Rise of the Scipii

[Horseman]

Dont worry I wont stop untill its finished!

Serious lack of free time at the mo. And believe it or not it takes well over an hour per chapter not including the playing time!!!!!!

Should get some time tomorrow if not later on tonight to finish the next installment

[Horseman]

Chapter 21 – The garrison of Lepcis Magna (summer 260bc)

Lucius Scipio was bored. He had been sent to the northern boarders of Byzagium by his father. He was tasked with supervising the construction of watch towers to watch for approaching Carthaginian armies. It was he knew a vital task but none the less it was not exactly exiting.

Aulus Scipio in contrast was enjoying himself. He had recently arrived in Capua and had busied himself getting the family villa in order. He was due to travel to Rome in a few days to represent his family within the Senate. Although he held no office save as governor of Campania he wielded some power for he was also tasked with speaking as proxy for his brothers Gaius and Quintus both of whom held high office, he was looking forward to this task even more.

The spy Aulus had managed to infiltrate into the city of Lepcis Magna some days ago. He had been busy talking to strangers in back alleys and creeping around the garrison barracks. Earlier today the city had gone onto full alert and his job was made all that harder as civilians stayed inside whilst soldiers rushed to and fro preparing the cities defences. Aulus smiled to himself, they were no doubt concerned about the approaching 1st Legion. Still it would make it hard to get the information he had gathered out to General Quintus. Aulus smiled to himself again, he loved a challenge.

Lucius’ boredom had been temporarily relieved. He had spotted a small Carthaginian force moving south across the boarder. It numbered less than a thousand men made up of Libyan spearmen, round shield light cavalry and Numidian mercenaries but outnumbered his small force considerably, he decided to shadow them at a safe distance and sent a rider to Thapsus. He would need help.

Quintus Scipio studied the report from Aulus. The garrison at Lepcis Magna numbered some 160 light round shield cavalry, 4200 light militia spearmen and 600 peasants who had armed themselves for war. He sent orders to his centurions, the enemy garrison was weak and the city ripe for plunder, march onwards.

Julianus Scipio had received word from Quintus. The 1st neared Lepcis Magna and the city would be under siege before the year ended. Quintus was confidant of victory and Julianus was confidant in his younger brother’s abilities. Slightly more worrying was the arrival of a small Carthaginian force to the north. The numbers did not concern him but what if this was just the vanguard of a much larger force?

Lucius was relieved. Yesterday the enemy had spotted his small force shadowing them and turned in pursuit. Riding hard he had managed to keep them at distance for some hours until night fell but he knew it was only a matter of time before the enemies light cavalry caught him. The arrival of 400 Hastati 400 Velites and 270 Equites from the 3rd Legion had bolstered his courage and once more he turned to shadow the Carthaginians.