by Griff Hosker
Further up the road Wolf and his two associates had ridden hard across the open country. The wide vale was no hindrance to desperate men and in fact the copses and hedgerows had helped them to hide from view. Wolf knew what he sought; Roman engineers cleared the land to the side of the road for ten paces on either side. This made ambush difficult. If it were night time then it would not be a problem but at this time of year it was light until late and Wolf knew that he had no chance of intercepting the Decurion Princeps before he reached the safety of Eboracum. He also knew that at least one of the troopers had to die in the initial attack to give the three killers the edge they needed. Wolf had chosen where the road crossed one of the rivers. The bridge was narrow and the victims would have nowhere to go once they were attacked. Sulla had one skill which none of the others possessed; he was the best man with a slingshot that Wolf had ever seen. He would wait at the southern end of the bridge. With luck he could take out two of them and then Quintus and Wolf could emerge from their concealment on the north side and finish the survivor.
“Now remember Sulla you have to get at least one of them and hopefully two. When you have fired two then, if they are still alive you can retreat, but I hope that they will have turned and Quintus and I will finish the job.” Sulla tied his horse below the bridge so that it was not visible from the road and the bridge. Quintus and Wolf hid behind the hedgerow of elder and hawthorn some thirty paces from the road, on the northern side. All they had to do now was to wait and their victims would present themselves.
Livius had dropped back to tide between his two companions. “How long have you two been in the ala?”
“I joined last year sir.”
“So you are a Briton then?”
Yes sir, Marcus Scribonious, my father was an Atrebate, and he had served with the auxilia before I did.”
“And you son?”
“Antoninus Quintus sir from Batavia. I joined just before we were posted over here.”
“Were you happy about that?”
“Well I wasn’t really sir.”
There was the kind of pause which tells the listener that the speaker has more to say. “Come on Antoninus out with it. I hope that, in the short time I have commanded you, you have seen that I respect honesty.”
“Yes sir. The thing is I wasn’t happy. The ala wasn’t what I thought it was going to be. There are some men in the ala, well sir they are little better than thieves, but since you came it has been better sir. And sir, I am not flattering you, I am not that kind of trooper. I mean it.”
“Thank you for your honesty and I hope that your faith in me is justified.” They were approaching the bridge and Livius felt uneasy. His Explorates nose had given him a sixth sense. “Hear that?”
“Hear what sir?”
“That magpie.” When they were silent they heard the unmistakeable strident call of the magpie.
Scribonious spoke up. “My gran hated magpies; she called them maggot pies, the birds of death.”
“And that they are but they also make that noise when they are disturbed. It may just be a fox nearby or a hawk but let us take no chances. Which do prefer bow or spear?”
“Spear,” said the Atrebate.
“Javelin,” said the Batavian.
“Right load up and be prepared. Single file, Marcus, take the rear, Antoninus a horse’s length behind me.” They nudged their horses forward, every sense on the alert. Livius had just stepped on to the bridge when his horse smelled Sulla’s mount and whinnied. The ala horse heard and replied. “Ambush!”
Instinctively Livius’ hand brought up his shield and he heard the sharp crack as the lead missile pinged off the metal rim. There was a whoosh above his head and Marcus’ arrow buried itself in the chest of the traitor. Wolf and his henchman galloped from their place of concealment. Wolf swung his sword at Marcus’ unprotected back. It cracked against something hard; the trooper had slung his shield beneath his cloak to enable him to shoot. It saved his life but the blow was so hard that he crashed from his horse on to the stone parapet. Scribonious turned in the saddle and threw his spear in an attempt to hit at least one of the attackers. Wolf was wily and ducked but the missile caught a little of his helmet and flew at Quintus. The spear struck his leg and he screamed.
Wolf could see that they had failed. It was not two on two it was two against him for his companion was injured. Wheeling his horse he grabbed his companion’s reins and galloped up the road. By the time Livius and Scribonious had turned, their ambushers were out of sight. “See who Marcus killed and I will tend to him.”
Marcus was stunned and winded; the Decurion Princeps checked for any sign of blood but could find none. He took off the trooper’s helmet but there did not appear to be any damage to his skull. He knew with head wounds that you had to be careful. The boy needed waking and fast. . Livius turned him on his side and then poured water from his flask over his face. He began to come to. “What happened sir?
“One of the ambushers hit you and knocked you off your horse but I don’t think there is any serious damage.”
They both heard the clatter of hooves as the Batavian brought over Sulla’s body on the back of the horse. “It’s Sulla sir.” He paused, “one of the Decurion’s men.”
“And the one that got me, sir, that was Wolf.”
“The other one sir, the one I speared it might have been Quintus another of that group.”
Their silence was eloquent. “Before you start adding two and two and making five. While these three may be associates of Decurion Spartianus it does not follow that he knew anything of this attempt on my life. For that I am sorry. Your lives were put in danger but I think it was me they were after. The question is why? Are you fit enough to ride?”
Marcus smiled wanly. “If I don’t need to wear my helmet then yes sir.”
“Good. You ride next to me and Antoninus bring up the rear with Sulla.”
It was just becoming dark when they reined up outside The Saddle. Horse came out and glanced at the body on the horse. He sniffed. “I can see that you have started as you mean to go on eh Decurion Princeps.” Over his shoulder he shouted. “Make up two rooms, get some food on the table and Niagh come and take these horses and the body to the stables.”
Niagh was an old fat man who came out scratching his bald pate, “Did you say body master?”
“Yes and take it off the horse, if it stiffens in the night we’ll never get the bugger straight.” He caught sight of the face as Niagh flopped it over his shoulder. “That’s one of them that Cassius and the lads had to deal with.” He grinned up at Livius, one less bad apple then eh sir?”
Far to the north Wolf had decided that they were not being pursued and he removed the javelin and applied a tourniquet. “You are lucky. If this hadn’t hit my helmet you would have bled to death.”
The pale Quintus gritted his teeth as the pain kicked in, flooding in waves. “Where to then boss?” He was now totally reliant on the good will of Wolf. If he was left on his own he knew that he would die.”
“South is no good. He will have the garrison alerted. North is no good; we’ll run up against the ala. It will have to be west, maybe get a boat to Ireland or join the barbarians. Either way we have finished with the army, at least finished fighting for it. We are now free agents and you know Quintus, I am glad. I just wish The Fist was with us.”
Chapter 10
Radha had never had an experience such as the one she had been enjoying for last month on Manavia. She and her ladies had been the privileged guests of Morwenna and her daughters. They had each become initiated into the cult of the mother and taught many of the spells, incantations and potions which would give them power over others as well as improving themselves. They all now understood their own bodies and minds and how to get the most out of them. Radha and her companions had been taught the language of love and how enchant and please men with their body. Radha could not believe the liberation of finding out that she was in control of the man and not
the other way around. She had been taught from a young age that women were there to serve and please men. They had practised, nightly, the many acts which Morwenna would satisfy Lugubelenus and make him totally dependent upon her when she finally returned north. She now understood that the love of a woman was as important as the love of a man. She felt different as she looked in the polished shield Morwenna had left in her room. The food and the exercise had honed and shaped her body so that she looked twice as beautiful as when she had arrived. Morwenna had shown her how to use lemons and herbs to make her hair silky. She had taught Radha and her women how to make lotions which strengthened their nails and polished their skin. When Radha had examined Morwenna’s naked body close up she had been amazed for it look like the body of a young woman not a middle age woman approaching fifty from the wrong side. After only a month Radha could see the effects.
Her bodyguards too had benefited. Morwenna’s mercenaries and bodyguard had taught them how to fight outside of the shield wall; how to use two weapons and their bodies and muscles built up so that they were all more powerful warriors than when they had left the land of the Votadini. They too had taken Morwenna’s potions and four of them selected to service Morwenna’s daughters. They were flattered that the Queen wanted her daughters impregnating by men such as they. They would have been disappointed to know that they were selected after the Queen discovered that each of the warriors was the only boy in a gaggle of girls. If the offspring were a male it would be sacrificed to the Mother; Morwenna had no need of male offspring in her land women ruled.
That was the other gift Radha took with her; the knowledge that women could rule. She had always felt instinctively that it was true and to be fair to her husband, the King of the Votadini, he had indulged her and allowed her to jointly make decisions. Now she saw that she had the power to do and to use the wives of other rulers to increase her power. Morwenna had told her of the sisters and how they were throughout the country. They had no sign that others could see but Radha was taught how to recognise a sister and, more importantly, how to convert a woman to become a sister. As Morwenna had said, “It is the one area the Romans do not understand. To them women are virgins to work in their temples, or whores or mothers. Their job is determined by a man. We are priestesses, we too use sex for our own ends and pleasure and we are mothers. The difference is we choose what we are at any moment in time and the Romans will never defeat that idea.”
Radha was delighted when Morwenna offered to come with her to her husband’s court. “We will leave my daughters here so that they may continue to blossom, grow and become better witches. We will take some of my warriors and join your husband. We have to travel through the land of the Selgovae and this may be an opportunity to meet this king, Aindreas, who so offended you.”
Radha had been amazed at how much she had changed. “When I first came here I could not mention that man’s name without wanted to strangle him but now, Mother, after studying with you I understand my power and know that this man is in my power.”
They sailed northwards,five ships with over two hundred warriors, from Manavia. They made a powerful looking force. They sailed north of Luguvalium to avoid the Romans there and landed on the north bank of the estuary. Radha wanted to send a messenger to the king to tell him of her arrival. Morwenna counselled discretion. “If you tell him you have landed he will come to meet you will he not?”
“Probably.”
“Which creates two problems we would not meet with Aindreas King of the Selgovae and we need to meet him first and find out the best way to eliminate him and secondly your husband might run across the Romans and we want no warning of our war until we launch it. No, sister, this is the best plan of action; travel north to the Selgovae and thence to your husband.” She had looked around at the countryside. “It is many years since I lived here. It was before the time of my daughters.”
“You lived close to my country? I wish I had known we would have become acquainted sooner.”
“But in those days the Votadini tribe was ruled by weaklings who allowed Rome to push the frontier north and they settled for payments and baths. It made them weak. This way is better, for your husband and yourself have destroyed a Roman army and the tribes will flock to your banner.”
* * * * * *
Two weeks after they had avoided death at the hands of their commanding officer, Wolf and Quintus were half starved and exhausted. They had eaten one of the horses after five days and were now reduced to chewing on the maggoty flesh still clinging to its remains. They took it in turns to walk, knowing that their survival depended upon each other and their one surviving mount. The fine weather had helped as had the fact that they were travelling through a land with many lakes and rivers but neither man had the skills or the equipment to fend for themselves. Had Sulla been with them they would have had hunted rabbit but they were both lean and haggard after many days heading for safety. They had only a vague notion of where they were. They had crossed the spine of the country about the time they had eaten their first lame horse and they knew they were going the right way by the sun which occasionally peeped out from behind the overcast clouds. Wolf had a feeling that they were close to the sea for he heard the gulls and could smell the sea some way to the west.
The river which barred their way was gentle but wide. The rest of the rivers they had crossed had been fordable but they would have to swim this one. “I think,“ pondered Wolf, “that this is the end of Roman territory. Once across we will be in the land of the barbarians. Let us get rid of some of these symbols of Rome. “Their shields had long gone as had their last spear thrown after a deer which took the weapon deep into the forests. They kept their armour and sword and threw the rest into the river. Holding on to the horse’s saddle they floated on either side as the weary mount kicked its way across. Once on the other side they slumped to the ground, partly out of weariness but also out of relief. Wolf held on to the reins but closed his eyes, basking in the warm sunlight. They were free and they had escaped
Suddenly Wolf felt steel at his throat. “Be careful Romans for your lives are now in my hands. My lady wishes to speak with you otherwise I would have sliced you into so many body parts a legion could not have put them together.”
Wolf opened his eyes and looked up at a circle of heavily armed men. All of them had naked tattooed torsos and each wore many combat bracelets and amulets. A wonderfully enchanting voice which seemed to sing in Wolf’s ears spoke. “Let them rise, Idwal. I do not think they can escape us. They look to be starving and exhausted.”
When Wolf and Quintus rose they saw that they were surrounded by a heavily armed warband. What was unusual was the number of women accompanying it but more than that both men were mesmerized by the beauty of the women especially the two in the white dresses, one with flame red hair and the other with hair the colour of night.
“We watched you discard your Roman helmets and that, alone, has saved your lives. My men here would dearly love to have two Romans upon which to vent their anger. So answer my questions truthfully or you will be handed over. Who are you, where are you going and where have you come from?”
Quintus nodded to Wolf who spoke. “We are deserters from the Roman Army. We tried to kill an officer but failed and we have fled north to seek sanctuary beyond Rome’s grasping, greedy fingers.” He added the last part as he thought it would ingratiate them into their captor’s favours.
“So failed killers. I think, Idwal, that you and your men can enjoy some sport for there is no reason to keep them alive.”
The grin on the barbarian’s face told Wolf that they would enjoy hurting the two deserters but something in the woman’s voice and eyes told him that he could still save their lives. “Oh mighty Queen we can be of service to you for we know of those in our ala who would work with you and betray the Romans.”
“Traitors? Hardly a commendation for trust.”
Wolf sensed that he could offer her some crumbs of information which might result in
a safer future. “We were sent to kill the officer because my leader, one of the officers, wished him dead. He would rather lead against the Romans than to take orders from this Roman.”
Morwenna ran the man’s words through her complicated and subtle mind. If there were traitors in the Roman army then they could be used. She remembered Luigsech telling her how her own mother, Fainch, had used the weakness of some of the officers to infiltrate their forts and she too had become the partner of the Decurion Macro to do the same. It was worth keeping them alive until she had investigated their use. “For the time being then you shall live.” Wolf saw the disappointment on Idwal’s face. When Wolf got the chance he would end the barbarian’s life before he lost his. “You are our prisoners but we will not bother to tie you up for if you try to escape I will allow Idwal to finish you both off. Now we have wasted enough time. Let us ride.”
* * * * * *
Livius was pleased with the progress of the ala. Once the young men of the north heard that Marcus’ Horse was reforming, then recruits flooded in. There was little use in Cassius and Livius explaining that this was not the famed ala, they could see the warriors whose exploits had filled their fires at night. The fact that Macro’s son and the son of Gaius, the wielder of the Sword of Cartimandua, were in the ala was enough for most men. Their uniforms and horses made them feel part of the ala and Livius had had to send to Cato for more mounts and the Prefect for more uniforms. They had four hundred and fifty men and all had received some training. Antoninus and Marcus had been temporarily made into decurions, a quartermaster appointed and Marcus promoted to sergeant. The only cloud on the horizon was the desertions. There had been no sign of Quintus and Wolf.
Livius was in the office checking the new rosters and ensuring that the new men were all correctly allocated. One advantage of the desertions was that there were only four bad apples plus the Decurion left in the ala. Cassius came in with the reports from the decurions.