‘There she is,’ shouted Taliesin and pushed his way through the masses to reach Lannosea.
‘Taliesin,’ she shouted, recognising the boy. ‘What’s happening? The army is in retreat.’
‘I fear the day is lost,’ shouted Taliesin, ‘we need to get out of here.’
‘But my mother is wounded,’ cried Lannosea. ‘We have to reach her.’
‘She will be fine,’ said Taliesin. ‘We will find her another day. The warriors fall like scythed hay and there is no hope. We have to escape this valley.’ Lannosea allowed herself to be led toward the flanking hill, as Finian and Taliesin fought their way through. At first they made good headway but within minutes their way was blocked by a fight between a hundred or so warriors taking on an auxiliary Roman unit.
‘This way,’ shouted Finian and they ran up through the undergrowth, frantic to find a way out.
----
‘I see him,’ shouted Heulwen. ‘By the gods, fortune smiles on us.’
‘Where?’ replied Prydain.
‘At the base of that Oak,’ shouted Heulwen. ‘He is with a girl and another man. It seems they are surrounded.’
Down below, many auxiliaries were laying waste to the remaining warriors and it would be a matter of moments before they reached Taliesin.
‘Quickly,’ shouted Prydain, ‘there is no time to lose.’ All five comrades raced down the hill and fell upon the rear of the light infantry with unbridled aggression. Many fell before they realised what was happening and Prydain fought his way through toward Taliesin.
Cullen fought like a madman and soldiers fell in their dozens all around him but finally his sword dropped to the floor and he looked down at the spear point sticking out of his chest.
‘I am done,’ he said and fell to the floor, his heart cut in two by Syrian steel.
‘Nooo,’ shouted Gildas and stormed into the enemy like an enraged bull, casting them aside as if they were children. Taran joined him and together they slaughtered the rest of the patrol as Prydain at last reached the boy.
‘Taliesin,’ he shouted as he broke through. ‘Come with me.’
‘Who are you?’ shouted Taliesin above the noise of the approaching slaughter, ‘and how do you know my name?’
‘I was a friend of your father,’ said Prydain, ‘but there is no time to explain, we have to go.’
Heulwen joined them and ran up to Taliesin.
‘You are bleeding,’ she said, ‘are you wounded?’
‘Heulwen,’ gasped Taliesin, recognising the woman who had brought him up. ‘What are you doing here? What is going on?’
‘No time to explain,’ said Heulwen. ‘The Romans will be upon us in seconds.’
Taliesin grabbed Lannosea’s good arm and followed Prydain back up the hill. Taran and Gildas stayed out to either side, fighting off any Romans that came near.
‘We have to find Boudicca,’ shouted Lannosea as they ran.
‘We have no time,’ answered Prydain, ‘we need to get as far from here as possible. We may yet be too late and I take no orders from a girl.’
‘But it is important,’ cried Lannosea.
‘Our lives are important,’ said Prydain. ‘Now keep quiet or I will throw you back down the hill.’
‘You will do no such thing,’ said Taliesin and stopped dead in his tracks.
‘Taliesin,’ said Prydain, ‘you do not know what is at stake here and it is too complicated to explain. If the girl wants to stay then let her. You are coming with us.’
‘I will not leave her,’ shouted Taliesin, ‘and neither will you.’
‘I will do as I want, boy,’ shouted Prydain. ‘I have already lost one friend in your name and will lose no more.’
‘She is the daughter of Boudicca,’ shouted Taliesin.
Prydain stared at Taliesin and the girl in turn, his mind racing. The revelation threw him momentarily off guard and he was at a loss what to do. His focus was Taliesin but the fact that he was now responsible for the daughter of the Queen of Britannia complicated the issue. He thought frantically, trying to make sense of the situation. Should they flee as planned or try to find Boudicca. Before he could make a decision, Taran returned from the slopes above.
‘There is no escape that way,’ he shouted, ‘the upper slopes swarm with cavalry.’
The massacre in the valley below continued and the Romans killed at will. Warriors died in their thousands and when their lines thinned, Roman blades fell on anything that moved. Women and children did not escape the slaughter nor did the old or even the animals. Blood flowed down the slopes in rivers and bodies covered the valley from ridge to ridge. The air was filled with screaming as flesh was hewn from bone and mothers fought with bare hands to protect their terrified children, only to see them cleaved apart by Roman steel. The feet of so many people turned the slopes to mud and thousands more struggled to escape its cloying embrace knowing that death was only minutes behind. The slaughter was unrelenting and for many, there was simply no escape.
‘We can’t go back down there,’ said Gildas, ‘the battlefield belongs to the Romans.’
‘We have no choice,’ said Prydain, ‘we have no chance against cavalry. At least some of Boudicca’s army still gives fight. If we can reach them we may have a chance.’ He turned to the girl. ‘Listen,’ he said. ‘I don’t know if you are who you claim to be but it matters not either way. From here on in we move like lightning and you either keep up or you don’t. Our only hope is surprise so we have one chance at this.’ He turned to face the others. ‘We will go straight through the fight at the base of this hill. Do not falter. If any of us fall, then the others carry on regardless. Our sole aim is to get Taliesin away from here and we have come too far to fail now. If the gods are with us then our task will not have been in vain.’
‘Wait,’ said Taliesin. ‘You have come here just for me? I do not understand.’
Prydain glanced at Heulwen and she nodded in return.
‘Taliesin,’ he said, ‘the gods act in strange ways and it turns out you are the last true blood Deceangli prince. The Khymru is in turmoil and needs a king’s lead. You are that man and we have to get you back.’
‘But that’s wrong,’ stuttered Taliesin. ‘I am no prince, my father was Gwydion of the Blaidd who died at Caer Caradog and I was raised by Asbri.’
‘It is true, Taliesin,’ said Heulwen. ‘Your mother was Gwenno, daughter of Erwyn and as such you have true lineage to kingship.’
‘I know of Erwyn, he was a tribal leader only,’ said Taliesin.
‘He was,’ said Heulwen, ‘but all other bloodlines have either been killed in the war against the Romans or in petty fights between clans. The gods have decided to spare only you so like it or not, the burden rests with on your shoulders.
‘But…’
‘Enough,’ shouted Gildas. ‘You can have your little chat later, we have to get out of here. Now either you do as Prydain says or I swear I will kill you myself and spare the Romans a job.’
Taliesin paused and guessed that the huge warrior might actually carry out his threat.
‘We are ready,’ he said finally.
‘Good,’ said Prydain and pointed across the battlefield.
‘Boudicca’s army seem to be holding out there. Between us there are many Romans but in no formation. They seem to be the wounded or the relieved. Make no mistake, any of them will still give us a fair fight. We run as fast as we can, avoiding all conflict. Do not stop, do not falter. Our aim is to seek the support of Boudicca’s men. If this girl is who she says she is, we may just get it. Are we ready?’
Everyone nodded.
‘Right,’ said Prydain. ‘Let’s get this done. Gildas, you know what to do.’
Gildas turned and started to run down the slopes closely followed by the rest. Within moments they reached the valley floor and they increased speed, covering the ground quickly. Where possible they used the dead ground out of the enemy’s sight but were soon forced out into the open and it wasn’t long befor
e they were seen.
‘Here they come,’ shouted Prydain, ‘keep going.’
A group of ten men ran toward them with swords drawn and Gildas altered the angle of his run to avoid them. One was closer than the others and it was obvious he would intercept them but before he could reach the running group, the man fell headlong into the dirt with Heulwen’s knife lodged deep in his throat.
‘Spears,’ shouted Taran and the group glanced over their shoulders to see their pursuers pause to launch their Pilae. The metal headed spears landed amongst them but luckily, none found a target.
‘Keep going,’ shouted Prydain. ‘They are heavily armoured and we can outrun them.’
The gap widened between the two groups and it seemed the Celts would escape but their flight had now been seen by many and several groups tried to cut them off.
‘Shit,’ gasped Gildas coming to a sudden halt.
‘What’s the matter?’ gasped Prydain.
‘It’s no use,’ said Gildas. ‘The way is blocked.’ Prydain followed his gaze and saw a unit of ten cavalry galloping across the valley floor to block their escape. Prydain looked back the way they had come and saw dozens of auxiliary infantry closing in fast.
‘Keep going,’ he shouted.
‘We can’t take on cavalry,’ answered Gildas.
‘I agree but we can’t stop here. Those are Syrians behind us and they will take no prisoners. If the cavalry are Roman I may be able to beg mercy. Our task may have come to an end, Gildas but they may spare the women. We press on.’ They started running again but Prydain’s heart sunk as he recognised the garb of eastern horsemen. The cavalry blocked their path and the group came to a halt.
‘It’s no use,’ said Heulwen, ‘we will never get past them. The day is done.’
‘No it isn’t,’ said Lannosea, ‘look.’
Prydain followed her gaze and saw a heavily armed group of warriors racing toward the rear of the horsemen.
‘Who are they?’ he asked.
‘It’s my mother’s personal bodyguard,’ gasped Lannosea, ‘and they are led by Heanua, my sister.’
A hundred yards away, the warriors fell on the rear of the unsuspecting cavalry with unbridled savagery, slashing their swords against the horses’ legs to bring them crashing down before falling on the riders with their blades. Within moments the riders were slaughtered and though others had seen the attack and raced to join the fight, the safety of the treeline was now in reach.
‘Heanua,’ shouted Lannosea and ran to embrace her sister.
Heanua returned the embrace almost crushing the air out of her sister’s body.
A panting Rianna stood to one side but although she smiled at the girl, her attention was elsewhere, seeking a way from the battlefield.
‘I thought you were dead,’ said Heanua to Lannosea.
‘I almost was,’ said Lannosea, ‘but Taliesin found me in time.’
‘Who’s Taliesin?’
‘Time for that later,’ shouted Rianna. ‘We are still not safe. Make for the treeline, our people still hold the slope but not for long.’ They continued the flight but could see there was another group of soldiers closing in fast to intercept them.
‘Legionaries,’ gasped Prydain, ‘and it looks like a full Century.
Rianna stopped and stared at the new threat before turning to face the group.
‘We will never make it,’ she said, ‘unless we slow them down. You men, follow me, the rest of you make for the woods on the slope and get the girls away from here.’
‘What do you think you are doing?’ asked Heanua.
‘We will confront them,’ said Rianna, ‘and gain you some time.’
‘No,’ said Heanua, ‘we stay together.’
‘Not this time,’ said Rianna. ‘There is no way we can get through, at least this way you will survive.’
‘What do you mean?’ asked Heanua. ‘My place is with you.’
‘No,’ said Rianna, ‘these people need you to show the way.’
‘I will not leave you,’ shouted Heanua.
‘You will do as I say,’ shouted Rianna, but then caught her breath and spoke in a calmer voice. ‘Heanua, your mother is wounded and your sister carries an injury. If neither survives this day, Britannia will need someone to lead them and that may well be you. This day is lost but if there are to be others you have to survive. Do you understand?’
‘But…’
‘Heanua, I have no time to argue. You are no longer a child but a Britannic warrior. Show me now the mettle needed for such a title and make the decision we know must be made.’
Heanua wiped a tear from her eye and nodded.
‘I understand,’ she said. ‘We will never forget you, Rianna, is there anything we can do?’
Rianna hugged the girl tightly.
‘Just live your lives the best you can,’ she said ‘and one day, if you are blessed with daughters, perhaps you can name one after me?’
‘I will, Rianna,’ cried Heanua, ‘I swear.’
Rianna turned to Lannosea but hesitated before the girl’s gaze. Lannosea didn’t say anything but just walked forward to embrace her. Rianna squeezed as hard as she dared and her own tears came flooding down her face.
‘Am I forgiven?’ whispered Rianna.
‘There was never anything to forgive,’ sobbed Lannosea.
‘Rianna, we have to go,’ shouted a warrior, ‘the Romans are almost upon us.’
Rianna released Lannosea and gave the two girls one last smile.
‘Lead these people to safety,’ she said ‘and tell you mother I will await her in the fields of the sun.’ Without another word she turned to the men under her command.
‘In the name of Andraste,’ she shouted, ‘let’s show these invaders the weight of Boudicca’s wrath.’
The unit screamed their support and followed Rianna as she ran to confront the Romans racing toward them.
‘What’s she doing?’ asked Heulwen.
‘Buying us some time,’ said Prydain. ‘Come, we have to move.’
‘Not me,’ said Gildas.
Prydain turned to see the man staring after the warriors.
‘Gildas, this is not our fight,’ said Prydain.
‘Perhaps not,’ said Gildas, ‘but my blade will gain you even more time. Take the boy quickly, Prydain. If the gods are kind I will join you back in the Khymru but if I fall, then at least it will be with Roman blood on my blade and I will travel to my ancestors’ campfires with honour.’
‘And I will join him,’ said Finian. ‘My body is too weak to keep going and if I spill one drop of Roman blood, I will die a rich man. Look after her, Taliesin,’ he said nodding toward Lannosea, ‘and don’t be in such a rush to die. You need to live a little first.’
‘Travel well, Prydain,’ said Gildas and before Prydain could answer, the two men raced after Rianna and the rest of the warriors.
‘Come,’ said Heanua, ‘it is a painful task but we have to go.’
The group continued to run toward the hill, leaping the dead bodies in their way and ducking the random arrows falling around them. Within minutes they reached the treeline and as Heanua led them up into the relative safety, Prydain paused to look back across the battlefield. Most of the warriors had already fallen to arrows and Pila and the fight was already over. The century of heavily armed legionaries surrounded the few remaining warriors and in the centre Prydain could see the giant frame of Gildas still swinging his axe. For a second, Gildas looked toward the hill and Prydain raised his sword in salute.
Gildas raised his axe in response and his voice echoed across the battlefield.
‘Live long, Prydain,’ he shouted but before he could say any more, a Pila thudded into his chest and he fell to his knees. The Romans closed in for the kill but a command ripped through the air, stopping them dead.
‘Hold your weapons,’ ordered the Primus Pilus and the men held back as the officer pushed through to the front rank.
‘Report,’ s
houted Cassus.
‘Sire,’ said the Centurion in charge, ‘we were attacked by a unit of barbarians but have put them to the sword. Their leader lies wounded over there.’ He pointed to Rianna lying face down in the mud.
‘Who is this man?’ asked Cassus pointing at Gildas.
‘Just another barbarian,’ said a soldier.
‘What was the name he just called?’
The Centurion shook his head.
‘I don’t understand the language,’ he said.
‘I do, Sire,’ said a soldier. ‘He said live long Prydain.’
‘I thought so,’ said Cassus. He stared at the warrior on the hill, his memory racing as he recalled the man he used to call friend. Surely fate hadn’t brought them together once more? There was one way to find out. He dropped to his knees beside Gildas.
‘You have fought well, Barbarian,’ he said, ‘but the time to die is upon you.’
‘I welcome death, Roman,’ said Gildas between gritted teeth. ‘Do your worst.’
‘Oh, I will, Barbarian,’ said Cassus, ‘and when I am done I will pursue your friend and feed his heart to the ravens.’
‘It will take more of a man than you to better Prydain,’ said Gildas.
‘Really? Then tell me, why is this man so special to you?’
‘I will tell you nothing,’ said Gildas, coughing up blood from his pierced lung.
Cassus knew the man was dying but it was imperative he found out if his suspicions were correct. He took a gamble.
‘You don’t have to tell me anything, Barbarian. I already know. He is a filthy traitor who deserted from the Roman army many years ago to fight alongside the Silures in the Khymru.’
‘He did not desert,’ gasped Gildas in pain. ‘He took his true place amongst his father’s people.’
Cassus nodded as his suspicions were confirmed.
‘I thought as much,’ he said. It was the man he had sworn to kill seventeen years earlier and at last the gods had delivered him into his hands. He stood up and stared up at the hill. ‘Get me a horse,’ he said quietly.
‘Yes, Sire,’ said the Centurion.
Moments later Cassus was astride a fresh horse and joined by ten other riders.
‘What about the prisoners,’ asked the Centurion as Cassus turned to ride away.
Roman III - The Wrath of Boudicca Page 28