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

by Griff Hosker

  “Why two?”

  “They have horses and they could jump one. It is a pity we do not have their caltrops for that would slow them up mightily. You men with the bows split yourselves into two groups and hide on two sides of the trail behind the wall. The rest of us will wait behind the first wall. Now let us work brothers. The higher the wall the better chance that we will survive this night’s battle.” He stopped and spoke quietly. “When we are but eight we run to the horses and ride to Aodh at Glanibanta.”

  One of the warriors said, half under his breath, “If there are eight of us.”

  While another added, “Aye and if Aodh has waited for us.”

  “Sir this is madness we can see nothing.”

  Livius was right, the blizzard was whipping the snow into their faces and was now beginning to lie on the ground. Julius shielded his eyes with his hand and peered into the darkness. “I think the col is ahead. Either they wait there and we fight or they wait further on and we can rest in the lee of the walls which run along the trail.”

  Decurion Princeps Cilo smiled as he heard Livius murmur, “Thank the Allfather.” The boy was keen but even he was weary as the wild winds whipped the snow into arrows to pierce their skin and clothes. Suddenly he heard a whinny up the trail and he held up his hand. The others had heard it and they all drew out their javelins ready for the ambush they knew lay ahead. He slipped off his horse and gestured for the next two troopers to join him. Leaving his horse with the horse holder the three of them slipped to the side of the trail where an icy stream struggled through a small gorge. The three of them began to make their way up the stream.

  Julius saw what the Decurion Princeps was doing and he led the rest of the troopers forward. Each man now knew that the first they would know of the ambush would be when the arrows and spears flew and the first men died. The Prefect unstrapped his shield and held it so that it covered his body and his face apart from his eyes. The troopers all copied their leader. Livius had never felt such tension; it was like walking into a room blindfolded and knowing that someone was going to jump out on except that this was a deadlier version of that childhood game. Their only advantage was that they were as difficult to see as the ambushers were. Julius took the path as slowly as he dared to enable Salvius to outflank the waiting warriors.

  The first arrows thudded into shields; one unlucky trooper had his horse’s neck pierced by a fortuitous shot. Realising that the time for caution was over he urged his mount forward to cover the ground to the ambush quickly. With a shock he came up against the wall and suddenly spears were stabbing at him. The trooper next to him thrust his javelin blindly at the spear heads and had the satisfaction of hearing a scream. Julius did the same but, although he heard a grunt, the spears still continued. More troopers arrived but four was the maximum who could use their weapons. One of the troopers fell as an axe sliced into his horse’s neck. Over his shoulder Julius shouted, “Throw your javelins behind the wall!”

  The effect was immediate; lacking helmets and armour the javelins, if they connected caused a wound and enough of them struck to lessen their resistance and the threat of them made the warriors cower fearfully. Suddenly there was a cry of alarm from the Brigante ambusher’s right as Decurion Cilo and his two companions surprised the archers on that side. Julius drew his legs up so that he was standing on his horse’s back and stepped on to the wall. He threw his javelin into the bearded white face closest to him and then leapt down, his sword slicing as he jumped. Livius and the other troopers copied their leader and, with the flank attack, the ambushers fled. When Cassius joined them they were busy killing the survivors. “Get these walls down!”

  “Well done Salvius!”

  “I tell you what Sir, that water is as cold as a witch’s tit!”

  Shaking his head Julius said, “Bearing in mind who we are pursuing you might have chosen a better comparison.”

  “Sorry Sir, it was just an accurate one and for the record I can no longer feel my feet.”

  By the time they had demolished the wall the ambushers had gone but they had left most of their companions lying dead behind the remains of the barricade. “We will camp here tonight and carryon the pursuit in the morning. I just hope that the snow doesn’t totally destroy their trail.”

  Far ahead Aodh halted the small column. The snow was helping them and the remaining nine warriors were now even m ore impressed with the sorceress who could conjure snow to hide their trail. “It is not far to Glanibanta now. We will be there soon.”

  “Look there!” The warrior furthest ahead, scouting, pointed up the narrow valley. There they could see a fire and its light was reflecting on a Roman sentry tower.

  “That has spoiled our plans my queen.”

  “It is but a fire.”

  “A fire near a Roman tower which guards the valley to the fort. It means there will be some Romans there and if there then possibly at Glanibanta.”

  “Can we not just slip by them?”

  “It is not worth taking the chance. If they are alert they will see us and challenge us and even if they are not it means that Glanibanta is probably occupied and we would be trapped between the fort, these Romans and those who are following us.”

  “We cannot stay here.”

  He rode next to her and spoke so quietly that no-one, not even Maban and Anchorat could hear him. “No we will have to go to your cave.”

  Reluctantly Morwenna had to agree. As much as she wished to keep it a secret, even the sorceress was suffering in the cold. Aodh pointed at three of the warriors. “You three go to Glanibanta. If you follow the river then they should not see but if they do retreat back to Pol and his men. Spy out the fort and await Pol. In the morning I will send for you and bring you to the place we are hiding if the fort is occupied.”

  As the three men made their way cautiously down the icy, fast flowing stream, Aodh led the ever smaller party west across the stream to the hidden cave on the other side of the valley.

  Pol came down the snowy valley with the last six warriors. They had one spare horse and he was keen to get to Glanibanta. By the time he had seen the fire he was already level with it for it had died down somewhat. Instead of halting he just moved quickly on. As the horses stepped into the ice cold water one of them whinnied and its rider hit it savagely on the side of the head.

  “What is that?”

  “I heard nothing Gaelwyn and I am on guard not you.”

  “I know Gaius but I am sure I heard a horse.”

  “Well I cannot see anything so either watch instead of me or go back to sleep.”

  “Fine guard you are. I cannot sleep knowing that there may be enemies out there. You sleep and I will watch.”

  “They could be Roman horses.”

  “When have you known Romans ride at night?”

  For the rest of the night Gaelwyn peered into the blizzard which raged along the valley. He watched as the snow grew higher uncia by uncia. Once the first rays of daylight hesitantly peered over the ridge he could see that the snow was unspoilt. It was still virgin snow. No-one had approached their camp. He went to the fire and blew it into life. Removing the badger meat and checking that it was cooked he went to the stream to relieve himself. When he looked into the water he saw that he had been right for there, still steaming in the snow was a small pile of horse droppings and in one of them was a hoof print, a print of a horse shoe. It had not been a wild horse it was shod. There were enemies about.

  Chapter 19

  Julius had the ala on the trail as soon as it was light enough to see. The snow covered the trail but it was obvious which way their enemies had gone as the snow was less deep than elsewhere. When they came to the neck of land between the two lakes he stopped. “They could have gone that way Salvius. If they were heading for the sea and a ship to Mona or Ireland they would go there. Well I have cast the dice and said Glanibanta, Glanibanta it must be.”

  Cilo gestured up the trail. “That was where you said the next ambush might b
e.”

  “Yes we travel cautiously from now on. Fortunately we are not flailing about in the dark.”

  One of the troopers muttered, “No just flailing around in snow cold enough to freeze your bollocks off.”

  Salvius shouted, “You won’t need them out here anyway.”

  As the ala laughed Julius nodded his satisfaction. If they could joke in their adversity then they were getting over Macro’s desertion and when he returned they would be twice the ala they had been before.

  They could see quite a way ahead and Livius, who had the youngest and keenest eyesight shouted, “Smoke Sir. I can see smoke.”

  “Well done Livius. This may be our chance Salvius. They may have thought they lost us and are camped up ahead. If they are camped then we can surprise them. Let’s throw caution to the wind and get there as quickly as possible.”

  The snow was deeper than the previous night but the horses made good time as they pounded through the freshly fallen flakes. The closer they got to the smoke the more familiar it became to Salvius and Julius. It was close to the tower where the ala had fought its battle so many years ago. Did that mean there were Romans there or had they caught the Brigante taking advantage of the shelter? Julius was not taking chances and he drew his sword. “Column of four!”

  In an almost seamless move the ala went into a column of four troopers behind the Prefect. If the enemy were occupying the tower then he wanted to be able to deploy into line as quickly as possible. They galloped up the low rise towards the tower and, seeing no Roman insignia Julius raised his sword and prepared to t give the order to charge. Suddenly, and to his everlasting surprise, Gaius and Ailis stepped out from behind the tower. “Julius what are you doing here?”

  Gaelwyn appeared, spear in hand from the top of the tower and the three boys peered over the top their faces a mixture at shock and sheer joy at seeing the familiar figures of Marcus’ Horse before them. Julius was the first to react. He sprang from his horse and embraced Ailis. Clasping Gaius forearm he said in a voice choked with emotion. “It is good to see you. We will talk.” Turning to the ala he shouted. “Livius, Cassius send out scouts and rest the remainder of the men.”

  Salvius had also dismounted and embraced both Ailis and Gaius. Livius, watching from the back of his horse felt jealous being excluded from this family which had such a close bond between them. The three boys ran up to Julius and threw their arms around him while Gaelwyn watched on. “Marcus!”

  Julius asked, “He is here too?”

  “Aye. He went to check for hoof prints.”

  “Hoof prints?”

  “Yes. Gaelwyn heard horses in the night. It was not yours I take it?” Julius shook his head. “I thought not. We found signs by the river and Marcus wanted to check the path that runs along the hillside in case, whoever it was, had used that trails as well.”

  “It is Morwenna. We were pursuing her.”

  “Let us eat while we talk. I know the bairns are hungry and I have yet to see a soldier who would refuse food.” Ailis threw more wood on to the fire and then unwrapped some of the badger meat. Salvius looked over his shoulder at the dismounted troopers who were watching the reunion. “Don’t worry Salvius we have enough for your men; enough to take the edge off their appetite anyway.”

  “Livius!”

  The young Decurion came over and bowed to Ailis. “It is good to see you Ailis. I am pleased that you were rescued.” Ailis kissed him on the cheek and then handed him one of the larger haunches of badger. “Thank you for the meat, the men will be happy to have something hot inside them.” He walked back to the troopers the still warm meat giving off steaming the early morning chill.

  A sudden movement from the woods made everyone go for their weapons until they saw that it was Marcus who began to run when he saw the troopers. He grabbed Julius in a bear hug. “You cannot know how glad we are to see you.”

  As Marcus clasped arms with Salvius, Gaius said, “The horses this morning. It was Morwenna!”

  “Eat then talk!” Ailis was happier than any that the ala had arrived for she now knew they were safe but she wanted to avoid anyone mentioning Macro’s death. It was though by not talking about it they could believe that he was still alive. She knew that once they talked of their escape and Macro’s death their world would be changed forever.

  Marcus chewed on a slice of badger meat. “So Morwenna is back.”

  Julius said, “More than back. She has claimed to be the Queen of the Brigante and raised the Brigante in rebellion.”

  Gaelwyn paused mid-chew. “The Brigante! Who was stupid enough to lead that fool’s revolt?”

  The names we had were Parthalan, he died near Lindum, Ownie and Coll. We are still looking for those two”

  “Colla,” Gaelwyn spat into the fire, making it sizzle, “he was always a pompous jumped up self-important little toad.”

  “You didn’t like him then?” joked Salvius.

  “I just can’t believe that anyone would follow him.”

  “They didn’t. Morwenna used her mother’s tricks and had the support of the women.”

  There all ate in silence for a few moments, the memories of Fainch still painful to all of them and they contemplated the fire remembering Fainch and her evil and ruing the return of her daughter. “And I didn’t help by chasing over these hills after Modius.”

  “Yes Macro told us about that.”

  Suddenly Salvius and Julius stopped mid chew and looked at each other. “You met Macro?”

  Ailis threw Gaius a look which spoke volumes. Gaelwyn shook his head. “We couldn’t avoid talking about it could we?” Gaius was annoyed with himself for his lack of thought and taking a deep breath continued, “Macro met us in Caledonia and helped us to rescue Ailis and the boys from Lulach and his men.”

  “But where is he?” Even as he spoke Julius knew the answer.

  “He died saving us.”Ailis put her arms around Young Decius who had been hanging on every word. His eyes were large with tears.

  “He took many warriors with him and he had a brave death. He had a warrior’s death.”

  “I can’t believe that there was anyone who could defeat the big man.”

  “If your enemies stand off and fill you full of arrows there is nought any warrior, even a great one like Macro can do.”

  Salvus looked over at the troopers. “The men will take it hard.”

  “We will not tell them until we are back in Morbium. I want them focussed on Morwenna. We have to finish this. Gaelwyn the tracks you found, they headed to Glanibanta?”

  “Aye.”

  “And Marcus were there any tracks on the path.”

  “No Prefect. And yes you are correct. The only place they could have gone last night is Glanibanta. There would be shelter there.”

  Gaius threw his gnawed bone into the fire. “What do you think her plans are?”

  “I believe she was trying to get to Caledonia. She has a Caledonii warriors by her side. She served Lulach before and she will do so again for it serves both their purposes. We prevented that and drove her down here. I think the snow, while it aided her, may have changed her plans. She could go back to Mona.”

  “And you would follow her there?”

  “I would follow her beyond the seas to the ends of the world if needs be. But first I will take most of the men to Glanibanta and see if she remains there. Hopefully this chase ends today and we can return with you to Brocauum and the Legate. Cassius.”

  The Decurion had been standing with Livius about thirty paces away and was there almost instantly. “Yes Prefect?”

  “Detail ten troopers to stay here and guard the Tribune and prepare to move out later today.”

  “We don’t need that Julius.”

  “Marcus I do not intend to lose you again. This is as close to a family as I have outside of Rome and each one of you, even the old man, is dear to me. Livius mount. We ride and end this today.”

  On the ridge to the east Aodh and his scout watched
as they saw the cavalry mount and ride to Glanibanta. “I fear we will not be meeting Pol today.”

  “No Tadgh and it poses a serious problem for us. We will return to the cave and the Queen for we have much to discuss.” Aodh took the two men back over the rocks which were bare of snow, leaping from one to another to hide their tracks. It was even more important for them to hide their presence form the hunters. They walked up the stream which led from their cave and waved the signal to the hidden sentry.

  “We are all that remains of your army.” Aodh made the bald, cold statement for he wanted the young Queen to be under no illusions about their predicament.”

  “Could we still get to Caledonia?” There was still calmness about her and Aodh noticed that when she spoke the acolytes, Maban and Anchorat, closed their eyes as though they were communicating with their mentor.

  “It would be difficult. The snow is not yet deep here but the road is along one to Caledonia. A boat might be found but we would need to travel to somewhere where they have boats capable of such a voyage and they, I fear, would be Roman.”

  “As ever Aodh I know that you have already come up with a solution have you not?”

  Tadgh and the other warriors looked in amazement at the Queen who seemed to be able to read minds. Aodh merely smiled, he had seen this trick many times before. “I suggest we stay here. The cave is warm and we have supplies. There is water and wood nearby and, once the Romans have gone, when they can no longer find us, we will be able to hunt. In the spring, when they think we are dead we will travel north and meet with Lulach.”

  “That is the wisest suggestion and I concur with one amendment. When the Romans have gone I want you to go to Lulach and inform him of our deeds and our plans. I would send Tadgh or one of the others but Lulach will know that you come from me as my emissary. When you go I will give you my raven to protect you and to ensure that he believes you.”

  “I would prefer to stay here my love.”