In the late afternoon the sky cleared and I could see the sun, a circle of molten gold, just above the tops of the trees that thickened the horizon to our front. We dropped into a hollow, passed an abandoned straggle of huts, and then began to climb up a long slope; and either side of the road the snow lay thick and undisturbed, as far as a man on a horse could see. The legionaries began to quicken their pace, and the cavalry, as though at command, mounted their horses. A stir of expectation ran through the column, and faces began to peer through the slits in the waggon covers. There, ahead of us, between a gap in the trees, black against the sky, stood the framework of a signal tower, and the smoke from it streamed upwards into the cold air, as a message of welcome against our coming. We knew then that we had reached our destination—the thirtieth milestone out of Augusta Treverorum.
It was now the thirteenth day of January. For seven days we had held Moguntiacum against the hatred and envy and greed of five tribes. Then, we had retreated for six days through the hills in the most appalling conditions of ice and snow, fighting a rear-guard action of savage skirmishes over a distance of seventy odd miles. Yet not one man had fallen out who had not previously been injured by the swords or axes of the barbarians. It was still a legion that I commanded. As I went forward to greet the post commander, while my tired men began to bivouac behind the ditches we had prepared all those months before, a raven flew above my head and cawed dismally. I shivered. I knew, in my heart, that the legion had made its last march.
XVIII
INSIDE THE PALISADE I met Agilio, no longer the care-free boy I had last seen a short while ago; his face was strained and he looked anxious the whole time.
“Is everything in order?” I asked.
He nodded dumbly, his eyes wide as he watched my tired men file past towards the site of their camp in the rear. He had not believed me when I had warned him of what might happen; he had not visualised the possibility of defeat.
“Is Flavius here?”
“Yes, sir. He has been here several days.”
“Have you seen anything of the garrisons from the other forts—Salisio, Boudobrigo, Confluentes?”
He shook his head.
“I signalled them to withdraw days ago,” I said. “They must have been destroyed by now. We saw nothing of them upon the road.”
Flavius was inside the tower, and Quintus and Fredegar joined me there. We sat down on the narrow benches in the living quarters and drank the wine Agilio offered us, in silence. We were so tired and so cold that nothing seemed to matter except sleep. Even death would have been welcomed as a friend at that moment. At length I roused myself with an effort. “What supplies have you got?”
Flavius said grimly, “All I could lay my hands on. Many were evacuating the city when I left. I had to kill in order to take what I wanted. I have thirty waggons, loaded with biscuits, salt meat, corn and vinegar, as well as a little wine. Also arrow heads and shafts, ballistae bolts and spears. Enough food, that is, for five thousand men for two days on full rations.”
I said, “We have Fredegar’s Franks to feed, as well as the signal post people we picked up on the way. How many did you bring?”
“The two centuries you left me, and four hundred others.”
“Any horses?”
“Sixty. That was all I could muster. I had to use mules for the waggons.”
“Artillery?”
“Four ballistae and six carroballistae.”
“Very well.” I nodded my dismissal.
Flavius stood his ground. “There is just one thing, sir. I saw the Bishop before I left. He told me he had written to the Praefectus at Arelate, begging for help.”
“So did I, but I had no reply.”
“But I have a letter from the Magister Equitum per Gallias.”
“Give it to me.” I read Chariobaudes’ letter carefully, while the others waited. “I would help you if I could and as I promised. But I learn that the Alemanni are across the Rhenus in strength and have captured two other cities, as well as Borbetomagus. This means that the road to Divodurum lies open before them. It must be obvious, therefore, that my first duty is to protect this city, else they would have an open pathway into the heart of Gaul. The Praefectus Praetorio has confirmed this decision. Do not think too harshly of me, therefore. I am confident that all will yet be well with you. Treverorum is a strong city to defend and these people are not good at siege warfare.” I read it through to the end and then flung it at Quintus. “So much for the help he promised us. The Praefectus can escape by boat, of course. He risks nothing; he forgets nothing, save his duty.”
Quintus said carefully, “From Chariobaudes’ point of view he is quite correct.”
“Of course. Only he doesn’t realise that the Alemanni have no intention of marching inland. He will keep his men there, and nothing will happen.”
Quintus looked at the others in turn. “You will keep silent about this message. Is that understood?” They nodded. To me he said, “There is still some good advice in the letter.” He paused. He said, “If we pull the legion back to Treverorum we could hold it against them easily. If we stay here we risk being destroyed.”
“Fetch Aquila.”
He came, shaking the snow from his shoulders as he entered.
“It is snowing again,” he said.
“Aquila, can the men march another thirty miles back to the city?”
He hesitated.
“If we march at dawn? Can they?”
He shook his head. “I do not think so,” he said slowly.
Flavius said, “There is a lot of heavy snow on the road between here and the city. I had difficulty in getting through with the waggons.”
Aquila said, “The men must have some rest, sir.”
“It is only thirty miles,” said Quintus. He paused, as an orderly entered and lit the lamp. He leaned back and stretched himself. He said, “They won’t give us long even if we do stay here.”
Fredegar said, “They are tired, as we are, and just as hungry. Yet behind these ditches we are safe until they attack us.” He gazed at me ironically.
The post commander said anxiously, “I kept the ditches cleared as you ordered, sir, though it was not easy.”
I smiled at him. “Nothing has been easy for any of us.”
Quintus said, “They must have Treverorum. If we hold it, then they cannot have it. Without food they will die.”
Aquila said, “I understand that, sir.” He glanced at me. He said, “They know you intended to fight here. They are full of confidence. This they will lose if they are asked to march again. As for myself—” He hesitated.
“Yes?”
“They are marching faster than we. In spite of our start their cavalry has already caught up.”