Hosker, G [Sword of Cartimandua 05] Revolt of the Red Witch

by Griff Hosker

“Poor Macro had a dream of serving the Irish. I wonder how that would have turned out?”

  “He would have been a great success. The tribes value the qualities which Macro has, had. The Parcae had other ideas.”

  Ailis massaged her feet which were heavily blistered and bleeding. “How far Gaelwyn?”

  Snorting in derision the scout pointed east. “You are worse than the children! I do not know in miles but it will take us almost a day to get to Glanibanta if we do not have these debates every few miles.”

  Marcus could see Gaius becoming angry and he put his hand on his arm. “Gaelwyn they are tired. They do not complain. Remember they are neither warriors nor soldiers as we are.”

  Gaelwyn’s anger subsided quickly. “I am sorry niece. You and the boys have done well ignore an old man’s temper.”

  Ailis stood and kissed him on the cheek. “Uncle, lose your temper as often as you like for I know we would still be prisoners in Caledonia but for you. Right boys shall we walk for a while and show these old men what fine soldiers we can be? Shal we show them that we can march like legionaries?”

  The rested boys were eager to show off and stood proudly in a line. When they were all together Decius lead them up the path which sloped less severely and Ailis followed, a maternal smile creasing her face. “There you are Gaelwyn. That is how a mother deals with moans, she makes a game of it.”

  Chapter 18

  The Prefect soon caught up with the Decurion Princeps. “It feels god to have the whole ala together again. We may be few in number but at least we are a force now, not just a patrol. Which way Salvius?”

  “They have taken the valley to the south of the road. They must be worried about our patrols.”

  “Well let us use that to our advantage. If she is heading towards Caledonia we can use the road to get ahead of her and block her route.”

  Livius spoke up. “Why do you not want her to go to Caledonia? At least there she is out of our way.”

  “True Livius but when her mother went to the north she caused us many problems and remember Morwenna also created problems for us. She is, at least, the equal of her mother.”

  “Yes Sir, but, with respect, that was when she was a spy and Macro’s woman.”

  “True but something in my water tells me that an alliance of the Brigante Queen and the heir to the Caledonii would be a bad thing. Besides which she would be harder to find in the north. At least here we know that her army is gone and she will have to build a new one. No we keep on her trail like a dog chasing a fox. It will twist turn and hide, but while it is being chased it cannot do ill.”

  “Should I send out scouts then Sir?”

  “Yes Salvius. Ahead of us and to the north and south. I would like to flush her out. I take it you commandeered enough supplies from our hosts before you left.”

  Grinning Cilo said, “Oh yes indeed. They were in a real dilemma for they wanted rid of us but begrudged us the food.”

  “Does the Optio in charge of the legionary cavalry know who the suspected rebels are?”

  “I made it quite clear to him who they were. We spent some time yesterday walking around the settlement identifying them. When the Legate arrives they will be in for a shock for they believe we did not recognise them.”

  Morwenna was happier now that they had passed Brocauum for the only other fort they had to avoid was Luguvalium and it was easy to ride around that one. As it only had infantry they would soon be beyond the Roman reach. “Seven days and we should be back in my homeland.”

  “Do not sound so despondent Aodh. It is a good thing that we return. You will be bringing Lulach a great prize for the Queen of the Brigante gives him a lever with which to pry the Romans loose from this rock.”

  “It is still many miles to safety and there is still that cavalry turma pursuing us.”

  “There are not many of them. We only saw fifty.”

  “Yes my queen but fifty of those troopers have damaged our attacks before.”

  “Which is why we do not use their road. They do not know where we are going. Our only danger is when we cross the road to head north and I plan on using the night as our ally.”

  Aodh summoned the two Brigante scouts who lived locally and sent them towards the road. “Keep out of sight. We just need to know if they are on the road. Return as soon as you can confirm that the road is clear.” Morwenna looked at him, a question written across her face. “If the road is clear we get across when we can. We have but twenty horses and we need to get north sooner rather later.”

  “You are the warrior. I bow to your knowledge.” Aodh could not tell if she was being sarcastic or not. There were too many things about women which confused him. What made it worse was the permanently knowing, smug looks on the faces of the acolytes. He shook his head; men were so much easier to understand. What they said they meant, with women you had to read their minds or guess the answer in their heads. He glanced around to check that they were keeping the trail they left as narrow as possible. Although that increased the length of the small column it made it more difficult for those following. Apart from the three women, all the remaining horses were being led, partly to save their strength and partly to avoid observation. He had been tempted to suggest walking to the three witches but thought better of it.

  The two scouts came quickly scurrying back. “On the road there are many Romans and three of them are heading this way.”

  “Quickly down into this valley and away from the road. Romans!”

  Even Morwenna obeyed and they spread quickly in a line down the gentle slope. With horror Aodh saw that the trail they had left, with so many foot and hoof prints could have been followed by a half blind old woman. They would have to fight the Romans and soon. He turned to his lieutenant. “Look for somewhere to lay an ambush or we will all be killed.”

  On the road there was an equal amount of consternation. “Sir the scouts to the south have found a trail it looks like they have headed south.”

  “Any idea how long ago?”

  “Not long for the droppings from their horses and ponies were still warm.”

  “They must have seen us then Sir.”

  “Yes Livius which means they could keep going south or double back north. Cassius. Pick up the other scouts and keep along the road to Luguvalium. Tell the Prefect, assuming that there is still a garrison in place, about the battle and Morwenna then come back down the road. If she doubles back she will not expect to meet you.”

  “And if I don’t find her Sir?”

  “Then follow the trail. If she doesn’t double back then there is only one place left for her to go, the Land of the Lakes and we know that the valleys there all run north to south. If they try to cross a ridge we will see them. Right Salvius let us see if we can end this now.”

  Aodh was picturing, in his head, the land into which they were descending. He had known it well when he and Morwenna had wintered there. To the south there was one steep sided and barren valley with a long narrow lake and a high mountain. To the west, heading back towards Brocauum there was a much wider valley and a narrow pass and further west there was a narrow pass leading to the valley of the two lakes. He was tempted to go towards the two lakes for that was where the secret cave of Morwenna was located. The supplies which it contained meant they could hide there for a while. It all depended upon Morwenna. He rode his horse until he was alongside her. “I think Caledonia is not an option. The scouts say it was well over a hundred troopers. They have reinforcements.”

  She looked at him, her ice green eyes boring into him. “Your plan. Tell me.”

  He looked up at her, startled! ‘How did she know what he was thinking?’ “I am thinking of the cave near to the land of the two lakes, your cave where we lived for a while. Winter is coming and we could spend the winter there and travel to Caledonia when the snows melt. We can also ambush them for there are two places where they can be halted easily although it will cost us warriors.”

  She coldly dismissed the loss w
ith a wave of her elegant hand. “That does not matter. Our survival does for only with our survival will the Brigante be free. We will go to the cave. As we can travel faster than those on foot we will leave the dismounted men to make mischief.”

  Aodh was a warrior and the thought of dismissing the lives of so many men without a thought terrified him but, in his heart he knew she was right. “You ride my love and I will follow.” He gestured to the mounted men. “Follow the queen and protect her.” He waved over Pol, the remaining Brigante chief. “We will take the queen to a place of safety nearby.” While he hated lying to the warriors, for the place was many miles hence, he needed them to buy him some time. “Ahead is a wood, lay some traps there to slow them up and then ambush the remainder at the col at the northern end of the valley of the two lakes. We will meet you at the old Roman fort of Glanibanta.” Having decided to lie, Aodh gave enough information to his men so that, in the unlikely even that they survived he would be able to use them again. “Do not waste your lives but they must be slowed up.”

  The squat warrior nodded.”The horsemen will be stopped. Protect our Queen Caledoni.”

  Grasping his arm he said truthfully, “I will give my life to protect her.” As he galloped off he looked over his should and saw them trotting quickly after him to the woods. Aodh made sure that his horse followed the trail left by the others knowing that Pol would use that bait to trap their pursuers. He soon caught up with the Queen and he quickly led them the four miles to the col. As soon as he arrived he knew he had made the right decision. On the northern side the cliffs rose vertically and could only be traversed by goats. The southern side fell away to a fast flowing stream with banks of pine growing thickly. No horse could use that route. The only way forwards was the path, ten paces wide, chiselled out of the slate. Here a few men could hold off a mighty force. He detached eight of the riders. “Prepare an ambush here and wait for Pol. When you have slowed the enemy down then follow the valley and we will meet you at the old Roman camp at Glanibanta. “Morwenna gave a quick smile; her lover was becoming devious. She had never heard him lie to a brother before. Leaving the eight to create the ambush the remaining nine warriors trotted off down the valley of the two lakes watching the thin light darken behind the steep mountain sides which enclosed them.

  Gaius knew they could not go much further. The huge lake spread out below them to their right. The last hill had taken much out of the children and Ailis and even Marcus was struggling to keep up. The old fort was but two miles away and yet, looking at Ailis and the children that would be at least a mile too far. “We’ll have to camp Marcus.”

  Gaelwyn looked up at the sky. “We’d be better off pushing on. The sky is full of snow and this hillside is a little exposed.”

  “Gaelwyn is right you know Gaius.”

  “It will do us no good if they collapse.”

  “I can carry on Gaius. Women are tougher than they look.”

  “There must be somewhere lower down.”

  Marcus suddenly slapped his head. “What a fool I am! Of course there is. The watch tower we built near to the lake.”

  “You are right and it is less than a mile from here. There is water nearby and we should be able to hunt some food.” They quickly made their way down and crossed the swiftly flowing stream at the ford, pausing only to fill their water skins from the icy, brown tinged water. They could see the old wooden tower rising in the distance. It had lost some of its wooden boards and slats but it was above ground and would give them security. It was growing dark as they crossed the open space to the rickety ladder which led up to safety.

  “I will see to the food. You two had better repair the ladder and the tower. Ailis, get the boys to collect some sticks and wood for a fire.” Gaelwyn took his bow and slipped off up the trail to the woods which drifted south towards the fort at Glanibanta. When Ailis and the boys had found enough wood and returned to the tower the first flurry of winter snowflakes whipped around their heads; not yet settling but promising a white, chilly morning.

  “That will have to do for tonight. It is getting too dark and too cold to mess around any more. Let’s get a fire going and hope that the old an hunter has actually caught something.”

  “Even if it is a rabbit it will fill a small hole.”

  With the three boys huddled for warmth around Ailis the two men used flint and the dried autumn pine cones they had found to get a cheery blaze going. Soon the boys’ faces were glowing in the warmth. The saw movement from the woods and the two men immediately reached for their weapons.

  Decius keen young eyes picked him out quickly. “It is uncle Gaelwyn and he is wearing a fur.”

  The closer he came the more they realised that the boy was right. Gaelwyn had shot a badger and he had the old brock around his neck. He nodded approvingly. “The Allfather smiles on us tonight. He gives us dried wood and an old badger keen to get the last food before the snow. We eat well and the boys will be warm.” He immediately set to skinning the animal.

  “Will the fire not be seen?”

  Gaelwyn shrugged. “It will be seen if anyone is foolish enough to be out on a night like this but remember Gaius there are few people in this part of the land. We lived here unobserved for many months.” He threw the fur to Ailis who began scraping it ready to use. “Your sword Gaius.” Taking the sword of Cartimandua, which was the sharpest one they had, the old scout chopped the mighty beast into manageable chunks and he threaded a thin branch through one. Soon the smell of roasting meat permeated the air and set everyone’s juices salivating. He kept turning the juicy haunch until he suddenly decided it was ready to eat. Cutting thick slabs of the pink meat they all ate their first hot meal since leaving Stanwyck all those many weeks before. While they were still eating, Gaelwyn walked over to a pine tree and cut off pieces of bark which he wrapped around the rest of the hunks of meat. Using water from the water skins he soaked the bark and then placed the remaining slabs of meat around the outside of the fire which was now burning steadily but not quite as fiercely. “Well Ailis if you take the bairns to the tower we will decide who watches first.”

  “I thought you said no one in his right mind would be out on a night like this?”

  “True which means that anyone who is out tonight is not in his right mind. I think we should watch for someone like that eh Gaius?”

  Marcus laughed at the old man who always seemed to manage to get the better of the normally quick witted Gaius.

  The ala had no difficulty following the wide trail left by the refugees even though the light was fading quickly. As they dropped down from the ridge they scanned the horizon for movement but could see none. “I think they must be in that heavily wooded area ahead.”

  “I agree Salvius. You take your turma to the right and Livius take yours to the left. I will keep on the trail; just in case they split up once they are in the woods.”

  Pol had been a hunter and knew all about deadfall traps and pit traps. He had stayed long enough to build a circle of them around the edge of the wood. His aim had been to slow the Romans up, not to spend so long building them that he would be caught. Even as they were entering the wood he and the rest were running the four miles to the col. The snow began to flutter down, not heavy enough to lie but heavy enough to mask movements. Pol silently thanked the Allfather and the Mother for helping them. Perhaps the Queen did have the power that the whole army had believed.

  “The Allfather watches over us tonight. Perhaps we will not need to fight them at the col.” Pol had a healthy respect for these Roman cavalrymen and, while he would give his life for his queen, he was enough of a pragmatist to prefer to live for his queen and fight again.

  Unfortunately for the Brigante, Julius had suspected traps and, once they found the first few, which only caused a couple of minor injuries, he brought in the flanking scouts and followed the trail which, because of the snow was easy to follow. “Are we stopping for the night? This could be dangerous. They could be leading us into an ambush.�
�

  “Possibly Salvius but they are trying to delay us and I wonder why. Are they trying to head north again?”

  “Not in this valley. They would have to pass us. But at the other end they can double back up either of the other valleys.”

  “Or, Salvius, head to the coast. This snow is inopportune for it will hide their tracks if it lies. We will push on a while longer. I would like to catch sight of them before the snow obliterates all their tracks.”

  Fortunately for the Romans the snow did not begin to fall heavily and they were able to see the muddy line through the whitening snow as it wound and twisted through the thinning trees inexorably towards the land they knew so well. “Where you think they are heading Sir? I can see by our speed that you anticipate their route but I can discern nothing. Is this another lesson I must take from Macro when he returns to duty?”

  “No Livius. This is not obvious but this valley leads to the land of two lakes and the fort, if it is still there, of Glanibanta. We caught Modius not far to the east and, many years ago hunted Aed and his warriors in this very land. They are heading for Glanibanta, of that much I am now sure, but after that is anyone’s guess for she is a cunning opponent.”

  “If we know where we are going can we not travel faster?”

  “We could but there are dangerous warriors ahead and, in the dark, they have the advantage. There are many narrow places where we can be ambushed along this trail. I fancy they will either try to ambush us at the col or where the second lake narrows the path. We still have a little way to go.”

  When Pol arrived at the ambush site the eight warriors left by Aodh greeted him. “Have you lost the Romans?”

  “No curse them. They have stuck to us like a hunting hound on the trail of a wolf. They will be here soon, we should prepare. Take the horses down the trail and tether them to a tree for they will give warning and the Romans may believe we are further away than we are.”He looked at the rocks at the side of the trail. “Build two walls, one behind the other across the trail.”