by Griff Hosker
The Governor looked over at the Prefect and nodded. “I can see why this officer is held in such high regard. He has a brain. The officials in the port did not pursue the matter but you can.”
“How long have I got?”
“Bluntly and well put Decurion. You have until you find him but if you take longer than a year then there are some who might think you had joined your brother and a larger expedition might have to be put together to return both of you to a warm welcome in Rome.” The threat was no longer implicit.
“I understand.” He would succeed and succeed quickly, or die. It was good to know where you stood.
“I also have this,” the Governor handed over another sheet of calfskin. “This is a copy of the map of the Empire, mainly the west. If he does goes east then you will need to use your pass to acquire another. No more questions?” Again Livius had hundreds but they had been driven from his mind by the enormity of the task. “Good. Well if you and the Prefect would like to organise your succession and say your goodbyes…”
Their dismissal was obvious and, taking his precious packets and gold they left. “What a prick!”
Smiling at the unusual outburst from the normally calm and stoic Prefect, Livius said, “I think you will have to bite your tongue a little more or risk censure sir.”
“I am too old for politics Livius and you are well out of it. Your mission may be difficult but it is in your own hands whereas I have to put up with that arrogant, perfumed Legate and his preening Dacians. Yes I agree with him, the sooner we defeat the barbarians, the sooner he can go back to Dacia and leave us in peace!”
* * * * * *
“He has got be joking… sir”
Livius smiled, despite himself at Rufius’ outburst. It was so out of character for the thoughtful young scout. After they had left the office the Prefect and Livius had picked up the two Explorates and retired to the Prefect’s office, protected from intrusion by the men of the first century, the elite of the legion. The two men had listened patiently as Livius had outlined their task and it was only then that Rufius threw restraint to the winds. “No he is not joking Rufius.”
“But your young scout is correct in his underlying thought. It is madness. Three of you wandering around the Empire trying to find a brother and his gold. He could be anywhere and almost impossible to find.”
Rufius just shook his head as Livius looked again at the packets he had been given. “This frumentari pass. It’s a double edged sword isn’t it sir?”
“Yes Livius. The frumentarii are amongst the most feared men in the Empire and, at the same time the most hated. Were I to offer any advice it would be to use it as little as possible. The other packet is of more use, merely asking for assistance as it does. Men can refuse to give assistance or find devious ways around it whereas they may have things to hide from a frumentari and…”
“Yes but it does not guarantee aid does it?” Livius peered closely at the map, memorizing every detail and seeing, for the first time, just how big the Empire was.
Rufius realised what he had said. “Sorry about my outburst sir but where do we start? If we were tracking him from here I could do it easily sir. I would look for footprints and the tracks they had left. The broken trees, bushes and that sort of thing. But how in the name of the Allfather do we track across the sea?”
“We have a starting point; Namnetum. I suppose we can only hope that they landed somewhere close by…”
“Yes sir but that was months ago. There will not be any tracks will there? I mean not now.”
“It could be a pleasant little holiday then eh?” Livius looked across at Metellus who, having been silent up to now was looking closely at the map. “You are very quiet Metellus? Are you thinking the same as Rufius then? That we are mad?”
“Well of course we are mad sir, we are Explorates and I was thinking exactly the same as Rufius until he gave me the idea of how we can find them.” All three men stared open mouthed at Metellus who suddenly appeared supremely confident. “You see sir Rufius said he would look for what is different when tracking on land, broken branch, and hoof print. The usual sort of thing we do, well he is right you can’t do that in water but when we reach Namnetum there will be things we can look for.”
“Such as?”
“Well, off the top of my head two things spring to mind. Assuming they left the gold on the boat they would have had to acquire a new crew and that big bugger that your brother had with him would be hard to miss and if he wasn’t there then the scar faced one, Cassius called him Centurion, I am sure that he would stand out. When they do eventually reach land they are going to have to transport the gold and that will either take wagons or mules. People remember that sort of thing because someone makes money out of the sale.” He suddenly looked serious. “And there is one more bit of evidence we can look for.”
“Which is?”
“The bodies. The sailors weren’t the first victims were they? Remember those poor sods from Itunocelum? They were just killed out of hand. No, where they reach the land there will be a sunken boat and dead sailors. I don’t think it is hopeless sir, just bloody hard but then we have Rufius with us don’t we? Half man, half dog, “he ruffled the young scout’s head, “and, as of today, half worrying old woman! It is like having a younger Gaelwyn with us.”
“Seriously though, you don’t have to come with me. I will not order you to go for I am not sure we will be coming back. If you come then you come as a volunteer.” The mention of the bodies had reminded Livius how ruthless his brother could be. He was not only changing his own life but that of his comrades.
“Well of course we volunteer. A nice little break in Gaul, try to find your brother and the gold then back to Britannia.”
The Prefect who had listened to the interchange silently spoke up sadly and thoughtfully, “And if you do not find him, you cannot come back here for there will be a death sentence over you.”
“Well sir I always wanted to travel so this sounds like my kind of job. Besides from what you both said it is not going to be a barrel of laughs with the new Legate. Sorry to remind you sir.” The Prefect nodded.
“Good man Metellus. And Rufius?”
Grinning he said, “Do you need to ask? Forget what I said before. I am not the thinker here, it is Metellus.” As long as we are not on the water long, I don’t like water. I am a man of the mountains and the hills.”
Holding out his hand the Prefect grasped Livius’ in the soldier’s handshake. “Well I will leave you to complete your planning. I will promote Cassius as you suggested. Confidentially I think the role of the Ninth is even more difficult than yours and I would quite like to be with you boys. This sounds like an adventure.”
“Sorry sir you are right. Wish the boys luck and if you could drop off our horses at Cato’s they will be looked after.”
Rufius looked up in alarm. “Our horses? But…”
“Sorry Rufius. We have no idea how big the boats will be that we have to use. We will need to get horses abroad. “
“Just when I get a horse and saddle I like as well.”
Part One
The Legion heads north
Chapter 3
Ailis and Gaius were surprised when Prefect Karus rode up at the head of a column of men. “Just a courtesy visit. I have dropped off some horses at Sergeant Cato’s farm. Livius left them with me to be stabled.“ They looked at him curiously and he dismounted to speak quietly to the two of them. “Just to say that Livius will not be around for a while, he has a task to complete which will take him away from Morbium and we, the rest of the legion,” he waved at the legionaries, “are heading north. Your sons are going to war.”
As the column was led along the well worn track to the road to Morbium Gaius called out, “May the Allfather be with you.” Turning to his wife, whose eyes were moist with tears, he put his arm around her shoulders. “We knew that the day would come when the boys would go to war. It has just arrived a little sooner than we had expec
ted.”
“I know Gaius but, Livius; he would have looked after them. He would have protected them.” She threw her head on his shoulder. “And I never even got to say goodbye to them!”
“They would have to stand on their own feet ere long and besides there are others there who will watch over them. And at least they will not be far away.”
“But the Prefect said north.”
“Aye and north at the moment is the Stanegate, we are on the frontier. Macro and Marcus will be but a two day ride away from us.” He paused and looked northwards. “As will our enemies. We are not as safe as we once were. If they are sending the Ninth north then there must be serious trouble afoot. I will get the men to dig another ditch.” He looked at the villa which had grown substantially over the last fifteen years; so long to build and yet it could be destroyed in the wink of an eye. He shouted over to Decius. “Come on son we have some more building to do.”
Decius Gaius positively bounded over to join his father. He hero worshipped his father, as did his brother Marcus but Decius for a different reason he admired what his father had done since he had left the army. He admired the building and management of this most successful farm. There were as many workers and slaves on the farm as in some of the smaller vici in the area and its success was down to his father. He did not resent his brother’s joy of war, he wished him luck, but for Decius the joy would be to build his father’s vision into an even better farm.
* * * * * *
Cassius watched as the two young Explorates sparred. Macro was definitely the stronger of the two but Marcus had a quickness and cunning about him which thwarted the more powerful warrior at every turn. They were, as in all things, well matched. Both had grown since the campaigns of the previous year. It was not the army rations which had built the powerful young warriors rather it was their skill with bows which augmented their rations. They had become so successful that the legionaries paid them to bring them game to supplement their diet. The two young men were becoming not only popular but rich. Neither of them seemed concerned with visits to the vicus of Morbium, the taverns and the whore houses. They went with their comrades as it was expected of them but the aftermath of the wake of Marcus Maximunius had driven all need for alcoholic stimulation from their minds.
Cassius missed Livius, Metellus and Rufius. They had been a good team and he longed for their return from Eboracum. It was not the organisation of the small group of Explorates which taxed him, after all with the other three away it only left him six men to manage; it was the comradeship and humour of the men he had fought alongside for years. He missed Metellus’ intelligence and Rufius’ enthusiasm. He knew that Marcus and Macro missed Rufius whom they followed like puppy dogs. Cassius only had Decius who had served with him for some time but the wounds incurred in the last battles had made him less outgoing and more concerned with himself. With his friend Agrippa dead he was beginning to feel like the last man standing.
His main conversations were with Lentius and Drusus, the other two decurions. Although technically superior in rank, they had all served together in Marcus’ Horse and been the first Explorates serving with the Ninth. They were easy and familiar together. They had been with Livius when he had taken his first patrol close to Glanibanta.
The snapping to attention of the sentries was the first warning that the Prefect had returned. Cassius smiled to himself, his brief command had ended and he could return to being Cassius, Explorate. He was a little concerned that he could not see Livius or the others but assumed they had stopped off to see Gaius and Cato. A home cooked meal before a campaign was not to be ignored or wasted. The Prefect entered alone and rode to the Praetorium. He nodded to Cassius and then entered the office. The look worried Cassius, it had not been casual. “Right lads the Prefect is back. Go and get your stuff together. He hasn’t brought the cohorts in which means we must be moving soon.”
The two young men whooped and hollered as they ran to the barracks. Cassius turned to Lentius and Drusus who had also ended training. “Were we ever that young?”
Drusus ruefully shook his head, “Was anyone that young? I admire Livius, only he could control those two.”
Cassius came to the defence of his young cockerels. “Oh they are not so bad. A little enthusiastic but they work hard but you are right Rufius has a good relationship and they view Livius as an uncle.”
“I don’t doubt that they are hard workers Cassius but they are young and, in a pinch, will they be as good as the experienced men we have? How will they cope if, as the rumours run, we are heading north?”
Cassius bristled, “They will cope, believe me they will cope.” He shrugged. “We did and Rufius and Decius were not much older when we went to the land of the lakes.”
Their discussion which threatened to escalate into a full blown argument was ended when Karus’ aide came over. “The Prefect wishes to speak to the Decurions in the office.” Cassius turned to return to the barracks and join his fellows. “You too Cassius, the Prefect wishes to speak with you.”
Drusus and Lentius looked at Cassius who looked as mystified as they. He could not imagine why the Prefect would wish to see him. Had he done something wrong? He wracked his brain and memory but found nothing that could have been held against him.
The office was quite crowded with all the remaining senior officers in the room. The Prefect smiled an apologetic smile. “Sorry that we are crowded but we will soon have plenty of open spaces and I am sure the Camp Prefect here will be pleased to have the extra mouths out of his fort.” The Camp Prefect gave a dutiful but false smile. He would be glad when he could have his camp just filled with auxiliaries. Although the Ninth weren’t as bad as some of the legions he had served with they all seemed to have a superior attitude towards auxiliaries as though the legionaries would do things differently. They were always glad to see the auxiliaries on a battlefield when they were thinning out the enemy and making the legionary’s task easier.
The Prefect’s voice was serious and set the mood of the meeting. “As you may have heard we are heading north. First we will be going to Coriosopitum where the legion will be mustered. We have a new Legate to command the army. Aulus Salonius. He served with the Emperor in Dacia and he will be in overall command of the army.” Prefect Karus was a loyal soldier and he would not disparage his new commander and his ideas before the men. He would do his duty but privately he had grave doubts about the proposed strategy. ”As you know we lost many fine officers in the Brigante uprising and it is time to replace them.” He pointed to the squat powerfully built man next to him. “This is the new First Spear, Tiberius Gratius Piso. I am sure you will all find out that he served with the Twentieth in Wales. The man next to him is Gnaeus Marius Ocella who is the new centurion of the first century.” By contrast with Piso, Ocella was very tall. Cassius thought to himself that he would be easy to spot on a battlefield. If he was that tall he must be good for tall men did not last long in a shield wall. “The other two new centurions are already at Coriosopitum. Now gentlemen we leave within the hour. Our new Legate will explain the tactics and strategies we will employ in our campaign.” He leaned forward across the table. “I am here to tell you that we will fully support the Legate. The Ninth will uphold the honour of those who went before us.” Heads turned to ask silent questions. Everyone read much into the words it was a strange comment with which to end. “Oh sorry one more appointment to tell you about. Decurion Princeps Sallustius and two of his Explorates have been given a task to complete by the new Governor. Effective as of now Cassius Marius Pontius is hereby appointed as Decurion in the Explorates and will take over the Decurion Princeps’ duties as Decurion.” The smile he gave to Cassius was genuine. “Well done Decurion. Livius had no qualms about your recommendation. High praise indeed.”
The earlier argument was forgotten as Cassius was congratulated and teased by Lentius and Drusus. “We will have to leave the celebration until this campaign is over.”
Drusus looked unhappy
as they returned to their quarters. “Sleeping dogs, we should let them lie.”
“What do you mean? We have to have a safe frontier.”
“Yes but you know as well as I do that any new general wants to show that he is better than the ones who went before him. He will stir up a hornet’s nest. The tribes are quiet let us leave them alone.”
“First sleeping dogs and now hornet’s nests. You have animals on your brain.”
“Yes Cassius we had better keep him away from his horse.”
Drusus chased Lentius as Cassius laughed until he almost cried. Even though he missed his three companions it was good to know that Drusus and Lentius had welcomed him. The problem now was that he was three Explorates short and it was too late to get more. He would have to make do. Marcus and Macro would be unhappy without Rufius but Cassius had the feeling that this just might be the making of them.
The road to Coriosopitum was well travelled but, in the last three years or so, had been the scene of many raids and ambushes. Prefect Karus was taking no chances and he kept the Explorates well ahead of the main column. Although the road was well made and as with all legionary built roads, straight, it did contain many crests and passed through enormous forests. A legion on the march was at its most vulnerable. Had they been available then Prefect Karus would have had a whole ala of cavalry protecting both flanks. He turned to First Spear Piso. He had only met the man, who would be responsible for inspiring and leading the legion in battle, shortly before the meeting. Karus had chosen to walk next to him to gauge the mettle of the man.
“This is unlike the land of Ordovices and Silures eh First Spear?”
“Yes Prefect. Bloody great mountains there, and narrow little roads there and nasty little men trying to cut off your bollocks. This is much easier.”
Karus detected that Piso thought the new leader was being disparaging about the lack of progress in the north.”I suppose the terrain may be but be under no illusions the country north of us is as big as the rest of Britannia and it is filled with enemies. Wales had two or three tribes; here we have dozens. The Caledonii have never been conquered. Our only victory was when Agricola led us.”