Hosker, G [Sword of Cartimandua 02] The Horsewarriors

by Griff Hosker

  “Well done Aurelius. Until I can find someone else to do it I will take over the schooling of the horses. Just find out who has experience of schooling horses.” When the clerk raised his eyebrows in an unspoken question Marcus replied irritably, “I haven’t got time to tittle tattle and find out such minutiae. Just do it man.”

  “Yes sir well if you will allow me I will go and,” he looked up with a cheeky grin his faded blue eyes, “tittle tattle.”

  Laughing at the man’s cheek he took out his wax tablet. They had five hundred and two troopers. With the five decurions he had plus the six he was going to get he could reorganise into twelve turma. He could leave Gaius in acting command until they could appoint another. He suddenly realised that, if he were to continue as Decurion Princeps he would need two more. At least that mean the turma would be up to full strength with forty two men; that was a much better number. Marcus had always felt that the under strength thirty two man turma was not an effective number for it was too small to use apart from in a scouting role. He decided to go and look at the new mounts. He did not intend to begin schooling them yet but he wanted to see the size of the problem. As he left the fort he received an absent minded salute from Decius who was berating a recruit. “Put the sodding stake in spike down, that way it will go in you sad apology for a dog’s dick. Morning sir. Soon have this gyrus up. Would be quicker if the tits I have to work with had any common sense at all.”

  The horses were all corralled away from the river Marcus noticed with quiet satisfaction. Someone had done their job well. As he walked towards them he noticed an older trooper checking the hooves of one of the horses. When Marcus arrived he straightened and saluted. “Carry on. What is you name trooper?”

  “Cato sir, Cato Aquilinas eighth turma, chosen man sir.”

  “The eighth? Ah yes that was Sextus’ turma. He was a good man; I had hoped he would recover from his wounds.”

  “So did we all sir. Me and the lads hope to pay back them bastards some day.”

  “Don’t worry you will.” While the man had been talking he had noticed that he continued to work. The horse was obviously in pain but the trooper calmed and soothed the beast with his voice and his manner. The man was a horseman. “Who detailed you here?”

  The man looked embarrassed like someone caught peeping. “ Er no one sir. Sorry if I have done something…”

  “No no you misunderstand me. I am pleased. Even more so now that I know you did this yourself without being ordered to do so.”

  “Horses sir, I love ‘em. It’s why I joined up. Most of the lads were taken by force. I walked over a range of mountains to join,” he added the last part proudly.

  Marcus took an instant decision. “Well Cato. These horses need schooling. I was going to do it myself but I can see that you might do the job. How would you feel about working with me to school these horses?”

  Even before he had answered the grin gave Marcus the response he needed. “Yes sir I would love to.”

  “Good well start work now. Pick yourself another four or five men who know the nose from the arse and I will join you.”

  Feeling much happier Marcus headed back to his quarters to change into more appropriate clothes. It was strange but talking to a fellow horseman had put all of his new role into perspective. He just had to do the best he could in each small part of his job and not worry about being perfect. Perhaps that was what had made Ulpius Felix so successful, he had just got on with things. That would be the new credo of Marcus, just get on.

  “Macro, stop following me like a puppy dog. When I have a job for you I will tell you. Right at this moment I am just trying to work out what in Hades name I am supposed to do.”

  “Right.” Macro stood, his apelike arms dangling like useless appendages. Gaius was aware that he was being watched and he hated it. He knew that Marcus had great faith in his ability and saw great things in his future. In reality Gaius felt he had gone as far as he could. To be spoken of as a leader by Marcus was enough. He was petrified of making a mistake. As he glanced over at Macro he saw himself. This was what Marcus had seen, the raw clay and Macro was the clay. He was taking his frustration out on Macro and it was not the lad’s fault. “Macro!” The recruit bolted to attention so sharply that Macro had to check that he had not been cut. “Take the turma down to Decius and tell him that I think they need extra training. When you are done meet me at the quartermaster’s.”

  “Sir! Yes Sir!” Macro raced off as though he had been given a triumph in Rome. Gaius smiled this was how Ulpius and Marcus did it!

  Lindum

  Cerialis threw down the parchment in disgust. Would nothing go right for him? The prefect of the Pannonian cavalry could no longer command. The best auxiliary unit in Britannia and they had no leader. His legions were well commanded and he knew he could rely on them but it was his auxiliary units, his cavalry, archers and infantry who would hold this precarious toe hold on this last outpost of the Empire. They were the shield which protection his precious legions until they could close with the barbarians. He looked again at the list of available staff officers. He made his decision. “Send for Rufius Demetrius.” As much as he disliked this arrogant patrician it would kill two birds with one stone. It would provide him with a proven commander of cavalry and it would ingratiate him into the Demetrius family. His post would be that little bit more secure.

  Rufius Demetrius was a career officer; he had served in Spain and in Batavia. He was from a noble family and he needed promotion sooner rather than later. As he strode into the room Cerialis found himself, once again, disliking this noble and it confirmed his view. It would rid him of someone who annoyed him constantly. The man seemed to look down his nose, quite literally, at everyone. Quintus was a career soldier and he fought alongside his men. He got the impression that the patrician would find fighting with mere plebeians beneath him.

  He gestured for him to take and seat. “What do you know of the Pannonian cavalry?”

  Rufius paused before he spoke. “They are one of the better units in Britannia. They recently lost a large number of men fighting the Brigante. I think their prefect is Flavius Bellatoris.”

  Cerialis was impressed by the patrician’s knowledge. “Excellent intelligence Rufius I am impressed however your intelligence is not up to date. In a skirmish with the,” he consulted the tablet,” Novantae he was seriously wounded and although he survived he will be unable to continue to command. I am instructing you to take command of the ala.”

  “Thank you sir.”

  “It will take much work to bring the unit up to speed but it is vital that they perform at the same level they did previously. We have few decent auxiliary units and our legions are too thinly spread. You have three months to get them ready for I intend to subjugate the Brigante once and for all. The Emperor is not happy that a few tribesmen are preventing us from pacifying this rich province.”

  “Have we enough men to fill the vacant posts?”

  “We have sent all the men we had available but they are still short. My clerk will give you precise numbers. Use your discretion but get as many recruits as you can from those who are loyal to us. I take it you have some officers in mind for the decurion posts?”

  It was common practice for noble families to send their young sons off with other, influential nobles, to gain experience in warfare before taking up politics. Cerialis knew that Rufius had some young men with him. “Yes sir a few. Well if that is all I have much to do.”

  “My clerk had all the details for you. Three months! Be ready!” He waved his hand dismissively but the new prefect of cavalry did not mind the insulting gesture. He had his ala of cavalry. He would show all of them what cavalry could do with a commander who knew how to handle them.

  Marcus went to Flavius’ quarters. As soon as he entered he noticed that the prefect looked much older and much thinner. In all the years he had known him the decurion had not even thought about his age but now that he was dressed in civilian clothes, withou
t the armour, without the weapons he seemed smaller. Glancing down at the wound Marcus realised that a serious wound could age a man just as much as time itself.

  “Sit down Marcus. How goes the training?”

  Marcus face lit up with a smile. “Decius Flavius has everyone hopping around as though their lives depended on it. He is relishing the role. I do believe he was born for the role?”

  Flavius nodded. “And the schooling?”

  “I have another good man, Cato. He seems to be able to talk to the horses. He has more than half of them ready for riders already. I think he will do well. “

  “And the new decurions?”

  “Time will tell. You know how it is. New men to the unit are looked on with suspicion until the men get to know them. They seem to know what they are about. I’ll know more when I take them out on patrol. I don’t like sitting behind walls. You need to ride amongst the tribes to get a feel of them and their mood.”

  The prefect nodded. “Well it seems our Governor has acted swiftly, certainly swifter than Bolanus did. I still think we could have avoided the loss of all those men if he had not been so lazy.”

  “Aye. Ulpius and the others might still be alive.”

  “There is no point dwelling on what might have been. Ulpius had the warrior’s death he wanted and you and I both know,” his voice dropped conspiratorially, “that when the queen died the hope went from his heart.”

  “And one day when I find Gaius Cresens Ulpius and his lady will be avenged.”

  “May the Allfather grant it. Well the Governor has appointed my replacement. You are to be commanded by a real Roman. A patrician no less. Rufius Demetrius.”

  “Do you know of him?”

  He nodded. “A good man; he commanded some smaller units of cavalry in Batavia.” What was unspoken was the fact that it was unusual for roman officers to be skilled in cavalry. They made good officers for the legions but usually they raced their cavalry off when they were needed on the battlefield.

  “Good. I would hate to see all the good work of Ulpius and you wasted.”

  ”Don’t worry. I will recommend you for Decurion Princeps.”

  “No sir. I didn’t mean that. I meant building up such a good ala of cavalry.”

  “I know you didn’t but don’t be so modest. Ulpius felt as I did that you are the heart of the ala and you are just as responsible for the reputation we have created. Anyway I will still recommend you. When do you leave on the patrol?”

  I will take the new decurions out tomorrow. We will head east. It has been neglected of late and if we do run into trouble they are less belligerent than their brothers in the west.”

  “Some of them are almost Roman aren’t they?”

  Marcus laughed. “I wouldn’t go as far as that.” He became more serious. I think we will base a couple of turma at Derventio. It was always a good site for a fort. I hated having to abandon it. This place will be bursting at the seams soon; especially if the new prefect brings us up to full muster.”

  “I think he will do that.” He held out his arm. “I may be gone by the time you return. I will say goodbye now. If you visit me in my villa you will not see the soldier I was but a crippled old farmer.”

  “To me sir you will always be a soldier.” Clasping arms they said goodbye the soldier’s way.

  Streonshal

  Cresens looked out from his dwelling. It was not a hut. He made sure that it was built in the Roman style and it was the sturdiest house in the village. He watched Atticus as he led the boys back from the shore. He had taken to the role of foster father with relish and the boys adored him. He had helped to build the boats in such a short time that even Gaius Cresens was impressed. They caught so many fish that they had already been able to sell them to inland villages and Cresens had already turned a profit. He shook his head in amazement for no-one had worked out that he was talking all the money. They were so grateful to be fed that they appeared to have overlooked it. Even more gratifying was that a few other people came to join their community. Some had fled the killers of Stagh-herts whilst others had heard that it was thriving.

  Atticus strode up to the man he still called master. “We have had a good day see the catch.” It was an impressive catch.

  “Remember to send one of the women to Derventio with the surplus and then come into my house I have another task for you.” A few moments later Atticus entered, remembering to take off his sandals. “I need you to go to Stanwyck.” Atticus looked up in surprise. “Yes I know it is a longer journey than you are used to but we need some items that we cannot get here.” He paused and dropped his voice. “I do worry you know that those men who killed our shipmates will hear of the good fortune of this village and decide to take it. You know that they could.” Atticus nodded. He had come to see these people as his family and this as his home. “We need weapons. The Brigante at Stanwyck make fine weapons and we now have a little money to buy weapons.”

  Atticus could see the wisdom in his words and it made him want to serve the master even better than hitherto. “I shall go in the morning.”

  Take a boy with you. You will also need to buy a horse and a wagon. You may be able to get those on the way from Derventio but Atticus please be careful. We can trust no-one outside of this village.” He took Atticus by the arm. “And that includes Romans. I worked for them long enough to realise that there are just as many cut-throats amongst them. Do you understand?”

  “Yes Master. I just hope that some of your wisdom will rub off on me.”

  Cresens smiled the smile of a crocodile inviting a victim in and said, “Be off with you, I am no wiser than you.”

  South of Dunum Fluvius

  Marcus looked across the mouth of the Dunum. It was indeed a mighty river. One day there might be many bridges across this river but here, at its mouth it was far too wide. Behind him he saw the hills rise to a mighty plateau. He had intended to take them south to Derventio but he could see from their faces that the recruits he had brought would not be able to stomach that long ride. He looked again at the escarpment. They would have to camp up on the escarpment. He turned to the trooper next to him. “South.”

  The one hundred and forty four men all turned their mounts and the column of twos followed him. The four decurions were wary of him. Marcus understood their reluctance to be open with him. They were new and they had heard of the exploits of the ala. The whole of the province spoke of the ride of Ulpius Felix and his timely intervention. The decurions had been in Britannia and knew of the significance of the battle. The province had been on a knife edge. Marcus, Decius and the others appeared as heroes such as Horatio. Added to the lustre of glory was the almost magical sword which the Decurion Princeps carried. As warriors they envied him the blade but they were all aware of its history. Marcus knew all of this but he needed their trust for, in the heat of battle, the leader at the front had to trust completely in the men at his back; with Gaius, Decius, Lentius and Drusus, Marcus had that trust. He had hoped that this patrol would have begun to build that bond.

  Halfway up the escarpment he halted but waved the column past him; he wanted to look at the men’s faces as they turned to him. Decius had done a good job in training them to be riders but a good soldier was more than a rider. They needed a level of fitness that did not come overnight. He could see exhaustion in their faces. “Trooper, keep distance between your mount and the man in front, some of these horses bite.”

  “Sir!”

  As soon as he had uttered the suggestion he regretted the words for he knew Septimus Supero, the decurion of turma six would punish the trooper later. He would have to have a word with all of the decurions. They were all newly promoted and he remembered when he had been in their position; you assumed every one was a critic and all your mistakes were discussed. He would be glad when the prefect returned and many of his duties would be taken from him.

  When the camp had been built and the men were preparing food Marcus called his decurions over. “Well how do
you think they coped today?”

  “Some of them will never make horsemen. Should have joined the infantry!”

  “True Vettius Martinus, true but we have not got the luxury of trained horsemen. We have to make horsemen of them. Infantry are easy to train but horsemen.” He paused. “That is why we are paid more than our infantry brothers.” The look on the man’s face told him that he had not thought of that.

  “I don’t know how they will hold up in a fight.”

  Marcus looked at the oldest of the four decurions, Quintus Saenius. “None of us know that until our first action. Do you remember yours?”

  Quintus suddenly reddened and looked embarrassed. Marcus Saurius the fourth decurion suddenly laughed. “Well sir that could be because our friend Quintus hasn’t actually been in action have you?”

  He stood up angrily. “We did have action.”

  Marcus stood between the two men. “Sit down and keep your voices down or you will both be back in the ranks.” He turned to Quintus. “What action have you seen then?”

  “We chased down some Trinovantes horse thieves and…”

  “No battles then?” Quintus shook his head. “The rest of you? Any battles?” He looked at each of them in turn as they shook their heads ending with Marcus Saenius. “It is no shame not to have been in a battle. These men have not only not seen a battle they haven’t chased down cattle thieves or hunted slave hunters. We will all have to fight battles believe me. The tribes up here are not pacified and they are tough warriors. Don’t believe because this ala beat them that it was easy. We brought back more empty saddles that full ones. I want us to bring back more full saddles than empty ones so be patient with these men. They look to you for your experience and I look to you for your experience. And remember you will not be in trouble for asking for information but if something goes wrong because you didn’t ask then you will know what it is like to be in action. Clear?”