, they will feel more comfortable having their best friends protecting them.”
“I’ve already ordered the lads in the second rank start sharpening their pick axes,” Statorius added.
“Good,” Macro nodded. “So we all know what we need to do then.”
“Once the cavalry sets to engage the wings, we charge the van,” Ostorius replied.
“Soldiers in the front will provide protection with their shields, while those in the Second will use their pickaxes to chop down the heavily armored troops,” Artorius observed. “Second rank will have to ground their shields in order to use both hands on their pickaxes. It’s going to be tricky, because every blow that lands will likely cause the pickaxe to get stuck once that armor crumples.”
“That means each pairing needs to work together ever more diligently,” Rufio added.
“Just remember that we are not the main effort,” Macro continued. “The purpose of this is to prevent the enemy from disrupting our remaining formations. Working together on this will be crucial, for we have to shock the enemy quickly. They have us sorely outnumbered, and once deployed online, we’re it. We have no reserves for this battle.
“Once the remaining ranks push through us, we will have to fall back quickly and gather up our shields and javelins. Though if this works right, hopefully the enemy will be in disarray, and we will not have to engage them again.”
Magnus sat leaning against a tree, running a sharpening stone over his pickaxe, when he noticed Artorius returning from his meeting. The sun had set and legionaries were gathered around their cooking fires talking in low voices. Magnus rose to his feet and greeted his decanus.
“So do you want to carry this, or shall I?” he asked, hefting the pickaxe.
“We’re both carrying them,” Artorius replied. “You and I hit harder than the rest of the men. I want you pairing up with Gavius. I will pair up with Valens. Carbo, you’ll be the other axe trooper for the section. Decimus, you protect him.”
“Why do I have to protect Carbo’s fat ass? There’s no way both of us can fit behind my shield!” Decimus said in mock protest, only to take a cuff behind the ear from Carbo.
This in turn got a chuckle out of everyone, including Artorius.
“Alright, let’s gather up our equipment and go over this,” he directed as he, Magnus, and Carbo grabbed their pickaxes. The rest of the section picked up their shields and gladii. “Okay, we are going to have to be in a slightly looser formation than we’re used to. Those of us with the axes will have to be able to come off either side to strike their targets. I figure if we leave two meters between each soldier in the front rank, we should be good. Let’s practice, then.”
As they lined up, Artorius, Magnus, and Carbo hefted their pickaxes in one hand and each grabbed the collar of the legionary in front of him. They then started to walk, acting as if their foe were in front of them.
“Go!” Artorius shouted. He pulled with his left hand to help propel him around Valens’ right flank.
Magnus and Carbo executed similar maneuvers, swinging their pickaxes to simulate an engagement. Decimus and the others stepped in quickly to cover their exposed companions.
“That works, let’s try it again,” Artorius directed. The next attack would have worked just as well, had not Magnus slipped around Gavius’ right side, while Carbo attacked around Decimus’ left. The two legionaries collided, knocking each other down. A smattering of applause and catcalls arose from the fires where other sections were watching.
“Okay, that one could have been done better,” Artorius remarked while suppressing his own laughter.
Even in such dire circumstances, with their very lives dependent upon their ability to execute on the morrow, they still found it in themselves to allow a little levity. He offered a hand to help Magnus up. Valens offered his hand to Carbo, while uttering “nice one, dumb ass” under his breath. Carbo kicked him in the shin in response.
“How about we agree to only maneuver around the right side?” Praxus asked, his section walking over with their equipment. “Mind if we join you?”
Macro and Camillus watched as Artorius’ and Praxus’ sections started rehearsing the plan for the morrow. As they did so, other sections joined them, all the legionaries talking with each other and making certain their actions were smooth and precise. The mood lightened, Artorius’ sound orchestration of the rehearsal relieving their anxiety. They were further surprised to see legionaries from Vitruvius’ century join them. Artorius had the men working in small groups, everyone paired up for the battle. Macro folded his arms and cracked a half smile.
“That man is a true leader,” he said in a low voice.
“The rest of the men follow him,” Camillus agreed, “and I don’t just mean those in his section. Hell, he’s got both centuries on their feet and rehearsing the plan for tomorrow. Moreover you can see the lads relaxing, their confidence rising. He makes them believe in themselves.”
“That he does. I wish the rest of the decanii had his initiative.” Most seemed content to simply brief their men on the plan and leave it at that. Artorius knew better; he knew that it would take coordination and rehearsal to execute a battle plan the men had never done before. “I’m just glad to see the rest of the lads followed his lead.”
Artorius dropped his pickaxe and lay down with his back against his pack. The exertion felt good; his anxiety about the morrow was nowhere to be found. This would be the second time in a few days that they were going into battle greatly outnumbered, yet he was not worried. He closed his eyes and stretched his arms out, yawning deeply.
“You seem pretty content, like you don’t have a care in the world,” he heard Magnus say as his friend sat down and unlaced his caligae.
Artorius grinned slightly, his eyes shut and his hands folded on his lap.
“We’ve done all we can,” he replied. “Whether or not it goes well for us tomorrow, there is no sense losing any sleep over it.”