Chapter V

Lucius is surrounded by Germans. He continues to fight bravely, but with every move I make towards him, he is cornered even more. I shout that Lucius is in danger, that soldiers must come and help. But I should have known they had better things on their minds than rescuing some vague commander.

Halfway to the circle, an arrow hits my horse in the neck. I dismount as quickly as possible because I know how this will end. I have seen far too many times how a horse blinded by pain mows down masses of soldiers before succumbing. I don't want to be left behind to see how it turns out.

So I fight my way towards Lucius. I can no longer see him from the ground and I am deep in enemy territory. It doesn't help that my Centurion uniform attracts barbarians like horse droppings attract flies.

Fiercely I fight, but that is not enough to save myself from wounds.

I am so close.

But then comes the first blow. It's an arrow that skims my cheek. I jumped away just in time, if I hadn't, it'd have pierced my face. The second blow is a sword that should have pierced my stomach but instead grazed my side. That was far too close, but I have no time to be calculated and precise in my movements.

I must go on, and fast too.