by Griff Hosker
“Proculus here will be in charge of them when they go to the land of the Rhenus. Oh and see if there are, say, six or so men who would like to volunteer for detached duty until they have fought their first action. Offer them a temporary pay grade of optio.” Even as Gnaeus wondered who he could be rid of the Legate went on, “I want decent men for they will be returning to the legion and I want our Prefect here to give me a good report.” Proculus gave a wry smile and inclined his head to one side. He, too, had known what the Tribune would have attempted. “Right, off you go. You will need to get acquainted. You leave today!”
As they left Marius said, “Sorry about this duty, and stealing your men. I will return them I promise.”
“If you return. These Pannonians are a wild bunch and the Chauci, well I have heard of them too. Madmen, apparently. I would be worried to take my regular cavalry against them, let alone a bunch of wild barbarians who like nothing better than to take off a head or two and adorn their saddles with them.”
“I have heard that but this is a chance and I intend to take it.”
They walked towards the stables in silence for a while. “If you don’t mind me asking, Prefect, what is your background? Even the officials in Rome do no pick out a name at random to command allies.”
Proculus paused, “My father was the victim of one of Caligula’s little purges. I was serving with the First Minerva as a Narrow Stripe Tribune, much as yourself, I was arrested and thrown into prison. Luckily for me Claudius came to power and I was released.” He paused and looked sadly off to the west. “The rest of my family, all of them died. I suspect I am being given this assignment to be away from Rome and they hope that I will not return.”
The Tribune was taken aback by the honesty of the Prefect. In the treacherous world since the death of Augustus you kept your counsel until you knew the politics of the person to whom you were speaking. “Very honest of you and sympathy for your loss.”
Proculus shrugged, “The Legate said that you were an honest man and I have tired of deceit. I now speak my mind. Keeping silent when that madman was shagging his sister and his horse did no-one any good. Perhaps a little more honesty might help.”
“I admire your sentiments but do not believe all that you have heard about the Divine Claudius. He is not a stammering half wit as some would have us believe and he had spies everywhere. I would watch your tongue until you get to know people.”
“I will and, as I said, I only spoke to you after the Legate spoke well of you. I wanted you to know what kind of man I am. That may help in your selection of my men.”
They had reached the stables. “Decurion!”
An older cavalryman appeared from nowhere. “Sir?”
“Get the men on parade. We need to address them.”
Decurion Spurius was a veteran and he was no longer surprised by commands from the young officers who ordered him around. “Sir!”
“We are going on a recruiting drive while we collect taxes and the Prefect here will command the Pannonians we recruit. We will need six volunteers to be detached from this legion to help him to train them. They will be returning to duties here when the men are trained but to compensate the men concerned I can offer a pay rise to that of an optio. If you are interested then speak with Decurion Spurius. We will of course decide which six men are chosen.”
The tax collector was less than happy as he bounced along the road on the back of his horse. He was not a horseman and he liked his comfort but the Legate had been insistent. Even worse he had to do this collection quickly which was not his way. He liked to study the places he went and discern who was trying to rob the Emperor. The sooner these barbarians were recruited the better as far as he was concerned.
At the head of the column the Tribune rode next to the Prefect with the Decurion behind, listening. “What are these Pannonians like then?”
“Mad little ugly buggers who’ll whip your bollocks off as soon as look at you!” The men behind laughed.
“Thank you Decurion. Very colourful I am sure. First off the Decurion is right they are ferocious fighters but the finest men on horses I have ever seen. It is as though it is not two beings but one. Did you know this is the land where the Centaurs were thought to have lived? Seeing them I can believe it. They ride with their knees and can use both hands to fight, bow, javelins, lance, and any weapon no matter what the type.”
“Which begs the question how did we win?”
“I hate to say it but the legion did that. They are brave as any warrior and they hurled themselves at the legionaries who sheltered behind their shields and hammered them with ballistae. When their horses tired then they were surrounded and butchered. They only obey their chief; they do not even have a king which was another reason we won. We beat them bit by bit. Had every horsemen joined to fight us then we would have struggled.” He turned to look at the Prefect. “You will have your work cut out you know. They don’t know the meaning of orders; well not as far as I can see.”
They rode in silence for a while and then the Tribune said, over his shoulder, have you thought of any men who might volunteer Spurius?”
The veteran gave a throaty laugh. “I can think of a few wankers I could give to the Prefect but he seems a nice chap so I will pick five who are good enough to take charge of a bunch of hairy arsed barbarians.”
“I assume that this is just for one campaign?”
“That depends on how good they are. I think I am expendable; if they kill me then Caligula’s work is done and if I succeed then it can be repeated. From what you say though I think they would be a valuable asset. Think of the times your hundred and twenty troopers have been the only cavalry on the field. My father said we used to have Numidians but not in our lifetime and besides I don’t think the land we are going to would suit Africans from the desert. It is supposed to full of foetid swamps, forests and fogs.”
“Your job gets better and better!”
By the time they were approaching Cavta, Wolf’s village, they had recruited three hundred warriors. Marius and Gnaeus had still not settled on the men they would use as officers but they had whittled the list down. “We’ll make our decision tonight after this village.”
“What is this one like Gnaeus?”
“This is an interesting one. The warriors here like fighting so much that after the peace they took to raiding the Germans.”
“The Germans! Are they mad?”
“I told you, mad as fish. They generally get the worse of it as they were outnumbered but it doesn’t stop them trying. The trouble is it means there are fewer men here. Still it is the last stop on this leg and we head back tomorrow in a loop to the west. We should have good pickings there.”
Abad saw the long Roman column from some distance. He glared at Wolf who defiantly faced him. “You endangered this whole village and for what,” he contemptuously threw down the helmet and sword Wolf had brought proudly into the village, “this! And what of the boys who are injured following you! Wolf! You are a wolf and a lone wolf at that. Better we cast you from the village than allow you to stay here and contaminate others.”
Gerjen stepped forwards, “That is not fair! We went because we wanted to go. We would be men as you were. You went on raids when you were a boy! Why not us?”
“That was in the past and times have changed. We are now ruled by Rome.” He pointed at the nearing column. ”This is the future. We now have civilisation and prosperity.” He jabbed an angry finger at Wolf as though it was a sword. “You! Return to your mother. When the Romans have left we will decide your fate.”
The other boys stood defiantly around their leader. Gerjen pointed impudently back at Abad. “If Wolf goes, then we all go!”
Wolf could not help but smile as Abad became apoplectically red in the face. “How dare you speak like that to me. I will have you whipped.”
Wolf paused, “Leave it Gerjen. I am more than happy to leave the village for it is now a village of women.”
His mother held
back her tears as he entered the dark hut. “You are just like your father, aye and your brothers.”
“You can come with me mother.”
She laughed. “And do what? No my son do not worry about me. I am still the best midwife in the village. I will not starve but you are, like your father, a warrior. I should have seen it.” She took the family amulet from around her neck. “Take this; it came from your father when we wed and he had it from his mother. It will keep you safe and when you touch it you will think of me.”
As soon as he put it around his neck he felt different. When he looked at it, his mouth almost dropped open. “It is a wolf.”
“Your appetite was not the only reason for your name. Your father was proud that you fought like a wolf for that is the family emblem. You are the Wolf!”
Wolf heard the jingling of horse furniture and wished he could see these warriors who had conquered his people. He peered around the door and saw the column of men in shining armour and red cloaks; their shields and swords gleaming in the afternoon sun. There were warriors; with armour like that a man need not fear an enemy. He had never seen so many men dressed the same way before. It was no wonder that his father and the others had been defe3ated by such a mighty enemy. One of the elders walked by and slammed the door shut so that he could not peer around. The red rage came and he would have thrown open the door and ripped out the man’s throat had his mother not put a gentle arm around his shoulder. “Now is not the time, my son.”
Abad had calmed himself by the time the tax collector and the officers had dismounted. The one he knew, the Tribune spoke, “Before we begin I have a request to make headman. We are seeking warriors for a campaign against the Chauci. We will pay and arm as many of your warriors who wish to join us.” He pointed to the south. “The others we have recruited await us in their camp. I know that you do not have many warriors, but any you have…”
Abad almost leapt to his feet with joy. The gods were smiling on him. He could ingratiate himself with the Romans and be rid of all the bad apples in one fell swoop. “We have ten young warriors in the village and I am sure they would be suitable.”He glanced up at his brother. “Fetch them!”
“All of them?”
Abad looked meaningfully at Wolf’s hut, “All of them!”
When the ten young warriors were gathered all but Wolf wondered if they were to be punished by the Romans who seemed to be inspecting them. The one with the crested helmet came over and addressed them, haltingly in their own language. “Your headman says that you would be willing to fight for Rome for a year, for pay. But I would know what you young warriors have to say for you will be fighting far away from your home and I would not have you desert. “He stared at them all. “The penalty for desertion is death. So, who will join?”
The nine of them all looked at Wolf who said, “We will join, Roman!”
Chapter 2
As they rode from the village, none of the young warriors looked back, nor did they speak. They were the youngest of the band of Pannonians which headed south. They had received a cursory inspection by the older, scarred warriors and then ignored although their place at the rear of the column which headed across the dirty plain was clearly a mark of their status; they were the untried warriors. Wolf was offended but he knew he had to prove himself to his fellow tribesmen. His people lived separate lives and had only come together, albeit reluctantly and a little late, to fight off the Roman invader. Each clan used different weapons, horse furniture, even their style of hair and Wolf couldn’t help looking enviously at the neat Roman troopers who looked identical.
“Wolf, where did they say we were going?”
The officer’s words, although accurate had been hard to hear but Wolf had given the red crested Tribune his total attention. “To the west, by the sea.”
Gerjen had never heard this word before. He had no concept what it meant. He looked at Wolf almost willing his leader to give him the answer but he knew he would have to risk scorn to find out the answer to his question. “What is the sea?”
Surprisingly Wolf did not heap scorn on his friend. His action in the ambush had elevated Gerjen, he was now trusted by Wolf; he had earned his respect and Wolf understood his friend’s confusion. He had had to ask his mother when he had returned for his arms and clothes. “It is like a pond except you cannot see the other side and it is salty. If you drink it you drown.”
“Why are we going there?”
“The Chauci, brothers of the Marcomanni, live close by and the Romans will pay us to kill them.” Wolf had never been as happy in his life. Someone was going to pay him, feed him and arm him to fight and, even better, to fight his enemies; the ones who had killed his father.
As they approached the fort the three officers at the front discussed the men who had volunteered and then chosen to be the six men who would command this barbarian horde. They had only managed to recruit seven hundred Pannonians but it was a start and meant that each of the Romans would be responsible for a hundred and twenty men; Marius thought that was more than enough. He needed the troopers to know the barbarians they commanded for he knew that the big issue would be control. He had no doubt that the barbarians would fight but would they obey orders. It was one of the reasons he had wanted Roman officers rather than using the native leaders.
“So Decurion, go through the six men with your assessment of each one to give the Prefect an idea of what he can expect.”
Decurion Spurius Ocella thought about what he was about to say. He had taken a long time to reach the elevated rank of Decurion and he wondered how many times he had been discussed by others. He determined to give an honest opinion of each man, regardless of how he felt about them as comrades. Sextus Vatia was an old friend and he felt safe talking about him first. “Sextus Vatia joined about ten years ago. He is reliable and follows orders. Perhaps not able to come up with a plan himself he can follow any plan you give him sir. Then there is Quintus Atinus, he is the oldest one of these and he did have a family but the fever took them. The lads confide in him. I know it isn’t important but your Pannonians, when they learn to talk a decent language, will tell him things. He has that ability.” He looked at the Tribune. “He is the one we will miss the most sir; he is the one they whinge to and he normally puts them straight. Now Flavius Bellatoris, he is the youngest of the ones you have and he is the one with ideas. He is quick, both with his hands and his mind. He is the best with a sword in the whole Turma. He can think his way out of problems. Seems a pleasant lad too. One final thing, he can speak the local language. Don’t ask me how but he can translate for you.” Marcus smiled to himself. He suspected that to Spurius they were all young lads. “Now the other three.” The Tribune and Prefect exchanged a glance; the Decurion had given them the good news about the better three and now he was going to give them the bad news about the other three. “Publius Tullus. What can I say about him? he is the dullest most boring man in the whole turma but, he is organised. The lads tease him because everything is laid out neatly on his cot and his armour is always polished, even when there is no inspection.” The Tribune smiled, his surprise inspections were notorious for keeping the men on their toes, and obviously Publius was not worried by such inspections. “Numerius Buteo, “The Decurion gave a knowing look at his commander, “Well you know what he is like. Fucking mental!”
Marcus looked at Gnaeus, “Mental?”
“Yes, Decurion Spurius is right and we considered long and hard about this one. He seemed the best of the rest. He is brave to the point of insanity. The number of an enemy does not worry him and I have seen him charge fifty men on his own. Luckily we have taught him to listen to the cornu and obey, albeit reluctantly.”
“Thank you, that is handy to know.”
“Finally we have your bastard, Aulus Murgus. He is a bully. You will have to watch him he uses his fists more than he should but he is probably the best cavalryman you have. Tough, a good fighter, he can think and doesn’t panic. Me? I hate him and others li
ke him. there is no way I would recommend him for promotion in the regular army but,” he waved a had in the general direction of the barbarians who were following, “with a bunch of mad barbarians you might just need some steel and Aulus is just that, hard as nails.”
“Thank you for your honesty Decurion and I am just sorry that you didn’t volunteer. I could have used you.”
The Tribune smiled, “And I couldn’t do without him Marcus so there is no way you would have got him.”
The Decurion muttered under his breath, “No fucking way I would sleep with a bunch of hairy arsed barbarians within slicing distance of my dick!”
The two senior officers heard and smiled. The habit of slicing off Roman soldier’s manhoods by barbarians was well known and accounted for the harsh treatment of any barbarian unlucky enough not to die on the battlefield.
“Well that is useful, thank you both. With your permission I will build a camp close to the gyrus and begin training straight away. You are going for more taxes and recruits?”
“Yes we will have a quick turnaround and we should be back within three weeks.”
“My orders are clear. I leave in three weeks no matter how many men I have. There are other officers charged with raising bands just such as this.”
“I am tempted to come with you. It might be interesting to see barbarians led by Romans.”
Spurius sniffed, “Could be a disaster too sir. Imagine having a thousand barbarians on your flank. I know most of the Ninth would be a bit twitchy about that.”
“I think Decurion, that this is the future. The Emperor seems intent upon conquering the known world and we have a limited number of citizens we can use. I suppose we will have to use the conquered people at some time.”
“That’s as may be sir but the prefect here had best sleep with a pugeo under his bed if he wants to live beyond this campaign.”
The Pannonians lounged lazily near their horses watching the seven Romans who were holding some kind of meeting. They had all joined for different individual reasons but the one reason which unified them all was a desire to fight. Some of them were even casting hateful glances at others whose clans they had fought in inter clan disputes. When they were established there would be some old scores to settle. Wolf and his small group kept to themselves. Wolf was not worried about the other warriors but Darvas and some of the others were. Wolf had decided that he would not back down it trouble broke out. He was not called the Wolf for nothing.