The smile on Trebonius's face lingered as he looked up at Corbulo.
"I want someone," Trebonius whispered, "who stood in the line and faced the fury and might of the Barbarian Queen," the legate coughed and a trickle of blood ran down his chin, "That was a day wasn't it?"
Corbulo blushed, "Yes Sir, that was a day to remember," he said quietly.
"Take command Corbulo, you are the right man," Trebonius gasped as he suddenly tried to raise his head. Then his eyes closed and his head flopped back and rolled to one side. Hastily the doctor pressed his fingers to the legate's neck. For a moment he was silent. Then he looked up and shook his head.
"He's gone," the doctor said wearily.
Corbulo was staring down at the dead man as he silently muttered a prayer. Then at last he looked up and turned to the assembled officers. They were watching him with tense, worried faces.
"Where is the senior Centurion from the 6th?" he said.
"He's dead Sir," Galba replied quickly, "He was hit by a stone and the senior Centurion of the 1st is badly wounded. His men are looking after him but he's in a bad way."
Corbulo swore softly to himself. The battle group had lost all its senior commanders in a single fight. He turned to look at the company Centurion's.
"So this is it? This is all the officers we have got?"
Galba nodded.
Corbulo straightened up.
"Well you all heard the Legate," he said clearing his throat, "he has put me in command but if any of you want to dispute this or think another should take over, then speak up now."
Corbulo tensed. This was the moment when the Centurions would either accept him or kill him. At his side Quintus too seemed to have sensed the mood for idly his hand came to rest on the pommel of his sword. The officers glanced at each other but no one spoke and as the silence lengthened the tension grew.
"Well?" Corbulo said looking around him.
The Centurion with the bloody bandage around his head was the first to speak.
"What should we do now Sir?" he said.
Corbulo looked thoughtful. Then he scratched his cheek and glanced at Galba.
"Fetch my son Marcus and the other Batavian Decurion's and bring them here."
Galba saluted smartly, turned and vanished out of the door. Corbulo pushed his way through the group of officers and paused in the middle of the room and looked down at the brown earthen floor.
"Get me the casualty reports as soon as you can," he said.
One of the Tribunes, another young aristocratic youth stepped forwards. "I already have them Sir," he said smartly as he produced a small rolled parchment. "The First Cohort has thirty seven dead and a hundred and six wounded, eight sick and six hundred and ninety one men ready for duty. Sixth Cohort, four Centurions are dead as are fifty two men and ninety wounded, one man is sick leaving three hundred and forty men ready for duty. The Hamians suffered one fatality, our Batavian and Legionary cavalry were not engaged and report no losses and twenty Hibernian mercenaries are reported missing. We also lost the elephant Sir."
Corbulo nodded, "Thank you," he muttered.
"What are we going to do Sir?" the officer with the bandage repeated.
Corbulo turned to the man. "Tonight," he said calmly, "we're going to break out and retreat to the coast. That's what Trebonius wanted."
The officers exchanged glances with each other and a few of them broke out into muttered conversation.
"Gentlemen," Corbulo said sharply, "I am in command and have made my decision. We stand no chance of defeating the enemy. Their numbers are too great and we cannot expect any reinforcements. All we can do now is save the lives of our men. We will break out tonight during the hours of darkness."
"You had better tell Tuathal Techtmar then," one of the Centurion's said, "He will not be happy with that decision. We are leaving our ally to the wolves."
Corbulo nodded and gestured to one of the Tribunes. "Bring Tuathal to me, I will speak with him now."
"And what about our wounded?" the Centurion with the bandage said, "We have over two hundred wounded and sick men. Some will be able to walk but there are a lot who can't and they will slow us down. What are we going to do with them Sir?"
Corbulo felt all the officer’s eyes turn on him as they waited for his answer. For a long moment he did not reply.
"Well I am not going to leave them behind," he snapped, "We will take everyone with us who wants to come. Trebonius told me to lead his boy’s home and that's what we are going to do. That will be all, tend to your men and report back here when I call you. I will explain my plan to you then."
The officers saluted and started to file out of the doorway leaving Corbulo's small staff of Tribunes, signallers and the standard bearer behind. Corbulo watched them go. Then he turned to Quintus.
"Will you watch my back Quintus," he said quietly, "These are difficult days and I may need a bodyguard."
In reply Quintus drew his sword half out of its scabbard showing Corbulo the steel blade. Corbulo nodded gratefully.
Just then a man stepped through the doorway into the round house. It was Tuathal and he was accompanied by two of his men. Tuathal paused as he caught sight of Corbulo.
"Where is Trebonius? What's going on?" the High King growled uneasily.
In reply Corbulo gestured to the camp bed and the blanket that had been draped over the Legate's body. Without saying a word Tuathal marched across the room and pulled back the blanket and stared down at the corpse. For a long moment he stood there with his back to Corbulo.
"I have taken command of the battle group," Corbulo said quietly, "It was Trebonius's final wish and all the officers have now agreed."
"Why did you call me here?" Tuathal said as he refused to turn round.
"To tell you that we are leaving. I am taking my men back home. We are going to break out. You and your men are welcome to come with us."
Tuathal was silent, then slowly he turned round to face Corbulo and there was a resigned look on his face.
"I knew this day would come," he said quietly, "So you have done well for yourself Corbulo, I salute you, one moment you were an arrogant nobody and now you are in command of a force of men; that's quite a feat."
"Will you come with us?" Corbulo said folding his arms across his chest.
Tuathal shook his head. "No, I and my men will stay here. I have been a refugee for nearly all my life and I will not run away again. You once told me that a true king does not take orders from anyone. Well I am the true High King of Tara and this fortress is my home. My clansmen will come; they will not leave me here to die. You will see."
Corbulo nodded, "Well then that is settled," he said, "We are going tonight."
Tuathal turned to look at Trebonius's corpse and for a long moment he was silent.
"There is one final matter," Tuathal said with a hint of sadness in his voice, "When you get back to Deva, tell your scribes about me and how I returned home to Tara to claim my inheritance for I wish that my name be remembered."
And with that Tuathal strode straight across the room and out of the doorway without another word or glance in Corbulo's direction.
***
Corbulo walked up to the doorway and leaned idly against the door post. As he stared out into the sunny courtyard that surrounded the Royal Seat he caught sight of Marcus and a group of Batavians hastening towards him.
"Father, is it true?" Marcus cried as he hurried up the steps towards him, "Have you really taken command of the battle group?"
"Is it not customary that an officer should salute his superior," Corbulo snapped.
Marcus blushed and rapped out a quick salute as behind him the Batavian Decurion's did the same.
"Yes it's true," Corbulo said glowering at the auxiliary officers. "And I am promoting you to command of all my Batavian horsemen with immediate effect."
"Yes Sir," Marcus replied as his blush deepened.
"And we're leaving tonight," Corbulo muttered, "So see to
it that your men and their horses are well rested, watered and fed. There will be a council of war when the sun goes down and I need you to be there. I have a plan that is going to involve your men. Is that understood?"
"Yes Sir, " Marcus said.
"Good, then report back to me at sun down."
Marcus saluted and turned away just as a Legionary came running up.
"Sir," he cried as he caught sight of Corbulo, "You need to come to the northern rampart. The Hibernians have sent an envoy and he is demanding to speak to you."
Corbulo glanced at Quintus. Then without a word they set off down the steps.
As he strode through the fortress towards the northern fortifications Corbulo and Quintus were joined by Galba and Corbulo's staff. The small party clambered up the embankment and Corbulo paused at the top. The Roman Legionaries were down on one knee resting their shields and spears against their bodies. The men were staring across the meadows at the Hibernian line. Down below in the ditch and strewn across the earthen slope the bodies of the dead lay scattered far and wide. Large black birds were swooping and crowing in the air and a few of the animals had already landed to inspect the dead. Beyond the worst of the bloody carnage stood a solitary Hibernian holding a flag of truce. He was staring at the Romans on top of their fortifications. Corbulo stepped passed the line of Legionaries and grasped hold of one of the sharpened wooden stakes as he peered at the man. Then his face darkened as he recognised him. There was no mistaking the black eye patch over the druid's face. It was Faelan.
"What do you want?" Corbulo shouted.
Faelan took a step forwards. "I want to speak to Trebonius," he cried.
"You can talk to me," Corbulo shouted back.
The druid took another step forwards. "Is that you Corbulo," he shouted. "Yes it is. So you managed to escape. Classicus was not as smart as he thought he was. What happened to him by the way?"
"He's dead," Corbulo cried, "Now tell me what you want. I am busy."
Faelan was silent for a moment.
"High King Elim, rightful ruler of Tara and Hibernia has instructed me to offer you terms," he cried. "You and your men are completely surrounded and we outnumber you. Elim offers to spare your lives if you surrender immediately and hand over the bastard pretender that is Tuathal Techtmar. What is your answer?"
Corbulo turned and looked up at Quintus and his staff. Along the ramparts the Legionaries stared impassively at their enemy.
Corbulo turned back to face Faelan. "You once told me that not a single Roman was going to leave this island alive so my answer is no, now fuck off."
And with that Corbulo clambered back up the embankment and as he did so he heard Faelan's enraged voice behind him.
"You will regret this Corbulo," the druid screamed, "When I get hold of your corpse I am going to have you cut into four pieces and buried in the four corners of Hibernia so that your spirit will wander lost and alone forever. We are coming for you Roman, we are coming to kill you all."
Corbulo did not deign to look behind him as he regained the top of the rampart.
"That's the man who tried to buy me in Dun Aengus," Quintus said as he stared at Faelan, "He would have bought me if you hadn't shown up."
"I know," Corbulo muttered, "He was also one of Classicus's allies. Nothing is what it seems in this country."
Chapter Thirty-Four - Breakout
Corbulo stood looking down at the earthen floor of his command post inside the Royal Seat. Gathered around him in a large silent circle were all the principal officers of the battle group, some thirty-five men in all. Slowly Corbulo stooped and using a Centurion's vine stick drew an oval shape in the earth and marked the southern section with a small pebble. Then he drew a circle around the oval shape and straightened up. "Allright," he said quietly, "here's our position within Tara," he said tapping the centre of the oval, "and here is our enemy," he said tapping the circle. "The pebble is the southern gate. This then is my plan. We are going to break out in the deepest part of the night and we are going out through the southern gate here. The Hibernians seem to be weakest at this spot. With a bit of luck we will catch the enemy asleep and unprepared. The Legionary cavalry will lead the way. They will clear a path through the enemy line and will form our advance guard. Following them will come the infantry of the 6th and 1st Cohort's and the Hamians." Corbulo paused to look around at his officers. The men were watching him carefully. "Speed and surprise are going to be vital gentlemen," he said. "The aim is to break through the enemy line as fast as possible, heading due south and then once we are clear," Corbulo drew a line in the earth, "we will change course and head east towards the sea and the Batavian garrison at Drumanagh. It's twenty five miles to the sea, a day's march but we will be going at a trot." He paused and cleared his throat. "The Legionary infantry will move in company sized groups. Each unit will be escorting a wagon upon which we will place our wounded. Tell your men to cover up their armour and secure their arms and belongings so that they minimize the noise. They are to travel light. Everything that is not needed for a fight will be left behind. We are to stop for nothing. We must be clear of the enemy before Elim realises what is happening."
"A night march is going to be difficult Sir," one of the Centurion's said, "Units and men can easily lose their way and get lost."
"I know," Corbulo said, "That's why we are going to have a burning torch fixed to each wagon. The men will have to follow the torches. It's the best that we can do."
"So let's assume that we break out successfully and start marching to the coast," another Centurion said staring down at the plan in the earth, "It will still take us most of the day to reach Drumanagh. We will be strung out in the open. What will stop the Hibernian cavalry from cutting us off and holding up our retreat?"
Corbulo turned and glanced at Marcus.
"That brings me to the final part of the plan," he said. "The Batavian cavalry, all two hundred and fifty men will break out from the north and create a diversion. They will lure Elim and his cavalry away from our main breakout to the south. Then once they have completed their task they will wheel round and rejoin us." Corbulo paused as his gaze came to rest on Marcus. "The Batavian cavalry will have the most dangerous job. Once we are clear and they have rejoined us, the Batavians will form a mobile screen for our troops. They will protect our rear and drive off the Hibernian cavalry if they attempt to intervene."
The officers were silent as Corbulo finished talking.
"How many riders do the Hibernians have?" a Tribune asked suddenly.
Corbulo cleared his throat. "It's difficult to tell but we think they may have five or six hundred mounted men."
A murmur ran through the assembled men.
"Gentlemen," Corbulo said quietly, "We are all Roman officers and we are going to succeed. Trust in your companions, follow your orders and all will be well. That will be all, see to it that your men are ready to go when I give the signal," Corbulo said sharply," We are going to do this and we are going to do it well."
The officers nodded as the gathering broke up. Corbulo watched the men leave. Then suddenly Marcus was at his side. There was a concerned look in the young man's eyes.
"Five to six hundred riders," Marcus said quietly, "If that is true it means that the enemy will outnumber my men by two to one."
"Well it's better than three to one," Corbulo said patting Marcus on the shoulder.
***
It was night and a gentle rain was coming down from the sky. Corbulo sat on his horse and looked up at the moon. The pale light would help his men. Jupiter had responded to his prayer for help. He turned to glance around him at the massed ranks of Legionary and Batavian cavalry who sat silently on their horses before the closed southern gate, waiting for the order to go. The men had blackened their faces with mud and had muffled their equipment but their camouflage could not hide the tension on their faces. Behind the cavalry and stretching off into the heart of Tara, the depleted Legionary formations clustered around the fif
teen horse drawn wagons that were crammed with wounded men. Torches had been fixed to each wagon and the flames flickered and hissed in the gentle rain.
"Everything is ready Sir," Galba said as he rode up to Corbulo and saluted. The Tribune too had covered his face in mud. Corbulo nodded. Where was Marcus? Suddenly the urge to embrace his son for a final time before he rode out became overwhelming but Marcus had for some reason decided to stay away. Corbulo allowed himself a deep draw of breath. Marcus would be allright he told himself. Hell, the young man had after all survived months of captivity in Caledonia. He wrenched his thoughts away and glanced up at the ramparts. Tuathal had agreed to take over the positions vacated by the Legionaries and keep up the appearance that the walls were still manned. As he stared up at the earth embankment he suddenly caught sight of Tuathal. The High King of Tara was looking down at the massed Roman troops and there was something tragic about his posture as the rain pattered onto his head. Corbulo eyed him for a moment and then raised a clenched fist in the air and after a moment's hesitation the Hibernian King returned the salute. Corbulo turned to his mounted staff as they clustered around him. The officers, tribunes and signallers were clad in their hooded pallia, cloaks and amongst them was Quintus and the standard bearer proudly holding onto his precious vexillum standard.
"Give the signal," he ordered, "Let's go."
Up ahead the Batavian Decurions, whose men would be first out, pumped their clenched fists in the air and the horsemen stirred as the gates swung open. Then with a soft cry the first riders charged out through the gate and into the night. Corbulo watched the Batavians as they poured out of the gate, turned sharply and vanished into the gloom. The next out were the hundred and twenty Legionary cavalry. The four squadrons led by their Decurion's charged forwards and straight towards the enemy lines a hundred and fifty paces away. They were followed by a handpicked group of a hundred Legionaries who stormed after the cavalry.
"Follow me," Corbulo cried as he urged his horse out through the gate. As he emerged onto the dark barren grassy slope Corbulo caught sight of the Hibernian camp-fires ahead. Suddenly he heard cries and shrieks and he grunted grimly. The Legionary cavalry had fallen on the enemy. Behind him he heard the thunder of hooves of his staff HQ Company. Corbulo passed a running Legionary and charged towards the campfires. Then he was in and amongst the enemy. Dead and wounded were everywhere and in an instant Corbulo knew the cavalry had caught the Hibernians completely by surprise. A man, stark naked came rushing towards him holding an axe. He was screaming but before he could strike, a Roman cavalryman struck him with his long cavalry sword and the man went tumbling to the ground head over heels. Amongst the campfires the Hibernians were fleeing in all directions. Corbulo wheeled his horse round and looked back at Tara.
Hibernia (Veteran of Rome Book 2) Page 29
