Arminius thought for a moment before answering. “Thank you, father,” he said firmly, yet with kindness. “As always, you show wisdom in your ways; right now, I’m only seeing ultimate victory not its additional cost. I’ll pray to the Gods that you find Thusnelda and the rest of our women safe.”
“Should the gods be willing, they will see all of us reunited soon,” Segimer said, fondly. He then gestured to a few of his personal escorts, and without further delay the men charged off in the direction the Chauci scout had described. After a hard ride on the narrow foot paths back toward the camps, Segimer and his men caught up with Joth. …show more content…
Altered to Joth’s presence, that lone Roman plunderer dropped a leather coin bag still tied to a dead woman’s waist. Springing to his feet, he lunged at his saddle attempting to mount his waiting horse, while at the same time reaching for his gladius. Joth already had his short sword raised and prone to swing. In an instant he hacked downwardly. The Roman spit out some Latin words, and then with his hand still gripping his sword handle, had his arm sliced clean from his shoulder. The blade had cut through the space between the exposed neck and the man’s shoulder armor, taking the appendage clean …show more content…
Xanicus had the advantageous angle, and from less than ten-yards away, he flung his weapon at Joth. The young, athletic Targanchi reacted quickly, and as if dancing the blades, he kept his eyes on the fluttering javelin and then contorted his upper body so that the spear passed by him.
Before Joth could leverage his javelin for a return volley, Xanicus was already attacking with his shield positioned defensively. Drawing his gladius, the Roman charged at the Joth and then leveled a blow with the blade. Joth blocked the gladius with the javelin handle, gripped between his two outstretched hands. The gleaming edge cut the javelin wood base clean in two, leaving Joth undefended once more.
“Die with the rest of your whores, savage,” Xanicus demanded in Latin as he slashed the gladius at Joth’s neck, nicking him on the