Hosker, G [Sword of Cartimandua 05] Revolt of the Red Witch (21 page)

The Queen took the news and Ownie’s losses well.  “But you killed many of the cavalry?”

“At least half their horses were left on the field.”

“Good for that is the one force which can hurt us.” Had she known of the Parthalan disaster she may have changed her views. “We will soon head north west and, even now, I am spreading my power in those lands.  As soon as your men are rested we will join with Cruatha’s people and drive north.”

Salvius was astounded when he saw the warband disappear into the forest. During the night his two best scouts skirted the wood and creeping close to its wooden walls, closely observed the settlement. They managed to see into the small town when the gates were open.  The sight of so many buildings and, even worse, so many warriors was a shock. When they reported back Salvius could scarcely believe their report but he was forced to acknowledge that Queen Morwenna had a new base and probably as many warriors as had escaped from Eboracum. He wondered where she had discovered this cache of men. He awaited the Prefect’s message for it would have done little good to send a message the fifty miles south.  He would wait.  His messengers knew where he was and he was in a good position to observe.  He had found a sand dune filled bay which looked towards the settlement.  Just behind it was a headland which looked, at the moment to be unoccupied. When the Prefect arrived he would suggest placing a patrol there for they would be able to observe the settlement and follow should they leave northwards. All he had to do was wait. He smiled to himself, Cato was getting his own way.  It was as if the Allfather loved horses as much as Cato and the Tribune.

Twenty miles away in the rocky stronghold above the bend of the river Vedra, Maban and Anchorat were busily sowing the seeds both of discord and preparing the way for the arrival of their leader. Using Morwenna’s trick of pretending to be orphans following the Caledonii raid the insinuated themselves into the household of the headman Daire. They did this through the offices of his wife, Muirne. The kind woman felt sorry for the girls and when they saw the altar in her kitchen to the Mother they knew they had an ally. They explained to her that they had been acolytes of the sorceress on the island of Mona. She immediately took them in and risked the wrath of her husband so powerful was the attraction of having servants of the Mother in her home. As with all matriarch’s in this part of the world when it was an important matter, rather than a war or hunting, they could be more determined than any warrior.

Each night after the meal they would explain to her the mysteries and power of the religion.  Through her influence they met other similar minded women and, while the men sat in their hall drinking and telling tales of long dead heroes, the women of the stronghold were learning about the woman who would change their future and their lives. Muirne had not realised how much power she and the other women of the stronghold held. Maban showed them how to read the bones and foretell the future. Anchorat spent her time bemoaning the lack of control of the Romans who had promised safety but left them helpless. The nearby deserted fort of Vinovia was testimony to that neglect. After five days of their work the women of the stronghold were eagerly anticipating the arrival of Morwenna. The two acolytes had been deliberately vague about Morwenna’s precise arrival but the longer they spent with the women the more powerful this mysterious Queen became. Dun Holme would fall without a blow being struck when Morwenna finally arrived.

The Prefect took his time riding north to Seton.  There was no rush for the Decurion Princeps had said that the Queen was fortifying the settlement. Until the Legate had sufficient forces the campaign would be one of containment.  The latest orders received by the ala were for them to report the whereabouts of the Brigante rebels. Once the Prefect had time to assess the situation he would send off turma to discover the rest of the rebels.  The Ninth had destroyed one army; the ala badly damaged a second.  That left Morwenna’s and the second which appeared to have disappeared mysteriously into the north west towards the Land of the Lakes.

As with Salvius, the Prefect was surprised by the size and strength of this hitherto unknown town for it was a large place and well fortified.  He could see why it was so large for its resources were ample.  Unlike Streonshal with its high cliffs this town was on the beach and looked to have easy access for the many boats drawn up on the beach. “Well Salvius what is your assessment?”

“She looks to have about two thousand warriors under her command.  They have spent the time, so far, improving the defences and I assume that she will be using this as her new base.”

“It looks likely. We are to scout at the moment.  Your mounts have had a good rest, take Livius and his turma and scout west.  We need to find the last band and report to the Legate.  Once Eboracum has been repaired he will be heading north with the Ninth to, finally, crush this rebellion.  Cassius and I will stay here and monitor the Queen.”

“Who do we report to, you or the Legate?”

“Both.  He will need the bigger picture and I need to know if you are going to require help.”

Shaking his head the Decurion Princeps complained, “That is a lot of riding just to give the same message twice.”

“I know but, at the moment that is our role.”

“Come on then Livius, mount your men we are going west again.”

“Look on the bright side Salvius; at least we know that area well.”

They took the northern bank of the Dunum.  It gave them the opportunity of visiting Morbium.  The Camp Prefect told them that no Brigante had passed the fort. “They must have headed further west Decurion Princeps.”

“It makes sense.  There would have been little point trying to cross the bridge they would have lost too many men.  I suspect they have headed to the Land of the Lakes to cause mischief there. I cannot understand why we abandoned the fort at Glanibanta.  It was perfectly placed to control movements over there.  We are blind at the moment and I do not look forward to making the journey when the snows are upon us. Once we reach Brocauum we will separate.  I will head north and you can head south.”

The first signs of the rebel army occurred twenty miles from Morbium.  They found a series of mounds and freshly turned earth marked by inverted spears and a small pile of stones. “Looks like some of their wounded died here.”

“Or more likely they waited until here to bury their dead for they must have feared pursuit and this is almost at the heart of the northern Brigante land.  They did not know which of the four warbands we would follow. “Turning to his men he shouted, “Keep a sharp eye out. Remember this is the country where Decurion Drusus and his turma were wiped out in an ambush. It is dangerous country.” The admonition and warning were gratefully received by the young troopers.  The story of the slaughter had been told many times for it was the action which first brought the Prefect his phalerae. “Livius take half your turma and ride to the north, but keep close enough to see the rest of the troopers.”

That night as they camped on the high moors the troopers were quite anxious.  Having lost so many comrades in the past few months their confidence was not as high as it should have been. There was a large warband nearby and they had less than ninety men to deal with that force. The massacre at Cataractonium had been seen as measure of the skill of their enemy rather than the trick it actually was.  ”The trouble is Salvius that Macros’ departure has had a huge effect on the men. He is more than a Decurion and training officer he is their talisman. To the troopers he is all that they might aspire to, the perfect warrior.”

“I know Livius.  As with you, he was the salvation of poor Galeo and me. He made us the warriors we are. I have forgotten how many lumps of clay he has moulded into fine warriors.”

“And officers.”

“True and we are living examples are we not? I do not doubt that he will return from the quest he is on, face his punishment and the men will, one more, have their talisman.”

Livius looked at the Decurion Princeps doubtfully, “Would he not have to be punished by the Prefect?”

“Obviously but there is not necessarily a set punishment for what he did. He escaped from his cell.  He had already been stripped of office and was suspended so technically he did not refuse to obey an order.”

“Isn’t that just playing with words?”

“Yes but the Prefect feels badly about Macro and blames himself for his action.  I am the last of the old Decurions now and I know that the old Julius would not have led us away from our patrol area to seek out this Modius if he had known the Caledonii were raiding. He always did everything by the book.  That was strange behaviour for him.”

“I hope you are right, for Macro’s sake as well as the men.”

The next day was a foul day with driving, unseasonable rain hurling itself into the men’s faces.  They had to draw their cloaks around them as they faced the worst that nature could throw at them. The rain felt like needles being driven into their exposed faces and the biting wind found every opening and crevice in their armour.  They were soaked to the skin and raw, red skin began to chafe and blister as it rubbed on armour and leather.  They were so intent on protecting themselves that it was with some surprise that they found Brocauum looming before them for the rain was so strong it was almost like a fog and had made the stockaded town almost invisible..

“The gates are closed. Does that mean we are welcome or not?”

“Only one way to find out Sir.  With your permission?”

“Just take two men with you and be prepared to ride for your life if it looks dangerous.”

Livius felt a thrill of nervous excitement as he walked his mount towards the gates of the stockaded settlement. There were guards on the ramparts but so far they had shown no sign of aggression.  Perhaps they were waiting for the two turmae to ride up and then they would unleash their weapons. He stopped below the gates and shouted up, “Decurion Princeps Cilo and Decurion Lucullus of Marcus’ Horse.  In the name of the Legate Appius Mocius Camillus open the gates.”

There was silence.  The two sentries looked at each other for a moment and after a short conversation one of them disappeared. Livius felt vaguely exposed as he sat astride his horse within javelin throw of the walls.  Were the Brigante waiting out of sight to launch an ambush?  It was one of their favoured tactics.  The survivors of Cataractonium had told them how the rebels had hidden in the fog and used nature to destroy the garrison.  This was a similar day with the driving rain and poor visibility. Suddenly the gate slowly opened. Livius was in a dilemma; should he wait for the Decurion Princeps?  If he did and it was a trap then two turmae would be destroyed.  On the other hand if he and his two men entered and the gates were shut then they would be hostages. Glancing behind he saw the turmae moving slowly towards the open gates and Livius took a brave decision.  “Right lads, hands on swords we’re going in.  Watch out for traps.” The two troopers were from Livius’ own turma and both of them would willingly have given their lives for the likeable young officer.  If this were a trap then the Brigante would pay dearly for their deception.

To Livius’ relief there were no armed warriors awaiting them but unarmed elders with a bound Brigante warrior. The three men waited just inside the gate until Decurion Princeps Cilo arrived.  As he rode next to Livius he murmured, “Bravely done Livius, bravely done.”

The elders stepped forward. The man who stepped forward looked to be very old and Livius wondered if they had chosen him for his wisdom or as the least threat to the Roman authority represented by the ala. “Welcome to our town. We have this warrior, Labraid, as a prisoner for you.  He and other rebels tried to ensnare us in a plot to revolt against the benevolent Roman rule.  The others escaped but this one we caught and cut out his tongue as a punishment.”

Salvius could now see the scars around the man’s mouth. He turned to Livius and said quietly, “Very convenient it means he cannot confirm or deny their story.”

“Do you think they are rebels?”

Cilo glanced around and could see some warriors with bandaged limbs. “Undoubtedly they were but it looks like they had decided to become Roman again.”

“Do we ignore their revolt?”

Shrugging Salvius said, “It is for the Legate to punish.  We merely report.  Our job is to find the rebels and tell the Legate. We can tell him that we have found some reformed rebels.” He looked at the elders and said in a much louder voice. “It is good that you have captured this rebel.” Livius was sure that he saw the whole council breathe a collective sigh of relief. “We need to know where the rebels have gone and who their leader is.”

The elders looked at each other and then the eldest said, “West.  They went west.  The leader was a warrior named Tole.”

“Very well we will stay the night here.”

“You are welcome Romans and we thank you for your protection.” Their faces belied their words and they looked about as happy to see the Romans as sheep when the wolf decides to spend the night.

As Livius and Salvius headed to the stables provided for them Livius said to his leader, “They are lying.”

“What about the direction they took or the name of their leader?”

“The name of their leader for Tole in their language means… leader; they were and are playing a game with us. And I recognised two of the elders as men who were in the forefront of the battle.  Their leaders are here.”

“Well done.  Tell the men to be on their guard tonight.  I do not think they will try anything but if they do I want us to be ready.  I will send this news to Julius and the Legate. Try to engage the two leaders in conversation and we will try to discover their names.”

The same rainstorm which battered Livius and Salvius also battered Seton.  The difference was that Morwenna had predicted the rain. She had gathered all the warriors and women in the centre of the settlement. “Tomorrow I will summon such a rainstorm that the sky will be black and the rain so thick that it will be as fog.  We will use this power to attack those Romans who are spying on us. While our warriors attack them I will lead the rest of the warriors to Dun Holme for the Carvetii there are going to join us.”