THE INVASION OF GAUL (6 page)

“
That means that you get the other engineering project, Marcus. I want the bridge completely dismantled. It’s a weak spot in our defences, and I need it removed. It’ll be a large task, as it’s a Roman bridge and not one of the local ramshackle constructions. Go with Tetricus and select some of the engineers for the task. In fact, I want you to liaise with the tribune on every aspect of the defences. Tetricus may be very clever and experienced with fortifications, but you will need to make sure that anything he comes up with is suitable for the disposition of the men.”

Fronto nodded.

“
Of course, sir.”

He turned to Tetricus.

“
I suggest we take a walk down by the bridge and the river before we go and sort the personnel out.”

Tetricus nodded respectfully.

“
Perhaps sir, but I will need a little time first. I need to take stock of all our assets before we begin planning. I do think perhaps it would be better if we found our engineers first. They may have useful suggestions.”

Fronto shrugged.

“
You’re the expert.”

Smiling benignly, the general turned to face the older commander of the group.

“
Balbus, you know this territory and its people better than anyone here. I need you to liaise between all the more senior officers here and myself. I want you to give a great deal of attention to the maps and find any holes in our strategy, any weak spots, or anything else of which I have not taken account. Moreover, I want you and Fronto to come up with a reasonable plan for the disposition of the Eighth Legion and two training legions along the river and the defences Tetricus will be constructing. This brings me to you, Longinus.”

The commander of the Ninth frowned.

“
Sir, I can’t really understand why I’m here and not with my legion.”

Caesar leaned back in his chair.

“
I want you to command the cavalry attached to the Eighth, separately, along with the mounted auxiliary units. You will be in charge of placing scouts and running mounted patrols on the other side of the river and along the lake shore. Should there be a serious engagement, I will want you commanding the cavalry there too.”

He smiled with satisfaction.

“
I will continue to base myself here, and the four of you will have access day or night. If I am asleep and you need me for anything, speak to one of my adjutants and they will wake me. I think that just about covers it unless any of you have a question or comment?”

As the four officers in the room remained silent, shaking their heads, Caesar nodded and dismissed them.

At the front door of the headquarters building Longinus split off to find the Eighth’s cavalry prefect, and Balbus spoke directly to Fronto for the first time; his voice deep, soft and weary.

“
I get the impression from what Caesar says that your man Velius is a fair asset. He’s obviously not even considering my training officer.”

Fronto nodded, examining Balbus’ face for signs of disapproval, but the older man appeared to be stating it as fact rather than making a complaint.

“
He’s a good man. A little too straight talking some times, but that can be useful. Caesar knows what he can do. The Tenth were undermanned when I took control and around a third of the legion were new recruits a month ago. Velius had them working together like veterans in no time. We have some good men in the Tenth.”

He smiled. “If it’s alright with you, I’ll head off with Tetricus now and find some men.”

Tetricus, following the other two at a respectful distance, cleared his throat. Fronto turned.

“
Tetricus, we’re not Senators; we’re soldiers. If we’re going to work together this next couple of weeks, you’re going to have to relax a little. For a start, you can call me Marcus, and you can walk
with
us, rather than behind us.”

“
Yes Marcus. It just feels a bit odd. Crassus doesn’t approve of his tribunes addressing him as anything other than sir.”

Balbus smiled.

“
Crassus is very young. Once he’s fought across the continent and acquired arthritis in two or three joints, he’ll settle down like Marcus and I. And call me Quintus, too.”

Tetricus smiled. “I’m Gaius.”

Balbus patted Tetricus on the shoulder. “We have some good men in the Eighth too, but they’re used to being the only ones in the Province. You’ll have to put your foot down with them. They may be a little put out at being assigned to another officer, even if he’s appointed by Caesar. They’re proud of the Eighth and of being the guardians of civilisation here in the north.”

Fronto grinned.

“
And so they should be, legate. The Eighth has a fairly fearsome reputation. I remember when I went to Spain and joined the Ninth, the Eighth were regularly reported to be involved in some sort of action up here, and the name Balbus was already spoken of highly in command circles that long ago. You must have been with them a long time. Have you never considered taking political office?”

Balbus smiled one of his rare smiles.

“
Marcus, my officers have been jumping for a week, ever since we knew Caesar was coming. The men stand in awe of the general but, though you may not be aware, your reputation carries at least as far and as fast as mine. Our career centurions already know who to watch for. Things tend to shake up wherever you go, and those in the know say you have the ear of Caesar beyond all others.”

“
I don’t know about that, but the general and I have known each other a long time, and he seems to trust me. I think I’m just too set in my ways to be unpredictable and dangerous. Mark my words, Quintus, that man is dangerous. Brilliant and charismatic, but dangerous. There’s one legion here, with two on the way, which is fine, but there are three more legions gathering at Vienna and more auxiliaries being raised. That kind of force is not used to swat flies. He’s building an invasion army, and that should be plainly obvious to anyone with a strategic background. He’ll either lead us to glorious victory, or to an unprecedented bloodbath. Likely a little of both.”

Fronto suddenly remembered that Tetricus was with them. Turning, he narrowed his eyes.

“
Needless to say, this is all in strict confidence, Gaius.”

Balbus shrugged. “What will be, will be, Marcus.” He paused for a moment at the crossroads by the granaries and collared an optio, who came immediately to attention.

“
Optio, find Helvius and bring him to me at my quarters.”

He turned to the other two. “Care for a drink while we wait for my chief engineer?”

“
Why not,” Fronto grinned.

Tetricus shook his head.

“
Thank you for the offer sir, but I really must run a survey of our resources if we’re going to plan any works. Perhaps you could have someone find me at the stores when you’ve spoken to your senior engineer?”

Balbus nodded and the young tribune jogged off toward the storehouses.

As the two legates entered the commander’s house, Fronto admired the building. The summer training base of the Eighth had been in use now for well over a decade, and had become a second home for the legion. Certainly, it seemed to have become a second home for the commander. Essentially a small villa, Balbus’ quarters were an oasis of peace in the middle of a muddy military base.

“
Must be nice to be based somewhere often enough to make something of it. We use a different training site every time we leave Aquileia, so they’re always the same old muddy shit-holes. You’ve got walls around you and a ceiling above. We seem to spend around eight months sweating under leather tents and then four months in winter quarters. Nice place you have.”

Balbus smiled again. “A nice little ‘home away from Rome’, you might say. Corvinia lives in Massilia, but she comes here with me during the summer. I think she does her best to pretend she doesn’t live in a fort, though I don’t believe she’s ever considered living in Rome either. She’s a country girl from Campania, and I think she likes the open spaces too much.” He ducked to avoid a plant trailing from a basket on the wall. “You’ve never married, have you Marcus?”

“
I never had the time. Perhaps if I’d followed the cursus honorum, I might have done. I don’t think I’m much of a catch these days, frankly.”

They reached the dining room, and Fronto was surprised to see a good repast already set out on the table, with wine at the ready. Balbus registered the look on Fronto’s face and smiled.

“
My wife thought the general might grace us with a visit, so she’s permanently prepared. I daresay she won’t mind if we dig in.” The legate pulled a dish of sweet meats towards them across the table.

“
Anyway Marcus, I think you’re putting yourself down. I never tried to climb the political ladder myself, and yet I caught a wife and ended up with three children. A good solid military man is worth ten young lunatics who command a legion as merely a step to bleeding Rome dry in a political role. Take that Longinus of the Ninth. In a year or two, he’ll be in Rome, probably making policy decisions that affect the rest of us, and the man couldn’t command a cohort, let alone a legion.”

Fronto stopped, mid-mouthful.

“
I didn’t realise you knew Longinus? But I suppose you must do to have formed such an accurate opinion of him. He’s never been very happy with having had to replace me in the Ninth. I think it took the best part of a year for his officers to stop laughing at him. As an infantry commander he’s a bit of a donkey; doesn’t know one end of a pilum from the other. Pretty good with cavalry though, Caesar’s right about that. Do you know Crassus too?”

Balbus frowned. “Legate of the Seventh eh? I’ve heard of him, of course. The son of one of Caesar’s most rich and influential friends, given a command through pure nepotism. I don’t like that much, but it’s the way of things.”

“
He’s the one my sister likes to compare me with, because he actually cares about climbing the political ladder. He’s using his command to catapult himself into politics. Although he’s a competent enough officer, I suppose, I doubt he’ll ever make a great commander. Too indecisive.”

“
Ah, a ditherer.” Balbus took a drink of wine and then looked up as a slave coughed politely on the threshold.

“
Yes?”

“
Centurion Helvius here to see you sir” the slave said, in good Latin, with a hint of a Greek accent.

“
Show him in.”

Helvius was an impossibly tall and thin man, with a receding hairline and a nose that had been broken badly at some time in the distant past. He ducked as he crossed into the dining room and remained low for a moment in a bow. Standing, his eyes fell on Fronto. Balbus waved an arm expansively toward Fronto, a chicken leg in his grip.

“
Helvius, this is Marcus Fronto, legate of the Tenth.”

“
I suspected as much, sir.” The centurion turned and bowed to Fronto. “I’m honoured to make your acquaintance, legate.”

“
Pleased to meet you too, Helvius.” He glanced at Balbus, who waved him on, taking another mouthful of bread.

“
I don’t want to disrupt things too much for you, Helvius, but I’m afraid I need to take the best of your engineers and sappers for a time.”

Helvius’ brow creased. “Sir?”

“
Here’s what I want...”

* * * * *

The morning was bright and crisp; chilly, but not quite freezing. Fronto stamped his feet and blew into his hands until a little colour returned to them. Standing where he was, on the end of the earth embankment that projected out into the lake, he could see down the almost perfectly straight line of ditch and rampart into the distance. He couldn’t see the other end, of course, not now, but he knew it was extending at a backbreaking pace. He had left Helvius in charge of that end now, and had come to trust the competent engineer of the Eighth enough to leave him be. He instead had returned to the length of defences near Geneva to oversee the next stage. The construction of the palisade formed from nine foot-tall sharpened logs was beginning. Fronto had split the remaining men at this end into four groups. One was spending most of its time on the hills behind Geneva to which Tetricus had directed him, cutting down trees and shaping them into useful timber. The second had begun the palisade. The third were taking shortened stakes, sharpening them to a vicious point and sinking them into the ditch. The final group were constructing a redoubt, the first of several, in the form of a small, square fort near the water’s edge. Fully supplied with ditch and mound and their own palisade, these forts would be focal points for the disposition of troops that Balbus had ordered. Indeed, the locations of the forts had been chosen by the Eighth’s legate in line with his plan.

Tetricus stood not far away, holding a map that threatened to escape, fluttering in the wind. He was explaining to en engineer from the Eighth Legion where the forts were to be constructed and to what size and composition. Fronto put his hands around his mouth to amplify his voice.

“
Gaius! Don’t forget the gate. I think it needs to be about a mile from the lake.”

Tetricus waved back, acknowledging him, exchanged a few more brief words with the engineer and then began to trudge up toward the embankment.

By the time he reached the legate, he was breathing hard, the plumes of air frosting in the morning chill.