Hibernia (Veteran of Rome Book 2)

by William Kelso

  Corbulo glanced up at the full moon as he led the two horses towards the dark outline of the forest. The beasts snorted uneasily and stamped their hooves. The night was silent and cold and a western breeze was tugging at his cloak and hair. Would Eochaid keep his promise? Would the Hibernian be waiting for him as they had agreed? At the edge of the forest Corbulo paused and turned to look back in the direction of Tara. The royal fortress was shrouded in darkness and he could hear nothing apart from the gentle moaning wind and the breathing of the horses. He sighed. This was a journey into the unknown. Few Romans had ever ventured this far into the interior of Hibernia. In the barracks blocks and army tents he'd often heard the Legionaries discussing Hibernia, the land of eternal winter, the land at the edge of the world and the tone of the men's voices had been cautious. Corbulo turned away and entered the forest. The trees closed in around him and his pace slowed. After a while he stopped again as in between the trees he suddenly caught sight of the river. In the moonlight it looked placid and tranquil and it was not very wide. For a moment he did not move. In the cool night he could hear the splash of the water and saw the moon's reflection in the river. Then he turned and started to follow the river upstream. Down at the river bank an animal splashed noisily into the water and in the forest an owl hooted.

  The abandoned ring fort had been built beside the river and Corbulo paused at the edge of the forest as he studied the fortified farmhouse carefully. The place looked deserted and he could see no lights nor could he hear anything. With a gentle tug on their harnesses, he led the two horses towards the gateway into the farm. As he approached he could see that the walls had collapsed in places and that the roof of the main building had fallen inwards. Weeds were growing out of cracks between the stones. At the gate he paused and turned to look around him.

  "Eochaid, it's me Corbulo," he called quietly.

  From the darkness there was no reply.

  "Eochaid you prick," Corbulo called quietly again, "I am here like we agreed. Come on out, I have horses and food."

  From amongst the rubble strewn entrance to the ring fort, something moved. Corbulo peered into the darkness. Then close by, a shape appeared. The horses snorted and whinnied in fright.

  "You didn't think I would keep my word did you?" Eochaid said with the hint of a smile as he came up to Corbulo. "But I always keep my word. You should not doubt me. I am your friend Corbulo. Without you I would be fertilizing the earth by now." Eochaid paused and his eyes glinted in the moonlight. "You took your time about getting here though. I have been waiting for hours and I am hungry. Haven't eaten in days."

  Corbulo looked un-amused. He handed the reins of one of the horses to the Hibernian.

  "Do you know the way?" he asked quietly.

  Eochaid nodded as he turned to inspect his horse with a keen eye.

  "Fine beast, a fine foreign beast," he muttered as he slid his hand approvingly over the horses flank. "At least you know something about horses Roman."

  Then in one smooth movement he lifted himself up onto the horse’s back.

  "I ran into some trouble after I left you," Corbulo said as he prepared to mount his beast, "We are not the only ones who are looking for Quintus. There is a Roman called Classicus who is after him as well. Classicus has Praetorian guards and he's allied himself with one of your countrymen, a druid called Faelan. They too are heading for Dun Aengus."

  "That will be the men I saw riding away this afternoon then," Eochaid said cheerfully. "I know Faelan, his loyalty however is to King Elim. He's dangerous."

  Corbulo hoisted himself onto the horse’s back and for a moment he clung on awkwardly. The horse snorted impatiently. With an effort Corbulo managed to right himself and sit up properly.

  "We need to reach Dun Aengus before Classicus," he muttered ignoring Eochaid's amused look. "Which means we rest only when it's strictly necessary. I have enough food to last us four days and if you have to piss then you piss whilst riding. It's really important that we reach those islands before our competition."

  "I think I understand," Eochaid said raising his eyebrows, "Classicus has a head start of several hours and Faelan knows the way but they move like fat well fed cattle." Eochaid chuckled to himself. "Don't worry Corbulo. We shall be like hungry wolves. l am the finest tracker the world has known and we have got good horses. What can go wrong my friend?"

  Corbulo sighed and turned to look in the direction of Tara.

  "How long will it be before King Elim arrives with his army?" Corbulo said.

  Eochaid turned to look in the direction in which Corbulo was staring. For a moment he was silent.

  "I don't know," he replied at last, "but soon. Elim is a proud man, he will not allow his capital to remain in Roman hands for long." Eochaid turned to Corbulo with a sudden smile. "I am surprised that you haven't realised the truth yet?"

  "What truth?" Corbulo snapped.

  Eochaid slowly drew his finger across his throat. "I was not present at the High King’s Councils but I suspect that your soldiers have walked into a trap. They will never leave Tara alive. Elim will surround you and cut you off from your supplies. He will strangle you in Tara and starve you to death. He has a large army and he has the loyalty of nearly all the kings."

  Corbulo cleared his throat. "Tuathal Techtmar has promised that he will raise a force of five thousand Hibernians to fight for him," he exclaimed. "With such numbers we will defeat Elim."

  At the mention of Tuathal's name Eochaid spat onto the ground.

  "The only thing that Tuathal Techtmar will raise is his cock," he snorted derisively.

  ***

  Corbulo could hear the boom of the surf on the beach. He sat on his horse staring at the village, a small cluster of white stone and thatched round houses that huddled beside the sea. It was morning and a strong westerly breeze was blowing into his face as if willing him to turn back. The grey ocean stretched away to the horizon and out in the bay he could see white tipped waves. High above him circling lazily on the air currents he could hear the screech of the white-sea gulls as they hunted for their breakfast. Corbulo looked exhausted. His eyes were tinted red and dark wrinkles had appeared under them from a lack of sleep. The stubble on his chin and cheeks was several days old and his face was stained with dust and streaked with sweat. Slowly he turned to look at Eochaid who was sitting on his horse. The Hibernian too looked tired as he squinted at the cluster of huts along the shore. Eochaid caught his glance and grinned wearily.

  "The Forbidden Islands are beyond that headland to the north," he said gesturing with his hand. "They are no more than a day's sail but the wind is against us."

  Corbulo nodded as he stared at the sea.

  "Thank you Eochaid," he said at last, "You kept your promise and here we are. There is no need for you to travel any further. Go home to your people. I will go on alone."

  Eochaid turned sharply to look at Corbulo and shook his head.

  "No Roman," he said firmly, "You saved my life in Tara and when a man chooses to save another's life he owns that life. I am coming with you to the islands. We shall not be equal until I have saved your skin."

  A faint smile appeared on Corbulo's face. "You already did by guiding me here," he replied but again Eochaid shook his head.

  "No, we will not argue about this, it is the way of things." And with a small cry he urged his horse forwards in the direction of the village. "I am going to see if I can get us a boat, stay here Roman," he shouted as he trotted away.

  Corbulo did not reply. Instead he turned to look around him at the green meadows. What a journey they'd had. Three days and nights they had ridden with barely a halt. Eochaid had been an expert navigator, always seeming to know which way to go. They had crossed vast tracks of flat, bleak and uninviting bog lands dotted with coarse colourful heather and pools of water and Corbulo had gotten thoroughly sick of the smell of the marshes and the relentless mosquitoes. Eochaid had kept the horses on the network of winding sand and gravel ridges that crisscros
sed the land. Eskers he had called them and they had proved to be a much-used highway for they had overtaken many travellers. The people had all been going in one direction, away from Tara and they were accompanied by their cattle. The refugees had cast hostile and suspicious glances at Corbulo but amongst them Corbulo had also noticed a few men dressed in Roman clothing. The Romans, all of them men, had not been easy to talk to and had strayed off the path as soon as they caught sight of Corbulo. There had been no sightings of Quintus or Classicus but Eochaid had spoken to some of the Hibernians and with his easy charm he'd managed to barter water, a sword and news. From the travellers they'd learnt that High King Elim had issued a call for all able-bodied men to join him on his march on Tara and that Tuathal Techtmar was doing the same by calling on his supporters to rally to his defence.

  Wearily Corbulo leaned forwards on his horse as he waited patiently for Eochaid to return. The western wind was strong and constant and out to sea the white tipped waves looked fierce and violent. A sandy beach stretched away southwards from the village and inside the small settlement he could hear a dog barking. Then at last he spotted Eochaid coming towards him from across the windswept field. The Hibernian was without his horse and he was carrying a large oval shaped object on his back that reminded Corbulo of a large Greek style shield. Corbulo peered at Eochaid curiously as he trudged towards him. Then his eyes widened in surprise. The object on Eochaid's back was not a shield; it was a boat.

  The Hibernian halted beside Corbulo and with a groan lowered the oval shaped boat to the ground before rubbing his hands together with a satisfied look.

  "It's a good bargain," Eochaid said cheerfully, "The man who owns this Curragh will get the use of our horses for as long as we get the use of his boat. We bring the boat back, we get our horses back."

  Corbulo was staring down at the flimsy looking craft in dismay. It looked barely large enough to hold two men. The sides and hull seemed to be made of wickerwork over which brown animal hides had been stretched and fastened.

  "That is a boat," he gasped in alarm, "You want to cross to the islands in that?"

  Eochaid nodded. "It's sturdy and light," he replied, "And I have two paddles. The man from whom I loaned it says that the currents will help us out to the islands."

  Corbulo was still staring at the Curragh in alarm. Then slowly he dismounted from his horse and gave the oval boat a gentle prod with his boot.

  "And there is something else," Eochaid said quietly, "the villager I spoke with claims to have seen a Roman who fitted Quintus's description. The man was on a boat that sailed for the Forbidden Islands four days ago. The villager said that the Roman appeared to be in chains."

  Corbulo looked up sharply. "Chains?" he exclaimed, "Why would they put him in chains?"

  "I don't know," Eochaid said looking away.

  Corbulo was silent as his mind raced to make sense of things. Then he shook his head and turned his attention back to the Curragh.

  "Allright, let's see how well this thing floats," he growled moodily.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven - The Forbidden Islands

  In places the sandy beach was covered in dark green seaweed that clung to rocks and stones. Out in the sea, white tipped waves came rolling in onto the beach sending foaming seawater hissing and speeding over the sand. Without hesitation Eochaid strode straight into the surf and dumped the Curragh into the water holding onto it with one hand as the waves pulled and pushed at the flimsy looking craft. Corbulo looked on doubtfully. Then muttering to himself he waded out into the surf and grasped hold of the side of the boat. In the sky the white clouds were drifting eastwards as the full force of the western wind plastered Corbulo's face with stinging salty spray. Eochaid grinned at Corbulo as he clambered into the craft and retrieved the two oars from the bottom of the boat.

  "Get in," Eochaid shouted, "We need to make the islands before nightfall or else there is a chance we will be swept out into the ocean."

  Corbulo said nothing as he clambered awkwardly into the craft. The waves buffeted and slammed into the Curragh sending it spinning and bobbing up and down. Corbulo grunted in relief as he finally managed to right himself. There was just enough space for the two of them to sit, one behind the other but as he looked about him at the waves Corbulo suddenly groaned. How were they ever going to get Quintus off the island in this craft? There simply wasn't enough space for three men. He opened his mouth and cried out to Eochaid but the Hibernian sitting in front of him did not seem to have heard him, for all he did was hand Corbulo an oar.

  "Now we row!" Eochaid cried as the wind sent a sheet of spray blowing into their faces. "Let's get clear of the beach."

  Corbulo dug his oar into the sea as Eochaid did the same on the other side of the boat and to his amazement Corbulo sensed the light craft begin to move. He turned to look back at the beach and noticed a man watching them from the shore. He was too distant to make out his features. A wave slapped up against the side of the Curragh and Corbulo cried out in shock as he was drenched in icy cold seawater. He shook his head sending water droplets flying in all directions. Eochaid half turned to look back at him. The Hibernian was laughing.

  "I love the sea," he cried. "I fucking love it!"

  Corbulo spat some water from his mouth and silently dug his oar into the waves with grim determination. The boat surged up and down on the waves and to his right Corbulo noticed that the shoreline ended in a rocky headland. Eochaid seemed to be steering the craft straight towards it. Another wave slammed into the craft drenching Corbulo and making him gasp. Grimly he dug his paddle into the water and as he did so he defiantly stared down into the green boiling sea. It was what so many Legionaries had feared the most. Being lost at sea, drowned by the weight of one's armour, pulled down into the murky depths where the body would never find a final resting place, where a man's spirit would wonder forever, lost, confused and alone. He had witnessed whole companies refusing to board ships because the omens had been bad. Not even the fear of severe punishment had been enough to make the men change their minds.

  A noise made him look up. Eochaid was singing and his voice was growing in volume as they ploughed on across the waves. Corbulo shook his head as he grimly stuck to his task. When this was over he was never again going out onto the sea. Not for the love of money or anything else.

  The sky was overcast but the wind was as strong as ever when they finally rounded the headland. Eochaid paused and with a cry pointed towards the west and there a few miles away Corbulo caught sight of an island.

  "There are three islands in all," Eochaid cried, "This is the smallest one, Dun Aengus is on the largest one, further out to sea. Come on Roman, put your back into it. We still have some way to go."

  Corbulo peered at the distant island. It looked bleak, rugged and uninviting.

  "When we were locked up together," Eochaid shouted, "Your friend Quintus told me about his god. He had such faith that his god would come and rescue him but this Christus is strange and he doesn't seem to be a very powerful god. Are you one of his followers, do you believe in Christus, Roman?"

  Corbulo paused to wipe the sweat from his brow and catch his breath. Around him the waves came on surging forwards in straight lines as they headed for the shore. The craft bobbed up and down.

  "No," he cried, "Jupiter has always been the patron god of Rome, Jupiter and the guardian spirits of the Twentieth will protect us. I have kissed their statues so many times and left them enough donations to last several lifetimes. They owe me!"

  In front of him Eochaid boomed out in laughter.

  "The gods owe us nothing," he shouted as a wave broke above them drenching the two of them in green hissing seawater.

  "They do and today I am collecting," Corbulo roared defiantly.

  ***

  It was early evening when Eochaid suddenly stopped rowing and raised his hand. A couple of hundred paces away the sheer, rugged and beautiful cliffs rose up from the sea towering over the little Curragh and its occupants. Corb
ulo stopped paddling and turned to look up at the cliffs. They reminded him of the cliffs he'd seen south of Rutupia but these were not white and they were marked by the ceaseless violence of the ocean, for here and there huge boulders had broken free and had tumbled into the sea and dark cracks in the rock hinted at the presence of caves. Eochaid twisted round and his eyes twinkled in excitement.

  "We're here," he whispered, "Dun Aengus is on the other side of the island about a half a mile away."

  Corbulo said nothing as the Curragh bobbed up and down on the gentle waves. They were in a bay and the island seemed to be shielding them from the rough ocean waves further out. He glanced up again at the cliffs. The grey and yellow slabs of stone seemed to be set in layers with clearly defined lines running along them and he guessed the cliff height at roughly a hundred yards. A few sea gulls had made their nests amongst the rocks and the screeching white birds rose and dived on the air currents. Close by a piece of dark driftwood floated aimlessly on the current. Corbulo peered up at the cliff tops but he could see no sign of human habitation.

  "I am going to land us on that beach over there," Eochaid said quietly, "We will have to climb our way up to the top of the cliffs from there."

  Stiffly Corbulo dug his paddle into the water as Eochaid starting to guide them towards the shore. The beach was small and narrow and strewn with tumbled rocks, seaweed and flotsam, that the sea had washed ashore. The roar of the waves as they broke onto the sand and rocks mingled with the screeching sea gulls. Then with a grating shudder the waves pushed them onto the shore and Eochaid leapt out of the boat and knelt down in the surf. Stiffly Corbulo rose to his feet and half staggered, half collapsed overboard into the water. His muscles were stiff and cold from the long hours sitting in the cramped boat and for a moment he stood in the surf unable to move as the water surged and retreated around his knees.

  "Your gods heard you," Eochaid said with a weary but triumphant grin as he boldly lifted the Curragh out of the water and held it over his head. Then without waiting for an answer he started up the beach towards the cliff face. Corbulo blew the air from his cheeks and wiped his brow. Then slowly he followed Eochaid onto dry land. The Hibernian was stowing the oval Curragh into a gap between the rocks when Corbulo caught up with him. Wearily Corbulo sat down on a boulder as Eochaid finished stowing the craft and started to hide it with rocks and jetsam from the beach. When he was done the Hibernian came and sat down beside Corbulo.