"Not for too long." Was the curt reply of the Aquilifer, holding the banner tall and proud as the javelins sailed overhead. One of them punctured a hole in the banner, whilst the other two dented the frame, but otherwise the banner remained in the air. Hushed voices muttered to each other, and the shields rose higher and higher with more confidence as the javelins bounced off them. Once or twice, a man gave way, and was immediately replaced before the gap in the formation could be exploited. "Where is the Legate..." Gnaeus grunted, glancing about while he was confined in the tight safety of the<em>Testudo</em>.