by Griff Hosker
“Your love, you mean ...”
Macha was torn; half of her was upset that she had told him first that she loved him and the other was joyous that it was in the open. Before she could say anything Marcus had thrown his arms around her and kissed her passionately on the lips. Any outrage at the impertinence was soon replaced by a magical thrill which coursed through her body. When they came apart they stood staring deep into each other’s eyes. “I think you have your answer and I have mine but,” she cautioned, “as with my sister we must keep it secret. At least for now.” She leaned forward and gave him a quick peck. “And now my love I should go. I do not want to but I must.”
In the queen’s quarters the warrior who would soon be a father was gently stroking the queen’s hair as she lay with her head in his lap. “How is the child?”
“As restless as a young colt. He will be a warrior. It will not be long now my love.”
“What will your people say when he is born?”
“What they will say is long live the prince what they think will be a little different but I am queen. Whatever I do is right by my people. You can see from the warriors joining us now that they tire of Venutius and the Carvetii. Soon we will be able to join with your Roman army and defeat him.”
“That will be easier said than done my love. I saw his stronghold at Brocavum. It will take at least a legion to storm that and the land before it is inhospitable and barren of food and shelter. With only two alae we would struggle to protect our lines.”
“Did you visit the land further west?” Ulpius shook his head. “It is very fertile it is a land of water, hills and woods. The grass there would provide rich fodder for your horses. There are many lakes and it is close to the western sea. If you had a fort there you could supply it from the sea which is but a day’s ride from there. We do not have ships amongst the Brigante but I know that you Romans can use the sea as a road. ”
Ulpius laughed a deep laugh. “You truly are a warrior and a general. Other women talk of children and clothes but you my love can talk of war and talk wisely of war. I will mention this to the prefect. When the days become longer I will take my ala.
Marcus Bolanus was holding a meeting with the tribune. Much as he disliked the tribune he knew that he would have to work with him until he had appointed tribunes of his own. The last thing he wanted was a debacle like the Scapula campaign against the Silures which had resulted in the only defeat of a legion in these lands. He would have to tread carefully until the Emperor despatched another legion to help the ninth subdue the north.
“Well tribune, are your troops ready for the invasion of the north?”
“The horses of the Pannonians are not as strong as I would like and our replacements have not arrived but, other than that yes we are ready. But as we both know we cannot subdue the strongholds without the legions.”
“True and that is why I have summoned another legion. We must use your cavalry to pin down the barbarians and prevent them gathering strength.”
The tribune had already discussed this with the prefect of cavalry and they both knew that the major problem was a secure base. They needed a fortress close to where they would be operating to enable them to strike quickly and control a large area. The Carvetii had no cavalry of their own and their horses were pathetic ponies. As the legionaries said ‘pathetic ponies for the pathetic Britons’. “Perhaps we need to establish a base from which they can strike? Somewhere to the west? The legions subduing the Silures would protect their rear and they are close to the coast.”
The governor looked at the tribune in a different light. He was not the fool he took him to be. “Perhaps we could begin in the next few weeks. The barbarians will still be asleep and we could steal a march on them. Have you troops ready?”
The tribune grinned a wolfish grin; at last a chance to rid himself of the troublesome Ulpius. Ulpius Felix and his ala have already had great success, rescuing the queen and ridding the lands of the Brigante and the Carvetii.” It stuck in his craw to admit this but he wanted rid of the troublesome barbarian who could not have a charmed life for long.
“It would be dangerous.”
“Yes but we would be risking just five hundred men and, I assume, there is another alae coming with the legion?”
“Yes I heard today that the Samians are coming which will give us two thousand auxiliaries. We can let him have a couple of centuries of legionaries and with the dismounted troops he should have enough men to defend a fort and still harry the enemy. Make it so.”
Flavinius stared at the tribune’s quarters. The fool had just signed the death warrant of seven hundred men. To send a Roman force in the depths of winter was folly indeed. To send them through enemy territory bordered on the suicidal. Of course his objections had been overruled for the popinjay had the backing of the military governor. He had not had time to get to know the new man but what he had seen he had disliked. He yearned for a decent governor like Caesius Alasica but commanders such as he were viewed with suspicion for who knew when they might decide to become Emperor. Successful generals who were loved by their men were watched, monitored and investigated. Vespasian had done well to rise to become Emperor and Flavius hoped that his old commander would survive into a second year for he gave hope to the soldiers. He sighed as he wondered how he would convince his old friend, Ulpius, that he had a chance, which, of course, he had not.
He watched Ulpius striding through the camp. The man had a presence; had he still been in Pannonia he would have been a chief for he had the warrior’s instinct for survival and a keen strategic mind. If anyone had a chance on this foolish foray it was Ulpius.
“Come in decurion princeps. The Governor has a task for you. You are to take your ala and a vexillation of the Valeria Victrix and build a fort in Carvetii land to the west.” The prefect expected a reaction but Ulpius merely nodded. The decurion had long since given up expecting all orders to make sense and in truth he had been expecting some sort of mission. Too many Romans came to the army to make political careers, their ladders were not the scaling ladders of sieges but the bodies of the dead soldiers they trampled upon. The poor caligae were the ones whose bones littered Parthian deserts and German forests. He also saw in the tribune and military governor two men who appeared to want him to disappear. Since their arrival he had spent more time out of the fortress rather than in it. The second ala enjoyed mocking Ulpius and the men from the first ala as they enjoyed the benefits and comforts of barrack’s life.
“The twentieth are good soldiers. They did well against the Iceni. How many in the vexillation?”
“Just two centuries. They are to help build the fort and then provide the guards.” Again there was no reaction from the auxiliary which again surprised the prefect.
“At least they are not the Ninth. Remember they spent thirty years in our homeland and they are the laziest bastards I ever met.”
“And the most untrustworthy. Back in forty three they almost mutinied. I wish they had, a good decimation might have made them more reliable.”
Ulpius nodded. “Do I choose where to build the fort?”
“Yes,” his curiosity was aroused for Ulpius’ face became more animated. “Have you something in mind?”
“If I am to pin down the Carvetii I need to be close to their lands do I not?” His commander nodded. “Yet, if I am in their lands, I would have no allies and risk raids by small bands so I was thinking of something a little further south in Brigante land. Venutius is stronger in the north. The west has few people, narrow valleys and would be perfect for a fort. The Queen has told me of a site which should be perfect. If we are to travel over the short days I would prefer to be able to travel as far to the south as I could to avoid contact with Venutius. If the Queen loaned me a few of her bodyguard we could ensure that the locals were on our side and we could still harry the enemy.”
“That sounds like a good plan. This place the Queen told you of can you find it?”
“She said it is ea
sily defended, close to the coast, good water and with a day’s ride of Venutius’ stronghold.”
“You old fox. Don’t tell me you know how to get to such a place?” He nodded. “Not such a death ride as I expected. You will need to leave within the week.”
“One thing Flavinius, “he dropped his voice to a conspiratorial level so that the clerk could not eavesdrop. “I want no-one to know our precise destination. Just somewhere in the Carvetii lands will suffice. The raids on the supply columns convince me that there are spies in the camp. I will do as I did before and tell my men once we leave the comfort, safety and ears of this fort.”
“Yes I agree. I too am convinced that someone is passing information. Too many couriers are being lost. I will look into it while you are away. Things will be quiet here and not only for you. He looked knowingly at his old friend. He could see that he wished to say more. “And?”
“We are old comrades and, I hope, old friends.”
“Yes. I hope this is not a request to borrow money?” He joked.
“As old friends we trust each other and we can confide in each other.”
Flavinius was intrigued. “I am interested where this is going.”
“Taking a deep breath the decurion princeps launched into it. “The queen is with child, my child. I know that you would protect her but her condition means that she will need even more. You will watch over her. While I am away she will need your eyes, both of them to make sure she is safe. If I have some of her more trusted warriors she will be more vulnerable.”
“You are a fool. She is the queen! If the governor were to find out.”
“If the governor were to find out then we would have to deal with that but you are the only one who knows. I am trusting you.”
“I will watch over the queen my brother but I can do nothing for you if you are discovered.”
“I know but in the unborn child I have a future. I will be leaving something in this world when I depart instead of a few belongings to be shared out by my comrades. I will leave a little of Ulpius Felix; something of me will live on.”
The prefect nodded in agreement. To have a child was to have a future. “Be careful then and tell no-one else.” They grasped each other’s forearms in the soldier’s salute. “When you return we will celebrate with a libation to Mithras.”
“I will hold you to that. My next problem is to persuade the Queen that she is to stay here without me.”
“Well old friend I can not help you there. You are on your own.”
The queen had mixed emotions when she heard of his departure. She was fearful that she would be alone when giving birth but the warrior in her was excited at the prospect of a battle which might return her lands to her. “I will give you ten of my young bodyguards they will take you to a good place to build your fort. It will be hard my love. The hills through which you travel will soon be filling with snow; if you do not start soon you may not get there.”
“I know. We have a week to prepare.”
“And I have a week left to love.”
Rome
In Rome Vespasian threw down the report in disgust. Marcus Bolanus was obviously an incompetent fool and he needed replacing. He was ineffective allowing too much disruption in that part of the empire. Right now the Emperor needed the gold mines of Britannia producing gold to finance his war in the east. He needed the tin and copper to make even better weapons. He needed Britannia peaceful. The fact that the Queen of the Brigante had almost died was too much. Client kings were the mortar of the empire. They held its fragile structure together and allowed its soldiers to defeat the barbarians at the gates. He called over his scribe. “Send for Marcus Caesius Alasica and Quintus Cerialis.”
As the man disappeared Vespasian wondered why he had not thought of his young friend Caesius Alasica. He was a superb warrior and, more importantly, had been the first to come out in support of his claim to be Emperor. Quintus was a solid man who would make a good governor. He would brook no revolt and would handle the province with efficiency. Although it would take them some time to reach the outpost of Empire by the time the spring arrived Britannia would be in safe hands again and this time the whole of the island would be conquered. A secure northern border would allow him to set his sights on the Parthians, the nemesis of Rome. First Judea would be subdued and then Parthia. He would recapture and return the eagles of Crassus to rest in Rome.
Eboracum
Standing at the main gate Gaius Cresens was shocked to see Fainch, the witch, walking towards the camp. She was shuffling and had a ragged cloak about her head and shoulders making it difficult for anyone to see her but he recognised her immediately. He noted with some disquiet that she appeared to be heading towards him. He looked nervously round. No-one, apart from the bored guards at the gate, appeared to be watching him and there was no-one else within earshot but even so it was a dangerous thing to do. As she approached him she looked up at him and gestured for him to follow her. She led him away from the settlement through a grove of elder and blackthorn to the bank of the river. The spot she took him to was overgrown and could not be seen either from the river or the camp. When there she squatted down and pulled him down next to her.”For anyone watching you are taking me so while I talk make noises as though you are.”
“What?”
“Pretend you are fucking me by making noises you useless fat man! I have a message.” He grasped the idea and began to moan as she spoke. Whilst speaking she put in an occasional moan and moved the branches close by. “We know that the Romans are to move a force towards Venutius in the next seven days. You must find out precisely where he is going.”
“I have tried but no-one is speaking.”
“Try harder. As a reward I have more gold.” She showed him a bag containing more gold than he had seen before.
“That is a good reward.” He looked suspiciously at her. “Just for information.”
“You are becoming wiser, just talking to me, we wish for the queen to die now and if the cavalry leader dies too then that will delay the Roman plans.”
The quartermaster thought about it. He had already decided to do it. This gold would mean he could leave in the spring and return to Rome. “I will do it.”
“Good now squeal as though we are finished.” He did so. As he walked through the gates he saw that the guards were leering at him. Obviously the deception had worked and now he could begin to plan the death of Ulpius and try to work out how to acquire this information.
Fainch also left to continue her work. It was midnight when she met her inner circle of killers. They had killed most of the messengers sent from the fort. If it were not for the ships tying up at the jetties no news would arrive. This time she told her band that they had to find out where the Romans were going. She did not trust her spy and if she could augment her information she would.
Drusus and Marcus were drinking heavily in the soldier’s canteen. They were talking as quietly as drunken men talk. Most of the soldiers around them were ignoring them drinking as heavily as they could, knowing that in the next few days, many of them would be heading towards privation, danger and, probably, death. There was an exception. In the corner, hooded, but close enough to hear them sat Gaius Cresens who had made it is his business to follow the men of Ulpius’ ala when they were drinking. He had not risked asking questions but he knew the cavalrymen, he had been their decurion princeps and knew that the decurions would know where they were headed. So far it had been fruitless but he still had three days to go.
Drusus looked around furtively. “This place we are seeking. Morbium?”
“That is what Ulpius told me.”
“Where is it? I have not heard of it.”
“It is to the north. We found it on a patrol a few weeks ago. It is a place where we can ford the North river. There is a hill overlooking the ford and it could be fortified. Ulpius and the Brigante think it would be a good place to defend. We could assault the Carvetii and yet be within a two day ride of Catar
actonium.”
“Well at least the decurion princeps is not thinking too much of glory. He has us a bolt hole.”
“Ulpius is a wise warrior. He will not throw our lives away lightly. Come we have yet to check the picket lines.” The two soldiers left staggering and lurching a little as they did so. Cresens did not move. He had the information he needed although he did not know where Morbium was. He hoped the witch would for to ask further questions would invite too much suspicion. Besides the new wine just arrived from Rome was going down remarkably well.
Later when Marcus reported to Ulpius on his patrol of the picket lines he was walking in a less drunken manner. “Well?”
“I think I have missed my calling I should have been in the theatron as an actor.”
“You said the words I told you?”
“Word for word.”
“Did anyone leave just after you, or follow you?”
“No we waited but no one emerged. The wine was too good.”
“Were there any strangers in there?”
“No. There were a few fellows we did not recognise but all wore soldier’s garments.”
“Well hopefully one of the many spies will have been in there. You have done well.”
“Well enough for you to tell me where we are going?”
Ulpius smiled. “The Queen tells me that at Yuletide they give a surprise to friends and family. This will be my surprise present to you,” he paused, “I will tell you and the men when we are on the road.”
Cresens had delivered his information to Fainch who had looked more than a little pleased. His next task was to work out how to poison the Queen and Ulpius. He had decided that the festival of Yule would be the best opportunity for that was when they would eat and drink to excess. His problem was he did not yet know what they would be eating. He knew what Roman tastes were but not Brigante. As he sat in his quarters chewing on the last of the figs stolen from the Governor’s supplies he had an inspirational idea he would ask his slaves. He shouted for Annowre, the woman who cleaned for him and serviced him when he could get nothing better.