Spartacus stood behind a crouching Agron looking out across the water. Agron was peering at the calm surface as if it held the secrets of the universe. For someone who had been raised in close proximity to the Rhine; perhaps it did.

Agron finally stood up and spoke. "The water runs calm here; a good point of crossing."

The German turned and walked over to Nasir who handed him a flat bundle of twigs fixed together to create a small raft. Walking back to the river's edge; Agron launched the tiny device on the waters watching as it drifted from the river's bank.

"There is purpose to setting your toy to sail?" Spartacus asked as they walked along the bank following the little raft's progress.

"To map the current." Agron said. "If we know what direction the river flows and where it flows strongest; we can set our attack close to stronger currents that will lend aid to battle."

The group walked for a bit until the raft hit a strong current and was swept forward forcing Agron to break into a run to keep sight of it. Spartacus and the rest caught up to him at a bend in the river.

"I take it we've found our strong current?" Spartacus asked.

"Very strong." Agron agreed with a grin. "And desirable for Scrofa as the river narrows. If he is no more observant than most Roman shits he will try to cross here. Narrow turns such as this are the most treacherous on the Rhine. The river will tend toward deeper water in places like this."

Spartacus thought for a moment. "If a group of men were on the far bank; they could encourage Scrofa to cross here at point of sword."

"The currents would take many." Agron agreed. "And those blessed to escape the depths to be met on this shore at point of sword. But it would call for us to cross; I have no count of those among us with skill to swim."

"As long as I remain upon dry land." Nasir said. "I would not care to be swept away; stomach stands too small to drink such a vast amount of water."

"Lugo agree with Little Man." Lugo said watching the water warily. "Too much to drink even if we both try. And we not want to see what is beneath."

Spartacus chuckled. "I'll see you both far from river's edge."

Agron wrapped his arm around Nasir. "You stand afraid of the water Lugo?"

"Lugo not tempt Nix." Lugo said with a shudder and then launched into a spate of rapid German causing Agron to laugh.

"They are but tales told by elders to make children behave." Agron said then explained what Lugo had said for the benefit of Spartacus.

"Many who live far beyond the Rhine believe that evil spirits called Nix live in its depths. The Nix tempt the unwary into the river and then drown them." Agron said. "Not a tale I hold to heart."

"Well, let us hope the Nix favor the Romans no more than we do and lend aid to our cause." Spartacus said with a smile as he clapped Lugo on the shoulder.


"The madness is contagious! Swim across fucking river?" Crixus had joined them with the rest of the men. Spartacus had outlined the plan that he and Agron had discussed and Crixus had lost it.

"There is no need for all to swim across." Agron said. "Cease complaint and stay on this bank. I would cross with any other who holds the skill to swim."

"I'd not risk you before this battle." Spartacus said. "You hold experience; it must be someone else. I know how to swim."

"Now you stand not only mad but begging for death." Crixus said.

"The plan stands as option only." Spartacus said. "If you have another option; break words."

"We gain no ground with arguement. Goal is still the same." Agron said. "To convince Scrofa to cross in the narrows."

"Would not fire force them to our desire?" Naevia asked.

"It would." Spartacus agreed.

"And how do you suggest we start a fire from here?" Nasir asked. "Pray for Jupiter to cast errant bolt at our whim?"

"No. Jupiter would not be necessary if we could see pitch to the other side." Spartacus said. "Archers could see a fire lit from this shore."

"And do we simply wish pitch on opposite shore?" Crixus asked.

Nasir suddenly stood up and spoke. "We could float it across." Nasir began picking up sticks and twigs. "We have enough hands to make quick work of building a raft."

"And rope." Agron said. "We could swim across raft tethered to us and spread pitch upon ground."

There are many among us who hold skill with bow." Naevia said. "We could fire arrows across and set flame at opportune moment."

Spartacus grinned. "Let us see it done."


"The scouting party returns with word of Spartacus. He set camp on the north bank of the Cavone." The soldier stood reported.

"He does not seek to cross?" Scrofa asked.

"No. He gathers a large force; but far from the numbers that have been reported." The soldier answered.

"Sound horns call the legions to formation. I would press forward at soonest opportunity now that he presents himself." Scrofa said. "I would see the man to ruin."

The soldier nodded and made his way from the tent.

Scrofa donned his armor and made his way outside to where his commanders had gathered in response to the call to arms.

Looking around he spoke. "Spartacus finally gives us opportunity. Unlike Glaber I will not be fool enough to waste it due to foolish quest to satisfy ambitious cunt."

"Glaber let his cock lead campaign in response to that cunt he called wife." Scrofa continued.

"Spartacus would never have darkened our shores if not for that fool heeding ill-counsel from her."

"She gave birth to the menace that terrorizes Mother Rome with her schemes to see Glaber rise in the Senate." Scrofa added. "She was the one who filled his head with thoughts of stealing glory by turning from the Getae. A campaign that sees us all covered in shame while Albinius used his political power to see Glaber rewarded and raised to Praetor.

"The laurels he sought to gain through rash action will fall to us." Scrofa said. "The taint of Glaber to finally be removed from us through the defeat and death of Spartacus. We will see the man dead and his body delivered to the Senate by our own hands!"