by Griff Hosker
Furax was delighted. “That means I get Ailis’ cooking and I don’t say goodbye to Drugi until tomorrow.” Hercules was also happy for he had had no time to provision his ship and the journey to Ostia was a long one.
The bridge at Morbium was as far as they could go. The ship suddenly seemed much emptier as the ex-soldiers waved their goodbyes along the road to Eboracum and the two Brigante girls said their farewells. They tearfully hugged Frann and wished her and her baby well. Frann looked seriously at the two girls. “I know your homes are nearby but should you ever need my help then come to me at the home of Marcus’ brother, Decius.” She looked carefully at the two of them. The girls had not thought of that aspect of their life and they headed south of the river more nervously and warily. “In the two years since you both left things may have changed.”
The First Mate was left with the ship as Hercules and Furax headed down to the farm. Marcus had to go into the fort at Morbium to pick up his recruits. He knew that they would have had some training but it was important for him to find out how much. He left Frann and Drugi at the bridge as he went in to speak to the Prefect and First Spear. “I will not be long.”
Drugi was happy. “I can watch the fish in the river Roman and see the animals I will soon be hunting.”
“And I will look at the land I left as a child for I was born but ten miles from here.” Frann was content now that her feet touched Brigante land once more. Her baby would be born in the land of his ancestors; the Mother was, indeed, all powerful and all seeing.
Leaving his two companions Marcus entered the fort. He was well known by all of the auxiliaries who wondered at his tale for they had all heard that he had been taken by slavers and yet here he was as large as life. First Spear was with the Prefect. “We were expecting you Decurion.” The Prefect sat back in his chair, “To be honest we are relieved. First Spear has drilled your recruits with sword and spear but, as we all know, as cavalry they need to ride horses and to fight upon their backs.”
“And I fucking hate horses!”
“Yes First Spear you have made that abundantly clear to everyone.”
“I just didn’t want the Decurion to think I hadn’t done my job.”
Marcus knew the Centurion well and there were close ties with his family, for his father had sacrificed his life to save First Spear and his vexillation during the Hibernian invasion. He had a sudden, terrifying thought. “There are horses aren’t there?”
“Oh yes,” said the Centurion indignantly, “Crapping and pissing all over my parade ground. The sooner they are out of here the better.”
The Prefect shook his head. The Centurion was a good officer but his language left much to be desired. “Do you intend to take them from here Decurion?”
“Yes sir. There is an old gyrus from my fathers’ time close to the farm. It will keep them out of your hair and give me the chance to get to know them.” He looked at the sun through the Principia door, it was past noon already. “If you don’t mind sir. I’d like to make a start.”
“Right First Spear, take the Decurion to his men.”
The recruits were being put through sword and shield training with the auxilia optios. First Spear barked and all movement stopped. “Right ladies. Your time here is over.” Marcus smiled at the looks of relief on their faces. “The decurion here, “he glared at them all, “a particularly good friend of mine has come to take you and show you how to ride your horses. May the Allfather help him. Go and get your gear and then fetch your horses. I want to see you all in a column of twos, now go!”
As the two officers walked towards the horse lines Marcus asked, “What are they like?”
“Oh they’ll do. Quite good with spears, not quite as good with sword and shield but they know the basic commands and orders.”
“Thank you for that. I appreciate it.”
The old Centurion looked sadly at Marcus. “After what your father did for us it was the least we could do.”
“And have you a wagon or a cart I could borrow?”
“A cart?”
Marcus suddenly became embarrassed. “I have a woman and she is, well she is with child.”
First Spear slapped him on the back. “Well done, you little bugger! Yes, of course we have a cart.” He saw a soldier slouching near the stables. “Oy shit for brains, go and bring the cart from the Quartermaster and a couple of horses and be quick about it.”
The cart arrived at the same time as Marcus’ horse and the two officers led them to the bridge. When First Spear saw Drugi his jaw dropped. “That’s not your baby is it?”
Marcus laughed. “No that is Drugi the hunter, he was a slave who helped me to escape.”
“If he gets bored with hunting tell him I will have him in my cohort any time!”
Drugi helped Frann into the cart and then looked helplessly at Marcus who, mounting his own horse, shrugged, “A new skill for you Drugi, driving a cart.”
Climbing aboard he grabbed the reins and gave a tentative flick; the horses did not move. Drugi looked around in panic. Marcus rode up to the rear of one and slapped it hard on the rump. The cart lurched off down the road. “Recruits! Ho!”
The column moved off, their speed dictated by the cart which moved somewhat erratically down the road, moving more like a snake than anything. Marcus shook his head, it was a good job that there was a road, otherwise the cart could have ended up in the land of the lakes.
Ailis and her family had been warned by the voluble Furax of the imminent arrival of her son. The stoic, grey-haired lady did shed a small tear as she silently thanked The Allfather and The Mother for returning him and Macro for watching over his brother. She had never doubted that her brave son would return but, as the months had passed, she worried about how he was suffering. She had been a captive and a slave for many years and, like Marcus, her captors, the Caledonii were a cruel and uncompromising people.
Her tears shed she began to organise the sleeping arrangements and the food. Decius’ wife, an excellent cook herself was sent to organise the food while Ailis fussed over the beds. She noticed Hercules standing self-consciously at one side while Furax played with the dogs. “You will be staying old friend?”
“We wouldn’t want to put you out. We could always sleep at the fort.”
In answer Ailis put her arm around him and cuddled him. “We wouldn’t hear of it. Besides you put yourself in great danger to go and find him.” Pecking him on the cheek she led him by the arm. “Come you can help we organise the beds and we can talk at the same time.”
Although Hercules was uncomfortable around women, Ailis had this ability to make any man feel welcome. He eagerly followed her, the gnarled sea dog a temporary domestic servant.
“How is our boy?”
“He is well.”He knew the question behind the words. “He was not treated over cruelly. He is healthy.”
As they turned over the hay filled mattresses she squeezed his arm. “Thank you for that.”
“There is one thing.” Hercules did not like gossips but he thought that Ailis should have a warning about Frann.
A cloud passed briefly across Ailis’ face. “He has a wound?”
Hercules laughed, “No, at least not a painful wound.” Ailis’ puzzled look made him shake his head,” I am sorry domina, I am used to speaking plainly with rough sailors. Your son has taken a woman and she is with child.”
The relief on Ailis’ face took Hercules aback as did the tears which flowed down her face. The gruff old man did not know how to deal with tears no matter that the cause was a good one. Throwing her arms around him she said, ”They are happy? Was she a captive too? How long until the birth?”
Hercules backed off, panicked by all the questions. “She is with child,” he mimed a bump. “They look happy and she was a captive I believe.” She threw her head back and laughed. Relieved, Hercules added, “She is Brigante I think for she spoke with the other slaves we rescued in their tongue.”
“The Allfather does know
all things. Thank you Hercules. You are a true friend and we are lucky to know you.”
Blushing at the compliment Hercules followed Ailis from the sleeping wing of the villa back to the kitchen. She paused at the door. “Thank you for telling me but I will not tell Decius and I will let Marcus think he tells me for the first time. It will be better that way.”
Hercules was glad that he was a sailor for he could never fathom out the minds of women.
The clattering of hooves on the metalled track brought the whole household out to greet the returning hero. While Ailis and Decius threw their arms around Marcus and Decius’ wife nursed their second child, the rest of the workers started in astonishment at Drugi who climbed down from the cart and yet still seemed bigger. He helped Frann down just as Ailis turned. Marcus held his mother’s hand and Frann’s. “This is my mother, Ailis. Mother, this is the mother of my child and the woman I wish to take as a wife, Frann.”
The women all embraced and Decius came over to clasp Marcus’ arm. “I was worried, brother, that I might never become an uncle.” He stepped away and said wryly, “I wondered if all that riding had worn away your manhood.”
Marcus punched him playfully on the shoulder. “There is nothing wrong with my manhood. I was just waiting for the right woman.”
Decius glanced over at Frann. “Then you did well brother.” Catching sight of Drugi he asked, “And who, in the name of the Allfather is this?”
To Drugi, Marcus said, “I apologise friend, my brother has a habit of speaking a little too plainly sometimes and forgets his manners..” To the others he said, “This is Drugi who was also a slave of the Tencteri and who helped us to escape. He is a mighty hunter; the equal of our uncle Gaelwyn.”
Decius was the first to greet him. “Then you are truly a mighty hunter. Welcome to my home. And I apologise for my rudeness but your size took me by surprise. Will you stay?”
Drugi looked embarrassed. Marcus interjected, “If it is still empty I thought he could live in Gaelwyn’s old hut until he knows what he wants to do and where he wishes to go. It seems… right.”
Decius roared, “A splendid idea and I will enjoy speaking more with you Drugi the hunter.” He began to lead them into the house but Marcus shook his head.
“I am afraid that I will have to delay my arrival for a short time. I am here because I am training recruits. When I have had them build their camp and prepared their meal, I will return to eat with you but then I must rejoin my men.” He looked apologetically at Ailis and Frann who were still linked, arm in arm. “At least I will see you over the next ten days. The alternative had me on the frontier.”
Ailis shook her head. “I am the wife of a soldier, son. It is your lot. And it will give us chance to get to know your bride to be. We have a wedding to plan.”
The recruits were still where he had left them and they were still mounted. As he rode up they all sat upright on their mounts. Whilst at Morbium they had been told of the exploits of the Second Sallustian Ala and, more especially, the exploits of the brothers Macro and Marcus; the warrior who wielded the Sword of Cartimandua. They were in awe of him already. The fact that he had been a prisoner in barbarian lands and then escaped merely added to the legend.
Marcus halted his horse. “Thank you for being so patient but here is your first lesson; when you stop, unless there is danger nearby, dismount, for your horses are valuable and need their energy.” One or two started to dismount, ”Not now!” Shaking his head he realised the size of the task he would have to undertake. “Nearby is a gyrus where we will begin training but first we will have to build a camp. I will be watching you while this takes place because some of you are going to be given some responsibilities to help me. By the time we rejoin the ala some of you will be chosen men for your turma.” The carrot dutifully dangled Marcus led the column off to the gyrus.
The men were exhausted by the time that they had built their camp and fed their horses. “I am returning to my farm for a meal but I will return before nightfall. Turma one, it is your duty first.” He pointed to a recruit who looked attentive. “You will be in charge of the sentries until I return.” The young man beamed with pleasure. “The rest of you eat and rest for tomorrow the real work of becoming a trooper begins.”
Drugi had thought he would be uncomfortable sitting at the fine table eating with this fine and noble family but he was made inordinately welcome. Decius in particular kept plying him with questions whilst Decius’ wife, Mara kept filling his plate whenever he wasn’t looking. Furax just enjoyed something he had never experienced whilst growing up, a family and, for once, he was content to sit silently and let the atmosphere wash over him. Hercules the eldest man in the room also felt the same. Married to The Swan and the sea this was as close as he would ever get to children and grandchildren and he too relished the moment.
The main topic, of course, was Marcus’ rescue but all conversation around the table stopped when Marcus and Drugi spoke of the hawk. “As soon as it appeared then I knew I would be rescued or I would escape. I knew not how but I knew that it would happen.”
Ailis nodded. “We too saw the hawk and knew that your brother was watching.” She paused. “Have you seen it since you left this island?”
“No. Not once.”
“Perhaps our brother has fulfilled his oath?”
Marcus shook his head. “I don’t know. I feel, and that is all, a feeling; I feel that he is still watching.” He shrugged. “As he only appears to arrive when there is danger, perhaps that is a good thing.”
Frann spoke and as she did, Drugi nodded, “I do not think that Trygg has forgotten us. Taking back the sword will have hurt his pride, and his standing with the tribe. He has grand ideas for the tribe and the sword was part of it. I am just glad to be away from the salve hall.” Ailis touched her arm, remembering as she did so her time as a slave.
Drugi’s deep sonorous voice was remarkably soothing but his words were heavily laden with frightening thoughts. “As slaves Frann and I were unimportant but we had ears and we listened as they spoke of their plans. The council and Chief Trygg were going to use the sword as a means of uniting all the smaller tribes against the Suebi. There would be only one person to lead them, one king…”
Marcus nodded, “Trygg.” Frann and Drugi nodded. “Then we had better take precautions. I will warn Nanna and Hercules can tell the Prefect at Morbium of our fears. And now, “Marcus stood, “I at least have work to do and I must leave my family, “he spread his arms to include all of them, “to continue to enjoy this happy event.”
After he and Frann had said their farewells she returned to the house she now called home. “What did he mean take precautions?”
Decius waved an airy arm around the room. “You may have noticed that we are more than a home, we are a small fort. We will dig the ditches even deeper, spread lillia and keep a closer watch. “He looked sadly at Frann. “This has happened before and the last time my father died defending this house. You need have no fear sister. This Chief Trygg has bitten off more than he can chew if he thinks he can take on the Aurelius brothers.”
Marcus found it hard, the next day to concentrate on the training of his recruits. They were all keen and enthusiastic and none had so far run. Marcus knew that desertion after initial training was an issue for some thought being a trooper meant just riding around all day killing barbarians- the reality was somewhat different. The main reason for his distraction was Frann. He knew that his family would make her feel welcome but he felt guilty that he was not there. As they all stood there next to their horses, he knew that he would have to start.
“Gentlemen, I am going to divide you into two halves. It will make the simulation of a real skirmish more realistic.” He strode along the front rank trying to identify faces; he would need some help from those amongst his recruits who showed the most aptitude. “The Centurion who trained you is an infantry man. They like to fight shoulder to shoulder with a line of interlocked shields. In the cavalry we ca
n’t do it that way. The horse’s arse gets in the way.” They all laughed at his joke. “That is before the horse’s arse sat on the horse gets to work.” His second attempt at humour visibly relaxed them.” He held up a branch he had cut from the wood. “I want you all to go and cut yourself a branch about the height of a man. We are going to hold it like a spear. I don’t want to lose too many of you too early.”
When they returned he divided them up and then had them mount. He instructed them to hold the shield in their left hand and the branch in their right. This was the first time they had had to hold two such unwieldy objects and they found it hard. One of them raised his branch, “Sir how do we hold the reins?”
“In your shield hand but eventually you will have to ride without using your reins such as when you are in close combat and when you fire a bow.”
Another recruit shouted, “Fire a bow!”
Grinning Marcus shouted, “That comes later. You will need to learn to ride with your knees and your body weight but before we start that you need to know the most important lesson of all,” The all looked at him intently, “how to fall off the horse.” Some of them thought he was joking. “I am deadly serious. In my last battle in Britannia, a Hibernian struck at my horse and I was thrown over his head. Had I not known how to fall I would have been dead. “He dismounted. “I will show you the technique.” He put down his branch and took up his spear. There was a small raised mound of earth and he used that for his demonstration. He ran up one side and, when he reached the top he discarded his spear, tucked his head under and rolled with the shield taking the blow of landing. They applauded but Marcus silenced them with a raised hand. “It is easy from that height but when you fall from the back of a horse the blow is harder. Use the shield to take the blow and relax, you need to roll. This is something you will need to practise on your own after we have finished training but remember, if you are in the front rank you will need to protect yourselves from the hooves of the second rank and, if you are the second rank, you need to be able to move your horse to avoid unhorsed troopers.” The looks on their faces showed Marcus that they had understood the complications of charging into battle on a horse. “Right, we are going to simulate a charge at each other at the trot. When you are within ten paces of an opponent throw your branch. It will not fly far and it will not hit, unless you are very lucky, but it will show you the problems you face. You need to throw and then protect yourself with your shield as your opponent will be doing the same.”