Chapter 2: Siege of Segestica
The rebels were marching slowly toward Marcylus' troops. The column was a perfect target for hidden archers. Unfortunately the only man trained with a bow was Marcylus' scout. Rexell quickly fitted an arrow into his bow. The archer then began firing arrows. He had a decent size stock of one hundred arrows. He hoped to kill at least twenty before the hastati engaged the rebels.
" Hastati move up! " ordered Marcylus. The men eagerly began marching forward. The commander then ordered the Town Watch to circle around the enemy army with a battering ram and break down a section of the wall. He knew that it would be difficult for the large group of men to get to the town without being seen, but he knew they could defend themselves.
" Hastati, fire at will! " ordered the commander of the medium infantry. The Hastati halted and awaited the enemy army. Marcylus led his cavalry to the flanks of the rebels. They had no idea that their peasants would be trampled before they reached the Hastati. meanwhile the Hastati brought out a Pilum. They hefted the weapon onto their shoulders.
" Ready, aim, fire! " cried the Hastati commander. The romans threw a large volley of spears into the advancing militia. The rebels fell before a wall of spears. The Hastati loosed another volley on the rebels before unsheathing their swords. The men charged into the militia. Swords flashed in the sun, men screamed as Roman strength pushed them back. Hastati fell but were avenged with the death of more rebels. One group of Hastati rushed to the backs of the militia, brought out another spear, and imbedded another volley of steel into the unshielded backs. Blood drenched the grass. A man cut into a group of 5 militia, slaughtering them all. His sword was soon red with blood as he stabbed an unsuspecting peasant.
Marcylus ordered his cavalry to charge. A unit of peasants was trying to reinforce the already defeated militia. " Roman Cavalry! Charge! " he screamed. Marcylus' horse shot across the plains. The rest of the cavalry joined in the charge. The men readied their spears. They galloped freely before cutting through the peasants. The men were terrified. Blood splattered into the air as spears pierced the unarmored peasants. Just as the last horse got through the column, the peasants broke and began running.
" Town Watch, begin the ramming! " ordered the Town Watch officer. Four men then operated the ram. Slamming the wood with tremendous force. Screams were heard inside the town. The wooden wall gave easily after only a few rams. The Town Watch rushed into the city, cutting down a couple of sentries. The men then split into two groups, one on each side of the gate.
After the cavalry had slaughtered the group of flanking peasants, Rexell fitted his last arrow into his bow and watched the general. A lone peasant had brought a spear to the fight. He planted it into the ground before Marcylus' horse. The horse jumped over the spear, sending Marcylus to the ground. A milita man charged the general. Rexell fired his bow, and hoped he wouldn't hit the general.
The general couldn't believe it. His horse had bucked him off. He quickly rose and pulled out his trusty sword. The blade gave him a sense of security. He quickly sliced through a peasant's chest, sending blood spraying everywhere. He heard a war cry behind him. A man charged with anger toward Marcylus. The general knew he did not have time to turn. He put his sword behind his back and prepared to swing around. Suddenly the man was silenced.
Marcylus looked down at the man, seeing the arrow imbedded in the man's neck. He smiled. The Town Watch would ambush the last of the broken men. As he was thinking of this, the last of the rebels were ambushed by the Town Watch. Green flags rose, declaring victory. Marcylus then ordered his men to collect the dead. They had lost Twenty Hastati and five Town Watch. Twenty more were seriously injured. The general then began ordering the men to enslave the populace of Segestica.
A lone Hastati looked around the tent he occupied anxiously. He had never been summoned by a general before. He was just a soldier after all. His thoughts drifted to his men. Five were killed attacking the town. General Marcylus entered the tent. The soldier stood and saluted the general. Marcylus motioned for him the sit.
" Your name is Isaacius Julius? " asked the General. Isaacius was alarmed that the general knew what house he came from.
" Yes sir " answered Isaacius. The general then commented on his odd name. He nodded.
" You abandoned Julii? " asked Marcylus. Isaac nodded again. His head dropped. Marcylus stood, walked over to Isaac and raised Isaac's head with his hand.
" There is nothing to be ashamed of, I also abandoned Julii ". Isaacius' eyes grew wide. He thought he was the only one in the Brutii army to abandon the Julii house. Marcylus then told Isaacius that after a large scale Briton attack. A commander had ordered that Marcylus be forced into hiding. After that day, Segesta had been overrun by Gauls, and Marcylus had vowed to leave Julii and join Brutii.
" I am very impressed by your combat skills Isaacius " said Marcylus. He then asked the man if he would accept adoption into the Brutus family. Isaacius was shocked. Marcylus then told him he would be the new governor of Segestica.