Remus Rising

by Jonathan Williamson

  “We are lacking the full supplies for a true marching fort, so we will have to improvise.” He said returning to Marcus.

  “I would like 3 interlocking trenches around the bank of hill with earth mounds assembled higher up to act of walls. It’s a good size hill with steady slopes so that shouldn’t be a problem, certainly not if we get some of those trees cut down by the river and use them to reinforce the mounds.”

  It was clear to Marcus that Tiberius was truly a fine officer in defence, with an architect’s mind for sure.

  “I will leave the planning of the camp with you Tiberius, your clearly have it well planned.”

  Tiberius seemed to take confidence from this and began gathering officers to assign duties to each century.

  Marcus himself wandered to the skirmishers who had gathered on the fringe of the rest of the column. Marcus could tell from their complexion they were not Roman but truly an auxiliary unit.

  “What is your name officer?”

  The lead skirmisher turned to Marcus, “Salinus sir.”

  Marcus looked curious. “And from where do you herald Salinus, that you command the skirmishers?”

  “From Gaul sir, my mother was of Roman birth and my grandfather a prominent officer in the 8th Legion stationed there so I was able to get a command in the auxiliary from a young age.”

  Marcus nodded, although slightly disapproving of the idea of using a relative’s influence to earn a position.

  “Tell me Salinus, if you were taking large numbers of prisoners back to your hideout for whatever purpose you have for them, how would you avoid a pursuer?” Marcus asked, folding his arms. Salinus thought about it for a minute.

  “I wouldn’t take them back to my main hideout.”

  Marcus raised an eyebrow. “oh?”

  Salinus looked into the hilly landscape, “Well unless my main hideout was some sort of fort or settlement it wouldn’t be very clever would it. I mean it would lead the pursuer straight to my hideout, and even if I managed to give my pursuer the slip you only need one of the prisoners to escape and lead them right to me.”

  Marcus thought about what Salinus was saying before nodding, “So you’re saying you’d take them to a holding camp or outpost instead?”

  Salinus agreed, “somewhere I can dismantle or abandon quickly and move on from with little cost.”

  Marcus was truly impressed by the young officer who seemed to be more knowledgeable than Marcus had initially credited. As the men continued to think about the Remus’s intentions a Centurion marched over to them.

  “Praefectus Tiberius has ordered me to have your men go out on foraging missions auxiliary Centurion.”

  Salinus looked at the Centurion, “Very well, does he have anything specific in mind Centurion?”

  The Centurion grunted, “food and defensive supplies and he wants it quick, so you better get to it.”

  Marcus watched the exchange come to an end as the Centurion left Salinus to organise his men.

  “I wonder Salinus, would one of your parties have room for me to join them?”

  Salinus shrugged, “I don’t see why not but I’m curious why a Praefectus would wish to be involved in such a task.” Salinus looked at Marcus with an inquisitive manner.

  “Perhaps to look a bit further into those hills before the sun sets.”

  Salinus smiled, “Such a job would suit only the best of my skirmishers.”

  Marcus nodded, “if you could spare them of course.”

  Salinus whistled over to a small group of men and beckoned them to come over, “These are the 8 best men I have.”

  Marcus outreached his hand to Salinus who returned the gesture and shook before tightening his grip on Marcus.

  “Just make sure you bring them back.”

  The two laughed before Marcus lead the men off the hill back down the river.

  Back by the river they were careful to look at the ground in case of tracks but found nothing and instead walked along the shallow stony river before leaving on the other side and climbing up a much steeper banked hill than the one they had just climbed down. It was here that Marcus realised he was perhaps not as well attired for this search party as he had thought as the much lighter armoured skirmishers seemed to scurry up the hill with ease while he struggled in his plated armour.

  At the top of the hill they could see clearly the work going on to assemble the camp as well as a collection of officers surrounding a makeshift table with Tiberius waving them off in all directions. Marcus signalled for them to continue off into the rockier ground, up and down hills as they went.

  With the noise of hammering and shovelling back at the camp faded Marcus could now appreciate the countryside more and listened to the sound of the river flowing in the valley below them. The river itself had become narrow and deeper as the small party of Romans moved deeper into the hilly country, with a steep rocky cliff now watching over the river on one side. Marcus and his party stayed on the slightly smoother side but still very much along the river, deciding it the most effective method of getting back. The skirmishers had been keen to point out that there were no tracks yet and they were really just wandering into bandit territory, a matter Marcus had dismissed.

  As they reached the top of a hill Marcus signalled for them to rest a while, although more to his benefit than that of the skirmishers. Leaning against a tree Marcus looked out across the wooded area and into the rocky hills. They were endless to the eye and Marcus was no beginning to believe that Lucius had been right about the beast horde hiding somewhere out here where no one could track them.

  “What’s our movements from here Praefectus?” One of the skirmishers asked, looking at the dropping sun.

  Marcus sighed, “I suppose we had better head back to the camp or Tiberius will be sending out search parties after us.”

  The skirmishers chuckled before going about gathering their equipment back up.

  Marcus waved for them to be still. A strange clunking sound carried on the wind up from the river below.

  “If you were to guess what that was what would you say?” Marcus asked.

  “Mining perhaps sir?”

  Marcus seemed to leap up from his spot and walk over to look down on the river, “If would you humour me men I would like to find out the origin of the sound before we head back to camp.”

  The men shrugged in acceptance and began to go about pin pointing the direction of the sound before guiding Marcus down the hill towards the river.

  Staying low within the trees they crept along the river, the sound of mining and movement louder then before. Halting before a small clearing they watched as Minotaurs and Satyrs moved about, with empty prisoner cages around them. Their tracks lead out of the river and over to the base a rock face where small mine shafts had been opened up with the prisoners from Eboracum and other raids bring up lumps of stone to be loaded onto the backs of Minotaurs who then ran off up the river.

  “So, this is why they needed slaves.” Marcus whispered, “their mining stone to build something.”

  “What do you want us to do Praefectus?” a skirmisher whispered back.

  “Spread around them, try and get a count of all the enemy, and we can report it back to the camp.”

  Marcus signalled the skirmishers to fan out around the mining camp before stopping in hidden places to count the number of enemies before returning to Marcus who remained near the river.

  “Is that all of us?”

  “No sir, Tritus and Cottio haven’t report back.”

  Marcus looked around the camp, “Something doesn’t feel right…” he was cut off as a cold dagger was held against his throat from behind him.

  “Don’t say another word Roman.”

  Marcus listened closely to the voice which was distinctively from a local. A sudden flurry of arrows and shouting of war cries descended on the mining camp as tribesmen and tribeswomen sprung from the bushes and trees all around the camp, attacking the Minotaurs and Satyrs who were caught ful
ly unaware. Marcus and skirmishers watched as a group of warriors charged up from the river straight into the camp and engaging the beasts in hand to hand. It was a well-planned assault and within minute the beasts were dead.

  “Move.”

  Marcus and the skirmishers were pulled to their feet and marched into the camp to the head of the tribal assault.

  “We found these Romans lurking in bushes by the river.” The man, who still had his blade held against Marcus’s throat, said.

  “Then let them go Frangean, they are here for the same purpose I feel.”

  The head of the attack removed their helmet to reveal a blonde woman who Marcus expected could be little more than in her early 20s.

  “Do I speak the truth Roman?”

  Marcus cleared his throat and shrugged his shoulders free of Frangean who backed away.

  “If your purpose here is to free these people then yes your…” Marcus hesitated unsure of how to address her.

  “Queen. Queen Ailis of the Votadini, and you are?”

  Marcus stood to attention, “Marcus Aurelius Sisenna of the ninth Legion of Rome.”

  The two, now knowing names exchanged the basic gestures of each other’s respective rank.

  “Well Marcus, you will be wanting your townsfolk back no doubt?” Ailis waved for one of her warriors to approach, “See that any that are from Roman lands are sorted together so that Marcus can lead them home.”

  Marcus bowed his head, “You have our thanks Queen Ailis, however there is one other thing I would seek from you.”

  “Oh? And what would that be?”

  Marcus looked at the young Queen, “Information, if it pleases the Votadini to share what they have?” he replied.

  “What interest of ours would it be to share information with a Roman?” Frangean snapped.

  “Because Rome commands almost every major force within this region Frangean and we need the support so be quiet.” Ailis snapped back silencing the man who stood almost twice her size.

  “We will gladly discuss whatever information you would have us discuss if we are to assume it is to do with our horned friends here.”

  Marcus nodded, “Yes, we have gathered some knowledge on them but their operations in these hills are a mystery to us.”

  “Then that is what we shall discuss Marcus Aurelius Sisenna, but first, as a gesture of good will we shall guide you and your people back to where ever you have come from. It is getting close to dark and these hills are full of unsavoury types.”

  Ailis looked at Frangean who grunted before making the necessary orders.

  “Thank you, we are camped not far from here with a contingent of our Legion.”

  Ailis signalled for Marcus and the skirmishers to lead the way and the combined party of freed peoples and Votadini tribes people followed.

  Chapter 8

  Tiberius walked about the camp with his cane in hand as he inspected each section of the camp and the men who had built it. He was generally impressed; the trenches were dug to his specification and the earth mounds seemed secure. As he moved back into the centre of the camp he watched as the last of the tents was erected and the stockpile count finished. He looked at the skirmishers with curiosity.

  “Auxiliary Centurion!” He shouted in his stern authoritative voice. Salinus appeared from within the group and stood to attention in front of Tiberius.

  “Yes Praefectus?” he asked with an expectation of what Tiberius was about to ask.

  “Have all the gathering parties returned for the correct time as instructed?”

  Salinus smiled, unable to prevent himself, “All but one is accounted for Praefectus.”

  Tiberius raised an eyebrow before rolling his eyes. “Very well, see that on their return the man leading them is punished, I will not accept tardiness on this expedition.”

  Salinus sniggered. “I don’t think I can do that Praefectus.”

  Tiberius moved closer to Salinus so they were face to face. “And why exactly is that, Auxiliary Centurion?” Tiberius’s brow furrowed.

  “It would not be proper that an Auxiliary Centurion to discipline a Legionary Praefectus.”

  Salinus was not intimidated by Tiberius who seemed to think about what Salinus had said.

  “What do you…” Tiberius realised, “That bloody fool.”

  With a quick turn of the heel Tiberius turned and marched off from Salinus who rolled his eyes before Tiberius stopped and turned back to him.

  “Follow me Auxiliary Centurion.”

  This caught Salinus by surprise who had relaxed his shoulders and quickly snapped back to attention and moved to catch up with Tiberius.

  “The good Praefectus forgets what we are tasked with on this expedition and the danger we face at every turn.”

  Tiberius lead Salinus towards the inner earth mound which he promptly stood on top of and looked out into the darkening landscape as the sun slipped into the hills.

  “Night has fallen on us, we won’t be able to track him now. He will have to find his own way back or stay out there until morning and hope I am willing to commit the manpower to his rescue.” Tiberius huffed before clambering back down the earth mound and wandered into the camp ranting as he did, leaving Salinus perched on the mound.

  Salinus peered out of the camp, partly in the hope that Tiberius would forget about him and he would be free of the ranting. He was wrong.

  “Auxiliary Centurion! I hope you are better at following orders than you are actually following someone.” Tiberius stopped and began to rant.

  Salinus held up his open hand to Tiberius, gesturing for him to be quiet.

  “I beg your pardon. I am a Legionary Praefectus you do not command me to be…”

  “Quiet!” Salinus snapped signalling down the hill towards the river.

  Tiberius marched over as the camp seemed to come alive with movement as troops moved to positions and prepare themselves.

  “What am I looking at down there?” Tiberius said squinting his eyes down to the river.

  “A large group of somethings, settling down along the river.”

  Tiberius still failed to see what Salinus was watching.

  “Is it the enemy?”

  Salinus shook his head softly, “Difficult to say, if it is then I would’ve expected them to attack straight away.”

  He looked around the camp which had now prepared itself for an attack.

  “Well whoever it is we will find out. Send out a warning shot.” Tiberius said turning into the camp and signalling for an archer to be brought to him.

  “Are you sure that’s wise Praefectus? If it is a local tribe we don’t want to get into a fight we can avoid.”

  Tiberius seemed to ignore Salinus and pointed to where he wanted the arrow to land.

  “Wait look… there’s a light.” Salinus pointed as a single torch was lit and began to move towards the camp.

  “It could be a trap. A diversion while they launch an attack.” Tiberius said signalling the archer to load his arrow.

  “Or it could be returning skirmishers.”

  Tiberius shook his head.

  “They should have been back before dark then.”

  Salinus pointed at the torch, “I mean it is returning skirmishers. Look at the torch.”

  Tiberius peered at it. The torch was being waved in a deliberate manner from left to right sending a signal.

  “That’s a returning skirmisher alright, pass me a torch quick.”

  Salinus was handed a torch and stood as tall as he could on the wall and waved it back, signalling acceptance of identity. The approaching torch then seemed to run back down the hill to the larger group which in turn lit up with torches.

  “Good Gods, what have your skirmishers brought here!” Tiberius shouted.

  “It would seem, Praefectus, that the good Praefectus Marcus found our captured people.”

  Marcus could now be seen boldly leading the large group up the hill with the Votadini behind. Tiberius furrowed his brow
as he watched the Votadini walk into the camp behind the freed people.

  “How exactly did you manage to find all the kidnapped people Marcus?” Tiberius asked, still watching the Votadini who stood behind Marcus.

  “I took a group of skirmishers and took them into the hills to see what we could find.”

  Marcus looked over to the freed people who were being brought food and water by the legionaries in the camp.

  “A rather successful foraging trip if you ask me Praefectus” Salinus said, a slight grin on his face.

  “Yes, well that doesn’t explain how you found them or why you have half a tribe of Britons with you either.” Tiberius said, the annoyance clear in his voice.

  “It turned out we weren’t the only ones looking for kidnapped people. Tiberius allow me to present Queen Ailis of the Votadini, who saved our people before we could.” Marcus signalled behind him as the young Queen stepped forward.

  Tiberius gave a salute which Ailis reciprocated with a gentle bow of the head.

  “The Roman ability to construct camps so well never fails to amaze me, my highest compliments to you for organising it Praefectus Tiberius.” She said arms out stretched to the camp around her.

  Tiberius took kindly to the compliment and his tone seemed to immediately change, “My compliments to you as well for rescuing out people, truly we are in your debt.”

  Marcus smiled at Salinus who was still grinning at Tiberius who had been bowled over by the flattery.

  “Auxiliary Centurion ensure that our guests and freed people are provided for with food and water as well as making the necessary arrangements for shelter.” Tiberius wiped the grin from Salinus’s face who rolled his eyes before saluting and going about the tasks he had been set.

  “Queen Ailis, Marcus, perhaps you would like to accompany me to the command tent and we can discuss matters further.” Tiberius signalled for them to walk into the camp, but Marcus waved a simple no.

  “I’m afraid not Tiberius, the Queen wishes to deal directly with the Legate himself to plan operations against Remus. She has more than a dozen horses riding from her camp to enable a small party’s swift return to Eboracum.”

  Tiberius stood in shock, “But what about the rest of us?”