Ch. 10: Heavily outnumbered
Marcylus edged around the corner of a Greek barracks. To his left were fifty Hastati, and behind him were thirty five Equites. The horses were unusually silent for no apparent reason. Marcylus then counted the Greek swordsmen guarding the barracks. There were fifty. Easily broken apart if he timed it right. He then moved quietly to the Centurion of the cavalry and told him to charge after one volley of spears from the Hastati were thrown. The man nodded before readying his spear. Marcylus then moved around to the Hastati and gave them their orders.
" Yes my lord we are ready! " whispered the Centurion there. Marcylus then nodded. The Hastati filed into the street. The swordsmen spotted them and fell into ranks. They were about to charge the infantry when the Hastati launched a hail of spears. The Greeks were caught off guard by the surprise attack. Horses cried out as the Cavalry charged. Spears flashed and pierced the Greeks. A few horses were brought down by the enemy, but the rest turned and began to flee. Marcylus cut down a straggler. The small unit moved out to secure the Greek armory. As the hours began to wear away, the fighting grew ever more intense.
A cavalry unit charged Marcylus. He quickly jumped aside and let his own cavalry take care of them. The Greeks had erected a road block of chariots. Marcylus snuck around the side of a small residence. He came up behind the archers manning the barricade. His sword silently slit the nearest one's throat. The other soldiers turned to fire. Marcylus then held up the body of the dead man, blocking the arrows. he tossed the body to the ground. The general became a blur of motion as he cut down the archers in quick succession through use of speedy slashes. Once they had been dealt with, Marcylus had his group rendevous with Rexell's unit. Rexell immediately informed Marcylus of the situation.
" Principes, form u-ahhhhhhhhh " cried out a man as he was stabbed by a Greek Spear. The Romans had managed to trap the Greeks in a courtyard of the Governor's palace. Greek archers had taken refuge inside the building and were shooting at the Romans outside. Marcylus quickly gave orders for his archers to light the building on fire.
The battle continued, Brutii managed to kill the general of the army with a lucky spear throw. The Greeks desperately fought the enemies with nothing but helmets and fists. Gladius' became stained with blood as the veteran troops slaughtered the ill prepared milita. The courtyard's grass became red as men fell every few seconds. Small bands of men worked together to overcome groups of well trained spearmen. The Romans climbed over each other's dead bodies just to kill one more Greek.
Smoke began to fill the air as the building behind the Greeks burned to the ground. The Greeks attempted to fall back but were surrounded by Triarii and killed. As the dust and smoke settled. The Romans stood victorious. Marcylus and the Scipii general shook hands and congratulated each other on the victory. Then Marcylus walked through the city. Greeks were being rounded up and captured. The general spotted a group of Greek women being led by a Triarii. He removed his helmet to show respect. One by one the women slapped him as they passed.
The soldiers saw this and were about to punish the women when Marcylus waved them aside. They were confused why he did this after they had hit their General.
" We have destroyed their lives, their families, husbands, sons, fathers, would you be happy? .
" No my lord, we shall do all we can for the Greek survivors ".
Marcylus entrusted the collection of prisoners to Scipii's general. Blue flags waved all over the city as Brutii's army left. Marcylus guided his troops to the waiting fleet on the coast of Greece. The army boarded the fleet and headed for Rome. The fleet consisted of Biremes and Triremes. The fleet's journey was quiet for a couple of days. Then at dawn on the third day Marcylus climbed into the crow's nest of his flagship, a rare Greek Trireme. He scouted the sea and spotted flags and ships on the horizon. He quickly counted only seven ships to his fifty. He wondered why the fools were attacking him.
He looked closely at them, recognizing the insignia on the flags. They were of Greece's Spartan warriors. They were also the one army that Marcylus feared. As they approached, The Romans began firing flaming arrows at the Greek ships. The vessels caught fire but still came towards them at flank speed. They were going to hit Rexell's ship. The Roman bellowed at the Spartans as they rammed his ship, throwing Rexell into the sea. Marcylus quickly gave orders to his shipmates.
" Rexell, swim here quickly! " called the general. Rexell obeyed and Marcylus pulled him aboard the ship. The Spartans were making short work of Rexell's former crew. They cut them down without mercy. Marcylus ordered and immediate attack with his archers. The men fitted their bows and fired at will as the ship drew closer. By now both ships were on fire. Marcylus jumped from his ship to the burning vessels. The smell of burnt wood and dying men filled his senses. He attacked the Spartans with his best soldiers at his side. They used their superior numbers to overwhelm the Spartans and throw them into the water.
Skirmishes erupted everywhere within the fleet. Spartans rammed Roman ships with ferocity not seen by many. Smoke filled the air. Ships burned and blood flowed into the sea. Romans and Spartans threw themselves overboard and even fought in the waters around the fleet. Marcylus quickly surrounded the enemies and had his archers pick them off. The shouts of men as they fought floated on the winds until even those living on the coasts could hear them.
Swords and spears broke, screams were filling Marcylus' ears as he fought like a demon. Then there was silence. Only the burning of ships was making sounds. The Spartans were all either dead or dying. Marcylus raised his sword in victory. The rest of his army raised their weapons and saluted the general. The fleet then made its way back to Rome.
The men were given two months leave once they had returned home. Marcylus returned to his home, empty like the way he had left it. His men stopped by every so often to talk with their leader, but for the most part he simply sat outside and prayed to the gods. Marcylus kept his edge by practicing swordplay with Rexell. It wasn't until a week before leave was up when his army started preparing for the next phase of Brutii's campaign. During this time Marcylus received a letter from the senate.
" The people of Rome would be better off if you did not exist dear Marcylus. You have become too influential. If you do not take your own life the senate will declare war on your house."
Marcylus had no intention of commiting suicide. His men readied themselves and were marching to Gaul in three days time. Marcylus then sent Phylus ahead to gather intelligence. He moved off in front of the army to carry out his objectives. As Marcylus watched him sneak into the shadows of a nearby forest. He could not shake the feeling that he may not come back alive.