Petrus shrugged and with an unconcerned look he jumped down onto the ground and picked up the water skin. Corbulo watched him vanish into the trees. Then he turned back to the children.
"If any more of you want trouble, just let me know," he glowered.
***
Corbulo woke with a start. How long had he been sleeping? Dazed he glanced around him. It was still light. Efa was at his side shaking his shoulder. She looked tense.
"Petrus is back," she said urgently, "He says that men on horseback are approaching along the road from the south. They will be here very soon."
Corbulo heaved himself up onto his feet and turned to look down the lane that led to the road. The children lay splayed about the wagon oblivious to Efa's news. Then he caught sight of Petrus hurrying towards him. The boy covered the final few yards in a run.
"How many? Are they armed?" Corbulo said quickly.
"I counted twelve but maybe there are more, I don't know," Petrus panted with large exited eyes. "But they are close Corbulo."
Without another word Corbulo ran up the lane. Ten yards from the road he veered into the trees and crouched beside a large oak. From his vantage point he had a good view of the road to the south. He turned as he heard a twig crack behind him. Petrus, his face flushed with excitement, came creeping through the undergrowth and knelt down beside Corbulo. Corbulo swore and was just about to tell him to go back when the first of the riders came into the view. The horsemen were still a couple of hundred yards away but Corbulo could see that they were armed. The men came on at a walk and they seemed in no hurry.
"Don't move or make a noise," Corbulo hissed as his fingers came to rest on the pommel of his sword.
Petrus did not reply. The boy's eyes were fixed on the approaching horsemen. Corbulo took a deep breath as he studied the men. There were twenty of them and they were all young and fit looking men, armed with Roman weapons, yet they didn't look like soldiers that belonged to any auxiliary unit he'd ever seen. Their horses looked in good shape but their clothes were civilian garb. They didn't look like local British farmers either. As Corbulo stared at the riders an uneasy thought started to grow. Then as the horsemen were only a twenty yards away Corbulo's face went pale and he groaned in dismay.
The man leading the troop was Bestia. Corbulo stared at the small, wiry mercenary in horror as the group of horsemen drew level. How had Bestia managed to find them so quickly? He had been counting on Bestia wasting his time looking for him in Londinium. What was the man doing out here? How had he managed to guess their plan? As the riders passed by, Corbulo's dismay grew. Patiently he waited until the last of them had disappeared from view before rising to his feet.
"Fuck, fuck," Corbulo muttered.
"They didn't see us," Petrus said excitedly," who were they Corbulo?"
Corbulo shook his head.
"You don't know their leader like I do," he said tightly," He and those men are the ones who are hunting us. They won't give up so easily." He turned to look at Petrus and the boy's face seemed to lose some of his youthful excitement.
"Those men are working for the Governor," Corbulo said, "If they catch us they will take us back to Londinium and kill us. If you see them again you either hide or you run, understood?"
Chapter Ten - Verulamium
Carefully Corbulo made his way through the dense green foliage of the forest pausing now and then to listen but the only noises he could hear was the rustle of small animals in the undergrowth and a distant woodpecker. The air was growing cooler and the sun was just about to set. He looked up at the sky. The light would be completely gone in a couple of hours. To his right the billowing column of black smoke was still visible but Corbulo had seen no further sign of the rebels. He peered at the smoke for a moment longer. It looked like it was coming from about a mile away to the east, maybe from along the River Ver. Through the trees he could just about make out the road. He glanced behind him but he was alone. Petrus had decided not to follow him this time. That was just as well. The boy knew nothing about scouting and reconnaissance. He would just be a hindrance and a nuisance.
Corbulo quickened his pace and a few minutes later caught sight of the edge of the wood. He crouched beside a tree. Beyond the forest, the road cut through open fields and there, a half a mile away, he could see the earthworks and ditch that formed the defences of the town of Verulamium. The town looked peaceful enough and there were no obvious signs of any disturbances. Maybe the citizens of Verulamium were not involved in the uprising? The sight of the earthworks however brought on a surge of memories and for a few moments Corbulo was lost in the past. He had seen the devastation and the aftermath of the slaughter of the town's folk after Boudicca had raised the city to the ground. The sight was something that he would never forget. The Barbarian Queen had spared no one, not even the children.
As he sat watching, a couple of women emerged from the forest fifty paces from his position. They were carrying baskets and Corbulo guessed that they had been out searching the wood for forest fruits. The women disappeared up the road in the direction of the town and Corbulo was just about to do the same when he halted in mid-movement. Coming towards him through the gap in the earthworks were eight men on horseback. Corbulo grunted. It was Bestia. The mercenary raised his hand just beyond the defensive ditch and the riders came to a halt and spread out on either side of the road. Corbulo watched them dismount and tie their horses to a solitary tree. What was Bestia doing? Corbulo could feel his heart pounding in his chest. The mercenaries looked like they were settling down to wait for something. Then as he realised what they were doing Corbulo closed his eyes in dismay. Bestia had set up a checkpoint on the road. The man was not going anywhere. No doubt the other twelve riders were doing the same on the secondary tracks that led into the town. Corbulo turned away and leant against the tree. Now what was he going to do?
To the west the land seemed open but the fields ended in a dense looking forest that stretched away until it was out of view. Corbulo turned to look eastwards but beyond the fields and billowing smoke he noticed tall marsh reeds. From memory he knew that the river Ver was not far away and the only crossing point was within the city. He sighed. There was no way he was going to get a heavy four-wheeled wagon through a forest or across marshland and a river. That left just two options, forwards or backwards along the road. Corbulo rose to his feet and gave Bestia and his men a final look before wearily beginning to retrace his steps through the forest. He could abandon the wagon and slip away on foot but Deva was still a very long way away and he doubted that most of the children would be able to make it on foot. No, they needed the wagon. He would have to think of something else.
As he made his way back through the wood Corbulo suddenly heard the braying of a donkey followed by a man's cursing. Through the foliage he could see a solitary man approaching from the south. The man was leading a donkey on a rope and leather bags had been strapped across the animal’s back. The traveller looked like he was in a hurry and he kept glancing over his shoulder. Corbulo studied him for a moment. Then boldly he stepped out of the forest just in front of him. The traveller halted and stumbled backwards in alarm and Corbulo saw that he was an old man, a Briton with a white messy looking beard.
"It's allright friend," Corbulo said raising his arm in greeting. Then he pointed in the direction of the smoke.
"Say, do you know what is going on over there? I have heard that there is some trouble."
The man was studying him suspiciously but then as Corbulo made no further move he turned slowly to look towards the column of smoke.
"Yes Roman," the man muttered in a thick accent, "there is trouble allright and you had better keep well clear of it for Romans are not very popular around here right now. Some of the local farmers have attacked the Roman magistrates villa along the river. They are burning the whole place to the ground. The magistrate and his family managed to escape."
The man paused to spit onto the road.
"This trouble
has been brewing for weeks ever since that druid arrived," he said eyeing Corbulo carefully. "They didn't want to listen to me, the fools. I told them that attacking the Magistrate was the wrong thing to do. They should have taken their grievances to the courts in Londinium. Now they are going to die. There is a company of Legionaries and cavalry on their way up here to restore order. When they get here there is going to be a bloodbath."
"Where are these rebels now?"
The old man raised his arm in the direction of the smoke.
"They haven't moved, they are still at the villa. The last thing I heard was that they had found the magistrate’s wine supplies. Most of them are probably pissed out of their minds by now. The fools, fools."
The old man tugged on the rope and started up the road followed by his donkey. As he passed Corbulo he turned his head.
"Eh Roman," he said sourly, "You tell those soldiers when they get here, that the citizens of Verulamium had nothing to do with this. We don't want any trouble in our town. We are a peaceful community and we want to be left alone, understood? But if those Legionaries come into our homes, stealing and raping, then we will fight. We didn't burn that villa, it wasn't us – allright."
***
Corbulo leaned against the side of the carrus as he finished explaining his plan. Efa was watching him closely. He had expected her to argue with him but she had not uttered a single word of protest.
"Will it work?" she said at last.
Corbulo glanced at the children lounging about in the wagon. "I don't know," he muttered, "but I can't think of anything else. Just make sure that you lead the children around the town and wait for me along the road to the north. It's not far and it will be dark soon." Corbulo paused and fixed his eyes on his wife. "And if they find you, take Dylis and run," he said quietly.
Efa turned to look at the children and for a moment she was silent.
"How long should we wait for you?" she said.
Corbulo shrugged. "I should make it by dawn tomorrow. Just sit tight and wait. I will be there."
Efa nodded and looked down at her feet. Then she took a step forwards and wrapped her arms around him.
"You are a man, Corbulo," she said quietly, "You are the finest man I have known."
Corbulo nodded and was about to say something when he stopped himself. Carefully he loosened her embrace and turned to look at the children.
"Petrus, come here," he said sharply. Reluctantly the boy got to his feet and clambered over towards Corbulo and Efa.
"Listen," Corbulo said quietly, "You are the oldest so I am going to give you a task. This is really important, understood. If you fuck up, it may cost everyone their lives. Now whilst I am gone, Efa is in charge and you will do exactly what she tells you. Soon all of you are going for a walk. I want you to keep an eye on the others, make sure that they don't fall behind or get lost. Can you do that?"
Petrus looked serious. Then he nodded.
"Good lad," Corbulo said. Then he turned to Efa.
"Allright, after I am gone, wait for a few minutes and then head west. Keep the earthworks and the ditch to your right. You will be fine. It shouldn't be more than a couple of miles. I will see you shortly."
***
Corbulo had only gone a mile or so down the road when he caught sight of the column of Roman infantry marching towards him. He reined in the horses and the wagon came to an abrupt halt. He turned to stare at the smoke as he waited for the Legionaries to reach him. As the soldiers approached he saw that they were being led by a Centurion and a Signifer who was proudly holding up the unit banner on a wooden pole. The Centurion's red plumed helmet was easy to spot and the sight made Corbulo grin. When the infantry were a hundred paces away a squadron of Thracian cavalry thirty strong, came cantering towards him flowing along the flanks of the marching Legionaries. The men's armour, horses and weapons looked first class and Corbulo grunted in approval. The eighty or so Legionaries and Thracian cavalry would be more than a match for a bunch of rebellious peasants. The old man with the donkey had been right. It was going to be a bloodbath. Corbulo did not move as the cavalry surrounded him, their spears lowered and pointed in his direction. His eyes remained firmly fixed on the Centurion.
"Are you in charge?" Corbulo called out as the infantry company reached him.
The Centurion raised his hand and the marching column came to a crashing halt.
"Move your wagon off the bloody road," the Centurion shouted. "You are blocking our way."
Corbulo raised his hand in the air. "I will Sir," he replied. "I will but I thought you would like to know where the rebels are. I have some information that could be useful to you."
The Centurion frowned and turned to look at the smoke.
"You are local are you?" the officer snapped.
Corbulo shrugged and grinned at the Centurion. "You will find your enemy at the magistrate’s villa near the river. Some of the local farmers attacked it and burned it, fuck knows why, but that's where the smoke is coming from. The last I heard was that they had discovered the magistrate’s wine supplies so they are probably all pissed as farts right now. If you march over there right now and attack them I don't think they will put up much resistance Sir."
The Centurion scratched his chin and glared.
"Who the fuck do you think you are? How do I know that you are not leading me into an ambush?"
Corbulo's grin widened. "I served twenty five years with the Twentieth, Centurion. I have built camps all over this country. You can trust me."
The Centurion took his time as he examined Corbulo carefully.
"Everyone is a veteran these days," he muttered at last. Then he turned to look at the column of smoke.
"Allright, Decurion," he barked loudly," take ten men and reconnoitre the villa. Report back to me with what you have found." The Centurion turned to the column of infantry behind him. "The rest of you follow me."
"Sir," Corbulo called out, "I am coming with you. I can help you with my wagon."
The Centurion did not seem to have heard him. The heavily armoured Legionaries had lifted their rectangular shields from the ground and were already passing the wagon on both sides. Further up the road a section of ten Thracian cavalrymen were galloping away in the direction of the smoke.
***
The wagon swayed and jolted as Corbulo followed the Legionaries across the muddy fields. He could smell the smoke now. The horses snorted and strained as the wheels ploughed onwards. Gods don't let them get stuck, Corbulo thought as he anxiously looked down at the wheels. Half a mile from the road, in a dip in the ground between two shallow hills, the Centurion raised his hand and the soldiers halted. The ten Thracian riders were galloping towards them from the north. The Decurion reined in his horse in front of the Centurion. The cavalryman looked excited.
"He's right," the Decurion exclaimed in his strange foreign accent, "the villa is just over this hill, a few hundred yards away. The rebels are swarming all over it and some do look drunk Sir."
"What are their numbers?" the Centurion snapped.
"Around two hundred or so, men, women and children," the Decurion replied.
The Centurion nodded and glanced in Corbulo's direction.
"Allright," he growled, "we will form a single line and attack straight across the hill. No prisoners, I can't be bothered. Decurion, take your riders around the flank and when you see us driving the enemy before us, you are to storm into their rear, cut them down, I don't want any of them to escape. Understood?"
The Decurion nodded that he had understood and shouted something to his horsemen in a language that Corbulo did not understand. Then the riders were racing away, their horse’s hooves throwing up clumps of mud into the air before the Thracians vanished behind a copse of trees. Corbulo did not move as the Centurion issued his orders in a quiet urgent tone. The soldiers dumped their marching packs onto the ground and ran to form a single line. The men placed their shields on the ground resting them against their legs as the Centurio
n, together with his Signifer, who was still holding the unit standard, strode off towards the extreme right of the line. On the extreme left Corbulo could see the Optio, the second in command, doing the same.
"Company will advance", Corbulo heard the Centurion roar. The Legionaries remained silent as they lifted their shields off the ground and started to advance up the slope of the grassy hill. Corbulo watched them vanish over the crest. Then he jumped down onto the ground and scrambled up the slope. By the time he reached the crest of the hill he could hear shrieks, screams and cries of alarm. He went down on one knee and took a deep breath at the sight that met his eyes. The villa was burnt out, a smouldering blackened ruin of tumbled stone and charred timber. The roof had crashed inwards and red roof tiles lay scattered about. Close by a barn was on the fire and the thick black smoke was billowing up into the sky. Another, smaller building behind the villa was on fire too and scattered around the farm and villa were dozens of cows, pigs and chickens, some dead and some alive. But Corbulo hardly saw the animals, his eyes were fixed on the dozens of figures frantically rushing to and fro between the burning buildings.
Mesmerized he watched as the line of Legionaries closed in on the villa complex. A group of rebels boldly surged towards the line but got no closer than ten yards before a hail of Pilum's, throwing spears brought them down. The sole survivor swiftly turned and fled back the way he had come. Corbulo looked up at the sky. It was getting late but the onset of darkness was still a little way off. The night was not going to save the rebels.
The Legionaries had unsheathed their short swords and were closing in at a steady walk and Corbulo grunted in approval. The Centurion was executing a perfect assault. The screams and cries from amongst the buildings seemed to grow more and more frenzied and panicked. Then when they were only twenty yards away the Legionaries raised a loud cry and stormed forwards. Corbulo watched the carnage that followed. The Centurion's men surged into the courtyard in a frenzy of swords and shields battering through everything in their path and killing everything that moved. A few people, thinking that they could surrender, went down on their knees but were mercilessly cut down. A woman held up a baby but a soldier stabbed her in the head and the baby disappeared from view. Round the back of the villa a large group of figures broke out and made a run for it, spreading out across the open fields towards the river, but just at that moment the Thracians burst into view. The cavalrymen came tearing across the fields screaming their foreign battle cries before swarming into the fleeing rebels. From his vantage point Corbulo could see the running figures scythed down and he heard the desperate, terrified screams of those still alive. A Thracian rider decapitated a running man with a single blow, sending the man's head sailing through the air. Inside the villa complex the remaining survivors darted here and there but there was no escape and soon the screams and cries died away so that the only noise was Roman voices shouting to each other and the mooing of the cows. Corbulo blew the air from his cheeks. The Thracians had met with no opposition and the fields around the river were littered with corpses. Stiffly he rose to his feet. The fight was over.
Hibernia (Veteran of Rome Book 2) Page 7