by Jane Finnis
“Are you after the sea-raiders?”
He nodded. “My job is to find out about them, if possible locate their camp. Then either catch them if I can, or send for reinforcements if it’s too big a job. I’ve only got six men, and we’re camped near the Headland, because the raiders are supposed to be using the caves there as a hideout. Of course we haven’t found any trace of it, or them. They can vanish like the morning mist, those boys. That’s why local informers are so important. They can gather information slowly and quietly, and feed it to us.” He took a long drink of his wine. “Well, I know the Oak Tree is as good a source of information as most. What have you heard about them?”
“Nothing at all till a couple of days ago. But if word’s reached Londinium…”
“It has. They’re causing real trouble to some of the settlers. And they’re coming much further inland.”
“You don’t think they’ll come as far in as Oak Bridges, do you?”
“No, you’re safe enough here. The nearest bit of coast is thirty miles away, and they won’t venture that far.”
“But the Governor’s taking them seriously, sending one of his bright young investigators all the way up from Londinium?”
“Thanks for the compliment, Sis, but sometimes I don’t feel as bright or as young as I used to.”
“Tell me about it.”
“To be truthful, I wangled myself the assignment up here, because I’ve got—well let’s just say some surprising family news.”
“Gods alive, you’re not getting married at long last?”
“No fear. I’m like young Caster, I enjoy my freedom.”
“What then?”
“It’s good news, and it’s something you’d never guess. But I’d rather wait till the three of us are together. I said so to Albia, and I want to persuade you to come back with me today to her farm, so we can get together there. There’s really no point telling you and then having to tell Albia all over again.”
“Of course there is. If you keep me in suspense, I’ll die of curiosity.”
“Too bad. I haven’t time to organise your funeral.”
His words brought me up short. “We shouldn’t joke about funerals, Lucius. Not today.”
“You’re right, sorry. Tell me about Belinus.”
I told him all I could. He nodded at Belinus’ comments on Voltacos’ men, and frowned over his idea that someone rich and powerful was organising their raids.
“So,” he said when I’d finished, “the raiders got to poor Belinus. I suppose they must have found out somehow that he was working for me. As far as we know, this is the first time they’ve killed anyone. A murder makes the whole business much more serious, and in this case, more personal.”
“Do you think they’re really looking for gold, as Belinus said? I don’t know of any hoard of gold in these parts…”
He laughed. “I should hope you don’t—at least if you did, I hope you’d tell me where to find it. There’s King Caratacus’ gold, of course, they could be hunting for that.”
“You’re not serious! You don’t believe that old story?”
“Why not? I’ve always thought it was possible. Caratacus was a powerful warrior chief when Claudius Caesar conquered this province. He must have had plenty of gold…”
“I’m sure he did, but what I don’t believe is that he hid some of it here in the north while he was running away from the Romans. It’s too far-fetched for words.”
“Plenty of people believe it.”
“Oh certainly, and they’ve all spent the last forty-some years looking for the hiding-place and not found a single aureus. So even if there is any gold, a boatload of Gauls aren’t going to discover it, are they?”
He shrugged. “I suppose not. And anyway, whatever they say they’re up to, they’re spending their time attacking innocent people, and that’s got to be stopped.”
“What worries me is that Albia and Candidus could be in danger.”
“I know. Albia seemed happy enough yesterday, but Candidus told me he’s concerned, only not wanting to show it for fear of frightening Albia. He said he’d written to you.”
I handed him Candidus’ note, and he scanned it quickly.
“Yes, this is worrying, Relia. Have you replied yet?”
“I’ve decided to visit them in person. I was all set to leave this morning when you got here.”
“Really? Then we’ll go together.”
“And on the way I’m going to take Belinus’ body home to his family. I thought I should, as he was working for you.”
“Thanks, Sis. That was good of you.”
“I wasn’t looking forward to it. It’ll be easier if you’re there to offer your condolences in person.”
He nodded. “I can do more than that. I’ll make sure they’re all right for money.”
“Good. If there’s nobody else on his farm who can do Belinus’ share of the work, his wife and children will be struggling. And we can try to find out more about how he was killed. What do you make of his story of some rich landowner trying to drive him off his farm?”
“Unlikely, I’d say, though not completely impossible. There are only two landowners in that area who’d be powerful enough to try it. Ostorius Magnus, and the local chief, Bodvocus. I can’t really imagine either of them conspiring with a gang of outlaws.”
“Belinus was so sure, though. If you could have seen him…It’s just a pity there wasn’t time for him to tell me who he thought it was.”
“I doubt if it’s anything that sinister. My guess is he’s fallen out with one of his neighbours, and they’ve been making trouble along with the raiders, so he’s confusing the two. You know how these disputes go, they start small and get more and more bitter with every passing month.”
“Maybe. It’s something else we can ask his family about when we meet them. What are they like?”
“I hardly know them really. There’s a pretty wife, an old lame father, a couple of children. I’ll do what I can for them. And at least he managed to pass on one useful fact. The raiders are from Gaul—in other words not local criminals. And their captain’s known as Voltacos.”
I piled the breakfast things back onto their tray. “Voltacos could just be a nickname, though, because he’s a long-haired Gaul.”
He got to his feet. “There’s only one way to find out, and that’s to catch the bastard. Let’s make a start, Relia. How soon can you be ready?”
As we walked through into the bar-room, the door to the forecourt opened and a soldier strode through. He was a cavalryman in full military gear including a sword, but he carried no satchel of despatches. He glanced round the room and when he spotted Lucius, he saluted and came over to us.
“Ollius!” My brother exclaimed. “What in the gods’ name are you doing here?”
“Sorry to disturb your day’s leave, sir. There’s been a development, and the decurion thought you ought to know about it straight away.”
Lucius looked round, noticed that the first customers of the day were starting to drift in, and turned to me. “Can we use your study please, Aurelia?”
“Of course.” I led the way.
“This had better be good, Ollius. I don’t get much leave, and I don’t appreciate having it interrupted. Make your report.”
“There’s been a shipwreck, sir, on the Headland. An important one, the decurion thinks.”
“A shipwreck? You mean a boat that pirates have attacked?”
“No, sir, this was driven ashore in that bad storm we had late yesterday. It fetched up on the north side of the Headland—you know what a bad spot that is for wrecks.”
I shivered. It was notorious, even to me, living well away from the coast.
“How did you hear about the wreck?”
“Two fishermen came along to the camp just after you’d gone, and they told us. They say they get a reward for reporting Roman wrecks.”
Lucius nodded. “T
hey do, as long as they stop the other natives from plundering the cargoes. But what makes Tertius think I need to know about this boat? What’s the cargo?”
“Only one item, a big wooden chest, all nailed up and with Government seals on it. And it must be valuable, because there’s a warship escorting the boat, a Liburian of the Fleet. It’s standing by just out to sea.”
“Standing by?” Lucius looked at him sharply. “Are you sure it’s not just sailing past?”
“Oh no, sir. Some of the sailors rowed ashore when they saw us, with a message from their captain. Apparently they’ve been following the ship, keeping an eye on it they said, and now they’re under orders to stay and protect the cargo till someone in authority comes.”
“Neptune’s balls!” Lucius sprang to his feet excitedly. “What’s this boat called, Ollius?”
“The Sea Horse, sir.”
“Gods, it’s our lucky day then.”
“Sir?”
“Never mind. You were right to come and report this. The cargo that boat’s carrying is extremely important, and I’ll take charge of it as soon as I can.” He stopped suddenly. “It’s still intact, presumably?”
The soldier nodded. “As far as we can see. The boat’s stuck on the rocks with some of its planks smashed in, so it’s pretty well under water most of the time. We’ll only be able to bring the chest ashore when the tide’s low.”
“You haven’t moved it yet? Why not?”
“We didn’t like to, sir, because the Liburian’s captain said it wasn’t to be touched.”
“Fair enough. Anything else I need to know?”
“Tertius says to tell you he’s moving our camp over to the north side of the Headland, to keep the wreck under continuous observation.”
“That’s right, don’t leave that boat unguarded at any time. Now go and get something to eat, then ride back there as fast as you can. I’ll be with you by dark at the latest. I’ve an important errand to do on the way, but I won’t take longer than I have to. Off you go now. And Ollius…”
“Sir?”
“Guard that cargo well. There’ll be a very handsome reward for everyone involved in recovering it.”
Ollius grinned, saluted, and left. My brother began pacing round the room, as excited as a schoolboy going to his first gladiator show.
“This is the most amazing piece of luck, Relia. The Sea Horse wrecked, just when I’m here to deal with it.”
“A shipwreck doesn’t sound like good luck to me.”
“No, but I mean if it had to be wrecked, it’s lucky that I got to hear about it. I’m one of the few people who knows how important that box is.” His green eyes sparkled. “Now, Sis, there’s no time to lose. We must leave as soon as we can, and I’ll fill in the details on the way. Oh, wait though—I’ll need your help.”
“What sort of help? I’m not getting onto any boat…”
“Nothing like that. This cargo’s in a very large wooden box, too big for a horse to carry. I’ll need transport to bring it back. So can you lend me an ox-wagon, please, and a couple of men? With food and bedding for them, in case they have to camp by the sea tonight. We may have to wait till tomorrow morning before the tide’s gone out far enough…Don’t worry, I’ll requisition it all officially, with paperwork and everything. So you’ll even get paid for the use of it.”
“If I live long enough.” But his excitement was irresistable. “Of course I’ll lend you a wagon. But it’s on one condition.”
“Which is?”
“That I can come down to the coast with you and see this wreck for myself.”
“Excellent!” He slapped me on the shoulder. “Then let’s get moving.”
Chapter VI
We were on the road within the hour. Lucius and I rode ahead, followed by the carriage, with its bodywork polished and its two mules smartly groomed, fit to carry Belinus home. Then came the wagon, drawn by a stout pair of oxen, with an experienced farm lad driving it, and Taurus riding alongside. Lucius had found a leather cover that could be put over it if need be at night, and Margarita and I had packed it with enough food, water and wine to feed a cohort, along with cooking pots and bedding. Taurus had brought a selection of his tools, some rope, and flint and steel for kindling a fire. By the time we’d finished, it looked as if we were on expedition to the wildest waste of Thule for at least a month.
To begin with we kept together, plodding up the Long Hill at the lumbering pace of the ox-wagon. Once we were safely at the top of the stiff mile-long climb, with the wide open spaces of the wolds ahead of us, the convoy split up. The raeda didn’t need to travel at the wagon’s tortoise pace, and neither did Lucius and I. We rode on ahead till we were well out of earshot of the carriage, but there was no point travelling so fast that we’d arrive far ahead of it and have to wait.
I like riding on horseback, though I know people say it isn’t very seemly for a woman, especially as the only really suitable clothing for it is cavalry breeches and tunic. Well, let the great ladies of Rome or Londinium trundle around in carriages, or travel shoulder-high through the streets in litters. Give me a lively horse and pleasant countryside, and I’m content. Even today, though our visit to Belinus’ family would be sad, it felt good to be on the road on a fine spring morning.
It was about twenty miles to Belinus’ farm, but easy riding on a Roman road. It ran through gently rolling fields, most of them pasture for sheep and goats, and a few cultivated, with green shoots of grain well up in the chalky soil. Every now and then there were small native farms with their mud-walled roundhouses. Occasionally we passed new foursquare brick or stone buildings, announcing a Roman settler. Every time I travelled this way, which I admit wasn’t often, I was aware how the number of Roman properties was increasing.
I smiled at Lucius. “I feel guilty for saying so, but I’m enjoying this ride. I don’t get into the hills often enough.”
Lucius smiled back. “I know. We should be feeling gloomy because of poor Belinus. Of course I’m sorry for him, but I must admit this shipwreck of the Sea Horse puts a different complexion on things.”
“So it seems. You did promise to tell me the details, didn’t you? You know I’ll keep them secret if you want me to.”
“I do, at least for now. I was involved in getting that ship ready to sail from Londinium. It’s part of some sensitive diplomatic negotiations, and it’s vital the cargo doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.”
“Is that why the Fleet are helping to guard it? That only happens with important ships, doesn’t it?”
He nodded. “The Sea Horse is important all right, and extremely valuable. That box it’s carrying is full of gold.”
“Gold? Gods, then there’ll be a reward for its recovery?”
“Bound to be. A hundred gold pieces for the cargo intact, or my name’s Julius Caesar.”
“That’s a huge amount of money!”
“Isn’t it? But then it’s a huge amount of gold. We’ll give some to the fishermen of course, and my men on the coast will expect a share, but most of it will come to me.”
“To us,” I corrected. “Don’t forget I’m helping you with the transport.”
He laughed. “I haven’t forgotten, and if I do, I’m sure you’ll remind me. The best part of a hundred gold pieces, just to pick up a box from a wrecked ship! Money for old rags, wouldn’t you say? And thanks to you, I haven’t had to waste a day organising army transport. By tomorrow night I’ll have brought the gold back to the mansio, or even maybe all the way to headquarters at Eburacum.”
“Who’s it for? Some barbarian the Governor’s trying to bribe?”
He put on a pained expression. “Bribe? What a horrible word! The Governor’s simply sending a gift to an important tribal chieftain in Caledonia. A token of eternal friendship and esteem.”
“A bribe, in plain Latin.”
He laughed. “We don’t use plain Latin much in this diplomatic game.”
; “I suppose it’s a sweetener for some native chief who’s supposed to be Rome’s ally, but his loyalty is wavering a bit?”
“Exactly so. He’s always been an ally, and helped to keep down some of the wilder tribes up there who prefer to be our enemies. We need to keep him on our side, so we give him expensive presents and lots of flowery compliments. It’s a tried and tested policy, after all. If we don’t want to conquer an area by force of arms, we can still control it for the Empire through its tribal rulers, if we make it worth their while. It’s a cheaper option than sending in the legions. As for this particular barbarian, our agents have put a lot of time and effort into making sure he stays loyal to us, and the box of gold is all that’s needed to seal the bargain. Then Caledonia won’t be a problem, at least for a while.”
“Assuming somebody eventually manages to deliver it. Didn’t the Governor even consider the possibility of a shipwreck? Sailing’s always risky, especially this early in the year. It beats me why he didn’t send the gold by road in nice safe wagons.”
“Actually I agree with you, and several of us tried to persuade him to use land transport. But he said it attracts less attention to send a cargo like this by water. And attention’s what we don’t want. When we give handouts to barbarians, we prefer to do it discreetly.”
“So the chief’s present is in a wrecked boat miles from where it’s supposed to be. If that doesn’t attract attention, I’m the Queen of Brigantia. Neptune’s balls!” I had a sudden thought that was so shocking it made me jerk the mare’s reins, and she looked round reproachfully. “Belinus said Voltacos’ pirates were looking for gold. Could they have been trying to capture the Sea Horse on its way north? Trying to lure it ashore onto the rocks perhaps?”
“Absolutely not. That ship and cargo are top secret. Nobody knew about it outside the Governor’s staff in Londinium, and not many inside.”
“I know you, Lucius, and I know when you’re not sure of something. Such as now.”
He grunted. “Well…the thought had occurred to me too, of course it had. But look on the bright side. Even if the Gauls did bring about the wreck of the Sea Horse, they haven’t gained anything by it. They haven’t got their hands on the cargo.”