Hosker, G [Sword of Cartimandua 11] Roman Treachery

by Griff Hosker

  He could see that he had no room to manoeuvre and reluctantly nodded is agreement. “Very well we will leave in the morning.” He threw a dark look in the direction of the Governor’s quarters. “Early!!”

  Appius was extremely tired as the turma returned, after dark, to the fort. The sentries were particularly vigilant which irritated the aide but intrigued the decurion. “What on earth is the matter with you? I am the Governor’s aide and you have all seen me enough to recognise me.”

  “Take it easy, Appius. I would rather they were this keen and we were safe wouldn’t you?”

  The aide gave a grudging nod. He was desperate for the bath house and a good meal. He had to admit he had seen a whole new side to the military in his day beyond the frontier. He had emptied his bowels on at least three occasions. Marcus had smiled and told him that was normal on the first patrol where you saw a blue painted face behind every rock. As they dismounted the aide put out his arm, “Thank you decurion. I have much to think on.”

  Marcus shook his head as the Roman abandoned his horse; he was a patrician, others tended your horses. The decurion led the two mounts to the stalls. “Never mind boy, he did appreciate the ride you gave him although he did not show it.”

  Marcus was surprised to see Rufius and the two turmae already there, making the stables quite crowded. “How was it today Marcus? Did you manage to avoid punching the young patrician?”

  “He’s not so bad when you give him a chance and get by the arrogance but what is going on?” Rufius took him to one side and gave him an account of the day’s events. “Vibia?” he shook his head. “Mind you I should have suspected something when we rescued her. She had more resilience than I would have expected. Do you think she was in league with the Votadini and Brigante?”

  “After this day nothing would surprise me but I do not think so. The tribes would have behaved differently once we had rescued her otherwise. And remember we only discovered Scaeva because of her.”

  “I suppose you are right. So you ride tomorrow?”

  “Yes I don’t expect to be back for a week which makes you second in command until Livius is up and about again. Metellus will need all the help he can get.”

  If Marcus was surprised then Appius Serjenus was devastated. The shock of the poisoning of the prefect and the death of Lucia was nothing compared with the knowledge that he had been courting a murderer! He had had a lucky escape and the journey back to Eboracum seemed, to him to be a sign from the gods that his future lay in what passed for civilisation.

  Flavia was still heavily drugged as the two turmae and the carriage set off south. Aulus Nepos was pleased that, the death apart, he had ensured that his plans and his grand vision for the frontier would go through. Walking back to the Principia the legate and Metellus were discussing just what they would actually do now that the Governor had departed.

  “First of all, Metellus, I think that it is impractical to build a stone fort where he wants to. I want the thing up quickly so that your troopers can get back to protecting the frontier. We shall build in turf and wood. That way we can let the Dacians build it themselves while you watch them. For the rest we will finish the wall and the existing forts first and then we will make them look pretty and think about building the extra ones.”

  “I hear he want forts in the heart of the Selgovae and Votadini land?”

  “He does.”

  “That is a recipe for disaster. I thought the Emperor wanted a wall which marked the end of Roman domination.”

  “Yes, Metellus and so did I.” He rubbed his hands. “Now that he has gone let us concentrate on getting supplies up the Stanegate. I want a big push. Get your ala, all of them, north of the wall, especially near the site of the new Dacian fort and chase the barbarians from morning until night. Your turmae can bunk with the legions. I can’t see them objecting.” Metellus pulled a face. “And if they do it matters not; that is an order.”

  Marcus led Lucius out again the next day, with Sextus as the third turma. As he had surveyed the site Metellus felt he was better prepared, and as he said quietly, better experienced than the other officers. “Stay with the Sixth. It shouldn’t be a problem. They think highly of you.”

  “I’ll sweeten it with some venison or wild pig. Felix appears to be missing his hunting.”

  “Wild pig?”

  “I might have to help him with that.”

  They rode down the Stanegate to make better time although soon the military road which was being built closer to the wall would shorten the journey still further. “When we get there I will take half the turmae to the northern forest. That will be you Lucius with me. Sextus take the other half and patrol the area to the west of the site. When we are sure the forest is clear of scouts Felix and I will engage in a little hunting.”

  Sextus sniffed, “The privileges of ranks, sir!”

  Marcus gave him an innocent look. “And you Sextus could you guarantee game if you were the huntsman?”

  The whole ala knew that Marcus was a skilled hunter. “No sir. Enjoy yourself!”

  There were many valleys in the forest and dells where the game liked to gather. Once Marcus had checked that the main trails were free from Votadini he and his two scouts dismounted and, taking two javelins with him, they descended the side of one of the shallow valleys. They were both experienced enough to move downwind of any game; Wolf just disappeared into the undergrowth. He returned and lay down next to Felix. Felix mimed, ‘deer’ and Marcus nodded. Felix strung his bow and Marcus stood to one side. This one would be Felix’s kill and Marcus would pick up any secondary game which the dog flushed. Felix sent the dog away and they waited in the undergrowth. They would only have a tiny opportunity to make a kill but they were both confident hunters.

  They heard the noise of something coming towards them through the undergrowth and they both tensed. When Felix wrinkled his nose he realised that the boy was sniffing to smell the prey. Suddenly he loosed a shaft and quickly loaded a second. A huge stag, the feathers still visible in its neck, lurched drunkenly towards them and Marcus thrust his javelin into its chest ending its final fight. The second arrow flew over the stag and the hind fell to her death.

  “Well done Felix, two fine hits.”

  “You were quick decurion. Drugi said that you were a good hunter; he was right.”

  As they hoisted the doe on the javelin to carry her up the slope Marcus felt a certain pride that Drugi thought he was a good hunter. He had never been told that by the former slave but the compliment was all the greater for its source. Lucius beamed when he saw the deer. “Take four men; there is a stag at the bottom and we will eat well this night.”

  Felix waved Wolf away. “The dog will take you. Follow him.”

  They reached Sextus without incident. “There are signs that the tribes have been watching the wall but the numbers were too small to worry about. “

  “Well that is good news. Let us find our fiends in the Sixth and see if we can use their camp for the night.”

  All three officers knew that fresh meat would gain them entry to any camp along the wall. Marcus also knew that they would have been welcome for who they were. Marcus’ Horse had a reputation for being solid fighters who would stand their ground as well as the legions and Marcus himself, had the reputation of being a temporary standard bearer for the eagle of the Ninth in the last days of that legion. The legions did not forget gestures like that.

  After they had eaten Marcus produced a jug of wine he had taken from the fort. As they enjoyed a meagre beaker each he asked about the wall and its progress.

  “It is going better now and that worries me. The barbarians are best when they are doing something. You know then what they are up to. I like not this inactivity. It reeks to me of planning and cunning. Still as long as the supplies keep coming we are happy. I hear we will have new neighbours soon?”

  “Aye a thousand strong cohort of Dacians will be north of the wall.”

  “They might be hard men but I d
o not envy them that task. I would not like to be beyond the wall surrounded by those bollock collectors!”

  “We will ride close to their settlements tomorrow and see what they are up to. I will send you a message with my report.”

  “That is good of you but is not that dangerous?”

  “I was an Explorate and that was my life for some years besides I have the two best scouts with me.” He pointed to the boy and the dog both of whom were sleeping.

  “He is just a boy.”

  “A boy who survived a barbarian massacre and a boy who is far tougher than you can imagine. He was one of those I took with me into the barbarian encampment. I will back him.”

  The centurion put his hands out. “Don’t get me wrong, I am just saying that appearances can be deceptive.”

  The troopers were also happy having eaten well and being protected by the well made camp of the vexillation but Vibius had been quiet. “What is the matter Vibius you look like you have lost an aureus and found a denari?”

  “It is Lucia, Aneurin; I think our Vibius was sweet on her.”

  Suddenly Vibius turned around and snapped. “Shut up you stupid barbarian. You know nothing about me.”

  Scanlan put a muscular arm and hand on Vibius’ shoulder. “Watch who you are calling a barbarian Vibius. Some people might take offence. I would hate to have to teach you a lesson.”

  “And you, barbarian, can fuck off as well!”

  Scanlan smiled and twisted Vibius’ arm so that he was underneath the Brigante who pulled out his pugeo and pricked the neck of the older trooper. “Now I did warn you Vibius.”

  “What’s going on here?”

  Scanlan rolled off, “Nothing, Chosen Man. I was just teaching Vibius here a few moves which might come in handy.”

  “Is that right trooper?”

  “Er yes, Chosen Man. Thank you Scanlan.” There was a smile on his face but it was belied by the hatred in his eyes.

  “Well get some rest. We will be on patrol all day tomorrow too.”

  As Cassius moved off Aneurin and Scanlan tried to make light of the incident but Vibius was having none of it. “Just leave me alone eh? You made your point; you are both better at street fighting than me. I get it.”

  Aneurin was shocked. “What is up with him? I thought we were mates.”

  “Maybe you were right and maybe he was sweet on that girl who got killed. He’ll be better in the morning.”

  Cassius rode next to Marcus the next day as they headed for the settlements along the valleys. As chosen man he was the link between the officers and the men he explained what had occurred. “Are you worried Cassius?”

  “No sir. But there just seems something funny. I like Aneurin and Scanlan; they are good lads and, well what you see is them but that Vibius, I thought he was the same but he isn’t he is, well deeper.”

  Marcus understood Cassius. Macro, his step brother had also been deep with many layers and career soldiers found them difficult to fathom. Perhaps Vibius was like Macro and would show qualities as yet hidden. He was certainly brave, as he had shown when winning his phalera for his rescue, but perhaps there was more and the death of Lucia had affected him. “Just keep your eye on them Cassius. We can’t afford to train up recruits and then lose them because they fall out. We have to make a fighting unit here.”

  “Don’t worry sir. I’ll sort ‘em!”

  Not all of the Selgovae and Votadini settlements were belligerent. None of them like Rome, that was true, but many just wanted to get on with herding their animals and existing. Marcus knew that many of the villages close to the new fort were peaceful in nature. He halted the turmae a mile from the first one and, taking Lucius and Felix with him, he rode towards the first one. It was a handful of huts by the river. The river provided food even in winter and they were a prosperous settlement. As the two of them rode in with Felix and Wolf ahead, Marcus was looking for signs which would tell him the mood of the people.

  The dogs in the village began barking when Wolf appeared. His ears went down and he growled a deep growl which sent them packing. Felix whistled for him to return and he did so. The looks the three of them received were not welcoming but there was no sign of aggression either. Marcus dismounted when the headman approached. Marcus bowed his head to show respect. He held a bag of salt in his hand. “Greetings, headman. Please take this gift from Rome as a sign of our friendship.” The old man kept his hands by his side. “There is nought tied to this gift.” He placed it by the side of the hut. “It is here as a present.” The old man gave a slight nod of acceptance and the bag was whisked away by an old woman. “How is the fishing?”

  “It is good.”

  “And the hunting?”

  “Not so good.”

  “Ah, we had a good hunt and the next time I visit I will bring some venison for you.”

  “Why are you here Roman?” The headman was blunt and Marcus knew that it was a courtesy. The gift of the salt had made conversation easier.

  “I am here because Rome wants nothing from you, just your friendship.” He took out the sword. “I swear this by the sword.”

  Every man on the frontier knew the sword and had heard its many stories. “I believe you Roman for you would not swear otherwise but tell me this, if you only wish friendship then why do you build the wall and why the forts?”

  “You know old man. Your young men raid our lands and the wall is to make sure they do not.” He glanced around. “I can see that there are no young men here.”

  “They tend the cattle and the sheep.” He looked to the ground when he spoke and Marcus saw the lie.

  His eyes betrayed the lie but Marcus nodded. “I am sorry to have missed them. Should your people need anything then send to the fort and ask for the sword to come forth and I will return.”

  “Alone?”

  “If you wish it.”

  “Then may the Allfather watch over you.”

  Chapter 20

  “And so sir it was the same story in every village we visited. There were no young men, just the old and the lame. We received the same excuse from everyone we spoke to, the young men were with the herds.”

  “But you don’t believe them?”

  “No sir. We saw young girls and boys tending the animals. They are planning something.”

  “Well done Marcus. The problem is what are they planning?” He rubbed his chin.

  Livius was seated in the corner of the office, although still not fully recovered he was keen to rejoin the planning and the strategy meetings. “But you saw no sign of large numbers of men?”

  “No sir and we scouted the forests. Felix even went close to the camp we raided but it was deserted. It is as though they have disappeared.”

  Livius turned to the legate. “I think we need prisoners again.”

  “I agree.”

  “I will send Metellus along with Marcus on this next patrol with four turmae. The rest I will send to patrol the Stanegate.”

  Julius was curious. He never doubted Livius’ strategies but this one seemed unusual. “Any particular reason Livius?”

  “If there is trouble then we can reach that trouble far quicker from the Stanegate than north of the wall. In addition we will need to escort the Hamians and the Dacians when they arrive and, with their wagons, the Stanegate is the best option.”

  “Good. Although I had planned on keeping the new cohorts here and at Vercovicium until we have a better idea of what they are up to.”

  Metellus was glad to be away from the fort. He, like Rufius and Marcus, still missed the free days of being an Explorate. This was the next best thing. As they rode across the river Metellus headed north east. Marcus knew the decurion princeps too well to ask why they were riding in that direction but he was curious. After a few miles Metellus laughed. “You have grown up young Marcus. There would have been a time when you would have plagued me with questions about the direction of this patrol.”

  “Perhaps my time as a slave mellowed me sir.”
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br />   “It probably did. Anyway you said the camp in the forest was empty and the nearest place I could think of was the east of the old road. It has access to plenty of game and fish and they know that, as that area is quiet, it does not require as many patrols.”

  Marcus laughed, “So it is a guess then sir?”

  “Aye a guess backed up by the noses of those two scouts of yours. Word is they can find a barbarian who is a couple of miles away.”

  “A slight exaggeration but about right sir.”

  “Good then we will send them off when we reach the old fort.”

  Marcus wrinkled his brow. “We have used that many times sir. Do you not think they will become suspicious?”

  “No Marcus, it is easily defended and we can escape easily too. We will use that and leave Sextus, Lucius and one turma there while we explore a little closer to the enemy. When, of course, they have found them.”

  When they left the old fort, the recruits from Marcus’ turma were unhappy to be left behind. Marcus and Metellus chose the thirty troopers whom they thought they could depend upon. Every one was an experienced trooper and both chosen men were taken. Vibius, in particular seemed put out and, as the elite turma left he rode over to Sextus, who had been left in charge. “Sir, why wasn’t I chosen?”

  Sextus was not the man to use flowery words or dress up bad news. He took a chew on some dried meat and said, “Because, compared with the ones he did take, you are fucking useless.”

  Vibius was affronted. “Did I not show my bravery outside the walls?”

  “Which shows what a dick head you are, son. This is not about being brave. This is about being sneaky and knowing the land. Do you know the land where they are going?”

  “No sir.”

  “There, and now having wasted too much spit on you already go down to the river and get a bucket of water for the horses.”

  He looked confused, “A bucket decurion?”

  Sextus spread his arms in exasperation. “See, you know fuck all! Under that tree over there is a leather bucket. The patrols who use this leave one there and there is a stone water trough that you can fill. So fill it!”