Volume 5: The Hegemon of Southern Italy, Chapter 115: The Junction at Bisignia

Sicinag fumed inwardly: Elea, that small Greek city-state that had long been bullied by Pyxous and nearly destroyed, actually dared to cause trouble within Pyxous's territory! Did joining the Daonia Alliance give these Greek cowards, who only knew how to hide behind their walls, some guts?! Did they not realize that once they provoked Pyxous, no one could save them!

He swore to himself: once Grumentum is conquered, he would wipe out Elea!

But dreams were dreams; the immediate problems had to be dealt with. Even though the situation on his front was at a critical juncture, Sicinag had to rush to the rescue right away. While a thousand Eleans could not possibly breach Pyxous's walls, letting them rampage outside the city would shake the tribe's support for him. He knew that although he had used various means over the years to gain an overwhelming advantage over the other tribes in Pyxous, the city was not his alone. Even within his own tribe, the elders and priests were not entirely of one mind with him. The disastrous defeat at Grumentum last time had already stirred some discontent among the people. Now, with this Elean incursion, he had to act immediately; otherwise, if the warriors found out, their anger alone would give him a headache.

Once again, he had to halt the impending attack and sent Gnenait leading three thousand men—two thousand from Pyxous and a thousand from other tribes—to rush back and relieve Pyxous, aiming to annihilate the invading enemy as quickly as possible to vent his frustration.

At the same time, the delay in the attack meant increased pressure from food supplies, so he also dispatched a squad of warriors to forage for grain far and wide. This "foraging" was actually burning, killing, and looting, forcing the neutral tribes either to flee into the mountains or to join the tribes south of Grumentum, which were on the Daonian side...

...

At Clampetia, the Fourth Army Corps of Daonia had been firing stone shots from their ballistae for most of the day, causing numerous cracks in the city wall and showering the defenders with shattered stones, wounding several warriors. The defenders on the wall were terrified and their morale low.

Great Chief Pangaelus had no choice but to make a decision: send troops out under cover of night to destroy these terrifying siege weapons!

In truth, the ballistae themselves were not heavy. Heilos, always cautious, had not moved them back to camp after dark precisely to lure the enemy out, only building a small earthwork in front of the row of ballistae.

As expected, Clampetia's raiding force walked right into the ambush laid by the Fourth Army soldiers hidden around the ballistae. After a fierce skirmish, they narrowly escaped total annihilation.

Having lost several hundred warriors, Pangaelus dared not make any rash moves again.

The next day, covered by the long-range fire of ballistae and light infantry, the soldiers and the people of Trina built three causeways approaching the ditch in front of the wall. Then they began laying stone slabs on the causeways a hundred meters from the wall.

Soon, the warriors of Clampetia were astonished to see three wooden towers slowly rolled forward onto the stone-paved causeways.

These siege towers stood a full five meters high, and with the one-meter-high causeway, they towered two meters above the stone wall. Their width was the same at top and bottom—two meters—while their depth from front to back was three meters. They were made of wood, covered with wet oxhide, with large wooden wheels at the base. The top was surrounded by wooden battlements and could hold three or four archers. Hanging from the top front was a drawbridge, with a long wooden ladder trailing behind. When the tower approached the wall, the drawbridge would be lowered onto the wall top, and soldiers could climb the ladder, pass through the tower and across the drawbridge to directly attack inside the wall, making the assault much easier.

These siege towers designed by Daonian engineers and carpenters were relatively simple and single-purpose, nowhere near the massive siege towers made by Syracuse. Their only highlight was a thorough consideration for the safety of the laborers. On both sides of the wheels, three wooden poles extended upward, and above these poles, a roof-like wooden canopy extended. The men pushing the tower stood outside the causeway, able to grip the poles while the canopy shielded them from enemy arrows, allowing them to focus on pushing the tower forward.

When the towering siege towers slowly advanced, the warriors of Clampetia were stunned. Although siege towers had been used long ago on the Mesopotamian plain, they had never appeared in the Greek world of small states and independent city-states. The tyrant Dionysius of Syracuse had pioneered revolutionary innovations in Greek siege technology, but that was just happening and had not yet spread, let alone to the isolated Bruttians. They had never seen such enormous siege engines. Arrows, fire arrows, javelins—all were ineffective against them. Throwing stones couldn't reach far enough. Perhaps the Daonian weapon that fired stone shots could destroy them, but Clampetia had none. The warriors could only watch helplessly as the towers neared the city moat.

Then, heavily armored archers climbed into the towers through the ladders, reached the top, and began shooting arrows at the warriors on the wall.

Arrows flew back and forth. The Daonian archers, positioned high up and protected by armor and wooden parapets, had a clear advantage despite being fewer.

Taking advantage, Daonian soldiers began filling the city moat with earth and sand so that the towers could be pushed directly to the wall.

Anxious and restless, Pangaelus ordered his men to do everything to stop the enemy's attempt while sending a fast messenger to Cosentia for reinforcements. He knew in his heart: without reinforcements, Clampetia would fall in a matter of days...

Though the bloody and brutal battle at the stronghold had happened just yesterday, it felt like a long time ago.

Early this morning, the Second Army Corps legion commander Drakos, First Battalion Commander Adrianx, and other officers stood smiling outside the city of Besidia to welcome the arrival of Davos, the magistrate of Daonia and supreme commander of the whole army.

Among the welcoming party were also the former leaders of Besidia, Bagiripi and Brim, the newly risen leader Kerelu, and some nobles from the various tribes of Besidia. They waited nervously, excitedly, or anxiously to meet the highest authority of Daonia.

To prevent any accidents, Drakos ordered the Fifth and Sixth Battalions stationed in the city to be on strict alert and well-deployed.

"Kerelu, is the Daonian magistrate Davos really younger than us?!" Bagiripi's young nephew, Rodom, couldn't help asking the man beside him. The two had previously only had an ordinary relationship, but after fighting side by side yesterday, they had quickly become friends.

"I asked Drax, and it seems that's right! But don't treat him like a young man!" Kerelu warned, subtly pointing at the officers of the Third Army Corps: "Look at Drakos and those Daonians—normally they look down at us, but now they're a completely different sight. Does that look like they're welcoming a youngster?"

"Of course I understand! I heard from Uncle Bagiripi that Davos is a descendant of some Greek god, never lost in battle, and none of the Daonians dare disrespect him!" Rodom replied.

Just then, a soldier came running hurriedly from the eastern defense camp, shouting excitedly as he ran: "Lord Davos is coming! He's here!"

Drakos immediately called out: "Prepare!"

The officers began straightening their uniforms, and war trumpets and drums sounded together.

Soon, the steady rhythm of marching feet came with a slight tremor of the ground, and a long column appeared before everyone's eyes: the man at the very front of the column was fully armed. His leather sandals, bronze greaves, and linen cuirass were no different from an ordinary heavy infantryman's, except for his helmet. It was not the heavy Corinthian helmet but a new type of iron helmet, with a crest adorned with long feathers of purple and red, flowing elegantly. The front of the helmet was open, with only cheek guards protecting the sides, so his face could be clearly seen—a broad forehead, thick eyebrows, a straight nose, a moderate chin, eyes not large but extremely spirited. His features appeared young but without childishness, and he possessed a natural authority in his glance and movement. His strides were large and powerful, but his pace was not too fast, giving him an air both energetic and steady...

So this was Davos, the magistrate of Daonia?! The curious Besidians found their answer in the upright chests and reverent gazes of the Daonian officers and soldiers.

Davos came before Drakos, with hundreds of eyes focused on him. Drakos crisply saluted: "Lord Commander, the Second Army Corps welcomes you!"

Davos returned the salute immediately and said half-jokingly, half-seriously: "Impressive, Drakos, you've put on quite a show! When did you learn this routine?!"

Drakos looked a bit embarrassed at Adrianx.

Davos understood and laughed: "It was Adrianx's idea, I suppose. Looks like the Isthmian Games weren't a waste. But such ceremonies should wait until after the war is over. During wartime, we keep things simple."

If someone else had said that, Adrianx would have taken it as rubbing salt in his wounds and would have been unhappy. But coming from Davos, after thinking it over, he accepted it: "You're right, Lord! The war isn't over yet; we must be serious!"

Davos laughed heartily and stepped forward to give Adrianx a warm embrace: "I was quite startled when I heard the news on the way. Adrian, you took Besidia with only seven hundred men—a bold and decisive action! Amazing! Amazing! You and your First Battalion deserve a star all to yourselves! The people of Daonia will love to tell stories of your victory!"

This was exactly what Adrianx wanted to hear. All his grievances vanished, and he was so delighted he didn't know how to respond.

Then Davos turned to Drakos and gave a solemn military salute, saying gravely: "The Second Army Corps not only captured Besidia smoothly this time but also successfully held it, earning the first merit in our next step to conquer Bruttii! Drakos, on behalf of Daonia, I thank you and the brothers of the Second Army Corps for your contributions and sacrifices to the Alliance!"