Salvatoria: The Memoirs of Lucretia Aurelia

ᑕᕼᗩᑭTEᖇ ᙭Iᐯ: ᗩᑎGEᒪᔕ Oᖴ ᗩᒪEᔕIᗩ

September 16, 52 B.C

Alesia, Mandubii Gaul

The sun began to rise when the men arose. I had already awoken, dressed in my legatus armor and made my way out of the tent. I ordered the infantry to guard the flanks and the camp for now, and the cavalry to make its way to the front. We were still behind the hill, concealed from sight. I ordered the light cavalry to form our interior flanks, and our heavy cavalry to form the center. I ordered the cavalry to form five lines of 1,500 men each. The heavy cavalry sheathed their gladius as I ordered they be given javelins and spears. Not to be thrown, but to be used to add to the punch we were about to give. Once the cavalry was assembled, I gave the order to march to the top of the hill. Upon reaching it, I was able to view the entire field from the best possible vantage point. The Gauls had fully surrounded Caesar, and they were launching a full attack from the entire western side of the line, and I could tell, despite mounting casualties, that the defense was waning. I ordered my men to raise their spears and ready them. I prepared to give the signal...

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Julius Caesar's POV

The fighting was bitter and casualties were mounting. Despite my intense confidence in our fighting capability, the battle was not turning in our favor. An attempt to flank the northwestern side of the Gallic relief force had been rebuffed. Labienus was dealing with rebels to the north in Lutetia, and Lucretia had rejected any request to abandon Britain.

Had I lost favor with the Gods? Was I truly to die here with my army? If I am, then I shall die with honor and dignity. I shall not surrender like Crassus or run like a dog with my tail between my legs.

"General Caesar..." Marc Antony said, drawing close, "I bring terrible news,"

"What now?" I groaned, my head in my hands.

The situation at Alesia was truly desperate, if the men broke, surely the entire army would be surrounded, and destroyed.

"More Gauls have arrived... on the northwestern side..."

"No... Let me see!"

Antony led me out to see the situation unfolding. I could see hundreds... no thousands of horsemen forming for battle on top of the hill.

"Why would they form for battle there?" I muttered.

Then both Antony and I saw something in the distance. A red banner with an eagle on it... an oddly... Roman eagle.

"Wait a minute... those... those aren't Gauls... those are Romans!"

"Romans? From where? Cisalpine Gaul? Is it Labienus?" Antony replied.

"No... Labienus is too far,"

"Reinforcements from the Senate?"

"Why would they do that," I shook my head, "I will ride out, see if I can get some bearings,"

I mounted my horse and rejoined the battle, inspiring the men to keep fighting. I tried to identify the leader... before they rode out to the front. I recognized the armor and feminine form through my scope.

"Lucretia... so you did come to my aid... and you did bring your legions from Britain..."

I rode from cohort to cohort, inspiring the men to hold on. Then we watched as the Roman cavalry lowered their spears, and charged down the hill, like an angelic celestial force sent by the gods themselves...

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Lucretia's POV