Hosker, G [Sword of Cartimandua 03] Invasion- Caledonia Read Online Free PDF Page A

his enemies and make them flee he was wrong. They continued their steady and remorseless march towards the screaming barbarians. He could see the centurions in their distinctive helmets and the standard bearers looking along the lines to make sure they were straight and he wondered at this war machine he was about to take on. They appeared to be calm as though on a parade not being charged by the Ordovice. He had not time for further thoughts as they approached within forty paces. Suddenly, and without a command being spoken the whole line hurled their javelins, spearing warriors and throwing them back into their comrades following on. The front line disintegrated as warriors fell and others, coming on behind tripped and fell over the dead and dying or trampled them where they lay. Still the Romans did not falter. The front lines passed their javelins to the men behind, locked their shields and went to work with their gladii.
    Inir found that he was unable to land a blow which did any damage. He was the tallest man in the Ordovice line and able to smash his sword down on the legionaries in front of him but there always seemed to be a shield in the way. Next to him he felt men fall as the deadly blades slid under, through and over the shields to find the vital organs of the unarmoured men. The javelins continued to be hurled by those in the second and third ranks whilst the archers amongst the auxiliaries sent flight after flight into the rear ranks. The centurions were calmness itself, killing efficiently and warning those legionaries who were in danger of dropping their guard to ‘ pick up that bloody shield ’. Seeing the general himself in the front line Inir determined to end this in the way of the tribes by killing their leader in single combat. Once their leader was dead his men would surely flee. He and his bodyguard left the front rank and made their way through the sea of enraged warriors until they was facing Agricola. One of the legionaries to the left of the general stumbled and Inir took the opportunity of smashing his sword down on the shield of the Roman leader. In all his previous combats such a blow would have ended the contest for he would have broken the shield. Agricola merely turned the shield slightly so that the blade slid harmlessly down. So surprised was Inir that he failed to counter with his own shield and the general’s blade sliced through his unprotected side. Although not a fatal blow it was a disabling blow and Inir’s bodyguards closed around him to protect him. 
    The momentum of the charge had now left the tribesmen who had many ranks deep but their front ranks were being butchered in a clinical fashion by legionaries and auxiliaries alike. Although the legionaries fought in a tighter formation the auxiliaries kept a tight line and were well disciplined.
    High up on the hill, behind the extreme left flank of the Ordovice line, Decius was heaving to catch his breath. “Sod this for a game of dice. I just want a horse.”
    Macro was barely breathing, “Well sir after this is over I think I will have to give you some extra training.  You are not fit.”
    “You two shut it!” Marcus’ whispered command sounded like a crack of thunder. “Decurions form line!” The whole ala formed an oblique line with Marcus in the middle, Decius on the extreme right and Agrippa on the extreme left. “Sound the buccina!” The strident call of the buccina seemed to echo around the mountain tops and the ala moved down the hill, not at a charge but a fast walk. Marcus was determined to maintain cohesion. The first warriors they encountered were fleeing towards them and were so surprised to find Romans in their rear that they were easily despatched. Soon they could see the rear ranks of the Ordovice who were looking nervously over their shoulders having heard the screams of their slain comrades. When they saw the approaching Romans many of them panicked and they ran towards the Romans advancing down the