The moon had not yet risen. The night lit only by the flickering light of the distant stars and camp fires behind the wall. Ursus thought he saw a movement in the darkness. Using an old trick, he looked to the side and behind where he had seen the movement. Yes, shadowy figures moved silently across the field, running a few steps before falling to the ground. Not enough light for archery work, Ursus mused. This will be a night for spear and sword. Turning, he sighted the grizzled centurion.

”Julius! Find the tribune Valerius. He is to take the prisoners to Eboracum immediately. Then get the rest of the men ready for battle.” Julius saluted his general and ran into the darkness. Ursus looked again over the field, hearing the noise as Julius roused the sleeping camp. Time. They needed to buy time for Valerius to get away. If the enemy had not gotten over the wall at another point, the Romans would win Valerius the time he needed. If they were over the wall... Ursus growled deep in his chest at the thought.

Ursus left the wall. His mind counting the forces available to him. Not counting Valerius' troop, which should shortly be on the road to Eboracum, he had only the century he had brought as his personal guard and the garrison of the tower, currently fifty men. Normally the garrison numbered only eight men, but the additional troops were rebuilding the wall damaged during the recent battles with Carausius. Just over a hundred men total to fight off an unknown number of enemies.

By the time he reached the assembling troops, Ursus heard the sound of battle coming from the wall.