Anir placed Peter in front of him on the horse, as before, and Merlin took Sarah. They just had time to pluck their belongings off the floor before being swept off to ride behind Arthur and his Golden Dragon.
“When is lunch?” Peter asked, as Anir walked his horse in line with Gormant, Kai, Bedwyr and Merlin.
“Hmmm! It is about ten o’clock by the sun. I think that Arthur will not stop before we reach the battleground. He will want to have his troops well in place before Lucius gets anywhere near the valley. Surprise is always a good weapon.”
“Oh!” said Peter, greatly disappointed.
“Never mind about your complaining stomach,” said Anir, with a laugh, “I have the ultimate secret weapon.”
“And what is that?”
“A full saddlebag, naturally. And if you were wondering, Merlin has one too. Everything has been most excellently prepared down to the last and smallest detail. The King-Emperor is nothing, if not thorough. He leaves nothing to chance, whatever Merlin might say. That is part of what makes him a great leader. He also cares for his men and shows that he does. That means they will do absolutely anything for him. He is young and fit, and I suspect incredibly strong, judging by the size of his muscles. I think this army would follow him to the world’s end.”
“I don’t think I would like to be this Lucius Iberius,” said Peter, “but what about the saddlebag?”
“Oh Peter! When the sun reaches its overhead position, then you may make a raid upon the bread cakes, a full attack upon the cheese and make prisoners of the apples. Thus you will score a victory over hunger. There now, does that answer your question?”
“Yes thank you.”
“Good! Enjoy this great sight then. I am sure you will not be among such Great Ones again for a long time to come.”
Anir pushed his horse onward, just a little bit, to keep in line with the others.
Sarah had her own questions to ask.
“Merlin?”
“Yes Sarah.”
“Merlin… are we, Peter and I, to be at the battle?”
“I am afraid it rather looks like it, but not too near to the fighting, if I have anything to do with things.”
“When will they begin to fight?”
“Very early tomorrow I expect, assuming that Lucius and his army actually arrive in the valley by then.”
“I don’t think that I want to see this battle.”
“Most understandable, neither do I,” said the wizard, frowning. “I have never been able to get on with this ‘joy of battle’ all these great hulks go on about. It is all so uncivilised, walloping ones opponent until he, or you, are in bits!”
“No, I think it’s perfectly horrid,” Sarah agreed, “can’t we get out of it? Can’t you take us somewhere else? But not home, not just yet, I want to see if they win,” she added hastily.
“Well, I’ll have to think about it. In a strange way, you are probably fairly safe as long as you stay near to Arthur. However, I at least will have to stay near our noble leader for most of it, just in case he needs me.”
“Oh, but that would definitely be cheating, wouldn’t it? I mean, using magic to win.”
“We already have. And it is not really cheating at all. You see Sarah, we do not know for certain that the enemy does not employ a magician for their side. In fact, in these days it is highly probable. More than likely, I should say. So very wisely… Arthur keeps me tucked away for emergencies!”
Sarah’s mind leaped to her own small emergency.
“I’m awfully hungry, Merlin, when do we eat?”
“When we get there. I am expecting the cookhouse to prepare us something really splendid to go out on. An army marches on its stomach you know. But…”
Merlin paused, as Sarah’s face had fallen to uncharted depths at the thought of waiting any longer for something to eat.
“if you reach inside the saddlebag to your left, yes, that’s it! I have prepared some snacks for you and I in the meanwhile. You did not think that I was going to miss my luncheon, did you? Certainly not! Just pass me some of that delicious bread and cheese, will you.”
They munched on Merlin’s snacks. Sarah noticed some of the generals and other soldiers glaring at Merlin. Oh well! If he did not care and apparently he did not, then Sarah did not care either.
The army went on. Because about half of it was infantry, they had to go slowly. Then too, in the mighty column, there were many wagons and machines of war. Apart from one short rest, they marched on all day, reaching the valley of Saussy at twilight. Mists were forming on the valley floor.
“That is good,” Arthur commented. “It will make our forces less easy to see, less easy to count when Lucius arrives here. We will take the higher ground as we planned, up here to the south of the valley. Gormant,” he called, “Gormant, have the scouts ready in half an hour, I must know where Lucius is now.”
“Aye, Lord, it shall be done,” said Gormant, and he went away to see to it.
Meanwhile, the whole army prepared to make camp for the night. As in the days at the height of the Roman Empire, ditches were dug, ramparts appeared and stake palisades sprang up all around them. Tents were being put up everywhere, horses were looked after and the cookhouse, as Merlin suggested, prepared a feast for the men. Quite a few more farm animals had apparently been requisitioned on the way to Saussy and they were quickly made ready for dinner.
Eventually, Arthur’s Legion came to dine and Peter and Sarah found each other. They stayed close to Anir and Merlin.
“I thought the Romans ate things like dormice and thrushes and nettles,” Peter said, as he chewed a chicken leg.
“So they do still,” said Merlin, reaching over for a nice juicy lamb chop, “but less so than they once did. I think you will agree, this is preferable. In general, we save delicacies like dormice stuffed with olives and garlic, and lark pie for extra special feasts. Ho there, Osric, ask Kai to send more bread down this end, will you; and tell Bedwyr that we could do with some more wine.”
“I always thought that Kai and Bedwyr were great knights,” said Sarah, “but one seems to be in charge of food and the other in charge of wine. Why is that, Merlin?”
“But my dear Sarah, they are great knights. Though to be Cup bearer or Overseer of the King’s food is a very great honour also. They are two of the most honourable positions at court. You should see us feast, when we are at Gelli Wick! Yes, these positions are like…”
“Like running all our royal palaces at home?” asked Sarah.
“Something of the sort, I suppose,” Merlin replied, “now do be still, Sarah dear, eat up and let me pay attention to this very fine pitcher of wine.”
Sarah realised that Merlin wanted to be quiet, so she wriggled a little closer to Peter. He was trying water with his wine.
“I’m not sure I like it,” he said, making a face, “this wine is a bit too dry for me, but it is all there is. I would much rather have a cola, but we are fifteen hundred years too early!”
“Never mind, I’ll get Aunt Myf to buy you a case full when we get back.”
They were both silent for a minute or two, thinking of Aunt Myf and Gwyn-ap-Nudd waiting for them at Arx Emain. They would be watching the time and waiting for the moment to call them back.
“I make the time twenty minutes past three,” Sarah said casually, winding her watch up.
“Yes, so do I. That means we’ve got, Ooooh! Days left. Good, I really want to see Arthur win this battle, now that we’ve come so far with him. It would be a pity to miss it and I have to say, sister dear, I wouldn’t mind having a go at Lucius Thingy myself.”
“Ugh Yuk!” Sarah said, “I don’t know how you can even think that, you bloodthirsty thing. If I get the chance to get away, I shall. I’m telling you; if we ever come on another adventure… let’s make it one without a battle in it, PLEASE.”
“Well I want to see him win,” repeated Peter, “I’d rather like to join in and even if I don’t, I want to know if he goes to Rome.”
“I must admit, I should like to know that too. In fact, if this Emperor Arthur does go to Rome I should like to go with him.”
“Not much chance of that, Sis, we’ve got two days with Arthur at most, enough to see his battle won but not enough to see the war won. Anyway, at the end of two days, either Aunt Myf, Gwyn or Merlin will call us back. Still, you never know.”
Peter turned around. Arthur was seated behind them, with Anir, Gormant, King Flergant and Lord Kaw. Bedwyr and Kai, when they were not organising the feast, were also seated close to their Lord. Some of the other commanders were walking through the lines of soldiers to Arthur’s place and as the meal was nearly finished, they were obviously going to have yet another meeting.
“Let’s go away from here,” Sarah said, “I haven’t seen you properly since Langres. Arthur seems to think you have all done a good job there.”
“OK, we’ll go a bit further up the hillside, and yes, we jolly well did do a good job. Good? It was nothing short of miraculous! Look Sarah, sit here. Aren’t the stars clear. Yes, I shall tell you all about what we did in Langres.”
And so they talked of their experiences apart. When Peter had finished his tale, Sarah proclaimed that she was most impressed. She had had a quieter time in camp, but had also found out this and that. Sadly, they would never meet Gwyn-ap-Nudd’s kinsman, for he had been killed during an earlier skirmish with Lucius Iberius.
“But apparently, he was one of Arthur’s very bravest fighters,” Sarah said, “I’m sure Arthur will try to get Gwyn-ap-Nudd on his side when he gets home. I also discovered that when he is at home, Arthur spends his time moving between several palaces. I suppose it helps to keep any enemies guessing! One of his main Halls is in Cornwall, somewhere that I’ve never heard of before, a place called Gelli Wic. It is a huge place, Merlin was boasting that it has nearly fifty rafters in the main part, is richly decorated and is very grand. It is one of Arthur’s favourite Halls.
At Christmas, Easter and Whitsuntide, or as Merlin says: Nadolig, Pasc and Sulgwyn, they hold a great feast wherever they are staying; Merlin mentioned Caerlleon, Penrhyn, Tintagel, Chester and some other places. It depends what Arthur is doing at the time. AND… get this Peter! The Round Table isn’t a table that you eat at, at all! It’s some kind of meeting place they have, near to Arthur’s Halls. By the way Merlin describes them; I think they might be the old Roman Amphitheatres for the Old Games. I found out that Arthur is called Emperor, because that’s the nearest thing to the Welsh, or British name that he has, which is: Penrhaith, or Supreme Ruler!
I am awfully afraid that there does not seem to be a Camelot either, and no Sir Lancelot. Merlin says that they must have been made up in later times. Maybe you’re right and the Normans did make that up. He says that he’s never heard of those names anyway and he ought to know. He did help to bring Arthur up, though. That is why they are such good friends. Merlin will do absolutely anything for Arthur. He’s been jolly kind to me too while you were away with Anir. Sometimes he gets a bit crusty and grumpy, but that’s just his way. He doesn’t suffer fools gladly. I like him!” Sarah yawned. “I don’t know what the time is but I’m tired.”
“And I’m doubly tired, after being up all night in Langres. Do you want to have the Ring again? I nearly forgot to ask.”
“No thanks, Big Bro. You keep it for a while. If you get embroiled in the battle tomorrow, you might need it. I’m going to make sure that I stay right away from that! Anyway, I had already decided to give it back to Anir ages ago, just as soon as every thing is finished here.”
“All right then Sarah, I shall keep it for the present. But I must get some sleep.”
So they curled up right where they were on the hillside, with a couple of bushes at their backs for shelter, and fell asleep.
Dawn came slithering mistily over the hill tops. The Camp was already awake and most of Arthur’s troops had been moved into position during the night, as had range after range of catapults and balistae, together with many lines of archers. Arthur’s Legion, and the other reserve troops were to stay on the hillside, to be constantly at the ready. The Emperor would remain with them until required, probably after the first phase of battle was over. The other seven divisions had already received their standing orders. Each Legion comprised both cavalry and foot soldiers, with the emphasis on the cavalry. When the foot soldiers moved forward in the standard square position, then the cavalry were to come forward obliquely with closed ranks and charge the enemy.
Peter and Sarah woke up with a start. Trumpets were clamouring and Merlin was shaking them.
“Up, up, little people! The enemy is here and Arthur has set up his Golden Dragon against the Imperial Eagles and standards of Lucius Iberius.”
“Where is Anir?” Peter asked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
“Where’s breakfast?” asked Sarah, putting first things first.
“I am afraid that breakfast occurred two hours ago,” replied Merlin, “for today you will have to rely upon what provisions I have managed to glean. Leftovers from the feast and from this morning’s breakfast they are mostly. I am afraid the cookhouse is well and truly shut for the duration of hostilities. As for your mister Anir, he is down there with Arthur, right next to the Golden Dragon. You must keep right out of it today. You can watch from here, if you want to… but you are not to go down into the valley. Those are the Lord Arthur’s strictest instructions; your standing orders if you like.”
“I’m not sure that I do like,” said Peter, “I wouldn’t mind joining in…”
“I like it , I like it!” said Sarah quickly and positively.
And so they stayed as far up the hillside as possible, for Merlin would not let them go further down. Occasionally he went down himself to see how things were going and if Arthur needed any assistance of the supernatural kind! But in the main he did not. Peter and Sarah watched as the preparations for battle progressed. The Lord Arthur and his Generals passed through the lines of foot, cavalry, artillery and the archers, everywhere proclaiming the battle motto of Arthur’s Legions: “Might and Justice!” to hearten the troops and lend them courage.
The men were tense and ready to start. The catapults were wound up, the ballistae armed. Centurions and legionaries stood with pilum and gladius at the ready. Arthur’s cavalry and the auxiliaries reined in their horses which were straining at the bit, ready for the charge, all on horseback having their spatha, or long Celtic cavalry sword, unsheathed. Merlin looked upon it all with a satisfied smile.
“Did you like the mists this morning?” Merlin asked them rather sheepishly.
“Yes,” Peter said, “but I thought they were natural.”
“Oh, they were,” said Merlin, “I just thickened them up a little, so that the enemy would not see us until the very last minute. I didn’t want Arthur’s ‘battle boosting’ speech interrupting. He gave the most rousing discourse I have ever heard from him. It nearly made me want to go and thump Lucius myself and that is saying something I can tell you!
He is a most determined young man, our Arthur. He says that we shall be off to Rome; just as soon as Lucius’ head is… OFF, I mean. Well and so, Peter and Sarah; we shall see what we shall see. Oh look, I think they are about to start. They are getting ready. Dear me, I think they ought to be very, very careful with that burning pitch. Look, the balistae are primed and their javelins are raised. AAAND… they’re away!”
Arrows and catapults rained down their fiery projectiles upon the enemy. Then the legionaries pressed forwards. First they threw the pilum, then they went forward from behind the safety of their shields stabbing with the gladius. The cavalry charged, causing confusion among the enemy ranks and assisting the infantry in their attack.
“I think the Britons look better organised,” Peter said, after the first charge was over.
“Yes,” said Merlin, “I don’t think Lucius’ Senators have their troops quite under control yet. Our surprise has worked. They also seem to have more infantry than cavalry. That could turn out to be a mistake. Mark my words, young Arthur knows what he is doing in that respect.”
Peter decided that the army of Lucius Iberius looked odd.
“Why are there so many different uniforms and different looking people among Lucius’ troops,” he asked.
“Because, my dear boy,” Merlin said with just a hint of exasperation in his voice, at being asked so many questions all the time, “the Roman army of today is not what it was. I imagine there are hardy any real Romans left in it now. Strange to tell, I think that this may be one of the last times that the Roman army fights as it used to do. I do not think that they have the same will for fighting any more. That is why the invaders are getting the upper hand; that and other things.
Anyway Peter, as far as I know, the Roman army has been propped up with barbarian auxiliaries for years uncountable! The Romans always did have many foreign forces, but now I think they wildly outnumber the true Roman legionary, altogether and completely. Also, you may notice that their legions are a lot smaller than ours, and thank goodness for that, I say!”
“Thank goodness indeed,” agreed Peter.
“Which ones are the Senators?” asked Sarah.
“Oh, can’t you tell? They are the ones with the most highly decorated uniforms and gold inlaid swords. The ones over there, riding grey horses.”
“Oh yes, I see them… But only just. Hey! I have an idea. Look, Merlin, I’ve got these in my bag.”
Sarah brought out the tiny binoculars and showed them to Merlin. When she had described how to use them, he was thrilled.
“By the Heavens!” he said, “these are useful. They are almost as good as my magic. Can you lend them to Anir? He can be scout for the day and help young Arthur see what is going on. If I give them to Anir people will think that they are just another of my magic tricks and ignore them. What a pity that they are not invented yet. Never mind, it is something I might work on later.” Merlin dashed off to give the binoculars to Anir.
“That’s good,” said Sarah, “ I think that means that Anir will be kept out of most of the fighting. I should not like anything to happen to him. I have got rather fond of him. I think I quite like old Merlin too.”
“Not so much of the old,” said Merlin, coming up behind them suddenly. “Arthur appreciates your gift. My words! You two are proving to be useful. I don’t think we can let you go home now, not after all this. What else have you got in those bags I wonder?” his eyes twinkled and they knew he was joking.
“Wow,” said Peter, looking down into the valley again, “I’m afraid a lot of the Romans have had it. The Britons are really getting through now. Look Merlin, is that Lucius Thingy over there?”
“Yes, Peter, it is. The Britons have got right through to his personal bodyguard and he and his friends are going all out to assist them.”
They all watched as the battle went to and fro. The Britons and their enemies charged, fought, reformed and charged again. The day grew hotter and hotter. The fighting in the afternoon was very bloody. The noise was frightful. Sarah could not bear to watch any of it, as it was all too much for her. She took herself off and went under a bush right at the top of the hill. There she read the school library books on Ancient Rome.
“Well, at least I shall know more than Peter does when I’ve finished reading all this,” she thought, trying with all the determination she could muster to concentrate on the books.
Peter remained with Merlin. Arthur had not yet gone to fight himself, for as yet it had not been necessary. The King-Emperor stood apart, with some of the other senior officers and his own personal bodyguard, waiting to see what should pass. Peter wished very much that he could have gone and been a part of it all, even though he had to admit to himself that he found it quite terrifying.
Twilight came again. Both armies ceased fighting in order that the wounded should receive attention and the dead receive decent Christian burial. Over the evening meal, Peter and Sarah discovered that among the dead were Kai and Bedwyr. This made Arthur very sad and the Britons in the troops belonging to the great leaders, very angry. Most of them went about saying that they could not wait for the next day, in order to revenge the deaths on Lucius’ troops, and probably on Lucius himself.
It was a most uncomfortable night, hot and humid with no wind. Peter and Sarah were glad to be sleeping outside. It was also unpleasant to be in the presence of the enemy, who though they had sustained heavy losses, looked as though there were more than plenty of men and spirit left to fight.
The next morning, the sun shone hotter than ever. This made tempers hotter and thus the fighting hotter! When the battle began again, the Britons had the worst of it to start with. Lucius Iberius had had all night to make plans and this day he was more than prepared. Some Britons tried to get to Lucius and failed. Then King Flergant, Gyssevin and Gormant attempted to get through Lucius’ personal bodyguard. Eventually, Gormant found an opening, rushed forward and fought Lucius hand to hand. However, while Gormant and Lucius were locked in mortal combat, the rest of the Romans had time to recover themselves and began to attack King Flergant and the Bretons.
“Oh no,” cried Peter, “look Merlin, the Romans are beating back King Flergant. Gormant and his troops; they’re falling, they’re falling back! Oh, this is awful.”
“I think I had better go and advise our young monarch,” said Merlin, sounding anxious, “what ever happens; stay here!” and he disappeared down the hillside as fast as he could.
Seconds later they saw Merlin by Arthur’s side. Then they saw Arthur with a great cry, draw his famous sword Caledvwlch from its scabbard. His legion roused themselves, they followed the young Emperor in a magnificent charge. He fell upon the enemy like an angry lion.
“ No prisoners!” the angry cry went up.
“No prisoners!” they heard, as Arthur at the head of his troops, dashed down upon the enemy, cutting to pieces any who were in their way.
The Britons were seeking revenge for their fallen comrades and leaders. All the Britons and their allies charged the Roman Eagles once more, attacking them in close formation. Peter and especially Sarah, were shocked and surprised to see Arthur and his troops behave in this way, but Peter thought he understood…
The Romans fought back as bravely as they could, Lucius Iberius at the front of the fray. Fearful slaughter occurred on both sides, I am afraid to say. Then, in the end, one of the British Generals brought down some of the troops who had been kept higher up in the hills for extreme emergencies. They swept down and attacked the Roman rearguard.
Peter became very excited. He insisted that Sarah come out from her hiding place to look. She had disappeared with the books as soon as she heard the trumpets bray that morning at dawn and he had not been up the hill to speak to her since. Sarah was an unwilling spectator.
“We’re going to win, we’re going to win!” Peter cried, jumping up and down. “See Sarah, over there, they don’t know what to do! The Romans are scattering. Look, there goes another Eagle and I can’t see any of their Senators. I think someone must have killed that Lucius Iberius. Some of them are giving themselves up and others are running away. Hey, Merlin, is it over? Has Arthur won?”
“He has, young Peter, thanks be to God and the bravery of our troops; and just a little thanks to you and me, I think.”
He took Sarah’s binoculars from a pocket and gave them back to her.
“Is Anir alright?” Sarah asked.
“Anir is alright! Thank you for asking.”
Anir strode up the hillside and stood before them. There was, however, a rather deep gash over one eye and a cut to his thigh. He held a large piece of cloth.
“Will you bind these up for me?” he asked, and handed them to Sarah, who did her very best.
She had once done a first aid course as a First Aid Cadet, but that had only been practice; this was the real thing.
“Well done Sarah, thank you,” said Anir, “I think, if you did not mind doing that for me, there are others below down there you know, who need your skills.”
“That’s OK, Anir, I’ll go,” said Sarah, and ran off down the hill.
“You can go and help too, Peter,” Anir said, as he sat on the ground to ease his wounds.
So Peter followed Sarah down to the valley where the wounded were collecting. There were some people acting as doctors in what seemed to be a makeshift sort of a hospital, but they didn’t seem to know very much and so were not really much use. Sarah did her best and a good best it was too. She did not seem to notice how awful everything was, but went straight to work. Peter assisted her, but he had to admit that she was much better at bandaging up wounds and comforting the patients than he was.
Even with the most basic of modern first aid practice, Sarah managed to do better than the army doctors. They seemed to have forgotten much of what the Greeks had passed on to them in former times, when the medical service in the Roman army had been second to none. Later, Merlin came to the Hospital also and did very well, though he swore that he knew nothing about doctoring. Sarah thought it must be his great knowledge of anatomy and herbal remedies that stood him in such good stead.
And so the day of the Great Battle at Saussy came to a close. Gormant, Gyssevin and some others went away after a hurried meal to round up what Romans had not escaped, or surrendered. Many were taken prisoner, but many were also killed.
“It’s a good job they did not enter the town and have us lay siege to Autun,” Arthur said later.
“Why?” asked Peter.
“Because then we should have had to kill every last one of them, and indeed everything alive in the city, that’s why.”
“Yuk!” exclaimed Sarah, horrified.
“But that has always been the Roman way and everyone knows that. They would not hesitate to do it to us if our positions were reversed. Say, if they had laid siege to us in our camp. That is what happens if you do not surrender immediately. Once the battering ram touches the gates… well, I’m sure that you remember what happened to Archimedes!”
Peter and Sarah did not remember, but they presumed that this was exactly what had happened to Archimedes.
“Poor guy!” said Peter, with great feeling.
“Poor Syracuse!” said Merlin, sourly, “you know Arthur, it might be good to contemplate on the thought that, just because something is a Roman tradition, it is not necessarily a good thing!”
There was a very strange atmosphere in the Camp that evening. Many were joyous because they had won, but there were those who were sorrowful because so many were lost. The evening meal was a dismal affair because Kai and Bedwyr were gone. Although Arthur’s champion, Gyssevin, did his very best to fill both their roles.
“I shall have to bring him on in the ways of the Cup bearer and Butler,” Arthur said, “he will come to it by degrees I am sure.”
“And what will you do now, my Lord Arthur?” asked Anir, as dinner drew to a close.
“Rome, Anir, we will go to Rome in the springtime. We shall spend the autumn and winter here and then cross the Alps when the snows are melting. I can’t wait! Then we will give that Emperor Odovacer a bloody nose for sure, either on our own account or more probably, in alliance with Theodoric of the Eastern Roman Empire.”
“Very good, Sire, but first we have much clearing up to do,” Merlin said.
“Yes Merlin,” the young King-Emperor said, “I know, I was getting carried away.”
“It is the foolishness of youth to think they can achieve ALL,” said Merlin, dampeningly.
After that, the meal finished very quietly and all present were glad of some sleep.