Hosker, G [Sword of Cartimandua 06] Druid's Gold (29 page)

Shamefaced Tadgh trudged away but he swore that he would watch Decius and, when the opportunity arose, he would have his revenge.

*

It fell to Livius to discover that the army had left the road and changed direction.  He quickly sent for the other two maniples and, when Drusus and Marius had arrived discussed their strategy. “We need to send a message to Morbium in case Prefect Fulvius is there and of course another message to the garrison at Eboracum.” He looked at his two decurions.  “At least we don’t need to worry about Lindum now. Drusus, take a man and head to Morbium tell the Prefect of this change then rejoin us here; hopefully you will have information about Prefect Fulvius.  Marius, take a man to Eboracum and stress to the Prefect that this woman has been here before and almost succeeded. When you have passed your message, on head back to rejoin us. I will keep your other trooper and try to discover what they intend.”

Marius looked over at Livius.  “Tell me you aren’t going to try to get into the camp.” Livius was silent. “If Marcus, Julius or Gaius were here sir they would tell you that it would suicide to go in to the camp.  They are looking for us and both Morwenna and Decius know you.”

“I know all that but at the moment we are just reacting to what they do.  We need to anticipate.  But I agree, at the moment it would be suicide but I still need the intelligence.”

Marius turned to Cassius, “Make sure he doesn’t go Cassius.” Cassius nodded, he would not let his friend go to his death.

*

When Decius found Centurion he was delighted with the mounts. “The Queen is coming.  We can head in her direction slowly.” He gathered his inner circle together. “I fear that the Queen may have over reached herself and in that event I do not want to either end up on a cross or as a galley slave.  “Nuada and Tiny, I want you to go back to the wagon.  When the army moves off hang towards the rear of the column.  Feign some damage and, when the army is out of sight head due east to the river.  Nuada you and the guards wait with the gold.  Tiny you return as though you have been scouting south towards Lindum. That way I will know where the wagons are when we steal a ship. If things go badly then Tiny will fetch you back into the fold once more.  If things go well then we will join you Nuada, with a ship and we can sail away to safety.”

“Why wait by the river? Why not head into Eboracum?”

Decius could hear from Centurion’s tone that he was not questioning or challenging merely clarifying. “South of Eboracum the river is wide enough for quite large ships we will take a ship which can take from the quays at Eboracum and head for Gaul or Hispana.”

“Which was the original plan.”

“True but now we have better men, better equipment and as much gold as we had before. Our brief alliance has proved successful.”

Centurion looked shrewdly at Decius. “You are planning to leave come what may.”

“Let us just say that even if we win I may end up with a Brigante blade in my back and I would like to plan for all eventualities.”

“So we keep a low profile in any battle?”

“We take the best horses and, if we are away from the main army then how will any one know if we fight or no.  These Brigantes don’t know a horse’s arse from its head.  We and those we choose will be the cavalry so choose our loyal men.  Now off you go Tiny and Nuada.  We may soon be free of this land.”

*

Rufius liked the two boys who were but a few years younger than he. They had decided to call Decius Macro just Macro as he had grown tired of giving a mouthful of names when he wanted the boy to do something and the boy seemed to grow uncia with pride at being called by his father’s name. Marcus Gaius would just be Gaius. As Rufius explained, “We have to do things quickly in the Explorates and shouting a list of names can cost a man his life. Also do not wear your bow about your body.  It stretches and does the bowstring no good and you waste time unslinging it. Keep it across your saddle cloth.”

The two boys did all that Rufius said.  Keen to learn from someone they were rapidly looking up to. Gaelwyn had told them that he was the best tracker he had ever seen and that was praise indeed. “We picked up the trail here Rufius and followed them there.”

“I can see the tracks.  You two keep going as you did before.  I will scout around and catch up with you.  Have your bows ready for our enemies may have decided to wait and ambush us.”

They watched as Rufius quickly disappeared down a gully.  Now apprehensive they kept watch on both sides for an ambush. Their horses neighed as they trotted along the heather littered hillside. Suddenly Rufius appeared in front of them and both of them had an arrow notched in a heartbeat.

“Well done but boys your horses told you I was there.  Listen to your mount for he is as much a warrior as you are. I found their trail and saw the hoof prints of the ones who laid the ambush.  Follow me and you will see your handiwork.” Both boys were annoyed with their lax behaviour which Rufius had seemed to criticise.

Half a mile up the trail they saw the two men they had first slain and, a little further on the dead horse.  Already the scavengers had pecked out the eyes of the dead and other creatures had invested the bodies. “The men we fight are not honourable or they would have buried their comrades.  We have no time but we will pause to say a few words. Allfather take these treacherous men and decide if they are worthy enough to join the warriors in the hereafter. Look over us and these warriors.” He looked at the boys. “It does not do to offend the Allfather.”

Macro said, “It was a little further up where Agrippa died.” They soon found the bloodied patch of grass.

“Let us find which way the herd went and then you can return home.”

“But Rufius,” they both began.

He held his hand up. “I promised your parents.”

They rode down a dell and began to work their way up a steep slope.  The hoof prints showed quite clearly the direction the herd had taken.  Suddenly Rufius’ horse’s ears pricked up and, in an instant, he had an arrow notched and his hand held up to halt the two boys. He slid off his horse and gestured for them to keep watch. He bellied up to the ridge and after a moment or two slithered down and remounted his horse. “Well boys we not only have the herd, we have the whole Brigante army.  I will be riding back to the farm with you.”

The three riders turned their horses around and headed back down the trail. Rufius kept them in the lowest parts of the shallow valley, avoiding the skyline.  The track led through scrubby hawthorn, elder and blackthorn which masked and hid them from view. Part of Rufius wanted to stay and scout but he had been the only one to see the army and he needed to report as soon as possible to a superior.  Morbium was only half a day’s ride away and the army he had seen had been so large that it would be easy to find again.  Even one of the boys could find it.

He had been impressed with the boys; they had not panicked or become over excited and had followed his orders to the letter. Their reactions had been so sharp it was like looking at himself.  They would make good Explorates and he would tell Livius as soon as he saw him.

*

Livius had found the Brigante army again.  He sat with Cassius and Decius watching the huge horde snake its way northwards.  Although huge it was moving quite quickly and Livius could sense urgency about the way it was hurrying.  They had to know there were no enemies close by, there had to be another reason for their speed.

“Sir?”

“Yes Cassius, they are no longer heading to Eboracum.  That suggests a meeting or they have sighted our forces.”

“Could the Prefect have reached here in such a short space of time?”

“Possibly.  They were travelling on roads and when they put their minds to it legionaries can eat up the ground but I don’t think it is the Prefect.  They are not preparing for a battle.  Look, the Brigantes are not wearing their helmets or carrying their battle standards but I would like to know who they are meeting. Decius, you continue to follow them.  As soon as you come across either Eboracum or any of our forces join them.  If they suddenly head for Eboracum or south then find me, quickly.”

“And where will you be sir?”

“Cassius and I will head north west and skirt around them.  There is higher ground there and we can make good time.”

Riding along the ridge they could see how vast the army now was its numbers swollen in recent days by rebels and deserters heading from the south.  They were easily identified by their lack of weaponry.  When the battle was imminent they would be armed and organised.  Morwenna could be clearly seen on the pure white mount and surrounded by the six huge Irishmen who looked to be uncomfortable sitting on their horses. They might be fearsome warriors but on a horse they would be no challenge even for a lightly armed Explorate.

“Sir!”

Cassius’ sharp eyes had pickled something out in the distance and, shading his eyes from the light Livius peered in the direction of Cassius’ pointed finger. “Horses. That is why they have changed direction.  That is a big herd.”

Cassius suddenly looked worried.  “Sir that herd has come from the north.  The Prefect and Gaius…”

With a sinking heart Livius knew that Cassius could be right. The best horses were just south of Morbium and that was but half a day’s ride from where they were. “We cannot worry about that yet Cassius. Let us circle the herd and then decide what the information means.” In his mind Livius had a couple of options and, having Cassius with him allowed him to pursue both. He could send a rider to Morbium to inform the prefect of the situation, although he was confident that the Batavian would know and, at the same time contact and warn Eboracum.

*

Casca was the deserter guarding the northern end of the herd.  He had really sharp eyes and, as he scanned the tree line, a movement caught his eye. He kept his head still not making the mistake of looking around for what he though he had seen.  If there was something out there it would move again and he knew where he was looking.  A few heartbeats later and he saw it, this time much clearer.  It was at least one horse and a rider. He risked a glance over his shoulder. Centurion was close by and another twenty riders. He turned back to his prey and quickly located it.  He then saw a second horse.  These could be the scouts who had killed his good friend Massilius. “Sir! I have something.” He kept his eyes fixed, not daring to move and lose them.

He felt a horse rumble up next to him. “What is it Casca?” Centurion liked Casca who was a hard working and uncomplaining soldier.  He was the kind who would have been a chosen man when Centurion had fought for Rome. More importantly he had good eyes and it was obvious that he had seen something.  He was like a dog on point with an unwavering stare.

“Saw at least two riders sir.  There, about half a mile away.  No uniforms so it could be those scouts we ran into the other day.”

“Well done.” Now that Centurion had more men these insects which had dogged and annoyed them for so long would be squashed. He turned in the saddle.  You six men come with Casca and me. You,” he gestured at the nearest guard, “tell the General we have gone to catch some scouts.”

Centurion smiled a cruel, grim smile; that fool Nuada had allowed them to escape the last time and it could have resulted in disaster. The fact that they were heading away from the army meant they were heading somewhere to report, probably Morbium and the last thing they needed was for a cohort of auxiliaries to be loose on their left flank when they attacked Eboracum.  He would easily catch and kill these spies but not before he had extracted information.  He was intrigued about them as a force.  They were not like the alae he had fought alongside for so many years and yet they were organised and they, he had to admit, were very effective.

He gestured for Casca and two men to head east and cut off the scouts while he and the others headed west up the slope. He could see from the movements of the birds and the bushes that the scouts were moving slowly so as not to attract attention.  That suited him for they could move faster and now they were in the perfect position for a pincer movement. They were his for the taking.

Rufius had sharp ears as had his horse and when Blackie’s ears pricked up so did Rufius’. He leaned forward to stroke its head. “Well done!” He hissed to Marcus riding in front of him and held his hand for halt. Marcus repeated and Rufius was pleased to se instant obedience and no questions. He was also pleased to see the bows appear instantly in their hands with an arrow notched. The grins told him they were not afraid.

Now that Rufius was still he could hear and see better. A quick glance to his right identified at least two soldiers and another to the left spotted one high up on the ridge. He was under no illusions; they had been spotted and would have to move soon.  The two boys were watching Rufius intently waiting for instructions.  He pointed to his right and then at his bow.  He mimed riding and shooting.  When they nodded he knew they understood. He was gambling that, if they charged whoever was on their right they might be lucky and hit a couple and make their escape.  He did not know how many there were and, if it were a large column they would be cut down but he was confident that the three of them could react quicker than the deserters and he had already seen what good riders they were. It was a gamble but then wasn’t life?

He kicked his horse hard right and Blackie responded leaping out. The two boys followed closely. Casca and the two men with him were taken by surprise. None of them was armed with a missile weapon but they all drew their swords.  Casca’s companions both fell to the ground one pierced by two arrows from the boys and the other by Rufius’. Casca turned his horse to face Rufius but the scout jinked his horse around and was beyond the startled soldier in a couple of strides. By the time Casca had turned his horse the three scouts were racing east. Behind Rufius heard the roar of rage as Centurion and his men hurtled through the hedgerow in pursuit.

The three lightly armed boys began to draw away from Casca. Rufius was confident that they would outrun their pursuers.  They would head east for a while and then return to their northern route.  They rode down a small, shallow valley and up on to a ridge.  As they reached the top Rufius realised to his dismay that the Brigante army had been moving steadily in that direction and as they crested the ridge they could see, less than half a mile away, the outriders of the Brigante army. They were trapped.  They would have to outrun their pursuers who could now cut them off. “Right boys. Head left and keep your eyes on the men on your left.” Rufius loosened his sword.  Soon he might need it.