The Star-Gazer (7)
The thunder of hooves kicked up clouds of dust as the cavalry charged. The soldiers couldn't react in time. Only a handful had managed to form ranks amid the sneezing and coughing. A few shouted warnings belatedly, but it was too late.
Crunch!
"Aaaagh!"
Soldiers screamed as they were trampled under hooves. The cavalry smashed straight through our front line and bore down on the archers.
"Target the horses! Direct fire!"
I barked the best order I could in the chaos.
The archers nocked arrows. It was a terrifying sight, the enemy riders almost upon us, but most obeyed.
"Loose!"
The centurion's shout sent arrows streaking straight at the oncoming mounts. The barbarians swung their swords desperately, but they couldn't block every shaft aimed at their horses.
Neigh!
Horses shrieked as arrows struck home, rearing up on hind legs. Riders tumbled to the ground, and the lead animals' collapse halved the cavalry's momentum.
In a wider canyon, a few fallen horses might not have blunted the charge, but this was tight terrain. That was why I hadn't expected them to use cavalry.
Finally snapping to, the soldiers swung at the barbarians atop their mounts.
"Kek!"
One barbarian toppled from his horse, slashed by a blade. Cavalry were unstoppable at full gallop, but slowed, they were just easy prey for infantry.
As our men swarmed the riders, hacking away, the barbarian commander bellowed.
"The imperial scum's line is broken! Attack!"
His shout spurred the hesitant barbarian infantry behind. They gripped weapons and surged forward. The narrow canyon dissolved into a hellish melee as the forces tangled.
Infantry shoved and were shoved back, corpses piling up on the canyon floor.
I spat dryly and ordered the engineers.
"Gather the half-burned wagons and dung from the rear."
"Yes, sir."
I'd return the barbarians' trick in kind. Meanwhile, our soldiers yielded ten meters to the enemy.
"Ready."
The centurion reported. I had the rear-line troops stuff leather into their mouths. We sliced fur from barbarian corpses to seal their lips. Then I roared at the front lines.
"Fabius! Pull the men back!"
"Fall back!"
Officers barely needed to speak; the soldiers retreated swiftly.
Those too entangled with the foe took wounds falling back, but most escaped unscathed. The barbarians charged after them with gusto.
I ordered the prepared dung sacks hurled at the enemy.
Thud!
The barbarians raised shields against the flying sacks. But as they burst, powder exploded outward, sending them into coughing fits. Just like we'd suffered moments ago, they couldn't open their eyes.
Our soldiers, waiting for this, charged their disordered line and thrust home.
The tide turned again.
Kariste, you rat. What's your next play?
I ground my teeth and rallied the men.
"Kill every last barbarian! The momentum's ours!"
I hoisted the eagle standard high.
The barbarians, who had feigned retreat only to spring a trap, lost heart. Seeing their front ranks slaughtered without resistance, they turned tail.
Their line crumbled, formation gone.
They devolved into a routed mob, bereft of legion discipline.
The legion pursued mercilessly, blades reaping without pity. The blood and sacrifice they'd just witnessed fueled their fury.
Even wounded foes begging for mercy, heads bowed, were crushed under hobnailed boots.
I watched the legion grind forward, then turned my gaze to the canyon's rear.
The front was broken; all that remained was smashing the Hiberia force that had flanked us.
Gripping the eagle standard, my eyes flashed.
But the news from the rear was unexpected.
"The Hiberians' main force isn't coming?"
Only then did the puzzle pieces fall into place.
A massive Hiberia army couldn't have circled behind so fast. High-speed march through unmarked trails? That would make Regulus a monster beyond Heigirt.
But he hadn't.
Their plan had been simple from the start.
The Hiberians and Gelt split paths based on their beliefs. Regulus figured Gelt was the main target and wanted to part early; Kariste insisted on the prepared route. But trusting our word alone for withdrawal left them uneasy.
That explained the detachment hitting our rear—not true Hiberians, but Gelt auxiliaries.
Hiberia had allowed them along as insurance, for mutual aid if attacked.
Clever maneuvering.
"Yes, lord. The rear enemy is a small force."
"Guard the tail tightly regardless."
"Yes."
I issued the order and scanned the battlefield.
No Hiberia flank meant no immediate threats.
"Commit all remaining troops. Archers and engineers too."
"Draw swords, all! Support your brothers!"
"Waaaaah!"
The reserves plunged into the fray.
I watched the legion advance.
Barbarians fled frantically, trampling wagons and comrades.
Massive piles of corpses carpeted the canyon.
The wounded spewed blood and groaned.
I followed the legion across the canyon.
At its end, the view opened wide.
This was Briton's central highlands, the island's midriff.
Mostly flat, but sloping north—bad for the fleeing.
Trapped like rabbits, the barbarians were helpless game.
Soldiers climbed the plateau, severing heads. It was one-sided slaughter.
Only early escapees on horseback survived.
Gazing at the fleeing barbarians atop the highland, I planted the legion standard.
Less than a thousand survivors, at best.
That many limping back would terrify the Gelt beyond the Great Wall.
But victory demanded perfection.
Better to eradicate them than let a thousand escape. No barbarian who crossed our border lives. Wouldn't that instill raw terror?
I eyed the foe and spoke to Fabius.
"Fabius."
"Yes, lord."
"Sound retreat in thirty minutes."
"Pardon? Can't we rack up more kills?"
"We could. But priorities shift. Securing dead horses and their abandoned grain is urgent. Delay, and we lose yield. Understand?"
Fabius bowed.
My intent was clear: stockpile food to push past the Wall. Crush the barbarians utterly—that was the plan.
"Trumpet in thirty."
"Understood."
I clapped his shoulder and picked up a fallen barbarian banner.
Snap.
The Battle of Velite Canyon ended in under three hours. The main clash wrapped in one, stretched by the rear skirmish.
We took seven thousand barbarian heads—over twice our legion's strength. A colossal triumph.
But the cost was steep.
Nearly a thousand casualties across the legions. One in three dead or wounded—not light losses.
I encouraged the men and had horse-bone stew distributed. Exhausted troops caught their breath over the broth.
I toured with Rikius.
"The men are more worn than expected."
"Seems so."
"How far do you plan to take this fight, lord?"
"Past the Wall if we can. Victory must be sealed firm. Didn't Sartia and Goti teach us that?"
"Wise words. But they might demand a halt."
"Halt mid-battle?"
"Yes."
Legion rules demanded absolute obedience, but troops had invoked 'refusal to march' in rare cases.
"Leaving the enemy? You're joking."
"No, sir. Commanding the canyon mouth, I heard murmurs of discontent."
"Really?"
I couldn't dismiss it lightly.
"Clear as day."
"Troubling."
"Lord, they've taken heavy hits this war. Smash Hiberia, and they won't cross Briton for five years at least."
Rikius was right.
Northern barbarians seemed endless, but prime warriors were scarce.
No new youths to replace the dead meant no armies soon.
"But this is my last shot at Briton."
I gave a wry smile.
As imperial proxy, I guarded the realm. Briton unrest wouldn't draw me so easily again. Other borders had to quiet first.
"Replenishing Briton legions to strength is tough. Window's one season. Shapur's war resumes soon; Briton becomes impossible then."
Rikius bowed.
"They'll think you're stubborn."
"Can't be helped. The empire gave me this seat to do the dirty work. I won't shirk duty. I get your worry, but they won't mutiny."
"Yes."
Hand on his shoulder, I looked skyward.
"See those stars? Heroes of myth. Know that one?"
"Heracles' star."
"My favorite. Endured inhuman trials, achieved the labors, became a god. Gazing at it, I ponder what I can do for the empire."
"You've surpassed Heracles, lord."
"Good jest. My wish? Be a beacon like those stars, lighting the empire's path. Much to do for that dream."
I squeezed his shoulder and walked among the troops.
(To be continued)