The Fourteenth had finished assembling and the ten cohorts of heavy infantry stood in two lines, ready for the command to advance. Across the valley there was little sign of activity from Caratacus, no skirmishers or scouts out in front of the main body of his army, only the massed ranks of his warriors lining the palisade, waiting for the Roman attack. Here and there a standard waved slowly to and fro, and the shrill bray of war horns echoed across the valley to General Plautius, who smiled with satisfaction.

Very well, he decided, if Caratacus wants us to come and get him, then come and get him we shall. Plautius was further gratified by the knowledge that even now, two cohorts of auxiliary cavalry and the Twentieth Legion were completing their sweeping march round the flank of the enemy to seal off his line of retreat. A trusted local chief had offered to guide them through the wetlands that Caratacus had assumed was guarding his left flank. The guide had not volunteered to do this out of any loyalty to Rome, but for the promise of great reward, and the sparing of his family who were being held hostage in Plautius’ camp. That, the general thought confidently, was enough to guarantee the man’s good faith.

‘Permission to start the bombardment, sir?’ asked Praxus.

Plautius nodded, and the signalman raised a red banner. He paused, until the artillery signallers had raised their banners to show that they were ready to carry out the order. Then he dropped the banner. At once the air was filled with the sharp cracks of the torsion arms flying forward as they launched their heavy iron shafts over the heads of the Fourteenth Legion and into the Britons’ defences. Holes suddenly appeared in the palisade as the barrage tore through, taking out files of soldiers behind.

‘Damn! They’re good!’ Praxus shook his head. ‘Just sitting there and soaking it up. Never seen discipline like it.’

‘Maybe,’ Plautius said grudgingly. ‘But they’ll still be no match for our lads. You’d better get in position. Your legate is going to need the benefit of your experience today.’

‘Yes, sir.’ Praxus gave him a wry smile. Not all legates were up to the job and those that weren’t had to be carried by their senior professional officers until their tour of duty was complete. To be fair, Plautius reflected, the imperial general staff soon realised if a man did not measure up to the job and quickly reappointed him to a less vital government post back in Rome.