Hosker, G [Sword of Cartimandua 10] Roman Hawk (11 page)

To the astonishment of all who watched the horse began to walk around the corral; even more amazing was that the ponies all followed and Marcus rode around the enclosure. Kicking again he shouted, “Trot!” The horse responded immediately and Marcus rode around the enclosure until he was satisfied. He returned to the halter and, sliding off, retied it to the rail. He nuzzled the horse and spoke into its ear, “You are now Cato and, while I live in your land, you will be my horse.”

He climbed over the rail and walked back to the eight men who stood with open mouths, “He is a good horse and the others will be trained much more easily for he is the master and they will follow.”

Drugi picked Marcus up in a bear hug. “You must teach me your skill for Drugi is the master of all animals but, Roman, you are the master of horse.”

Trygg looked at the horse longingly.  Marcus knew that, having seen the horse ridden he would be able to emulate the Roman. “Could I ride the beast?”

“Not yet for he is not trained. It will not take long to train them but if you were going to ride him we would have to…” Marcus struggled for the word geld.  It was where he needed Frann.  In the end he had to mime cutting off his own testicles.

Trygg looked horrified.  “I would need those cut from me?”

Marcus laughed, “No the horse.”

Trygg looked relieved while Drugi hid the smile. “That would make him tame?”

“Yes.  Most of the horses we ride have it done to them.”

Drugi walked over to stroke the mane of the horse. “It would be a shame Chief Trygg for we could breed fine horses from this magnificent beast.”

“But I would not be able to ride him.”

“In time you would but it would not be this year. I have been riding since I was small and it took me many years to progress to such animals.”

Trygg seemed satisfied.  “Good.  You will stay here with Drugi and train these mounts, and the others which Drugi will capture.”

Marcus could see from Drugi’s face that capturing the horses had been more difficult than the chief imagined. “I would stay here on the mainland?”

“Yes Drugi has his own hut and you could share.”

“And Frann…?”

Trygg’s face darkened. “She is a slave.  You can speak our words now of what use would she be?”

“I still struggle with some words and besides she comforts me at night.”

“Do not forget Roman that you are a slave as is Frann.  She will continue to be one.”

Marcus knew that he was taking a risk but he couldn’t allow Frann to go back to the slave hall and the attention of Lars. “It may be that if I do not have my comfort then I may not train the beasts as well as I should.”

Drugi took a step back as Trygg moved threateningly towards Marcus.  “Do not try to trade with me or threaten me.  If you do not train the beasts to my satisfactions then you are no use to me and you will be punished.”

“If I cannot have Frann then you have punished me already.” Marcus did not flinch from the stare of the chief. His men’s hands were already going to their weapons, anticipating the order to kill him.

Suddenly the threatening silence was broken by the scream of a hawk above them in the sky. They all looked up.  Marcus knew that it was Macro and he smiled.  Drugi saw the look and wondered what it meant. Trygg’s face was calmer when he looked back at Marcus. “We came here to hunt.  We will hunt and the matter of Frann is forgotten, you will not mention it again.”

Marcus knew that it was not forgotten but he would bide his time.  He did not think that Lars would do anything until he knew that the king had sent Marcus to the mainland. They set off in a line with Drugi at the front. He had a bow and a quiver whilst the others had spears.  Marcus was, not surprisingly, the only one who was unarmed and he felt almost naked.  Trygg gestured for one of his warriors to follow Marcus who had obviously become a threat once more.

As they trotted through the forest Marcus began to run through his options. He could now escape.  He knew that.  He had a horse and it would have been simple enough to ride off as soon as Cato had obeyed him.  He had stayed for Frann.  If he could not save Frann then he could, at least, save himself. As quickly as the thought came into his head he dismissed it; he could not desert the girl who had helped him and, if he was honest with himself, she meant as much to him as his mother had meant to his father.

Once they entered the woods Drugi took over and all of them, Trygg included, obeyed his every signal and gesture. Marcus watched him and saw in him, many of the habits and traits he had seen in Gaelwyn.  He was a consummate hunter and, for such a big man, moved surprisingly quietly. He held up his hand and then seemed to sniff the air.  Having ascertained where the wind was coming from he then went on all fours to examine the ground.  Once he was satisfied he led them off but this time in a different direction. When Marcus reached the place Drugi had stopped he knelt down and saw the hoof prints and the spoor.  It was deer.  He was prevented from further examination by a spear being rapped into his back. He had to remember that he was just a slave, he was not on a hunting expedition with his brothers and great uncle. There were no shackles to be seen but he was bound to the warrior behind.

The whole line was moving swiftly and quietly.  Drugi held up his hand and then gestured for them to spread out in a semi circle.  Trygg pointed to Marcus to stand behind the line and for Marcus’ guard to stand behind him. Marcus knew that he was most definitely being watched and that told him that he was not trusted. He smiled to himself; they were right not to trust him because the moment the opportunity came he would fly and, having been captured once, he would make sure that they would not succeed a second time. Marcus watched in amazement as Drugi climbed with fluent grace up the tree and he sat astride a large branch with his legs dangling. For a large framed man he was remarkably agile, quick and, most important whilst hunting, silent. Marcus had a professional interest as Drugi notched an arrow to his bow; the bow was a short hunting bow and Marcus’ own, back at Rocky Point, could easily outdistance the short range weapon.  The decurion was desperate for a closer look but he had top try to peer through the line of warriors; it was not easy. His hunter’s eye caught a movement that the warriors did not see nor notice and the flash of russet brown told him that Drugi had spotted a deer. The scent of the hunters was being blown away from the prey so that it grazed contentedly on the piece of grass it had uncovered. Drugi and the hunters would have all the time they needed to make a successful kill. 

The wild boar was an old tusker.  He liked to sleep more than he had when he was younger which was how the line of hunters had missed him. Drugi had been concentrating totally on the trail of the deer herd he was following otherwise he would have picked up the smell himself. When they had spread out into a semi circle the warrior on the right had disturbed the sleeping monster.  Waking unnaturally from its sleep the boar smelled man.  Man meant only one thing, he was being hunted and the old tusker had become old by not waiting to be attacked but attack himself. Marcus saw a shadow on the ground and looked up to see the hawk flying above- Macro! He looked around, the presence of his brother’s spirit meant danger. Just as Drugi released his arrow the boar leapt from its lair. The warrior closest to the animal stood no chance and its long tusks ripped into his unprotected groin. The next warrior in line watched in horror as his companion’s entrails cascaded down to the frost floor like a multi-coloured waterfall. He tried to turn and run but fell, his spear tumbling from his hand. The old boar saw the recumbent warrior and raced towards his body.  Marcus knew exactly what to do.  The spear was not a boar spear nor could he throw it for the boar would be able to rip the man apart even with a spear sticking in it. His only chance was to attract its attention.  Picking up the spear he leapt at the boar roaring out a wild primeval scream. The beast heard him and turned remarkably quickly to face this new threat. It spun around and pounced ferociously at the figure it could see coming towards it.

Marcus was aware of time almost slowing. He could hear the dying man’s death groan and the screams of fear from the fallen warrior.  He could also detect Drugi trying to turn for a shot with his bow and Trygg trying to pull the sword from his scabbard.  Most of all he could see the huge wild pig leaping at him. He dropped the end of the spear to the ground and fell to one knee. As he expected the boar took off to try to rip off his face. Marcus followed the beast’s snout with the end of the spear and, moving his head to one side thrust forwards with a stabbing motion and he felt the spear head sink into the beast’s throat; as it did so he threw himself backwards and the surprised animal found itself flying upside down through the air. The spear was torn from Marcus’ grasp and the animal crashed to the ground behind him. Before it could rise to its feet Drugi hit it with an arrow and Trygg hacked at its head with the razor sharp sword of Cartimandua.

Marcus sprang to his feet and raced to the dying animal; as he took the spear from its throat he twisted it and the animal lay still. Looking skywards he spied the hawk and he raised it in salute.  Only Drugi saw the action and he stored the information for a later date. The warriors all went to the dying warrior who was attacked first and as they reached him his body gave a dying spasm and he lay still. They stood in a circle around Marcus, the admiration clearly visible in their faces.  Even though he was a slavew he had behaved with more skill and honour than any of them. The man, who had fallen, whose life Marcus had saved, clasped him by the arm. “I owe you a life.”

Marcus understood the debt and nodded.  He was too shaken to speak.  He knew that Gaelwyn would have been both proud and disgusted that Marcus had risked his life for someone who had been so afraid.  He had drilled into Marcus the need for caution around wild pigs and bravery when they attacked. Drugi reached the pig and, with a sharp knife cut into its belly.  He put his hand in and ripped out the heart. He walked over to Marcus and proffered the still warm organ, still oozing blood. Marcus took it and bit out a chunk from it. It was then offered to Trygg who did the same, Drugi, and finally the other hunters all followed suit to take the animal’s bravery into their own bodies and become more powerful themselves.

There was an unbearable silence as no-one knew quite what to say. Finally Drugi shook his head. “I can see that I will have to improve my skills.  I kill a fawn with an arrow and feel proud of myself and this young Roman takes on the king of the forest with but a spear.” He slapped Marcus on the shoulders, almost knocking him over. “At least we eat well tonight thanks to you.” He examined Marcus and his eye flicked to the sky where the hawk still circled in the thermals,  “There is more to you than meets the eye, Roman.”

Trygg nodded, slapping Marcus on the back.  “I am sure there must be some Tencteri blood in you! Come let us take these glorious kills back to the boat.”

When they reached the boat Marcus went to board but Trygg stopped him. “You have a task to perform Roman.  You have horses to train.”

Marcus squared up to Trygg, “And Frann?”

Again Trygg’s face darkened. “Are you threatening again?”

Drugi interrupted. “Without wishing to interfere Chief Trygg, it would be easier for the two of us if we had a slave to clean and feed us and I am sure that the Roman will work harder if he has such an incentive.”

Trygg could see that this was a way out without any loss of face. “You would make a good counsellor Drugi.  And Roman, we all owe you a debt for the bravery you showed today and therefore I will accede to this reasonable request from Drugi.  Your woman will come back with the boat but do not make a habit of challenging me for I have seen you fight.  I would not fight you, I would have you executed!” The threat was serious and Marcus knew it.

“Just one more thing Chief Trygg.” Drugi groaned and rolled his eyes to the heavens.  Trygg’s hand went to the pommel of his sword. Marcus smiled, disarmingly, “The saddles, the bridles and the reins for the horses.  I do not need them to ride but you and your riders will.”

There was a collective sigh of relief. “Tomorrow I will bring the smith, the carpenter and the tanner over.  Try to have something to show them.” Trygg wagged his finger in Marcus’ face.  “Some spirit watches over you Roman for others who have done as you have and spoken as you did are now dead.”

The two slaves trudged back up the hill to Drugi’s hut.  Marcus looked up at the sky; it was two hours until night time. “Have you an axe?”

Drugi looked at him in alarm. “Why would you need an axe?”

“To build a shelter for the horses.  It will be a cold night tonight and may snow.  I would like a blanket for them if we have any.”

“We have them for us but not for the beasts.”

Marcus nodded.  “Then when Frann arrives she can make them.” He paused and looked sincerely into Drugi’s face. “Thank you for what you said Drugi, it has saved three lives.”

“Three?”

“Frann’s, mine and of course Chief Trygg for he would have died first.”

As Marcus strode off to collect his wood Drugi shook his head.  He had no doubt that Marcus had truly meant what he had said.  He would enjoy talking to this Roman slave. He had lived alone for too long and it looked like his life was going to become more interesting.

Drugi had just finished preparing the squirrel stew when Marcus returned.  It was well past dark and Drugi had wondered if the slave had run. He would have been surprised if he had run for he seemed to care for the slave, Frann.  Drugi could not understand ownership.  He owned nothing.  The bow he used was just a tool and he owed nothing to it.  The most valuable object which the slave possessed was his skill as a hunter. When the Roman shivered his way into the cosy hut Drugi could see that he looked exhausted, and a little blue. “Finished?”

“Aye.  They have a shelter and it is protected from the north wind.  They are watered and I found some grass.  We must find them better food.  Were we back in Britannia I would have given them some of my ration of oats as a treat but I have not seen any here.”