Read Eagles at War for Free Online

sacred grove belonging to the Sugambri. Yesterday I was on the other side of the river, on official duty,’ Segimundus explained. ‘The hour had grown late before my business was concluded, and the settlement’s priest invited me to stay. As night fell, I decided to spend some time in the grove, to see if Donar would commune with me. I went alone, as I always do, and prayed to the god. I drank some barley beer. At first, nothing happened. Some time passed, and I fell asleep.’
    Arminius could feel a pulse beating at the base of his throat.
    ‘The dream of the burning eagle was so vivid, so intense, that I woke from it. I was covered in sweat.’ Segimundus’ eyes were alive with passion. ‘Donar sent me the vision. I know it. The rams today are further proof.’
    The two men studied each other for a long moment.
    Arminius spoke first. ‘It gladdens my heart to hear you speak so. Too long have I served Rome. Too long have I done nothing while the empire mistreats the different tribes. Are we Cherusci not kin to each other, and to the Chatti, the Marsi and the Angrivarii? We share more with one another than we ever will with the Romans.’
    ‘I cannot fault your logic,’ said Segimundus. His expression grew serious. ‘Have you a plan?’
    Segimundus’ words made Arminius throw caution to the wind. ‘I plan to forge an alliance of the tribes. We will drive Rome’s legions west of the river once and for all.’
    Segimundus looked surprised, and wary. ‘No modest aim, then.’
    ‘My part of the tribe is with me. I hope that soon the Chatti and the Usipetes will be too. It’s possible too that the rest of the Cherusci could be won over. If you were by my side, or better, elsewhere, spreading the word of your dream and what happened here today, we’d be sure to convince others to join us. What do you say?’
    Segimundus did not reply. Arminius’ heart hammered out a few unhappy beats, and he found that he was clenching his fists. Perhaps he had misjudged the priest? Damn it, he thought, his anger rising. I’ll shut him up rather than let him squeal to the legate. Quite how he could get away with murdering Segimundus in the temple, he had no idea. A surreptitious look to either side, and down the room, told him that they were still alone. Turning a little so that Segimundus could not see, he let his right hand creep towards his sword hilt.
    ‘Donar must have sent you.’
    The fervour in the priest’s voice was unmistakeable. Letting his hand drop to his side, Arminius faced Segimundus. ‘Really?’
    ‘Why else would things happen in such close succession? The dream, the diseased rams, and then you telling me of your plan?’
    ‘So you’ll help?’
    ‘As Donar is my witness,’ replied Segimundus, solemn-faced.
    ‘I am grateful,’ said Arminius, shaking his hand hard.
    ‘We can talk tonight, in my quarters.’
    Arminius felt a broad smile break out. ‘I look forward to that.’
    He walked out into the warm sunshine. Like his first ally, it seemed to have been sent by the thunder god himself.
    Win over the chieftains of the various tribes next, he thought, and I will have an army.
    Real excitement filled Arminius at that prospect. As for a time and a place to ambush Varus’ legions, well, he had those in mind too.
    Gods, but he could not wait until his plan came to fruition.

II

     
     
    SENIOR CENTURION LUCIUS Cominius Tullus stood on the side of the road, close to the main, arched gate of Vetera. A rectangular, fortified camp, some nine hundred paces by six hundred in size, it was home to his legion, the Eighteenth, and had been a Roman base for more than twenty years. His wasn’t an old unit by any means – it had been founded by Augustus half a century before, during the civil war that had brought him to power. The Eighteenth’s first period of service had been in Aquitania. Just a few years later, it had been transferred to Vetera on the River Rhenus. When Tullus had been promoted to the