Hosker, G [Sword of Cartimandua 04] Roman Retreat (19 page)

The sun seemed to take forever to drag itself above the horizon and bring a little warmth to this icy battlefield but by the time it did the battle was over. Hundreds of Caledonii lay dying while the few survivors limped off into the woods to take their disastrous news to Calgathus.

The Tribunes met in the centre of the battlefield as the buccina sounded the recall. Macro’s men began to filter from the woods and cheers began erupting from the fort. “Part one complete.  I would suggest Tribune that you take your men down the road before the barriers near the other fort know what is happening.”

“Thank you Marcus. If your men could hold this fort for us we’ll see what we can do.”

Although tired the Batavians were elated by their victory and keen to avenge themselves on the enemies who had tormented them for so long. As the cohorts began marching double quick time up the road Julius gave his orders. “Decurion Macro, well done. Keep one turma in the woods as pickets. Decurion Princeps get these barriers demolished.  Put the logs inside the fort. Er Tribune Marcus could I ask you to take Gaius’ turma and move the wounded inside the fort.”

Smiling at the Prefect’s embarrassment Marcus gave a slight bow, “Delighted Prefect and well done yourself.  It looks like you have fewer casualties than we thought.”

“Yes sir we were lucky.”

In my view Julius good luck normally follows good planning.”

Chapter 13

Dusk came and there was no sign of the Tribune.  Marcus sent Gaius and some of his turma to Alavna. “Just find out what has happened. Take no chances.  There are only five of you because there are only five horses here but I need to know if Tribune Sura has succeeded otherwise I will have to send for Tribune Strabo.”

“You can rely on me sir.”

Marcus had withdrawn Macro’s men from the woods and lit a huge fire two hundred paces from the fort to illuminate any sneak attack when he heard the shout from the walls.  “Decurion Princeps returning sir.”

Marcus breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the five troopers.  Had Gaius not returned he would not have enjoyed telling Ailis that he had sent her husband to his death.

“He relieved the fort sir but he lost many men.  He intends to withdraw tomorrow morning.  He wants the prefect to meet him half way.”

“Will he have to fight his way out do you think?”

“I don’t think so.  The two walls going from the fort to the woods are still in place and the barbarians can only use the wooded hill sides. He is going to fire the fort and that should stop any pursuit.  He is more worried about being cut off.”

“Very well.  I will tell the prefect.  Go and get some rest.”

Livius and the recruits could smell the sea and hear the gulls long before they could see the Bodotria. The men were reluctant for the journey to end but Morwenna was desperate to reach her destination.  The sooner she reached the fort the sooner she could contact Calgathus and plan the removal of the Roman blight.

Livius turned to Morwenna.  “I am concerned lady that we have seen little traffic on the road.”

“Why would that be a problem?”

“Normally there would be mule trains and wagons moving regularly between the northern forts and those in the south. I hope this not mean that there are difficulties ahead.”

“You would not be worried were it not for me would you?”

‘How astute,’ thought Livius. “Yes lady.  My men and I are prepared to fight but if we were attacked whilst protecting you we would be distracted.”

She turned and looked him straight in the eye. “Do not worry for me Livius.  I lived on my own for some time.  I am not the innocent little flower you take me to be.”

Livius realised that there was far more to the diminutive girl than met the eye. It was fortunate he could not see into her soul for he would have seen pure evil which hoped for nothing more than to be attacked by Calgathus’ men and her erstwhile protectors slaughtered.

Julius and the ala saw the smoke in the distance. They readied their arms for they knew that Tribune Sura would not be far behind and their role as escorts would begin. “Macro, take your turma into the woods on the left and Gaius do the same in the woods to the right. When we fall back, return here.”

The Batavians showed the battering they had received as they slowly trudged and limped painfully along the road. “The fire halted them Prefect but thank you for waiting.”

As they fell back Julius turned to Cominius noticing how drained and exhausted he looked. “I take it you did not sleep?”

Cominius nodded, “The garrison was almost ready to surrender although I did point out that they would have received no mercy from Calgathus and his barbarians had they done so. They were, however, at the end of their strength. We must get the wounded away and then work out how to destroy the other forts without being harassed by the enemy.”

“It would help if we had our mounts.  We could deter the enemy much more effectively.”

“Then you escort the wounded back to Veluniate and return with your mounts.  That will give us the chance to empty the fort of all that is valuable.”

Marcus looked with dismay at the small number of troops who passed between the gates.  As soon as they were through Marcus ordered the logs to be braced against the gates. Gaius looked at Marcus curiously. “We won’t be using this gate again and when we fire the fort the logs will add to the fire and slow down the pursuit.”

Julius explained to the tribune the plan to bring back the horses.  “An excellent idea. I don’t know about you Julius but I felt very vulnerable without a horse.”

“Me too.  Luckily there was little threat.”

“But if you look at the casualties the Batavians have suffered it could have been very different.”

“Will the new forts be finished?”

Marcus shook his head.  “Those in the west are in a much better state and almost ready to resist attacks but the ones on this side are still weak.  Were it not for Veluniate it would be an open door.  When you have escorted the wounded back and returned to aid the tribune I shall take Livius and we will bring the fleet around to the Clota. It should make it easier to defend the east.  Had Livius arrived?”

“No he would be three days behind. I suspect he knows nothing about this.”

“He is getting a rapid education is he not?”

“That he is.”

At that moment Livius was regretting his decision to bring Morwenna into the hornet’s nest that was Caledonia. The Camp Prefect pointed at the ala’s horses. “The young lady won’t be going anywhere.  The ala is somewhere up there,” he pointed vaguely north, “I received a message yesterday to say that they would be returning for their mounts in the next few day so if the recruits and the lady want to wait here I am sure that would be for the best.” The Camp Prefect was pleased to have the extra fifty troopers as many of his men had been sent north to fortify the forts along the route to Alavna.

Livius bowed his head to Morwenna.  “And here we must part. For I need to report to the Tribune and you will be awaiting your husband.  He is a very lucky man and I envy him.”

Morwenna became quite coquettish and held her hand out for the young aide to kiss. The Camp Prefect disguised a smile and half turned away. “You are a real gentleman and the girl who wins your heart will be lucky indeed.”

Not daring to speak further Livius bowed and fled red-faced. “Now if you would like to come with me young lady we have spare quarters we reserve for visiting tribunes and Legates I am sure you will be comfortable.”

Livius made good time riding up the road which had only recently been completed.  He was barely a mile from the last fort when he met the ala. Macro greeted him with a huge smile. “Livius! Come to join us?”

“No Decurion I am looking for the Tribune.”

“He awaits you at the fort Livius.”

“Thank you Prefect. Did you manage to rescue the Batavians?”

“The ones who were left, yes.”

“Safe journey gentlemen.  Oh by the way Decurion Macro.”

“Yes Livius?”

“I think you will have a surprise when you reach the fort.”

“Is it news of my child?”

“I won’t spoil the surprise.” Livius enjoyed the confused look on the big Decurion’s face.

Livius and the Tribune wasted no time in greetings and partings for speed was of the essence and Livius did not even get to dismount his horse. They swiftly rode along the coastal path towards the signal tower on the estuary. It was a place Livius had never visited.

“Morwenna came here? She came to Caledonia?” he shook his head in disbelief.

“Yes Tribune.  She left the child with Ailis and Gaelwyn brought her to Morbium. It was Gaelwyn who persuaded me to bring her.  I hope I did right?”

“If Gaelwyn willed it then it would take a stronger man than you to resist him.  Do not chastise yourself. It is, however, a dangerous place for a young woman; she has courage I grant her that if not common sense. Perhaps she and Macro are really meant for each other.  I cannot wait to meet her.”

“Are we not going to Veluniate?”

“No we ride to the coast.  I need to contact the fleet.  We need close support until the forts are completed.  We will leave in the morning by which time the ala should have returned to escort the Batavians.”

“The ala was escorting many wounded men.”

“Aye and many bodies left in the fortress.  This has been costly.  Our next task must be to go to Coriosopitum and see how Decius progresses with the new forts.  My worry is that we may need them sooner rather than later.”

When they reached the signal station the contubernium stationed there were surprised to be visited by a Tribune, especially by one as famous as Marcus Maximunius. “I need a signal to the fleet. I wish to speak with the commander here.  My name is Tribune Marcus Maximunius.”

“Sir! Er this may take some time.  The fleet may be out of sight of a tower.”

“We have slept on the ground before now Optio. Just let us know when you have received the reply.”

“These towers, Livius could be the salvation of this frontier. Light travels much faster than men or even ships. Signals could save lives. The sooner the line is completed to Coriosopitum the better for it would save you and I many hours in the saddle.”

As it turned out they merely had to wait hours not days.  Part of the fleet had been taking on water and three ships hove into view.  Whilst they were pulling into the shore Marcus drew Livius to one side. “I have been thinking Livius; the Governor made you my aide so that I could be in two places at once.  Ride to Coriosopitum and ask Decius to send the garrison to Veluniate.  I will then send the ala back to Coriosopitum to winter. “

“You want it stripped of defenders?”

“No tell him to use the recruits who will be waiting to travel north. And if your uncle has not sent the cohorts yet let me know for I will then sail to Eboracum with the fleet.”

The reunion at Veluniate, between husband and wife, touched everyone, including the normally dour Cilo.  Morwenna burst into tears, cleverly fabricated, as she embraced her husband apologising for leaving their child, his son, and foisting herself upon the ala.  Before Macro had time to respond Prefect Demetrius put her mind at rest. “You are the wife of a member of Marcus’ Horse.  It is right that you are here. We make you welcome.  Gentlemen let us leave the Decurion and his wife.  I daresay they have much to speak on.”

As they left Sergeant Cato said to Gaius, “Did she not look familiar?  She reminds me of someone.”

“Me also but I cannot place her.  Perhaps she is the personification of all that we would wish Macro.”

Prefect Demetrius overheard this. “I agree she reminds me of someone but there is another matter far more urgent which we need to discuss.  She cannot stay in the fort.  It not only goes against every military covenant it is asking for trouble with such a pretty girl and so many men.”

“I agree sir perhaps we could lodge her in the town?  I will ask the Camp Prefect to ascertain where she might stay whilst we are returning to the Tribune.”

“Excellent and I must say I am looking forward to a good night’s sleep tonight.”

“I think the only one who will not be thinking of sleep is Decurion Macro.”

Once they were alone Morwenna nestled her head in Macro’s chest. “Do not be angry with me husband.”

“Why should I be angry?”

“For leaving our child but honestly he cried son much when I fed him and yet when Ailis suckled him he was content and happy. Ailis is a much better mother.”

“You will be a good mother, it takes time and you are yet young, but you cannot stay long here on the frontier, it is too dangerous.”

“But I want to be with you.”

“We may not be here very long.  The ala is moved around the frontier wherever danger threatens.”

“Then I will move with you.”

“We will see.” Macro had already made the decision that he would send her back to Decius at Coriosopitum as soon as possible.  He might miss her but she would be far safer and he knew that Decius would look after her far better than anyone else.

The next day whilst the ala was riding north to support Tribune Sura, the Camp Prefect took Morwenna to the local settlement which had sprung up next to the military road and the fort.  As with all Roman forts settlements grew quickly around the perimeter, its occupants keen to make money from the soldiers.  This is turn meant that, generally, the people there supported the Romans. Mairi was an old widow who would have died long ago if left alone but she had found that the officers liked their laundry done for them and profited from the relationship.  It provided her with a good living and she had a wattle and daub round hut. “I spoke with Mairi this morning and she is willing to put you up.  The Decurion has arranged payment.”

As Morwenna looked at the old woman and saw the toothless smile she realised that Macro had been charged an exorbitant amount.  That suited Morwenna for she needed to be out of the fort to meet with those people who could pass messages to Calgathus. It also meant that she had a certain amount of control over the old woman who would not wish to lose such a lucrative tenant. Putting on her most endearing smile she cooed, “It is fine. Thank you mistress for taking me in.”