Hosker, G [Sword of Cartimandua 08] The Last Frontie

by Griff Hosker

  “Excellent. “ Morwenna and Radha rose as one and went to an amphora of wine. They poured out six beakers and took them over to the men, carefully giving each man a particular beaker. “You have all done well and I am pleased with all of you. Wolf and Quintus, you have passed the test and I will instruct Idwal that you are now my men and should be given the honour of blood brothers. Angus you have shown yourself to be resourceful and your Queen is rightly proud of you.” Morwenna paused at Gwynfor and holding her goblet in her left hand, ran the nails of her right hand gently around the face of the warrior, tracing the outline of the bruise inflicted by Angus. “And you Gwynfor you have brought the matter to a satisfactory conclusion but you appear to have been injured,” she said it softly and sweetly, much as a mother would with a small child. “How did that happen?” When he shot an angry glance at Angus and said nothing she continued. “Ah I see. Angus may I see your right hand.” He proudly held out his right hand the knuckles red and scraped where they had struck Gwynfor. “And when you hit Gwynfor, were his men present?”

  “They were.”

  “Gwynfor did your men not defend you when you were assaulted?” He shook his head. “How sad; it is said that when a leader is not defended by his men then he is no longer a leader. Do you believe that Gwynfor or are you a leader still?”

  Wolf and Quintus were watching the Queen, mesmerized, for she was like a cat playing with a wounded mouse. In a small voice he said, “Yes I am still the leader.”

  Laughing Morwenna said, “Good! I am pleased for I should hate to lose you. And now raise your beakers and join in the toast, ‘Death to the Romans’.” The other four all drank deeply but Gwynfor hesitated, the beaker hovering close to his mouth. “What? Will you not drink? Ah of course you believe it is poisoned. Do you think I have poisoned you Gwynfor?”

  “No your majesty, “he said half heartedly.

  “I cannot have you thinking that. Let us exchange beakers and I will drink from yours and then if you are correct I will fall in a writhing heap, dead at your feet.” Her laughing tone made it seem like a silly joke and she threw off the contents of the beaker in one motion. Suddenly she looked as though she was choking and they all held their breath, then she laughed. “Sorry Gwynfor I couldn’t resist a small joke. Death to the Romans!”

  He finally raised his beaker and, with a weak foolish smile on his face drank the contents of the beaker, “Death to the Romans.”

  The Queen reached forward and took the beaker from his grasp, “Ah Gwynfor. I did warn you. I said the next time you let me down you would die. And you did let me down. Were it not for others we would not have a spy in the Roman camp. Farewell.”

  They all watched in grim horror as his eyes began to bulge and a green froth erupted from his mouth. His body spasmed and he grabbed his stomach as though someone had put a brand in there. A silent scream tried to come out of his mouth as he fell, writhing, to the floor. They watched with morbid fascination as blood began to run down his nose and a red stain appeared on his breeks. Finally his body shook and, with his bowels and bladder emptying, he died.

  “Get rid of this body on the dung heap, clean it up and then tell me all that the Romans are up to.”

  It was noon by the time the body and the mess had been cleared and the reports given. “So let me get this clear whilst you still have it fresh in your minds. It will be next year at the earliest before the Romans can come north. The cavalry are probing deep in enemy territory but this devious Decurion Princeps is not letting others know where. And finally they are building up the defences of the forts.” The three of them nodded. The information did not sound that useful. “Good. I want you to send a message to your spy, this Aelius, and tell him to begin small acts of sabotage.”

  Wolf raised his hand, feeling like a small child. “The problem is your majesty that we did that when the new commander came and now he has the saboteurs watched carefully all the time.”

  “This Livius is efficient but annoying. Would that we had his like here.” She added, almost to herself, “ In that case have him mark the Decurion’s horse’s hooves with three parallel lines and we can watch for him. When there is snow on the ground or mud he should be easy to track. Tomorrow I want Angus and Quintus to go with Idwal with a column of my men. Wolf, go with them and contact your friend. Bring the latest intelligence back to me. Quintus can speak to this spy for us. We need to stop the supplies to the fort and I want you to raid the road south of the fort.“

  Radha intervened and spoke against Morwenna for the first time. “I think that you need your men close to you to ensure that you are seen as powerful. Better if Angus takes our men as they know the country and we will have men to spare.”

  Morwenna looked appreciatively at Radha. The Queen was correct and it was a good plan. “You are right my Queen.” To the three waiting men she said, “You may go.” When they had gone she turned to Radha. “We will need to speak with your husband before the conclave. We must be able to have a plan which will succeed for this is our best chance before the Romans have reinforced and brought over more troops.”

  * * * * * * *

  Livius held back the Explorate patrols until the others had left the fort. Julius Longinus stood at the rear patiently waiting. It was Macro and Marcus’ turma’s turn for duty and Livius wanted them to be able to speak securely. He looked at the small group of highly trusted men. He could trust others but they had not the skills for the task he intended. It was also a difficult task to command and he had wrestled for a week with its correctness. “We have found out little about the plans of the tribes on the borders during our patrols and that is making us blind. I cannot believe that we will receive reinforcements before the end of next year, at the earliest and that has left me with a difficult decision. I need to ask for volunteers to go into Traprain Law and spy on the conclave and its outcomes.”

  He could see the eager looks on their faces and he held up his hand. “Firstly anyone whom Morwenna knows by sight cannot go for that would jeopardise the mission. That rules Cassius and myself out. Secondly we only need a couple of you to go otherwise it would leave us short handed and thirdly we need to hide the destination of the mission from all of the men as, I am afraid , we cannot trust everyone. So, “he took a deep breath, “volunteers.”

  As he had expected all of them stepped forward. Smiling he turned to Cassius. “It is as we thought. They are as willing as we believed. This is a serious and dangerous mission and Cassius and I have thought long and hard about the best two for the mission. All of you could have done the job but two of you have the best chance of success, Macro and Metellus.”

  Marcus looked crestfallen. The pain on his face suggested that he had been struck by hid commander. “Sir? Why not Macro and me, we work together well and we think alike.” He turned to Metellus. “No offence Metellus.”

  Metellus spread his hands to show that none was taken and Livius answered. “Macro was chosen because he looks like a Caledonii with his red hair. He could move around the camp and not be noticed. Metellus will not be going into the camp itself. He will be the contact outside, just as we did when we were Explorates, working in pairs. I have chosen Metellus, Marcus, because he is the cleverest and most creative thinker amongst you all. The scouts will be operating over eighty miles behind enemy lines and, in Aquitania, it was the quick thinking of Rufius and Metellus which saved not only me but also the mission. It could easily have been Rufius but his skills as a tracker and archer will not be needed. What will be needed is a quick and devious mind, and that means Metellus. In addition his fair hair would make him look like one of the northern people.”

  Metellus feigned offence, “Well that is a back handed compliment if ever I heard one.”

  “Now as to the details. Julius.”

  The clerk stepped forward with the map of the region. He unrolled it and spread it on the table placing four beakers, one at each corner. “The safest route will be along the coast. Dere Street will be watched and those
travelling along it will be under suspicion. The coast will take longer but also has the advantage that the sea air will make it less likely that there is snow to hinder you.” He shivered. “Why the Parcae thought to send me so far from the sun I shall never know. I must have done misdeeds in my childhood.”

  “Julius!”

  “Yes sir, where was I? Ah yes. The coast. It also means that you will not be approaching Traprain Law from the south. You will carry on along the coast until you come to here,” he pointed to a spot not far from the coast, “Din Eidyn, it is a mighty rock and the site of a new oppidum. If you come from that direction then it will appear that you have travelled from the north and are, therefore, unlikely to be spies. “He leaned back and folded his arms.

  Metellus looked at the map and Livius smiled. Macro just wanted the mission but the older, wiser Metellus was already planning. “Firstly what is our escape route?”

  Julius looked at Livius who nodded. The clerk had been involved at every stage of the planning process. “If all goes well then back the way you came, west to Din Eidyn and then back down the coast.”

  “What if we need to leave in a hurry?”

  Julius coughed, “Ah. This is the part of the plan which is less satisfactory. There is a small port here, just north of the oppidum. It is about six miles away as near as I can calculate from the basic maps I have,” he pointed to a spot on the map. “The Decurion Princeps and the adjutant think you can steal or hire a boat.” The look on his face told them all that he thought that was unlikely.

  Metellus nodded, “That is fine with us,” he glanced at Macro who nodded, “two escape routes are always handy.”

  “But how will you get a boat?” Julius was intrigued and perplexed. How could they expect to do that, there may not even be a boat!

  “While Macro is in the oppidum I will be securing that escape route should we need it and scouting out the best way to attack this oppidum.”

  “Now as to the rest of the subterfuge. Marcus will take the two turmae south along with Metellus and Macro, ostensibly to get more horses from Morbium. “He looked at the sergeant. You will in fact go to Morbium and collect some winter feed which we ordered two week’s ago.”

  “Well that is wonderful! My brother gets to have an adventure and I get to bring hay up a road.” He glared at Livius. “Sir you owe me a mission!”

  Laughing Livius said, “You shall have it.”

  “I realise my young friend here is excited but what is our cover up at the oppidum?”

  Cassius leaned forward, “A good question. You have travelled from the western isles from the lands of the Epidii tribe. The Epidii are very reclusive apparently. We are hoping that they do not send anyone and this is the one part of the plan which is the weakest for if there are Epidii there….”

  Metellus looked closely at the map. “The Epidii live where ?” Julius stabbed a bony, inky finger at a group of islands off to the west. “If they live on a number of islands then there will be different clans. We will just have to be creative and think on our feet. If we just turn up as though we were invited and join a group entering then no-one may ask us. The plan is just to get in but now that I know where the Epidii live I can plan.”

  Livius looked at Marcus and said gently, “Now you see Marcus why I chose Metellus. You and Macro are a good team but with Metellus we are more likely to have both of you back here alive.” Marcus could see the wisdom in Livius’ words but it did not make the pill any easier to swallow.

  Chapter 16

  Aelius Spartianus was delighted when he saw the two turmae head south toward Morbium for it meant that three of his enemies were leaving and it also meant that it would be easier for his new allies to bring an end to Livius’ command, sooner rather than later. He smiled and joked around the fort surprising all the old hands and showing the newer recruits what a good officer he was. Everyone had noted the change in him since he had helped Drusus. Cassius was suspicious but Livius was more generous. “You can only go battering your head against a wall for so long before you realise that it is pointless. Splitting him from his friends and not picking on him seem to have helped. Why last night he even took my horse to the stable for me to rub it down.”

  “Now that is suspicious!”

  “Give it a week or so Cassius, you’ll see, he has changed.” Neither of them knew that the wily decurion had used the time to mark Livius’ horse’s hoof.

  Aelius saw the two officers talking and knew it was him they were talking about. He and The Fist were standing at the water trough waiting to water their mounts and were able to talk albeit quietly. “Look at them there. They think they have won.”

  “I’ll be glad when we can stop being so pleasant. I just want to punch someone.”

  “That time will come. Now remember if you see a red cloth in the tree on the island tell me. It will look suspicious if I visit it every day.”

  “Won’t it look suspicious if I keep going there? “

  “No you just say you thought you saw some movement. If you find the cloth you say that it caught your attention and if it isn’t there you say you are mistaken. You know how the new decurions like you to be keen and keep your eyes open. Trust me you will not be punished.”

  * * * * *

  On the road south Marco and Metellus waited until the road dipped below the skyline before turning east and riding away from the turmae. Metellus had turned to his turma and said, “Right lads obey the sergeant as you would me and no-one speaks of this.”

  They chorused a, “Sir.” Livius had also chosen these turmae as they had none of Spartianus’ men in their ranks. All of them would have followed Metellus to Hades and back; to follow this order was easy.

  Macro and Livius dismounted taking off their auxiliary uniforms and weapons. They took, from their spare horse, the clothes they had worn as Explorates, the dull coloured breeks and tunic, the leather jacket and the fur hats. They slung bows across their backs and slid their swords in their scabbards. With their blankets over their saddles, they were as ready as they could be. Macro turned and grinned at Marcus, “Perhaps I should have asked father for The Sword of Cartimandua eh brother?”

  “That would have marked you as an enemy as soon as shouting, ‘I am a Roman’ from the top of their highest tower!”

  “May the Allfather be with you!” Marcus and Macro clasped arms and Metellus knew it would be hard for them over the next couple of weeks. They had never been separated before and this would not please either.

  “Come on Macro, we have a river to cross.” Metellus looked at the two boys knowing they were the sons he would have chosen had he had a choice.

  They rode north eastwards. There was no other bridge east of that at Coriosopitum but Metellus knew of a wide curve in the river which, at low tide, could be crossed without swimming. Once across the mighty Tinea, the other rivers they would have to pass were less daunting. Metellus understood that the great danger was discovery before they reach the coast north of Traprain Law. Close to the conclave they would be legitimate but travelling from Roman territory would be suspicious.

  Macro broke the silence as they rode north of the Tinea, the damp breeks drying only slowly in the chill wind. “Metellus are you worried?”

  “Worried?”

  “Yes, I mean you have done this before have you not?”

  “So have you. You too were an Explorate.”

  “That was different. The rest of our men were close by and we were never more than a day’s ride from help. You were an ocean away from help when you and Livius were in Aquitania.”

  Metellus realised that the young man was right. “I suppose we were, but we never thought about it. This is more dangerous by far, for we are not in Roman Aquitania but the barbarian north. There we only had to fear a few traitors to fear, whilst here, every man is an enemy. But, if it is any consolation, we will only be two days away from friends. We will camp tonight close to the oppidum which is near to the islands of seals.”

  “
Isn’t that dangerous to be so close to the Votadini and their warriors?”

  “Any further west and we will be close to the road and we need to avoid that. I have planned this out thoughtfully with Livius and Julius.”

  Macro laughed, “The old clerk? What does he know of war?”

  “Nothing but he knows much about strategy and he is not old, he just looks old. We deduced, or rather Julius deduced, that if those in the oppidum were supporters of the king then they would have sent their best warriors and leaders to the conclave. There will probably be only old men and women. Besides the route close to the coast is the easiest to negotiate, less rises and falls for our mounts which will have a hard journey. We will make good time and tomorrow we will close to Traprain Law.”

  They passed by the oppidum after dusk and could see a few lights burning. The cliffs rose to their right and, a mile from the settlement, they found a hollow sheltered from the sea with a stand of scrubby, wind blown bushes to hide them. They did not risk a fire and ate dried venison, apples and washed it down with watered wine. It had been Julius who had recommended the wine which had surprised everyone. He had explained his thinking as though to children, “The closer you are to the sea the worse the quality of water. Bad water makes you ill. The wine will make the water cleaner and, if you are wounded or injured then watered wine will clean the wound far more effectively than mere water.”

  As they drank the heavily watered wine, they were pleased at his suggestion. If nothing else it would help them to sleep for Metellus was not looking forward to a night on the ground after the weeks he had enjoyed in a bed. The rolled themselves in their blankets and fell immediately to sleep.

  The five brigands who had watched them pass by the oppidum had seen a golden opportunity. Two men and three horses would make them twice as rich as they were. They had eyed the swords and relished the thought of wielding such weapons. Once they had killed the travellers they would argue amongst themselves about the ownership. They had waited until the conversation stopped before surrounding the camp. The five potential killers were fifty paces away and the moon shone brightly, revealing their faces. The only problem was that they could not see their prey through the thick bushes and leaves; they knew where they were but could not actually see their victims. Occasionally, they managed to see the horses move but that was all that they could observe. They were patient, for they had all night and the five of them moved very slowly forward. Suddenly one of the horses whinnied and they froze but there was no movement from within the camp and they moved gingerly towards their goal.