Secrets Of The Rubicon - Ivo Ragazzini

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many still consider mysterious, named Gorgoscuro.43

      But let's return to Curio as he begins to explain the witch of Urgon to everyone.

      "This witch lives and casts spells in the mountains near the headwaters of the river."

      "She is also said to have access to the underworld, to be able to see the past, present and future, and to resurrect the bodies of the dead, forcing souls to re-enter to create spells and magical hexes."

      "And so? Even if it were true, she is not a Goddess, but only an intermedium44 between people, the underworld and the Gods. What could she possibly do against us?" replied the commander Mark Anthony.

      "Even the Flamini priests are not divinities but only intermediaries between people and the Gods of Rome," answered Curio.

      "That's not true, this is blasphemy. The Flamini and our other Roman priests speak with the mouths of the Gods of Rome and are their vicars on earth," replied General Labienus.

      "For this reason, it is said that even the Witches speak with the mouth of the underworld and the afterlife," Curio replied.

      "Yes, but they are inferior to the Flamini. Flaminis super stitiius striges, sed sub stantias Deis,"45 replied Labienus who fervently observed the Roman religion of the time.

      "That's not the point. They are trying to influence us so we won't fight. We've seen many similar things used against us during the Gaul campaigns and the Roman legionaries have little fear of barbarian deities, but the Gallic might be held back and frightened by these things. Tell us, Curio, what else do you know about this Gorgon witch," interrupted Caesar to stop the discussion.

      "Just before the springs, there is an embankment where an artificial lake has formed, used to regulate the flow of the waters from the Prissatellum River, which separates us from Pompey's legions."

      "Informants have also told me they intend to use the Gorgon to curse that water and release it into the river as soon as they see we are preparing to attack them."

      "Of course they'll spread the story that anyone who crosses that water will soon die so as to try to stop us from crossing the river."

      "Then they will fill the banks of the prissatellum with Gorgon heads and masks tied to poles set into the ground as a limit and border to bring bad luck to those who cross. In this way our legionaries will be affected and filled with fear of crossing that river,"46 Curio ended his explanation.

      "I'm a little superstitious myself, but if that's the only problem, let's leave all the countermeasures and protections to a couple of Druids in our Gallic legions. Some of them are very good," replied a Gaul commander who was also present.

      "What could a Druid do to protect our troops?" asked Caesar quickly.

      "Druids don't talk too much about what they can do, but they can free us from spells and curses, woods and places in the forests, leaving you fairies and goblins to guard in their place, they can heal all evil and witches' curses with herbs, cause springs and rivers to become miraculous and magical, they can cast abominations and curses on their enemies that are so powerful that they can paralyze anyone."

      "But they refuse to curse the gods of the enemies directly, only to defeat them in battle. Druids curse places and people but not Gods," replied the commander of the Gauls with conviction, by way of explanation.

      "How can you be so certain about all this?" asked Hortensius.

      "A Druid accompanied me at night under an oak tree in a northern forest and showed me and others many things, also what I've just told you."

      "And couldn't it have been a trick or an illusion of the mind?"

      "I don't think so, but even if it were, Gallic soldiers believe the Druids. And that makes the difference," replied the commander of the Gauls.

      "Well, then the Druids could be used to secure the banks and woods on the border against the witch and to protect the Gauls from curses on whoever crosses the border," explained the commander Hortensius.

      "I agree with you Hortensius," Caesar intervened.

      "Pompey, does not have enough strength, and is trying to stop us by instilling fear. In the morning try and find out what they intend to do on the river and arrange for the Druids to be ready to protect those places and our men," Caesar ordered.

      "Caesar it shall be done," replied Hortensius.

      "Now, enough about Gods and witches. Let's move on to the military strength in the field. Show me our lines and those of Pompey again," said Caesar, to try to resist, without letting him see, the slight fear he felt about crossing the Rubicon.

      Mark Anthony put his hand on a map that summarized the military situation of the two sides and, after having spread it out in front of everyone, began to explain.

      "To summaries, Pompey's first line is here in front of us outside on the river Prissatellum. And immediately behind that there is a new line where the Flamini, as we have seen, intend to draw a new red line47 in addition to the one that already exists on the Rubicon. We are lined up in front of them here, between Donegallia and Caes solum48 that bound your territories. You understand, Caesar?"

      "Certainly, continue."

      The second line is currently poorly guarded and is a few miles further on towards Arminium,49 where the road splits in two near ad confluentes, before entering the right gate of the Rubicon."

      "Why is the road split in two?" asked Labienus.

      "Because the Rubicon palisade has two access gates: One entrance and one exit, General Labienus," replied Caesar, who knew what the Rubicon was like, as opposed to Mark Anthony.

      Then he added: "Continue your explanation Mark Anthony."

      " And finally the third and last line of the Rubicon itself, still a little to the south towards Ariminium, constructed directly on the river Pluso"50 said Mark Anthony showing Caesar the location that was close to Rimini on the map, where the Rubicon palisade was drawn in red.

      "Of course," replied Caesar. Then clarified, "In my opinion, the first and second lines can be attacked with few problems but, for the sacred border of the Rubicon, I have a plan in mind to bypass it without violating the will of the Gods."

      "How?" asked Mark Anthony.

      "This is certainly not the time to tell you but when the time is right you will all be informed."

      "However what, for now, have we arranged and deployed in terms of troops and legions against Pompey's lines?" asked Caesar.

      "We have the Roman legions X and XIII encamped in the hinterland and here we have posted and deployed the Gallic legions II and III along the Caes solum and Donegallia51 with the promise that this land will become theirs forever, if they know how to defeat Pompey."

      "Very well, I promised them that land as a reward and compensation if they followed me here. Are they already settling there now?" asked Caesar.

      "Yes Caesar, they have gladly taken possession of it and lined up in front of Pompey's troops. They will defend that land well," replied Mark Anthony.

      "Maybe it's not enough that they defend it; tell them I intend to ask them if they are also willing to attack and march on Rome. And in exchange I will promise them land and responsibilities on Italian soil and not only here in Romandia," replied Caesar.

      "They know that already and many are ready to follow you, as long as you leave the land to their veterans and the land given to the Gauls to their relatives who are following," answered Asinius Pollio with a smile.

      "How do they know? Wasn't my plan supposed to be secret?" answered Caesar.

      "Everyone has known this for months. The Gallic legions that came here some time ago go around telling everyone that sooner or later they must attack and

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