Slaves of Fear: A Land Unconquered by James Mace

Caratacus.”
    “True, but we only found a couple of them,” Metellus spoke up. “There could be any number out there that are not abandoned.”
    “No matter,” Tyranus remarked. “If we create a blockade between Caratacus and the Deceangli lands, their army will be compelled to disperse, risk starving, or face us in battle.”
    Paulinus concurred. “With suitable defences, fighting on ground of our choosing, we can negate their superior numbers.”
    However strategically sound their plan may have been, Scapula’s face betrayed his lingering doubts. He frowned and slowly shook his head. “We risk spreading ourselves thin,” he said. “I would rather take a bold chance and attack Caratacus head-on. If he knows where General Paetus’ division is and knows we’re here, he will feel caught between our armies. His warriors may panic.”
    “Respectfully, sir, if you think the Silures will panic, you underestimate them,” Magnus stated. “And given that they never defeated the Ordovices, who I may add we’ve never faced in battle, I suspect their valour is at least their equal.”
    “Halkyn Mountain is thirty miles from here, maybe more,” Commander Julianus added. He glanced up at the ceiling of the principia tent, where incessant torrents of rain still echoed. “One can bet the ground between here and there has been churned into a bog. My cavalry will be forced to advance at a crawl.”
    “It’ll take two to three days to reach the mountain,” Paulinus remarked. “We could use that time to establish our blockade, with suitable defence works…”
    “Those are your orders,” the governor interrupted, not bothering to hide his growing irritation. “While I appreciate your collective skill and experience, I find it unbecoming that imperial soldiers are hesitant to take the fight to the enemy. We depart at sunrise, the rains be damned. Dismissed .”
     

 
    Chapter VII: A Sacrifice of Blood
     
    Halkyn Mountain, Four Miles West of the River Dubr Duiu
    22 June 48 A.D.

    Halkyn Mountain
                 
    Scapula ordered two auxilia infantry cohorts to remain at the main camp to guard the wounded, along with the numerous prisoners. Admiral Stoppello was expected to return within the next two weeks, depending on the weather and conditions at sea. At General Paulinus’ recommendation, the onagers had been left behind, as the heavy wagons sank up to the axles in the mud. Much of the baggage, including the large principia tents, were also left at camp.
    The trek to Halkyn Mountain took three days, just as General Paulinus had feared. The army crossed a seemingly endless number of rivers and creeks, which slowed their pace considerably, especially with pack animals. The rains had mercifully ceased, though the skies remained grey with dense clouds. Every step of the way was a slog through mud and slippery grass. Two companies from Indus’ Horse provided reconnaissance. As Julianus predicted, their pace was scarcely better than that of the encumbered infantrymen. It was now late morning on the third day. Every soldier in the column was concerned about when the rains would come again, when a trooper from the vanguard rode back to Governor Scapula and General Paulinus.
    “The barbarians have all hoofed it, sir,” the messenger reported.
    Scapula scowled. “How long ago?”
    “No way of knowing. The entire mountain, along with much of the surrounding lowlands, are a trampled mess. Their army was huge.”
    Scapula halted the column and rode ahead with Paulinus, Tyranus, the staff tribunes, and First Cohort centurions. The ground in and around Halkyn was churned up by thousands of feet. There was also the unmistakable stench of numerous uncovered cesspits, as well as rotted sheep and other animal carcasses from the barbarians’ meals. The senior officers met with the centurion in command of the advance guard, who sat astride his horse at the very top of the hill.
    “We don’t know when they left, sir,