Chapter 7: Kiss of the Chasm (Part 2)

As a result, before reaching Calabi, there were still three hundred stadias to travel, Luculas could not wait any longer. He summoned Sexdelius during the march and pointed his horse whip forward: "Although I have told you in advance We crossed Apis and deceived Armenia, saying that I was still in Sinop, but we still couldn't be too lazy. As I said before, Sophini in front of Karabi was a crucial place for entering and exiting Taurus, and we must get it. ——I give you 600 Gallic cavalry, plus a thousand light infantry from Sardis, to march at twice the speed of the rapid march through Calabi, taking with you the four brigades that were left there before. , rush to Sophini together and strangle the Armenian army's approach. My lord force will arrive soon and fight with them."

"Yes, Calabi's four brigades are probably well fed and idle now!" Sexdelius saluted cheerfully, and then galloped forward on his horse.

When Cydelius's cavalry quickly passed the marching column one by one, Hebrida shouted to the commander again: "You want to get a good luck first? Why don't you take our regiment with you? We He is a good hand at killing barbarians and Greeks!"

When Sexdelius rubbed shoulders, he patted his helmet with his hand to show that he could not hear Hybrida's shouting, and then suddenly disappeared in the smoke and dust stirred up by the horse's hooves.

A column of cavalry came diagonally, led by the senior centurion Uteris. He shouted: "From now on, I will take over the command of this regiment again. Now my order is that the entire regiment continues Keep the marching column, no overstepping or making noise!”

"Brothers, you have to listen to Uteris. Maybe after defeating the Armenians, we can seize a few pairs of pants in their camp?" Hebrida whistled and said, the surroundings Several of the ten captains burst into laughter - but Calabis noticed that there was a fierce light in Hebrida's eyes. This kind of fierce light was now very familiar to Calabis, and it was not to beat the slaves to vent their dissatisfaction. , that is, to plunder loot on the battlefield.

But if Uteris is really in charge, where will the opportunity for High Brida come from?

Now, this dispute doesn't seem to be Calabis's concern.

Sofini, the junction of the Taurus Mountains and Anatolia, is also located in the southwest keyland of Armenia. As long as you break through here, you can enter the bag-shaped plain between the mountains, where the new capital of Armenia stands. It is also the center of population, culture and economy, Tegreseta.

At this moment, Apis and three or four of his followers were riding in a simple mule cart with solid wooden wheels, slowly passing through Sophini and heading to Calabi. At this time, the loud noise of a large number of cavalry and infantry advancing attracted people. His attention - that was the advance force led by Messaro, Tegranis' favorite, with a total of 3,000 cavalry and 10,000 infantry, also heading towards Sophini.

Missaro, who is under the banner of the army, is exceptionally heroic, but his face is full of melancholy and grief. This is a battle that he is least willing to fight. He also believes that his monarch and country should not be involved. , but now all this peace has been disrupted by a beautiful half-year-old lady and a stupid queen. They both have dangerous selfish motives and actually want to push the entire Armenia into a situation of no return.

When Misaro saw Apis, he stopped his horse and shouted: "I envy you because you have a wise commander."

Apis sat on the mule cart and returned the greeting, saying, "If I guessed correctly, your army is going to block the pass of Sophini, right?"

But Misaro shook his head, "Maybe my king's plan is like this, but he can't realize this wish. You Romans are afraid that you will be here soon - if you don't mind, please move to the hills on that side. , watch how an aggrieved loyalist fights to the death.”

"Do as he says." Apis became interested and ordered the coachman - sure enough, at this time, smoke and dust were everywhere on the opposite side of the Sophiny Field. "Those are the four brigades stationed in Karabi. No, no, there are also many cavalry and light infantry, wearing the emblem and eagle flag of the Seventh Legion." Another tribune beside Apis judged.

Apis, who was standing on the hill, nodded and said, "I have already seen Sexdelius at the head of the cavalry team. Attacking is his specialty. They are also the vanguard of our army." This hill happens to be located in Mesa In the center of the line of confrontation between the two armies of Luo and Xekdelius, you can have a bird's eye view of the battlefield situation.

The scout cavalry in the vanguard of both sides had obviously completed contact, assessment and feedback by eye contact. After listening for a while, intricate trumpets and whistles sounded in the field of the Roman army. The hoplites quickly rotated around the axis from the marching columns to form horizontal lines ready to engage the enemy.

Next, the cavalry and light infantry were divided into small teams of ten to sixteen people, passing through the gaps in the infantry ranks one by one, reaching the front and flanks of the infantry array, and wandering on guard. Taking advantage of this safe space, the infantrymen of Cydelius began to smash their pickaxes on the ground. After they were upright, they unhooked the curtains and helmets from above, and then took off the rectangular shields and javelins. Pull out and insert the dagger to check whether the equipment is in good condition. There was an orderly sound of the friction of armor and weapons, followed by orders. The centurion in front of each centurion ordered the flag bearers to raise the camp flag (embroidered with the Bacchus emblem) and the team flag (embroidered with the centurion) in turn. number pennant) to indicate that they are ready.

"We are well-trained and will win this battle. Don't you believe it? Guys, please look at the poor Armenians over there!" Apis pointed in another direction with a smile and pride, and his followers looked over there with their hands on the awning.

The Armenian light cavalry had completed the so-called assembly, but these warriors from the brave tribes of the Araxes River ignored the signals and flags of the Misaro Guards. They couldn't even communicate in the language of different tribes, and each went their own way - some were running around in a queue, some stopped where they were, and some had to gather in front of the commander to listen to his teachings in person. The whole scene was chaotic and terrible.

Even though Misaluo's face turned red and he shouted something, the situation was still out of control. More than 10,000 infantrymen followed him. They could not line up in a formation, or they had never received such tactical training. Most of these infantrymen were forced to come, and they had no combat skills or the habit of obeying orders. Their equipment was also messy. Most of them had no armor or helmets, but were wrapped in Persian turbans, patterned Persian clothes and pants, and held simple spears made of rough wood in their hands. Many people would only follow the actions of their companions in front of them and decide what they should do.

Apis suddenly saw that Misaluo raised the big flag and said something to a entourage next to him in an extremely angry mood. The entourage kept nodding, and then suddenly slapped his horse and ran to the back of the crowd.

Then, Misaluo shouted, wrapped the big flag around his body, led the guards, and rushed towards the Roman formation!

"This man is a madman! His reckless behavior will ruin the entire army." A tribune next to Apis commented.

Apis nodded in agreement, and then sighed slightly, "This young minister is probably determined to use death to make his king understand something."

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