As his world collapsed around him, Plinius called in vain for his men to rally. Only his loyal body guard and the Eagle party stayed at his side...it was their undoing. The Gladiators cut down all but one of Plinius's guards and as he tried to rally them, Plinius too was hacked down. The Eagle party fared better, forming a tight knot it cut its way out of the fleeing Gladiators only to be surrounded by the incensed XXI Rapax. The Eagle bearer fought like a lion but stood no chance, he was cut down and the Eagle seized in the name of Secundus. It was the first Eagle taken in battle since the Campaign had begun and it heralded the death of the 8Th Augusta.
Dewolfus caries the day! I, for one, couldn't be happier.
ReplyDeleteNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
ReplyDeleteDamn it, damn it, damn it all. So close, I was close. If those Gladiators had held their own for just one more turn, the cavalry would have flanked and carried the day... but in the moment of victory, defeat. Defeat!
Two beautiful atmospheric ilustrations here Si, full of character and emotive story. I love the detail and shading. Fantastic.