by Griff Hosker
Holding his temper in check Livius went to talk to the clerk. It was obvious he had been listening for he said. “I have heard that the inn with the sign of the white horse and the tavern at the holly bush are the most disreputable and I would assume they would be where deserters would go. They are also the furthest from the fort.”
“Thank you, you have been most kind.” The sarcasm was wasted on the clerk who merely shrugged. Livius would not affect his world and he would go on profiting from a lazy superior.
As he rode through the gate the two sentries paid him no attention at all. This was intelligence which the Prefect would need to know. Mamucium controlled an important road; if it could not be relied upon then the whole of the north was in danger. Next time he would ask to speak to First Spear, which was always a good measure of the quality of a cohort.
He went straight to the first tavern which was within sight of the gate. It had a crude sign of a sheaf of corn and he went in. The owner was a neat little man with a greying beard and moustache. “I wish a room and stabling for three horses.”
The man shrewdly weighed up the well built soldier who stood before him. He did not ask why he was not staying in the fort although it was obvious that the thought had crossed his mind, he merely upped his price. “Two denari a night.”
The fee was exorbitant but it was vital that he stay here. “Of course and that will include food me and my horses?”
Although phrased as a question his tone told the innkeeper that it was a statement and he would get no more from this sharp eyed Roman. “Of course sir, the finest in Mamucium. My inn is renowned for the delicacies from Rome. I even supply the Camp Prefect.” Livius doubted that but he was not on holiday, he was gathering intelligence and the bed would probably be more comfortable than the hard floor he was used to. Having met the Camp Prefect he was in no doubt that the inn did indeed provide him with food and drink, probably at ridiculously high prices; more intelligence for the Prefect who would, no doubt, have the fort investigated.
Cassius had chosen the white horse. As soon as he saw the tavern keeper, Nautius Naevius, he recognised him as an ex-soldier. There was something about his demeanour and his sharp eye which flicked around the room; this marked him as a military man. He and Agrippa had discussed at great length, when riding to Mamucium the best approach to playing their parts. They had both decided that it would be better if they appeared to desire anonymity and poverty. Livius had given them enough denari so that they could afford to buy food and accommodation but they wanted to appear impoverished. Their hair was long enough to suggest that they had been in the military until recently and they both had enough experience of the rebellion to be able to conjure up a story. They had decided that a story based in truth was better and they would say that they would desert because of the harsh regime of their decurion, Livius Sallustius. Livius himself had gone along with this deception as his brother had been involved with Morwenna and the whole unit felt that the witch was behind this latest trouble.
Cassius sidled up to the landlord and asked, in as quiet a voice as possible, for a small beaker of beer. He made a great act of seeking enough coins to pay for it despite the fact that he had a large number of coins secreted about him. He nursed the beer for as long as possible and when he went for a second he asked if they had any food. The astute Nautius Naevius deliberately suggested a very cheap and plain cabbage soup and black bread using it as a test for Cassius’ finances. When Cassius weighed it up and agreed reluctantly, Nautius knew that this was an ex soldier fallen on hard times. If nothing else his soldier’s sandals blared it as loudly as a buccina.
The evening dragged on and Cassius waited until he had emptied his beaker and plate before going to the door to relieve himself in the jug placed outside for just that purpose. When he returned to his seat Nautius came over and said, “Another?”
Cassius had obviously missed his calling as an actor in the theatres of Londinium for he looked up at the landlord with a look of panic on his face, as though financially embarrassed. Nautius leaned over and said quietly, “On the house soldier eh?” Cassius played the part beautifully and nodded gratefully. When the landlord returned with two beakers he broached the question which Cassius had wanted. “Fallen on hard times then eh?”
“Yeah. Things have been bad since… well they have been bad.”
“Were you a soldier?” Cassius looked around in feigned panic. “Don’t worry son. You are among friends here. I am an old soldier meself. Your past ends at the door. We are all comrades together. Which unit were you?”
“Marcus’ Horse. They were tough bastards. That Prefect Decius Augustus, he was supposed to be a right evil swine.”
“I wouldn’t know it was Julius Demetrius who was my Prefect and he was alright. It was that bastard Livius Sallustius I hated.” Cassius knew that he had passed the first test with the correction of the landlord. He was glad that they had not concocted a story about another unit. This way they would at least know the facts. He hoped that Agrippa was having similar questions.
“Right, right. It’s this wound makes me mix names up. Well listen I know some people who can use useful lads like you. You interested in some work then? Good pay.”
“Might be.”
“Can’t promise anything but how about I let you stay here tonight, a favour old soldier to old soldier eh? No charge and tomorrow you can meet this friend of mine. How does that sound?”
“Well. Why should I trust you and why are you doing this for me?”
Nautius looked around as though he didn’t want to be overheard, “Well I owe Marcus’ Horse. They saved me and my lads once in a bit of bother up north so let us call it repaying a debt.”
“Fair enough. How about another beer then?”
“For one of Marcus’ Horse? Anytime.”
The next day Cassius got up early. Nautius asked him pointedly where he was going. “I buried something before I came here. From what you said last night I thought I might need it.”
“Sword eh? Right well as long as you are back here this afternoon eh?”
“You think I would miss the chance of regular food and pay? I’ll be here and thank you. I owe you.”
“Don’t worry, it’s the least I can do.”
He soon found where Livius was. When he entered he saw the decurion sitting at a table eating some nuts, olives, fruit and cheese. He scratched his head and was delighted when Livius stroked his nose. Cassius went outside and found the stables. He went to his horse and began to stroke it. The stable boy wandered over, “What you doing then?”
“I used to be in the cavalry. I like horses. Not doing any harm am I?”
The stable boys seemed satisfied. “Well that’s alright then but I am just outside so don’t think you can just walk off with it.”
When Livius walked in they both checked that they were alone. “I take it you have some information?”
“Yes, the tavern proved fruitful. The landlord is an ex-soldier and someone is going to contact me later.”
“How did you get out then?”
“I told him I had to retrieve my sword.”
“Take it then.” Cassius went to the sackcloth which was in the corner of the stable and retrieved his sword.
“Have you heard from Agrippa?”
“Not yet but it is early.”
“This may be the last chance I have to talk to you. Where do we go from here?”
Go along with them. When Agrippa contacts me, unless it is a more solid lead than yours I will tell him to forget his trail and join me. We will follow you.”
“How?”
We know where you are staying and we know that it will not be until this afternoon. We will watch and follow. To help us you need to leave clues.” He looked around for something they could use and then he remembered his meal. “Wait here I will be back.” He returned with the olives. “Take these with you. Pretend to eat them. If you come to a fork in the path you take then drop one for left and two for righ
t. Hopefully you should have enough but if they run out then use these nuts, “he handed him some cob nuts, “same code. Remember Cassius we just need where there base is. As soon as you get there escape as soon as you can. Take no chances and get back to the meeting point.”
When Agrippa arrived in the tavern Livius stroked his nose. Agrippa looked over and nodded. Livius stood up, “”Why if it isn’t my old friend.” Agrippa came over to his table. As he did so Livius notices that his face was bruised. “What happened?”
“Rough tavern. There was a fight and a couple of the locals turned me over.”
“You alright?”
He snorted, “I’ve had worse falling off a horse.”
“Any interest?”
“Not really. They seemed suspicious though. I played it like we discussed but they seemed a bit wary. To be honest I think the fight was to see if anyone came to rescue me tonight I...”
“Forget tonight. You move in here but I don’t think it will be for long. Cassius is being contacted. We watch him. You look suitably rough so you loiter around the inn with the sign of the white horse and I will wait just outside the vicus with our horses. I think we can assume they will come out of the west gate and when they do we follow Cassius.”
Cassius was intrigued more than afraid when he returned to the inn. Nautius seemed relieved that he had returned and wandered over. He slipped him a denarius. “Here is your signing on pay. You got your sword then?”
Cassius was in no doubt that the innkeeper had seen him enter with the sword for nothing escaped his notice but he played along slapping the hilt of the gladius. “Yeah.” He leered a conspiratorial grin. “Feel dressed now.”
“Know what you mean. A soldier always feels naked without his weapon. You wait there and the contact will be along to pick you and the others up later on.”
“Others?”
“Well you don’t think you are the only one who has left the eagle do you?”
Cassius wondered if Agrippa would be amongst the ‘others’. He hoped so. It was one thing operating behind enemy lines and hiding but he was walking into the wasps’ nest, alone. He was reassured by the decurion’s comments; all he needed was the location of the camp. He was confident that he would be able to escape. He assumed that they would be careful on the road but once at the camp they would think that he was committed to the cause, whatever the cause was.
When Centurion walked in with the three shabby looking ex-soldiers Cassius saw the nod he gave to Nautius and then the flick of Nautius’ head towards him. The man walked over to Cassius and leaned in close. “You the one who served in Marcus’ Horse?” Cassius nodded. “Get your things.” Cassius small pack was next to him and he rose waving his thanks to the innkeeper as he left. When they emerged into the light Cassius was pleased to see Agrippa tossing dice with a one armed beggar. Although Agrippa did not look in Cassius’ direction he knew that he had been seen and he felt safer. They did not leave the vicus as Cassius had expected but instead went to another inn with a holly bush outside. Centurion gestured for them to wait outside. None of the other men appeared to know each other and none spoke so Cassius followed their lead. It suited Cassius for it afforded him the opportunity to look around and spot Agrippa some hundred paces away lurking in a doorway. This time the leader emerged with five men.
“Right we are finished here now. You call me Centurion. I don’t give a rat’s arse what your names are so don’t bother telling me. We have twenty miles to go today and this isn’t the legion. You drop out,” he paused dramatically, “and I slit your throat. Regard this as both an initiation test and a test of your fitness. Now move.”
Cassius put himself at the back, confident that he could keep up but aware that he needed to be able to leave a trail should they deviate from the road. Centurion set off at an easy lope, the line of men spread out over thirty paces. Cassius could see that they were heading north west from the sun and the moss growing on the north side of the trees. He could tell that the man next to him was struggling as, after the first mile on the well worn track, he began to slow up. Cassius looked at him. He was older than even Agrippa and looked to be carrying a wound of some kind or an old injury. “You had better keep up, I have a feeling that big bastard meant what he said.”
The man turned to Cassius, his eyes sunken with pain. “I’ll be alright it’s just a sword wound I have in my leg. Makes me a bit lame. I’ll be alright once it loosens up..”
“Right well I’ll stay with you makes you stand out a little less.”
A grateful yet surprised look erupted on the older man’s face. “Thanks. Why?”
“Let’s just say I saw enough comrades left with wounds like you have and this is my chance to repay them.” Cassius hated the lie but he needed to stay at the back for the track they were following was not a Roman road but an older path way and he didn’t know if it would be straight or not. He was desperate to look around and see where his friends were but he had to assume that they had seen them leave and were watching. The problem was that the land through which they were travelling was largely devoid of cover.
He heard Centurion’s voice boom out and saw him looking over his shoulder at them. “You two ladies at the back keep up or else…” He let the threat hang in the air.
“Yes Centurion, just getting our first wind.” Cassius gritted his teeth and murmured to his companion. “I think we are going to get sick of that bastard sooner rather than later.”
The man grinned showing great gaps in his teeth. “What do you mean later? I am fed up of him already. By the way my name is Mocius, Twentieth Valeria.”
“Cassius, Marcus’ Horse.”
“How in Mithras’ name did we end up here, deserters?”
Cassius shook his head. “The Parcae I suspect.” He looked again at the man. Mithras was the god and the cult of many legionaries. In many ways it was a secret society. Cassius wondered why the others of the sect had not aided him as they normally did. It mattered not but it spoke volumes about the man. He was a soldier first and when he had said he would make it Cassius now knew that to be true.
Mocius nodded. “They are bitches and that is the truth.”
Chapter 12
Agrippa soon found Livius waiting with the horses. “They picked men up from the inn I visited. The ones who roughed me up are with Cassius.”
Livius wondered if that were significant. “Well they have a fair number there.”
“Yeah I counted ten including Cassius. The big one leading them he looks like he has seen service.”
“Didn’t he look familiar to you?”
“How do you mean sir?”
“I think I saw him on one of the boats that left Itunocelum last year.”
Agrippa closed his eyes to picture the scene. “You could be right but the dirty cloak he is wearing covers much of him up.” He gestured at the straggling column disappear along the track. “North west but no cover.”
“I know.” He scanned the horizon. The path went into a hollow and a low ridge ran north south, away from the path. “If we cross that ridge we can make better time than those on foot and, hopefully, we will find a better vantage point if we cut west further up.”
“It’s a risk.”
“If we lose them then we backtrack along the track until we find sign. Cassius will be letting us know if they turn off that track.” They headed their horses north east and dropped over the ridge. There was another track way heading north and Livius could see that, some way in the distance it joined the Roman road. “Well we have a track for part of the way. We will ride for a couple of miles.” He held his hand up at the weak sun. “If we keep the sun at our backs then we should get some distance between us and them.”
After two hours the column stopped and Centurion passed around a water bottle. “If you ladies didn’t bring any food then tough titty. I am not your mother.”
Cassius had the olives and nuts but he had to keep those to mark the trail. He had secreted some of the brea
d Nautius had provided at breakfast and he took some out. He offered half to Mocius who took it gratefully. As they chewed Cassius scanned the track behind them. There was no sign of horsemen and no cover. He could see a ridge away to the east and to the west the land fell away to low lying damp ground. Cassius hoped that his Livius knew what he was doing for he sensed that they were getting close to the camp. The rest was only for a few moments and they started again. Cassius felt the stiffness in his legs as soon as they started to run. He was a fit soldier but being fit for riding and fit for running were two different things.
Mocius saw his pained expression and he grinned. “It is good to see a horseman struggling. The times we watched lads like you galloping off while were trudging through mud and rocks. How we cursed you.”
“Well you have your revenge now. Give me a horse any day.”
The land began to climb again, away from the soft spongy turf, and Cassius could feel his calves tightening. With a sickening feeling in his stomach he saw the Centurion’s left hand come out as they approached a fork in the path. They took the path which veered sharply west. It was time for his first olive. He had the olive in his hand already having placed it there at the halt. He dropped back slightly so that he was running just behind Mocius. As soon as they reached the trampled area he pretended to half stumble and then dropped the precious fruit to the ground.
“You alright?”
“Yeah just a bit of cramp. Cleared it now.” He was well and truly in the Allfather’s hand now. He glanced up to see the wood which started some four hundred paces op the other fork and cursed. Had the wood been next to the road then his companions would have been able to watch over him. He was on his own now unless they could find the olive.
“Good shout sir!”
“Thanks Agrippa.” Livius had got ahead of the column and they had waited in the woods until the column with Cassius had appeared. The two men watched from the eaves of the wood as the deserters headed west. ”It looks as though Cassius is able to leave sign. I saw him drop something.”