Hosker, G [Sword of Cartimandua 08] The Last Frontie

by Griff Hosker

  Furax trotted off happily and Hercules shook his head. To the young boy this was all an exciting game but if there was a fight then it would be a deadly game in which his young life might be suddenly eneded. He saw to his relief at least six people at the breakwater. He looked again; one of them looked to be a girl!

  Livius and Metellus were glad to see Rufius. “They are right behind us.”

  Livius turned to his men as the bell in the watch tower began to toll its alarm. “That’s it, they know we are here. Double riders and back to the ship.” There were five horses and seven of them so two horses carried two troopers but it made their route back to the boat that much quicker. As they reached the breakwater they saw that Macro and the others were perched on the end awaiting ‘The Swan’ which was tacking around to enable a swift getaway. The fishing fleet, alerted by the Roman uniforms and tolling bell were now heading for the ship.

  “Shit! That’s all we needed.”

  “Well Rufius, at least we have a fighting chance.” Smacking the horse’s rumps to send them away the seven men ran as quickly as they could over the slippery, weed covered breakwater. Their horses ran straight back the way they had come, heading for their stables six miles away. They delayed Tole and Lugubelenus as they negotiated their way around the frightened mounts.

  Morag looked in terror at the foaming water between her and ‘The Swan’. Macro too was worried but he found that his fear subsided as he gave Morag instructions. Aboard the ship they could see a cheerful looking boy who yelled, “Jump! We will catch you.”

  The sailor next to Furax grinned at the boy’s confidence. “Come on, the lad is right, we’ll catch you!

  “Go on Morag. I’ll be right behind you.” Over his shoulder Macro saw the rest of the troopers arrive and, close behind over a hundred warriors.” Closing her eyes the brave Morag leapt and felt her body being lifted carefully over the side. Macro jumped the moment he saw her being pulled over but his damaged left hand hit the side of the ship the pain from his wound made him pull back and, suddenly, he was hanging by one arm above the sharp teeth of the rocky breakwater. Before he could plunge to his death he found himself hauled up by the grinning sailors.

  “You’ll have to take lessons from the young lady sir.”

  The rest of the troopers flung themselves at the side as arrows from their pursuers clattered on to the rocky breakwater. Hercules saw that the last man, Rufius was aboard and he yelled, “Push us off with the oars!”

  The oars, which were stacked by the weapons, were grabbed by sailors and troopers alike and their combined effort pushed their bow so that it was facing out to sea. The arrows from the shore were now hitting the deck. “Get your bows and fire back!” The eleven bows used by superb archers cleared the end of the breakwater and a mound of bodies marked their demise.

  Hercules shouted above the cheering crew. “I’d do something about the fishing boats first before I’d start celebrating.”

  Ahead of them the fleet had spread out in an arc to prevent their escape. Livius shouted, “Troopers to the bow.” In his mind he knew that he could not slaughter the fishermen who were just bystanders in this but he needed to escape. “Shoot over the heads of the helmsmen. Don’t kill them. Just make them turn.” Rufius looked at him as though to say why? In answer Livius shouted, “They are not soldiers just scare them.”

  They were the best ten archers in the ala and they used it as target practice. Once the arrows began to remove hats and thud into the rudders the less brave began to edge their boats away from this potentially deadly foe. Hercules saw the gap and felt the wind pick up from the north west. “Hoist the mainsail!” As soon as the wind caught the massive mainsail ‘The Swan’ leapt forward like a deer, knocking two boats out of the way. Where they had been in imminent danger of being trapped suddenly they were heading south into a brightening sky. They had escaped.

  Chapter 21

  Cassius smiled as Aelius Spartianus strolled casually and confidently into the principia. “Ah good of you to join me Aelius. I have a delicate matter to discuss with you.” He lowered his voice implying that he was going to share some secret with him. “As you know the Decurion Princeps is away from the fort at this moment and the men are wondering why. I can tell you that he is on a delicate and secret mission. He has been to Eboracum to bring up reinforcements to repel this potential invasion from the north. He only has Rufius and Metellus with him. I am worried now that as with Marcus, he may be ambushed along the road. I would like you to take your turma and ride south to the Dunum and wait for him there. He will not have the reinforcements yet for they have a long way to come and travelling alone he will be vulnerable. I know that he would not have asked for this help but I will feel easier if you are there to protect him.”

  “Of course sir, I am honoured that you think of me. Reinforcements?” Spartianus’ mind was rapidly working out how to get this message to his spymaster quickly. He couldn’t resist a slight smile creeping on to this face. He would be rewarded and the Decurion Princeps killed on one fell swoop.

  “Yes, apparently a legion has been sent for. Don’t know which one yet but that is good news eh Aelius?”

  “The best I have heard in a while. Should I take extra rations in case we have to wait for him?”

  “Good idea.”

  “I’ll go and tell the men. We should be able to leave in a couple of hours.”

  “Very well.”

  After he had gone Julius popped his head around the door. “Did he bite?”

  “I think so but we will know when Decurion Graccus reports.”

  It was some hours later that Cassius heard the unmistakeable sound of the turma leaving the fort to head south. A short time later Drusus came in clutching a red cloth. “So he went to the island.”

  “Just like you said sir, he went to the hollow tree and put the cloth where it could be seen. He looked north of the river and shouted ‘Wolf’ for a few minutes and then came back to the fort.”

  “Good you have done well. Mount up your turma and we will go and arrest this traitor.”

  * * * * * *

  ‘The Swan’ was making good progress south. The capsarius trooper was with Morag and Furax tending to Macro’s wounds. Furax appeared to have a morbid fascination with them whilst Morag was tearful. Livius stood apart, with Metellus and Rufius, at the stern where Hercules was pretending disinterest. “Before we get to Macro and the girl, what of the plans?”

  Metellus sighed, for he felt that they had let Livius and the ala down. “I don’t know sir. I may have failed in the mission. It was all going so well. They thought we were leaders from the islands and the King of the Votadini, Lugubelenus, he actually heeded and appreciated my advice. They were planning an all out attack on Coriosopitum which I knew would be a disaster for the fort and the frontier.” He looked back at the coast, disappearing behind them and gestured, “They have every tribe on their side. The only one not there was the Brigante but as Morwenna is their Queen, well they may join anyway.”

  “So what did you suggest?”

  “Three attacks on our main forts.” He shrugged. “He thought it was a good idea. There is still distrust especially between the Selgovae and the Votadini. He liked the idea of splitting his forces. I thought we had a better chance of defeating them bit by bit rather than all of them attacking just us and the Batavians. Perhaps I was wrong.”

  “No I think that you were right but why do you think it has failed?”

  “They know who we are. Wolf was in the camp and he recognised Macro. Morwenna got her hands on him.”

  The three of them looked at the sergeant who was being bandaged. “Does he know?”

  “That Morwenna is his mother? He does now. She didn’t seem to know him at first but the second she did it seemed to make her worse than ever. She began to torture him. It was she who pulled out his nail and burned him. It was horrible to watch. She is not a woman; she is some fell beast from Hades.”

  Rufius pointed at Morag. �
�And the girl?”

  “She fell for Macro and a good thing too. She is the daughter of the King of the Dumnonii and without her we wouldn’t have escaped so easily. I gave her the chance to stay but she wanted to leave.” He shrugged apologetically. “Perhaps you were wrong to send me sir. Seems like I made a couple of bad decisions.”

  Livius put his arm around the decurion’s shoulders. “I can’t see that. You were right to bring the girl; in fact we can work it to our advantage.”

  Metellus and Rufius looked at Livius, “How?”

  “When Agricola came north he didn’t always fight his enemies. Sometimes he bribed them and sometimes he took hostages. Does her father know she came of her own free will?”

  “Well no.”

  “In that case we send a message to the Dumnonii that she is a hostage against his behaviour. Perhaps it will stop him joining with the enemy.”

  Metellus thought back to the fat old king and realised that Livius was right. “I think that would work and the old man has a lot of influence. He might start others to question the war.”

  “As for the plan; it was as good a plan as any. I can send messages to the other two forts and they can prepare to resist an invasion. We can get more troops from the south, bring up the Morbium garrison. We now know that they will attack and we know where.”

  “But sir if they know it was me they may revert to their original plan and attack Coriosopitum.”

  “The same thing applies. We improve the defences and use troops from further south. Now that ‘The Swan’ has made it up the Tinea we can use the Classis Britannica to support us.”

  “If the Governor will allow it.”

  Livius hated the fact that his men did not know as much as he. The Classis Britannica would receive their orders not from the Governor but from the Emperor. “Don’t worry about that. I can be persuasive.”

  “Sir about Macro… His mother said some fairly disgusting things to him. He will need someone to talk to him. I could but… well sir you have known him longer.”

  “You are quite right and I should have thought of it. Get some rest and I will go and talk with him.” As Metellus and Rufius made to go Livius restrained Metellus’ arm, “It was not you Metellus, it was the Parcae that allowed Wolf to return when he did. You were about to escape. Who knows what the Allfather and the Parcae intend. Perhaps he wanted Macro to know who is mother is.” He shrugged his shoulders. “We are but tools in their hands Metellus.”

  Macro tried to rise as Livius approached. “No don’t get up. Furax, could you take Morag here and show her where the galley is. I am sure that Macro could do with some food inside him.” She looked at him sceptically and Livius continued, “Go on. I want to talk to Macro.”

  “Now don’t you tire him out. I won’t be long.” She glared at him accusingly. The capsarius hid the grin and went to deal with the other minor wounds incurred in the skirmish.

  Macro sat holding his damaged thumb in his right hand. He appeared to be studying it as though to work out the effect it would have on his weapon skills. “You have had a rough few days. I wouldn’t worry about the thumb, the nail will grow back.”

  “Oh I am not worried sir. And I am all right.”

  Livius held Macro’s chin in his hand so that he had to look him in the eye. “Now young Macro, I have known you since you were a child. I commanded you in the Explorates and I know you as well as any man. You are not all right and bottling it up inside will not help you.”

  “Did you know sir?”

  Livius had been dreading the question. “About your mother?” Macro nodded. “We all did, everyone that is, apart from Decius and Marcus.”

  He looked accusingly at Livius. “Then why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t someone tell me?”

  “Would it have done any good? Every time someone mentioned your mother would you have been able to take the comments? Would you have been able to do your duty knowing that your mother was an enemy?”

  “But I know now don’t I?”

  “Yes, but you also know how she feels about you and that is different. If Gaius and Ailis had told you that you were hated and abandoned would you have believed them?”

  He said weakly, “If they had told me that Morwenna was my….”

  “Macro?”

  “Probably not.” His eyes filled with tears and looked pleadingly at the Decurion Princeps. “Why did she hate my father?”

  “That goes back to her mother. Your father and the ala put her to death and she swore revenge on all of them. From what I can gather she hates most men. I heard a rumour that she has buried her children who were male and she only raises girls.”

  “Then how did I survive?”

  “I don’t know. I think the Allfather was watching over you.” Furax and Morag reappeared. “I will leave you now to think on what I have said. If we have done you wrong then I apologise for all of us but Gaius and Ailis, they have been good parents to you have they not, even though you are not their true born son?”

  His eyes shone in anger, “Of course! The best and I will kill anyone who says otherwise!”

  “Then think on that Macro and thank the Allfather for providing you with two such caring people.”

  * * * * * *

  Morwenna was incandescent with rage when Tole and Lugubelenus returned empty handed. “You have let them slip away! You have failed to stop the Romans becoming aware of our plans! Are all men such fools?”

  Radha unconsciously began to move away from Morwenna. She had never seen her like this, her face suffused with anger, where was her peace and calm now? Suddenly her beautiful features were criss-crossed with angry lines and Radha wondered had she really known Morwenna.

  Lugubelenus and Tole were equally angry. Women did not chastise kings! If she had not been the Red Witch then both of them would have already put her in her place but she was the high priestess of her order and both men bit their tongues and took the abuse. Lugubelenus vowed he would speak with his wife for he no longer wanted Morwenna as an ally; it was more trouble than it was worth. He reflected that he did not need her; he now had his allies. The conclave, whilst not his idea, had worked and the tribes were, largely, allied.

  Tole for his part knew that he could do without the Queen. It had been interesting to have an older experienced woman and she certainly knew her way around his body but there were many women to be had and he was young and puissant; he could do without her. He secretly knew that she had killed his father and for that he was grateful but now that he had the power he would use it. King Lugubelenus had played into his hands by giving him command of the army which would attack Luguvalium and that would be his springboard to greater glory and conquest. Perhaps one day he would become High King.

  Morwenna looked at them both and pitied them. They would invade Roman Britannia, she knew that, but they would not listen to her. She would return to her island with her warriors. Now she knew that her son lived she had another purpose; she and her daughters would work to end his life. “You may attempt to invade Britannia but they know you are coming. You could not even catch a wounded man, a girl and one warrior so how will you defeat the Roman army. You were lucky the first time Lugubelenus,” the king bridled at the lack of title but suffered the humiliation, “you had your Queen with you. Let us see how you manage without her. Come Radha we will return to Manavia.”

  She turned to leave the Great Hall but Radha moved next to her husband. “Thank you sister for all that you have taught me. I truly believe that we will become better rulers thanks to you. Thank you for the peace and calm you have brought to my angry soul.”

  The irony was not lost on Morwenna whose green eyes flashed hatred for them all. For the first time her sexual powers were waning; she had been rejected by a man and a woman. “And I thought you and I could have achieved such greatness! Stay here with the fool of a man and you will achieve nought. Idwal!”

  The great door slammed and echoed as Queen Morwenna summoned her men and rode furiously ba
ck to her island fortress. The three of them looked at each other. Radha used the moment to her advantage. It was time for her to regain her rightful place as Lugubelenus’ confidante. “She is correct in one respect.”

  Lugubelenus had recovered his dignity. “How is that my love?”

  “The Romans know two plans, you will either follow the Roman spy’s advice and attack on three fronts or you will attack Coriosopitum. Either way they can prepare. We will no longer have the element of surprise.”

  “Are you saying we put off the invasion? The longer we do so the more chance they have to prepare.”

  “No I am saying let us discuss with the other kings and chiefs on our best course of action.”

  Tole shook his head. He could see a way to increase his power and influence. “None came up with any ideas before and I believe their confidence in us will be shaken if we ask them a second time for advice and counsel. Perhaps there is a third way.”

  They looked at the young warrior who looked to be a muscle bound warrior and nought else. “Go on. Explain.”

  “What if we attacked two fortresses, Coriosopitum and Luguvalium, at the same time. The Romans would still be expecting you to attack Vindolanda and the smaller forts. They would not commit their reserves and those forts would be waiting for an attack which would not materialise. With each of us having a larger army then victory would be assured and the forts in the centre would be isolated. I could push to join you at Eboracum and together drive south before they have time to react.”

  Lugubelenus could see much merit in the plan but he was also wise enough to see the ulterior motive. Tole would have an army as big as his. He looked again at the young man. He could become a threat in the future but Lugubelenus was confident enough in his own ability as a leader to believe that, if the young man tried to wrest power from him, he could defeat him. “I like your plan. Together we will put it to the conclave tonight at the true start of Yule.”

  * * * * * *

  Livius was almost sad that the voyage had ended. They had entered the estuary of the Tinea and, under a shortened foresail were tacking back and forth to travel the few miles to Coriosopitum. Livius and his two decurions took the opportunity to examine the banks of both sides of the estuary. The found a place, just before a large bend in the river where another bridge could be built, at some time in the future and that one would be easier to defend. It would all go into the next missive to Julius Demetrius.