by George Green
Severus hadn’t wanted to have the conversation in front of their hosts, and Serpicus could see why. The centurion came straight to the point.
‘We signed on to come here, to Gelbheim, and escort an animal back to Rome. We knew there was a war going on, fair enough. We’re soldiers, if there’s fighting to be done then so be it.’ He looked at the men behind him, and they made noises of assent. ‘But we assumed that if there was any fighting to be done it would be against the locals or attacks by bandits. None of us expected to be sitting here listening to people talking about killing Romans as if it was the accepted local pastime.’
Serpicus tapped a finger on the table. ‘So you’re worried that you might have to fight Romans?’ Several men grunted agreement, and Severus looked quickly around the room before replying.
‘That’s most of it,’ he said. ‘I’m not too keen either about staying here and making friends with people who may very soon end up fighting Romans. Life is complicated enough. I don’t want to end up caught between them and having to choose sides.’
Brutus looked up. ‘Does Severus speak for all of you?’ There was some shuffling, and three men pushed through the front row of listening soldiers. One of them was Snake, the Cretan. As always, he was wearing the soft leather waistcoat that held his knives. He spoke for them.
‘l am a Cretan. Rome tells me I am no longer a Cretan or a Greek, that there is no Greece or Crete any more, that we are all Romans. If this can be done with the stroke of a pen, if it is so easy to make a man a Roman, then I say it is not worth much and it is as easily undone. I will fight for my people or for my friends, or for who pays me the most, or for whom I please, but I owe no debt to Rome.’ He indicated the two men with him. ‘Frank and Bertrand are Gauls. Their fathers both died fighting Germanicus. They owe Rome no debts either.’
Severus looked at them sternly. ‘And if I say that I am a Roman, will you fight me?’
Snake shook his head. ‘We do not fight men who say they are Romans. We fight Rome. Romans may be many kinds of people, including Cretans and Gauls, even Germans. But for us, Rome and the Empire, it brings only one thing, the death of those we care about and the end of independence.’ He indicated the village around them. ‘We all heard how Rome has already attacked these people here without provocation.’ He looked steadily at several faces in the group. ‘You are all our friends. We will gladly fight at your sides against anyone who threatens you, but if you say that you are for Rome regardless of whom Rome decides you must fight, then we must part now and hope our eyes never meet over the top of a shield.’
Scipio leant forward. ‘We only have the Germans’ word that the Romans attacked them first. It could equally well have been the other way around. Doesn’t the story strike you as suspicious? When was the last time you saw a Roman ambush which left seven dead legionaries and only one dead German?’ He waited for an answer. The men looked at each other and many of them murmured agreement. Scipio continued, looking at Snake. ‘If Romans come to Gelbheim to demand that the village lays down its arms, and if the villagers resist them, will you join with them against us?’
Snake paused a long time before replying. ‘If I join with these people, and if you join with the Roman army and fight these people, then yes, I will fight you.’ The two Gauls nodded their support.
Severus looked at Snake and nodded slowly. ‘I see.’ He turned back to Serpicus. ‘Regardless of who started it, Romans have been killed today, and there seem to be plenty of men in Gelbheim who think it was a good idea. Rome will call it a rebellion even if the villagers decide for peace. The legions will come to Gelbheim and there will be war. We must make up our minds now, because if we do not then they will be made up for us very soon. Do we stay with these people and fight against Rome, or shall we stick to our mission and leave as quickly as possible, while we are all still together?’
Before anyone could answer him, the door opened suddenly and crashed back against the wall. Calryx stood in the doorway, framed by the torches held up by his men behind him. There were as many of them as there were men already in the room.
‘So,’ Calryx said with a sardonic smile. ‘The Romans stay to hear us talk openly, then leave to hold their own debates in secret.’
The four men around the table stood up. Galba and Decius moved close to Brutus and Serpicus and the rest of the men came around the table so that they all faced Calryx. Serpicus almost smiled at the way allegiances could change in an instant. He looked at Calryx. ‘What do you want?’
Calryx stepped forward until he was close enough to reach out and touch Serpicus on the chest. ‘War is coming. When it does arrive, we do not want Romans in our village, even if they have eaten our food and call themselves our allies. When we fight we do not want to know that they are standing behind us with bare swords in their hands.’
Serpicus sensed movement behind him and glanced at Severus. The centurion had put his hand on his sword. Most of his men had done the same. It looked as though everyone in the room had heard enough talking and was ready to move on to the next stage. Serpicus stood up and moved in front of Severus so that Calryx could not see the centurion’s sword-arm. ‘You want us all to leave now?’
‘Yes.’
‘And is this your chief’s order?’
Calryx bit back the reply that sprang to his lips. ‘I lead the Council,’ he said evenly. ‘There will soon be a new chief. In the meantime I give the orders here.’
‘Not while I live,’ said a new voice clearly from behind Calryx’s men.
Calryx’s group of men parted and Drenthe came through the space, flanked by the four guards who accompanied her everywhere. She walked past Calryx and then turned to face him. The women stood around her in silence, their muscles tensed and ready to move.
‘What does this mean?’ she asked. ‘These men are our guests.’
Calryx’s face flushed. ‘I am removing these Romans from our midst. They are probably all spies, and even if they are not then they are a liability.’
Drenthe was staring straight into his face. ‘They are strange spies indeed, to arrive as they did. You know that some of them are as German as you or I. You also should know that, even if every one of them was a direct blood relative of Tiberius, they have eaten our food. They are guests here.’ She looked straight into Calryx’s face. ‘My guests.’
Calryx trembled with anger and then visibly got control of his temper. ‘And when the Romans come and attack us? Do you suppose these men will fight with us then?’
Drenthe lifted an eyebrow. ‘I don’t know. Just now, it doesn’t matter. They are guests, under my protection, under the protection of our village. If you insult them then you insult the hospitality of the whole village. You insult me.’ She paused. ‘Only someone who cares nothing for the honour of the Treveri could even think of acting as you do.’ She paused again, to give him time to remember where he had heard that phrase before. ‘Is that clear?’
Calryx let out a noise closer to an animal growl than a human word. He turned and swept back out through the door. His men turned and followed him, muttering darkly.
When they were all gone, Drenthe took a deep breath and let it out slowly, blowing the conflict after them. Then she turned to face Serpicus.
‘I’m told you have a new name now,’ she said quietly with a smile. ‘It has been a long time. We must find an opportunity to talk about the old days. Meanwhile, will you translate what I say to your men?’
Serpicus opened his mouth and found himself unable to speak. He made a sound that he hoped would suffice as a reply. Her voice became a leader’s. ‘We must all be honest with each other. You have eaten and drunk here and so you are our guests, but that does not make us allies. Our friends tell us that the legions are marching towards this village as I speak. War is coming, although I do not wish it and when it arrives it will not be our doing. If you are still in Gelbheim when the legions arrive, I can understand that this will place some of you in an uncomfortable position. If any
of you wish to depart, you are free to leave now and I suggest you do so quickly. You will be escorted to the limits of our territory and then you may ride in any direction you choose.’ She looked at Severus appraisingly as she gave his translation time to catch up, then continued. ‘If you decide to stay, I am sure you will already have realized that these are dangerous times. If you decide to take a chance and then Gelbheim is attacked, you will, of course, have the right to choose not to join in our fight.’ She smiled. ‘I will have you put in irons so that it is plain you took no part in defending the village. If we fail to repel the attack, then how sympathetic the legions will be to your position will, I am afraid, have to be a matter between you and them.’
There was a pause. Serpicus was aware that many eyes were upon him. He spoke.
‘As some of you know, my family’s safety depends upon the success of this expedition. I shall attempt to get the animal out of here before the legions arrive. However, we must wait for the druids to agree to us taking it, and I have no way of knowing how long that will be. I shall understand if any of you feel that you can’t wait and take the chance of being trapped here.’ Snake and the two Gauls stepped forward and stood behind Brutus and Serpicus. Galba moved sideways until he too was beside them. Decius moved less obviously, but there was no doubt which side he was on. Severus and the rest of the men stayed where they were. Drenthe waited until she was sure no one else was going to move and then nodded once to Severus and his men.
‘So be it. You will be given horses if you have none and you may keep your weapons. I will arrange your escort to the border.’ She turned to Serpicus. ‘Those who stay will be billeted with families in the village. I would not have it said that our allies were left to sleep in a barn.’ She turned swiftly and left the building.
Severus’ men moved away smartly to gather their effects. Decius came from behind Brutus’ broad back into the light. He looked utterly miserable. Serpicus caught his eye. ‘Are you sure about staying?’
‘I don’t know what to do,’ he said. ‘I feel as though whatever I do I lose something.’
Brutus snorted. ‘Welcome to the big world, my lad,’ he said. He dropped his pack onto the floor and sat on the table.
Another figure appeared beside Decius.
‘I have no love for Rome either,’ he said. ‘If you are going to stay here, I would like to stay with you, to see if I can help.’ They all stared at Cato, who stared back.
Serpicus stood up and held out his hand. ‘I hope it won’t be necessary, but if it comes to that, we’re glad to have you.’
Cato clasped his hand and grinned at him. It was the first time Serpicus had seen his gloomy face change.
Serpicus turned away and saw Snake standing in the shadows, his face impassive, watching.
* * *
A short time later Serpicus was standing outside Drenthe’s quarters, a wet skin of drizzle gathering on his clothes. The guard outside seemed to expect him and waved him towards the door. Serpicus raised a hand to rap on the frame and then hesitated. He didn’t know what he wanted to say to her. He knocked twice, hoping she would begin the conversation.
A serving girl opened the door and stepped aside to let him enter. She looked at Drenthe for instructions and was dismissed with a smile.
The room was warm and dry. Drenthe sat in a chair near a small fire. Her hair fell around her shoulders and caught the firelight. She gestured to a chair facing her without speaking. When he sat down she passed him a cup of warmed wine and lifted her own cup to him. They drank. Serpicus watched her over the edge of the cup as the spiced wine rose to his head.
She sat back in the chair, apparently completely relaxed.
‘So,’ she said, smiling warmly. ‘What shall we talk about?’
He hesitated. He still wasn’t sure if she knew who he was.
‘The bear?’ he said. ‘I wasn’t sure if…’
She held the cup in front of her mouth in both hands without drinking. ‘The situation is complicated. I understand that Balant has already explained to you what the problems are?’
Serpicus nodded. ‘Yes. He was pessimistic. Do you see the druids as an obstacle too?’
‘Perhaps. But the price is a good one. If the money is properly shared around amongst the right people, then I suspect that many men will find that their objections are not nearly so hot as they thought.’
Relief flooded through him. ‘So you have made a decision?’
‘No. The Council is split, but the majority is just in favour of the sale. For now. That could easily change. The decision is mine, for as long as there is one to take. I wanted to talk to you before making it.’
‘What can I tell you?’
She sat back in her chair and looked amused, a curve of the lips that tossed Serpicus backwards through the years.
‘For a start, you can tell me whatever happened to that big clumsy boy with the sleepy eyes and sticking-out ears who used to follow me around all those years ago?’
Serpicus stopped breathing for a long moment. Then his own face creased into a grin. ‘Oh, he was wondering what happened to the skinny girl with the pony-teeth and the hair like straw who liked to pretend that she didn’t notice him following her around.’
Drenthe’s smile reached her eyes. ‘It’s good to see you again.’
He allowed himself to look at her properly, openly, for the first time. ‘And it’s good to see you.’
There was a silence, but they were both comfortable with it.
‘You were married?’ he said, knowing the answer.
‘I was.’
‘I’m sorry.’
She looked at him curiously, and he looked straight back, neither of them quite sure what he meant. She decided to take him at face value.
‘He was a good man.’
Serpicus nodded. ‘I have heard it said so.’
She tapped a finger on her cup. ‘And you are married now?’
‘Yes.’
She paused. ‘And so, should I be sorry too?’
There wasn’t a reply he could think of, so he said nothing.
‘And you must leave soon?’ she asked.
‘If I do not return with the bear, my family will die in the arena.’
She looked directly at him. ‘You have children?’
‘Two.’
A shadow stroked her face. ‘I see. Then you should go back, quickly.’
‘Yes,’ he said. ‘You had none?’
She looked into her cup and spoke slowly. ‘It seems the gods want me for a soldier myself, not a bearer of them.’
‘Again, I am sorry. Perhaps…’
She shook her head and lifted it. Her eyes were shining in the firelight. ‘No. It cannot be. Will not be. There are… reasons. It does not matter.’ She smiled, differently, a deliberate movement of the lips that rose through time and through pain, defying them. ‘I thought, once, that you and I might have…’
Serpicus needed to move. He leant forward. ‘I thought it too, once,’ he said. He looked at her frankly. ‘I never forgot you.’
She laughed, and a tear spilt down her cheek. ‘I never forgot you either. And yet, somehow, life seems to have gone on for both of us.’
He could think of nothing to say to that. She looked up at him and a tight fist gripped his chest. Everything stopped moving, pinned to the tension between them.
And then the noise started.
Somebody and something – the butt end of a spear, or the handle of a sword – was pounding on the outside of the door.
They both turned slowly to look. Serpicus turned back again, but she did not. She wiped her face dry and said in a controlled voice, ‘Yes?’
The door opened immediately. A man was standing outside. He stepped in. To be as wet as he was would mean either taking a swim fully clothed or standing on guard in the rain for half a day. Serpicus presumed it was the latter.
‘I’m sorry to disturb you,’ the guard said breathlessly. ‘There is something you must kn
ow.’
Drenthe stood up with a concerned expression. ‘What is it?’
He gestured over his shoulder. ‘The gate. You can see… there are…’ He stopped, his agitation leaving him without words. ‘You should come to the gate.’
In the distance Serpicus could hear excited voices and shouting. The village was being roused.
Drenthe looked at Serpicus as she spoke to the guard. ‘I will be there immediately.’
The man withdrew, closing the door behind him. She put a hand on Serpicus’ forearm and indicated the thin fabric of her clothing with the other. ‘I must get dressed,’ she said. The warmth of her hand entered his blood.
‘Of course. I will… of course.’ He headed for the door.
‘Serpicus?’
He stopped and turned. She stood with the red glow of the burning logs behind her. The shadow of her body was outlined with glowing fire.
‘We will speak again, yes?’
‘We will,’ he said.
The cold air after the warm house was like a slap in the face. He turned his face up to the rain and, breathing deeply, waited for it to wash him clean.
Chapter Twenty-Six
‘How far do you think?’ said Serpicus, jumping off the ladder to stand on the walkway beside Brutus.
Decius shook his head and said nothing. Brutus squinted into the night, a dark cloak made impenetrable by the heavy rain. If there was a moon it was completely hidden behind the clouds. ‘Three hundred paces?’ he said.
Standing beside him wrapped tightly in a thick cloak, Galba shook his head. ‘Impossible to judge,’ he said. ‘You don’t know how far away they are or how big the fires are. They could be very big fires a long way away, or they could be very small ones but quite close.’
Brutus looked at Galba as if seeing him clearly for the very first time. ‘Yes, Archimedes, I know that,’ he said with heavy sarcasm, ‘but then, he asked, and so, to please him, I’m guessing. It’s approximate. And, of course, if I was a Roman and I was building a line of fires to cut off this place, I know where I would put them, and so I do know roughly how far away they are. And I’ve got a bag of coins that say that my guess is closer to the truth than yours, whatever that may be.’ He made a disgusted sound and stared back out over the wooden wall. ‘Bloody accountants,’ he muttered, ‘thinking they can do a soldier’s job.’