Hosker, G [Sword of Cartimandua 01] The Sword of Cartimandua (24 page)

“How does he know that?” questioned Brutus.

Orrick smiled wryly, not all the Romans were as trusting at the cavalrymen.  “He counted us. Venutius does not know where we are building the fort and he is looking further east. I think we moved too fast for him.”

“Where did your blood kin come by this intelligence?” There was just the hint of suspicion in the Roman’s voice.

  “He was sent a summons by Venutius for a gathering of the host.”

“That is sooner than I would have hoped. When do you think he will be ready?”

“Once the snows melt and his other men arrive then he will have enough scouts to fill the land and he will find us.”

“How long?”

“For the snow? I know not. For his men? At least ten days and then only for them to arrive at his stronghold.  It would take another seven nights for them to set off.”

“That gives us fifteen days.  Enough time for the fort but, unless the snows melt even quicker than they are we cannot build the outposts. Are there others like your kin who wish to join us?”

Orrick nodded.  “When the snows melt there will be many for he has dishonoured us by killing our queen.”

Ulpius was already working out how to house and feed the extra men whilst he was also thinking about using them as a battle force. The fort could house eight hundred men and the plan was to put almost twice that number in.  It was one of the reasons the cavalryman wanted to use the outposts to spread the load; they could all defend the fort but not, perhaps, live in it. He voiced his ideas to Orrick, Brutus and Marcus. “We need barracks outside of the fort. The lake means we cannot make it any larger we need a similar fort, “he gestured to the southwest. “There is another piece of land which juts out into the lake.  It will protect us from the west. We could house the majority of the cavalry and any of the Brigante who wish to join us. That will leave the legionaries to garrison and defend this, the main fort. It need not be a fort more of a barracks. I want as much space between all of us as possible. Close company can lead to disagreements.”

They all nodded their agreement for there had already been numerous fistfights and one stabbing from conflict between auxiliaries and legionaries for normally they had their own forts and areas. Brutus was beginning to see why the one-eyed barbarian had been put in command of this vexillation.  His initial distrust had evaporated during the march and since they arrived. “I will have my men being clearing the ground ready to start once the snow goes.”

Marcus nodded, “And I will take my turma on foot to the outpost mound.  As it is a hill we should be able to clear the snow easier.” Ulpius looked doubtfully at his decurion knowing, as he did that cavalrymen preferred to ride everywhere. “It is not far and the exercise will do them good.  Our mounts are too lean and there is little feed to spare.”

Ulpius nodded his agreement.  “Good.  You all know what you are to do.  I leave it to you Orrick to recruit and organise your people. Make sure you can trust them. Remember what happened to the queen.”

“We remember and do not worry any traitors and spies will not return to give Venutius any help.”

As he expected the men of his turma grumbled when they realised that they would have to walk. They grumbled even more when they had to carry axes and hammers as well as their weapons.

“This is foot soldier’s work,” murmured Decius the grumbler.

“If we took our horses then soon you would be a foot soldier so look upon it as training for your future.”

The rest of the turma laughed aloud at the put down. Decius was a moaner, a good soldier, but his comrades knew he could moan even on a fine sunny day.  It was his nature and, if truth be told, they were glad to be away from the mundane and boring work within the fort.  It was exciting to be doing something different.

The path Marcus took them along followed the bubbling mountain stream.  The biggest danger was not the snow which was beginning to turn to slush close to the water but the slippery rocks which could turn and break an ankle quickly. Once clear of the stream it became heavier going and Marcus soon began to alternate the leading trooper to help the breaking of the snow. The bright, cold day had formed a crust on the top of the knee deep snow and the path breaker soon found his feet chilled to the bone. He could see that their work would be a little easier as the snow was quite thin in part. It would soon be completely gone; easier for his men to work but increasing the danger of a visit from their enemies.

As they approached the mound Marcus admired the skill his leader had shown in spotting the potential as an outpost.  The mound had a gentle slope from the south whilst it was sheer from the north. The stand of trees on the summit and at the southern side meant that there would be both protection and disguise for the outpost and men.

While his troopers rested and ate their rations at the foot Marcus climbed to the summit. Once at the summit the view was spectacular. Northwards he could see the steep sided valley they had followed to get to the fort. To the west was another steep sided valley and to the east there was an escarpment, a fast flowing river and a plain heading towards the fort. They would need to be investigated. Marcus looked at the sun in the sky. They had most of the day ahead of them and the path to the fort was clear.  He would send patrols out quickly while he and the rest began their work. He glanced around the summit and saw that it would not take as much work as he had thought to prepare a defensible, hidden outpost.

He descended and gathered his men around him. “Decius, take Gaius and explore that eastward facing valley. As soon as you know the lie of the land return we have much work here.” The last comment was a ploy by the decurion as it would ensure that the moaner did a thorough job and would avoid returning too hastily for manual labour. Grumbling Decius led off his companion. “Julius, take Marcus and follow the stream to the west.  I think it must return to the lake. Return here once you know that. As for the rest of us we have to make an outpost and the sooner it is finished the sooner we can return to a warm fire.”

He divided the men into two groups. One of them was detailed to make a stable in the copse at the foot of the mound. He made quite clear to his men that they were to disguise it as much as possible so that, from a distance it would appear natural. Taking the majority of men to the top he gave them similar instructions.  “Cut down saplings and thin trees from lower down. Join up the trees here to make a tower.  We will leave the entrance at the south for a swift get away in case we are disturbed.”

The men set too and within no time they had a rudimentary tower. The second phase was harder as they had to build a rampart and a ladder but to the Romans it took little longer than the time it had taken to walk from the fort.

“Men approaching!” As soon as the sentry shouted the men took up their defensive positions. “It is the scouts Decius and Gaius.”

Marcus noticed that Decius looked pleased that all the hard work had been completed. His report pleased Marcus. “The valley is steep sided all the way to the head.  There is a stream but you could not get a large force down.” He pointed north east, “There is a path which descends through a forest from the northern spur but it would only take a single file of men. Their ponies might be able to cross it but I fear our cavalry mounts would struggle over the rocks which litter the path.” Marcus nodded pleased.  It meant that even if a large force used that route it would take some time to deploy and the outpost would have time to warn the fort.

“Good work. Well done.  We are finished here.”

“Men approaching!” Once again they came quickly to arms. “It is the other patrol.”

Their report was of a similar nature.  The stream did, indeed flow to the lake and the escarpment was steep.  There was a ford which his men had used and Marcus made a note of it on the rough map he had drawn. That would be a danger to the fort.

“Well done men, now back to a warm fire.”

Tired as they were by their exertions the walk back was quicker than the one out and they arrived at the almost completed fort well before dark. Ulpius was satisfied by the report. Brutus also noted the comment about the ford.  “I will have my men prepare an observation post at the ford.  If we are attacked we may be able to slow them down.  If this snow remains I feel we are safe.”

“Aye the gods are smiling on us and long may the snow continue.  The more work we can complete the safer we will be.” Ulpius would have felt even better had he known that Venutius was looking in the wrong place for them and Caesius Alasica was mobilising his forces for an invasion of the north.  As it was he had to believe that they were the isolated bait on a trap.

After he had seen to his men and enjoyed his evening meal Marcus wandered over to the wagon which still housed the two Brigante princesses.  As the wagon had been emptied the sisters had taken it and divided it into two both for privacy and to avoid squabbles which inevitably arise when two women are in close domestic proximity. He coughed when he reached the dimly lit wagon.  “Come in.  I saw you from across the fort.”

Once inside they embraced and kissed. Marcus felt like a young boy stealing from an orchard. He was happy beyond his wildest dreams.  His life could not get any better. Macha lay in his arms. There was a comfortable silence and Marcus nuzzled her hair.  She looked up.  “I have news.” He wondered what she was about to say.  He had heard things from his lover about the Brigante in these private moments.  Was it to be news of the enemy? “I am with child; your child.”

The shocked silence surprised Macha until she saw the enormous grin spread across his face. “Are you sure? Of course you are! When will…Are you…”

She put her hands across his lips. “In the summer you will see your child and yes I am well and will remain so.  Brigante women are strong.” They kissed again and Marcus held her tightly to his body. “It is strange the way the gods work. My sister was with child and was murdered and a new child comes into the world at the same time.”

“The gods are wise. Perhaps your sister will be watching over us now.”

“Oh she is Marcus. Lenta and I have felt her presence since we laid her in the tomb.  She is here. She is the snow; she is the light, she is the warmth we feel now.”

They lay down beneath the bear robes and slept. Marcus would awake before dawn and return to his troopers but all the fort knew of the liaison.  It was the biggest open secret and yet no-one felt the need to criticise or comment.

The high hills east of Brocavum

Venutius and his bodyguards were cold and despondent. Despite a week’s trudging through the high hills to the east and south of Brocavum they had seen no signs of the Romans.  They had come to the conclusion that if the Romans had ventured this far they had perished in the cold. There was still a nagging doubt and fear in the mind of the Carvetii king that they would have seen signs of their bodies had that been the case. They scanned the skyline for a sighting but saw a sea of white.

Fainch had watched them approach. After meeting her sisters they had dreamed a powerful dream. The potion they had used was a powerful one leaving them exhausted but they had dreamed a dream and Venutius would be pleased when she told him She had been as still as stone, waiting as though part of the landscape. . She used all her guile and wiles to impress men with her power and she did so again. She knew they would pass by her, she would be almost invisible and as they did so she stood up.  To the warriors it was as though she had appeared from the ground. With her haggard lime painted face and hair, her ragged grey cloak she looked like a wraith. Even Venutius was startled until he realised it was his spy.  The men’s hands grasped their amulets and muttered incantations against the evil eye. Fainch just smiled. “Hail mighty king.  I bring news.”

Venutius ordered his men to rest while he took the witch by the elbow so that they would not be overheard. “It must be powerful news to bring you out on to the hills in such weather and to make you forget my orders.” There was a threat in his voice as he spoke.

“It is. I am not one of your mindless minions who cannot think for himself. I would not have made the journey were it not urgent. The Romans have a new leader and, even as we speak, he is bringing an army to attack you. He is building a fort and bridge at the great river and he brings not only horsemen but legionaries.”

“Do we know him?”

She nodded.  “It is Marcus Caesius Alasica and whilst he is young he is no fool.”

“You did well to bring the news to me. I have begun the muster but this weather is slowing it down. Is there nothing you could do about the weather?”

She shook her head.  “It would take many of my sisters to make the change. “ She looked up into the sky. “I can tell you that within seven nights the snows will be gone.”

“That is enough. How many men will he bring?”

“He has a whole legion and some cavalry. Have you found the Romans I warned you of?”

“Not yet.  I thought they were in this region but it seems they must have passed us by.  They must be in the west. How many were there?”

She shrugged unsure of the actual numbers, “A warband size; some cavalry and some infantry.”

“No matter.  I will destroy them when I have taught these Romans a lesson about fighting in my lands.” He drew her closer to him.  “I have been thinking of late. These Romans fight well because they are well supplied, they have solid bases.  If we were to make their bases a little less secure it might slow them down.” Fainch remained silent; she was not sure where the king’s thoughts were leading. “Fires at the docks in Eboracum. Damage to their ships. Poisoned wells and food.  All of these would plant doubt in the minds of the people and make the Romans look over their shoulders. Do you think you have enough people to do this?”

Fainch thought for a few moments calculating the number of men and women she could trust and working out how many she could buy. “I think I could but it is dangerous work. The more people I use the more risk I am discovered.”