Wolfbane (Historical Fiction Action Adventure Book, set in Dark Age post Roman Britain)

by Atkinson, F J

  He still had to find Cate and could only hope she was still in Britannia. What Griff had said, led him to hope she was. The first time Augustus had met him (inside his whorehouse along with Dominic, Withred, Murdoc and Flint) Griff had told them that no more boats were to sail to Hibernia from Norwic that year. Consequently, he now approached the town with cautious hope.

  “Once seen never forgotten,” Murdoc’s words came to him again, and he knew he had to be careful, so he covered his head with the hood of his tunic and rode into the town’s open square.

  Like before, the market was in full sway, and, once again, the Icini pork seller stood behind his rough, wooden stall. Augustus knew from their previous meeting that the man hated the Saxons. He also knew that the man didn’t miss a trick.

  As Augustus approached him, the pork seller anticipated a sale. ‘Ah … a traveler by the look of you and by-your-leave an enormous fellow to boot.’ He had already begun to slice of a huge hunk of meat from the haunch that lay before him. Augustus fished in his purse and took out a silver coin. He threw it on the table where it spun a moment before settling with a woody rattle.

  The pork seller nodded his appreciation, then slid the coin off the table and straight into his apron pocket. ‘Thank you it will make a lovely ornament, which I will—‘

  ‘—have made into an amulet for the price of half a pig, then sell on the finished item for a full pig,’ finished Augustus for the pork seller.

  The pork sellers head shot back as he smiled his curiosity at Augustus. ‘Do I know you?’ he asked.

  Briefly, Augustus removed his hood.

  The pork seller recognized him at once. ‘Whoa, you’re a brave fellow to come back here,’ he said. ‘Lucky for you that Griff is out of town after what you and your friends did that night.’

  Augustus put his hood back up and took hold of the huge piece of pork before him. He took a bite, ravenous after his day on the trail.

  ‘It’s Griff I want to find,’ he said, through a mouthful of pork. ‘I think he may have something he shouldn’t have.’

  The pork seller nodded knowingly. ‘I’ll not ask you your business; sometimes it’s best if you don’t know a man’s business ...’ He paused a moment, then sighed resignedly and continued. ‘Look … I don’t know why I’m telling you this and your business is your own, but here I go anyway.’ After a quick look around to ensure nobody was in earshot, he gave Augustus a serious look. ‘I know what you and your companions did the last time you were here. I also know that one of the children—a girl—was recaptured and brought back to the town.’ Now enthralled, Augustus stopped chewing as he listened to the little man before him. ‘So if you want to find her, you’re right to look for Griff. She’ll probably be with him at his villa.’

  ‘No more boat’s sailed, then,’ said Augustus. ‘I feared she may have been taken over the sea somehow, even though Griff told us that no more trading boats were to sail this year.’

  ‘Only fishing vessels have left this port in the last three months,’ said the pork seller.

  ‘How can you be sure that Griff has her at his villa?’

  ‘Because he needs to protect her purity and so her worth … and he can best do that back in the security of his villa.’

  And Griff himself? Would he not be tempted to defile the girl?

  The fish seller tilted his head back and gave Augustus a little smile, which asked, You’ve met Griff and you don’t know? ‘Tempted to defile a boy, maybe, but not a girl, if you get my meaning,’ said the vendor as his smile broadened into a grin. ‘Even his bodyguard’s had his balls chopped off, so you’ve no need to worry on that score either. Listen … if you want to find Griff, then that’s easy; he’ll be at his villa, ten miles along yonder road.’ He furtively jabbed his crooked finger towards a track that ran northwards from the town, ‘… lives there with his slaves … and his dogs.’ He emphasised the mentioning of the dogs with a meaningful look and little nod of the head.

  Augustus had already briefly met the mastiffs on his previous visit and was aware of their ferocity, but had not really thought too much about them until now. Now, he realised he may have to deal with them should he go to the villa. Would have to deal with them when he went to the villa, he reminded himself.

  The pork seller offered Augustus a cloth. After wiping his hands and mouth with it, he thanked the man for his information and took the northern track.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  Twelve days after Augustus’ departure from Brythonfort, William and John had approached Dominic for help. Having witnessed Modlen’s anguish over their brother’s disappearance, they had made the decision to set out to find him. This, they realised, would be easier if they had Dominic with them, as they knew he could get them rapidly eastwards through the forest.

  Unknown to them, though, Dominic had already taken the decision to look for Augustus, and two days after Ranulf and his raiders had become corpses, Augustus’s brothers were surprised to find that Dominic was already preparing to leave. After a brief discussion, they agreed to leave together.

  Dominic stood beside his pony, equipping it for the journey. ‘If all‘s gone well for him he should have reached Norwic by now,’ he said. ‘Possibly even be on his way back.’

  ‘He will be if he’s found the girl and somehow managed to rescue her,’ said William, who was a younger version of Augustus himself.

  In fact, as Dominic looked at the identical twins before him, he saw two young Augustus’ and this filled him with confidence for the upcoming journey.

  ‘We can only guess at how it’s gone for him,’ said Dominic. ‘If we assume he’s had a smooth run of it, he’ll travel by night and hide by day. He’ll also return through the forest, if I know your brother. He’s not stupid; he knows that’s the best way to shake off any chasers.’

  ‘Is that the way we’ll go then?’ asked William as he hauled his brawny bulk up onto his pony.

  ‘Yes certainly,’ said Dominic. ‘Five days will get us to Aebbeduna on the edge of the forest and near to your old village. With any luck, Gus will be well into the forest by then. If he keeps to the main track, we should meet him in there. Then we can ride back with him; raise his spirits and take the burden from him.’

  ‘And fix him if he’s taken injury,’ said John, concerned. ‘He was still not right after being hurt before. Only a man of his strength could set off on such a journey alone when still recovering from such pain.’

  ‘That’s Gus for you,’ said Dominic as he swung onto his own pony. ‘A heart as big as the forest, and fists as big as turnips.’

  Modlen came to them then, with Art and Ula by her side. William and John bent forward in their saddles and hugged their farewells to her. William then offered his arm to Art. John did the same to Ula. Effortlessly, they pulled both boys up and sat them on their ponies. Beaming, the lads looked down to Modlen and over to Dominic, more than happy in the company of their new uncles.

  Modlen went over to Dominic and fondly put her hand on his arm. ‘Thank you for doing this,’ she said. ‘I’ve hardly slept since he left.’

  ‘It’s no burden to try and help a man I love dearly,’ said Dominic. He nodded towards the boys. ‘Look at that,’ he smiled. ‘Two sets of twins … one pair missing a brother, the other pair missing a sister.’

  ‘Then on your way so that all may be united soon,’ said Modlen.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  The small hill provided Augustus with a good view of the old villa. Set out as a perfect square with a central courtyard, the villa had but one entrance. Tegula tiles made from local clay covered the pitched roofs—the nearby abundant clay deposits having also provided the material for the brick walls of the buildings. The structures were pristine, and overlooked a fountain-adorned courtyard. An inner veranda attached to the inner walls of the buildings provided a covered walkway around the perimeter of the courtyard.

  The November day was cool and muted, somewhat diminishing the sparkle of the vil
la. Even so, Augustus had never seen such a magnificent structure. In comparison to the villa below him, he now realised he had unwittingly spent his entire life inhabiting a primitive hovel.

  He considered what to do next. Because the villa had only one entrance (no doubt an adaptation introduced by Griff for his security), this was a problem. Yet, to enter the villa was unavoidable. If Cate was inside, as he hoped she would be, then he had to find a way in and rescue her. To simply walk down, go through the gates, then have a casual look around, was not an option, though. For now, he could do no more than sit, watch and wait.

  An hour passed as Augustus awaited developments. During this time, he had seen two men and two dogs take air in the courtyard. He guessed one of the men to be Griff. The other man was a Negro.

  It was the first time in his life that Augustus had set eyes upon a black man, and the sight had made him gasp. Everything from the man’s black skin and tight hair, to the fluidity of his movements, which although lithesome, hinted at bridled strength, was alien to Augustus. Another problem to deal with and me still not back to my best, he thought, as he shifted his weight onto his elbow to ease the pain in his torso. Now he was at a loss. He could not think of what to do next.

  A further hour passed before his simmering frustration changed to attentiveness when a covered wagon rolled down the road below him and up to the gates of the villa. Inside the villa’s perimeter, two women emerged from their quarters and scurried across the courtyard to open the gates. The wagon entered and continued to the opposite side of the square.

  As Augustus watched, Griff summoned the women to fetch horses. Then he instructed the wagon driver to enter the building. Moments later the man emerged, pushing two bound figures before him towards the wagon’s open back door. Both were adult; both seemed aged.

  The gates to the villa were still open as the wagon driver mounted his cart and lifted his reins to send the hefty dray across the courtyard and through the gates. Augustus tensed with anticipation as Griff and the Negro, with the dogs bounding around them, mounted their horses and followed the wagon. He realised the opportunity to get inside the villa had just unfolded before him.

  He watched as the entourage passed below, taking a side trail that wound beyond a grassy knoll. Looking back at the villa, Augustus could see the gates were still open and wondered why. An oversight or normal practice? He didn’t care. Now was the time to move.

  Grimacing from the pain in his ribs, he got to his feet and made his way down the hill. Glancing around nervously, he walked across the open expanse of ground in front of the building. When reaching the outer wall of the villa, he stopped by its open gate. He chanced a look inside and saw the courtyard empty. The two women had gone.

  Nerves jangling, he slipped through the opening and entered, then made for the wall adjacent to the gates. As he reached the veranda, he welcomed its concealing shadow and crouched to make himself small. The veranda continued to the next corner, then turned a right-angle to run alongside the next wall of the villa until reaching another corner, and so on, continuing as a square to join the gates again.

  Augustus could smell wine. He noticed a row of large, sealed, clay jugs near to him, and realised he must be next to Griff’s wine store. Now he decided to make his way around the inner walls of the villa, keeping under the veranda. If Cate was here, he must surely come to her if he continued around the square. Surely, she must be in one of the rooms.

  He quickly moved behind the cover of the wine jugs as the two women again ran across the floor of the courtyard. Their urgency and anxiety unsettled Augustus, but he was unseen as they passed him by, ten paces away.

  They ran to the gates, which they immediately shut. Their relief was palpable. They had forgotten to shut the gates and had feared a lashing from Griff for their lapse. Augustus realised how lucky he had been to enter the villa, as the women, now at ease, walked back across the courtyard. He watched them enter a room at the far end of the courtyard, then he emerged from behind the wine jugs and moved on.

  He reached the first inner corner of the villa and started to follow the next wall. An intricate mosaic floor lay under his feet. He was careful to tread lightly so as not to produce footfall upon it. He came to his first door and listened carefully outside before giving it an exploratory push. Crouching, he opened it enough to peek into its gloomy space. A hollow dripping and the smell of stone and water told him he had found the bathhouse. Seeing it empty, he moved on.

  The next rooms (also empty) were austere but well furnished. Augustus guessed they were the quarters of a high-ranking servant. Possibly the black man he had seen earlier. He cast a nervous glance across the courtyard towards the gates as the Negro again entered his thoughts. He had to get this done. Had to get Cate, and get out.

  He reached the second corner and started to move along the side of the third wall—the one that faced the gates. He passed another apartment. His careful look through its window opening confirmed that it was lavish and opulent. Griff’s fun palace, no doubt. The next door, which was twenty strides away and open, led into the room the women had entered.

  Augustus pressed his huge bulk into the shadows as the women again walked out onto the courtyard. This time, chattering amongst themselves and lost in their tittle-tattle, they strolled past Augustus, merely yards from him. They walked towards the wine store and entered it.

  He waited until they were out of sight before moving silently to the nearby open door. Voices came from within the room—one belonged to a girl, the other to an adolescent boy.

  Augustus patted his belt and found his knife. Happy it was there should he need it, and knowing that time was running on, he slid into the room and shut the door behind him.

  Before him, seemingly relaxed and well cared for, sat Cate, chatting with Griff’s boy, Ciaran.

  Both, now startled, looked at Augustus as he entered the room. Augustus hushed his lips, then held up his palms; the gesture telling them to keep calm and quiet. Ciaran immediately shrank back against the wall; away from Augustus’ intimidating bulk.

  Cate, for her part, blinked disbelievingly at Augustus, as he stood larger than life before her. Bewildered and unable to take in Augustus’ sudden appearance, she was stunned into inactivity for a moment.

  Although fleeting, the ensuing silence led Augustus to believe that Cate either did not recognise him, or did not welcome his intervention. Maybe her life at Griff’s villa was what she now wanted. But Augustus was wrong. Cate wanted to see her brothers again; wanted the protection of the big, honest man who now stood before her. Only too well, did she recall how he had made her feel during their brief meeting. She again thought of her brothers, and realised she may yet see them again. She ran to Augustus.

  ‘We have to go now!’ said Augustus, knowing there was no time to talk. He let go of Cate and glanced at Ciaran who still cowered by the back wall.

  Augustus’ glance was not lost on Cate. ‘His name’s Ciaran and Griff treats him terribly,’ she said. ‘He’s been my friend here. Please, can we take him with us?’

  Augustus could see no problem with it. Anyway, he did not have the time to argue the matter. He looked at the youth. ‘Come on, lad,’ he said. ‘You’re about to take a long trip through the forest, do you think you can manage that.’

  Ciaran, still wide eyed with astonishment, gave a quick look towards Cate, who nodded her encouragement. Ciaran reciprocated Cate’s nod, turning it to Augustus. ‘Y-yes … I think I can manage it,’ he said.

  ‘Follow me, then, and keep close,’ said Augustus. He turned and left the room, followed by the children.

  Across the courtyard from them, stood Griff, the dogs, and Ambrosius.

  Griff immediately recognised Augustus, who stood immobile and dismayed beside Cate and Ciaran. Meanwhile, Ambrosius, who held the dogs, made to move against him, but Griff now realised that an opportunity had presented itself. He quickly stayed Ambrosius’ arm.

  Griff signaled for the wagon driver to throw d
own the sack that lay at his feet. The sack landed heavily beside Griff. At a signal from Griff, one of the women ran over, picked up the sack, then took it to Griff’s apartment.

  Augustus had watched as the woman had passed him by, aware that Griff had combined his trip out with a visit to his gold cache, wherever that might be.

  Augustus now turned his attention to the dogs, which pulled against their leads, eager to do their ghastly work upon him.

  Griff, though, realised the animals would be indiscriminate in their maiming, and so risk injuring and possibly killing Cate and Ciaran if set free. With this in mind, he grabbed the dogs from Ambrosius and continued to restrain them.

  Augustus stood unmoving at the far end of the compound, his body now shielding Cate and Ciaran.

  Griff advanced ten paces with the dogs and stopped. He knew he had the upper hand. His man, Ambrosius, was lethal with a sword; having been a knight with the legions before being caught and castrated by the Gauls—the mutilation being the uppermost consideration when Griff had employed him.

  Even so, the big Briton opposite seemed formidable to Griff. Although gaunter in the face since their last meeting, the giant exuded a massive corporeal presence. Griff glanced at Ambrosius, who quivered with the strain of his suppressed inactivity. It would be his sword against the Briton’s knife. Ambrosius locked his stare upon Augustus, awaiting Griff’s command.

  Griff, though, had already decided that no Gladiatorial combat would occur within his compound that day. He would not risk his best man to injury, no matter what his weaponry advantage. No … he had a far better plan than that.

  As the horse and cart stopped ten paces from Augustus, its rider remained seated, high and safe away from him.

  The restrained dogs gave low throaty growls as Griff shouted to Augustus. ‘You have been caught in the act, Colossus, and now you have nowhere to run!’ Augustus looked around him, then instinctively backed up towards the building. ‘It’s no use heading for the villa,’ continued Griff. ‘There is no opening large enough to allow your bulk through.’