Caledonia

by William Kelso

  Carefully she turned her head. The pain was a dull throb. The Roman officer and some of his men were talking with the men from the war band that had attacked them from the rear. It had all been a trap. The Roman patrol, the Briton who had surrendered so easily, the exchange. It had all been a carefully prepared trap and it had worked. She leaned back against the stone and closed her eyes. But they had not managed to catch Bones. She couldn't see him anywhere. He must have escaped. The thought brought some comfort.

  "The girl is awake," a voice said from behind her. She couldn't see the man but there was something strangely familiar about his voice that she couldn't place. The man had spoken in her own language.

  "Is it her?" another voice said.

  "Oh yes, it's her," the familiar sounding voice replied, "I am not going to forget that pretty face for a while."

  Emogene opened her eyes. The Roman officer and another man, a Celt were walking towards her. She blinked. The Celt looked familiar. Then as he drew closer her eyes widened. It was Baldurix, her father's blood enemy.

  "The girl is mine," she heard Baldurix say as he approached, "That was our bargain. You get to kill the warriors and I get the girl."

  The Roman officer and Baldurix halted before her. Both of them looked down at Emogene in sudden amusement.

  "If you think your dog is going to come back and free you then you are a fool," Baldurix said. "My men will kill him with bow and arrow before he even gets close to our camp."

  Emogene refused to look at them. Instead she stared sullenly at the ground.

  "I heard this girl escaped from you twice before Bestia," Baldurix said with a chuckle as he glanced over her head at the man behind her. "I trust that you won't allow it to happen a third time?"

  "She won't get away," Bestia growled. "I will look after her. I am to cut her throat if you try to take her or if she dares to escape. My employer is keen to protect his investment if you know what I mean."

  For an instant Baldurix's face darkened but he said nothing. Emogene felt the blood rush to her cheeks as she remembered the incident with the Roman outside the army camp the previous autumn. What was Baldurix doing with these Romans?

  "You know who she is don't you Baldurix?" another voice said behind her. "She is the daughter of Dougal, the Vacomagi druid. He is our blood enemy. Should we not kill her for the sake of the feud? It is our right."

  Baldurix grunted and for a moment he seemed to consider the suggestion.

  "No," he said at last, "even if we publicly tortured her in front of her father, I know that old druid. He would be unmoved and nothing would change. He doesn't give a rats arse what we do to his daughter. Only Dougal's death and the massacre of the Vacomagi will end the feud. No, we stick to the original plan. I have a friend who is very interested in meeting this girl. He will be very happy to see her. Very happy indeed."

  "Just so that you remember, nine of my men died to get her," the Roman officer growled speaking brokenly in Emogene's language.

  "And you will be well rewarded as a result," Baldurix replied smoothly. He glanced across at Bestia and then up at the sky. "Come we should not delay any longer. I need to be at Inchtuthil by the full moon. Get her up and onto a horse."

  As one of Baldurix's men caught hold of her arm Emogene sank her teeth into his hand. The man cried out in pain and staggered backwards in shock.

  "Feisty bitch isn't she," another man laughed.

  "Yes, I am quite looking forward to that," Baldurix said darkly.

  Chapter Twenty Four - Hearts of darkness - Saturnalia, December 83 AD

  The round house felt cold. The fire was dead. Vellocatus was hurriedly packing his belongings into a trunk. Outside the fields were covered in fresh snow. A black bird was croaking loudly in a nearby tree. Dark circles surrounded Vellocatus's eyes as he cast a furtive glance at the door. Had that been movement outside? He was alone in his house. The whole civilian settlement that had grown up around the Legionary fort at Eburacum had gathered in the great hall to celebrate the festival of Saturnalia. But Vellocatus was not joining them. He was preparing to flee southwards to Londinium. In Londinium he would be relatively safe. From there it should be possible to catch a ship and make it to Gaul. He had relatives in Gaul.

  He slammed the trunk shut and locked it. Then he cast his eye around his house. Had he forgotten anything? There was no time for a sentimental goodbye to the place he had called home for five years. He turned for the door with his trunk in his hand. He was just about to step outside when a figure loomed up in the doorway. Vellocatus staggered backwards in horror. The man ducked into the house. He was followed by another and then another. The men were armed and clad in warm woollen cloaks. One of them had a hood pulled over his head.

  "Going somewhere, were you?" the hooded man said glancing at the trunk.

  Vellocatus didn't reply. His chest was heaving in nervous tension.

  "You know why we are here Vellocatus," the hooded man continued, "You borrowed money from us a year ago and now we want it back plus the interest. Well do you have it?"

  "I was going to get it just now," Vellocatus muttered.

  The three men laughed. "Sure you were, is that why your horse outside is saddled and loaded for a long journey? Come on Vellocatus, do you take us for fools? We want our money back, now do you have it or not?"

  "He doesn't have it," one of the men growled, "You can see his answer on his face."

  Vellocatus was staring defiantly at his three visitors.

  The hooded man sighed. "One more day Vellocatus," he said looking up at the slaver. "We will return tomorrow and if you don't have the money by then I am going to put an iron ring around your neck. You know the law. If you can't repay your body will become my property and you will become a slave."

  Vellocatus's breath was coming in short sharp gasps but he said nothing. The three men turned for the door.

  "And don't try to escape," the hooded man snapped, "my men will be watching your every move. If you so much as set a foot outside this settlement we will cut your throat. Is that understood?"

  Vellocatus felt a helpless rage surge through his body as the three men left his house. Then he let go of the trunk and it thudded onto the ground. He strode across the single room and hammered his knife into a wooden wall post and opened his mouth in a silent scream. Then he slumped down into a chair and stared listlessly at the far wall. The Jewish money lenders and their Atrebate allies would keep their promise he knew. He had borrowed the money to finance his slaving expedition in the wake of Agricola's advance northwards. He had been hoping his investment would be handsomely rewarded by the slaves he could have picked up after the battle. He had arranged everything with Agricola. Then the Governor had betrayed him. Agricola had reneged on their deal and he Vellocatus had returned home empty handed, in debt and a ruined man. He stared at the far wall and his face blushed a dark red. He couldn't become a slave. He would not allow himself to become a slave to those money lenders. He had been born a free man of the Brigantes. His mother had been none other than Queen Cartimandua herself. He was of noble blood. He could not become a slave...anything but that.

  Vellocatus closed his eyes. But what could he do? He didn't have the money. His mother was dead and so was his father. The Brigantes were no longer an independent nation. He was an illegitimate bastard and none of the remaining Brigante nobles wanted anything to do with him. He had relatives in Gaul but they were simple farmers and poor. What was he going to do? He had a day to find a solution. Slowly he opened his eyes. Then he got to his feet and stomped out of the door. It was freezing outside and he pulled his cloak closer around his body as he made his way through the snow towards the great hall from where the faint sound of music and laughter was coming. As he plodded across the snow covered field with its scattering of round houses and tradesmen's workshops he became aware of two dark shapes following him. He didn't look round for he knew who they were. The Jews were keeping an eye on their investment. In the distance to the north
across a small river he could make out the turf and wooden ramparts of the Legionary camp. The Ninth had just returned from active service in Caledonia for the winter and the smoke from hundreds of cooking fires drifted away into the grey sky. The soldiers return had been greeted by much enthusiasm from the people in the civilian settlement for the presence of the soldiers was the main reason why the growing town existed at all.

  The great hall was a long low rectangular building made of peat and wood and it had a thatched roof. Smoke was pouring out from two chimneys. As he approached Vellocatus could hear music and singing. A drunk staggered past him towards the river but was violently sick before he could make it to the bank. Vellocatus ducked into the doorway and entered the meeting hall. It was dark inside and the noise was tremendous. Flickering oil lamps along the walls and two coal fires provided the only illumination. Vellocatus paused to allow his eyes to adjust. People clad in gay costumes were sitting around tables, eating, drinking, talking, laughing and singing. Others were dancing or banging their hands on the tables. Vellocatus did not join in. Instead he searched the hall until he found the person he was looking for. Brusquely he made his way through the crowd. The woman was laughing as he approached but the laughter faded abruptly as she caught sight of him. Vellocatus pushed a sleeping man aside and sat down beside her. The girl had begun to look decidedly uncomfortable.

  "I need to see her at once," Vellocatus exclaimed loudly.

  "She doesn't want to see you anymore," the woman replied.

  Vellocatus grabbed the woman's arm and held it tightly. There was a desperate gleam in his eye.

  "Where is she? Why won't she receive me? What have I done wrong?"

  The woman wrenched her wrist free. She turned to face him and there was disgust on her face.

  "She is in the Roman camp. The soldiers will not allow you in. She is leaving for Gaul soon. You will never see her again."

  Vellocatus stared at the woman in dismay. For many months earlier that year he had been courting the sister of Agricola's wife. The girl had been rather plain looking but her family connections and wealth made up for all of that. But ever since he had returned from Caledonia the girl had refused to see him and his presents had been returned.

  "It's all Agricola's fault isn't it," he hissed. "He has poisoned her mind against me."

  The woman looked at him with growing disgust.

  "No," she shook her head, "It is not that." The woman paused, "It's you and your particular tastes. There are rumours going around that you have an appetite for sexual deviancy." The woman rose to her feet and glared at Vellocatus. "You are sick. You are a beast. Don't come here again."

  ***

  Vellocatus staggered out of the great hall. The two men who had followed him were watching him from beside the river. In the trees the black bird was still croaking. It had always been a foolish hope to expect Agricola's wife's sister to settle his debts but he couldn't think of anything else he could do. Moodily he kicked at a snow drift and as he did so his eyes glided towards the last house in the settlement. The woman was right. He had urges, dark deviant desires that he knew he had to keep hidden, for society would hate him if they ever knew about them. They would cast him out and maybe even threaten his life if they knew about his cravings. He snorted. What difference did it make. He was doomed after all. A final visit to the merchant who provided satisfaction to his cravings would do no harm. He licked his lips in anticipation and started out towards the round house at the end of the settlement. Not many people knew what went on inside that house. The merchant who owned it had a very select group of clientele and he was very careful about whom he allowed inside. But Vellocatus needed no introduction, he was a regular. He approached the house and then paused. The two men shadowing him were still there. He smiled and banged on the door. A few moments later it opened and a man's face peered out. He nodded quickly as he recognised Vellocatus.

  "The usual price," he said sternly and Vellocatus nodded in agreement. Then he stepped through the doorway and into the house. The merchant closed the door behind him. Vellocatus stood in a dimly lit room and looked around. Another man whom he didn't recognise was sitting on a chair.

  "I have another customer," the merchant said gesturing for Vellocatus to sit. Vellocatus stared at the stranger. He was a big man and from his polished Torc around his neck and the rings on his fingers he looked wealthy too. The stranger glanced up at Vellocatus and suddenly he grinned. Vellocatus found himself grinning in return as if the two men were sharing a guilty secret.

  "My name is Baldurix," the stranger said rising to his feet, "I have come from the north on business."

  "And for pleasure it seems," Vellocatus said with a knowing look as he shook the man's hand.

  Chapter Twenty Five - Axis of evil

  The fire crackled in its hearth as Vellocatus threw another log of wood onto it. It was evening and he was back in his own house. Sitting beside the fire sipping a cup of wine was Baldurix. The big warrior from the north glanced carefully at Vellocatus as the slaver sat back down in his seat. For a moment the two men said nothing. Then Vellocatus leaned forwards.

  "I have a problem," he said cautiously, "I won't lie to you. I owe some men some money. They are threatening to come here tomorrow and throw an iron ring around my neck if I don't pay up. I don't have the money."

  "Sounds awful," Baldurix replied taking another sip of wine. "Is that why you asked me to come to your house?"

  Vellocatus nodded and studied the fire.

  "You said you were here on business. You have a boat and you have ten armed men who follow you," Vellocatus muttered thoughtfully.

  Baldurix wiped his mouth with his hand. "I sympathise with your problems Vellocatus but I don't see how I can help you."

  Vellocatus looked up at him and in the fire light it seemed as if his face was on fire.

  "If you kill these men to whom I owe money I will show you where they have hidden their fortune. If you kill these men for me, you can take three quarters of the money that they have."

  The house fell silent. Baldurix was staring into the flames. He raised his hand and slowly stroked his chin.

  "I do not fight against Romans," Baldurix said at last. "I am allied to them now. But this fortune you talk about, how large is it?"

  "How large do you need it to be?" Vellocatus answered.

  Baldurix looked at him. "I would need a fortune that is large enough so that I can bribe two complete Roman forts and nearly one thousand Roman soldiers."

  Vellocatus whistled and looked impressed. He paused for a few moments.

  "These men are not Romans, they are Jews. There are only six of them. Your men can handle them easily enough."

  "Who are the Jews?" Baldurix frowned.

  "It doesn't matter, but the Romans don't give a damn about them. No one does."

  "How much money do they possess? Is it enough to get me interested?" Baldurix insisted.

  Vellocatus leaned forwards and touched Baldurix on his knee. "Do this for me and you will gain a loyal friend. I know things. I have many friends amongst the Romans. I have connections that will be useful to you. I can even introduce you to Agricola's wife's sister. I have influence with Agricola himself."

  Baldurix took another sip of wine.

  "Six men you say? But you still haven't told me how much gold these Jews have?"

  Vellocatus nodded and there was a triumphant gleam in his eye. "Lots, enough to satisfy all your men. But that's just the start," he paused. "I know how you can get the wealth you need. A few months ago just after Agricola's victory I happened to come across a boy who had a rather interesting story to tell..."

  Baldurix was silent as Vellocatus recounted the tale of the captured boy and the secret of the amber cave. When Vellocatus finally fell silent the leader of the Decantae looked intrigued. He raised his index finger in the air.

  "So this girl with the blue face, she murdered the boy to keep the stones a secret. To prevent the boy from showing you wh
ere they are?"

  "Yes, that's what we believe." Vellocatus stood up and poured some more wine into Baldurix's cup. "I believe that this cave does exist," he said quietly. "A Roman scout was sent north to look for the place but there has been no news from him. He is probably dead." Vellocatus paused and his eyes suddenly sparkled with excitement. "Baldurix, don't you see. If we can get hold of this amber and it's there in the quantities that the boy told us it was, then think what we could do. With such wealth a man could do much more than bribe two Roman forts, a man could buy the loyalty of an entire Legion!"

  "Yes but why do I need you to find this amber?" Baldurix retorted.

  The house fell silent. Vellocatus nodded.

  "A fair question," he murmured, "You have the manpower, you know the land but I my friend am the only one who knows what this girl looks like. Without her we could spend years looking for this cave. The girl is the key. She will be able to guide us to this cave and I am the only one who can identify her. That's why you need me."

  Baldurix grunted and swirled the wine in his cup. He looked moody.

  "So we will need to find this woman first. How do we do that?"

  Vellocatus smiled. "When she first appeared one of my men mentioned that she had a big war dog as a companion. You know, one of these dogs trained to fight in battle. These dogs are fairly rare and they are valuable. There won't be so many of them in Caledonia. Have your men scour the hills and villages when you return and if they hear anything about a girl and a war dog then send word to me. I in return will send you one of my men whom can positively identify her."