He slipped the robe back on, not to wear it for comfort but, for the ease of carrying the bulky fur garment. As the pony picked her way back down the path, Alerio climbed the trail to the top of the foothill. At the center of a flat area, he turned left and began to descend. If he figured correctly, below him at the edge of the thick trees was open grassland and the Insubri war party’s camp.
***
Alerio, wrapped in the black fur robe, peered between branches. Down on the grassland, three of the warriors squatted beside the campfire. The other four, either on patrol or lost behind branches, were not visible. Peregrinus also was out of his field of vision. He couldn’t tell if the Tribune lived or had the good manners to die making Alerio’s task simpler.
The sun’s rays filtered straight down through the trees letting him know it was midday. Digging in his pack produced a wheat cake and a strip of dried meat. Once the food was consumed, Alerio leaned back on the slope and closed his eyes.
A cool breeze across his exposed hands alerted him to the setting of the sun behind the foothills. Snugged inside the warm robe, Alerio had to fight the urge to remain motionless and go back to sleep. He had come too far, not in distance but in suffering, to ignore his duty. Plus, if the Tribune lived, Lance Corporal Sisera would require awhile to figure out a way to extract the gutless nobleman.
As the sky turned grey, Alerio rolled onto his hands and knees and began carefully picking his way down the slope. With the black fur robe blending into the deepening shadows, he made it to the bottom of the hill unseen. There he crept forward as daylight faded. Two trees back from the grassland, he squatted and studied the Insubri camp.
***
Off to the left of the camp, ponies whinnied. They were tied to a picket line not far from the campfire. Only two warriors tended the fire. Close to them, a Legion leather pack rested unopened next to several sacks of Insubri supplies. Ten paces to the right lay the big tree where Peregrinus was tied.
The pack with the Legion dispatches held the highest priority. The Tribune, if he lived, was secondary. However, if Alerio tripped up, alerted the Insubri, and had to run, freeing Peregrinus became a non-issue. Legionaries ran a lot and fast. But not if slowed down by a weak Tribune who left a companion to face three big barbarians alone.
One of the warriors pulled a stick from the fire and walked towards the big tree. Alerio followed the burning ember as the barbarian approached Peregrinus’ location. He squatted and held out the stick.
Alerio expected to hear cries of pain as Peregrinus’ face was horribly burned. When no screams carried across from the big tree, Alerio squinted his eyes in an attempt to better see the shadowy figure.
“Eat,” ordered the barbarian.
Alerio didn’t know if he was relieved or disappointed. The Insubri wanted the Tribune healthy so they were feeding him. Unreliable coward or not, he had to be freed. Once Alerio settled on the idea, he mostly released his resentment.
Alerio eased back into the forest, faced left, and headed towards the ponies.
***
Between the smell of the Insubri robe and the slow approach, the ponies paid him no heed. They continued to munch on grass as Alerio came up behind the two. From this vantage point, he could see the pair of warriors at the campfire.
Should he attack them, grab the Legion communications, free…
His chain of thought broke when another two riders trotted into camp. They said a few words before leaping to the ground and walking their ponies to where the Legionary hid.
Alerio back away and squatted down. In the dark, the black fur robe blended in with the grassland. Once tied to the picket line, the new ponies snorted greetings at the others. Using the noise as cover, Alerio crept in among the mounts and rubbed one muzzle as he studied the camp, now with four Insubri guarding it.
A sliver of moon rose in the night sky promising a dark night. At least he wouldn’t have to deal with moonlit shadows. High in the hills, a wolf howled for its mate and Alerio had his plan.
***
Soon the reins on the four ponies hung un-looped and draped over their necks secured only by slipknots. After loosening one end of the picket line, Alerio laid it on the ground. Back in the forest, he leaned against a tree, watched the camp and waited.
The wolf howled again and, although no closer, the ponies snorted their displeasure at the presence of a predator. Alerio feared one of the ponies would bolt and reveal the undone ropes. But the mounts settled and the night quieted.
Eventually, the small talk ended, the warriors stretched out and the campfire died down. Still, Alerio waited. He wanted them deep asleep and dreaming of hearth and home. If barbarians even dreamed of civilized things like those. Also, he needed another wolf call and three fist sized rocks.
A little toe nudging and he located the rocks. With them in hand, he continued the vigil.
***
The gash of a moon past its zenith in the starry night and a wolf howled. Alerio reared back and launched the first rock. A pony whinnied and stomped the ground. The other three snorted loudly. One of the Insubri rolled out of his furs and the Legionary hurled the second. This time all four ponies pawed the soil until one pulled back. As if still tied to a picket line, the four rose up and spun. Alerio pitched the third rock and the ponies fled in panic.
The warrior stood and shouted. The other three leaped to their feet. Following the ponies, they ran from the campfire disappearing into the night. Alerio jogged along the tree line until he was even with the camp. Then he pivoted left and broke into a sprint. With no change in his stride, he snagged the Tribune’s pack, swung right, and vanished into the night.
***
Peregrinus’ world had gone from bone chilling cold to hot fear and scalding panic to aching joints and bone chilling cold. His misery knew no bounds. His mind had long since abandoned rationality or his ability to sort out the screaming of his senses. When a voice whispered, he couldn’t place the person or understand the meaning of the words.
“Tribune, keep quiet,” insisted the voice.
“Ugh, ah…” and a hand, smelling like pony sweat and dirty fur, clamped over his mouth.
“Peregrinus. For Angerona’s sake, shut up,” urged Alerio as he cut the Tribune’s binding with one hand while holding the other over Peregrinus’ mouth.
“Lance Corporal Sisera? I thought you were dead,” he mumbled under the smelly palm.
“Later. For now, keep your questions to yourself,” ordered Alerio.
“As if a priest of the Goddess of silence,” Peregrinus promised.
The bindings on both legs hung sliced but the Tribune’s legs didn’t move. A bad sign thought Alerio as he cut away the binding on the right wrist. Peregrinus swung away from the tree trunk like a broken window shutter - unanchored except for the suspended left wrist. Once that rope parted, Peregrinus tumbled to the ground, his legs unable to support his weight.
An arm snaked under the Tribune’s arm and across the small of his back. Suddenly, he was airborne and slung over the Legionary’s shoulder. In ten jarring steps, his ribs hurt from bouncing off the Legionary’s shoulder bones and his head ached from slamming into Alerio’s pack. He didn’t complain out loud but, in his mind, he prayed to Angerona to keep his words of agony in his mind and off his lips.
Peregrinus expected the pain to increase as he was carried across the grassland. Instead, his head hung away from the Legionary’s pack and the pace slowed. He felt the shift and realized they were heading up hill.
***
Alerio’s lungs inflated and deflated. With each cycle, he struggled to find enough air. As his thighs began to burn, he concentrated on lifting and placing one foot at a time. It wasn’t so much the extra weight of the Tribune. In Legion Training, Recruits ran with sandbags on their shoulders. If a trainee fell down and didn’t get up, two bags were added to the load. For those slow to reach the top, only a single sandbag was added when they ran the hill a second time. No, it wasn’t the weight
. It was the steepness of the hill and the rush to put as much distance between them and the Insubri camp as possible. Breathing like a bull and digging deep into his guts for reserve energy, Alerio continued the climb.
***
Peregrinus flew through the air and landed on his back. He heard another body fall beside him. That body breathed hard and groaned.
“You came for me,” blurted out the Tribune.
A leather pouch slammed into Peregrinus’ stomach driving the air from his lungs.
“I came for the dispatches,” gasped Alerio. “You, sir, were a secondary priority.”
Chapter – 15 Down Hill Dash
“Can you stand, Tribune Peregrinus?” Alerio inquired as he struggled to his feet.
“I believe so,” replied the nobleman.
“That’s good, sir. We should get moving,” Alerio stated formally.
Peregrinus pushed back until he was on his knees. After testing to see if his legs would support his weight, he managed to stand. Reaching down and picking up his pack, he reported his success to Alerio.
“Ready to march, Lance Corporal,” he announced.
“Yes, sir, follow me and take care with your footing,” the Legionary warned.
Turning left, they hiked over the crest of the hill and began to slip and slide their way down the far side. From tree to tree, they crept downward each getting a share of scratches from low hanging branches.
***
“We should wait for daylight,” Peregrinus suggested.
Alerio stood within the tree line staring across the dark grasslands.
“Is that an order, Tribune?” he asked.
“Well no. I was simply voicing my opinion,” Peregrinus explained.
“In that case, sir, we should move,” Alerio stated and began walking away from the forest.
Caught by surprise, the nobleman rushed to catch up with the Legionary.
They walked for a long time before Alerio asked, “Can you run, sir?”
“My knees are sore but yes, I believe so,” Peregrinus replied.
Alerio stepped off and broke into the Legion jog. The Tribune again caught off guard, raced to catch up with the Legionary.
In the quiet and dark of the early morning, the two men moved rapidly across the gentle hills and dales of the rolling land. The only sound, their hobnailed boots pounding the short grasses and the occasional stretch of bare earth.
***
Alerio fell into the rhythm of the run and they covered a lot of ground. He could hear Peregrinus breathing hard and noticed a few times when the young nobleman stumbled. Then, the Tribune wasn’t beside him. Turning, Alerio saw his shape sprawled in the grass.
“Do you need to rest, sir?” Alerio asked as he knelt down.
“Knees hurt,” reported Peregrinus. “Head hurts.”
Thinking the Tribune had injured his head in the fall, Alerio probed his scalp before placing a palm against Peregrinus’ forehead. The nobleman burned with fever. Moving to the young man’s knees, Alerio felt the joints and found both swollen.
“We’ll take a rest period,” stated Alerio as he slipped Peregrinus’ arms out of the pack’s straps.
From their packs, he pulled out wheat cakes and meat strips. While they ate the horizon lightened. This was good as they could see further and judge the direction to the Tiber. Somewhere further south, the Northern Legion had a fort on the riverbank, a dock, and patrol boats. On the other hand, the rising sun was bad as they were visible to any Insubri patrolling in the area. Alerio wasn’t sure which he preferred. Then, he wished it was still night.
“Tribune, can you stand?” Alerio asked as he stood.
“What? I just sat down,” mumbled Peregrinus. “A moment to dine in peace would be appreciated.”
Reaching down, Alerio grabbed his arm and jerked Peregrinus to his feet. The Tribune’s head wobbled, and his knees began to fold. If it weren’t for Alerio’s grip on his elbow, he would have fallen.
“Brace up, Tribune. I need you to stand tall and look in this direction,” Alerio instructed as he turned Peregrinus to face east. “Stay right there. If you can, wave with your arms.”
“I don’t understand,” pleaded Peregrinus. His eyes were unfocused and he had a blank look on his young face.
“I’ll explain later,” promised Alerio as he turned and jogged away.
***
The lone Insubri warrior saw the two strangers. As he urged his pony closer, he recognized the hobnailed boots and the short hair worn by soldiers of the Republic. Hatred set his heart aflame and he kneed the pony into a charge while drawing his long sword. To cut them down and bask in their pain while they died by his hand, fired his mind.
One stood as helpless as a bait goat staked in place for a cougar hunt. He would die first. The other ran towards him holding a short sword. That one, he would spare for now. After slaughtering the goat, he would return and slay the armed man.
***
Alerio had spotted the mounted Insubri in the distance. With Peregrinus standing, he hoped seeing two Legionaries would send the rider to get help. That at least would give him and Peregrinus a chance to move out of the area. Unfortunately, the warrior decided to attack.
Drawing one gladius, the Legionary ran to engage the Insubri. But the rider nudged his pony to the side and they began to veer around Alerio. Unaware of the danger, Peregrinus stood dazed and unable to defend himself.
With the rider attempting to bypass him, Alerio drew his other gladius. Not having a javelin or a distance weapon, the Legionary changed course and sprinted in a direction to cut across the pony’s path. But it was too far. The rider would be by him and on Peregrinus before he could intercept the warrior. In frustration and with a prayer to Diana, Alerio hoisted both gladii and flung them at the fast-moving warrior.
End over end, the short blades spun sailing in a flat arc across the distance. From Alerio’s hands, the gladii traveled to a spot just in front of the mounted Insubri. The Goddess of the hunt must have heard Alerio’s plea as the warrior rode into the path of the tumbling blades. One slapped into his shoulder. Its edge leaving a thin cut on the skin. The other gladius rotated a little faster allowing the pummel to slam into the warrior’s temple. He toppled from the pony.
The pony, surprised by the sudden loss of weight from its back, slowed to a trot. A tasty spot of green drew the mare’s attention. She walked over and began grazing.
Alerio reached to his back and drew his knife as he ran. Before the Insubri regained awareness, his heart pumped the last of his blood onto the soil. Alerio wiped the blade clean on the dead warrior’s leather pants before collecting his gladii and the pony.
Act 3
Chapter - 16 Legion Post Umbria
The on-duty Legionary leaned against the gate post. After yesterdays’ cold and snow, the spring sun warmed without the oppressive heat of summer. He’d been at his post since daybreak and was looking forward to some vino while he fished off the pier after his shift.
He alternated between watching the light traffic of merchants on the road running south and the empty northern route. A Legion had marched through just days before and since then, no merchants had come from that direction. It took him by surprise when far up the northern road, a pony, ridden by a fur covered barbarian, and led by a man wearing Legion boots, came trotting and jogging towards the Legion Post.
“Sergeant of the Guard,” he yelled through the open gates. “You’ve got to see this.”
Moments later, the on-duty NCO walked out and looked at the strange makeup of the travelers.
“Not Legion couriers,” observed the Sergeant. “What do you suppose?”
“Deserters. The one on the pony seems like he’s hiding and the one on the ground has two sword hilts sticking over his shoulders,” the Legionary replied. “Nothing about them is regulation except the boots. Think they’ll try to get past us.”
“Corporal of the Guard. Get me a unit on the main road,” the Sergeant shouted
. Then to the guard commented, “And I thought this was going to be a boring watch.”
“I was hoping it would be,” the Legionary confessed.
***
After the grassland, Alerio was tempted to climb the next hill and approach the Legion Post from the west. But Peregrinus’ fever and chills forced him to choose the Republic road. While running and leading the pony, he constantly watched to be sure the Tribune didn’t lose his seat and the road behind them was empty. Even with Legion Post Umbria in view, they could be run down by mounted Insubri warriors.
Relief ran through him when ten Legionaries marched out of the Post and took up positions across the road. An Optio stood in front of the shields holding up his hand.
“Halt. State your unit and purpose,” he shouted as Alerio and the pony slowed.
“Lance Corporal Alerio Sisera. Seventh Squad, Forty Seventh Century,” Alerio reported. Then as he began to point upward, Peregrinus collapsed and tumbled from the pony. Alerio managed to catch him as he fell. After lowering the nobleman to the road, he continued. “This is Tribune Armenius Peregrinus of General Quintus Fabius Gurges’ staff. And the Tribune needs immediate medical attention.”
“Purpose,” demanded the Sergeant.
“We have dispatches for the Senate,” reported Alerio. “The Legion is sheltered in place and surrounded by tribal units of Insubri and Etruscan warriors.”
“Alright, carry the Tribune to medical,” ordered the Sergeant. “We’ll let the Centurion sort this out.”
“Optio. I’ll need someone to bring those packs tied over the pony’s neck,” explained Alerio as he lifted the Tribune.
When no one moved and the Sergeant didn’t assign a Legionary, Alerio hoisted Peregrinus and draped him over the back of the pony. Then, he tugged on the reins and guided the animal into the Legion Post.
“Dispatches for the Senate?” asked the Sergeant of the squad leader. “What do you think?”
Clay Warrior Stories Boxset 2 Page 9