Chapter 3: Ambush in place
After Segestica was taken, Marcylus left a small garrison to run the town. His army then marched North. Phylus had gone ahead of the army, and to his gret surprise, had seen a large army of Britons marching in Segestica's direction. Marcylus was not about to lose the town his men had died for. His plan was to ambush them in the woods north of Segestica.
Back at Tarentum Gyricus had just received a mission from the senate to get trade rights secured with Greece. He rubbed his forehead hard. This was his way of thinking. Scipii was on the verge of declaring war with Greece. If he asked for trade rights before the war, the Greeks may see it as a conspiracy.
" Sir, may I send a runner to Greece?" asked Gyricus' advisor. The man thought for a moment before coming to a decision.
" Very well, go "
" Yes Milord ". The advisor turned and walked quickly out of the hall. Gyricus stood and then began speaking to himself. He drew his own sword.
" Once Greece thinks we are on their side-" he traced a graceful arc in the air infront of him. He then brought his sword down hard on the table behind him. "-We will strike." He laughed and sent another runner to find Marcylus. The general was supposedly setting up an ambush for a large Briton force.
Marcylus scanned the terrain ahead from inside a thick bush. Ahead of him was a large road stretching to his left and right. Surrounding the road was a very steep hill, and the forest Marcylus was hiding in. He had a sizeable force waiting in the forest. He then decided the best place for his new archer company and Rexell to be was on the hill.
" Rexell, take your men onto the hill and wait for my signal." Rexell bowed before ordering his men to follow him. Marcylus quickly ordered his Hastati to form an infantry line about three meters from to forest edge. The men moved forward. They formed a line 100 men long and 4 men strong . In unison, the men hefted a pilum onto their shoulder and waited for the Britons.
The archers spotted them first. A large column of barbarians was making its way toward the ambush. Rexell ordered the archers to fit an arrow. The men brought out an arrow and readied their bows. Rexell watched as the first of the britons cleared the trees to his left. The road then filled with men. Rexell readied himself.
Marcylus lit the tip of his own spear, waited three seconds, then hurled it through the trees. He then heard many bows firing a volley of arrows. The general waited for another volley before ordering the men to hurl spears and charge. The Hastati hurled their spears into the Britons. Blood covered the road as bodies fell everywhere. The enemies panicked and charged up the hill. The archers held their ground, giving the Hastati time to draw their swords and cut into the Britons.
Red and blue shields flashed against the sun as the armies clashed in small groups. Marcylus worked his way through the smaller engagements. His men were faring well. He spotted a small group of Britons led by a very large man. His hammer smashed through a Hastati's shield, sending the man flying into another Hastati. Marcylus yelled at the man, calling him to fight. The brute walked toward him. The roman's mind worked a plan to defeat this giant.
" General!" called a warrior. Marcylus turned and saw a man toss his shield. Marcylus grabbed the shield and turned to face his new foe. Around him the romans had secured a large oval. Fighting was still going on in the woods. The brute removed the cape he was wearing. Marcylus moved onto a small hill in between the two of them. Only grass meant that he would have firm footing on the small hill. The man Marcylus was facing said something in a language that was very strange. The general's sword glistened as it twirled in the air.
" Die enemy of Rome! " cried Marcylus. He swung his sword in a diagonal slash at his foe. The man reached up and grabbed the sword in mid swing. Marcylus' mouth opened wide. The enemy showed Marcylus his hands. Very strong gloves covered his palms. Marcylus quickly pulled back his sword and lunged forward in a stabbing motion. The giant batted the sword aside before bringing his hammer down hard. The general quickly rolled forward. He threw his shield into the air at the same time. Marcylus hoped that Mars would see that his plan worked.
Marcylus' assailant turned and faced the general. A sigh of relief breathed from Marcylus' lungs. He quickly stood and blocked the man's hammer. The shield then dropped onto the giant's head. This sent him off balance. The general quickly stepped forward, imbedding his sword in his enemy's chest. Time seemed to slow to a crawl as the giant man fell and slid down the grassy hill. Marcylus paused and thanked Mars for his fortune. He walked to the man and pulled out his sword. He then picked up the shield. He looked at the roman faces before finding the man who had given him the shield.
" Thank you brother of Rome " said the general before giving back the shield and raising his sword. The remaining romans cheered loudly. The archers wandered down to the troops, raising their own short swords. Marcylus smiled before ordering one company to bring the wounded back to Segestica. They had won. But this was just the second battle of many in the conquest.