by Griff Hosker
“The gold?” Rufius nodded. “So we will need to do something tomorrow.” Metellus glanced at a preoccupied Livius who was staring intently across the darkening water of the lake. “Livius?”
“Sorry Metellus. I was just thinking that we could cause some mischief tonight.”
“How? They will be closed up inside the villa. It is more like a fort than any farm I have ever seen.”
“Suppose we were in there and one of the buildings caught fire?”
“Then we would know that someone was close by and wished us harm…”
“And try to find them.”
“How does that help?”
“Our problem with ten or even twelve men is that in any kind of battle, especially during daylight, we lose but in the dark we have the advantage. Tiny and Centurion are good warriors and as you have pointed out on numerous occasions, unlikely to be beaten by two of you. If we attacked in the dark and laid an ambush they would not know how many men we have and we could effectively thin their numbers to a more manageable size.”
“But then they would know we are here.”
“I think from what Rufius said that they must be expecting us or if not us then someone else. The promagistrate must have told them of the frumentari looking for them. I find it too much of a coincidence that our arrival coincides with their departure.” He shrugged, “I do not think my brother would have left if he thought it just me coming for him. He holds me in contempt.”
“In that case we would need to be careful. It is all very well creeping into the bear’s den and tweaking his nose but you need to make sure you can escape his sharp claws.”
“You are worried about Centurion and the giant.”
“Absolutely. In my view they are more dangerous than your brother.”
“Here is the plan. We rest up and then head back around the lake. We prepare some traps and deadfalls and leave the horses to the west. We get close to the walls and you two shoot fire arrows into the villa. We wait until they come charging out and try to eliminate some of them, lead then past the deadfalls and we ride south on our mounts. We then circle back to our camp.”
“Risky.”
“No!” Livius was firm. “We take no risks. If all we do is warn them we are here and fire the villa then I will be happy. Any casualties will be a bonus. I want the initiative in this. If they are worried they are more likely to make mistakes. I want Decius reacting to us, not the other way around. He has escaped us twice. There will not be a third time.”
* * * * * *
Decius and his two lieutenants were exhausted. It had taken all day to bring out the gold and pack it as efficiently as possible. The two wagons they had used to bring the gold from the south were almost full and they still had newly acquired gold, silver and precious jewels to store. “We need more animals. Centurion, tomorrow go down to the nearest farm and buy some horses. Not mules this time but horses.”
“Suppose they won’t sell?”
“The benevolent landowner and saviour of the Santones is no more. Take a few men with you and if they won’t sell then take them.” He shrugged, “It does not make a difference to me.”
“Very well. Nuada should be back tomorrow evening. I think he will probably be just arriving in Pontus Santonum.”
“If he has not returned when we need to leave then he will have to follow us. I am more concerned that Narcissus may not find us a ship and all this will be in vain.”
“Those frumentarii may not get here for some time. If they headed south to Burdigala then we have at least a week, maybe more.”
“I do not want to take the risk.”
Tiny suddenly stood up and sniffed looking for the entire world like a dog. “What is it Tiny?”
“I can smell fire.” The warm climate meant that they had not needed to light a fire having come from cold Britannia and the sudden smell of burning made them all alert. The three of them grabbed weapons.
“Get the men roused. This may be an accident or …” They went out in the courtyard to see two fire arrows plunge down onto the wagons. “Get that fire out. Tiny, take a couple of men and find those archers. Bring me back their heads.”
Tiny and his two men loped out at a fast pace. The arc of the arrows had given them a rough direction and Livius had been watching for them. He hissed a warning to the others and then pulled back his bow. The arrow flew out and thumped into the chest of the man in front of Tiny. The two men immediately took cover and Livius took the opportunity to run down the path following Rufius and Metellus. When he came to the marked tree he jinked right off the path. Behind him he could hear their two pursuers following close behind. Where were the rest? Were they even now heading to cut them off? It was too late to change plans and they had to keep going and put some distance between themselves and their enemies. At least one man was down and perhaps they might get lucky and take out more.
Suddenly he heard a scream and a thud, one of their enemies had hit something, probably a deadfall. Livius hoped that it was the giant. He heard a whistle to his left and turned slightly. To his horror he saw not only Rufius holding his horse but Metellus aiming an arrow directly at him. He had no time to think and he just raced towards his horse as the arrow left Metellus’ bow and flew barely an uncia above his head. He heard a thud and a groan as it struck flesh and then he was on his mount. The three men rode south as fast as they could. When they had travelled a couple of miles Livius turned to Metellus, his white teeth glowing in the moonlight. “You had me worried there.”
“It was that giant. He moves swiftly and quietly for a big bugger. He was charging towards you with a bloody vicious looking sword in his hand.”
“Did you manage to kill him?”
Metellus shook his head. “He was too close to you. But I did hit him in the shoulder. It will slow him down.”
“Right back to camp. Part one was successful.”
* * * * *
Decius turned to Centurion who was already hurling sand on to the flames. “They are here.”
“Who?”
“Whoever is hunting us but this doesn’t feel like frumentari. Not firing arrows. Get these fires out.” The men worked on the wagons first and that allowed the fire in the building to become a blazing inferno its tinder dry wood burning quickly. Although the wagons were safe it took an hour to get the other blaze under control. Decius and Centurion threw every ounce of energy into killing the flames and when Decius could see that there were only a few embers left he turned to his lieutenant, “Centurion, take three men and help Tiny. The rest of you make sure the fires are out and keep watch. I want the gates kept closed.”
An hour later and the fires were completely out although the villa had the acrid smell of burning. Decius had discovered that the most important item, the treasure, was safe and what they had lost was furniture. They would not need that where they were going. Centurion carried the wounded Tiny back into the villa. His face showed the concern not only for his friend but for their plight. “Romans!”
“How do you know?”
“The arrows. And we have two dead men. If Tiny were not so big we would have lost three!”
“Frumentarii do not usually attack like this. They bring cohorts to do the muscle work or they murder quietly and discreetly.”
“I know. I like this not Decius. Let us leave now while we can.”
“Do not lose your nerve. We wait until Narcissus arrives and we have the horses. I am not losing gold again.”
“But Decius we have more gold now than we had lost at Eboracum.”
“I know but if we are heading for Africa we need to plan bigger.” He grabbed his friend’s arm. “Stay with me Centurion! Until Narcissus returns we keep watches and we do not leave the villa. Let them try to get in if they can. Now let us be capsarii and help Tiny.” The two of them began to clean the wound and staunch the bleeding
* * * * * *
The portly promagistrate was enjoying yet another sumptuous feast. The money provided by
his new sponsor was proving invaluable in securing the finest delicacies. This part of Gaul was renowned for its superb food and cuisine; the promagistrate relished and luxuriated in every mouthful. To him eating was better than sex. His greasy fingers picked up the succulent piece of roasted thrush and he sucked it into his mouth the flavours and spices exploding on his tongue. Did life get any better than this?
Suddenly there was a subtle and apologetic knock at the door and he looked around in irritation. His body servant and confident, Atticus, entered. “Sorry to disturb you master but it is a visitor from the lake.”
As much as he wished to dismiss a messenger from Sallustius he knew that his prosperity depended upon the favours and good graces of the newcomer. “Do not distress yourself. Bring him in and then do not disturb us. I will send for you when I need you.”
Nuada crept obsequiously into the room. “My master is sorry to disturb you at your repast but he wished to know if the frumentarii had returned?”
Relieved that it was not a further problem, Julius nodded to the empty seat next to him. “No. I believe they have gone.” Saturninus deluded himself that his act of dissemblance had persuaded the Emperor’s spies that all was well. “Pour yourself a beaker of this fabulous wine. It only arrived yesterday.”
“Would you like topping up?”
“How kind of you. Yes please.” It was rare to find such delicacy in the thugs who were the guards of the newcomer. Perhaps Julius would make an acquaintance of this polite and subservient warrior.
Nuada slipped the poison into the wine and brought both drinks over. “I will return to the lake with the good news then and I am sure that it will be rewarded with more gold.”
Promagistrate Julius Saturninus beamed like a new moon. His world was perfect once more and his life could carry on in its delightfully indulgent way. “Thank you; tell your master I appreciate his largesse.” He swallowed off a large draught of the superb wine. As it slipped down, it had a certain bitterness that hitherto had not been there, perhaps he had opened it too soon and allowed too much of the warm air to get into the amphora. He had plenty more of this excellent wine. He would allow less time for the air to taint it next time. He suddenly felt an unpleasantness in his lower stomach and his breathing became difficult. Perhaps the thrush had been undercooked. He saw the sly glint in Nuada’s eye as he was toasted ironically with his own wine and in the last moments of his life he realised that he had been poisoned. The thought was fleeting as the powerful potion ended the life of the portly and perverted promagistrate.
Nuada wasted no time in taking whatever gold and jewels he could find in the office of the promagistrate. As he left he summoned Atticus from his rooms. He smiled ingratiatingly and made a gesture for the servant to lean in and, as he did so, Nuada thrust the sharp blade between his ribs. Dragging the dead body to lay it next to Saturninus the ex deserter put the knife in the pudgy dead hand of the promagistrate. Nuada merely wanted to delay any questions which might point the frumentarii in the direction of their hideaway. He and the guard, who had been left watching the street, slipped quietly away before the night watch was set.
Chapter 16
The next morning the Explorates saw that the villa was now in a state of siege with visible armed guards on the walls. It made their task of observing much easier. “They are waiting. I wonder why? I half expected them to have made a move during the early hours of the morning.”
“Perhaps the arrows and the fire damaged their wagons.”
“Could be Metellus. If they are considerate enough to hide away behind their walls then we can be bold and do some scouting of our own.”
“And if they are foolish enough to show themselves above the walls then we may be able to thin their numbers down some more.”
“Yes Metellus a good idea but this waiting worries me. It may be they have sent for more men and they merely wait for reinforcements. Remember those two riders who left for Pontus Santorum?”
“It does not change our task. If they do swell their numbers then we send to Namnetum for troops.” They rode in silence and Metellus looked concerned at the face of Livius who appeared to be struggling with his own internal argument. “You wish to end this quickly yourself eh?”
“Am I that obvious?”
“No Livius but Rufius and I have travelled far with you and we know the signs you make.”
“If I end my brother’s life then I feel that the family honour will have been salvaged or the damage done to it minimised.”
“Yes but if there are too many enemies then that will merely result in your death and then the family name would be irrevocably ruined.”
“True.” Livius knew that Metellus was right and that patience was the key. It was just so galling to be this close and yet unable to do what he wanted to, end his brother’s life. “We shall try to annoy them then and see if they pursue us again.”
The day was bright and sunny with birds and insects buzzing all around. Their horse’s tails and ears were constantly flicking away the annoying creatures. Rufius shaded his eyes against the sun. “The trouble with that Livius is that it is now daylight and our deadfalls will not work.”
“I know and we are more likely to have to fight. If we are separated then the plan remains the same; return to the camp and await the others.”
They tied their horses to the trees two hundred paces from the villa. They worked their way through the tree line until they could see the gate and found that it was closed. Behind it they could see the tips of spears which indicated sentries. They were close enough to hear noises from inside the villa but there appeared only to be the low murmur of a subdued conversation. Livius gestured for them to retreat to the lake where they could talk. “I couldn’t see anyone could either of you?”
“No Livius. What we could do is to leave Rufius here. He is the fastest runner. If he sees a head he could take a shot and then run back to us and the horses. You and I could take our chances close to where the horses are.”
“It seems a little indecisive to me.”
Rufius shook his head. “It’s like when Gaelwyn took us hunting the old boar. We waited all day and just when we thought he would never come out he suddenly did and we had him but you have to be alert and seize your chance when it comes.”
“Rufius is right. We have weakened them by two or three men. I don’t think they have reinforcements yet so if we can reduce the garrison by another one or two it may prompt them into some kind of action.”
“Good. I am resolved. Rufius take care.”
Once Livius and Metellus were back close to the wall of trees the waiting seemed easier and they settled down to watch the villa. Their bows were handily placed against a tree and each man kept an arrow in his hand. They could see and hear the lake behind them and the water plopped with fish rising to the surface to take the buzzing insects. Metellus watched a sea eagle circle high above the lake and then saw it plunge down to take a fat lake trout which had ventured too close to the surface. The splash and flap of water and wings drew one of the guards to the wall and a bearded head peered over the top to stare at the lake. In one swift movement Metellus took up his bow, notched his arrow and let fly the deadly missile. The range was less than a hundred paces and the arrow plucked him backwards to crash noisily in the courtyard. Livius quickly grabbed their horses knowing that the hornet’s nest would soon be buzzing with the activity of angry warriors.
The slamming of the gates as they were thrust open against the rock walls was followed by a sudden scream. Moments later Rufius raced towards them a huge grin on his young face. He vaulted easily on to the back of the horse and they raced through the woods. “I got one of them as they opened the gate but they are mounted and in pursuit.”
The chase did not worry the Explorates. As cavalrymen they were supremely confident of their ability to out run anything which had four legs. The horses which were chasing them were not fast cavalry mounts but heavier horses suited to pulling wagons and it was not lo
ng before they heard their pursuers stop. They rode for another mile and then Livius took them back to the camp. “First we rest and then we will return with fire again this evening, just to annoy them.”
Metellus held up a warning hand. “Tonight they will be ready. We will need to be even more vigilant this time.”
“We will Metellus we will. We will just take bows tonight and leave the other weapons here. We can move more quickly without swords catching on the trees.”
Rufius looked at the sword of Cartimandua as Livius buried it in a shallow depression beneath some twigs and leaves. “I don’t know how you can leave something so precious there in a hole in the ground.”
“The sword is a powerful weapon but it is a little long to be of much use in close spaces. Last night I worried more about losing it than using it. My pugeo will suit better.”
Metellus grinned. “I now carry three. If you lose yours Livius you know where to come.”
* * * * * * *
Decius nervously chewed the end of a ragged nail. Two more men had died and they were now down to just eight of them altogether until Nuada and his man, Gaius, returned. Tiny was recovering but the big man would struggle to be of much use in any fight as he was reduced to one effective arm. What worried Decius more than anything else were the uncertainty of events and the anonymity of their assailants. That they were Roman was without question, but which Romans? Was it frumentarii, or auxiliaries? He had a nagging fear that it was someone out for his gold. When they had travelled north they had been discreet and careful but Decius knew that word could have got out. Perhaps Saturninus had been loose tongued when in his cups. It was a dilemma and it could not be resolved until Narcissus returned.
Centurion was also unhappy. A man of action, he preferred things in the open where he could see the enemy. This waiting behind walls, not knowing who your enemies were, unsettled him. What if their enemies decided to assault them in the night? They did not know the numbers of their assailants. It could be a few or it could be many. Their two forays had revealed nothing; whoever was stalking them was good and Centurion had the worrying fear that it was, despite Decius’ protestations, the frumentarii. Frumentarii frightened Centurion; they were deadly killers.