Hosker, G [Sword of Cartimandua 06] Druid's Gold

by Griff Hosker

  The boats kept in arriving, disgorging warriors. Marius could see that someone knew his business for the first warriors formed an armed perimeter and scouts were sent out even further to ensure they avoided detection. The Irish warriors looked every bit as fierce as Marius had expected. He had never seen any but heard the stories of their incredible valour fighting to the last man if honour decreed it. Few had armour but many had helms and shields. Their axes were long two handed affairs and many had swords longer even, than a spatha. Worryingly Marius also saw druids, armed druids at that, amongst the well armed and armoured Brigante warriors. Druids were dangerous for they inspired fear in their foes, as Caesar’s legions had found out and courage in their own ranks as they fought believing the gods were amongst them.

  Finally he saw Morwenna who disembarked from the boat which had arrived first. As she stepped ashore he could see that it had been planned for the whole army turned and whooped a roar which caused the flocks of gulls and sea birds to take to the air. It was a symbolic gesture designed for effect. Marius was about to leave when a movement to his left arrested his departure. A column of men was wending and snaking its way from the camp in the woods. Marius did not dare risk running for he saw that they had horses, not many, but enough to chase him down. He waited patiently; better to leave safely and take his information than to be hasty and die unnecessarily.

  Once the two groups had met they set off in one mighty horde for the camp in the woods. Marius knew where that was but he did not think they would remain there for long. As soon as the last warrior was out of sight he rode swiftly from his hiding place and headed for the prefect with the news, Morwenna was back.

  *

  “How many men did she have with her?”

  “At least a cohort.”

  “And we know where they are?”

  “Yes sir,” Marius looked over to Livius, “they all went to the Brigante camp.”

  “They may not stay there sir and I think they will link up with the other two armies.”

  “I think you are right decurion. Now we await your other scouts.”

  “With your permission sir I would like to take all my men out for a reconnaissance. Without information we are blind.”

  “You are right. There is no point in us moving to this camp if they are heading for Mamucium.”

  “I don’t think so. If they were going to use that as a base they would not have destroyed it.”

  “Even so we have no idea where they will go.”

  “I hope they come here.”

  “Quite so First Spear but I can’t see them accommodating us that easily. This is a good base and we can move in any direction quite easily but without cavalry we will have to move slowly and carefully.”

  “The Emperor must need them more in the east sir.”

  “Yes decurion but without them we may lose this particular part of the west. Take your men out but return quickly for even a negative patrol will give us information. It will eliminate where they aren’t.”

  The eighteen Explorates were gathered outside the fort’s recently strengthened walls; the bolt throwers peeping over the ramparts like the teeth of a wolf.

  “I want us to spread out like the spokes in a wheel. We will travel from south, round to the west and then north. Drusus you will take the road and your men to the east of you. Marius you will head due west and your men spread out to the south of you. I will head south east and my men will fill the gaps to yours. Go as far as you can in one day. If you discover anything do not look for another Explorate but head back here and tell the Prefect then find me or Drusus or Drusus. If you have found nothing by the first day then return on the second day here.”

  “What if they are further away?”

  Livius shook his head. “We can travel further and faster, Drusus, than the behemoth which is Morwenna’s army. One day’s riding should take us beyond where they could be. I am hoping that we find them half a day from here for then the Prefect can attack them and nip this rebellion in the bud. But make sure you take enough supplies for a week for you and your mounts. If you cannot return because you are following then we will know and we will send other Explorates to follow.”

  *

  The Queen was also holding court with Tadgh, Brennus, Decius, Centurion and Ernan. “We need to strike quickly and raise the people’s hopes. If we can defeat a Roman army they may see light at the end of the tunnel.”

  “We destroyed the men at Mamucium.”

  “Yes Decius but there were no survivors amongst the people to tell the tale.”

  Tadgh coughed. “We need more horses majesty. If we had horses then we could cover a larger area and we could scout as the Romans do.”

  “I have thirty horses.”

  “Not enough Decius but it gives me an idea. There are many horse farms in the land between Morbium and Eboracum. If you were to send your men there they could acquire more horses and bring them to us.”

  Tadgh nodded. “They would not expect that. What of the main army? We cannot sit here waiting. That is what the Romans would want. They would easily find us and destroy us.”

  “No we will not wait here. As Decius has destroyed Mamucium we will head south on the road and then across the country to Eboracum. When we have the horses we can meet in the fertile and unprotected heart of the land of the Brigantes.”

  All of them nodded for the plan was both bold and sound. They would leave the auxiliaries guarding the road north while the men of the Twentieth Valeria would be hiding behind the stone walls of Deva. “Decius. Who will lead the horsemen east?”

  “Centurion.”

  “Centurion, take your men to the fort first. Make them think you are scouting it and then head north. Take the road east later.” All the men nodded for the plan was a sound one which had no risk for Centurion. He had sufficient men to be independent and there were no cavalry close by who could threaten his rustlers. “Bring your horses south west towards Eboracum. We will be there.”

  *

  It fell to Agrippa to spot the cavalry heading towards the fort and he wasted no time mentally debating what he should do. He followed at a discreet distance. The armoured men were much heavier than he and his lithe mount. He was confident that he could outrun any beast that the deserters could field. He could see that they were heading for Bremmetenacum and he kept looking over his shoulder for the rest of the army following. Once he was certain which direction they were taking he looped back and back tracked to look for the rest of the army. They were nowhere insight. He quickly regained the trail and found the column which was still heading, resolutely east. Even when he could see the fort, looming up in the skyline the column did not deviate from their route. He could hear the buccina braying its alarm call as the auxiliaries and the legionaries raced to the ramparts.

  Suddenly the cavalry halted and raced north eastwards to the road by passing the fort. Agrippa took a quick decision, a decision which had an effect far beyond the moment. He rode to the fort. He deigned to enter but shouted up to the centurion on the ramparts. “Tell the Prefect there are no men following this column. I think it is a ruse to make us follow them. Tell my decurion I will follow the cavalry.” He wheeled his horse and headed to the east of the road. The last thing he wanted was to be ambushed by those he was trailing. They would follow the road and, if they turned off he would see their trail and their tracks.

  It fell to Metellus to find the main army. As he later reflected, a man would have had to be blind and drunk to miss the swathe they cut through the land. He settled in to following at a discreet distance. He could see that there were only a couple of horsemen with the force which meant he could be half a mile away and still safe. He had been following for an hour when he was joined by Cassius. “Well we have found them and they are heading south east.”

  “The fort?”

  “Could be. When we know we will send a rider back to the Prefect.“ An hour later and Livius joined them.

  “One of our easier assignmen
ts eh Cassius?”

  “Yes sir.”

  The huge army was moving far quicker than a Roman army for they were not keeping ranks nor worrying about stragglers. The Explorates had no problem following but Livius knew that a Roman army attempting to pursue would struggle. “Metellus, ride back to the fort. Tell the Prefect that the main army is moving south west and heading for the road.” He paused, knowing that his judgement would affect the Prefect’s decision. “I think they are heading for Mamucium.”

  “Sir.” Although Metellus agreed with his superior’s assessment he was pleased that it was not his call.

  Cassius felt much better now that the decurion was with him. He trusted Livius’ judgement more than any other man he had known. “Well sir what do you think they are doing?”

  “Not what I expected Cassius but then again Morwenna has always been unpredictable. Two things spring to mind. Deva or Mamucium.”

  “Deva?”

  “No I am not confident about that call. Her people live to the east not the south but I do think the army heading in their direction will make the legion there a little worried and might stop them coming out to fight the army. My bet would be Mamucium but we will find out when we meet Drusus and his scouts. Until then we follow.”

  *

  The snaking column that was the army soon arrived at the deserted and fire ridden settlement that had been Mamucium. The scavengers had already begun to feast on the dead and decaying bodies. Flocks of ravens, crows, magpies and chuffs took to the air as the first soldiers marched in. Foxes fled to the safety of the hedgerows to await the passing of this enormous army. “We camp here tonight.”

  Her leaders looked at Morwenna almost daring to question her orders. “But majesty,” ventured Tadgh, “we could move on a little and be away from the rotting corpses.”

  “Are you afraid of the smell of death Tadgh? If so then I fear you will not enjoy this campaign for it will be one filled with the rank and rich smell of the dead, the Roman dead.” Her body banged the pommels of their swords on their shields in noisy approbation. She held up her hand. “I want the Roman scouts following us to send a message that we are here and that we look like we are going to stay. Tomorrow we will make it look as though we are rebuilding the fort while the bulk of the army heads east. I want a small force to spend a couple of days pretending to rebuild and force the Roman’s hand. Once they are committed to the road we can keep ahead of them.”

  Drusus saw the signs of an army rebuilding and establishing a base. He sent one of his men as a messenger back to the fort. “Tell the Prefect they are refortifying Mamucium.” Although the decurion made the best assessment, his decision would cause hardship and death for many around the Vale of Eboracum. Livius might have considered his decision but the Explorates did not have the luxury of hindsight. Unlike the alae they had to make instant decisions and judgements. Even as the messenger headed north, Morwenna’s plan was succeeding.

  When Livius finally met up with Drusus, just outside the ruins of Mamucium he had more information and intelligence than Drusus had had at his disposal Marius had joined them having found nothing to the west but the detritus of empty camps and the dead bodies of murdered villagers.

  Livius was less than happy with Drusus’ reading of the situation but he kept his thoughts to himself. “Drusus you keep your maniple here and watch the building of the fort. Keep both the Prefect and myself on the progress. Drusus, bring your men and join me. I will head along the road to the east. I think the witch has bewitched us again. Drusus, send one of your men to say that I am following Morwenna east. Tell the Prefect I believe she is heading for Brigante homeland. She appears to be heading for Stanwyck, the ancient capital of the land of the Brigante.”

  *

  Morwenna pushed her army along ruthlessly. Despite the increasingly unpleasant late autumnal weather she did not allow any of her leaders and men to ease off and maintained a gruelling and killing pace. “If I, who gave birth in the last ten days, can still campaign, why not warriors who say can they are tough? When I stop, you stop.”

  The warriors’ honour made them push on even when their bodies cried to stop. It was a desolate place through which to travel filled with deep valleys, empty moor land and snow topped hills. The divide of mountains was devoid of people and they were invisible but for the tiny group of Explorates who dogged their trail.

  Marius pulled Livius to one side. “Sir. I beg you. We have no supplies and our mounts are exhausted, we must rest.”

  Livius sighed, his haggard face showing the effects of the constant pursuit. “Marius. I would stop now if it were any one other than Morwenna leading this army but both of us know of what she is capable and she is, I believe, heading towards the land we love and more importantly the people that we cherish. If we must, we will eat our horses but I know that her people must be suffering as much as we. I am also concerned for Agrippa has not joined us. He must be following a contact and I believe that the Queen has some plan which even Metellus cannot fathom.” He leaned over to Drusus. “Trust me Marius.”

  Marius became upset. “Sir I never question your judgement but I know that the fate of the province hangs in the balance here.”

  Livius shook his head sadly. “Believe me Marius I know that.”

  *

  Far behind them the Prefect was marching south to Mamucium with a cohort of the Ninth. He had had the foresight to send the other cohort back to Glanibanta to finish the road building. Two centuries of the Batavians gave him his only light infantry and he hoped that it would be enough. How he longed for a turmae or two of cavalry to screen his men. At least he was marching down a Roman road and he would not be ambushed. He was just five miles from Mamucium when Drusus’ scout found him. “Sir. Decurion Drusus’ compliments and the Brigante have abandoned the fort and are heading north east, following Morwenna. My maniple is following.”

  “Damn she has fooled us.” He considered his options and did not like any of them. “Return to your officer and tell him to continue to follow the Brigante and tell him that your other men in the north are still following the cavalry.”

  As the rider saluted and galloped away First Spear looked at Prefect Fulvius. “And what will we do?”

  “Finish off the rebuilding. Leave the two centuries of auxiliaries there and then follow the Queen.”

  “She will have a head start.”

  “I know. I just hope that the Explorates do not lose her.” He stroked his chin. “I just wonder where she is going. Eboracum? Lindum? Ratae? Until we get a message from Livius we will just have to follow.”

  Chapter 16

  Marcus and Cato viewed the mares; all of them were heavy with foal. It had been a good summer. “When Livius next visits we will have some fine animals to sell to him.” Marcus felt his old wounds now that autumn was creeping closer. The damp weather made him stiff and his whole body seemed to ache. He had not been hunting with Gaelwyn and Gaius for months now and he missed the old comradeship but it had been a good summer for the lush grass had brought the horse’s coats to a sleekly lustre and he had enjoyed just talking horses with his old friend Cato.

  “I was thinking that we could get the slaves to build a birthing barn for the mares. It would not take much building and it would give some shelter, especially if we have an autumn and a winter like last year.”

  Marcus grinned at Cato who had never changed in all the years he had known him. He always thought of the horses first. He would have built an inn for them if he could with beds and servants but Marcus could see that a birthing barn was soundly thought out. “Excellent idea. I will ride to Gaius and borrow a few of his slaves. You get Atticus to start work on the foundations.”

  “We have some timbers all ready and I think we have enough stones prepared.”

  As he rode away Marcus realised that Cato must have been planning this all summer, collecting the wood and the stone, preparing the ground. He smiled to himself. No wonder he had had the slaves clear the long grass fro
m the rear of the stables. Still it was a good project and the two of them never shied away from hard work. Gaelwyn would moan and complain but he knew the old Brigante, now a true greybeard, would relish the challenge. Gaius and his boys would drop everything just to join in with Uncle Marcus. Sergeant Cato had done it again.

  *

  Centurion and his men had slipped into the land around Morbium with ease. They were careful to avoid the fort and the area patrolled by Rome. Fortunately that just meant avoiding roads and, once they had dropped down from the land close to Brocauum, the terrain had been easy to navigate. Centurion however had a crick in the back of his neck, a nervous feeling. He was certain he was being followed but, despite setting up ambushes and backtracking he had not see anything but he knew there was someone following. Nuada had laughed it off blaming the infiltration of their camp by the Roman spy. “Besides it is but one man, what can one man do?”

  Centurion had cast him a contemptuous look, “One man can alert the fort to our presence. But until we see him we continue with our raid.” They were in the bend of the Dunum Fluvius many miles east of Morbium. As far as Centurion knew the nearest Romans were at Morbium, and Derventio. The fort at Derventio was over thirty miles away; their only problem would be the Batavians at Morbium. The herd of horses grazing in the filed bounded by the river would make an excellent start to their horse herd.

  “Will the Queen have reached Eboracum yet?”

  “No Nuada it will take her more days yet for she has to traverse the rocky divide which runs through this land but we need to start the herd and this one is sizable.” It was indeed the largest herd they had seen.

  The owner, Questus, was a Brigante who had seen the success of other horse breeders and realised that it was a fast and easy way to maximise his profit. He sold his mounts unbroken and young. Now that it was autumn he was already preparing to take fifty or sixty down to Eboracum where he hoped they would be bought for the auxilia. It had been a blow when Marcus’ Horse had been disbanded but a few beakers of wine bought for the Roman responsible for acquiring horses had revealed that a new ala was being formed over the winter. He would take fifty down first and then a second fifty when the weather changed again.