by Ralph Harvey
“Quick, the ropes” Ragna cried.
Even as he spoke his companions leapt into the water up to their waists and swiftly tied the stout cords to the two main support beams. Already eroded and rotten with the passage of time, they were the carefully planned targets.
Now the Celts were swimming out into deeper water, while Ragna held the ropes attached to their bodies. All the while they swam, he tightened the ropes to guide the now tethered men to the other bastions in the fast-running water, then these too made fast he hauled them back to the riverbank.
As the exhausted men collapsed on the bank, one of the raiders, Malbia, lay there panting, his breath coming in laboured gasps.
“We’d never have made it Ragna, but for the ropes tied to us — certainly no Roman will cross here when then bridge is gone.”
“Good,” Ragna replied, “now let’s get to work.”
Together they harnessed the rope ends to the three horses. Just as they completed the task, Hansa came into sight, followed by a long crocodile of villagers and the freed male and female slaves.
Anxiously they waited, their hearts pounding in their anxiety to get all across and make their way out of the vicinity as soon as possible. They were now inexorably slowed down by the rescued and the fittest villagers who had decided to come with them, all of whom were on foot. It was a major setback for them as their planned escape had essentially been intended by horseback
“Slow — one at a time — horses first,” Ragna shouted.
Obediently the Iceni started to lead the horses, single file and spread out across the structure, glancing fearfully backwards at the now fast approaching Roman cavalry who were racing for the bridge having heard the war horn the sentinel has sounded, but they were unable to hurry.
“Harness up the other horses, five more to the ropes — two horses to each support — fast,” Ragna shouted. “The rest of you draw bows and try to hold off the Romans.”
By now the last of the horses were over and each Celt now made a swift light walk over the bridge. As the last four started to cross the Romans were upon them.
“Loose” shouted Cantis, and some score of bows released their deadly missiles at the closely packed Romans.
Long experience had taught the Iceni to fell the horses so beloved of the Celtic nation and it was with heavy hearts that they slew the beasts. Past encounters had seen their arrows bounce harmlessly off the stout Roman plate and shields and they had long learned to strike at the bare unarmoured legs of the Roman cavalry. Yet despite this, Roman technique and strategy had never altered, for they still charged wearing body armour only.
Now the deadly hail struck home, felling both horses and riders while the hell-bent body of enemy raced on regardless for the bridge. As the final four tribesmen and two villagers made it across at last, Cantis gave the signal.
“Now pull!”
Whips cracked, men struck the horses’ flanks with the flat of their swords and the sweat-lathered animals strained forwards. With a mighty wrench the props gave way with a great splintering of wood. Bucking momentarily like a wild stallion the structure rose and then fell, sending the advance guard of the cavalry, their centurion and standard-bearer plunging into the torrent below.
Men, horses and planking, together with great timbers, were swept downstream in the foaming torrent, while on the other side the remaining Romans, now dismounted and with their shields protecting them, watched hopelessly. They and their Celtic adversaries now faced each other, each in comparative safety.
Although not said, it was clear that at this moment an uneasy peace now existed between them, conflict was clearly out of the question, and strangely the Iceni with one accord had lowered their bows.
Cantis walked warily to the edge of the river where only a few remnants of the bridgehead now stood, while a decurion, his centurion drowned, walked also towards the last segment remaining on his side.
“The day is yours Celt,” he acknowledged gruffly, “but tomorrow is still ours. Will you northern raiders never learn, that Caesar’s arm will stretch across your whole country eventually, and there will be nowhere for you to hide.”
Cantis placed his hands on his hips, “In eighteen years you have penetrated neither the mountains of the Silures or the crags of the Caledones. Already your armies are halted, and now you strain not to invade, but to contain them. I have even heard talk that one day you will build a great wall across the borders of the Caledones and Damnonii to keep THEM in. Will you fence in the great mountains of the west as well?”
The Roman relaxed, “We Romans have sown the wind Celt and could well reap the whirlwind. I am a soldier and I go where Caesar commands. I hate your land but not your people. You are a warrior race and I admire that, but how you fight naked in this climate or even survive I know not. Maybe one day we will meet again. Who are you?” he queried.
Cantis stood his ground, “Tell you my name for you to seek me Roman? What fool do you take me for?” He mounted his horse, the towropes having now been unloosed;“Seek me in the land of the Iceni, where I serve the great Queen Boudicca, the one who will rid our land of you all. Go home Roman you are not wanted here, and as long as a single Celt lives you will have no peace here.”
The Roman drew his sword and saluted Cantis, “I only follow Caesar and do his bidding, my life is in his hands.”
Cantis turned his horse to watch as the band trotted off, the freed captives two to a horse followed, the doubled-up riders clearly slowing them down. He watched until they were out of sight, fully aware that the decurion was also watching carefully from the opposite bank, appraising the situation and noting which direction they were taking.
He stayed behind ensuring they were safely ahead and as they disappeared from sight Cantis spurred his horse to catch up with them, calling back to the lone watching Roman.
“The future is in the hands of the Gods O master of ten unfortunates.” Then he rode on.
The decurion turned to his decimated group, “It’s no use going on now the river is in spate. Return to the post and light the beacon fires, then use the brass reflectors to signal the garrison at Alturnium that the raiders are heading due north, and clearly they will then turn east to enter Boudicca’s own territory. If the garrison at Alturnium hurries, they can cut them off. I will go back to seek orders and send half of what remains of the unit to cross the ford further up and continue the pursuit at their rear.”
Later that day, as evening fell, the weary troupe halted on a rise that gave view of the surrounding area. Cantis was clearly worried, he was aware that any pursuit was now considerably delayed by the destruction of the bridge, but there were far more refugees with them than had been expected. Every one of the fit and able had thrown in their lot with Cantis, and thus sided with Boudicca’s cause, while the older ones they had left behind would be spirited away by the local populace, to be secretly absorbed into the communities in remote areas.
As they ate, their fires concealed behind banks of earth, Cantis’ eyes scanned the horizon. It was not long before he spotted the blazing signal fire to the east of their position silhouetted in the night sky.
“What lays out there Salinas?” he asked. “You know the area.”
The man had his arms cradled around the shoulders of his daughter who snuggled up to him, almost afraid to let him out of her sight.
Salinas stared out into the distance, “It must be the Lascanii fort. It has over 1,000 men there, at least it used to years ago. I can’t imagine it getting any weaker. If anything Suetonius will have reinforced it if he has the men.” He paused as he reflected, “Although as I recall they were building an even bigger one at Alturnium some ten miles from there, there was already a strong garrison in the vicinity when I left some years ago.”
“What do the fires mean?” queried Cantis, “I saw the hill beacons alight some two hours after we left. It was clearly a signal,” he peered again, “I think they may not pursue us, but try to cut us off instead. It is logical
. They can plot our progress with ease, for we have to rest the horses and we are heavily burdened with such a load.”
He gestured to the freed captives gorging themselves on the on the first good meal they had for months.
“Two to a horse had not been reckoned on, we lost some good mounts on the way here.”
Cantis sat down and warmed his hands by the fire, “Call Ragna, Salinas and Malina over, we must consider our position carefully.”
His companions got up and left and minutes later his council sat beside him.
“As I see it if we continue at present we will be discovered, therefore we have three choices — clearly with the captives slowing us we will ultimately be caught up with.” He drew a diagram into the earth with a stick, “The Romans will expect us to take the shortest route and head north for some days, then logically sweep east to join up with our Queen, or alternatively take a direct line to the land of our fathers. Either way, I like it not. Roman lookouts and sentinels will be everywhere.
One alternative is to gain horses once more, so each and every person has a mount. That way our chances would be good, but could be better. Or,” he looked at the men, “we must leave those who were not part of the original war party at the nearest settlement to make their way to us individually over a longer period. I like not any of my suggestions but we must be practical.”
Salinas looked glum, and clutched his daughter to him, “If it is the latter Cantis I will stay behind, I cannot abandon her now, even if she is safe for the present.”
Their leader nodded, “The fact is, that although our raid has been successful, we are at the mercy of the efficiency of the Roman war machine. We are deep inside enemy territory and every outpost has been alerted to track us. It’s just a matter of time before we are discovered.” He looked directly at his supporters. “We have no chance either way.”
He looked at the prone figures, fed and watered, peacefully enjoying their first night of freedom.
“I cannot leave them to their fate, nor risk any of you in breaking out of the trap, every alternative is a pitcher of worms. I have therefore made my decision.”
Ragna looked up, “Whatever you decide Cantis we will support you. We are all in a no-win situation. So what is it to be?”
Cantis stood up so that he was now looking down on his colleagues.
“In the morning we turn back and head south west.”
Salinas and Ragna sprang to their feet.
“Turn back!” they exclaimed, “we may as well cut all our throats right now.”
Cantis smiled, “Yes that is the one thing the Romans would never expect. We will pick up wagons and carts and make our way like traders to the coast. And when there we will take a boat and head for Londinium, where if we are lucky our Queen will already be ahead of us, for we know it is her next target. In fact she may already be there even as we speak.”
Salinas was deep in thought, “There is a large farm not far from here. We have some fine horseflesh to trade in return for provisions, plus wagons and carts. And I am sure I can arrange for a pair of heavy horses as part of the barter to pull the wagons. If we should encounter a Roman patrol we will pretend to be Brigante refugees fleeing from Boudicca, Cantis speaks the tongue well enough to fool any Roman.”
The assembled men nodded in agreement.
“Right,” Cantis exclaimed, “let’s strike camp and head there now under cover of darkness. Snatch a couple of hours sleep and we can be on our way south by dawn.”
City Outskirts
Boudicca’s cavalry were now lined up at the city outskirts. Behind her, rows of chariots stood waiting, while behind them the packed masses of the Celtic army strained at the bit.
“The defences are puerile Queen,” a chieftain reported, “they are more interested in fleeing than fighting. After Camulodunum, this one is a very soft target.”
Boudicca was staring ahead.
“I have sent the Atrebates to cut off the road out of the city, so they are caught on all sides.”
Corrianus nodded his head in agreement “I hear that many are using the river to get away, they say there is a small flotilla of boats on the water already.”
Boudicca clenched her fists, “They shall not escape me. Send a thousand cavalry along the eastern bank, and see that each rider takes extra arrows. I’ll decimate those cowards, I’ll send fire arrows hurling into their boats, and command another unit to race ahead and fell trees into the water and make a boom. I’ll show them that Boudicca’s hand can stretch to the furthermost corners of my kingdom in my crusade of retribution.”
She waited awhile, watching the bulk of the cavalry units move out, and then standing high in the chariot, her auburn hair streaming out behind her in the breeze, she gave the order.
“Forward.”
Shields raised, swords, axes, and spears at the ready, with one accord the massive Celtic army moved towards the waiting enemy. The attack on Londinium was under way.
The Roman defenders had observed the massed Celtic armies as soon as they moved and frantically horsemen raced to raise the alarm within the city. As soon as the impending attack was known, pandemonium reigned. The speculation had finally ended and their worst nightmare was about to be unfolded. Boudicca was on the march.
People started to load wagons, fill carts and pack sacks with anything that could be carried Salibus who had been watching stared in amazement, his horse, carefully stabled behind his villa was his means of escape; he could afford to leave his departure to the last moment but the others?
“Why have they left their flight until now?” he mused aloud to Romulus, a close friend.
Romulus shook his head in amazement, and spoke sadly, “Because Salibus, they never really thought it would happen. Twice yesterday I heard the rumour Suetonius was returning whispered in the marketplace. One farmer even said his departure was a trap to lure Boudicca out of the hills so his men could fight her on equal terms.” He waved his hands around him, “Look, they have ceased digging ditches or building barricades days ago. Such was their confidence until the very last minute.”
Salibus shook his head unhappily, “I have done all I can Romulus, let us make our own exit unobserved if possible, The horses are tethered in the outhouses.”
The two men gathered up all the valuables they had selected to go with them, having buried the rest intending to return to it some time in the future. In the background the streets echoed with oaths as people berated each other in their haste to escape. Above all could be heard loud lamentations from the townsfolk.
The two men transferred their possessions into two large saddle packs, ready to strap across the horses withers. Sweating with their labours they dragged them to the outhouses.
Salibus opened his pouch and fumbled inside for the key to the crude lock, and finding it went to insert it. At his touch, the bronze padlock fell open. Astonished he hesitated, and then drawing back the bolts they entered — the horses were gone.
Within the city centre there was panic. Contradicting rumours were already being shouted.
“The Celts have entered the city,” one cried.
“Boudicca is approaching from the eastern gate,” another screamed in hysteria, “Boudicca’s coming, Boudicca’s coming.”
On a veranda a woman stood, immobilised by fear and wringing her hands. “They say the men’s beards are running with blood,” she whimpered.
In the street below, horses and mules were joined together. A number of pack animals were trying to force their way through a dense throng coming in the opposite direction. Everywhere people blocked each other as the streets erupted into utter chaos.
While all the pushing and shoving was going on a large cart laden high with barrels entered at the far end of the street, only to be met by a like vehicle packed with a vast assortment of goods, the wheels already splaying at the base from the excessive weight.
It was a complete and utter impasse. Neither could go forwards or backwards, and with the crush o
f people and general traffic neither could, or would, go back. The two drivers roundly cursed each other, then leaping from their wagons they both instantaneously exploded into blind fury and the next minute had launched into a flurry of blows at each other.
People around them were packed so tight that several were struck by the swinging arms of the assailants, the street by now completely blocked. Eventually a beefy woman picked up two amphorae from one of the wagons and brought them down sharply onto the heads of the assailants; both men dropped on the spot. She then resolutely put her back against the first cart and started to lift it. Within seconds others joined in and moments later both carts had been turned on their sides, their contents spewing onto the street, and a narrow passage opened up for the fleeing crowd.
At that moment pandemonium erupted as man called out from a roof.
“Run, the barbarians are upon us.”
Instantly people dropped all they were carrying, some running up the street, some down. A youth, sporting a few sparse hairs of an embryonic beard shouted, “My father says they have been seen approaching from the north, not the west.”
He was immediately interrupted by a woman trying to shout him down, “Fool they have landed from the river, someone just saw them, they are coming from the east you idiot!”
Instantly the packed masses collided with another wagon attempting to traverse the narrow thoroughfare. Madly they strained to pass around, many clambering over the top, adding more weight, then there was a loud crack as the main axle gave way.
Cascading pottery, amphorae and furniture spilled into the street yet again, the debris adding to the confusion. As it tumbled over, a large wickerwork basket struck the ground and broke open releasing countless hens into the melee, while somewhere from the interior of the avalanche a fat boar ran squealing under people’s legs.
A middle-aged woman sank to her knees sobbing, “A curse on Suetonius, curse Caesar, save us great Jove save us, I implore you!”
Another woman started to tear her hair out and rake her face with her fingernails, “Oh mercy! They say at Camulodunum they roasted the children alive and ate them.”