Hosker, G [Sword of Cartimandua 10] Roman Hawk (20 page)

“And Drugi, release the horses before you leave. I would not want them mistreated and Cato and his family can have their freedom.”

“It will be done as you wish.”

******

When Hercules awoke the next morning there was a film of fog lying across the bay. He could make out the shape of the land but it was indistinct and grey.  The pinpricks of light they had seen the night before had shown them that the islands had inhabitants but, in the dark they could not make it out clearly. They were largely going on what the two Brigante girls and the headman had told them.  Full daylight would reveal all. Rufius and Gnaeus joined the captain as they watched the thin sun begin to burn off the grey cloak of fog. “Well Rufius today is the last day of the search.  If he is not here then we return to the Senatore and Britannia.”

Gnaeus face fell but Rufius nodded.  “The captain is right Gnaeus, The Legate and the Prefect will be expecting us home and Marcus, if he is still alive, would not wish us to risk our lives on a futile quest. If he lives and he is not here then I do not doubt for moment that our resourceful friend will find a way to return home, eventually.”

It was obvious to Gnaeus that the two of them had given up hope. Gnaeus too had had his doubts but he had thought each time they had landed that this would be the placed where the decurion would be discovered and each time they had had their hopes shattered. If only he could be certain that these six ships were the ones he had seen on the Dunum. He thought that they were but that could be wishful thinking and he was no longer certain.

Furax stepped up to the rail.  Gnaeus felt himself smile; the boy was always cheerful and always happy.  He knew that Furax still believed they would find Marcus even though wiser heads knew differently. Rufius ruffled his hair, “Still like your bed eh Furax?”

In answer Furax laughed and stood on the thwarts, precariously clinging to one of the stays for the mast. “Have we seen the town yet?”

“No it is hidden by the fog.”

“Well the mist is clearing, look!”

It was almost as though someone had drawn a curtain back. The light from behind the boat suddenly pierced the gloom and dispersed the last of the grey revealing Hjarno-by. The long ships which Gnaeus had seen the night before were still drawn up on the beach but they could now see boats leaving the harbour for the fishing grounds and tendrils of smoke rising from the halls. Hercules shouted down to the crew.  “Prepare the boat.”

Just at that moment Furax pointed to the sky above the town.  “Look! The hawk! I can see the hawk!” Circling high above the town, like a beacon, was the hawk and suddenly they all knew that they had reached their destination. 

In the settlement Marcus was paying that the Roman trader would appear soon. This day would determine if Marcus was rescued or not. Marcus was now hobbled, just as he had hobbled his mounts. It was a mark in the change in status. The warriors had thought it highly amusing to see him shuffling through the village.  He and Frann escorted Drugi to the jetty. “Remember Drugi keep watching for the trader, on that day you return here.”

Drugi shook his head. “I admire your confidence but I do not know how you can know.”

Marcus pointed above their heads, “The hawk is one clue but the name Gaelwyn of the Brigante that was the name of my uncle. It would be a huge coincidence if another Gaelwyn had that name and was seeking me.”

Drugi was dubious. He embraced Marcus and as he did so whispered. “I have slipped a blade into your belt.  It is small but sharp.” Then, as Chief Trygg was approaching said, “Farewell Roman it has been an experience meeting you…” suddenly his voice faltered as the mist cleared and he saw over Marcus’ shoulder,
The Swan
. Quietly he added, “Do not turn around.  Either my eyes deceive me or your friends are here.  I see the trader. I will return on the morrow before dawn breaks.” He bowed to Trygg and, lowering himself into the small boat began to row to the mainland.

“Having said goodbye to your friend Roman you and your woman should return to the slave hall.  Your days of relative freedom, are over.  For the next seven days you do not leave the hall.” The friendly tones of the previous week were gone and it was a slave master who ordered Marcus back to the hall.

The handful of guards pushed the two of them towards the road which led to the gates. Half way along, where the track curved Marcus risked a glance to his left.  Keeping his face as impassive as possible he saw, to his delight, Hercules, Rufius and Gnaeus sitting in the small boat which was rowing ashore. They had come for him; the problem was that the freedom he had had the previous day had melted like the fog and he was a guarded prisoner once more. As he entered the fort he put his arm around Frann who was despondent at their state. He whispered in her ear.  “Fear not my love, for tonight, with the aid of the Parcae, we shall escape.”

Her face turned to him with surprise written all over it, “How?”

“That I do not yet know. We will have to work it out over the next few hours.” As the door slammed behind them it sounded and felt, final. Marcus hoped that his friends were thinking the same as he.

As the skiff pulled towards the jetty Rufius turned to Gnaeus.  “Did you see Marcus?”

Gnaeus had seen someone who looked like Marcus but he could not be sure. “It looked like him but…”

“Keep your eye on him and the woman he is with.  Let us see where they go.”

Hercules murmured, “Well no-one is asking me but I think it was Marcus as well but did you see?  He was hobbled.”

“I know but let us take it one step at a time. Hopefully this deception will be our last one.”

The welcoming party were all armed but the three men all saw, immediately, the Sword of Cartimandua hanging from the belt of the warrior they took to be chief.  It was confirmation that they had found the place to which the decurion had been brought. When they stepped off they all gave a small bow.  “Thank you for receiving us.  I am Gaelwyn of the Brigante and I come here to set up trading links.”

“My friends from further north told us of your coming.  Please come to my hall where we can speak in a warmer environment.” As they walked, he pointed to their ship,
The Swan
. “A tidy looking ship but you have no oars.  Why is that?”

Rufius looked at Hercules and nodded, subtly. “We can carry more cargo if we are not encumbered by oars and we have a smaller crew.” He grinned, “More profits for us.”

“But it does make you vulnerable to attack does it not? Especially if you are becalmed.”

Rufius wondered if there was a hidden message in the words.  Was he threatening to take their ship?  He seemed to be the man they had been told of, a reasonable leader who was no Gurt but perhaps he was a wolf thinking that the sheep had inadvertently come into his lair. “So far we have only met with peace and hospitality. Are there pirates around here?” Rufius acted the innocent in his words and his facial expression.

“Not here but further north there are some dangerous waters.  You may find your journey north more dangerous for, as you can see, the seafarers of the dark sea are preparing for their summer work.”

“Ah.  Thank you for the advice, we will be careful when we return.”

“You intend to travel back soon then?”

“We heard that there was to be a sale of slaves and we would like to buy as many as possible for there is a great demand for them in Britannia.”

“Really?” Trygg showed that he too was also an actor.  He, of course knew all of this and he knew that they could get an even greater price because of that. They sat around a huge table and the chief ordered a slave to bring some honeyed mead. “Now we have slaves but I am interested in the goods that you bring, that you think we might need.”

Gnaeus brought out the sample pot which was passed around the other members of the council who were at the table.  Their admiring glances were not an act for the quality was far superior to anything local. Rufius brought out a small amphora which he opened; the smell immediately filled the room. “And we have spices from the east.  These are rare and justly expensive.” The appreciative sniffs told Rufius that if he had been a trader he would have made a sale already. “And we have more of this, but this a gift for our hosts.” Rufius took out a beautifully carved jet hawk. 

Trygg nodded his admiration.  “This is interesting.  We have had a hawk which has enjoyed our hospitality for some weeks now.” He smiled ruefully,”Many of the doves we would have eaten in winter have been devoured by our greedy visitor.  Perhaps this token will help to ward him off and send him away.”

“Perhaps, and now Chief Trygg having seen our goods do you think that we can trade?”

Hercules smiled in admiration.  Rufius had perfected the act of being a trader well and all of his behaviour seemed both natural and appropriate. He did not know that when Rufius had been an Explorate he had had to play a variety of parts and adopt many disguises.

The Chief scanned the faces of his peers and they all nodded. “I think that we can trade.  Certainly your goods are ones we cannot buy locally.” He smiled and Rufius shivered, for it was the smile of a wolf. “The only other way would be to take them.”

Rufius laughed, “Then we have come to the right place.  Would it be possible to see the quality of the slaves so that we can agree a price?”

“Oh we can go to see them but I am afraid that the auction will be in seven days for there will be others who wish to buy them.  We have had a good crop this year.” Gnaeus felt sick at the way that Trygg was speaking about human beings.  He had never owned a slave although he understood why they were needed but after this visit he began to question the justification. “The slave hall is next door.  We will be making this hall ready today for a feast we hold tonight. We defeated some Suebi raiders and we are holding a feast to celebrate.”

As they stepped from the fuggy warmth of the hall to the chill air of the fresh morning Hercules shivered.  The Mare Nostrum, even on its coldest day was much warmer than the air through which they walked. When he returned to the Senator, if he returned to the Senator he would suggest that he return to more familiar seas to make a profit from all that they had traded so far.

Rufius immediately became wary when he saw the two guards at the door of the slave hall.  They were both armed and alert. When they were swung open the smell of the unwashed slaves hit the three men like a slap in the face.  Gnaeus was worried that he would actually vomit and he had to put his hand to his mouth to hold back some of the stink. This was less well lit than the main hall and the fire barely glowed.  Those slaves not working outside were huddled together looking fearfully at the visitors.

The shaman who had shown such keen interest in the pots led them into the hall.  Trygg hung back to see the men’s reaction. “As you can see we have a surplus.  They are mainly women and children, although we have one man.  Some of the women are with child which, of course, proves their fertility and of course would demand a higher price.  Some of the boys are approaching manhood but most of them are young enough to be trained to whatever purposes their new owners choose.”

Rufius found something distasteful about the way the old man went on and kept licking his lips as he looked at the boys and young women.  He had seen Marcus when the old man had pointed him out but he avoided any eye contact.  Instead he led the other two towards a group of women and children who looked to be a family.  Their faces showed terror as they were displayed and paraded like animals. Rufius hated the role ha had to play but he knew there was no other way.  He had to convince them that he was a slaver. “The buyer does not need to keep family groups together does he?”

“No of course not, split them up anyway you wish; provided, of course, your bid is successful.”

Rufius had seen enough and, looking at the young trooper’s face, he was not sure if Gnaeus would be able to hold on to the contents of his stomach. “Well we have seen enough.” He looked at Chief Trygg. “Seven days you say until the sale?”

“Seven days.”

“Good.  That will give us time to prepare our hold for our new cargo. We will then have to agree an appropriate and suitable price for our goods.” Rufius affected a rapacious look, “Those prices will, of course, not be dependent upon a bid as you will be the only buyers. I assume that tomorrow will be too soon.” He smiled sympathetically. “I assume that you will be recovering from the celebratory feast.  So shall we say the day after tomorrow?”

“That will be acceptable.” Trygg looked curiously at Hercules, “Captain, do you not wish to tie up at the jetty for storms do blow up quickly in these waters.” 

“Thank you for the offer but we do not wish to give the crew the temptation of your drink and the slave women.  We have few enough crewmwn as it is.”

“As you wish then.  If you wish to buy any provisions I am sure it can be arranged.”

As they watched them row back to
The Swan
, Trygg turned to Snorri. “I do not trust them.  Have some warriors keep an eye on them.”

Snorri looked at the departing boat.  “They seemed genuine to me.”

“Perhaps but two of them, the younger ones looked to have the lean and hungry look of predators. If that had been a dragon ship I would not have been surprised.  See if you can find out how many they have in their crew.”

“We could easily take the ship if you are concerned.  Our ships are almost ready for sea and that old tub could not out run us.”

“No, for I genuinely do want to begin trading with others and this may be the perfect opportunity.  Just keep an eye on them for a couple of days and report to me.”

Furax couldn’t wait to find out what they had seen.  He pestered them from the moment the boat pulled up at the stern. “Furax, wait until we are aboard and then you will find out all.”

As they waited, hidden below decks Rufius peered out of the small ventilation hole to look at the distant harbour. “Only keep one or two men on deck captain.  I want them to think we are undermanned. And you had better have one of them keep a watch on movements to and from their ships.  If they suddenly decided to put to sea then I want to know.”