The youngest of the senior officers stepped forward, pointing at the map with one finger to indicate the long ridge that ran along the valley’s northern side.
‘Sir, it seems from Centurion Corvus’s scouting report as if the enemy plan to attempt a flanking attack from the north.’
Marcus and his companions had made their way into the valley over the Saddle just before dark, having used game paths scouted out by Arabus to lead their horses around the Sarmatae warriors they had tracked up the side valley. Picking their way carefully through the traps laid out across the flat ground earlier that day by the Tungrian pioneers, they had descended wearily into the valley as darkness fell. Their arrival had resulted in a combination of relief that they were safe and consternation at their news, and Sigilis had swiftly agreed to go through with Scaurus’s suggestion that he attempt to influence Belletor into defending their Ravenstone’s obvious weak point. He indicated a spot on the map of the valley, putting a finger on the Saddle’s location.
‘I must admit that I had anticipated such a move, given the centurion’s report of the open ground up there, and so I suggested to our colleague Rutilius Scaurus that he might get his pioneers to give the ground up there a bit of attention, in anticipation of a fight for that particular piece of high ground. .’
Scaurus stepped forward with his face carefully composed.
‘Which I was happy to do, given the wisdom I saw reflected in the suggestion. Although as we all know, to a determined enemy an undefended obstacle is no obstacle at all. It might be wise to detach a part of our strength to watch this potential point of attack — perhaps five centuries from my First Cohort and three centuries of the Thracian archers? Indeed further to that, colleague, I think that the command of such a critical part of the valley’s defence is a job for a senior officer, and so I suggest that Tribune Sigilis might be given an independent command in this instance? Perhaps Centurion Corvus here might act as his second in command, and assist him in the control of unfamiliar soldiers?’
Sigilis looked to Belletor in question, and after a moment the tribune nodded graciously to Scaurus, who saluted gravely before turning to the younger man.
‘Thank you, colleague. Tribune Sigilis, I hereby detach half of the First Tungrian Cohort to your command, with Centurion Corvus to assist you. Use them wisely, Tribune, I’d like them back in good condition when you’re done with them. You are to organise the movement of the required forces this evening, and put your men in place before nightfall. I’d expect the attack to come at first light, but we’ve no way to know this Boraz’s intended schedule, so let’s not run the risk of the show starting before your men are in place. On your way, gentlemen. Now, as to the rest of the defence, if I might make a suggestion. .’
Marcus and Sigilis slipped out of the briefing through ranks of centurions, intent on Scaurus’s instructions as to how the battle would be fought the next day. Outside the command building the young tribune held his hands up in a gesture of surrender, shaking his head at the quizzical look he received in return.
‘We both know why Gaius Rutilius Scaurus put you under me for this task, Centurion, so let’s not be under any illusions. You know because you’re experienced enough to know how these things need to be done, and I know because he took me to one side and told me so, slowly and clearly and without any room for doubt. You’re the experienced soldier and I’m a neophyte, and if anyone’s going to get hundreds of soldiers up on that hillside and ready to fight it’s going to be you, not me. So just to be really clear, I’m intending to watch and learn, and most of all not to get in your way over the next few hours.’
Marcus nodded.
‘In that case, Tribune, I suggest we both go and fetch our thickest cloaks and an extra pair of socks, because it’s going to be bitterly cold up there once the sun’s gone down. And be sure to bring your most important piece of equipment.’
Sigilis nodded earnestly.
‘I will. And that would be?’
‘Your spoon, Tribune.’
Scaurus returned to his quarters to find Theodora waiting for him outside the tent, her face reflecting the anxiety she was clearly feeling. He bowed formally, raising an eyebrow in question.
‘I trust you’re well, madam? You’ll have to excuse my rather fleeting attention, but I have rather a lot on my mind at this point in time.’
She smiled warmly at him, stepping close in a wave of perfume and taking his hands in hers, staring up into his eyes.
‘Do forgive me, Tribune, I have no desire to waste your time. I just wanted to tell you that we’re all very grateful that you’re here to defend us from the barbarians. I believe their attack is expected in a matter of hours?’
The tribune put a ressuring hand on her arm.
‘It seems that nothing escapes your vigilance, Theodora. But you can rest assured that we’ve completed the valley’s defences to my satisfaction. Nobody’s going to get inside this facility without a good deal more strength than I believe this man Boraz can muster.’
‘But I saw men climbing the northern side of the valley?’
‘A precaution, nothing more.’ He bowed again. ‘And now I must beg for your forgiveness. If you’ll excuse me?’
She released his hands, trailing her fingertips across his palms.
‘On the contrary, Tribune, you must forgive me for keeping you from your duty. I wish you the best of luck.’
He smiled wistfully at her back as she swept away down the line of tents, then ducked inside his own with a call to his bodyguard.
‘Arminius? Where is that blasted-’ Realising that the big German’s blanket was missing from its usual resting place at the bottom of his bed where the bodyguard routinely slept, he nodded his head in belated realisation of where he was likely to be. ‘I hope you dressed warmly, old friend. .’
‘Don’t be put off by Arminius’s forbidding exterior; he’s the most amenable of men once you get to know him properly.’ Marcus popped a chunk of pork into his mouth, blowing steam out into the night air as he gingerly chewed at the hot mouthful. ‘I was lucky enough to be in the right place to save him from harm a year or so ago, and he still won’t allow me anywhere near unfriendly men without looming over my shoulder like a particularly unaccommodating doorman.’
Sigilis laughed through his own mouthful, and earned a raised eyebrow from the German.
‘Don’t worry, I’m very much used to intimidating barbarians. My father has half a dozen house slaves who were taken during the German Wars. He used them to accompany the female members of the family out in the city, depending on their fearsome looks to keep the ladies safe from robbers and charlatans. Mind you,’ — he looked over at Arminius with a calculating glance — ‘there’s none of them quite the match of your friend here. What do you feed him on?’
‘Tribunes.’
Marcus shook his head at the German’s retort.
‘Rutilius Scaurus has been trying to cure him of the habit of answering back to his superiors for as long as he’s owned the man, but to no avail. And since he won’t let me go anywhere the slightest bit risky without the pleasure of his company, I’ve found it best to tolerate his occasional flashes of wit, rather than rising to them. Though why he still feels the need to stay so close when Lugos here is getting on for twice his size is a bit of a puzzle.’