The Legionary
Authors Note
The basic Roman unit was a century made up of 80 legionaries that’s the basic Roman solider equipped with a short sword, javelin and a shield who were commanded by a centurion and his second in command called an optio. Also the Ordovices are a tribe in mid Wales famous for their resistance against Rome
56 A.D
Mid Wales
Ordovices Territory
“I’ll never get used to this bloody weather!” Andinus sighed rubbing his hands together trying to build up some heat. “Out of all the places I could have been posted to, it was the land where the sun don’t shine.” “ If you don’t shut up I’ll stick my sword up where the suns don’t shine.” Evoto laughed giving him a friendly punch on the shoulder. “You’ll get used to it; you have only been here two weeks.” Evoto pointed out “give it some time and you won’t notice the difference.” Andinus got up from his mattress “I’m going for a walk anyone coming?” A few people muttered and shook their heads the rest pretended they didn’t hear anything. “Lazy fucks” Andinus growled strolling out of his tent.
It was cold, colder than inside. Most of the men were still asleep the only ones that were visible were on watch. “Can’t sleep?” Andinus glanced over his shoulder to see centurion Medius walking up to him his expression withered and depressed “Yes sir” Andinus straightened his back up and gave a half heartedly salute. Medius let out a long deep laugh “you don’t act like that now son, you’re off duty. So what are you really doing out here at this time of night.” Andinus hesitated before replying he had never spoken to a superior so closely before “I.... can’t go to sleep don’t know why, just thought I might stroll around for a bit get some warmth back into me. Medius pressed his hand against his sword that lay by his side “soon you’ll have more important things to worry about. We are going to take down that bloody Ordovices fort for tomorrow; you should start to think about that.” He smiled then walked off into the distance leaving Andinus to drown in his own misery.
Six Hours later
Heavy snow covered the ground; there were no sun just clouds that covered the sky. The first and third century were getting ready for the long walk to the fort, many of the other legionaries turned to great them off wishing them luck and saying they will be waiting for their return, but the truth was they weren’t expecting many of them to come back.
“Nervous?” Evoto asked tying up his shoe laces in a lazy manner “Why should I be?” Andinus asked looking annoyed in the thought that his friend was implying that he was some kind of coward. “It is you’re first battle surely you must feel something?” Andinus consider this for a moment thinking that if he said no Evoto may think that he was lying. “More curiosity than fear.” With that he winked and walked out followed a few minutes later by Evoto.
The two century’s encountered six hard hours of marching before they finally reached the fort. “Well its about time!” Andinus muttered trying not to collapse on the floor he could barely move Droplets of sweat were running down his face onto the ground, making small holes in the snow. “You useless fuck, get back in line!” Medius screamed. Andinus felt his face burning in anger and embarrassment in showing his failing strength. He quickly went back into his column and ignored the grinning faces around him. He glanced at the fort; it was not a big one, he guessed it only housed a hundred warriors. “Listen up lads.”Medius voice boomed out. “We are going to take the fort here a now, spare no one including women and children.” Andinus winced at that, he could not imagine himself killing a fully grown man never mind a women and her children.
Medius signalled to the other centurion then in a loud voice drew his short sword pointed it at the fort and said the words “advance.”
Part 2 coming soon
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