by Griff Hosker
* * * * *
Angus pushed his men on. He wished it were Wolf and not Quintus with him for he trusted the hairy Roman. They had rushed through the night and crossed the river by the island they used to communicate. Quintus left a red cloth and the column headed south leaving Quintus to. Angus was no fool; he did not intend to go too far south for, when he attacked any column trying to supply the forts, he would need to get his ill gotten gains back to Votadini country as swiftly as possible. He waited but three mile south of Corio; he needed go no further. It was better to let the Romans do all the work and they would be relaxed within touching distance of their fort. He could destroy them, take their supplies and be back in his own land within an hour. He had all the time in the world. If the Romans did not send supplies then the garrison would die, starving in the freezing northern winter. What he did not know was that the garrison had supplies for a year and the cavalry could find enough grass for their horses to survive for a few more weeks, but most importantly, Livius had put in place a course of action which would negate all of Morwenna’s plans.
Chapter 17
“Sir?”
“Yes sentry?” Livius was patient with the new recruits, especially when standing a watch. He had told them to report first and not to worry about getting the officer’s attention. He sighed, it was early morning and that was when the sentries would become most jittery. “Now come on Marius, I have already told you, report first it could be important.”
“Yes sir, it’s just that, well there’s a ship.” He pointed down stream where there was indeed a ship sailing towards the two forts. Livius could hear the consternation in the Batavian fort and he heard the buccina sounding which woke up the ala too.
He smiled. “No son, that isn’t just a ship that is hope with an attitude. It is my old friend Hercules and ‘The Swan’.” There was no jetty but the ship could not get beyond the bridge anyway. Livius shouted, “Tie up on this bank.”
He saw the gnarled old seaman wave and heard his voice across birdsong as dawn broke. “I thought you would have had a man to catch the rope Livius.”
“Give me a moment and I will oblige. Open the gate!”
Cassius had heard the buccina and raced to the walls to see why the alarm had been sounded. He met Livius as the gate opened. “It is Hercules, Cassius, we have our supplies.”
As the two men walked to the river bank Cassius asked, “And Marcus? Will he be bringing back more?”
Livius shook his head, “No I arranged for this delivery from Eboracum to be certain we were supplied. Besides we needed the deception to enable Macro and Metellus to evade observation.”
“Let’s see if you can still catch, horseman” Hercules tossed the rope easily and Livius caught it, not necessarily in a seaman like manner but caught none the less. “Tie it to the stump of that tree.” When the forts had been built the banks had been cleared to provide a good field of fire. The resultant stumps made perfect mooring points.
As soon as the ramp was down Hercules stomped down to greet Livius. They embraced, “The Senator sends his best wishes and…”
Suddenly Livius heard feet racing along the deck and a voice shouted, “Livius!”
“Furax! What in the Allfather’s name are you doing here?”
Hercules sniffed, “The boy was becoming bored at home and he yearned to see you again. I think he wore the senator down.”
“Well it is good to see you. Bring your men ashore and we will feed them. My men can help to unload later.”
Hercules looked sceptical as he ordered his men ashore. “Roman army rations? I think I would rather chew tree bark.”
“Wait until you have tasted Septimus’ cooking and then judge.” He looked around for Furax and smiled as he saw the boy exploring the country which looked so different from the city of Rome in which he had grown up. “Come on Furax, food first and then we can explore.”
Cassius had left quickly to warn Septimus of the extra guests. “They are friends Septimus so come up with something a little special eh?”
Septimus spread his arms. “You want special, tell me the night before, not just before the guests arrive!”
“Come on Septimus, you have something tucked away, I know you.”
Grinning, the cook said, “Well I suppose I might. Right lads let’s get to it.”
While the crew went into the eating area Livius filled the time with a quick tour of the fort with Hercules and Furax. “It is only a small fort but we built it in a couple of days. The men are busy building up the defences which is where the supplies you brought will help.” Just then a turma clattered through the gate to begin the day’s patrol, the Decurion, Spartianus, saluting and smiling at Livius. Livius could not help but notice the huge change in attitude of not only Spartianus, but all his followers. “That is one of the daily patrols. They will be heading upstream towards Vindolanda, the next fort.”
By the time they had seen the whole of the fort they were all ready for food. They heard the clatter of a ladle on a pan. “Come and get it.”
“Are you hungry Furax?”
“Starving Livius.”
Hercules shook his head, “Don’t get excited son, it will probably be porridge and thin porridge at that.”
When they walked in Livius laughed out loud as Hercules’ jaw dropped. Septimus had cooked a huge platter of eggs and chopped wild mushrooms into the mixture, seasoned it with olive oil and surrounded it with borage. Next to it was another platter with steaming slices of wild boar meat. Cooked the previous day the wild meat had been thinly sliced and then fried and finally there were steaming loaves fresh from the bread oven. Furax looked accusingly at Hercules who shrugged and murmured, “Of course I could be wrong.”
* * * * * *
Aelius wondered about the ship. He had seen it before, in Eboracum and wondered what it meant. It had taken him by surprise for he had not seen a ship since leaving Eboracum, especially not at this time of year. The coast of Britannia was renowned for its winter storms. He saw the dead crow and headed his men across the river. He turned to his chosen man, “Head downstream for a mile and look for tracks then return here.” He gave no explanation to his men; he did not need to for he was decurion. He dismounted and feigned looking at his horse’s rear hoof. As the turma trotted out of sight he heard his name called and looked up to see a grinning Quintus emerge from the trees.
“Where’s Wolf?”
“Oh he is the blue eyed boy of the witch now. But at the moment he has the shits and I am here waiting for a message and then I am going to join the big bugger you met last time. He is just down the road waiting to ambush the next supply train. Wolf will take your latest intelligence back to the Queen.”
“Excellent, the Queen should be pleased for I have exceedingly good news, Metellus, Macro and Marcus took two turmae south to Morbium a couple of days ago. They were headed to the fort to pick up supplies. We are short of feed so they should be travelling slowly with heavy wagons and civilian drivers. I think they will be here in the next day or two. What will you do after you have captured the supplies?”
Quintus pointed north. “Cross here and head back home.”
Aelius noted the use of the word home and realised how quickly his former comrade had gone native. “I will make sure that I am assigned this patrol then and I will keep my lads occupied. If you go now you can head south before the patrol returns. I will take them to Vindolanda.”
“Right.”
“Oh and Quintus?”
“Yes sir?”
“Don’t forget to tell the Queen that I require payment for these services.
* * * * * *
“So you arranged this, weeks ago?”
Hercules sat back, full for the first time since leaving Rome for he had had a difficult voyage. “Yes the Senator sent for and arranged a cargo of feed and other goods to be loaded aboard ‘The Swan’. We also took on trade goods for Eboracum. There were some supplies at Eboracum about to be sent to you by road but whe
n they saw the Senator’s letter they loaded them aboard us. We called there first and then headed up here. We have already made a profit on the voyage before we are paid by you.”
Livius laughed. “You old pirate. I am sure that the Senator paid for the goods.”
“Hercules shrugged, “Worth a try though. “He looked at Livius. “He also sent you a message.”
“If you come with me to my quarters then I will read it. Rufius, can you look after Furax? Cassius get the men and we’ll start to unload.”
By the time Aelius returned from his patrol the last of the supplies had been unloaded and were being ferried by the tired troopers. He was perplexed. Why had the Decurion Princeps sent the two turmae to Morbium when he had supplies coming by sea? He could see that the granary tents were full and the fodder already safely covered by canvas. What were the turmae doing? He wondered if it was a trap, a devious plot of the commander but that would mean that he knew he had a spy and Aelius had seen no sign of that. He hated not knowing and he did not know what was going on. He determined to find out. He would play the happy soldier and engage his peers in conversation; with luck one of them would give an inkling as to what was going on.
Once in the Principia Hercules handed over the packet containing the message. Livius took out a wax tablet and wrote out the key words and then began to transcribe. It took him some time but Hercules was quite happy watching and drinking the ale which had been thrust into his hand. When he had finished he looked up at the old man. “Do you know what it contains?”
“You mean the actual words? No. Do I know what is going on? Then, yes I do.”
“How?”
“I took many of the messages between the Senator and Capreae and I keep my ears open. So yes, I know that the Emperor’s enemies were all executed and I know that the war in the east has ended and many senators are less than happy with the Emperor’s first couple of years in office and yes, I have heard that there is trouble on the Germania borders.”
He took a long drink of his ale and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. Livius shook his head and then looked at the paper. “So, apart from one item of news you could have given me the report eh?”
“Better from the Senator though? Well now that we have unloaded the cargo my task here is complete. We’ll spend the night here if you don’t mind ands then back to Rome and warmer climes. I don’t know how you survive up here. I have never been so cold in my life.”
“That is why it is called winter but I want you to delay your departure by a few days. Can you do that?”
Hercules sighed and then chuckled. “That Senator must have known you were going to ask me something like that. He said, before I left, that I was to place myself at your disposal.”
“You never told me that.”
“I never lied. I just wanted to get back but to answer your question I can stay here as long as you like only don’t make it too long eh there’s a mate. I have some amphorae of wine I could throw your way in return for the swiftest departure possible.”
“We’ll see. Right. Julius!”
The clerk must have been within listening distance for he appeared almost immediately. “Yes Decurion Princeps?”
“Quarters for the…”
“Already arranged follow me, er Hercules is it? What a strange name how did you…” The two men went off together like two old friends.
“Cassius! I have news from the senator.” After he had told him the main points he added, “But there is more that Hercules did not know. The Governor omitted to mention any problems in the borders and, in particular, about the presence of Morwenna. It did not sit well with neither Attianus nor the Emperor. I believe that we may well have a new Governor ere long. And we have the use of ‘The Swan’.”
“You still intend to put the plan in place.”
“Yes.”
“It is risky. “
”But in all likelihood it is the only way that Metellus and Macro can complete their mission. So have you identified the ten best bowmen?”
“Yes and I think they will work well as a team under us.” Cassius looked expectantly at Livius.
“It is not us Cassius. I told you that. I will take Rufius and you will command here in my stead.”
“Why cannot you command and let me go?”
“Because Cassius, I will be putting ‘The Swan’ and Hercules in danger. Julius Demetrius is allowing me to use the ship out of our friendship. I cannot in all conscience let you put yourself in danger whilst I wait here besides, I need you to keep an eye on Spartianus.”
“He has behaved himself lately.”
“And does that not strike you as suspicious?”
Cassius knew that Livius was right. It seemed totally out of character for the truculent Decurion Spartianus. The fact that his men, his cronies, had also changed their spots was equally remarkable. He had been tempted to tell Livius before now but he thought that the Decurion Princeps might think him petty and vindictive. He had had the other men watched by their decurions and so far none had deviated from their duties. But Spartianus was an officer and it was difficult to monitor him. “Yes I am suspicious. I do not believe that this leopard can change his spots.”
“Is there none in his turma who can spy on him?”
Cassius did not like the idea of setting men to spy on others besides which it could be dangerous but if it meant getting to the truth and find out what was at the heart of this sea change then so be it.”There is one of the older troopers, Scipio Aurelius, he is a loner and does not seem to like being in the turma. He has been disciplined by Spartianus on a number of occasions. He has asked for a transfer. I will have a talk to him later on this evening and see what I can discover.”
“Good and, just as a precaution, can you make his turma the duty turma the day that I leave and your turma can have the duty along the road.”
* * * * *
The next day, Metellus and Macro were the focus of attention of other chiefs who were keen to hear what this new pair of warriors had to say. Their polite nature, the way that they listened and appeared interested in all that was said, made them the most popular pair in the camp. They found themselves and their ideas sought out by kings who had travelled far and were undecided about their course of action. As they were the waverers amongst the tribes Lugubelenus took it upon himself to sit and listen to their conversations. He did not want these two callow youths to be the reason that some of his potential allies did not join him. He too found that the one called Darach was a considered and well spoken man and his ideas were sound. He had worried that he was a firebrand who would rush into some headstrong action and precipitate a war. He found, to his delight that he was of the same mind as himself. After their noon time meal King Lugubelenus took him to one side. Macro and Morag had gone for a walk in the snow and Metellus worried that the old king, her father, would become alienated if the young warrior took advantage of his virginal child, However he knew that getting the information was his most important task, it was more important than their own lives and so he went with the king to a private chamber.
“You seem sensible and, I believe, trustworthy. The fact that your people have not been involved in the politics of the mainland bodes well for us and gives you an interesting perspective. If we could manage to persuade all the tribes to rid this land of Romans then this conclave would be a success. How would we manage that with such a hotch potch of tribes most of whom were fighting each other last week and will be again as soon as they depart?”
Metellus was on the horns of a dilemma. He was been asked to come up with the plan which he would take back to the Decurion Princeps. He thought quickly, that was why he had been chosen. He stared into the fire and the king did not hurry him, in fact he thought that this was a sign that Darach was giving it deep thought. He was, but for different reasons than the king thought. What was the worst scenario? An attack on Corio was the most disastrous for that led directly to the main road south and into the heart of Britannia.
Eboracum would fall in an instant for there was no Ninth to defend it this time. He had to persuade the king to split his forces.
“Well your majesty, I suspect you have thought of this yourself already, but if I were to attack with such a variety of tribes then I would split them up. Put those tribes who work well together and have no history of feuds in the same army. Then I would strike at three places on the frontier, Coriosopitum, Vindolanda and Luguvalium. Even if the Romans had a reserve force, which my uncle tells me they have not,” that was a lie but he was sure that the king would not verify the facts, “then they could not reinforce all three places. Once you were through their three major forts then the rest of the province would be at your mercy and you would be able to use the tribe’s differences to your advantage.”
“And I could use two other kings as leaders to placate their feelings of obeisance from following a younger king. That is a master stroke! You have a mind for strategy. Would you not consider joining me?”
“I would be honoured to do so but I am sure that you had come to the same conclusion.”
“No Darach, I had some of those ideas floating around in my head but talking to you has made them clearer.” He leaned over confidentially, “The Queen usually listens to my ideas and straightens them out but this Morwenna appears to hold her attention.”
Secretly Metellus was pleased because both he and Macro were keen to avoid running into her. Metellus more so than Macro, for the boy still did not know that the witch queen was his mother. “I am sure that her attention will soon return to you oh king and I am pleased that I have been of some service.”
Macro and Morag were walking in the woods. Macro was torn; half of him enjoyed the flirtatious pleasure he got from Morag but he also disliked the fact that he was not doing his job. He had not recovered from the stare of Morwenna that first night. He and Metellus had gone out of their way to avoid her presence. He felt Morag’s fingers intertwine with his. “If your father sees us…”