by Griff Hosker
Aindreas approached as a supplicant with open palms. He was coming in peace. Baroc still did not trust him and the men in the tops of the trees still had their bows aimed at the Selgovae King’s black heart.
“My brother, we have heard what the demons did to your women and I have brought my warriors to assist you in ridding the land of these hated and unwelcome Romans once and for all.”
Lugubelenus was not convinced by the words of the King and wished, not for the first time, that Radha was still at his side. She had an intuition about people which was uncannily accurate. Some said that it was because she was a priestess of the mother others said that she had dabbled in witchcraft. But the King felt that she would have known if the Selgovae King meant what he said. “We welcome any help as long as the men you bring serve me and follow my commands.”
“Of course. We are allies and we will do all that we can to aid you.”
“How many men do you bring?”
“ We have two thousand.”
“Good, then you are welcome.” The two kings embraced and the trap was complete. The Ninth legion was now outnumbered and surrounded on all sides by enemies who wanted to destroy the mighty legion.
* * * * * *
When Drusus and his last three Explorates dragged themselves into the camp the three battered cohorts were receiving treatment for their wounds and repairing equipment damaged in the abortive attack. The Prefect was, again, in conference with the Legate. The Decurion took his men and joined the depleted ranks of the Explorates. “Is this it Lentius? Is this all that remain of the Explorates?”
“There are three messengers who may or may not be safely behind the walls of Coriosopitum but other than that our comrades are with the Allfather.”
“Ten only remain.”
“And those with Livius, if he still lives. What news Drusus?”
“The worst kind. The Selgovae have joined the Votadini. We have been tracking them for days and they have just joined bands. We must retreat.”
“They have us trapped. We are blocked in. There is no way out.” Their shared looks demonstrated quite clearly the despair they all felt. “Come let us interrupt our betters and give them the good news.”
They could hear the heated voices erupting from the tent as they approached. “If your men were braver and had carried out the attack as I intended then perhaps we could have taken this flea hole.”
“General, the Legion normally attacks behind the auxiliaries and after the stronghold has been battered by artillery. No legion could have assaulted the hill fort any better than my men.”
First Spear stood listening and he cocked his head to one side. “Do they not know that the walls of a tent are thin?”
“We have news First Spear.”
“And I can tell form your words and faces that it is not good. Well it will provide a diversion to the discussion at any rate.” He strode into the tent and said loudly, “Sir the scouts have returned with important news.”
There was a silence and then they heard the Prefect say wearily, “Very well send him in.”
“Good luck Drusus.”
After Drusus had entered the voices dropped and Lentius and Cassius wandered over to the tree line. “Things look bleak.”
“I had hoped that Decius, at least would have got through but then even if he had reached the fort the Prefect at Coriosopitum has a cohort only and he would have to defend the fort for the road to the south is barely defended.”
“True and even if the Governor acted immediately he is over a week away. Had Decius reached him and he had set off yesterday we would all be dead. What would you do Cassius if you were the Prefect?”
“If we had food then stay here until they wearied and left but we only have supplies for two more days. I would fight my way out to the road. Many of us would die but some would live.”
“And I thought that when I joined the Ninth life would be easier.”
“Aye I miss Marcus’ Horse but then we operated on our own and we had a leader who knew what he was doing. We didn’t have Generals who didn’t know their arse from their elbow cocking things up.”
Behind them they heard a horse whinny and a man cry out in pain. They turned around and saw the remnants of the Hunni draining blood from the neck of a horse to mix with milk. The Explorates had noticed how they did this every few days. It seemed unnatural to horsemen to hurt the animal which could save your life. “Ugh. They have some strange habits.”
“And the worst part is they are the ones who caused this. They couldn’t keep their dicks to themselves. Even if they had knocked the villagers around a little it wouldn’t be so bad but to kill their revered old men and rape the women, stupid!”
“Well they got hammered today. There are only fifteen of them now and the one who had it in for you, Gulak, he got it.”
Cassius shrugged. “I wasn’t afraid of him. Besides, the young lads Macro and Marcus, were watching my back all the time. They didn’t think I had noticed but they have been following me around camp and their bows were always to hand. They are now, just behind the horse lines.”
Lentius risked a quick look, and then turned a huge grin on his face. “Hero worship eh?”
“No I just think that with the fathers they have, it is in the blood; they can’t help but behave that way. Just like the Hunni do what they do.”
Drusus wandered over to them shaking his head. “Did that stop the argument?”
“No Cassius. The Legate believes one more push and we can take the hill fort. The Prefect then gave him your news about the Queen.” He suddenly looked at Cassius as though seeing him for the first time. “He really doesn’t like you Cassius. He thinks you kept the news from him deliberately.”
“I told the Prefect. The Legate just ignored us.”
“Is it right that you killed three of his boys?” Cassius nodded. “Whew! I am away for a few days and I end up missing all the fun. Anyway the Prefect wants to fight his way to the frontier.”
“What does First Spear want to do?”
“He is with the Prefect.” He looked up at the darkening sky. “Too late for anything else tonight. We might as well get some food.”He glanced at Cassius. “Have the lads been out hunting?”
“Need you ask?”
“Then at least we eat tonight but the legion will be on short rations again.”
Issues were still unresolved when the camp settled down for the night. The capsarii were kept busy by the wounded and there was an unhappy feel within the small wooden walls. Things became worse when the rain started. At first a drizzle, it soon began to rain heavier. The churned up soil soon became a muddy morass which sucked at feet and seeped upwards through their caligae to dampen everything. Puddles grew alarmingly quickly to become small lakes and the Tinea began to roar alongside them filled with debris from the forest, branches and twigs. The sentries huddled deeper into their cloaks as the icy rain trickled and insinuated its way into every crevice until everyone was totally cold and miserable.
Caecus and Piso shared a scrap of old tent to shelter beneath. Piso spoke conspiratorially to the only man he could trust not to reveal a confidence, now that Bucco, his old comrade in arms, was dead, “This does not feel right Appius. Have you ever fought without auxiliary support before?”
“Last year we advanced without auxiliaries but the other cohorts had their flanks protected and we had over thirty Explorates and artillery. The Brigante couldn’t get close to us and when they did we were fresher with plenty of javelins and a safe retreat back to Eboracum. Add all that up and the little bits make a big difference. I mean what those young lads have done with a couple of bows eh?”
“Well if we get out of this…”
“No First Spear, be positive, when we get out of this. Remember I am owed a pension by some bugger and I am damned if they are going to rob me of it!”
It was at that moment that the Votadini slipped, unseen, over the palisades with knives and seaxes to reap murderous revenge on t
he defilers of their women. The first twenty sentries died silently and then the killers slipped into tents to hack and stab at weary and exhausted soldiers. After the first scream of alarm came the sound of the buccina and soon every man inside the camp was armed and slashing at the barbarians who raced, unchecked causing casualties and damage beyond their own number.
Mongke and his bodyguards came out of their tents just as a young Votadini warrior sank his knife into the shoulder of the Legate. As they saw their charge fall to the ground they fell upon the warrior and hacked him to death. While his men formed a protective circle Mongke checked that the Legate was still breathing. He saw that the knife had missed vital organs but he was bleeding quite profusely. The powerful Hunni warrior picked up the unconscious Legate and carried him to the nearest capsarius. The medical orderly was dealing with a wounded legionary but the Hunni were in no mood to discuss priorities and they dragged the complaining capsarius to work on the wounded general.
The next day brought no relief to the beleaguered men of the Ninth legion. Although the rain had stopped, the grey overcast day brought no warmth from the sun and the muddy morass still sucked, stank and puddled as the men tried to repair weapons, armour and shields which had taken such a heavy pounding the day before.
The Prefect called over First Spear. “What is the damage?”
“We lost over a hundred and fifty men from the attack last night and men dying from their wounds. A couple were even swept away by the river.” He checked his wax tablet. “Since we came to this forsaken place we have suffered over seven hundred and fifty casualties. That is almost the number of men in the First Cohort. In addition we have a hundred wounded men. We can field less than four thousand men.”
“The Legate’s wound is not life threatening but it has shaken and incapacitated him. He has finally agreed that we should fight our way out.”
Bitterly First Spear said, “A pity he didn’t say that yesterday we would have two hundred more men who could fight. But at least some of us might survive.” A practical man he knew that there was no point in dwelling on what had happened. It was his job to save the eagle and the legion and himself, in that order. “How should we go about it sir?”
“The First Cohort forms the rearguard, destroys the fort and protects the rear.”
“Of course.” As the elite cohort as well as being the largest in terms of numbers the men of the First Cohort felt honour bound to take the most hazardous duty.
“The Second, Fourth and Fifth Cohorts suffered many casualties. I want them in the middle. We will use the Sixth and Seventh Cohorts to be the spear point and then we can change them for the Eighth and Ninth who have also lost less men, so far.” He added ominously. “ The Tenth…”
“They began with the smallest complement sir.”
“I know and they are the most inexperienced but they will have to be the reserve. Carry on First Spear while I go and find the Explorates.”
The ten remaining Explorates were waiting patiently with their horses. No matter what happened with the legion and its direction they knew that they would be doing what they did, scouting, exploring and seeking weaknesses and this time they would not just be behind the enemy lines, they would be in the enemy lines.
“I will give the orders to all of you rather than just the officers as this may be the last orders I give you and I want to look you all in the face and it is imperative that some of you get through. Decurions Drusus and Lentius I want you and your remaining maniples to get to Coriosopitum.” He swung his arm east and south. “Our enemies are there and across the river. I would suggest that you split up, one group head west and work your way back to the fort, the other head south and west, and slip through their lines close to the hill fort. Whoever,“ he emphasised the word, “gets through tell the Camp Prefect that what remains of the legion will be coming down Dere Street some time in the next two days and we will need his help.”
“And my maniple sir?”
“I was coming to that Cassius. You have three Explorates left. You will be our eyes and ears. You will need to find the enemy and find where they are weakest. The legion must get through their lines. You know their King and where his better warriors will be. Avoid them!” He shook his head. “I know I am asking the impossible of you as I did at Eboracum but now the whole legion and its survival depends upon you.”
All of the Explorates saluted. The officers all said, as a man, “We will not let you down sir.”
“I know. May the Allfather be with you.”
The three old friends did not waste time with goodbyes. They clasped hands, their looks conveying their thoughts and then they went to their tents to get the last of their possessions. They would not be returning, not to this place of death.
Drusus and his men slipped back down the path towards the hill fort and, when they were out of sight of the river they separated and climbed through the wooded hills. Lentius and his men followed the same road but kept going. As they crossed below the hill fort they looked up as though expecting the gates to open and the horde to fall upon them. Once they had left the sight of the fort they too split up and rode as hard as they could for the freedom that was the frontier.
Cassius and the others felt lonely. He looked especially at Macro and Marcus. “Well boys you will be operating on your own; your training is done. I hope that you will return to your mother and father as I promised but whatever the outcome you have done both your fathers proud. It has been an honour to serve with you and Seius, we have been comrades since the time of Marcus’ Horse. I feel privileged to call you a friend. Now enough of sentiment, Seius scout ahead of the Sixth. They are the spear point. They must strike where the enemy is weakest. Marcus you will cover the rear, towards the hill fort to warn the First Cohort when the enemy is close. Macro you will scout the right flank. That is the closest to Coriosopitum and it may be that they have concentrated all their forces on the path to Tamburgh. And I will cross the river.”
“But sir, they will see you. There will no place to hide, isn’t that too dangerous?”
“It is dangerous for us all. Do not bother reporting to me. It will be a waste of time. All the centurions know you and will listen to you when you bring your news and you must bring them news, even if it appears bad. These are good men we are fighting with let us do all that we can to bring them through this ordeal. May the Allfather be with you.”
As the legion moved forwards towards the distant road the Votadini readied their weapons. So far they had taken few casualties but every warrior now knew that the Romans would sell their lives dearly and it would take more than one man to kill a legionary. All that had helped them in the attack on the hill fort now went against them; the heavy armour of the legionaries and the trees through which they travelled meant that fewer men would die to missile fire and it would be hand to hand combat which settled the issue. The Votadini relished the chance to show their bravery and fight the vaunted Roman legionaries but more than that,every warrior wanted the chance to face and to kill a horse tailed demon. The Hunni would become the most prized of opponents in the march to safety.
Seius tied his horse to a tree. If he survived he would return for it. He used the trees for cover, sprinting and then halting and scanning ahead. He saw the Votadini warrior just as the sentry turned his head. An arrow was notched in an instant and the sentry died quickly and quietly. At such close range all of the Explorates would hit a stationary target within an uncia. Seius raced for the body. The man was dressed as he was in plain, dull clothes and without armour, and Seius took his place. He waited. Another sentry waved and Seius waved back. The man turned his attention back to the advancing Romans secure in the knowledge that his flank was safe. Seius shot him in the back, this was no time for honour, and was all about survival. He turned his attention to the other side. He saw the sentry below him and to his left. He moved silently down the hill and, even as the man turned, put his hand around his head and slit his throat.
Having cleared t
he hillside of sentries he turned his attention to the slopes beneath him. There he saw the warriors waiting on either side of the path. He turned and quickly retraced his steps. He found the First Century of the Sixth and raised his hand, whispering loudly, “Explorate!” The poised javelins halted mid throw.
“Sir. I have cleared the sentries to the right of the path but they are waiting ahead of you in ambush.”
“Thank you for the warning.” He turned and found the centurion of the Second Century. “Go with this Explorate and ambush the ambushers.”
Although he knew he had signed his own death warrant the Centurion nodded and led his men behind Seius who scampered up the hill. He had to wait for the armoured legionaries but when they were in position the centurion saw the waiting Votadini below him their rapt attention focussed on the trail up which the Romans would have to come. Nodding his thanks to Seius he led his men slowly down the slope. He watched as the ambushers readied themselves for the approach of the Sixth who were just fifty paces away. With a roar of, “The Ninth!” the centurion leapt forward hurling his first javelin and readying his second. His men followed suit and the Votadini were totally taken by surprise. The eighty men of the century ploughed through the ambushers on one side and continued across the trail to the other side crashing into the ambushers who had been readying themselves to slaughter the unsuspecting soldiers. The First Century double timed up the trail all of them saluting, in their heads, their comrades in the Second who were fighting hand to hand with the surprised barbarians. By the time the centurion had fallen to a dozen sword thrusts the Seventh Cohort had reached the skirmish and were despatching the few remaining Votadini. The sacrifice of a century had gained the Ninth half a mile and they plodded relentlessly on, every legionary looking at the eighty bodies scattered amidst many more barbarians on both sides of the trail.
Baroc had seen the surprise attack and sent a runner to the King. He turned to the warriors close by. “We must attack all the way along the line and hit them while they are stretched out. We cannot just wait for them to attack the warriors at the head of the trail.”