A collective gasp went up as the ripped body of Lucius Brutus Albinus went down. “General!” shouted the Primus Pilus of the 21st, Gnaeus Didius, and run at his commander’s aid. The rest of the Tribunes and many of the common legionaries run also until a ring was formed around the body of the Legate.

“Damn, he’s pale!” a legionary cried, drawing all attention to him. “Alright, alright. Paler, than usual!”. Giving the man a dismissing look, Gnaeus Didius turned back at Brutus who was barely speaking. The Legate was pretty much half-dead already, causing a wailing to initiate among those weak-hearted of the 21st. Closing his eyes for a second, Brutus recalled the battle.

“I ask of you, gentlemen, one last sacrifice for Rome. Follow me!” he said, unsheathing his sword and beginning the long run towards the Teutonic Cavalry with wild screams of anger.

“TO BRUTUS!” a Centurion cried and drew his sword, holding it high up on the air.

“TO BRUTUS!” the legionaries cried, emerging forward. So, the 21st was unleashed against the loitering horsemen. Dismissing the threat the broken 21st presented, the cavalrymen began to laugh at the pitiful – as it seemed to them – desperate attack of the Romani. But laughter soon gave it’s place to shock, and shock to cries of horror. As the legionaries were closing in, they began hailing their targets with a devastating volley of pila. Having reserved them from the ford battle, the legionaries unleashed their second pila on the immobile cavalry, causing hundreds of deaths. Then, simulating Brutus Albinus’ example the men drew their swords and began opening their run into a charge, crying out with fury.

Brutus Albinus was followed closely on by 20 of the 21st finest, Gnaeus Didius being one of them. As soon as they reached the enemy lines, the Romans began to chop the Teutons to gobs. Never before had the Germans witnessed such ferocity in an attack and most were stunned at the sheer brutality these Romani possessed. Many legionaries cut directly the horses and once their rider was down, they assaulted him. Others dragged the cavalrymen down, stabbing them with their short swords in their thighs, in their bellies, in their stomachs. Soon, the cavalry was encircled as per Brutus’ orders and the true slaughter began.

Swinging his sword around in fury, Brutus was unleashing death around him. Many great Germans fell to his sword and that of his bodyguard as the Romans closed in around them. Soon the cries of anger from the Romans and the cries of pain and fear from the Germans went to such heights that the horses took fright and began to rout from the field, kicking and throwing down their riders in their primal sense – the sense of survival.

Then was when Brutus Albinus was grievously injured. As the horses broke ranks and the slaughter was at it’s earnest, Brutus and his boys were closing on the Thane, now surrounded by his own bodyguards. But then Brutus mistimed his footing and lost balance; that was all that was needed. He was trampled by the one of the horses, much to the horror of his comrades who were looking idly, in shock. With renewed anger after seeing their commander fall, the Romans began chopping the Germans with such barbarity that they even put the Teutons and Cimbri to shame – some feral instinct had awaken inside the men, some ancient memory from when the Romans were a proud but uncouth and savage people. None was spared; some soldiers even kept at thrusting their blades on the bodies of the dead long after their demise. A massacre happened.

It wasn’t much later that the few remaining Germans managed to break the death trap and escape to safety. Searching anxiously among the wounded, the soldiers found their captain. He was still breathing! In an epic struggle, he managed to hold on at his own feet as well, screaming in agony at the titanic effort that was required. The soldiers couldn’t stand at the sight and carried him across the river when they finally woke up from the torpor their rage had put them – they had done it! They were across and alive! Beginning to celebrate, the soldiers raised their hands in the sky and thanked the Gods for their good luck. They were saved!

“He won’t hold much longer…” Gnaeus Didius whispered to a tribune of the soldiers next to him, who shook his head in pity.

“Are you a doctor now, Didius?” the weak voice of Brutus Albinus came up. “Then do shut up!” A weak laughter went up from the assembled men.

Raising his head a bit and opening his eyes, Brutus looked at the soldiers around him. He could still feel the blood – that red, warm blood of the enemy – right upon his face and he could see it on his men faces as well. They had completely lost it, Brutus realized at the moment.

“Alright, lads…. We did it. W-e are sav…ed.” Brutus said, breathing deeply. “I really – don’t – feel well” he added, much to the merry of the soldiers. “He’s a Titan, our chief!” some legionary yelled and he was greeted with much applauding and tapping at the back. As the men came to realize from what situation they were saved, the clamor went up in volume and power. The soldiers were celebrating! Gnaeus Didius tried to silence the men as Brutus was about to speak again; he needed not do much but point at the commander’s mouth. The soldiers immediately silenced themselves and closed in to hear what Brutus would say.

“Now, we must make for Bononia at full speed. I know that you are tired, men, but we are not out of danger’s way yet. We must leave at once.” Paling once again, Brutus Albinus put on a weak smile. “If only my Father could see me now!”. And that was the last Brutus Albinus said as he lost his unconsciousness…

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THE FIRST CONFLICT ON THE RIVER’S BANK: ROMAN DEFEAT

Romans: 2488 KIA, 841 wounded, 54 missing. Of the retreating force, 500 wounded are still capable of fighting, giving Brutus an effective force of 2988.

Teutons: 823 KIA, 1825 WIA, 148 missing (Brutus took 16 prisoners). They still have 2203 mounted warriors.

THE ASSAULT OF THE 21ST LEGION: ROMAN VICTORY.

Romans: 472 KIA, 1128 WIA and 89 missing.
Teutons: 1659 KIA, 255 WIA, 8 captured
The Teutons flee the battlefield. The men of the 21st make it across the river, carrying Brutus with them.


ORDERS:

The 21st will make to Bononia with all possible speed.

As Brutus is injured and unable to lead the men, the Primus Pilus, Gnaeus Didius, is appointed temporary commander.

Brutus will is to be put on a horse and sent to Rome along with 20 men, his bodyguard.