He held out an arm. Fronto grasped it and pulled himself to his feet.
“I suppose I’d better put in an appearance, hadn’t I.”
Balbus nodded.
“It’s been a long day, but it’s nearly over.”
Chapter 6
(Hilltop in Aedui land beyond the Saone)
“ Via Decumana: The main street running east-west in a Roman town or fort.”
The Helvetii spread out like a mass on the plain below the hill. The sun glinted off helmets, armour and spear-tips, and the gentle breeze rippled the patterned Gaulish breeches and tunics. Once they would have seemed like a fearsome sight to the Roman officers but now, after six battles, the legions were stronger than ever, while the Helvetii travelled with perhaps two thirds of their tribe intact. A surprise was the appearance of the Helvetian cavalry unit. There had been horsemen within the tribe during the previous encounters, but spread out and disorganised. Now, they appeared to have taken a leaf out of the Romans’ book and formed a central unit of cavalry perhaps five hundred strong.
Fronto glanced over his shoulder at the six legions drawn up in perfect order on the plain behind him; rows and rows of well-trained men ready for anything. Behind them were the baggage wagons and the siege weaponry. To either side were the cavalry, still commanded by Longinus and growing in number daily. Horses had been made available to more of the legionaries, and Longinus now led fifteen hundred regular cavalry drawn from all six legions, and nearly three thousand auxiliary and mercenary levies drawn from the tribes allied to Rome who were now indebted to Caesar for their protection.
And here on the hill in full view of both armies and sandwiched between them sat the leaders, four Romans and three Helvetii, all on horseback. The army had caught up with the barbarian tribe three days after crossing the bridge. The Helvetii had been totally unprepared and were astounded at the speed with which the Romans had chased them down. Two more days had followed with the Helvetii attempting to stay just ahead of the Roman vanguard. Finally, this morning, the barbarians had stopped in their tracks, allowed the pack animals to graze, and turned to face the pursuing army. The three tribal chieftains had ridden to the crest of the hill to wait for the Romans.
As soon as Longinus had reported to Caesar the location and disposition of the Helvetii, the general had given orders for the legions to fall into parade formation. The staff officers had joined the general at the front, and the army had moved into position opposite the Helvetii in perfect order and formation. Fronto could only guess what was about to happen. He presumed it would be face-off and blusters between the two leaders; attempts to threaten and surpass each other.
The Gaul was the first to speak, in good Latin, with barely an accent.
“I am Divico of the Helvetii. I am leader in peace and in war.”
Caesar’s face took on a grim demeanour.
“I am familiar with your name, barbarian. However, since it’s been fifty years since your people killed Cassius and his army, I will presume it was your father who led at that time. I may be tempted to violence, were it not that Cassius is already avenged. As it is, I will treat with you as though you were a civilised leader.”
Divico nodded and bowed.
“Great Caesar, we have journeyed far from our ancestral land in search of a place where we can settle and rebuild our lives, and where we need not live in constant apprehension of German tribes attacking our villages. We are free from that threat now, and I will defer to Rome on this matter. Tell us where you are content for the Helvetii to settle and we shall do so. The Helvetii will do this in peace and will maintain such peace with the Roman people.”
Fronto blinked. ‘They must be worried’, he thought. ‘They’re trying to come to terms with Caesar.’
Divico continued.
“Your army has a made a habit of pursuing and harassing my people. I am willing to put this aside in the name of peace but, should you continue to make war on our people, you would do well to remember a few things.”
Caesar raised an eyebrow, though he didn’t interrupt.
“Remember, Roman, that the Helvetii have fought and defeated an army of this size before, under this same Cassius that you speak of. Remember that we are a valiant and hardy people. You may have destroyed a part of our tribe by the river, but you achieved that only through devious means and the outcome may have been entirely different had we met on a plain of battle like men. I ask you again to let us settle in peace, and not to turn this plain into the violent and embarrassing defeat of Rome that our last meeting could have been.”
Fronto looked around at the general, half expecting to see him foaming at the mouth over this insolent barbarian’s words. He himself seethed over the speech, knowing that it was his battle and his strategy that this chieftain was inferring had been carried out in an underhanded and cowardly way. Fronto could have lashed out and knocked the man from his horse, had he not been forcing himself to remain motionless and expressionless.
Caesar took a breath and sat high in his saddle.
“Have you finished with your empty threats, barbarian?”
Not pausing long enough to give the chieftain the chance to speak, he continued:
“Your words do not fill me with fear, nor do they justify what you have done. Indeed, it angers me that you could carry out so many acts of brutality in the past against our people, and more recently against my army and the tribes that are allied to Rome, and when you are faced with your accusers you can do little more than beg and threaten. That is the sign of a small and insecure man, Divico.”
The chieftain’s mouth fell open in astonishment, and still Caesar gave him no chance to interrupt.
“However, I am not in the habit of genocide in order to achieve a degree of justice.”
For a moment, Fronto glared at his general, images of murdered prisoners flashing into his head.
“I am willing to acquiesce and to find an appropriate and acceptable parcel of land for your people on two conditions.”
This time the general was not fast enough to prevent the chieftain’s interruption.
“Roman, I am unused to any man placing conditions upon me.”
Caesar rode over the top of the comment, ignoring the chief’s outburst.
“Firstly, you will deliver one hundred of your women and higher born men to us as hostages for the duration of your journey until you settle.”
Divico’s face took on a ruddy cast as the rage rose within him. Caesar continued, quietly and calmly.
“These will be our assurance that you will cause no further trouble. Secondly, you will make restitution out of the wealth and possessions of your people to the Aedui, the Allobroges, and any other tribes against whom you have committed acts of barbarism and destruction. Then we will help you find a place in the world to be comfortable and safe.”
The general sat back on his horse and folded his arms, adding emphasis to his final statement.
“In the name of the Senate and the people of Rome, I make you this offer. There will be no other.”
Divico threw his arm out in an angry gesture at Caesar.
“The Helvetii do not give hostages. We take them, as the Roman people are well aware!”
Turning his back on the Roman officers, he rode away down the hill, the other chieftains immediately behind him.
Fronto exchanged glances with Labienus. The other officer shrugged.
“What now? You surely can’t let him just ride away after that. Do we mobilise the legions?”
Caesar shook his head.