The General became aware of unhappy grumbling among some groups, so he pressed on before anyone could speak.
“I have not yet decided who will take a more permanent control of the cavalry. Crassus and I will control a wing each tomorrow and both of us will have the close support of three regular cavalry prefects. When tomorrow is done with, I will consider the question more closely.”
He glanced around. The grumbling had died away, but the silence that replaced it was equally filled with distrust and discontent.
“In respect of the infantry, the six legions will all commit side by side, advancing in three lines as per our previous engagements. The first two lines will carry out the attack, with the third in reserve to support any weak area. I will leave it to individual command units of the legions, though I would recommend that the legate moves with the first and second lines, while his lieutenant remains behind the second line, with the third. Again, that is your decision. Officers who are stationed at the rear will be able to identify weak spots and draw support from the third line.”
“The non-mounted Auxilia will be split into six groups, each with one of my staff to command and each assigned to a legion. They will move with the legions, though the exact nature of their placement I will leave to the commanders of the units involved. The only men left behind here will be the actuarii, the quartermasters, the medical units and a small guard to protect them and the pay chests.”
Nods and murmurs of approval.
“At first light, the troops will come to order within the defences and will then cross into the field, falling into position as fast as this can be achieved. As soon as the last unit is in place, we will move on the German camp at a steady field march. I hope to draw them out rather than fight them across their defences, but if they are still reluctant I will press them. I intend for this to end tomorrow. If Fortuna is with us, they will be surprised at the size of the force on this side and will be badly prepared. Does anyone have anything to add, ask or suggest?”
The room stood silent for a moment before Ingenuus raised his hand.
“Caesar, I would like to formally request assignment to the right wing.”
The General nodded, entirely prepared for this,
“I understand. Granted. Do I presume the same request goes for you, prefect Varus?”
Varus shook his head.
“My unit and the others that have seen action under my command work best on the left wing. It would be foolhardy to ignore the benefits of their experience for the sake of a grudge.”
Crassus looked up sharply and then nodded.
“He’s right General. I do not have a great deal of experience at cavalry command and having an officer who knows the strategy of a left wing offensive would be invaluable.”
Caesar smiled.
“Then I hope you’re both very successful.”
Balbus coughed and gestured to the General.
“What about the artillery? Are we leaving them on the wall here or are we going to try and take them with us?”
The General raised his hands in a gesture of defeat.
“I don’t see how we can realistically take them. We’ll be on the offensive and moving fast. I think we have to discount artillery support this time.”
Balbus nodded.
“If that’s all then, I suggest you retire to your units and get as much sleep as possible before dawn. It’s going to be a busy day, gentlemen.”
The officers bowed as they left the tent, dispersing and heading back to their own men. Varus jogged and caught up with Balbus, Crispus and Fronto.
“Pardon me for interrupting sirs, but I’m going back to the pyre. It’s still a long way off burning out and I’d like a chance to sit and drink a few toasts to him. Would any of you care to join me? I’ll understand if not; there’s not a lot of time left for sleep.”
Fronto smiled at the cavalry prefect.
“I’ll happily join you, Varus, so long as you can get the wine. I ran my stock dry earlier.”
Balbus and Crispus glanced at each other. The younger of the two yawned and then smiled.
“Oh who cares? If I’m this exhausted now, what difference can an extra hour make? Count me in, and I do have almost a full chest of good wine. I’ll send someone for it.”
The four of them made their way slowly to the now bare artillery platform upon which the embers of the pyre were burning down low, still warm and orange. Soon the detail would gather up the ashes and the bone fragments and put them in a ready-prepared funerary urn for transport back to Longinus’ family.
Crispus looked over at Varus as they sat.
“You held the commander in very high esteem, did you not?”
The prefect nodded.
“He was the man who assigned me as prefect of the Ninth’s cavalry while we were still in Spain. He’s been my commander ever since I joined the Ninth, and he always looked after the cavalry something special. He taught me everything I know about horse tactics.”
Fronto smiled.
“And I gather that’s quite extensive knowledge; I hear only good things. You’ll command the cavalry yet. Caesar would have passed it to you purely on Longinus’ recommendation if it weren’t for the all-glorious, sun-shines-out-of-my-arse Crassus and his father.”
Varus laughed, as did the others. Balbus was first to straighten his expression.
“You do realise, I presume, that Crassus is going to do something horribly wrong or stupid tomorrow. He doesn’t know the first thing about a cavalry battle and he has absolutely no respect for anyone below Senatorial level. I’d have preferred it if you’d taken Caesar’s offer and stayed on the right wing. Caesar is a good horseman and a good tactician.”
Varus shook his head.
“I need to be near Crassus. If anything’s going to go wrong, the cavalry are going to need someone they know and trust to put it right. I have to be there to make sure he doesn’t kill everyone in a mad rush for glory.”
Fronto gestured to Crispus and pointed at Varus.
“That’s what makes a good commander. The men should always come first.”
Balbus shook his head sadly as he reached out for the jug of wine.
“I don’t know, Marcus. I keep feeling it’s getting close to my time. Longinus was not far off half my age and look at him. I can’t afford to die out here in the field when my wife and daughters are back in Massilia waiting for me. I might see out this season and then give it up; become a gentleman of leisure. I own an extensive estate near Massilia, not to mention property in Rome and Campania.”
Fronto smiled.
“I hate the very idea of carrying out this campaign without you around, but I’m forced to agree. You’re a good friend and the only one of us who really has something that counts to go back to. I’d hate to have to visit Corvinia the way I’ll probably do for Longinus’ family. Do you realise I don’t even know whether he was married?”
Balbus nodded.
“He was. Didn’t see her very often, but I gather it was a match of choice rather than convenience. He told me she was in Spain with his father, supervising the building of a villa. He…”
Balbus trailed off as Crispus leapt to his feet.
“Look, out there…”
The others followed his pointing and saw the figures, scattered and few, but darkened and definitely German, running across the field back to the camp.
“Scouts. They’ll have seen everything.”
“There goes the element of surprise!”
Crispus frowned.
“Can we load one of the ballistae and get them before they escape?”
Balbus shook his head.
“No way we’ve got time. We can’t catch them now. We’ll just have to go ahead anyway. I’d best go let Caesar know though.”
* * * * *