Alde approached, and came to us. She was munching on an apple, nonchalant as she stared at it. “It seems to me they are all asleep,” she murmured.
“Well that is bad,” Gochan said, as his Sarmatians and our Tencteri guides were huddling under their cloaks miserably. The rain was intensifying. “First, they do nothing all summer. And now they had a row, didn’t they? Because of Augustus. The man is dead, and they fight. Odd way to honor the great man.”
Indeed, Augustus had died some weeks past. Tiberius ruled.
It had led to rebellion.
They had been doing nothing but fighting. Amongst themselves.
The gates had been open for days, on all four sides, and roaring gangs of thousands of legionnaires had been going from one camp to another, inciting trouble. There had been fires and deaths.
“It is the XX,” I said, as I watched the men of the infamous rebellious legion marching for the camp of XXI Rapax. “The bastards have plenty of scum amongst the ranks. No longer the heroes of Illyria, are they?” I watched the boar shielded men marching past, not far from the shore.
There were no centurions amongst them.
Donor was shaking his head.
“Can’t he force them to obey him? Why not?” I asked him. “Is he a coward, this Germanicus?”
“I am not sure,” Adalwulf said. “They say he has been busy making children and playing a questor in Rome, holding games in the honor of his late father. He has been very busy basking in the light of Juppiter, rather than Mars. He is busy, but is he a coward? I think not.”
Donor rubbed his face. “There are nations of Germani waiting for him to make his move, and he is not moving.”
Gochan looked at the legionnaires with grave disappointment. “What of Segestes? Is Segimundus well and watching the bastard?”
Donor grunted. “None of your business. He rules Armin’s land.” He gave me a glance and sighed as he saw my angry face. “Fine! I’ll tell you, but not the Sarmatian shit. He has a child on the way. Segestes is silent and well-guarded. I know. I am there, usually.”
Gochan put a hand on a sword’s hilt, and I pressed his hand down. I saw Borena and Gervas arriving on the hill. They were sweaty and the men who had been with them were all cursing her and my son, their horses exhausted.
“At least Segestes is quiet,” Donor said, watching her. “The old fat bear has no teeth left.”
“Be wary of toothless bears,” I murmured, “for they still have claws.”
Adalwulf shook water from his hair. “I doubt our enemy is a coward. He is just learning. He is showing himself around, and he sits in his praetorium, planning. We captured a rider and spoke with him. Germanicus has his praetorians and keeps them close. He spends much of his time huddled inside praetorium with a tribune, some man called Publius, and everyone thinks he is scheming. He is sending men west and east, north and south. There are many speculatores in Luppia River area, and many pass beyond, those we do not hang. They are skillful men, and so, he is doing something. While it seems, he is simply sitting on his skinny arse, humping both his wife and his Publius, he is doing something behind the veil.”
I cursed him softly. “Damn him and his slowness. He has calmed the legions down, mostly. The Senate will make Tiberius the Princeps, and Germanicus is here, commanding Gaul and Germania, and a third of Rome’s army, but the slow summer and then the death of Augustus has made this year a disappointing one. Unfortunately, the war seems delayed.”
Gochan grinned. “It was entertaining, at least, their rebellion. Tell Armin that, Donor the Dog. The scum legions pulled the good ones along to a rebellion, and they had a mutiny from Batavia to Illyria. Heads were rolling.”
Donor eyed my rude brother like he would a carcass. He spoke harshly. “What happened in the rebellion? Blood flowed?”
Adalwulf looked disgusted. “Aye. The scum killed centurions. They threatened men from Rome, and even Germanicus had hard time as they threatened his life.” Adalwulf went serious. “You know, he is much like his father.”
I spat.
“He dealt with the rebellion well,” he said. “Here, in Lower Rhenus, the XX Valeria Victrix, XXI Rapax, I Germanica, V Alaudea under Caecina, and in the Upper Rhenus, the legions of Silius, the II Augusta, XIII Gemina, XVI Gallica, and XIV Gemina followed suit. They wanted coin.”
“Coin,” I said dully. “Legions rebelled for coin.”
“They wanted what Augustus promised them; bonus. Tiberius would not pay. Germanicus paid from his own pocket. In fact, he doubled the bonus Augustus had agreed to pay them.”
We were silent.
Donor smiled. “Sounds like they are his legions for good now.”
They would be. Unless they lost.
Gochan spat and spoke in disgust. “I think this Germanicus lied to them about Tiberius not paying the bonus, expected a rebellion, and made them his with his generosity. See? He is clever. He also agreed to lower the discharge years from the legions to twenty years, and sixteen marks the end to all service, except from campaigns. Drusus the Younger dealt with the legions in Illyricum in a much harsher manner.”
We sat there and shook our head, all of us.
Donor shifted in his saddle. “It seems the legions will be crippled. The lowering of discharge age will have an effect on their numbers. It seems the campaigning season is over.”
I nodded. “It seems so.”
It had been over for almost a month. The rains had been heavy as autumn arrived.
I rubbed my head and turned to look up to the hill. “Get going, Donor. We shall wait here until we know for sure.”
“I will let Armin know,” he said. He gave me a disgusted look. “It is disappointing for Germani he is so timid, this Germanicus. It is personally disappointing for me, Hraban. You know why. I wait eagerly for the war to end, and when it doesn’t even start?” He shook his head. “How can I hunt you down if I die of old age before the war is won. I promised Armin my feuds wait until that time. A pity. It seems I must contend myself to having my men watching you in Mattium, waiting for a new year. Shit!” He spat at our feet and rode off.
I stopped Gochan from calling him out. “We can wait too,” I said.
“We shouldn’t,” he murmured. “But I suppose you have pissed Armin off enough.”
Gochan knew much about my business. He knew much about our plans.
He was far more serious than usual. I was too.
I rode forward to look down at the marching legionnaires on the other bank of Rhenus. They were rebels, out to rebel, and just a depressing sign of the trouble Germanicus was facing.
Adalwulf followed me. He joined me and spoke softly. “We should tell Tiberius it is hard to kill Germanicus in war, if Germanicus doesn’t go to war.”
“Send your boys to tell Flavus that,” I said bitterly. “But I suppose we have to set some traps. You think it is time?”
We had been putting it off. I had.
For a reason.
I gave him a quick look. He smiled and nodded.
I took a deep breath and gathered my resolve. We rode to out hall, and there men were gathering, wanting to hear what Donor wanted. I sat up in my saddle and rode to the middle of the camp and looked at them. “It seems there will be no war this year. It seems unlikely. We shall leave Gray Wolf’s lands soon. Until that time, we shall still patrol. Ourbazo. Where do you wish to scout?”
He shook his shoulders. “The bridges? I can take that place.”
He liked to scout the bridges. There they occasionally surprised traders and soldiers and made some loot.
I nodded. “Take half our men and help Gray Wolf scout the bridges. Gochan, take half the men and follow Adalwulf for a while and try to see if the northern banks are clear. We shall stay a few more days. You can find me here tomorrow.”
Both nodded and turned to obey.
Adalwulf rode past. “I shall go up north, then,” he said. “See you in a few days. Wulf! Come! Gervas!”
I lifted my h
and, and he stopped. “Let Gervas stay here. I’ll spend some time with him. In fact, leave only a few men to guard the hall. We need some time without prying eyes. Make sure the hall is empty of our vermin.”
He nodded. “Is that not dangerous?” he asked. “The vermin have been guarding you and yours from Germanicus all summer.”
“There is no war,” I told him tiredly. “No Germanicus. I tire of soldiers. I shall stay with Gunda and my son for few nights to feast and rest, before we must travel.”
He turned in his saddle. “Gervas!”
“Lord?” he called out. He had been talking and laughing with Borena.
“Stay with your father,” he said. “He wishes to spend time with you. Woden knows why.”
Gervas nodded, and Borena looked at him with a grave face. Alde rode away with Gochan, shaking her head.
Ourbazo smiled to himself.
I closed my eyes and prayed to Woden.
***
A night and then a day passed. That day few men guarded the hall in the woods outside. It was peaceful. It was calm.
That next night, I didn’t sleep.
I had not slept the night before. I had not truly rested during the day.
I waited and sat in the house we had been using. Gervas was sitting next to a fire pit, and Gunda was looking at a spearpoint.
Gervas finally spoke. “Fine. I need to know. I usually don’t ask you questions, but I must. What is happening, Father? You sent all our men away and kept me here. Is Borena safe?”
I grunted. “Borena is safe, son. Do you remember your grandfather?”
“Maroboodus?” he asked. “I do. I do remember him. Barely. I remember he was a great lord and ruled well. I remember he made me smile and Cenric cry, and Aunt didn’t like him very much. I did like him, though I know he was...troubled.”
“Do you know,” I asked him, “what we have done to each other over the years?”
He said nothing for a moment. “You have hurt each other.”
“He came home,” I told him, “when I was your age. And he conspired to kill your grandmother and great-grandfather.” It was not entirely true. Maroboodus always claimed he had wanted to spare Sigilind. Perhaps it was true. She was of the high blood of Aristovistus, and he needed her. I didn’t correct myself. “He came home a Roman and set me and my brother against each other. Then he used us both and, in the end, discarded us for greater plans and promises. He betrayed us, all of Germania, and I have followed in his footsteps, boy, and made him unhappy so many times I have lost count. I envy you, Gervas, for the brief happiness you found with him.”
He said nothing. He was wondering what sort of footsteps I had followed. He sensed I was hiding things from him.
I spoke on. “I hurt him terribly not too long ago. I took Gunhild, and I took his unborn son and gave them to Rome. He has set people on our trail. I have been watching, boy. Vannius, the king of the Hermanduri, you remember him?”
“I do.”
“He said Maroboodus has put a price on our heads,” I said. “He wants me alive. He wants me, my wife, and you. Each worth a bag of roman gold, did you know?”
He shifted. “But that was before you were married.”
“That is true,” I said. “But now I am married. I have also been guarded. You have been well guarded, son.”
He frowned. “I have noticed. Wulf too.”
I smiled. “Has Borena?”
He looked at me steadily. “Borena? No. She has not said anything.”
I sighed and spoke. “I have waited and made sure we cannot be taken easily. I have waited for months and months. I have been vigilant, and I have never let my guard down. They have waited, they have had no choice. They think the guards have been there to protect us from Rome. Nay. It has given us time to get close to them. Some, with luck, Gervas, will have changed their minds. Some might not be part of this at all. It is even possible none of them are. But we have to be sure.” I pointed the Red Wolf to the door, and admired its fine, brutally heavy blade. “If they are plotting on taking us to my father, then we shall have to kill the lot.”
His eyes went to the door and he held his eyes closed. “Who have we let close? Nay, do not say it. You think the—”
“Aye,” I said. “We shall find out, eh? And I want one of them alive, so I will know exactly what has been done, by whom, and whether or not Maroboodus is working with one other who hates me. Germanicus. I need one to speak so I can rest better. I have a plan, the Chatti help me, Gervas, and my conscience is haunting me for some parts of that plan will damn me so deep into Lok’s dark lap that I can barely stomach it. I want to see if I can quiet that conscience.”
He sat there and finally spoke. “I have no idea what plan you are talking about. Will you not tell me? And she is not part of it.”
“No. I will not tell you. But if she is part of it, son, she will die. Still, take comfort in the fact that I think she truly loves you. Alde and Ourbazo are a different matter. One is a shifty shit, the other one hates me. And Gunda.”
“We have guards,” he said. “Few men?”
I shook my head. “They are the worst men in our band. They are men we have been thinking about sending away. They are expendable.”
He blinked.
“We are alone,” Gunda said. “This night is the night, if Hraban is right. If he is, those men are dead already out there.”
Gervas’s eyes went to the door with wonder and fear.
I felt sorry for what we had to do.
Gervas watched Gunda. They got along famously, but he looked truly confused. “He said the Chatti are helping him. What do you know of this?”
I shook my head at him. “She knows plenty of it. There are plans I have made, Gervas. She knows most of them. She has a cause, and I have one. You will hate all of these causes, should you learn any of them. Most of all, you must trust me and trust her, and then, you may judge us later.”
Gunda was nodding. “For the good of all the Chatti, anything. And for my fine husband.” She smiled at Gervas. “Trust him. He has done everything for you.”
He shook his head and began to argue. His anger was about rip across the hall. He had a temper. A bad one.
He froze.
Outside, someone was riding hard. I heard horse whinnying and then steps.
I closed my eyes, disappointed. It seems there was at least one of them who was indeed hoping to hurt us. I had hoped it was all a coincidence.
I got up and raised my shield and sword and stood before the door, and Gunda, whom Ebbe and Oldaric had trained just like he had Adgandestrius, leaped to her feet, her spear in her hands.
Gervas stepped up with his. His eyes were gleaming feverishly as he watched the door.
The door opened.
In stepped two figures.
I closed my eyes. I had hoped. I had begged Woden she was not involved in the plot to capture us.
Borena.
One was Borena, and she held a sword, her armor was jingling, and she was limping inside, pulling off her helmet with one hand.
Alde came next.
She was pale, trembling, and saw us ready.
They stared at us, facing them. Borena opened her mouth and then went quiet. Alde stepped forward and looked around. “You knew?”
“I had a strong hunch,” I said. “I won’t tell you how. Someone misspoke.”
“You won’t?” she asked softly and smiled. “You have sight?”
I spread my arms to my sides and bared my chest to them. “Come sister! Come, my former lover! Guard, Alde? Your sight? Get close to your quarry, eh? You did. Closer than you thought.”
She nodded sadly. “Too close. I burned.”
I smiled at her sorrow. “Bah! I am married now. One sack of gold. I have my son with me. Another sack for you! All our guards are gone. One more sack, eh? It is time for you to show your true side. A sack of gold for each! You work for Maroboodus?”
Borena shook her head and staggered to lean on the
doorway, avoiding my eyes. “No. Not anymore. And we never met him. We were just supposed to take you to him. It was requested by someone in Armin’s village.”
I nodded. “Go on. Who met this person?”
Alde sat down on the bench near her, leaning her face on her hands.
“He is coming,” Borena said. “There is not a moment to lose.”
I shrugged. “Young Wolf. He is coming. Does he lead, or do you?”
“He is leading,” she said. “He always was. He met this Cherusci. Look. We have to be fast—”
“No,” I told her. “We are not going anywhere. At least close the door. And put the sword down.”
She smiled sadly at Gervas and put the sword to a bench. “I am sorry. Gervas. See what I am doing. I am renegading on the deal for you. Ourbazo is coming. We must—”
“His ruffians?” I asked. “The scum he hangs around with?”
“No,” she said. “Those men, the scum as you call them, are not in Luppia. They wouldn’t come here. He had been gathering them before you rode in. Then we didn’t need them. We were close to you. Look. He too has betrayed Maroboodus and this Cherusci. He has new master now.”
“Tell me everything,” I told her. “We are in no hurry.”
Alde was staring at Gunda with anger and then at me with longing. She spoke. “It was after we left the Hermanduri. We were starving and hiding. Someone very high came out to meet those bounty hunters in their shifty mud-filled village and that Cherusci met Ourbazo there. They told him about the contract, and that contract was alluring. Three bags of gold. Huge ones. Provided you were married. You were not.”
I shook my head at her. “And you toyed with the idea of marrying me.”
She nodded. “I was to get close to you. When I did, I toyed with the idea of killing the others and staying with you. You see…I found peace and home with you. It began a lie and then I loved to be with you. I enjoyed the calm, the peace, the lovemaking and you. And then you…” She looked at Gunda murderously.
“And you betrayed your brother Gochan for gold? Your king?” I asked. “That is filthy. No. It is sad. It makes you seem base.”
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