Ch. 12: Angels of Death
Marcylus looked over the small hill that masked his position. A large camp of Gauls was not even waking yet. His small force would decimate the camp with little trouble. He looked behind him and eyed the force of thirty chosen for this task. They were his best and brightest. They would not let him down. The general waved them forward, and the attack began. They made not a sound as they slowly walked to the camp. The early morning light had not yet reached the horizon, so they trusted Marcylus to guide them. The Romans entered the camp and spread out. Marcylus ducked into the nearest tent and drew his sword. The Gauls inside stirred but none awoke. Marcylus knew this was not an honourable act, killing helpless men, but he wanted revenge for Phylus. The slight sound of throats being slit were barely heard as the men worked their way through the camp.
" My lord, I captured one of the Gauls, he is bound near your horse." Rexell had snuck up behind Marcylus without the General's knowledge. He nodded and waved Rexell away. It took the Romans only another hour before all the Gauls were either dead or captured. The men left the camp, all of them were covered in blood. They showed no remorse. Marcylus knew they would need this if they would succeed in destroying the Gauls. The rest of the day was spent cleaning their armor and weapons. The general planned on how they would take the next Gaul settlement. He was designing something to counter their archers.
Over the next few weeks the army moved slowly until they reached the Gaul settlement. The men promptly blocked all trade caravans to and from the city. They slowly built siege towers. Marcylus secretly ordered a group of ten men to start digging a tunnel towards the city. They trained and prepared for the inevitable siege. A shipment of explosive powder arrived from the senate. This brought a smile to the general's face. His plan was a bold one, but could have great results on how the siege went. As the days passed, the tunnel crept ever closer to the Gauls' walls. On the third month of the siege, the tunnel was completed. Explosive powder and barrels of metal were placed underneath the southern wall. The Romans set up an explosive force enough to break one of the walls, giving the cavalry an entryway into the settlement.
" Romans, I do not know how many Gauls are left, but I do know that they cower in fear of our forces. Do not fear them, for they will not stand long against us. Fight bravely and know that the gods will always guide you!" The Romans cheered after Marcylus' speech. It was finally time to destroy the Gauls they had sieged for months. Onagers were loaded, swords were sharpened, arrows were fitted. They formed into ranks behind the siege towers. The cavalry formed up behind the general. Principes and Legionnaires stood ready to fight. The Triarii made their way into the siege towers. Marcylus gave the order to attack. The ground shook as the Romans started marching. The cavalry moved forward ahead of the infantry. Inside the settlement, the Gauls hastily prepared for their defense. The leader sent a runner to get reinforcements. Little known to the Gauls was that Marcylus had summoned a band of Arcani. They had infiltrated the city long before the siege had begun. They were going to kill all of the enemies in the guard towers.
" Go go go," whispered one of the covert Romans. The men moved underneath a guard tower undetected. Dressed in their black armor and hood, they blended into the shadows. The men ducked into the tower entrance. They cut through the guards easily. It wasn't long before the Arcani had finished with the second tower. They then took their places for the battle to begin. Marcylus gave the order for the Onagers to begin firing. Boulders of many shapes and sizes were hurled at the Gallic walls. Only a few Onager shots landed among the Gauls on the other side of the walls. Men screamed as they were crushed under the weight of the Roman barrage. Once the Onagers had begun firing, a pair of Romans journeyed through the tunnel that had been dug. They placed fire at the end of a long string. It snaked its way to the explosives. The cavalry was just coming into range of the Gallic archers, the explosives detonated.
" Into the city men, cut down anyone not of the Arcani!" cried Marcylus. The cavalry charged through the massive cloud of dust and into the city. Gauls were trampled in a mad rush to gain a foothold. Marcylus drew his sword. It swung through the air in a series of downward strikes. Soon the general was covered in blood again. Screams erupted on all sides of Marcylus. Men had been crushed by the wall coming down, horses were brought down on their riders, Spears, swords, and arrows pierced the flesh of hundreds of men. They Romans cut a bloody swath through the ill prepared Gallic infantry. Marcylus' own infantry began marching through the open gates of the city thanks to the Arcani. The stealthy men then infiltrated the HQ of the city.
" Three men, here!" whispered the lead Arcani. He pointed to one of three doors at the end of a long hallway. Three men positioned themselves to attack. He made a series of quick hand signals to indicate that three men were to get ready on each of the other two doors. They obeyed. The Arcani Centurion made a fist then opened it quickly. He then remade the fist and slowly raised his fingers one by one. They knew they might be going to their deaths, but they did not show any fear. Their blades were red and ready for more action. Once the leader's third finger went up three doors were barged down in unison.
" AAAhhhh!" cried the Arcani as they rushed the Gauls inside each room. The muted sounds of swords being drawn was barely heard. The first and second rooms were taken in no time, but the Arcani leader found himself in a desperate fight against the Gallic leader. Their swords crossed in a series of parries and dodges. The Arcani finally managed to get behind the Gaul as he swung his axe downward. The man's throat was slit in an expert move by the Roman. The men regrouped and went outside the HQ. The mass melee that had been raging outside was now non existent. Marcylus moved and shook the Arcanis' hands one by one.
" Hail men, you have won the battle, and destroyed the Gauls!" cried the General. Their campaign was finally over.
Thx to all the reviewers. Look for my next story in the Warcraft section. peace out all.