Hosker, G [Sword of Cartimandua 11] Roman Treachery (22 page)

“Thank you Brigante we will not forget this.”

“I do not do it for you.  I do it to hurt the Romans.  Help me to hide the bodies in the cells.” When they had covered them with hay he said,”Now go, return to your forest, and I will return to my barracks so that they do not suspect me.”

Iucher’s son took charge and the young Votadini hugged the walls of the fort.  It was dark and there was no moon, it was as though the gods of this land were aiding them. Each of the young men was determined not to be captured again.  Their hung comrade was a devastating reminder of the cruelty of the Romans.  His spirit would wander lost around the river for all eternity. Above them, on the wall, the two Tungrian sentries were wrapping their cloaks around them a little tighter.  Their own land was cold but here, in this northern outpost, the wind seemed to whistle from across the seas bringing icy blasts, even in summer. They could hear the revelry from the troopers celebrating their success.  The Tungrians were a little envious.  They might not have the risks of fighting the barbarians but they deserved a reward every bit as much as the over paid horse warriors.  It was just unfair. The two cold sentries peered across the moors, rising before them and thence to the forests.  That was where they knew the Votadini were.  At least they had not drawn the bridge duty where the slippery barbarians could sneak in and slit a throat.

Ironically the two Tungrians died as the handful of youths slipped up the steps and overpowered the two guards their life blood oozing down the steps to drip and pool close to the cell so recently vacated by the barbarians. The young men wasted no time slipping over the walls and dropping silently to the top of the ditch.  Mindful of the Brigante’s words they peered into the bottom and saw the vicious stakes covered with faeces staring up at them. They were easily avoided and they slowly peered over the top of the ditch.  They could hear the river bubbling away before them.  Iucher’s son led them west, away from the bridge.  He did not need to explain to them his reasons, he was the son of the wear chief but he knew that the current would take them towards the sea and that led under the bridge.  He hoped they could all swim for any who could not and who drowned might inadvertently warn the Romans of their escape. To their left the wall rose and they could just make out the guards who were patrolling the walls. Finding a place where a bush still overhung the raging river he led them into the water.  It was icy cold.  The noise his any sound they might make, “Who cannot swim?” No one spoke. “Then in that case swim for that point over there.” He pointed to a willow which overhung the dark waters.  “The ones who reach there first must help the others out.” They nodded their agreement and Iucher’s son, as befitted the son of a chief, slowly entered the water and began to swim across.  He was a powerful youth and he reached it the other bank first.  Heeding his own words he waited in the shallows with his arms out to grab the others who made it.  The last youth, Sceagh, appeared to be struggling but the first three who had made it leapt into the water to pull him to safety.  They saved his life but the sudden movement and splash in the water alerted the sharp eyed sentry. His strident cry told the youths that they had been seen.  “Quick.  Into the forest.  Now we run!”

The optio raced to the sentry whose shout had alerted them. He saw the movement at the other side of the river and saw the shadows scampering away.  “Well done! Keep watch and I will find the centurion.”

As soon as the duty centurion was summoned he took an instant decision.  “Check all the walls optio and I will find the Camp Prefect.”  The recent sneak attacks had made everyone nervous and the centurion was quite happy to risk censure rather than losing his life.

When the optio found the two dead guards he knew that they had a problem. “Tell the centurion we have two dead guards.” Almost as an afterthought the optio remembered the Votadini prisoners.  He went down the steps and when he reached the bottom his worst fears were realised; the dead guards and the open door told their own story.  They had hostages no longer.

Chapter15

The Camp Prefect instantly ordered a check on every sentry.  They had five dead from a half century; that was too high a number.  While the centurion checked with the bridge guards the Camp Prefect reported to the legate and Livius. If he expected a reprimand he did not know Julius Demetrius.  “Don’t feel badly about this Sextus, “he looked at Livius in surprise, “it is our fault for not sharing some information with you. There is a Brigante spy in the ala.  The problem is we don’t know who.”

Sextus Graccus was annoyed at the disclosure but he was out ranked not only because Julius was a legate but he was close friend of the Emperor.  He gritted his teeth as he spoke, “Perhaps if we had been informed then there might be five Tungrians still alive and the hostages would still be incarcerated.”

“You are right but we do not know who it is and there is little point lamenting what was done or was not done.  It is in the past and cannot be remedied” His face became a mask of steel.  “However we can rectify that now.” He turned to Livius.  “I want every trooper on parade, and no helmets. I will bring the young lady and Julius with the muster.” To Sextus Graccus he added, “Tell your sentries no trooper is to be allowed out of the fort.  No exceptions!”

As soon as the spy heard that they all had to report to the yard for inspection without helmets he knew that the game was up.  As his turma left the barracks grumbling the spy slipped towards the stables.  One of his turma said, where you sloping off to?”

“I left something in the stable, I won’t be long.” He raced to the cells and found that they had not removed the bodies from where they had left them; grabbing the helmet and shield of a dead Tungrian he donned both and took the dead guard’s spear.  He slipped out of the gate and headed towards the bridge gate. The guards looked at him suspiciously as he approached.

“Where are you going?”

“The Camp Prefect said he needed more sentries on the far side of the bridge.  The Votadini are about.” He shrugged, “Typical eh?”

The two men nodded.  “Aye well remember, don’t let any horsemen out.”

He looked at them with a realistically blank look, “Why not?”

“No idea.  Perhaps one of them was caught shagging that pretty piece they rescued.” He leered.  “Worth a little punishment she is.”

The spy strode across the bridge.  He had got further than he had hoped but there would be an optio on the other side and he would be more difficult to trick. He marched purposefully along the bridge.  There were eight men at the far end; they were always the most nervous of the sentries for they peered nightly into the forest. He stood to attention and faced the optio.  “Sir, Camp Prefect Graccus sent me.  He said there were some barbarians seen by the river.” He pointed up stream. “There.”

“And just what does he want be to do about it?”

The spy played dumb.  “I dunno.  I was just sent with a message.  Can I go back now? They need me in the kitchens.”

The optio grinned evilly, “No, sunshine, you can’t. Hey Knuckles you and Dopey here go down the river bank and see if there are any Votadini about.”

The spy pretended to be outraged.  “Sir! That’s not fair. I just brought the message.”

The huge warrior called Knuckles grabbed him.  “Come on little man.  Let’s show you what real soldiers do!” He shook his head, “Kitchen helpers! Huh!”

The gate was opened and the rest of the tent party held their spears in a defensive half circle as the two men left.  As soon as they crossed the two ditches the gate was slammed shut and the men took their places on the wall. Knuckles led the way.  “You watch the forest, kitchen boy, and I will look out for the barbarians.”

The spy had to time it right.  When he judged they were sufficiently far from the gate he suddenly stopped and said.  “There, in the forest.  I saw something.”

“Don’t shit yourself.  It is probably a deer.” As he passed the spy, the Brigante traitor dropped his spear and took out his sword.  As the spear hit the ground Knuckles turned and the spy rammed his sword into his neck.  He twisted the sword and the huge man fell to the ground. Pausing only to ditch the helmet and shield the spy ran into the forest as quickly as he could. They would soon search for their lost companion but by then he would be hidden in the depths Votadini territory.

Julius Longinus distributed the muster lists, grumbling as he went along, “It is a good job I update these every day or this would be a complete waste of time.” The officers grinned but they wondered what this was all about.

When the legate brought out Vibia they became even more perplexed. The legate stood before them with the young woman. “As you may know, this young lady, Vibia Dives, was kidnapped from Eboracum and taken to the camp of the Votadini.  What you may not know is that a trooper from this ala, a traitor, colluded with the Votadini to do so.  He also tried to poison your officers. We think that he killed two guards and helped the hostages to escape.” He paused to let the significance of those words sink in. “We are now going to identify him.  You will all look to the front while I pass along the lines with the young lady.“ He turned to Vibia and said quietly, “Just grip my hand when you see him.” More loudly he said, “Decurion check your lists and make sure all your troopers are present.”

Livius said, “Ten troopers in the sick bay sir.”

“We will go there later if the traitor is not here.”

Livius nodded to Chosen Man Gaius who had his turma list. The prefect was tenser than anyone. He still could not believe that one of his men was a traitor. In the world of the ala you had to rely on every man as though he was your brother. He wrinkled his brow as he saw Gaius go back down the line.  The other officers and sergeants were standing to the side checking their own lists and Julius was collecting them when they were completed. Vibia and the legate were half way through their inspection when Gaius came racing to Livius. “Sir there is a man missing.”

“Who is it?”

“Scaeva.”

This made no sense to Livius for Scaeva was one of the most loyal troopers; he had been awarded phalerae twice.    “Are you sure? Perhaps he is in the sick bay.”

“No sir, Trooper Tullus said that he went to the stable to get something he had left there.”

“Legate we may have our man.” He noticed Vibia shaking her head as they examined the last trooper.  “Scaeva.”

Julius narrowed his eyes.  This could still be a trick.  “Keep the men on parade.  I will go to the sick bay.  Livius take your Explorates and find him.”

“Marcus, Rufius, Metellus, bring Felix and Wolf.” The six of them ran to the stables. “Felix, we are looking for a Roman.” The boy nodded and he said something to Wolf who darted into the stables.  Livius knew that they could not hope to find a man quickly in such a huge building but the dog had a chance.

The dog quickly returned.  “He is not here sir.”

Suddenly Marcus said, “Sir, the hostages.  If he released them then he could be there.” They turned the corner and reached the cells.  While Wolf examined the inside they looked at the bodies of the men.

“Livius, have you noticed, one of them has no helmet, shield and his spear is missing.”

“The gate!” Even as they approached the gate Livius knew that they had missed him.  The guards had been told to stop all troopers. If he had the helmet and shield of a Tungrian then they would have taken him for one of their own. The guards at the gate heard their caligae pounded down the road and the five men were greeted by spear points.”Where do you think you are going?” The belligerent sentry suddenly recognised Livius’ rank and stood to attention.  “Er sir.”

“Did you let anyone out of the gate?”

Relieved that he could answer so easily he said, “Yeah one of our lads with a message from the Camp Prefect.”

“Open the gate.”

“Sorry sir.  Our orders are not to let anyone out of this gate…” Suddenly four swords were at their throats.

“Open the gate.”

The gate swung open and they raced across.  The optio was just as nervous as his sentries but he recognised the prefect.  “Yes sir?”

“Did you let anyone out tonight?”

“No sir.” Livius breathed a sigh of relief.  The traitor was still in the fort.  “Well apart from Knuckles and the kitchen lad the Camp Prefect sent.”

Dreading the answer Livius asked, “And have they returned?”

“Not yet sir.  Why is there a problem?”

“I don’t think the Camp Prefect sent anyone with a message.  That was the traitor who killed your guards earlier.“

The optio was not afraid of taking decisions.  “You four go and find them. The rest of you light more lamps and keep your eyes open.”

The four men soon returned carrying the body of the auxiliary. The optio said, “Bastard!”

“Well we know where he is now don’t we sir?”

Chapter 16

There was a great deal of tension in the fort the next day. The Tungrians were angry that so many of their men had been killed by a trooper.  There had to be an implicit trust between those who shared the fort and that trust had now been broken. The excuse that he had been planted as a spy cut no ice with the Tungrians and scuffles broke out all over the fort as disparate groups encountered each other in the barracks, eating and leisure areas. Sextus was the subject of one such tirade and assault as he left the stables.  The optio who had been Knuckles’ commander waited for him with three of his auxiliaries. “Another one eh lads? Are you a Brigante spy too?” He pushed the decurion in the chest.

Sextus shook his head. “Look optio, I am sorry for your loss but he betrayed us as much as he betrayed you.  He even tried to kill the officers.”

One of the auxiliaries murmured, “Fucking good thing too.”

Sextus clenched his fists.  “You are upset son so I will forget that but unless you want to be on a charge I would go away from me now and optio,“ his steely eyes stared into the smaller man’s, “behave like an officer eh? You are supposed to lead these men.”

Sextus told Marcus who told Livius. The legate had the prefects in his office to discuss the event of the previous night. Livius apologised for being late.  “Sorry sir but there is a lot of bad feeling between the men.”