Hibernia (Veteran of Rome Book 2)

by William Kelso

  "Allright, the Legate is in King Elim's palace," the soldier sniggered as he said the word palace and some of his men joined in, "it's a fine palace for a king," the officer continued. "You will find it over there beside the tethered goat. You can't miss it, it's the only building within the walls."

  Corbulo dismounted and handed the reins of his horse to one of the Legionaries. Then he gave Eochaid a shove as they started out across the bridge and into the passageway between the steep earthen embankments. Eochaid remained silent but behind him Corbulo could hear Tuathal muttering and cursing.

  The Royal Seat, the official residence of the High King's of Tara was enclosed not only by an outer ditch and earthen rampart but by a second ditch as well. As they emerged into the ring barrow Corbulo could see that the fortification was small. In the middle of the enclosed space the earth had been raised by a couple of yards and standing on top of the artificial terrace was a solitary round house. The wooden wall posts had been set in a circle and in between them the wickerwork walls were stained white while the conical roof finished in a small smoke hole at the top. The thick low slung straw roof came down to a yard above the ground. A Legionary was standing guard outside the doorway and beside him tethered to a wooden post was a goat. The animal turned to look at Corbulo.

  "Forty seven men, women and children, that's the final number of those who did not flee?" Trebonius was saying as Corbulo pushed Eochaid through the doorway and into the house. The Legate had been addressing his staff but he turned sharply at the intrusion. Corbulo cleared his throat and saluted.

  "Sir," Corbulo said, "I found this man locked up in some kind of passage tomb. He seems to be of royal blood so I thought you may want to speak to him. He may have some useful information for us."

  Trebonius frowned and glanced from Corbulo to Eochaid. The big Hibernian with his broken nose calmly stared back at the Legate.

  "Well who are you? Why were locked up?" Trebonius snapped switching to the Celtic language.

  "My name is Eochaid and I am King of Leinster," Eochaid replied with a little humorous smile, "and as for being locked up, it's a long story and you look like a busy man."

  Trebonius did not look amused. He glanced briefly at Corbulo and was about to speak when he was interrupted.

  "This man belongs to me," Tuathal hissed as he took a step forwards, "He murdered my father. I have the right to take revenge."

  "You are not the High King yet," Trebonius said sharply, "I am in charge here and I will decide what happens to him."

  Tuathal sneered and muttered something under his breath but did not reply. Trebonius turned to Eochaid.

  "So do you have anything useful to tell me?" he said.

  Eochaid smiled again. "Let me explain," he said cheerfully, "I have been locked up in the Mound of Hostages for a long time and all I know is darkness and the tone of the old man's cough when he brought me my food. I know nothing."

  "You know nothing?" Trebonius said wearily. His remarks were followed a sharp muttered hissing noise from Tuathal. Corbulo scratched his cheek and looked down at his boots.

  "Get him out of here," Trebonius said wearily gesturing at Corbulo, "Find him a dark place and lock him up but do not harm him."

  "He is mine," Tuathal burst out no longer able to contain himself, "When I am High King he belongs to me."

  The Legate did not reply as Corbulo grasped Eochaid by the arm and pushed him out through the door. Darkness had fallen and the skies were covered in a multitude a brilliant stars. It was a beautiful sight. Corbulo grasped Eochaid's arm as they descended the steps from the raised terrace and headed for the exit. They were closely followed by Tuathal and his men. Torches had been erected close to the passageway through the earthen berm and in their flickering light Corbulo could see a few Legionaries staring at him. The firelight reflected off their armour and metal helmets.

  "Cormac's house would do," Eochaid said suddenly as they passed down the passageway, "It's a good place to lock me up in. It's dark and hard to escape from. Why don't we go there Roman? I have always wanted to spend a night in Cormac's house."

  Corbulo grunted. "Where is that then?"

  Eochaid pointed at the southern of the two linked ring forts.

  "Planning to enjoy your last night in this world?" Tuathal snarled from behind them. "Tomorrow I shall be High King of Tara and you Eochaid Ainchenn will belong to me. Think about that tonight when you try to sleep."

  Corbulo ignored Tuathal as they passed back over the outer ditch and turned in the direction of the second ring fort.

  "I came here hoping to find a friend," Corbulo said quietly as he steered Eochaid in the direction of the entrance to Cormac's house. "We know that there are many Roman refugees who came to Tara to seek asylum. My friend's name was Quintus, he is a follower of Christus and a retired Centurion from the Twentieth, an old warrior like myself. He spoke your language." Corbulo paused. "What happened to these Romans, were they killed or did they flee with the rest?"

  In the darkness Eochaid's eyes glinted and for a moment he remained silent.

  "I know nothing," he said quietly.

  Chapter Twenty-Four - The High King of Tara

  It was morning and in the pale blue cloudless sky the sun was steadily climbing to its highest point. The Stone of Destiny stood just north of the Mound of the Hostages and around it a crowd of several hundred men had gathered. The Hibernians and Romans, split into separate groups and proudly holding up their unit and battle standards, stood on either side of the stone facing one another. They looked serious and solemn and not a man uttered a word. A patch of grass beside the stone looked disturbed as if an animal had been doing some digging. To Corbulo, standing with Trebonius and the Roman officers, the stone looked like any other standing stone he'd seen and it reminded him of the great circle of stones he'd once seen in the land west of Londinium. The druids had claimed that the standing stones contained magic and had been erected thousands of years ago but some of the army surgeons he'd spoken too had told him the great circle of stones was an ancient place of healing. Eagerly Corbulo peered at the Stone of Destiny. Whatever its original function the stone was being treated with the utmost respect by the Hibernians.

  A breeze was coming in from the west and the wind tugged and played with the long wild beards and rough cloaks of the Hibernian mercenaries. From the direction of the main fort Corbulo suddenly caught a glimpse of movement and saw Tuathal Techtmar striding towards him down the narrow space between the Romans and the Hibernians. The Hibernian prince was closely followed by a group of his supporters and he looked calm and composed as he marched up to the stone and stopped before it. Corbulo could see that he was naked from the waist up and he had dark blue tattoos across his back and chest. Still no one spoke. Then Tuathal got down on his knees and opened his arms wide and bowed his head.

  "See father," he cried, "Witness the return of your son and watch him claim his birthright. See me now father as I become High King of Tara and take back what is rightfully ours."

  And with that Tuathal leaned forwards and kissed the Stone of Destiny. Corbulo took a step forwards and grunted. The stone had not screamed. There had been no noise. From the corner of his eye he noticed Galba staring at him from his position beside the Legate. The Tribune gently shook his head as if in warning and the worried look on the young man's face suddenly made Corbulo smile. Beside the stone Tuathal had risen to his feet and had turned to face the Hibernians.

  "Swear your loyalty to me, your true High King!" Tuathal shouted and as his voice faded the Hibernians raised their weapons and battle standards and roared their acceptance. Then they did it again and there was no mistaking the enthusiasm in their voices. Slowly Tuathal turned to face the Romans and for a few moments he looked at Trebonius in silence as behind him the Hibernians started to recite and shout out their individual oaths of loyalty. The Legate, clad in his splendid parade ground armour and wearing a red cloak was flanked by the vexillatio standard bearer of the Twentieth who
was wearing the head of a wolf and holding the battle group's standard in his right hand. Trebonius looked stern and dignified.

  A satisfied smile appeared on Tuathal's face as he waited for the tumult behind him to die down. Then as the Hibernians fell silent Trebonius stepped forwards and saluted.

  "Emperor Domitian accepts you as a friend and ally of the Roman people," the Legate said in a clear voice. "Rome wishes for peace with the people of Hibernia and their rightful king."

  Trebonius snapped his fingers and Galba scurried over and handed him a tightly rolled scroll of parchment. The Hibernians began to mutter as Trebonius took his time and carefully unrolled the parchment before holding it up with two hands. He glanced at Tuathal. The High King of Tara was beginning to look a little resigned and impatient as if he knew what was coming.

  "I have here," Trebonius cried, "a treaty of friendship between Rome and Tuathal Techtmar, High King of Tara and of all Hibernia, rightful king, friend and ally of the Roman people. This treaty states that Hibernia shall remain an independent land, governed by its own laws, free from imperial taxes or occupation but shall solemnly pledge to forever stop raiding Roman land and ships and to stop giving aid to the enemies of Rome. The High King of Tara shall also agree to stop offering asylum to all enemies of Rome and shall open its land to Roman traders who shall pay no tax to the High King or his vassals." Trebonius rolled up the parchment and looked Tuathal straight in the eye. "Do you agree to this treaty?" he said sharply.

  Tuathal smile was cold and fake.

  "I agree to it and everything in it," he replied. "I give you my solemn oath."

  Corbulo turned away and started to make his way through the ranks of the curious Roman soldiers pressing in behind him. He had seen enough. The whole show may have excited the Hibernian and foreign mercenaries but it was clear that the coronation had been planned long in advance. He sighed. No one had bothered to mention the other High King. Elim still had an army and it was fairly certain that he would not surrender his crown without a fight, which meant that the Romans were going to be staying at Tara for some time to come. As if to confirm his thoughts he caught sight of a work party of Legionaries up on the earthen ramparts of the main fort. The men were building a wooden palisade on top of the embankment and another work party were strung out in a line digging a new defensive ditch. Trebonius it seemed had come to the same conclusion and was wasting no time in preparing his defences.

  Corbulo climbed up the embankment of the Fortress of the Kings and set off in the direction of Cormac's house. He would have to hurry if he was to beat Tuathal and his desire for vengeance.

  ***

  The round building within the ring fort that the Hibernian had called Cormac's house was large and sturdily built. Corbulo paused in the entrance and for a moment he allowed his eyes to adjust to the gloom. In the centre of the room a long wooden pole rose up to support the conical straw roof. The house was empty and he guessed that the previous owners had taken their belongings with them, when they'd fled for all that was left were a couple of dirty and worn looking animal skins on the cool earthen floor and a broken table. Corbulo's nose twitched. The previous occupants must have shared the house with their cattle and pigs for the place smelt of shit. He took a step forwards and turned to look at the prisoner who was sitting beside the central pole. Eochaid gave him an enquiring look and Corbulo noticed that his hands were bound behind his back and fastened to the pillar. Another rope bound his ankles together and a third dug into his chest and he was gagged by a piece of cloth. Corbulo pulled the cloth from the man's mouth.

  "Remember me?" he said quietly.

  Eochaid nodded as he gave Corbulo a wary glance.

  "Why did they gag you?" Corbulo said gesturing at the piece of cloth.

  Eochaid shrugged and turned to look towards the entrance to the house.

  "The soldiers outside, the ones guarding me, they told me they didn't like my singing. They told me to stop singing but I like singing. So they gagged me."

  Corbulo did not reply. Then slowly he sat down in front of the prisoner and looked Eochaid straight in the eye.

  "So you are Eochaid Ainchenn, King of Leinster," Corbulo said quietly as he examined the prisoner, "one of the four kings who successfully rebelled against Tuathal Techtmar's father. After your victory you must have had it all but somehow you still ended up being a hostage and a prisoner in your own capital. Some men may call that bad luck but others may think that you are just plain stupid."

  Eochaid drew a sharp draw of breath and for a moment his eyes glinted. Then with an effort a smile appeared on his face.

  "Why have you come here Roman?" he said.

  Corbulo raised his fingers to his mouth and prodded one of his teeth. Then he fixed his eyes on Eochaid.

  "I spent my whole life surrounded by men like you," he said slowly. "I was a watch commander in the Twentieth Legion and I know every soldier's trick and excuse. To get to the point, I know when someone is lying to me."

  Eochaid's eyes widened in mock horror.

  "You must be a very wise man," Eochaid replied, "But as you know, I am off to meet my gods soon so please remind me why I should give a fuck?"

  Corbulo was gazing at the prisoner with a serious expression.

  "Yesterday I asked you whether you knew or had heard about a Roman called Quintus, a retired Centurion and follower of Christus," Corbulo said speaking slowly and carefully. "He was one of the Roman refugees who came to Tara. I think you know the man whom I am talking about."

  Eochaid was staring at Corbulo. Then abruptly he looked away.

  "Like I said before, I know nothing," he muttered.

  "Come on, stop the fucking bullshit and tell me the truth, one old warrior to another," Corbulo said calmly.

  For a long moment the room remained silent. Then Eochaid stirred and a strange look appeared in his eyes.

  "You are a foreigner," he said quietly, "so I don't expect you to know the laws of hospitality in my country but I think even in Rome a man does not do something without getting something in return."

  Without a word Corbulo drew his sword from its scabbard, leaned forwards and cut the ropes that bound the prisoners ankles.

  "Tell me about Quintus, tell me what has happened to him?" Corbulo said.

  Eochaid looked down at his ankles. Then he looked up at Corbulo and smiled.

  "Cut me free and I will tell you everything I know," he said quietly, "but until then you won't get a wet fart out of me."

  "I can do that," Corbulo nodded, "but what about the guards outside? You will never get past them. No," he shook his head, "tell me what you know and I will give you an honourable death, a warriors’ death. That will be better than what Tuathal Techtmar has in mind for you."

  Eochaid eyes gleamed and for a moment it seemed as if he was considering Corbulo's offer. Then a little smile appeared on his lips.

  "I like you Roman," he said at last, "you tell it as it is but you do not know Cormac's house like I do. Don't worry about me. There are secrets in this place, secrets that you do not need to know about. Cut me free and I will tell you everything I know. I swear it on my family's good name."

  Corbulo raised his eyebrows as he turned to look around the empty and deserted room.

  "You can get out from this place without being seen?" he said quietly.

  "I can get out," Eochaid nodded.

  Corbulo looked down at the earthen floor. If Eochaid was indeed speaking the truth then there had to be a hidden tunnel somewhere in the room.

  "Well?" Eochaid said glancing towards the entrance of the house.

  Corbulo rose to his feet, stepped around the back of the Hibernian and swiftly cut the ropes that bound the prisoner to the central pole. Eochaid grunted in relief and rubbed his wrists as the ropes came loose. Quickly he got to his feet and turned to Corbulo with a sudden grateful and curious look.

  "My apologies," he said in an urgent whispered voice as he dipped his head. "There was a Roman called Quin
tus, just like you described him. He and I spent some time together in the Mound of the Hostages. Your friend told me that Elim had welcomed him at first but then had him thrown into my prison for being rude. His time with me was brief, just a few days for Elim must have sobered up and forgiven him but I was glad for the company even though he was a Roman."

  "That sounds like Quintus. He was always rude," Corbulo said quickly. "What happened to him? Where did he go?"

  Eochaid took a deep breath.

  "Your friend had a woman in Tara. She was high born and quite a catch. She came from Dun Aengus on the Forbidden Islands. The place is the capital of the Druids, for it is there that the druids teach and pass on their knowledge to the next generation. Dun Aengus can be found on the Aran islands far to the west where there is nothing but the endless ocean. He will have gone there. He has nowhere else to flee to."

  "Dun Aengus," Corbulo frowned as he turned the name over in his mouth. Then he looked up sharply."How can you know this for sure?"

  Eochaid shrugged. "I can't be certain but I too know something about men's hearts. He will have followed that woman when everyone fled. He lost his heart to her. That's my best guess."

  "Why do they call them the Forbidden Islands?" Corbulo asked.

  "The druid's call them this," Eochaid said with a serious face, "They say that no foreigner may land on the islands. They don't want foreigners coming and learning what they know. It is death for anyone caught breaking the rules."

  "A strange place for Quintus to flee to?" Corbulo said with a frown.

  "Yes," Eochaid muttered, "but maybe they will treat him differently. His woman is high-born; she has influence. The druids are not the only power in my country. We kings have our swords and the loyalty of our warriors."

  Corbulo's mind seemed to be racing and for a moment he was silent.

  "How far is it to Dun Aengus?" he said at last.

  Eochaid chuckled quietly. "It's at least a hard three day ride on a good horse if you know the way, which you don't. After that you will have to brave the ten mile ocean crossing to the islands and Roman, the seas around those islands are like nothing you have ever experienced before. A single wave is enough to sink a boat and the druid's of Dun Aengus will kill you if they find you or have you forgotten that already?"