Hosker, G [Sword of Cartimandua 04] Roman Retreat (7 page)

The news was of such import that they all sat and looked at their neighbour. Marcus poured himself a drink and helped himself to the pheasant. Gaius spoke first, “Thank you sir.  You have put my mind at ease.” Cato nodded and patted Gaius on the shoulder.

“Have you told the Governor yet sir?”

“No Decius. I felt I owed it to you, to all of you to do you the courtesy of telling you and explaining my reasons.”

“Well I am going too.”

Marcus shook his head.  “I know you only promised to stay with the ala until I retired but the new prefect will need you knowledge for a while.”

“No sir.  I have had enough of this game, besides there are lads here who could give the new prefect the knowledge. Hades any one of these could do my job as Decurion Princeps.”

It was obvious that many of them had not thought that far ahead. “Well if you are determined then come with me to Coriosopitum and we will see the Governor together. Gaius would you act as Decurion Princeps in Decius’ absence. And now before Bacchus robs me of all senses I have better give you all the information I have. The Batavians are going to strengthen Alavna and we will have a fort built just south of it so your orders, gentlemen, are to build a fort and then patrol the road from the Tava to Alavna.”

As soon as they all began their drinking session Gaius sought out the Prefect.  “Thank you sir.”

“Thank me? Why Gaius?”

“For going to be close to my wife.”

“Ah. When I said protect my family I did of course mean Ailis, my wife’s cousin but I also mean Ailis’ child and the child of the man who has taken the place of my dead son, the man to whom I gave the sword of Cartimandua.”

Gaius did not know where to look. “But sir.  I did not know. I mean thank you.”

“Gaius you have always been as a member of my family as I was with Ulpius.  We both knew you had greatness in you.  That greatness will come with time.  Be all that you can be and fear not for your family for I will do all to protect them.”

The new fort at Coriosopitum had only recently been finished and the Governor approved of its cleanliness and space. He also felt far safer there than when he had visited the land of the Caledonii earlier in his rule. The three prefects and Decurion Princeps arrived after the Governor who had taken the opportunity to show them that he respected them.  They were shown into their own quarters and washed by slaves.  They were then taken into the Governor’s dining area where the five of them enjoyed a sumptuous feast. Even Furius Strabo could not complain either with the range nor the quality of the food and drink.

“Now then gentlemen. How goes it in Caledonia?”

The four men looked at each other.  On the journey south they had discussed what they would say and had determined that Marcus would speak for all of them. “The problem is Governor that we simply do not have enough troops to control such a vast country.  When the general conquered the country he did it so swiftly that many places only saw Roman soldiers for a few weeks. In the south the people have gradually become romanised.  In the north there is no Roman civilisation whatsoever.  The only presence is that of the military and now that is spread so thinly that they could, if they chose, break through and rampage as far south as Eboracum. We have begun to strengthen Alavna which should stop incursions down the east coast.”

The other three all nodded. “I agree with you.  Your reading of the situation marries exactly with mine.  But I am afraid we can expect no more troops from Rome in the foreseeable future.  We have to defend Britannia from within the province.” Their glum and sour looks told the Governor, without words, that they thought this an impossible task. “I have already found the funds to create two new auxiliary forces. As yet I have not thought of what type.  Perhaps you gentlemen could advise me?”

Cominius chose to speak. “The Gauls have some mixed units.  They were withdrawn to Dacia.  They are part mounted and part foot.  They are armed with missiles and conventional weapons.  If we were to have only two units to replace all the ones which were taken then they would be the best option.”

“I did not say they were the only forces to be created.  No I have plans for many more Britannia cohorts. They are a start.  But I like your reasoning Prefect.  I think that will suit us nicely. Now as to our course of action; I believe, from what you have said and, “he added melodramatically, “what you have not said is that we cannot continue our advance.”

“We are saying that we should, if possible, withdraw to a more defensible position. The best place would be between the estuaries of the Clota and the Bodotria.”

“I agree Prefect Maximunius but the Emperor would not sanction such a loss of Roman territory.”

“We should use the rivers. Morbium was the first such river crossing and has made Eboracum safe from attack.  There is now a healthy local population just outside its walls.  We should use the rivers.  Build strong forts at the Tava, Bodotria, and Tine.  Make sure that the forts have good artillery and any Celtic invasion would peter out.”

“Where do they get their armies from?”

Prefect Strabo leaned forward. “The winters up there and long and cold.  The nights are twice as long as the days.  All they have to do is eat drink and fornicate. Every woman of child bearing age is pregnant and dropping their spawn in the autumn. If you want to end the threat then kill every single man woman and child north of the Tava.  That way we have a chance to make the rest Roman.”

The Governor was shocked. “It is a little savage is it not?”

“The alternative is to spend the next one hundred years fighting off invasions by these children who have nought else to do for the land cannot be farmed.  If we were not the common enemy they would fight amongst themselves.”

“You say that you have fortified Alavna.” Prefect Sura nodded. “Then we must do the same on the west side and I agree with the road building. That is essential.  Prefect Sura, find a suitable fort on the west side of Caledonia and make that as strong as Alavna.  If you take charge of the auxiliary forces in the west and Prefect Strabo in the east.  You will both be given the rank of Tribune to prevent disputes over hierarchy.  Now Prefect Maximunius…”

“Before you begin Governor the Decurion Princeps and I have come to the end of our terms of enlistment and would both like to retire.”

The Governor’s reaction was the same as his officers had been.  “But you can’t.  We need you.  Britannia needs you.”

“Governor we are both getting too old for combat and Marcus’ Horse has more than enough excellent officers who can lead the men as we did.”

“But they do not have your reputations.”

“Not yet but their reputations are growing.  Ask the other Prefects, they can tell you the names of my officers and the deeds they have performed.  I feel sure that there are not many Prefects who would command officers of such renown.”

“He is right Governor.  I would have any of his decurions as First Spear in an instant.  They are quite simple, the best.”

The Governor sank back into his couch and took a large draught from his beaker. “I had counted on you Marcus.” He rose on to one elbow. “If there were a role for you outside of combat, one which allow you to be close to your villa how would that suit? And you, er Decius isn’t it? If I could find a well paid role for you out of combat would that suit?”

The two friends looked at each and said guardedly, “In theory.”

The other two prefects were also intrigued and were wracking their brains for the role the Governor had in mind.  They had realised that he must be a highly political figure to have survived in Rome so long as a half barbarian.

“Prefect. The area immediately around the Dunum is an important area and needs someone who can take charge of that area.  Would you consider being Tribune and overseeing the training of new recruits and the defences? That way you could still spend time with your farms and still manage the defences. It would make me feel safer.”

“I suppose that it is a role I might enjoy.” As soon as he had been offered the post he knew he wanted it.  He would send for Cato and Agrippa and, once again be involved with the young warriors.

“Excellent and as Tribune we could call on you to offer military advice should circumstances dictate.”

“Circumstances?”

“Let us say there was an uprising or an invasion you would have the power and authority to control the local forces.  I would make you a Legate but that would involve permission from Rome.”

Marcus thought about it briefly as he sipped his wine.  He knew that, in the situation just mentioned, he would not be able to sit idly by.  He would want to be involved and this way he would, at least, be able to influence the direction. “Very well Governor.”

Grinning from ear to ear Sallustius almost leapt to his feet to shake Marcus by the hand.

A wary Decius spoke up.  “And me sir? What have you in mind for me or do I just retire?”

“No Decurion Princeps.  You too have many qualities I need,” he waved a hand vaguely around the room.  “I need a camp prefect for this new fortress.  Does that interest you?”

Decius thought about it for instant.  It was a perfect role for him.  He would still be close to the people whose company he enjoyed, soldiers and yet he would have a use. “Yes sir.  You have a deal.”

“Excellent I have a nephew who will liaise with you, Livius Lucullus he is a bright boy but a little lazy.  I think that working with you might be the making of him and will take some of the load from your shoulders. Now all we need to do is to organise a new prefect and Decurion Princeps for Marcus’ Horse.”

Marcus and Decius suddenly realised that their men might have a brand new commander and second in command. They both had the same thought, ‘not another Prefect Demetrius.’ “Yes sir.  Could we leave that for the morning when we have clear heads?”

“Of course.  We haven’t even had the entertainment yet.”

Chapter 6

Decius Lucullus was feeling like the prince he felt he should always have been as he rode along the newly made Roman road towards the gold mines at Luentinum. The Gallic cavalry riding in column behind him made him feel quite secure as did the frequent forts guarding this most important resource. The hills were deserted and devoid of people, still recovering from the slaughter of the Ordovices by Frontinus and Agricola.  By the time they had repopulated the area it would be totally Roman with villas, baths and forts. Decius had become a very rich young man since the return of his uncle. Times had been hard for the dispossessed aristocracy of Britannia during the early years of the Roman occupation; they had been particularly hard for Decius’ family. His aunt had emphasised, to him, the need for guile and secrecy. She lavished much attention on the handsome young aristocrat. For his part he had fallen in love with her the minute he had seen her and would have done anything for her.  The fact that his uncle had given him such an important task added to the excitement of what he hoped would be a close relationship with his aunt. Their ages were closer than that of Aula and Sallustius. 

As he neared the mine he focussed his mind on the task in hand. He knew, quite clearly what he had to do, he had to siphon off as much gold as he could without making the Imperial officials suspicious. To that end he had sent ahead ten of his own bodyguards disguised as newly appointed clerks and miners and they would replace some of the older miners and clerks.  It would also provide him with personal protection for they were all tough mercenaries who had decided that there were easier pickings away from the battlefield and their other option, banditry. This was legal banditry; they would be paid for from the gold he would secure for himself.  Life was good.

Luigsech coughed again and Morwenna noticed that, once again, there was blood although the old woman hid it well enough. “We must stop, mother, for you are ill.”

Smiling through the pain she said, “I have told you that my time is coming to an end and I must hasten your learning.  You have already learned much magic and you have, indeed, your mother’s gift and her looks. I can see your mother’s soul in your eyes.” Morwenna had no mirror and never seen herself.  She had no idea what her mother had looked like but the old witch told her that watching her was looking at a taller Fainch. The long chestnut tresses and the bright green eyes sparkled from a face which entranced, just as her mother’s had.  Her willowy body belied its strength which had also been part of her training and her mind was as sharp as a piece of flint and as intricate as a spider’s web.

“Soon you will leave me when I am gone to join your mother and my sisters. You have two tasks; to drive the Romans from this land and to destroy those who killed your mother.”

“But I am just a girl.”

“No you are a druid and that is more powerful a being than any warrior or king. The only people who are still fighting the Romans are those in the north and the mightiest of those is King Calgathus.  He knew your mother and he will recognise you.  Seek him out.”

“But how will I drive the Romans out?”

The old woman shrugged. “I know not but you are Fainch’s daughter and you will find the answer.  You will fast and meditate.  You will eat the mushrooms and you will dream the dreams. This was as your mother did.” The girl resigned herself but it was hard to picture herself coming up with a plan which would work.  She had learned, however, to trust the old woman and believe in her teachings.

“And my mother’s killers? Do I dream of them also?”

“No. They are closer and easier to destroy for I have taught you all the poisons and potions which can kill or bend men’s minds to your will.  Even more than your mother knew. The men who killed your mother were the Roman horsemen called Marcus’ Horse.  They are in the north fighting Calgathus. The one with the sword of Cartimandua is the leader but all of those who wear the red horsehair are guilty. Find them and follow them.  Be patient and be cunning. You must visit the places they lived and ask about them.  They lived close by here at Glanibanta; over the hills at Stanwyck and Morbium and far to the east at Derventio. You must visit all of these places and discover as much as you can. They do not know you and you infiltrate their places and their minds. Pretend and feign loyalty for men always believe women to be the weaker species; you can show them they are wrong.”