Hosker, G [Sword of Cartimandua 04] Roman Retreat (6 page)

His clerk had been hovering in the antechamber. “Yes Governor?”

“How are the provincial coffers?”

The wizened old man looked up a sceptical look on his face.  The real question he had been asked was ‘How much can I spend without Rome becoming too curious?”

“They are satisfactory.”

Sallustius looked hard at the official whom he was certain reported to Domitian’s spy chief. “Could I afford to create two more auxiliary units?” The old man quickly glanced up. “To bolster the frontier in light of these Celtic incursions.”

“There would be sufficient.”

“Good then make the funds available and arrange for the recruitment.”

As the man scribbled down some notes on to a wax tablet, Aula Luculla swept into the room. She had been a majestic looking young woman when Sallustius had married her. Her patrician background had made her a real catch. With her long, golden tresses and trim waist she had been sought after by many suitors.  Now, however she was plumper around the waist and her facial features were becoming pinched, accentuating her sharp nose and deep set eyes. She glared contemptuously at Septimus as he bobbed his head to her.  “I don’t know why you don’t have the insolent old man flogged. He is far too forward with you.”

The Governor shrugged and walked to the doors to slam them shut. “He sends reports to Domitian and I would like to hang on to this post for a little longer than my predecessors.”

“Domitian!” She spat the word out as one would a piece of gristle from a poorly made pie. “The Flavians were always opportunists.  His father was lucky, for he did not deserve to be Emperor.” Aula’s father had been a rival to Vespasian and had been eliminated one night leaving the important but poor Aula an orphan. Sallustius was the perfect suitor, rich, not seen as a threat to the Flavians and with the potential to be great.  She had leapt upon him like a cat with a mouse.  She had plans and would use him. At her father’s funeral she swore that the Flavians would regret the day they ruined her life for she would ruin their dynasty.

“Shush my love. The walls have ears.”

“Look what he is doing to Britannia.  We now have roving bands of barbarians on our doorstep because he has stripped the land of the legions who would have defended us. We could be butchered in our beds.”

“To be fair so far he has only taken one legion and the barbarians are many miles away.”

“Remember Boudicca?”

The Governor shuddered.  Although he had not been in Britannia at the time, the depredations and horrors had been repeated in Rome. “This is why we have a legion constantly at hand.”

“What will you do with these auxiliary units?”

Sallustius looked keenly at his wife.  What plans were being fermented in her convoluted mind? “Why? To repel the barbarians. What is on your mind?”

“Britannia is a rich province.  If the old goat can find money for two more units then could you not create more money to fund more?”

The Governor’s curiosity was piqued by her train of thought. “We could but what end?”

“Apart from the far north this province is peaceful. The west is full of savages but if you were to base a legion there and strip the gold mines then that money could be used to build up a bigger army. If you could hold the Caledonii at bay we could begin to make this province civilised.”

What she had said made sense but he felt she was leading him further. She had stood behind him and was massaging his shoulders, a sure sign that she wanted something from him. “And then what?”

She sinuously moved around to his front and sat on his knee. “Both Caesar and Claudius had problems the fierce sea which separates us from Gaul.  If this land were recaptured by the barbarians do you think that Rome would be able or even bothered to recapture this troublesome little province stuck out on the edge of the world?”

“Well no but they couldn’t recapture their land. This incursion is a minor one.  The peoples who live south of Caledonia are becoming romanised.”

“True and you are from a fine royal family from this land. Tell me were the warriors good warriors before we Romans arrived?”

He bristled with pride. “We were.  We are.  Why look what the Iceni, Brigante and Ordovices nearly achieved.  It took a genius like Agricola to defeat them and there are not many Agricolas.”

“So why don’t you use these fine warriors to create even more legions.  Celtic legions.”

“And repel the Caledonii?”

“The Brigante themselves held off the Caledonii did they not?  Imagine if they had been joined by the tribes further south.”

Sallustius could imagine himself on a fine white horse leading these warriors north to defeat the old enemy once and for all.”But the money?”

“Surely there are men that you can trust men who could run the mines and the accounts and report to you and not to Septimus?”

Sallustius considered this.  He had many family members who were desperate for positions which did not require much work but provided much reward. “Yes there are a few.”

“Then let us do what Rome should be doing.  Let us build up the armies. Endear yourself to the commanders of the auxilia.  Reward them give them what they want and they will protect our northern borders.  Make them loyal to you.”

“Loyal to me eh? An interesting idea.  Yes it will be the auxilia who will have to defend us from the Caledonii horde not the legions. You are right my love.  I will ride to Verulanium and meet with my nephew and then I shall travel north to Coriosopitum and summon my commanders.  It is time we sent these barbarians packing.”

If the Governor could have seen the sly secret smile which played upon his wife’s lips he might have been worried. If he had seen the letter being encrypted by Septimus he would have been terrified.

Chapter 5

Three of his northern commanders were already meeting.  Prefects Maximunius, Strabo and Sura were sat in Prefect’s Sura’s quarters supping a fine batch of recently acquired wine.  Marcus often wondered how the portly prefect kept such a good larder and cellar but it seemed impolite to ask.

“You were both very lucky.  The Parcae must have another destiny for you.”

“I know Cominius.  It does help having resourceful men like my Decius and Furius’ Marius.”

“Thank the Allfather that we all have such men.  Why does Rome not realise that we could have taken this land in one campaign and we may not lose it in a winter?”

“The Emperor is too concerned with Dacia.  After all it is closer to Rome than we are.  The Caledonii are no threat to him.  Any threat would have to cross the Mare Germanicum which as we all know is terrifying.”

Prefect Strabo belched. “Don’t I know it. My supplies are sometimes held up for weeks.”

“So,” continued Marcus, “what do we do? The Governor has summoned us to a meeting in Coriosopitum and I daresay he will expect answers.”

Prefect Sura wandered over to the map. “The road to the north is well under way but we need some insurance.  We need a stronger fort which is easier to defend. I would suggest here.” He poked a finger at a spot on the map. “Alavna.  It is at the narrowest part of the valley and there are four forts higher up the valley.  We can use the fleet on the Bodotria to keep us supplied and give us an escape route.”

“I like it.  But it is your decisions because cavalry do no want to be bottled up in wooden or even stone walls.  It is your men who will have to hold them.”

Furius waved a hand expansively.  “Suits me.”

“Right then we can tell the Governor that at the meeting.”

“There is one more thing.” Both prefects looked at Marcus for his tone was more serious than normal. “I intend to retire.”

Even the normally taciturn Strabo was surprised. “But why?  You have the finest ala I have ever seen and your men love you.  Why Marcus?”

“Simple Cominius I am too old.  I have seen almost fifty summers and I can no longer ride with my men as I once did. There are younger men who can lead them.  You are right, Marcus’ Horse is the finest ala not only in Britannia but also the Empire and I would say that to the Emperor himself.” Both men smiled at the pride in his voice. “And that is why I must go.  Ulpius was younger than I when he died and I became prefect many years ago.  Do I want my successor to be an old man? Marcus’ Horse has officers and troopers with courage and brains.  There will be a prefect amongst them. And there is another reason.” They looked expectantly at him. “Ailis, Gaius’ wife is now with their second child.  They live close to Stanwyck.  I feel a responsibility towards the two of them, Ailis and Gaius.  I was not there for my wife when she needed me, nor for my son.  I would like to be close at hand.”

“Has Gaius asked you this?”

“No and he never would.  He is loyal and loves the ala as I did but I know that he is torn.  His wife cannot be here, it is too dangerous but there is still much danger further south.  He will be a better soldier if he knows I am close to his family.”

“Have you told Decius and the others?”

“No.  I spent the journey north and back arguing with myself about the best course of action.  I will tell them tonight.  We are having a celebratory dinner. Although we lost some troopers it is the first time our officers all survived a major battle.  I have invited them to a feast.”

“I cannot deny that they deserve it.”

“Would you like some of my supply of wine Marcus?”

“Why Furius I am touched. Your wine is as precious as your life blood.”

“I know Cominius perhaps I too should retire for I must be becoming senile.”

Prefect Sura shook his head and saluted Marcus. “For it has been an honour to serve with such a gallant and fine officer that I would gladly shed some of my blood for you as you have done for us.”

Decius and the other decurions had started their drinking early. “Those recruits did well.”

“You are right Macro.  They were barely half trained and yet they fought as well as any.  It’s a pity so many died. We will still be short of recruits. I think it is good that we are recruiting in Britannia. The new recruits are good warriors and understand the land.” Decurion Cilo spoke from the heart for he had been born and was one of the first native born officers.

Decius snorted loudly and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “Well if you ask me we should piss off back to Morbium and leave this shit hole to the savages who live here.  I can’t see any reason to be here. They have more biting insects than Egypt. The beer tastes like piss and the women would as soon castrate you as shag. Leave ‘em to it.”

All the decurions fell about laughing except for Gaius who was studying a piece of deer hide. Sergeant Cato leaned over and spoke quietly to the newly married decurion. Cato was a quiet leader and preferred the company of horses.  Perhaps he had an animal sense which helped him to understand body language.  Whatever it was he tuned into Gaius immediately. “Letter from home?”

Gaius looked up, “It is from Ailis. The boy is crawling and the one yet to be born is letting her know he is coming.”

Cato nodded.  Of all the officers he was the one who understood birth best. “Do not worry.  The first birthing was easy as will this one.”

“But I think I should be there.”

Cato shrugged, “The stallion does not see his offspring born but he knows them when they gallop alongside him.”

“I know.  I just wish I was nearer.  Decius is right Morbium would be a better posting.”

Cato took a long drink from his beaker and then said, “Be careful what you wish for?” Gaius looked up curiously. “If we were at Morbium it means that the enemy would be just over the river.  Would you wish that danger on your family?”

Before Gaius could reflect on the appalling idea Marcus entered and they all stood to attention.  “Sit, sit.  First of all can I formally thank and praise each and every one of you.  Your ride north, your rescue of the Batavians was all that any one could have expected of Marcus’ Horse.  The Batavian’s thanks are reflected in their generous donations of wines and exotic food which, “he added glancing around the empty jugs, “you have enjoyed.” Decius belched and they all laughed again. “I have come here with some news, well a couple of pieces of news.  Firstly the Governor has summoned all the prefects to a meeting at Coriosopitum. The second is that I won’t be returning from that meeting as I intend to retire.”

If Marcus had walked around naked or stood on his hands and sang a song he could not have shocked them more.  They froze, with mouths open their drinks half way to their mouths.  Once they came to realise what he had said there was a cacophony of noise as they all spoke at once.  Finally Decius managed to get silence. “But why sir? Have we done something wrong?”

“Of course not Decius I could not be prouder of all of you.”

“Well are you in some sort of trouble then?”

“No at least, I don’t think so. Before I suffer the death of a thousand questions let me explain my thinking. I meant what I said.  You are the finest ala in the Empire.  Of that there is no question.  Had I had any doubts they would have been removed when you saved the Batavians.  You saved them and I wasn’t there.  You no longer need me.”

Macro jumped up.  “But sir that’s not true you were there at the last battle with the recruits.”

“Yes but I only made a small difference. Do not think I am doing this because I am unhappy.  I am happy but I would like to spend some time with my family and watch over them.”

Decius looked puzzled, “But sir you haven’t got a family have you I mean…” Quartermaster Agrippa nudged Decius in the ribs before he could insensitively blurt out something about Macha and Ulpius, Marcus’ murdered wife and child.

“I have Ailis and Ailis child.  Gaius’ son.” Gaius looked up understanding dawning on him.

“You mean you are going to stay with them?”

Marcus laughed.  “I am not sure that your pretty young wife would appreciate an old soldier cluttering up her house.  No.  Some years ago I purchased a villa between Stanwyck and Morbium. It is not far from Ailis’ home.  Gaelwyn has been keeping his eye on it.  There are slaves farming it, the ones who were at Glanibanta and I shall become a farmer.”