by Griff Hosker
“Possibly. We will remain here today. The headman’s wife said he should be back tomorrow. We will wait here until then. When we know where they have gone we will return to Brocauum. Hopefully Drusus will be there with the legion.”
The refugees were mightily relieved that the voyage was a short one and thanked the Allfather for their safe arrival. As a villager from each boat held them against the gentle bumping of the tide they disembarked. Unseen by the headman Tadgh nodded to one man in each boat and, when almost all of the passengers had reached dry land two warriors slit the throats of the sailors. No one would tell the tale of the voyage of the Brigante Queen and her gold. As the stripped bodies floated away on the tide, the boats were drawn up high on to the beach and Morwenna began her journey. The first steps to reclaiming her throne.
*
Livius waited three days for the return of the headman and would have waited longer had not the tide brought in the body of one of a the villagers, a young boy of ten, his gashed throat seeming to grin mockingly at his mother who had lost her husband and her only son in such a short time. Her sobs wracked her body, her life now in ruins.
“Well the bitch and my brother have escaped but we will meet again. Let us return to the legion and report our failure.”
Metellus shook his head. “No sir not failure but success.”
“How do make a success out of this Metellus?”
“Simple sir. Our job was to find the engineers and locate the Queen. Found both of them and as a bonus you know where the Emperor’s gold is. Remember sir we are not Marcus’ Horse, we are Exploratores.”
Part Two
The Deserters and the Irish
Chapter 8
The days were drawing in again when Decurion Princeps Livius Lucullus Sallustius of the Exploratores attached to the Ninth Legion approached the office of the Prefect and Tribune. As he waited outside for his meeting he reflected on the past months. Metellus had been correct; his superiors had regarded the patrol as a huge success. As Prefect Fulvius had told him, “At least we know where the bitch is, and that is not in Britannia.”
Livius realised that he was probably worrying too much. His superiors knew far more about the wider picture but he couldn’t help wondering what mischief she could get up to with the gold she had at her disposal. The Prefect had been less happy with the loss of the gold but he placed the blame for that on the Gallic Auxiliaries who had been sent to the mine to intercept his brother before he had fled.
Still his success had meant that they had recruited more Exploratores and he was quite touched by how many men transferred from other alae after his first patrol. They now numbered thirty Exploratores and three officers. Marius and Drusus had been made up to Decurions once Livius had explained the need for someone to take charge and that, of course necessitated a promotion for him. The patrol had also shown the limitations of the unit. The wound suffered by Decius Galba had been on his left arm, his shield arm. It had been Metellus’ idea to have thick hide arms fitted to their leather armour. They were made in two pieces and hinged at the elbow allowing them freedom of movement but giving them some protection.
They had also spent some time working out signals with both mirrors and smoke so that they could communicate over a larger area. They still operated in groups of five but within that organisation they could disperse to cover a larger area. Finally he had taken every trooper to three days to Gaius’ farm where Gaelwyn showed all of them how to track more effectively. Even the grumpy old man had been impressed by Rufius’ skill and would not believe that the Trinovante did not have Brigante blood coursing through his veins. The training had taken place the previous week and it had really helped to bond the Exploratores as a team. As they listen to the stories of Marcus’ Horse told by a very frail and aging Marcus, he could see them understand how they could be greater together than individually.
When Gaius had brought out the Sword of Cartimandua they all gasped at its beauty but more than that they all saw, in their minds, the famous Ulpius wielding it to kill the last king of the Brigante, Venutius. The three boys of Macro and Gaius had sat equally enthralled and Livius realised his age when he saw that Decius Gaius was as tall as he and a man grown. The younger boys had also developed into healthy young warriors keen to join the Exploratores. It had saddened Livius to see the tears in Ailis’ eyes as she heard them plead to be allowed to join. When Livius had said that they could in the spring, with their mother’s permission, he had seen a mixture of joy that they were not going yet but a dread that they would eventually be taken from her. The boys themselves were just pleased to see the nod of approval from their father.
It had been as they had been leaving that Gaius approached him carrying a sack cloth. Gaius was looking grey and drawn; not for the first time Livius wondered if his old mentor Marcus and his old commander Gaius would see another summer. They had certainly aged in the past year but the death of Macro and the journey to rescue Ailis and the three boys, years earlier had taken its toll. Gaius came close to Livius to speak with him. “Here is the Sword of Cartimandua. I give it to you to hold and use in trust until my boys are of an age to use it. I know that I shall never carry it into battle again.”
“But Gaius it is the sword I would be afraid…”
Gaius smiled and Livius could see that the years had made gaps in his teeth that showed his age more than his grey hair. “No Livius. When Marcus gave it into my possession I felt as you do now but the sword has a power. Use it and hold it for it carries within it a power that can even defeat witches such as Fainch and Morwenna. It is a force for good not evil and besides if it was still around the house the boys, especially Decius Macro might be tempted to use it.”
“I will look after it with my life old friend.”
“And one more thing. I may not see you for some time but when the boys join you, you will watch over them will you not?”
“I will care for them as you and Marcus cared for me when I joined the illustrious ala. They will be as my sons and Gaius..”
“Yes Livius?”
“They will live and prosper for I can see in them the spirits of their fathers.”
“May the Allfather watch over you.”
He glanced down at the mighty sword hanging from his baldric. He had to admit that Gaius was right. He felt naked without by his side and, unlike his old spatha, he cleaned and polished it each day. To the men he commanded it seemed to add to his stature and he had had to order them not to keep trying to touch it as though it was a good luck omen. It was a fine sword and the Brigante warriors who had joined the Exploratores felt it was a sign that the Allfather was on the side of the Romans.
The door opened and the sentry said, “You can go in now sir.”
The Prefect and the Tribune were sat with First Spear looking at a map of Britannia. “Ah Livius good of you to join us.”
He smiled Tribune Didius had made it sound like an invitation to a party, still he was an old fashioned man and gave particular attention to Livius as he was a close friend of his old Prefect Julius Demetrius. “I am pleased to be here sir. My men are fully trained and champing at the bit.”
First Spear grunted, “As are we all.”
“Quite Centurion Lartius and now we can get down to it.” He pointed to a spot on the map. “This is the place you think would make a good fort?”
Livius took a deep breath; his idea could become policy. “Yes sir it is at the head of a steep pass. It would prevent an enemy force attacking from the sea and is but a day’s march from Glanibanta. There is much stone around the site.”
“Good. We intend to build the main road to go to Brocauum and thence to Luguvalium but we will build a smaller road to link Glanibanta to Brocauum and another one to this place, er what is the name.”
Livius ventured, “Mediobogdum?”
“That’s it and at some future date we will extend the road to the coast to enable the fleet to supply us but as we have no port there we will not afford our enemi
es a back door to the province eh?”
“No sir.”
“Now your Exploratores will be operating south and west of the road and fort building. The Gallic Horse based at Luguvalium can patrol but they will largely be keeping a watch north of the Stanegate. I am afraid there are no units operating south of there until Deva and Mamucium. It is our vulnerable spot.” He shrugged apologetically. “It appears to be pacified. But an army could freely operate there and we would not know it. The Legion will base itself at Glanibanta and build the road north. The auxiliaries from Brocauum will build it south from their fort and, hopefully, First Spear ,they will meet in the middle.” The Tribune smiled at his little joke.
“We had better or I will have those Batavian’s balls roasted on a skewer.”
“Er quite. As you know the area better than most you will need to keep, what do you call your units?”
“A section sir. A bit like a maniple in a legion.”
“Quite. Well keep a section with the road builders. That still leaves you with a sufficient number of men eh?”
“Yes sir. That won’t be a problem. Er any news of Morwenna?”
“No we have some Speculatores in Caledonia and they have seen neither hide nor hair of the bitch.” The prefect looked disappointed as Livius felt. If they knew where she was they could plan. This way she could appear anywhere.
The Tribune suddenly smiled. “Perhaps she drowned eh, went to Neptune?”
“We should be so lucky.”
“Yes First Spear I fear you are right. No news I am afraid but no news is good news eh. Well any questions?”
“The Speculatores, are there any operating south of us. I would hate to spy on our own spies.”
The Tribune laughed, “Very good, very witty. No we keep our spies in enemy territory. Technically the land to the south of us is part of the Roman Empire so you will be our only spies.”
“In that case sir. “He stood and saluted. “First Spear I shall see you in Glanibanta.”
First Spear grunted a vague goodbye and, when the door had closed, turned to the other two.”Bit of a dandy that one isn’t he with his fancy sword?”
The Prefect shook his head. “You have not been in the province long, First Spear but that young man is of the British royal blood line. He fought in Marcus’ Horse with General Agricola and even spent some time in Emperor Vespasian’s jail under sentence of death so the last thing you can call him is a dandy. He is older than he looks and believe me he is a tough soldier. And the fancy sword you noticed is actually the Sword of Cartimandua and is revered by the Brigante. It may yet sway them to support Rome.”
Lartius held up his hand, “Say no more. Even I heard of Marcus’ Horse on the German frontier. I wish we still had them.”
“So do I First Spear, they saved the Ninth on more than one occasion but unfortunately the ravages of war killed so many that the Exploratores here represent the last fifteen men who remain of Marcus’ Horse.”
*
Manavia was a hive of activity. When they had arrived in the early summer Decius Lucullus Sallustius had been quite worried. He had never heard of the island and feared attacks from the wild Irish. Maban had taken something of a shine to the well muscled soldier and she had taken him to one side. “When the Romans destroyed the holy groves on Mona, the last of the priests and warriors fled to this island and have remained here hidden ever since. This is the safest place in the whole of Britannia. Once my lady has contacted the Druids then we can begin to build your army.”
Once the Druids had arrived he was amazed at the reverence with which they held the young woman. As High Priestess she ruled beyond lands, she ruled thoughts and ideas. He also saw, for the first time, the joy she could demonstrate. When her three daughters were brought out she positively glowed. All three were young priestesses and her latest baby was taken away to be initiated into the cult. Morwenna was more powerful than he had imagined. He and his two companions were left to their own devices for the first week and they used the time to explore the rocky little island. It was not very big but they discovered that, on a clear day, they could see the land of the lakes. If they returned they would not have far to go.
Centurion had asked the question of Decius that had been on his mind since they had reached the safety of the island, “Why not go to Gaul with the gold?”
The answer had been quite simple, the Druids guarded the gold. They regarded it as their own property, their gold as it came from the holy mountain of Wyddfa. Morwenna could use it but they had no chance of acquiring it. Morwenna had not reneged on her promise for she said that when she returned to her land they would have gold but it was obvious to Decius that he would have to go to war to actually get his hands on it. Once he discovered that he threw himself into the art of becoming a better soldier, training every day with Centurion and Tiny building both muscles and skills.
A week after he had arrived he was summoned to a meeting with the High Priest and Morwenna. He felt quite intimidated when he entered the myrtled grove, laden with mistletoe. The two of them sat on wicker chairs and Decius was forced to sit at their feet like a child. He found himself unable to meet the stare and glare from the white haired druid whose beard almost reached his knees. He had no idea why had been brought to see them and he noticed a playful smile dancing around the lips of Morwenna. The silence seemed to span an eon and he was desperate for someone to break the eerie emptiness and speak. Finally the druid did and he turned to speak to the priestess. His voice was deep and sonorous echoing despite the fact that they were out in the open. “You are right priestess his mind is full of contradictions. He wants power and yet he wants to remain hidden. He has yet to find his true desire and his destiny remains unrevealed.”
Decius started at the thought that someone had been inside his head. How did he know what he had been thinking?
“He is like a piece of clay oh wise one. He has yet to be formed. The Mother brought him to us with the Wyddfa gold so there must be something hidden that we do not know and cannot see.”
The druid nodded. “We are grateful son of Cunobelinus for you are the small stone which begins the avalanche. I will leave you with the Mother and she will tell you of the plans we have made.” He paused and put his bony hand on Decius’ head. “You are bound to us now and part of us. You will grow and reap great rewards from this but remember too as well as the benefits there are responsibilities. You cannot betray us as you betrayed your uncle and your mistress. You cannot abandon us as easily you abandoned your men. You are bound to us beyond earthly and material ties.”
With that he left, leaving Decius wondering how he knew for no-one else knew about Aula. He was shocked and in fear for the threat from the druid was a very real one. Decius was not deceived by the age of the druid, the man had a power about him and any thoughts of betrayal receded to the back of his mind. “He is a wondrous creature is he not? He was here when the first Romans came with Julius Caesar and he has fought them since that time. They say he can never die as long as the Romans remain on Mona.”
Decius believed her and yet found it incredible; Caesar had landed one hundred and fifty years ago! The meeting had not been what he had expected and it had changed his life. He shook his head to regain his composure and rose to sit on the wicker seat. Morwenna put her hand between him and the seat and shook her head. She rose and put her long cool fingers in his hand. “Let us walk along the shore and I will tell you of the plans.”
He was like a child and merely did as he was told. The voyage to the island had changed his life completely. Centurion had been right when he had said that they had lost control of their own destinies. It was as though he had left the world he had known and entered a new and dark world filled with powers he did not understand.
Morwenna squeezed his fingers, as though to wake him and ran the back of a nail down his cheek. “Listen Decius we have decided that we will invade Brigantia after the winter solstice. But we need the people to be ready. Tadgh has gone
to buy Irish soldiers to fight for us while Brennus will train those who live on the island.”
“Do you want me to…?”
She placed her finger on his lips. “I want you to listen and then obey. We need the Brigante to be unhappy with Roman rule so that they will beg us to lead them. To do that we need the Roman army to treat the Brigante ruthlessly. “He went to speak again and she pressed her finger on his lips once more. “There are many Roman deserters in Britannia. We want you and your men to recruit them and build a small army. We have Roman armour and weapons which we have been gathering since the first invasion. The men you lead will look like Roman soldiers; you will look like a Roman leader. You will harass and steal from every settlement on the west coast, avoiding, of course Roman garrisons. When the people are suitably enraged we will come to their aid and you can bring your men to rejoin the rebellion.” She led him to a rocky outcrop close to the water and they sat down. She put his head on her lap and leaning down kissed him full on the lips. “Now you may talk and ask me the hundreds of questions racing around in your head and I will answer them then we can make love.”
Decius didn’t know where to start. “How will we find the deserters and raise the army? If they are deserters they will be hidden and wish to stay hidden.”
“Our spies have told us of taverns in the vicus at Deva which are frequented by deserters. You will start there and we will give you gold to pay them.” She paused and stroked his hairline gently. “I did forget to mention that any money, gold or treasure you capture whilst hurting the people is yours to keep. You have a share of your own gold but this would be in addition, call it a bonus for loyalty and hard work.”
He rapidly worked out that he could be very rich very soon. “We will need a base from which to operate.”
“I am sure there is somewhere south of the land of the lakes. You passed through that land did you not see anywhere that would have been suitable?”
He suddenly remembered a couple of sites where he and the mules had camped that were many miles away from other occupied areas. The question was, how did she know? He opened his eyes and looked up at her. “You will have to trust me with your gold. What is to stop me running away with it? To disappear into Britannia?”