Hosker, G [Sword of Cartimandua 10] Roman Hawk (31 page)

Aed had watched in terror from his place of hiding as the raiders had ravaged the village.  He had arrived shortly before the pirates and had been hiding in the trees when he saw them arrive. He was shaking in fear as they killed their prisoners and he waited for his own death when they continued along their path.  He was relieved when he saw them cross the river, away from his concealed nest.  He could continue along the path and find the next settlement.  He was tired and he was hungry but he was alive and he would carry out his mother’s dying instructions; the rest of the valley would know of the raid.

The sentry at Morbium thought he saw some movement from the trail which led east but it stopped the moment he looked at it. He was sure that it was a trick of the light but he knew that he would have to report to someone.  “Sir?”

The optio turned. “Yes soldier.  What is it?”

“I think I saw a movement in the tree line over there.”

As the optio followed the line of the sentry’s arm they both saw the boy race from the cover and sprint towards the open gate. He almost fell into the sentry’s surprised arms and he burst into tears. “Barbarians are in the valley.  They have killed all my family and they are coming down the valley.”

Taking the boy in his arms the optio shouted, “Sound the alarm and close the gates.”

Later when the Prefect and First Spear had finished questioning the boy they decided what they ought to do. Both remembered the raids the previous year but, as infantry they were in no position to cover and search a large area. “I want a rider to go to Coriosopitum, another to go to Gaius’ farm and warn them and another to ride down to Eboracum and warn the settlements there.  Then I want you to take half a cohort east.  If the young lad is correct then they are south of the river and that gives them the chance to raid in almost any direction they choose.”

First Spear nodded. “Think it is the same ones as came last year?”

“It is either the same men or they have spread the word and their cousins are joining in.”

******

The rider’s rapid entry into the yard told Decius and the family that there was imminent danger. “There are barbarian raiders from the sea. They are heading down the valley. First Spear is heading to find them. The Prefect has asked if you wish to come into the fort for protection?”

Decius looked at his mother who defiantly shook her head. “Thank the Prefect and, if you warn any of our neighbours tell them they are welcome here.”

Frann’s fearful face showed the terror she felt. Ailis comforted her.”They will not find this place such an easy nut to crack.  We have hardy men who will defend it to the death and the Prefect has despatched men to help.” She looked over at Nanna.  “You will stay here?”

Nanna shook her head.  “I will bring my people here.  I could not let them be taken. “She gave a harsh smile, “Fear not Ailis, they will not have me a captive.  I will return within an hour.”

As Nanna galloped off, Decius sent one of his men with her as protection.  “She is a tough lady but these barbarians are determined. I will go to find Drugi. It would not do to lose him again so quickly.”

As his men began to prepare for the defence of the hamlet Decius rode off through the woods to the hut which lay some miles to the south.  When he reached the hut he could see no sign of Drugi.  He knew he could not be far for the ex-slave did not ride.  “Drugi!”

The huge man appeared silently at Decius’ side making the Brigante jump.  “You are as silent as Uncle Gaelwyn was.  Your friends from across the sea are back. We need to defend the farm.”

“You go and I will follow.”

When Decius looked at him questioningly the biog man grinned.  “I can move through the woods where your horse cannot.  I will be there soon.”

******

The fifty warriors moved swiftly through the sparsely populated and almost empty lands on the southern bank of the Dunum. The dead villagers had given him an idea of where to find the family of the sword but he had ten scout south in a semi circle, like beaters flushing birds. As they moved deeper into the land to the west Trygg could not help but glance north to where he now knew there was a Roman fort.  He knew it was north of him, across the river and he hoped that meant that he was safe.  As a Tencteri he had not encountered bridges much for the rivers in his land were not mighty ones like the Dunum and the Tinea. For Trygg a bridge was a boat; that was how you crossed a river.

Sigurd was the scout who had the first success.  Buoyed by his first scouting ventures he had embraced the opportunity to impress the leader again.  “I have found it Chief Trygg.  There is a mighty stone dwelling and there are many horses.”

“You have done well Sigurd.  When we next raid you shall do so as a warrior.  How far is it?”

Sigurd had little concept of distance.  He knew that it had not taken him long to trot back. “Not far. Just over the rise.”

The other scouts returned, having been told to just scout a short way ahead.  They all prepared for battle.  Trygg knew from his conversations with Marcus that the farm had defenders and he was in no doubt that this time they would have to fight to get what they wanted.  He relished the opportunity.  Hitherto it had been too easy and the combat not worthy of a warrior. The band trotted behind Sigurd and Trygg in a loose wedge formation.  It afforded both speed and defence.  As they crested the rise, they saw on the hollow below them a fine stone villa but as soon as he spied it Trygg knew that this was not the place they sought for it had neither exterior wall nor ditches but it was somewhere which promised wealth.

Sigurd pointed, his sharp eyes spotting movement.  “Look!” As Trygg peered at the Roman dwelling he saw a cart and six riders galloping away westwards. They had been warned.  All need for deception was now gone and the warband raced towards the villa. Nanna and her riders had finished packing when they saw the warband and Nanna did not need to urge her servants to make all haste. The Brigante horsewoman wondered what she would return to.  All her hard work in making a beautiful home for her man would have come to naught.  She shrugged as she urged her horse on; her incarceration with the Irish had taught her that freedom was worth any price. She could rebuild a house and buy new belongings but people were harder to replace.

Gurt was disappointed when they entered the villa.  He had hoped from the grand exterior that the inside would be filled with treasures.  All that they found were paintings on the wall, a fine floor and statues.  None of them were portable and none valuable to the Eudose. “I have found where they had their treasure.”

Snorri’s voice brought Trygg and Gurt to the master bedroom where the empty hole in the floor showed where the valuables of the house had been kept. “The wagon, that is why they took one, to keep their valuables safe.”

Gurt’s eyes became excited. “Then we follow the wagon and we find the treasure.”

Trygg nodded, “Odin is with us for we find my treasure, the sword.  They will be heading to a place of safety; the farm which is the home of the sword.”

Even though the afternoon light was fading the warband set off quickly.  They had seen their prize and knew that it was almost in their grasp. Every warrior felt that they were charmed for they had come further into Britannia and were, as yet, unharmed and undetected.  With the sword and the treasure in their grasp they would soon be back aboard their ships and sailing home with more plunder than any other raiders. When they returned to Uiteland they would only become stronger and more powerful.

******

Nanna felt relieved that she had saved her people and reached them before the raiders.  She knew that it had been close when she had viewed them on the skyline above the farm. “They are coming.  I saw them close to my farm.” Decius thanked the Allfather that they had begun their preparations so early.

“Find somewhere safe for your people.  Drugi, Tadgh, come and help me to unhitch the wagon.”

Once the wagon was emptied and unhitched the three men moved it behind the gate. Shouting for the rest of the men they heaved it behind the gate to make it even more impenetrable. Drugi looked around the wooden walls and felt uncomfortable. “I would prefer to be in the open.”

Decius smiled, Gaelwyn had said the same. “These walls are safer for such small numbers as we.  How many will be in this warband?”

“If it is the same as the ones who sailed from Hjarno-by then there would be five ships, each with thirty men.  There could be a hundred warriors here.”

Decius bit his lip.  One hundred warriors could hurt them. He wished that he had sent a messenger to his brother but he had assumed that the Prefect would have done so.  Unfortunately the training facility had been forgotten in the panic surrounding the raid.  Marcus and his men were ten miles away, happily training and unaware of the danger to the family.

By the time that Trygg and his men had reached the farm the sun had finally set in the west. While scouts watched the walls, Trygg, Gurt and Snorri held a council of war. “I say we attack now! They will not expect it.”

Trygg looked at Gurt and shook his head. “They know we are coming.  Those people who fled the farm are here.  We have seen their tracks.  They will be alert and expecting us.  Even now they will be behind their walls with weapons ready. Do you know where their traps are?  Have you inspected their ditches?”

Gurt shook his head.  Snorri spoke up. “The scouts will be back soon.  When the moon rises we may be able to attack then.”

“No Snorri.  The men have travelled far today.  Let us rest and let those in the farm wait all night for the attack which doesn’t come. In the morning, before the sun rises they will be tired and we will be fresh.  Then we will attack.” Gurt still looked sceptical. “When the Suebi attacked the citadel it was the Roman who led the defence. He and Drugi helped to defeat and drive off a warband that was bigger than this. Had the Suebi waited then their guard might have dropped.  We will rest and when they are tired then we will attack.”

Gurt was not convinced but he knew that the two warriors with him had made wise decisions up to now.  He just wanted the treasure that had been in the wagon.  The ship they had captured was a rich prize but, looking at the deserted farmhouse, there would be greater prizes beyond the walls. When the scouts returned Gurt decided that Trygg had been right. “There is a deep ditch running all the way around the walls.  At the back of the farm is a stream. The trees are forty paces from the walls and there are men on the gates and walls. Anyone attacking would be seen.”

Trygg gave a quick knowing look towards Gurt who now saw the wisdom in caution. “How high is the wall?”

“Twice as high as a man and there is stone at the bottom below the wooden stakes.”

“Then we cannot burn it and we have no ladders.” Trygg had had an idea of attacking on two sides at once to distract the enemy’s fire but that was out of the question as he did not have enough men and there was a river there.”The gate, it is wooden? There is no metal on it?”

“It is mighty but it is made of wood.”

“Good.  You have done well now return to the walls and watch them.” When the scouts had trotted back Trygg outlined his plan to his confederates. “We will use torches and brushwood to place against the gate and burn it.”

“How will be get close?  The scout told us that they can see us and will shoot at us when we advance.”

“We use our shields to make a barrier.  We advance behind the shields, fire the gate and then wait in the tree line.”

Gurt though that it sounded too simple, but he could not think of a better way.  “Why not do that now?”

“I told you before I want the men rested.  Have them collect the brushwood and then tell them to rest. We attack before dawn.”

******

Marcus’ sleep was disturbed and he knew not why.  He and his men had had a particularly good day training with his men and gone to sleep happier than in a long time. They had eaten well so why had he woken.  He could not remember the dream he had dreamt but it had frightened him. He stepped out of his tent.  It was a cold night and the sentries were huddled in their cloaks trying to get warm.  He wandered over to them. “Have you heard anything?”

Pleased that they had not been caught sleeping and wondering why their officer had left the comfort of his bed to freeze with them they shook their heads.”

“Quiet as the grave.”

The other one said, “Yes sir so quiet that when we heard the hawk it made me jump.”

“Jump?  I thought you had shit yourself.”

Marcus suddenly felt the hairs on the back of his neck prickle. “A hawk you say?  In the middle of the night?”

The incongruity struck them both.  “Well sir, now you mention it. I suppose…”

“Are you sure it wasn’t an owl?”

They both shook their heads.  “No sir, definitely a hawk.” Owls, the bird of the night was considered an ill omen and warriors on sentry duty always made the sign against evil when they heard one.

Marcus looked to the skies. It was his brother and it was a warning but a warning of what? “How long until dawn?”

One of them pointed to the sliver of light on the eastern horizon. “Right wake the men.  We have action today.”

As Marcus went back to his tent the two sentries wondered if he had gone mad.  Action?  They were only recruits.  Marcus’ head reappeared at his tent. “Now!”

They quickly went around the camp waking the sleepy recruits who wondered why they were being thrown out of their beds.  When they saw their decurion with sword at his side saddling his horse they knew that it would not be an ordinary day.

Chapter 18

The guards on the wall were tired.  Although they had been relieved in the early hours of the morning they had not had time to prepare for a night standing and their eyes were drooping. With only ten others to share the watch keeping, the six men spread along the walls were looking forwards to their relief at dawn.  Perhaps they were not the target of a raid but if any barbarian came close they would pay a hefty price. The huge warrior who now lived in Gaelwyn’s hut had stalked the walls until the middle of the watch, his nose twitching as he smelled the familiar smell of his home in Uiteland. The last thing he had said, before he slipped away for a couple of hours sleep was, “They are out there.  I can smell them.”That had been an hour since and, with the first sliver of dawn cracking the night sky they thought that they had escaped.