The Eagle In the Sand

CHAPTER SIX

'It's Ba

As Cato threw his straw hat aside and jammed his helmet on to his head he looked at their guide in surprise. 'You know him?'

'We've met before.'

'As friends, I hope.'

'We were friends, many years ago.' He glanced quickly at Cato. 'But not now.'

'You might have mentioned this before,' Cato muttered.

'I didn't think it was important, Centurion. Besides, you didn't ask.'

'If we get out of this, I think there might be a few questions I'll want answers to.'

Ba

'When my men told me about the archer in the fort, I should have guessed. These Roman soldiers are not welcome here, but peace be with you, Symeon of Bethsaida.'

'And with you, Ba

'I want those two Roman officers surrendered to me. You and the others can return to Jerusalem, after we have disarmed you.'

Symeon shook his head.'You know that is impossible. You would dishonour me, and my family.'

Ba

'Then stand aside and let us pass.'

'No. Those two have slain three of my men in Jerusalem.They must be executed to serve as an example to the people of Judaea.'

'And what of me? I slew three of your men at the fort.'

'My fight is with Rome, Symeon. As yours should be.' He stretched out his hand. 'Join us.'

'No.'

Ba

Macro nudged Cato.'Who does he think he's fooling? He'd kill the auxiliaries the moment he'd taken their weapons.' Macro took a breath, drew his sword and shouted towards Ba

'Shhh!' Cato hissed. 'Who do you think you are – Leonidas?'

Ba

'None, if we stay put and try to defend ourselves. We have to charge, cut our way through and run for it. Just give the order, sir. But do it now, before they attack.'

Macro nodded. 'Let's go.'

The decurion turned back to his men. 'Form tight wedge!'

As the horses shuffled into position, Macro and Cato fastened their helmet straps, untied their baggage and tossed it aside. Symeon reached for his bow and carefully unwrapped it, strung it, then loosened the end of his quiver. By the time the three men joined the formation Ba

'Now! Give the order now!'

The decurion nodded, drew a breath and called out. 'Squadron! Advance!'

The rough wedge formation rippled forward, the auxiliaries grasping their reins tightly in the hand behind their shields. In the other hand they held their spears, vertically, so as not to risk injury to their comrades before they made contact with the enemy. Above them, on each flank, the slingers were starting to whirl their weapons up above their heads, as the archers drew their bows. Cato found himself angrily willing the decurion to order his men to charge forward, before it was too late. Then he chastened himself. The decurion was a professional, and knew his business.

'Squadron, at the trot, advance!'

His men kicked in their heels and the formation lurched forward, just as the first ragged volley of slingshot and arrows arced into the air. The abrupt change of pace confounded the brigands' careful aim and most of the missiles clattered on to the ground a short distance behind the wedge. A handful of shots found the shields of the rearmost men. One horse whi

'Charge!' the decurion cried out from the front of the wedge, stabbing his sword into the air. His men roared out their battle cry, kicked in their heels and the wedge surged forward. In the second rank, Cato and Macro gripped their reins and hung on grimly as their mounts flowed onward with the rest, manes and tails streaming. Dust and grit filled the air as the charge burst up the slope towards Ba

Ahead of them Ba

'Forward!' Cato shouted. 'Don't stop! Go forward!'

The decurion glanced back, nodded, and took up the cry. His men urged their mounts on as they fought free of the brigands, and as soon as they were clear they surged up the last stretch of the slope towards the waiting horsemen. Ba