NOVEL WEB Chapter 2: Battle at Weser River
The year is 16 AD. Around November or December.
*TA-RAN-TAAAAA*
A loud sound of a horn suddenly broke the silence of the flat land surrounded by slopes. Where the Germania tribe is camping.
It is early morning.
Some warriors from Germania tribe were still asleep, having stayed awake late into the night drinking and disparaging the Romans.
But as soon as the sound of the horn is heard nearby, every warriors scrambled to stand up.
The air is crisp, with a hint of dew and smoke from last night's campfires.
*Clang* *Clang*
The sound of clanging metal and murmured curses fills the air as they hastily prepare for combat.
The horn is a symbol sound of Roman legions. And it came from... the Weser River?
'Dammit they are near.'
They've set up a camp near the river. How could they ever know that the enemy will come from there?
They were confident in their ability to repel the Romans if they attacked from the slopes, which is why they had let their guard down.
They have formidable archers.
Their skilled archers would cut down the Romans long before they could get close.
"Half of them will fall before they could even reach us," they bragged.
But clever Germanicus sailed up the Weser River.
*Thud* *Thud* *Thud*
Suddenly, a loud sound of what seems like a beating of a drum can be heard from behind the slopes. It is a thunderous marching steps.
The ground vibrates beneath their feet as the Roman legions approach.
'It's their tactic to intimidate the enemy!'
Creating an illusion of a million men stomping down the ground.
Now their attention has split in two.
The sound of horn that came from the river, and the marching thuds that's coming from behind the slopes.
Then the marching steps halted. The whole camp has gone quiet as a mouse. Like what they heard was just a lie.
But they knew they were surrounded. Their breaths halted, as if a prisoner that is waiting for a verdict to come. They can feel the heat of the sun in their skin. But they felt cold.
They know they must act quickly to counter the Roman legions' clever tactics. But because it is a calculated attack, they are left confuse on what to do.
Now they're in a dillemma. They can only defend one side at a time, if they defend one, they all would be leaving the other side and that would be suicide. If they decided to break their troops in two, each forces would lack strength. It'll be an impeccable defeat.
Suddenly, "Roma!!" a lone shout is heard coming from the Weser River. A signal.
"Victoria!" and a different battle cry answered on the other side of the slope.
The tranquil plains, surrounded by gentle slopes, with dense forest and the serene Weser River nearby, were suddenly shattered by ear splitting chaos. Thousands of soldiers emerged from the slope. Hundreds of warhorses stomping on the ground. And one man stands as he oversees it.
It is Germanicus.
A Roman general. the former emperor's adoptive grandson, the current emperor's adoptive nephew.
A prince. And next in line on the throne.
The two sides attacked simultaneously.
Pandemonium erupted, a cacophony of clashing steel, screams of the wounded, and the thunderous hooves of war horses.
'It was pure hell.'
The battle had just barely begun, yet the plains near the Weser River were already scarred by the fury of battle, echoing with the deafening clash of steel on steel.
But despite their bravery, they were vastly outnumbered by Germanicus's legions. plus the fact that their position has become their own disadvantage.
The Roman Legions, led by Germanicus, had the upper hand.
Many men had already fallen in the ground, battle cries can be heard everywhere. The fallen men on the ground got stomped on, crushed by horses and pile after pile of dying bodies.
The ground is a river of blood. The air has gone bad. It smelled of death.
'A dog's death.'
As Arminius watched his warriors fall down to their death, the chieftein tried to make a last stand.
He gathered his warriors- infantries and archers as fast as he could, then he formed a large dome circle.
The archers are inside the inner circle, in a formation, nock and ready to release their arrows. While infantries on the outer circle, some are standing, some are kneeling with their shields. Protecting themselves and the archers from the enemy's ruthless sword.
If a sword penetrates the shield, and the man holding it dies, it was quickly replaced.
Arminius are inside of that dome circle. His warriors suddenly gained courage.
Just one person and the Germania tribe who have lost their hope had regained their battle spirit. Their faces set with determination.
Then a barritus started, it began as a low murmurs and slowly turned into a loud one. Boosting the morale of the warriors. It was a solemn battle cry.
"Open!"
The infantries slightly dropped their shield revealing the archers inside, ready to fire.
"Fire!"
They fired.
*Swoosh* *Swoosh*
The unlucky Roman legions that was attacking the dome, widened their eyes unable to react.
A bullseye.
Like a domino, many soldiers fell down the ground.
"Defend!"
The shield closed again.
"Open!"
But as soon as the command is said, a bunch of cavalry are already halfway there, stomping their horses and slashing their swords through the dome.
The dome crumbled in an instant.
Arminius who was inside the dome circle got cut. His last attempt failed.
Still he stood his ground, but his uncle seized him, pulling him onto the horse.
Taking Arminius away. "We have to retreat! Or we're done for!"
"No!"
"We have to minimize our losses. We have to retreat!"
"I'd rather die!!!"
"We have to regroup! Fight for another day! Order the retreat!" "NOW!"
Arminius bit his lip, steeled himself. He looked around and saw his warriors falling one by one.
"Why must we be slaughtered like this?" he cried. "Retreat! Retreat! Let's Retreat!"
With a heavy heart, the remaining warriors turned and fled, joining the chaotic retreat of their tribe. The Roman legions, relentless in their pursuit, cut down any who stood in their way.
As the battle drew to a close, the Germania tribe suffered heavy losses.
Their warriors lay scattered across the battlefield, while others drowned in the Weser River or fled into the nearby forests.
The Roman legions, in pursuit of the Germania tribe took archers with them.
They did not leave any stone unturned in the forest or in the water. They are ruthless.
The Roman legions, victorious but weary, stood triumphant on the blood-soaked plains. Germanicus, surveying the carnage, knew that this victory came at a great cost.
The Germania tribe would not soon forget this defeat...
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INDEX:
Germania tribe - Ancient Germanic people
Roman Legions - Roman empire's army
Barritus - ancient germanic battle cry
Weser River - major river in northern Germany