by Peter Rhodan
They were welcomed by a lunch held at the fort attended by Ceri, the Mair and several other locals, plus Arturo and the military commanders. After some gentle persuasion Trystan came to the point. “We have always been the main source of tin in Britannia, from long before the Romans ever came. They took over our mines and the Legions operated them for a long time. Finally, with the decline in the garrison the civil authorities very kindly sold the rights to use our mines back to us.” He spat in a gesture of contempt. “Of course, most of the mines were pretty worked out or had become waterlogged and therefore unusable.”
He paused and stared off into space for a moment then looked at Arturo. “We have heard you are an honourable man Dominus Arturo, not like the thieving Vicars and Imperial tax gatherers. And that you are not even a Roman but from a land far to the west across the sea. This is true?”
Arturo nodded. “I do indeed come from a land far beyond the sea.” He very carefully said, which was true enough Arturo thought to himself. “You have seen some of the things I have introduced to make life better here. It is my intention to restore the Republic, updated to reflect modern realities, as these Emperors are slowly killing the Empire and it is time they were, ah, got rid of.”
The two younger men with Tristan seemed shocked by this outright treason but Tristan simply nodded. “I have heard that is your policy. And this new Republic of yours will better than the Empire?”
“It could hardly be worse.” Arturo replied. “Right. Under the Republic each Province will elect a Conciliator to represent them at the Concillium Romanum which will be the governing body of the Empire. Beneath that there will be a provincial Concillium for handling the local matters such as disbursement of Imperial funds that are handed over for schools, roads and such like. Thus, the people of the Empire will rule it. At least in theory.” He smiled. Trystan smiled. Both knew that human nature meant that nothing worked perfectly.
“Captain Largwil also told us of these steam engines, although the reality was far more impressive than I imagined. He said that they could be used to pump water amongst other activities. This is true?”
Ceri leaned forward. “Pump water out of mines, definitely, we do it already. They can also power cradles that can lift men and material up and down out of vertical shaft mines much more easily then by animal or human powered winches.” He paused, then continued. “I am even working on an idea where they could be used to pump fresh air into mines making it both easier and safer for the men to work deep underground.”
Trystan and the two men appeared surprised by these revelations and conferred rapidly in muffled tones. Arturo had a feeling they were using a slightly different version of the common Brythonic tongue as he could almost make out what they were saying, but not quite. At least while they were muttering to themselves. The older man turned back to them “And how much will it cost us to acquire one of these steam engines?”
Arturo smiled. “Ah. That is the problem. At present we have a restriction on the availability of the steam engines and are only letting them be sold for use within the Republic. They give us tremendous advantages that we wish to avoid sharing with our enemies, so we are keeping them so ourselves for the moment. You understand I hope?”
Trystan looked disappointed by nodded. He went to say something more but Arturo held up a hand. “Let me ask first, how large is the garrison at Isca?”
Trystan smiled. “Uthyr has barely two hundred men, despite all his efforts to recruit more.”
“Uthyr?”
“Yes. He is Tribune of the garrison. It is quite comical, him and his men rattling around in that great fortress that could house five thousand and all he has is a couple of hundred.”
“And is he a loyal Imperial do you suppose?” Valerius enquired.
Trystan laughed. “He was Constantinus’s valet till he got injured and sent home just after Constantinus crossed over to Gallia. He owns a large estate near Isca Augusta so he went there and used what money he had to bribe the then commander of the small force Constantinus had left behind to let him take over. That fellow took the money and went to Hispania. Since then Uthyr has played soldier with his little army. Although in truth I have not heard of him actually venturing out into the field and facing the Scotti who are infesting the west of that province.”
Arturo nodded at the man considering the matter. Isca was too far for him to be really considering sending a force to occupy it at present. “What about Imperial forces in Dumnonia?”
The man shook his head. “The nearest would be the garrison at Portus Adurni. The Romans have not kept large garrisons in Dumnonia since they gave up mining directly, several generations ago. The men at Portus Adurni are under the command of the Comes Saxoni, the coastal guards against raids by the Saxoni. They haven’t even sent anyone to collect taxes in a generation. Apart from occasional trading vessels we haven’t seen a Roman in Cerwisic since before Constantius went to Gallia.”
Arturo briefly considered sending a force south but the only way of providing support would be around the coast by ship and that was just too risky at present. “Until matters are settled with Combrosius, I cannot risk sending part of my army either to Isca or even further south, it is simply too far with the Comes holding Eboracum.” He paused. “That is not to say we would not be willing to trade for your tin and such, it is just that I cannot risk splitting my forces at present.”
The man looked surprised as he realised what Arturo had meant. The Republic leader had, at least briefly, considered sending troops to Isca or even Dumnonia itself. He wasn’t sure his people would be all that keen to join this Republic of Arturo’s, he wasn’t all that sure he would want to himself, despite all the amazing things he had seen.
Arturo continued. “Things may change once we have our first warship in operation. But in truth until Combrosius either joins us or we defeat him there is a limit to what I can do militarily.”
Trystan nodded, not happy with the prospect of being included in this new Republic, but he could appreciate Arturo not wanting to share the advantages he did have. “I understand Lord Arturo. Combrosius has a strong army I have heard.”
Valerius snickered. “Not as strong as he thinks but we cannot underestimate him.”
Arturo waved his hand in small gesture. “For the present we are recovering from the fight with the Selgovae to our north. You can be assured that sooner or later we will deal with Combrosius though. I have vowed to restore the Republic and he will have to either join us or be crushed.” His face and tone hardened at the end of this statement.
Trystan could see the determination in the man and keen nods from the other Republicans present. Clearly this fellow had infected his followers with the same zeal, an almost religious fervour, as far as Trystan could see. When he got back he would have to warn the tribal council about the storm clouds gathering up here in the north. The impending threat went well with the gloomy overcast skies that he was enduring here. At least it was not freezing today even if it did look like it would pour with rain at any minute. The damp, heavy air kept the smoke from the furnaces hanging low over the valley and he was still adjusting to the reek of coal smoke that permeated the atmosphere.
The smoke heavy air, the gloomy skies and the dampness that everything seemed to have acquired made him feel like he was in some dreamtime nightmare rather a real location. He felt a shiver as he contemplated the bright, eager faces opposite him and knew it would not that long before his people would have to choose to join or fight this Republic.
Chapter 16
Northern dramas
Morghanna shuddered as she watched her father lead the main force of Selgovae out of the oppidum and head west to the lands of the Novotae. King Prydin had sent word to all the nearby kings requesting aid to face a massive Scotti raiding force that had descended on his northern coast. Given they were apparently less than a day’s march from the edge of Selgovae lands, King Cluen had called for the warriors to assemble and readied his men to march to the
aid of the Novotae. Morghanna had argued he should let Cunedd lead the force given that her father was still recovering from the wound suffered fighting the Romans but he was too stubborn to pay heed to request. The black feeling she had as she watched the army leave the oppidum was a as bad as that before the ill fated attack on the Romans. She sighed loudly and many around edged away in fear at her black look.
Word had come that King Myrllwyn of the Damnoni was marching south to join them which should make it easy to defeat the Scotti raiders. And yet there was something about the whole thing that left her feeling full of despair. Just as before the Roman campaign she felt a premonition of doom. And just like then neither her father nor her brother seemed in the least concerned. They were not facing the accursed Romans this time, rather they were fighting a bunch of Scotti raiders who would be no match for them in either numbers or fighting ability she was assured.
Despite their mirth at her fears, once they had left on their march she sent word to all the families she could suggesting the women and children concentrate at the oppidum, bringing all the food they could carry, just in case. Several of the old warriors laughed at her but her crippled uncle Udo, remembering her same fears for the disaster in the spring, gave her his support, telling the others that it would not hurt to be prepared.
A week later a young warrior rode into the oppidum with the startling news that the army was beaten. After some drink and food he explained that the initial Scotti raiding force, which had ravaged the Novotae, had been met by the Selgovae and after a brief battle had fallen back on the camp where their boats were. They had prepared a palisade around the area and the King Cluen wisely decided to wait till the Damnoni arrived before assaulting them in a well defended position.
The next morning however a second Scotti force appeared in their rear, having smashed the Novotae, killing king Prydin in the process. The Selgovae were trapped between both forces although the numbers were about equal overall and the battle was actually going well for King Cluen when a third Scotti force began landing up the coast. These fresh men quickly turned the tide and when the King fell the army disintegrated.
Morghanna sucked in her breath when she heard her father had fallen. He had never paid her as much heed as she felt he should have but hadn’t been a bad father. Indeed, in many ways he had been a better father to her than many of the other girls her age had experienced with their own fathers. She struggled to hold back the tears she felt forming as the reality set in. She could not afford to be seen as being weak in the face of this disaster. “What of my brother?” She demanded.
“King Cunedd retreated to the north east. The Damnoni began appearing late in the day and those that survived fell back on them. The Scotti appeared content to rest on their victory and allowed the Damnoni to retire unmolested. Your brother sent me to warn you so you can organise a defence against their raiders. There must have been five or six thousand warriors come ashore in the end to join the two or three we drove back initially, but there were more ships at sea when I rode south so that number is probably even bigger now.”
Morghanna nodded, holding her grief in check and keeping her features calm. Right. Be clear, confident and above all decisive! She turned to Udo. “Can we hold the oppidum?”
Udo looked at a couple of the other old warriors and the numerous younger, crippled warriors from the spring campaign against the Romans. “A small raiding force, certainly. A determined assault by a force of a thousand or more? Probably not. If your brother had brought what was left of the army south then the situation would be different, but we have old men and boys to defend the ramparts, nothing more.”
“Lanwyllyn?” She asked her other uncle.
“No one has ever seen Scotti raid in such numbers. It is possible we are not looking at a raid but instead an invasion.” There were gasps amongst those assembled in the hall listening. Morghanna nodded and indicated he continue. “If invasion it be, they will ravage the land of the Novotae first but it will not be long before their warriors appear at our gates. We need to send to the Votandi for aid.”
“But will King Owain come to our aid?”
Lanwyllyn frowned but then nodded. “Why should he not? He is threatened as much as we are by this. Yes, he and his people are more numerous than us these days and his host probably comes close to as much as ten thousand so he will not be afraid of them attacking him but without his aid we cannot hold here.”
“We may be overrun here before he can come to our aid anyway, depending on how far away the Scotti are.” Udo put in.
Lanwyllyn nodded agreement, acknowledging this. “That depends on how much of threat the Damnoni and whatever Cunedd has left represent. The Damnoni should been able to raise six or even seven thousand warriors. If the Scotti think our forces are beaten though, they can send a force our way which would be big enough to overrun us easily. If the army of Cunedd and Myrllwyn still pose a significant threat then the Scotti will have to remain together to avoid us beating them in detail. If this is an invasion rather than just a raid on a grand scale.” He paused and scratched his beard. “And what would Owain want for his help?”
Udo in turn scratched his moustache pensively. “Aye, that be the rub. He be a canny king and will be wanting something in return for his aid.”
They were interrupted by a tall man, clearly a warrior but one who had lost a hand, sweaty and dishevelled looking, who came running into the hall. “Scotti!” he yelled, pushing through the people assembled there. “Scotti!”
Lanwyllyn pushed his way to meet him. “Where man?” He bellowed in enquiry.
“A day’s march to the west. At least a thousand, probably more. They are marching straight for here, not looting or anything!” The fellow exclaimed. The crowd moaned.
“Well that solves that.” Morghanna breathed then stood up. "We will gather all the women, children, old, sick and frail and we will head south. Put everything we carry in every wagon we can find and leave this afternoon."
"South?" Udo said in astonishment.
Morghanna looked at him. "We cannot go north and risk running into their army, we do not have time to get all these people over the mountains to the Votandi with warriors following us. No. It will be far easier to go south to the Romans."
Udo looked aghast. "But they will enslave us all!" He cried. Many in the crowd nodded or murmured agreement. Morghanna looked about then shook her head. "Perhaps, but better a Roman slave than a Scotti chattel. And besides, I may be able to come to an arrangement with the Dux, that Arturo if it comes to that. But you know full well we are not going to get all these people over the mountains before the Scotti catch us."
Udo bowed his head. Lanwyllyn stared hard at Morghanna for a long moment then turned to those around him, "You all heard. The Scotti come. Let us go now while we can. All you men who can fight, we will form up at the rear to keep them off the women and children. Go. Go." He ordered herding people out of the hall.
Udo looked at Morghanna, a mixture of pity and respect in his eyes. "You will offer yourself to this Roman?" he asked softy in the rapidly emptying hall.
She nodded. "If that is what it takes to save our people. Then yes." She thought about the tall man who had so dominated his surroundings when he been here so briefly and wondered how would treat her. Still as she had said, better a Roman slave than a Scotti chattel. The stories said few lasted long in Scotti hands and as far as she knew none taken had ever returned home.
The march south was a nightmare of struggling women and children under leaden skies although they were only subject to the occasional light shower rather than a torrential downpour. At least it was cool rather than hot which made the trek slightly easier. The Scotti warriors spent a day sacking the oppidum which enabled the refugees to put some extra distance between themselves and their pursuers. More and more people joined them as they marched south along the old Roman road, now overgrown and almost invisible, even some small groups of Novotae women and children who had escaped the destruc
tion of their land and had somehow made it east.
As the ragged collection of wagons, cattle, horses, women, children and old men neared the Roman lands Udo came over to Morghanna trying to look casual which of course indicated there was a matter of import he wished to tell her. "We are being watched lady." He said quietly.
"I know. There have been mounted men flanking us since we set out. They are well hidden, but I have caught the odd reflection or occasional sight of them now and then. I think they must be Romans." She was careful not look in the direction the scouts were.
"Aye. My thoughts as well. This is how they knew where and when we were marching in the spring. They had scouts watching us the whole time apparently." He looked rather annoyed about that.
"I think you are right. I have never heard of Romans using cavalry to scout like this all the time. Have you?"
Udo shook his head. "Ha. Normally their idea of scouting is to have a couple of horsemen riding a mile up the road."
"That is what I heard as well." She paused and pointed. Ahead a force of obviously Roman cavalry came into view lining a small ridge off to the left of the road. Two figures detached themselves and rode forward. "Keep the march going." She said to Lanwyllyn while she and Udo turned from the road to walk forward to meet the oncoming riders.
One was wearing a typical Roman cavalry helmet, with nasal guard, cheek pieces and a horsehair plume in white. He had their seemingly standard bluey green uniform with white edging under his mail coat and tall riding boots. His feet were mounted in these metal rest things the Romans had recently adopted. Beside him was another man in a similar uniform but with some inlaid gold in his armour. He sported a more traditional Roman helmet which showed more of his face.
As they neared his face broke into a smile and he quickly dismounted and bowed. "My Lady Morghanna, greetings cousin."
