Hosker, G [Sword of Cartimandua 06] Druid's Gold (11 page)

“You have too many doubts Decius. Trust me for I see beyond the seas.  There is a sanctuary across the water.”

“Not Mona.  The Romans have a garrison there.”

“No not the Holy Island but we will return there one day. Get on with your wall building we have work to do.” With that enigmatic comment she disappeared into the cave with Maban and Anchorat.

“Centurion, Tiny! We have a wall to build.” There were many stones left from the quarrying of the stone and, with Brennus and his nine men, the wall was soon man high. Brennus and his men had not spoken a word and they trotted off to guard the flank as soon as it was completed.  Decius had to admire Tadgh’s plan; the wall effectively appeared like part of the cliff and, if they had not been there before, would assume it was a natural feature.  The only other approach was through the woods up a steep path and, there too, rolling rocks would disrupt any assault.

Centurion wandered over and offered Decius a piece of mule meat roasted the previous night. “Well it looks like we all have a bigger share of the gold we buried.”

Decius pointed to the far hillside where they could see mules milling around. “They could escape.”

Centurion snorted.  “Those maggots were worm meat as soon as they left here. Roman cavalry in the open can catch anyone. He,” Centurion pointed at Tadgh who was toiling below them to make a barrier against horses, “knows what he is about. Even a turma couldn’t dislodge us from here and those eleven men stand no chance.”

Decius had to respect the old soldier’s view. “But they will be armoured.”

“So are we but they have no shields and their horses will be blown.  This is a steep hill. No we will beat them and we will escape but where will we be going afterwards do you think?”

“Across the sea somewhere.  Away from Rome.  I am not sure. Caledonia? Scotland?”

“From what these Brigante told me the Queen is not welcome in Caledonia.”

“Ireland then. Allfather but that is a wild country.”

“Aye and a poor one.  A good place to buy warriors perhaps.” Decius nodded.  Perhaps this witch queen knew her business.

*

Livius gathered his nine men to the head of the lake. They now had three spare horses having buried their only loss. All the way down the fells he had been remembering the ill advised pursuit by Prefect Julius of the man who had betrayed and killed his brother. It had resulted, ultimately, in the destruction of Marcus’ Horse as well as the death of Decurion Macro. As much as Livius wanted revenge and wanted to capture his brother he was mindful of his responsibilities. He would not hazard his command for a personal vendetta. “Drusus, take one man and two of the spare horses.  Find Marius and ask him to meet us at the cave.  You ride and find the legion.  Tell the prefect that we have found the engineers, Morwenna and the man who stole the Emperor’s gold.  Have your man go to Brocauum and give the same information to Centurion Cursus.”

“What will you do sir?” Drusus knew of Decius’ brother and worried that his superior might do something stupid.

“We don’t know how many they have so we will do what Exploratores are supposed to do and follow. This is our first real lesson Drusus.  We no long fight, we find. Now go, time is of the essence.”

“May the Allfather be with you.” He and his chosen man stripped the supplies from the two horses and headed swiftly south towards Drusus.

Decius looked at his section and the two troopers from Drusus’ section. “Cassius you take the two lads from Drusus’ section and back track the mules to this cave the man spoke of.  Do not approach it, just find it.”

“You think they will be waiting?”

“Cassius, we have fought this witch before.  She is like a snake.  Would you put your hand in a hole where you thought there was a snake? No. and neither will we.  All we have to do is to find the snake and watch it. I will head to the fell top. “He pointed at the long ridge which rose above the lakeside. There we can’t be ambushed and we can look down upon them. I will use the mirror to signal you.  Three flashes will mean retreat to Glanibanta and five mean join us.”

“Just two choices then?”

“It is just part of the learning process Cassius.  We need to work out a way of communicating and when this is over it will be one of my priorities. Two flashes is an acknowledgement that the message is understood.”

Nodding Cassius rode off leaving Livius and his men the hard slog up the hill to the top of the ridge. He took them on the far side of the hill so that only their heads were visible and would not be seen from below. The cave was hidden from view because of the overhang and the best place to see it was from across the valley at the same level.  As none of the Romans had ever been on the slopes on the other side they had no idea where the cave was situated. The decurion hoped he had impressed on Cassius the need for caution. They had no idea how big the rebel army was although Livius suspected that it was small other they would have been attacked earlier. The Queen had been at the cave since the rebellion and Livius was under no illusions, it would be fortified and defended. The woman had cunning, just as her mother had had, as both Macro and Decius Flavius had discovered at the cost of their lives. Below them, by the lake Cassius and his two companions went in and out of sight as they negotiated trees, rocks and around headlands but Livius made sure they kept pace with them.  It was important that they arrive simultaneously.

At the cave the progress of Cassius was also being observed. “I can only see three of them.  You don’t think those maggots killed the rest do you?”

Centurion snorted, “If they killed one it would be a miracle.  No these Romans are being cautious.  The others will appear believe me.”

Decius threw a stone to attract Tadgh’s attention.  When the Brigante looked around Decius held up three fingers and pointed to the lake.  Tadgh nodded to show he understood.  The Brigante warrior would not make the mistake of underestimating these Romans. He hoped they would come up the path but he knew that they might not be that lucky.  He scanned the skyline.  If he were the Roman leader he would come from the heights.  Of course the overhang from the cave meant that it could only be assaulted from the front and his men could prevent that. Tadgh knew, however that they could make life difficult for those in the cave if they did control the ridge.

Brennus and his men felt exposed.  He had chosen a small hollow just above the path down to the cave which afforded them a little shelter and made them difficult to see but if the horsemen rode towards them then his small band would be out numbered. He had made it clear to his men that, if they saw the horses, their job was to retreat to Tadgh who had other plans for the enemy. He was confident that the horses would not be able to climb down the steep path and they would be safe. His sharpest eared scout heard them before he saw them and he pointed, like a hunting dog.  Brennus signalled the men to slither backwards.  He had already identified a better place to attack them and that was where the fell top path twisted around the rocky side of the cave. It was very steep and would have to be traversed gingerly even by foot soldiers and, more importantly could only take one horse at a time.  It would be a killing ground.

Rufius Verena and Decius Galba, as the youngest and keenest scouts, were on point.  They were ten paces apart. It was the keen eyes of Rufius who saw the Brigante making their way down the hill and he held up his arm and pointed forward. Livius trotted up with the others.  Decius Galba, who was ever reckless, galloped his horse on, ignoring Livius’ standing orders for he was keen to catch one of the Brigante and show his courage.

Livius cursed.  “Damn the boy.” He could not risk a shout in case they had not heard Decius but he would have to support the foolish pursuit. He had planned on scouting afoot when closer but Decius had taken that decision from him. Decius leaned forward in his saddle his sword held out.  Suddenly the sky opened and his mount slithered and slipped to a halt, falling on its haunches as it crashed into the hollow.  While the stop saved the lives of both man and beast it made them an easy target for the waiting Brigante who fired their arrows at the young trooper. His mail and helmet saved his life for the arrows bounced off.  One struck him in the forearm and he yelled in pain as he wheeled his mount around.  His horse needed no urging to flee the storm of arrows and he reared up as one lucky shot caught him close to his tail.

Livius halted the patrol in a line and drew their bows when they saw the wounded trooper racing back. “Steady lads and shoot over Decius.” Some of the more eager Brigante started to follow Decius but a volley of arrows dissuaded them and Decius made it safely to the patrol.

“Sorry sir.  Forgot your orders.”

“I will chew you out later.  Metellus see to him.” In the absence of a capsarius Metellus doubled as medical orderly and doctor.  While Agrippa saw to the horse Metellus began to bind the wounded arm. “Well we know where they are.  You stay here while I go to signal Cassius.”

Taking his sword from its scabbard and polishing it on the cloak which was over Star’s neck he rode to the skyline. He saw Cassius looking up at the skyline and the noises there.  One of Drusus’ men was on point and the other close behind him. Livius flashed the sword into the sun and the light glinting attracted Cassius’ attention and he stopped.  It saved his life.  The other two continued forward and suddenly an avalanche descended on them as the trap was sprung. Neither the horses nor the riders stood a chance on the steep slope. They were swept down the hill as bigger and bigger rocks crashed down on them.  When the noise and the rocks had finished the four bodies could been seen below them.  They were undoubtedly dead.

Livius flashed the sword three times and was gratified to see two in return.  Cassius backed his horse away from the blocked path and, as soon as he could, he turned around and galloped away.  The arrows which followed him were fired from too great a distance and fell harmlessly behind him. “Right we know where the cave is.  Rufius, find us a safe way down to the lake.  We will see if we can see the cave from lower down.  When we get to the lake Agrippa, take Decius to the fort and wait for Cassius although I think he will be there before you.”

“But sir…” Decius Galba began.

Agrippa silenced him.  “If you don’t shut your mouth I’ll stitch it shut. Listen to the decurion, unlike you he knows what he is doing.”

“Sorry sir.”

“Listen son we haven’t got the luxury of thirty men.  We have a handful and every one of you is valuable.  We have no more spare horses and we are many miles from help.  We have to learn but learn quickly.”

*

Morwenna appeared pleased.  “We now know where they are.”

“Aye I have told Brennus to leave two of his men by the cliff top but I don’t think they will try that way again.  I have four men watching the lower path.  That is where they will come next time.”

“It will take them some time to negotiate the hill and find the path.  It is time to take the gold.  We leave at dusk.”

Both Tadgh and Decius were taken aback. “But the Romans are still there.”

“Yes Tadgh and we have seen their numbers.  Two more lie dead a third lies wounded.  Do you fear six men on horses?  We have one minor wound.  There are nearly thirty of us.”

Decius murmured, “But we have three women and a baby.”

Morwenna turned on him, her eyes angry and she hissed at him. “Never doubt me or my women.  We have killed more men than you my preening cockerel.” Tadgh hid a smile as Decius physically shrank from her attack.  “Now get the gold and load the mules.” Turning back to Tadgh she spat, “We have one journey to make. To Itunocelum and then we take a boat.  I do not care if they follow us.  They cannot stop us and once we are at sea they will have no idea where we have gone.  By this time tomorrow we will be safe.”

*

Morwenna was right and it was late afternoon by the time Livius and his two remaining scouts reached the path. They could see the overhang and knew where the cave was from that.  The path invited them up to the cave but Livius knew it was an invitation to death.  The dead troopers and horses were a reminder and his men could see their bodies on the slopes above them.  Any burial and honours would have to wait until the enemy had departed. He turned to Rufius and Metellus.  In many ways he could not have a better pair of companions for Metellus was the most intelligent and thought of his men whilst Rufius was the quickest and undoubtedly the best tracker.  He led them away from the path and dismounted. “Take off your helmets and blacken your faces with the soil.“ They each tied their mounts securely to a tree.  Livius had toyed with the idea of hobbling them but he worried that, if they needed a quick escape that would slow them down.

He pointed to the left.  “We are going up through the trees that way.  The rocks where the bodies are is too steep and besides the rocks would alert them.  The path will be watched and I think we have the best chance through those trees.  Rufius you have the sharpest ears and eyes, you take the right, closest to the path.  Metellus take the left. Keep your swords sheathed we will need both hands to negotiate the slope and remember we are not here to kill, we are here to find.” He was gratified to see a nod from each man. “We will wait until it is twilight and then go up. Eat while we wait.” Prefect Marcus had impressed on the young Livius that a man on a full stomach fought better than a hungry man and any edge he could get, he would take.

The dark was behind them as they began their ascent.  The last glow of the setting sun illuminated the ridgeline highlighting any movement. Livius had waited far enough from the cave to prevent their discovery but it also meant that he had no idea what was going on.  Vague doubts had plagued him.  Were they coming for him?  Were the Brigante scouts, who knew the land far better than him even now filtering through the woods?  It had been relief which had flooded through him when they finally began to make their way through the pine forest. They were careful to avoid making noise on the soft pine floor but that meant that their progress was, perforce, slow.