Gaius stared into the faces of his men. All of them now, each and everyone he knew. They, like he, were the survivors who had lived, fought and bled in the long war against Hannibal and his horde. Each man listened to him with full attention. Everyone man knew what this day meant, but so too they knew who they were going to face.
“I can see it in your eyes. I have heard it during the silent nights. You fear what lies across this valley and the man who leads this army against us.” Many of Gaius’ men grumbled disapprovingly, which caused him to smile. “You fear Hannibal as all Romans do. You fear that the gods have forsaken us and have blessed this man with immortality and foresight.”
The rumbling between the men grew louder and angrier with each new word.
“We are just another long line of walking dead, only we don’t know it yet. This is what you believe, isn’t it? We should turn around and run, or at the very least, have the decency to fall on our swords. For Hannibal cannot be defeated. He is better than any million Roman sons — is he not?!"
A chorus of voices rose louder and angrier. Gaius’ smile grew wider as his words rose higher, carrying over his men.
“Well, I tell you now, what they say is fabrications! Hannibal has never faced this army — these men — my Wolves before!”
The men cheered louder, which was mixed in with enraged laughter. Gaius allowed his men to carry on for several seconds longer before he continued.
“Romans,” his words grew lower now. “We have suffered greatly — not a brother here hasn’t been touched by the sorrow that this man has brought to each of us, but here today, all of Rome has come united and will cry out in one voice; the Republic shall not fall, now or ever!”
The men of the Sixth Legion roared with excitement as Gaius rode back and forth in front of his men.
“When the signal comes, we will ride out and face the enemy. We will engage them and slaughter them to the man. We will ride behind Hannibal’s lines and cut his veterans to pieces, and when that is done and this war is over, he and the whole world will forever know the name of this legion, and tremble with fear!”
The roars of the Wolves carried over the whole battlefield. All sides, Roman and Carthaginian could hear them, and perhaps wonder was this the day that the unbeatable Hannibal would finally be defeated?
“Very inspiring,” Maurus said with a cheerful smile as Gaius rejoined him. “A bit melodramatic, don’t you think?”
“Whatever works, my friend,” Gaius replied with a wide grin.
The Sixth remained still a bit longer as Gaius could feel the anticipation build. Across the field, beyond the haze of the sun, he could hear the roar of his enemy, the echoes of the powerful elephants and the beating of Carthage’s drums.
“I am coming home, my love,” Gaius uttered to himself as he drew his sword, which was followed by the thousands of men who stood in formation behind him. And then, carried over the distant horizon, he and all the Sixth heard it, the final horn blow — the signal to attack.
“For Rome!” Gaius roared as he kicked his horse and raced across the desert — the whole of the Sixth charging behind him.