they fight with witches at their side.” Marcus’ face hardened. “Camp gossip. The women might fight but we had that at Stagh-herts didn’t we? And they died just as easily. As for the witches, we have met a witch before, and their power seems to be in poison; men’s minds and food! Julius will be fine and I have a feeling that we will be in action sooner rather than later. They have allowed us to get far closer to Mona than I thought they would.” He gestured at the plain. “This would have been a perfect place to hold us up and ambush us. I can’t think why they didn’t”
High in the foothills overlooking the camp Inir was thinking the same thoughts. The Roman invasion force was like a flea on a dog. His scouts had reported they were building a fort. Perhaps this was the total sum of their invasion! He would wait until the following day to decide what to do but he had made his mind up, witch or no witch, he was going to attack the Romans before they got to Mona and if the king did not like that, then there could be a new king ruling the west of Britannia before the turn of the year. Julius Agricola rode his mount next to that of Marcus as they headed North West towards the coast. Marcus turned to view the vexillation which followed them. The four hundred and fifty legionaries seemed a pitifully small force. The Batavians and the Gallorum auxiliaries added fifteen hundred and Marcus could only muster five hundred and twenty three troopers. “You are thinking Decurion that, perhaps, we have too few men?” “I was thinking sir that we could have done with a few more legionaries.” “I disagree. On a battlefield which is unencumbered by rocks, rivers defiles and trees then yes, the legion is invincible. However look around you. Do you see such a battlefield?” “No sir but the terrain suits neither my horses nor my men.” “Your horses, I agree but your men no. They can fight on foot.” There was a silence as Marcus pondered this. “Do you see a problem Decurion?” “No. it is just that Prefect Demetrius wouldn’t have dreamed of taking his men from their horses. Had I known I would have had the men training for that different style of warfare. Luckily Sergeant Macro has had the men sparring on foot.” “The advantage we have over the tribes is that not only do we have the superior weapons and armour but they have the discipline. They don’t need to fight as the legions do, in fact, that would be too difficult.” They were interrupted by a trooper from Julius’ turma. “Yes trooper.” “Decurion Demetrius’ compliments and we have arrived at the straits.” “And?” “And, that is all sir.” The trooper looked confused. Marcus smiled and said, “It is his first duty as vanguard and I think he is trying to make sure he does not make mistakes.” “Return to the Decurion and ask him to wait for us at the coast.” The trooper galloped off glad to be away from the senior officers. “We will make camp there and then we can launch our attack in the next few days.” “Will the fleet be there?” “It doesn’t matter. I have a few ideas.” Enigmatically he ended the conversation leaving Marcus to wonder what he had in mind. The idea of fighting on foot was an intriguing one but it would necessitate training, how Decius would love that! As the column snaked its way down the foothills towards the coast Inir mustered his men. “The Romans have divided their forces. We outnumber them five to one. We will attack.” His men were gathered in their warbands and they began to filter down the hillside using all the cover that was available. Agricola and Marcus were met by an eager Julius. “You can see sir, there is Mona.” He pointed across the short stretch of water to the island lurking in the afternoon mist. Although the day was bright and warm the island had attracted a veil of fog which shrouded the shoreline and all that they could see was a low rise