From the hill, the Germans approaching from the forest were now in clear view and it was possible to estimate their numbers and speed of approach.

‘Three, maybe four thousand,’ Quadratus guessed.

Macro shook his head. ‘Barely that I’d say.’

‘Vitellius should have time to get out before they reach the village.’

‘Easily. They’re still nearly a mile from the far side of the village. Once Vitellius clears the gateway he should make the crest before they get anywhere near.’

‘Then what?’

‘Don’t know,’ Macro shrugged. ‘We’ll just have to wait and see what he orders.’

Cato stared at the two officers in disbelief. How on earth could they be so cold-blooded when their comrades faced imminent extinction right under their eyes? And after that, the rest of the cohort would be outnumbered ten to one. He felt a burning desire to turn and run, to shout out to all the others to do the same. But his body refused to move, partly out of shame and partly out of the dread of making the return journey through the forest alone. While he stood motionless, Cato’s gaze continued to flicker between the approaching Germans and the village, watching for the progress of the First century. There was a sudden motion in one of the tower gates, the legionary sent there by Vitellius was seized by a group of men, a spear run through him and the body hurled into the ditch.

‘Sir!’

‘I saw it, boy’

A series of flashes and glints marked the arrival of the First century at the edge of the village and a brief struggle was fought out for control of the gate. All the while the Germans swarmed nearer to close the trap.

‘It’s going to be a close thing,’ mused Quadratus. ‘Better get ready to make a fighting retreat. I’ll get the other centuries back on the track. Macro, I want you to stand here and cover our backs until Vitellius arrives.’

‘All right.’ Macro nodded. ‘But you’d better move fast.’

Quadratus made his way down the line shouting out the necessary commands, and one by one the centuries on the crest turned from line into column and marched back towards the track. At the same time, Macro ordered the Sixth ten paces down the slope to clear the head of the track for Quadratus. Down in the village, Cato could see that the First century had managed to overwhelm the villagers at the gate and legionaries were pulling back the thick wooden gate to make their escape. With Vitellius riding at their head, the First doubled up the hill towards the rest of the cohort. A small crowd of villagers followed behind, but quickly gave up once a fresh volley of javelins was hurled back at them.

Once the century was safely away from the village, Vitellius spurred his horse up the slope to take command of the cohort. He reined in beside Macro, the horse snorting harshly over the frothy bit as a savage gash on its flank bled profusely.