Hibernia (Veteran of Rome Book 2)

by William Kelso

  Tuathal hissed and looked away moodily.

  Corbulo took a step forwards, gave Tuathal a little smile and then turned to the Legate.

  "We have spoken with the locals Sir and they say that Elim has called on all men of fighting age to join him and his army. If this is true we are going to be seriously outnumbered."

  "It isn't true," Tuathal bellowed in an annoyed voice, "I too have been calling upon the clans loyal to my father. My people will come to our rescue, it's just a matter of time."

  Corbulo ignored Tuathal's outburst.

  "I have travelled right across this land and I have seen village after village that is empty of men. I don't think it's an idle story. Elim will be here by nightfall and will surround us. All he has to do is starve us into submission."

  "It's bollocks," Tuathal roared.

  Trebonius raised his hand and turned to Tuathal, "You promised us that you would raise a force of five thousand men," he snapped, "And how many have come, not a single man, not a single warrior."

  "They will come, give them time," Tuathal growled bad tempered.

  Trebonius shook his head, "I don't have time, Corbulo is right, by nightfall Elim will have us surrounded inside this fortress."

  "Sir," Corbulo said clearing his throat, "We have no hope of receiving any reinforcements, we are far from home, we have limited supplies and we are going to be heavily outnumbered. They are going to massacre us. You should give the order to abandon Tara at once and retreat to the coast. There is still time if we go now but we are doomed if we stay here."

  "You are filthy coward," Tuathal cursed as he stared at Corbulo with bitter eyes, "I will never abandon my birthright. I am the High King and Tara is my seat, my fortress. None of my men will be leaving. We are going to fight for what is ours."

  Corbulo turned to look at Trebonius. The Legate was looking down at the ground. Then he sighed.

  "I cannot do that Corbulo," he said in a resigned voice, "My orders are to defend the High King and to hold Tara. We are going to stay here. The decision has already been taken."

  Corbulo saluted stiffly and turned for the exit. As he stepped outside into the bright light he caught sight of Marcus hastening towards him.

  "You are back," Marcus said in a relieved voice as he embraced his father. Corbulo smiled warmly and lifted up the leather satchel.

  "I got it," he grinned, "with a little help from my friend Quintus here."

  A smile appeared on Marcus's face as he turned and stretched out his arm to Quintus. "So where did you go, where did you find the letter?"

  Corbulo raised his hand to his forehead and looked away.

  "It was in Tara all along," he said awkwardly, "The idiot beside me hid it beneath the Stone of Destiny when he first arrived here."

  Chapter Thirty-Two - The Valorous and Victorious

  It was dark and in the sky not even the moon had dared to appear. Along the earthen ramparts of Tara burning torches of pitch bathed the defences in a reddish glow. The long lines of Roman Legionaries were quiet and disciplined as they manned their positions, kneeling down on one knee with their shields leaning against their bodies. The soldiers looked tense as they stared out into the darkness beyond the sharpened stakes. The night too was silent and warm. Corbulo strode along in the rear of the party of officers led by Trebonius, as they inspected the defences. The Legate seemed relaxed and cheerful as he paused here and there to speak with his men and offer them words of encouragement. They had reached the eastern part of the ramparts when a Hibernian Carnyx blared out, shattering the silence. Trebonius paused and turned to look out into the darkness. Then he turned to his officers and in a low urgent voice he issued his orders and with quick salutes, the Roman officers hurried away to their units.

  Corbulo paused just behind the line of Legionaries and turned to stare out into the night. The enemy had finally arrived. Elim had come to claim his capital. In the darkness he could hear the faint cry of men's voices and the whinnying of horses. He squinted, trying to see through the darkness but it was impossible. Then a lone cry rent the night. To his right Corbulo caught sight of a Hibernian as he came screaming out of the darkness towards the Roman line. The man was completely naked and covered in tattoos and he was utterly alone. The man leapt across the ditch and ploughed into the earthen embankment. He managed to rise to his feet just as a Roman spear slammed into his chest sending him flying backwards into the ditch. Corbulo's hand dropped to the pommel of his sword but the man's solo assault was not backed up by a general attack for no more figures appeared from out of the night. The warrior seemed to have acted on his own.

  Along the Roman line the Legionaries were silent as the noise in the darkness continued to grow. Corbulo got down on one knee and blew the air from his lungs. There was nothing else he could do but wait. Quintus crouched beside him and peered out into the darkness.

  "What a fucking mess," the big man muttered. "Thirteen hundred Legionaries, four hundred cavalry, some Syrian archers backed up by a bunch of Hibernian and foreign mercenaries who will run at the first sight of a Hibernian blade. There must be thousands upon thousands of Hibernians out there. We're in trouble Corbulo and the men know it."

  "Are you feeling nervous?" Corbulo said quietly as he too peered into the darkness.

  "Not a chance," Quintus replied, "This is what I have done all my life. I was there when we defeated the Barbarian Queen."

  "So you were," Corbulo nodded as a sudden image of the two of them as young men appeared to him. He shook his head to clear the image. "I am confident that our men will hold them if they attack, but if they starve us out we are all going to die."

  "Best keep that opinion to yourself," Quintus murmured.

  ***

  Corbulo was woken by the blaring of multiple Hibernian war horns. Dawn had come and the darkness of the night was lifting. Quickly he rose to his feet and turned to look at the country beyond the ramparts and as he did his face turned pale in shock. Quintus too had risen to his feet.

  "Oh shit," the big man muttered as he caught sight of the massed ranks of Hibernian warriors a couple of hundred yards away. The enemy ranks stretched away into the forest. There had to be thousands upon thousands of them.

  "Looks like the entire country has come," Quintus murmured. Along the ramparts the Roman officers had started yelling and shouting orders and the Legionaries were hastily scrambling into their positions. Quickly Corbulo turned to Quintus. "If something happens to me make sure that Agricola gets that letter. The lives of my son's family depend on it. Promise me."

  Quintus nodded as a great and menacing cry rose from the Hibernian lines. The cry was followed by the blaring of dozens of Hibernian trumpets as along the Roman front line a voice was suddenly heard. Corbulo turned to see the senior Centurion of the 1st Cohort striding along the Roman line. The officers plumed helmet was unmistakable and he was followed closely by the standard bearer of the Twentieth clad in his wolf skin and holding up the vexillum standard. The Legionaries in the line were down on one knee, shields resting against their bodies and had their spears pointed at the enemy.

  "We are Romans," the Centurion, a grizzled looking veteran was shouting, "We are the finest soldiers the world has ever known. The first Cohort is the pride of the Twentieth Legion and today we will remind the world why. Don't be afraid of the enemy boys, you are better than they are. Jupiter is watching us. Show him that the first Cohort honours him. Valorous and Victorious!"

  Along the Roman line the cry was taking up by Legionary after Legionary.

  "Here they come," Quintus gasped lifting his spear up as the massed Hibernian warriors came storming towards the fortress. Corbulo raised his spear into a throwing position and raised his shield off the ground.

  "Where are the Hamians, where are our archers?" he cried as the Hibernian warriors came surging and yelling towards the ramparts.

  "Trebonius has concentrated them around the southern gate," Quintus snapped, "They must be attacking us from all sides."r />
  There was no time to look. The first of the Hibernians had reached the defensive ditch and were swarming across it like a wave surging up a beach. On top of the ramparts the Legionaries rose to their feet lifted their shields off the ground and flung their spears straight down at the enemy. The volley struck home bowling men backwards and cutting a swathe through the enemy line as the Hibernians were so tightly packed together it was impossible to miss. But the enemy numbers were huge and the volley did little to stop their momentum. Corbulo flung his spear straight into a half naked warriors chest and saw the man stagger backwards under the impact before collapsing to the ground where his body was trampled on by his comrades as they surged up the embankment. Hastily Corbulo drew his sword as the Hibernians reached the rows of sharpened-stakes that pointed outwards from the earth wall and for a moment their momentum slowed as the Hibernians hacked and weaved their way passed the obstacles.

  A Hibernian armed with a spiked club managed to clear the stakes and with a scream flung himself at the Legionaries in front of Corbulo. One of the Romans raised his shield and took the man's blow before stabbing him in the stomach. With a groan the Hibernian went down onto his knees his hand pressed to his torso. All along the ramparts the Hibernians were breaking through the rows of sharpened stakes and the Legionaries, huddling behind their red rectangular shields were already engaged in fierce hand-to-hand combat. Their screams and yells rent the morning air as the Romans tried to drive the enemy back down the embankment with their shields. To his right one of the Legionaries collapsed as he was hit by a spear and a small gap opened up in the Roman line. Immediately three Hibernians battled their way into the gap. Corbulo scrambled down the Roman line and thrust the boss of his shield into a Hibernian's face. The man cried out and collided with his comrade. Then with a roar Quintus was upon them ramming his sword into a Hibernian face and driving the second man back down the embankment where he was swiftly impaled by a spear thrown from his own side. The third Hibernian swung his sword at Corbulo but the weapon broke as it smashed into Corbulo's shield. For an insane moment the Hibernian stared at the broken weapon in his hand. Then a Legionary knifed him from behind and the man collapsed.

  "Throw them back, throw them back. This is our wall," a Roman voice shouted. The senior Centurion of the first Cohort was striding up the line. The officer was armed with a shield and he had drawn his sword. Corbulo gasped as he saw that the entire embankment was engulfed in a writhing, hacking, stabbing, shoving and screaming mass of men fighting for their lives. The Roman line however was just about holding. Corbulo staggered backwards as a stone hit and bounced off his shield. Beyond the mass of Hibernian infantry pushing up the embankment he caught sight of a line of Hibernian slingers. Close by a Legionary cried out and toppled backwards as he was struck by a stone.

  "Cowards," Quintus roared as he shoved a Hibernian back down the slope with his shield, "Come and fight like proper men. Come on. I am here you filthy lying whores!"

  Corbulo raised his shield as another Hibernian came at him clutching a spear. The man's face was covered in blue woad. Corbulo braced himself as the man crashed into him and for a moment the two of them groaned and strained as they tried to push each other backwards. The Hibernian stronger and younger seemed to be gaining the upper hand when Corbulo's sword sliced into the back of his leg. With a shriek the Hibernian went down on his knees as Corbulo stepped back and kicked the man in the head with his hobnailed boot. The blow sent the man spinning and tumbling into the ranks of his comrades. A sudden shout and commotion behind Corbulo made him twist round in alarm. Had the enemy managed to break through behind them? A Roman officer came running along the top of the embankment. He was closely followed by a column of Hamian archers running along in single file. The Syrian uniforms and equipment were unmistakable. The officer rushed passed Corbulo and as he did the Hamians began to form a line behind the hard pressed Legionaries. There was no time to stand and gawp however. Another Legionary close by collapsed from a stab wound and instantly the Hibernians tried to scramble through the gap. Corbulo sprang forwards and charged straight into a Hibernian who had managed to reach the top of the embankment. With a cry his shield battered into the man sending him flying backwards through the air and the force of his charge was so great that it nearly propelled Corbulo down the slope with him.

  A Roman trumpet suddenly blasted away and behind him Corbulo sensed movement. With a taught twang, a volley of arrows shot up into the air over his head and hurtled towards the Hibernian slingers. The first volley had not even struck before a second was arching gracefully into the air. Shrieks and cries rose up from the Hibernian slingers. The enemy had no armour and no shields to protect themselves and the arrows slammed into them with ruthless efficiency. A Hamian was suddenly standing beside Corbulo with his bow trained on the enemy on the slope below. The archer's peaked helmet and exotic chain mail made him easily distinguishable from the Legionaries. Without a word the man released his arrow. Then he reached for another from the quiver on his back and released it. At such close range it was impossible to miss. Along the entire eastern rampart arrows began to fly straight into the Hibernian ranks, hammering into the lightly protected enemy with ruthless intent. Volley after volley hurled down the slope as the Hamians began to pick up their firing rate. Corbulo panting with exhaustion as he stared at the growing carnage below him in morbid fascination. The discipline and training of the Hamian archers was highly impressive.

  To his right a strange trumpeting noise suddenly broke out. Corbulo snatched a look in the direction from which the noise had come. That had not been a Roman army trumpet. Then screams and yells of panic could be heard coming from the Hibernians near the southern gate and a moment later an enraged and bellowing elephant came ploughing through the Hibernian ranks. The animal's tusks flung aside everything in its path as it desperately tried to flee from the battle. Two spears were sticking from its thick hide. At the sight of the strange beast the Hibernians in front of Corbulo started to panic and run. The rout spread with amazing speed and within seconds the entire Hibernian assault was in retreat. Corbulo felt a wild surge of elation as the Hibernians began to run for their lives. Of course none of them had ever seen an elephant before. From the Roman lines there was little reaction to the sudden Hibernian retreat, for the men seemed too exhausted to celebrate. Corbulo sank down on one knee as he watched the enraged and terrified elephant vanish off into the forest. The battle was over. Down below him hundreds upon hundreds of corpses filled the ditch and littered the embankment and blood, entrails, discarded and broken weapons and arrows were everywhere. As he looked at the battlefield a few Roman Legionaries slithered down the slope and began to mercilessly finish off the Hibernian wounded.

  Corbulo glanced across at Quintus. The big man was tightening the bandage around his leg and his torso armour was smeared with someone else's blood. He looked up and grinned.

  "That wasn't too bad," he muttered.

  From the corner of his eye Corbulo caught sight of a young officer hastening along the top of the rampart. As he drew closer he saw that it was Galba. The Tribune's face was ashen and he seemed to be looking for someone.

  "Corbulo, Corbulo," Galba cried as he caught sight of him. Corbulo rose to his feet as he felt a sudden sense of unease.

  "I am here," he replied searching Galba's face for clues. "What is it?"

  Galba hastened over to him. The young man's face was covered in sweat.

  "It's Trebonius," Galba gasped, "He has been badly wounded in the fighting around the southern gate. He's calling for you. I am bringing you to him right now."

  Chapter Thirty-Three - The Commander

  The door to the Roman HQ inside the Royal Seat was unguarded as Corbulo followed by Quintus and Galba barged through the entrance. Several men were standing around an army camp bed on which lay a body. The Centurion's looked up sharply as Corbulo strode towards them. One of the officers had a bloodied bandage wrapped around his head and the others were cover
ed in sweat, mud and blood. Everyone of them looked worried and anxious. Corbulo pushed his way towards the bedside and looked down at the Legate. A slave, clad in a simple white tunic was mopping Trebonius's forehead with a damp sponge. Trebonius himself had his eyes closed and was groaning in pain. Dark red blood was seeping out through a bandage that covered an ugly looking gash in his abdomen.

  "He was hit by a spear, the wound is grave," the army doctor tending to him said, as he caught sight of Corbulo.

  "Is he going to die?" Corbulo said hastily.

  The doctor lowered his gaze and nodded. "Soon," he muttered, "I can do nothing more for him, I am sorry."

  "Corbulo is that you?" Trebonius murmured weakly as his eyes flicked open.

  Corbulo took hold of the Legate's hand and gripped it.

  "It's me Sir, I am here," he said quietly.

  Slowly Trebonius turned his head and looked up at him. "Good man," he murmured, "I knew you would come but it's the end of the line for me."

  "You should rest Sir," Corbulo said gently.

  "No," Trebonius replied as he suddenly groaned in pain and for a moment he was unable to speak, "No, you have not been wrong before, don't start now Corbulo," he continued in a hoarse voice as his eyes closed.

  "I want you to do something for me, promise me that you will do it," the Legate whispered. "I want you to take command of the battle group," Trebonius's eyes flickered open once more and he stared up at Corbulo, "See that my boys get home alive. They don't deserve to die out here. Promise me Corbulo, lead my boys back home."

  Corbulo's eyes widened in shock. He was about to protest when he saw a faint smile appear on the Legate's lips.

  "Just promise me," Trebonius whispered.

  For a moment Corbulo was unable to reply. Then he took a deep breath.

  "Yes Sir, I promise you that I will do my best," he muttered, "But why me? There are many here who can assume command."