The Summer Sword

by Alaric Longward

  Borena’s face went dark red with shame. “You are nobody to say that. I had lost my son. I hated Gochan. Ourbazo spoke to us,” Borena said. “Promise of land and high rank, see? So much gold could get us all a new start. After the Vannius incident, we all hated your…my brother.”

  “He is not in it, then?” I stated.

  She scoffed. “He? Too high and mighty, too honorable. No. He is not. Ourbazo is the one this Cherusci from Armin’s circle spoke with. We listened to the man. It seemed very difficult. We were there, exiles, and he was planning on capturing a famous Cherusci war-lord. He had that party of scum, but it was still risky. And then you rode to us!” She shook her head. “And then, almost, my brother ruined everything again. He tried to kill you. Later, we were patient. Adalwulf was always nearby. His men as well. Rome threatened us all. We waited. And here we are.”

  “Yes,” I said. “But you said he has a new master? Was it so that Maroboodus wanted us, but did he hunt us for someone else? Will we see Roman scouts here soon, sister?”

  Borena shrugged. “Maroboodus wants you. Our brother knows this Germanicus wants you too. He cut a deal with the latter. He is close, after all. We want no part of any of his deals. Not anymore.”

  Alde pointed a finger to the doorway. “We regretted this, Hraban. We do. We are here to make amends. He is out there, coming. He has Roman auxilia with him.”

  “So, Germanicus,” I said and felt cold claws raking my back. “Ourbazo sold me to him.”

  Were father doing this for himself alone, or also for Germanicus?

  “Yes, Germanicus,” Borena hissed. “He sent men across to ask if he might have an interest in you three and the man said ‘yes.’ Apparently, he is getting far more than Maroboodus promised. He thinks it is too hard to ride south with the three of you. He told us this afternoon.” She rubbed her eyes. “He is right. It would be hard. But he is also wrong. I cannot do this.”

  Alde looked down. “Neither can I. I tried. I cannot.”

  “Who sought your younger brother out?” I asked.

  “We know not. Someone in the Cherusci lands! Ourbazo didn’t tell us! We must leave!” Alde yelled. “Fast!”

  Someone in the Cherusci lands. Someone who listens to Maroboodus. Why would someone do that? For coin? For revenge?

  Or to win a war?

  I smiled sadly and shook my head.

  “No,” I said. “We wait. Are there others?”

  Borena looked at me, exasperated, and then frowned. “Ourbazo claimed this person was careful. That they only hired him and Ourbazo hired the village full of bounty hunters and scum, but none else competed with him in the Cherusci tribe. Ourbazo left the scum east for this summer and we didn’t need them, eh? There could be others elsewhere, but apparently with the Cherusci, only he…us. And his men.” She leaned back. “Wait. You guessed we would...you set this up.”

  “I did,” I said. I looked at Alde. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

  “I…” she began and took a ragged breath. “It was a patient game. I was to be your friend. Lover. I didn’t mind. It went too far. I really thought I might kill Ourbazo and my sweet Borena, just to marry you.” She shook her head. “I have not stopped thinking about you. And then, you married her. Just like that. I was so angry. And I am. And then you came to tell me that you do love me, and you love her, and—” She stepped forward. “Come, go first. Go now. Out.”

  Borena tossed a nut at her, and she went quiet. “He said we shall stay,” she told her.

  “And you, sister?” I asked Borena. “My son? Made of honor, you are? More so than any in the family?”

  She rubbed her hands together. “I told you. My son, Vannius…I was a fool. I was a total fool when he came to me and suggested we do this. I love your son well. You know it. I see you watching us. I will do anything to fix things.”

  I smiled. “Gervas?”

  He shifted.

  “Say thank you to Borena.”

  “Thank you,” he murmured. “I regret I let you win our horse races.” He smiled at her fondly and she gave him a grateful smile.

  I stretched my back and watched the two women. “How many are there?”

  “Fifteen,” she said. “Ourbazo sent his men out to chase ghosts and made sure the Tencteri were out of the way as well. He trailed Gochan for hours and made sure Adalwulf rode away. Then, yesterday when he was sure they were going, he summoned us. Told us we would be fast and rich by daybreak. It was odd, for we were to send you to Maroboodus, and wouldn’t be rich in weeks. I smelled a rat. He called for us to come to him this night, and I went early and saw the Romans preparing, and he was speaking with a handsome young officer. I heard it all. Germanicus and all. I made up my mind to come here.”

  Publius? Some other?

  “Well,” I said. “They know where to find me.”

  “They need you alive,” she said. “So, it will be hard for them to get in here. I suppose we defend it?”

  “You did well to come here,” I said. “I thank you. It was unexpected. But you shall leave. We will speak of trust later.”

  Alde twitched up. Borena stood as well. “We cannot leave—”

  “You will,” I said. “And don’t go north. Go south.”

  And then, it was too late.

  In the yard, we heard horses, many horses. There were whispers and calls as men arrived, and Borena and Alde retreated from the doorway.

  I stopped them with my sword.

  I watched the door and heard men speaking outside.

  Then, the Young Wolf called out, “Sisters? Your horses give you away. You truly fell for his ruses? You love him better than you love me?”

  We said nothing and waited.

  Nothing happened. I grunted. “Open the door.”

  Alde pushed open the doorway.

  There was a line of men out there. Ourbazo stood before them. He squinted at our shadows, bowed and grinned. “I am here,” he called out, “to escort you to your new home. It shall be temporary. I hear there are many men waiting to meet your wife, Hraban, and you shall witness a game they have set up for your son too. You will be entertained.”

  I spat at the mud before him. “Well, Ourbazo,” I said. “I suppose you have to step closer, so I can hear you better. Come here.”

  He shrugged. “Oh, you know I could. I am a tougher bastard than you. I could answer all your bravado with my sword. But I shall not risk it. Sisters?” He leaned to see past my shield. “Get them out and I forgive you. Forget Maroboodus. This is where we shall flourish.”

  I looked at Borena, who looked down. Alde was not moving.

  It infuriated him. “So be it. There is nobody out to save you, brother,” he said. “They might have alerted you, but—”

  “They didn’t,” I said. “I was waiting.”

  He blinked. “You were waiting.”

  I shrugged. “I have sight.”

  He grinned, thought about my words, and then shook his head. “Your Adalwulf is riding north. Gochan is as well. I know. I sent my own men Tencteri from the bridges to north as well. I told them to go and help Gochan who was being attacked. Everyone went. I slipped away. No, Hraban. You were not waiting. You are simply terrified, with a good cause. Come! It is time.”

  I didn’t move.

  He growled. “No? None shall miss you. No men trust you, and you trust no man and you are alone and abandoned. Just give up.”

  I laughed at him.

  His eyes were furious, and he snapped his finger, and the line of chain mailed men, auxilia from Gaul, walked forward with their shields up. They were rough looking men and likely knew the land well.

  With them was a Roman swathed in a rich cloak. He was a pretty man.

  The Young Wolf noticed my curiosity and also a look of worry on the roman face. He spoke to the roman. “You master shall be happy,” he said in broken Latin. “They are trapped. I shall fish them out, so please be at ease. There is only that one doorway, Publius.”

  Publius step
ped forward. “But why are they alone there? It makes no sense. There were just three guards we had to kill.”

  “They got tired and careless,” Ourbazo said. “It is always thus. They always tire and then you catch them. My sister do not matter. Spare them.”

  I smiled at him and spoke in Latin as well. “I mean no offence, you dog-faced shit and Germanicus’s arsehole, but I did trust one man. He doesn’t believe in imaginary Batavi. In fact he expected it.”

  Gochan rode out of the night.

  With him, there were fifty men coming from woods to the north, and all held lances and bows. The Romans whirled and shuffled into a ring, looking out. Publius was stepping back to the soldiers.

  Ourbazo opened his mouth and then kicked his horse. “Heiiah!” he screamed and rode like the wind past the soldiers. Arrows sailed after him, some struck the soldiers, and then the Sarmatians rode in after them as they fled. Publius was howling and kicked his horse like mad, and men were falling in the bushes and woods as they hunted them. Gochan rode to the doorway and looked in. He saw Borena and frowned. He saw Alde, and then he looked down at me.

  “Well. You were right. He was always too clever for himself,” he said. “I have more men out there.”

  “Good,” I said.

  And in there, in the woods, Ourbazo screamed, and men howled victory.

  Soon, they were dragged to the camp and tied up, bloodied and silent. Ourbazo looked at me with silent anger. I nodded at Gochan and they were tossed on horses, and we rode an hour to a camp of the Tencteri, where Adalwulf’s men had returned, and most of Gray Wolf’s scouts were waiting.

  I pulled both men down, dragged them into a hall, and pushed them on their faces next to a pit filled with burning wood.

  I looked at Gochan, who hesitated by the doorway, and then he turned away.

  I walked to Publius and placed Nightbright’s blade on the fire. The man’s eyes were burning with horror.

  “What are you to him?” I asked him.

  “Aide!” he said. “Nothing more!”

  I smiled. “Do you aid him in his duty to make war on Germani or in relaxing him in his bed?” I asked. “What are you, even?”

  He sobbed. “I am a knight. We grew up together. You must not touch me. He will—”

  “Must I not?” I said. “You didn’t grow up together. I saw the people he grew up with. They were all powerful, rich, and bastards. You only have the last part down pat. Nay. You are just a pretty face, a young fool from Rome, and he took a fancy of you. You, poor, powerless, and evil to your bones, do what he tells you to do. Tell me, Publius. What would he do with my wife and boy?”

  He said nothing.

  I pulled out the blade, looked at it, and smiled. I pressed it on his cheek.

  He howled. Outside, horses neighed with surprise, and I sniffled with the stench of the burning meat. Ourbazo was on his face, not struggling, just watching. The boy was not right in the head.

  “What would you do with my wife and boy? Tell me, Publius.”

  He was trembling as I placed the sword back to the fire.

  “He would rape your wife while you watch,” he whispered. “Then he would give her to his men and let you watch. He would then have your boy tortured to death,” he said. I turned and saw Gervas at the doorway, face pale, and I smiled at him. He stayed there, and I went on.

  “Truly?” I asked. “And what of Maroboodus? Are they friends?”

  He was sniffling. “He asked Maroboodus to catch you for him. He sends men all the way to Albis, Germanicus does, to spy and make contacts,” he said, and I noticed he had pissed his tunic, “but he needs men who know Germani adelings to catch you. It is a hobby of his to find you. He has his mind set out to the war, but capturing you is like a dangerous game he likes to play. I warned him. I—”

  “Does Maroboodus,” I asked him and put the sword under his nose, “plan on supporting Germanicus in the war?”

  He shook his head. “I know not! Germanicus has made him promises! I don’t know. Maroboodus wants you anyway, doesn’t he? He wanted to see you before you were sent to us!” He went silent. “We failed. Please.”

  “Do you know where one Ulrich is?” I asked him. “Do you know what I am talking about?”

  He twitched. “I do know. I am his…friend. Only he knows about that, though. He is alive, I think. But I can go and ask?”

  I put the blade into his ear. It burned, and he howled and thrashed, but I stomped down on him, until he went still.

  “You don’t know?” I asked. “But Maroboodus is contemplating on war with Armin.”

  “Maroboodus is no friend of Armin’s,” Publius cried. “Why wouldn’t he try to gain an ally, Germanicus, that is?”

  I nodded. “Well. That is interesting. Now you stay there, while I speak to the young pup here. He looks like a tougher nut to crack. I have time.”

  I sat next to Ourbazo and smiled at him. He smiled back. “You look like a troubled youth, wolf. It is ever so with the youngest sibling. They find their own ways, and those ways usually lead to a gravemound. Waiting, waiting, greedy to get all you could, you saw I was ever with Adalwulf’s men, until this night. You were in such a hurry.”

  He smiled. “I was in a terrible hurry. You don’t know why, though. I could have waited longer for you three, but I had to act now. Risks are part of life. It all worked out well.”

  I scratched my chin. “The pup tells me about life? It didn’t work out well. You sent your men away, invited the enemy in, and still you are the one who is about to piss himself.”

  He grinned.

  It displeased me. I leaned close to him. “Who was the Cherusci Father contacted? Who sent out messenger to the scum to find men for them, and who set you out on my trail?”

  He shook his head. “I don’t know. I truly do not. Look, Hraban, know that when we are done here, and I have to hunt you yet again, you will get a fair fight. I can use a blindfold, if you like?”

  “I can make you one right now,” I said, and placed the blade near his eyes.

  It stayed there, and he stared right into it.

  He didn’t flinch. “A fetching song, eh?” he said.

  Hundred Sarmatians were outside and singing and preparing to bed down, and the men of Gray Wolf were chanting their own song.

  I held the Nightbright there, and Alde was singing a lamenting song of the past.

  “Why,” I asked, “were you in a hurry? Was it not because it was the first time I was alone with Gunda and Gervas?”

  And then, it seemed, the dice were cast across the woods by the gods themselves, and we were suddenly at war.

  I raised my eyes and saw a figure through the open doorway. I saw a Tencteri riding to the camp. He was howling and screaming, and it was not only for the arrow that was jutting from his back, and the tip peeking through his chest. I heard horses, many horses thundering in the night.

  I jumped up.

  Adalwulf was on his feet, sword out before I could say a word.

  Men were scrambling to theirs, all across the village. I saw Gunda had run to fetch a spear, her eyes full of fear, but relentlessly, she ran for me. Alde was already up on a horse, and I pulled my new sword and grasped a shield that was never far from my side.

  I looked back and saw Ourbazo laughing. I kicked the door closed and pushed a man, a Tencteri, to stand before it. “Let none in, or out!”

  He nodded, and I rushed to the yard.

  I saw the Tencteri in the middle of the camp, slumping on his horse, bleeding. “Ubiiiii!” he was screaming. “Ubii scouts!”

  And then we saw many shadows. Hundred and more.

  The confused Ubii were indeed scouting and then charging. They came to the camp, thinking they would be surprising a sleeping enemy, but few were asleep, and men were rushing up to find their horses and spears.

  Javelins were, nonetheless, crashing amid our warriors getting up. Here and there, men fell, some silently, others with howling pain, and then, the enemy was amid us
.

  A horse jumped past me, and I resisted striking at it, knowing I’d miss. I saw another man, wearing a Roman helmet and wild fur around his naked body, charging for me. His long hasta was speeding for my chest, the horses shied away from the fire, but the champion knew what he was doing, and the spear pushed for my face.

  I slammed it away with my shield and hacked the blade on the horse’s legs.

  The beast tumbled down and fell on its face, throwing the rider. I, Gervas, and Wulf stabbed at the man, and then three Ubii swarmed Alde near us, and she had to drop the lance in favor for the sword, her horse dancing away.

  I ran after her in the chaos, stabbed up at one enemy, felt the blade part armor and skin, and a man fell from the saddle. Alde was hacking and turning on her powerful horse, and one Ubii, then another shied away from her, one to my blade. I turned to see more enemy coming for us, and a shower of javelins rained around us. Alde’s horse fell, and her leg was trapped under. She was trying to crawl out from under it, but couldn’t, and I hopped before her.

  The camp was a bitter battlefield, and ten Ubii saw me, a champion.

  They saw a war-lord in chain.

  They saw someone worth killing.

  While the camp was in a turmoil, the savage Sarmatians killing Ubii, and Ubii charging within the halls seeking easier pray, the enemy came at me, jumping from their horses, pulling clubs and axes.

  They came at me one by one, and I lifted my sword and attacked.

  My sword worked, once, twice, and two of them fell away, screaming with a slashed arm and opened thigh. I backed off as the enemy swarmed around me and saw Alde, trapped, pushing the lance up at a warrior, skewering one’s side. A man slashed a club down at her, and she howled as the weapon connected, and she lost the weapon and tried to pull her shield over her.

  I cursed and jumped over the horse, hacking at the gnarly head of the hulking enemy so hard, his head split. I stood over her, howling with anger, and stabbed down a young man with spear who had tried to jump at me.

  Gervas and Wulf came there, spears pushing down a fat war-lord, who didn’t want to die and kept flailing at them.

  I had been distracted and nearly paid a heavy price.

  Two, three came at me and bore me down, and I hacked off half one’s leg. They were over me, daggers flashing, and then, Gunda pushed a spear into one, then at another, spitting and hissing. Like a Chatti, she knew her business, as she danced away from one of the few remaining Ubii, a chief who chased after her, stumbling and raging.