Hosker, G [Sword of Cartimandua 12] Roman Wall (14 page)

Inside the walls Mavourna recognised Banquo. He had been a nasty youth who had made a futile attempt to take her virginity when she was barely twelve summers old.  She had never told her father but she was sure that her cousin still bore the marks of her nails. She told Ban what she had seen.  His eyes could not see that far. “Then he has been sent by his brother. He is a young fool.  We will see if he can shift us.”

As the tide peaked so Banquo prepared his men. “We will give them the chance to allow us to enter the fort but if they resist then we will slaughter them all. The girl is not to be harmed.  She is mine.”

Even though his men knew the restrictions placed upon him by his brother they were oathsworn.  Banquo would lead them to glory and they would do all that he asked.

Chapter 10

The two turmae reached the oppidum in the early afternoon.  Whilst Felix and Wolf hunted, Marcus and Rufius climbed the tower. Rufius was just pointing out the island when he spotted the warriors.  He frowned as he turned to Marcus. “I like this not.  Leave your Chosen Man with your turma.  They should prepare the defences of the oppidum.”

“But Livius said that we were not to engage in warfare.”

Rufius’ eyes narrowed.  I am the senior decurion and it is my responsibility.” He softened his tone with a smile. “I have a feeling that we are doing the right thing. You can stay here with your men if you wish.  I will understand.”

Marcus nodded.  “I will stand by you, Rufius, for I believe that you are doing the right thing too.  We will face the Prefect’s wrath together.” He mounted his horse.  “Gnaeus, we will ride to the aid of the island.  Make the oppidum defensible.”

“What if you do not return?”

Marcus smiled, “Then you will get a rapid promotion!”

Now that he was close to the island Banquo decided to wait until the causeway was shallow enough for them to cross. The water was a little rougher than he would have liked and, besides, his uncle and the bitch were going nowhere. When he could clearly see the rocks beneath the surface he led his men across the causeway to the island.  They had to wade through the surf in places. As they approached the fort he could see that his uncle had armed his men. Had he had a warning of their visit?

He halted out of bow range.  He did not know if they had such weapons but he was not willing to take a chance. He removed his helmet so that his uncle could see him.

“Uncle, it is your nephew Prince Banquo.  This is not the welcome I expected.”

He heard Ban’s laugh. “So you bring armed men to my home and expect a welcome. Be gone, whelp!”

“I can see how you are afraid of my men but we come in peace.”

“Listen, puppy prince, I fear neither you nor those tattooed dogs with you. Say what you will and be gone.”

A murmur of discontent arose from the oathsworn who did not like the way their leader was being spoken to. “I do not like your tone, uncle, and I will speak plainly.  My brother has sent me here to demand that you swear allegiance to him and to me.” Banquo knew that the last part was not his brother’s words but he wanted the old man humiliating.

The answer came with a spear hurled by Ban.  It struck Calum who was next to Banquo.  The young warrior was hurled from his pony and died with a surprised expression on his face.

“There is my answer!”

“You will all die and that bitch of a cousin will beg for death before I have finished with her.” He began to turn.  The turn saved his life for Mavourna used her slingshot to send a large pebble in the direction of her cousin.  It struck his pony rather than him.  The animal reared and threw Banquo to the ground.  He heard the laughter from the walls as he struggled to his feet.

His face was infused with embarrassment and anger. “No prisoners!”

Rufius led the troopers along the sand dunes.  It meant he was hidden from view. He had no idea what was going on but the armed men had him worried. They could be Selgovae.  He was not so arrogant as to believe that a word from him would stop Selgovae bandits. He had stopped one band only.

As he approached the island he slowed the troopers down and then led them to the top of the dune. He could see that the warriors were indeed attacking the fort. He could see at least one warrior lying on the ground. The attackers had dismounted and were now surrounding the fort.  Rufius had seen the defenders and knew that they were not enough to defend all of the walls. Their defences would soon be breached.

He turned to the troopers. “This is an island.  We have one chance to get across and help the people on the island.  We ride as fast as we can before the tide comes in.  I know not who those attackers are but we will destroy them.” He raised his spear. “Marcus’ Horse!”

The turma roared their war cry and galloped as fast as they could behind the two decurions. It was a reckless ride through the surf but each trooper was a master of his mount. 

Banquo and his men had already sent arrows and javelins over the walls.  Three defenders had fallen.  Banquo thought that one of them was Ban. His attackers had not escaped unscathed.  A second warrior had died and two more had been stunned by his cousin’s sling.  He was confident that they would take this place and then he would have it as his own.  It would be called Din Banquo!

Marcus had not used one of the spears before but Livius and Metellus were keen for them to be the weapon of choice for the ala.  In his heart Marcus would rather have used the Sword of Cartimandua but, as they raced across the flat land he could see the advantage.  It extended his reach by half the length of his horse. He leaned forward with it as he pointed Raven at the warrior who was aiming a bow at the wooden tower. He pulled his arm back and then punched forward.  Even as the tip speared the man in the back Marcus twisted and pulled so that the lifeless body fell to the ground and the weapon was ready once more.

The screams of the dying alerted Banquo to the fact that his men were being attacked. As he turned he saw, to his horror, that Roman cavalry were amongst his men and they were being slaughtered. He was pragmatic.  He did not mind dying in battle but he wanted it to be seen by others.  He yelled, “Bears! Fall back to the horses!”

Rufius and the others were already trying to turn.  Marcus spun Raven around. A warrior’s face appeared before him and Marcus whipped the spear across his face. He saw the edge rip a jagged line across the bearded warrior’s forehead and then he was gone. He urged Raven on.  The men on foot were fast.  They reached their nimble ponies and then leapt into the waters which had risen alarmingly since the Romans had crossed.

Banquo and the handful of survivors plunged into the choppy grey water.  If they crossed the causeway they might die.  If they stayed on the island they would die.

Marcus reined in as he saw two ponies and their riders swept to their deaths.  The other eight struggled as they half swam and half walked back to the mainland. Rufius halted next to Marcus. Marcus dug his spear into the ground to lean the blood. “It seems we are trapped here for the night.”

“We are.  Organise the men and I will go and speak with Ban.”

Although they were not his turma the troopers were all known to Marcus.  He dismounted and led Raven back towards the walls. Trooper Lepidus shouted, “Looks like you don’t need your sword now sir.  The spears are lethal.”

He grinned, “Yes but I will not relinquish my blade just yet.”

The wounded Votadini were despatched and the capsarius, Trooper Carpal, dealt with the few wounds suffered by the turma. He waved over Rufius’ Chosen Man, “Better make a camp and get some food on the go.  We will be stuck here for the night.”

“But we left the food in the oppidum!”

“Then you had better forage or we will starve.” He smiled, “We can always eat seaweed!”

“Very funny sir, I bet your lads love your sense of humour.”

He put the spear into its leather bindings to free up his hand and walked over to the track leading to the gate. Rufius turned as he approached; he had taken off his helmet and was scratching his scalp.  “I am not certain how many are left alive up there.  I have shouted but no one has answered.”

Just then Mavourna’s face appeared and she looked distressed. When she recognised Rufius she looked surprised, “You I...” then she seemed to remember something more important. “My father is wounded.”

“Capsarius! Follow me.”

The three Romans entered through the gate.  As they ran they saw that there were six bodies lying on the ground.  The girl shouted, harshly, “They are dead but my father lives.”

A wounded warrior was cradling the old man’s head. It was a stomach wound. The capsarius glanced at Rufius and shook his head. “Now then sir, let us look at this.”

The old man opened his eyes and smiled; a tendril of blood seeped out of the corner of his mouth. “I am for the Otherworld.  See to my men they fought bravely.”

The capsarius nodded, “You are a brave warrior.  May the Allfather be with you.” He turned his attentions to the warrior with the wounded arm.

The girl gave a slight sob and the wounded warrior placed her arm under her father’s head. “It will comfort him child.”

Ban looked up at Rufius.  “I knew you were no jet merchant.  You were not greedy enough.  My daughter tells me you drove away the perfidious Banquo.” Rufius nodded.  “I am in your debt.  Please care for my daughter.  She is alone and she likes you.”

“Father!”

“It is true and a dying man does not lie.”

“I will.” Rufius hesitated.

“Go on man.  I cannot last much longer ask your question and be done with it.”

Rufius took the ring from his tunic. “I believe this will allow me to have the box that King Prasutagus gave to your father for safekeeping.”

Ban’s eyes widened. “I knew the gods had kept me alive for a reason.” His thin fingers grabbed hold of Rufius. “Promise me that you will care for Mavourna and I shall tell you all.”

“I promised already but if you wish a sacred oath then I will give one. I swear to protect Mavourna with my life for as long as she needs my protection.”

He sank back, seemingly satisfied. He spoke without opening his eyes, “The chest is hidden beneath my bed.  There is the mark of a boar upon it.” He winced and said, “I go to the…”

There was a last dying breath and he was gone. His daughter began to sob. The three soldiers and the warrior watched sadly.  Rufius put his arm around her shoulders and raised her to her feet. She wiped the tears from her eyes.  “You do not need to protect me, Roman, I absolve you of your oath.  I can fend for myself.”

Rufius smiled, “But I cannot absolve myself of my oath nor would I wish to.  You shall come with me and I will look after you south of the wall.”

She pulled away.  “You want me to leave my home!”

The warrior’s arm had been bandaged, “He is right my lady.  You cannot stay here.  Banquo will come back with more men.”

She looked at the greybeard. “But what of you and the others?”

“We will follow you,” he gave a wry smile and a shrug.  “There are but four of us who remain and we will soon be following your father.  While we live we will serve him.” He looked up at Rufius.  “We cannot bury him, Banquo will despoil his body.”

Before Rufius could speak Mavourna said, “We will put him in our boat and burn it.  He will be close to his home and his spirit will inhabit this island.”

The warrior and Rufius nodded. They carried the body to the boat. Mavourna placed his helmet upon his head and his oathsworn placed his sword in his hands. The last retainers of Ban son of Ban held the boat against the wind while Mavourna kissed him.  Then Rufius and Marcus dropped lighted torches into the small boat and the breeze took it out to see.  Perhaps it was the vagaries of the sea or perhaps the spirit of Ban himself but the boat seemed to turn when just a few paces from shore.  The flames engulfed the boat and the sail and the whole vessel hissed to the bottom of the sea just paces from where he had lived.

Rufius knew that he had to act swiftly.  He went to the wounded warrior.  “What is your name, warrior?”

“Scealis.”

“Well, Scealis, help your mistress to gather all that she needs. There are eight ponies we can use to carry the six of you and your belongings.”

“We have two horses too and a wagon.”

Rufius shook his head.  “The wagon will slow us down.  We carry what will fit on the back of the horses and the ponies.”

Scealis nodded, “I will see to it.” He looked at Rufius.  “What about the slaves?”

“We cannot take them.  They could stay here.”

Scealis seemed happy.  “They know no other life.  I will tell them.” He paused, “You will get the box?”

“I will get the box.”

He seemed satisfied, “The master was concerned about the debt his father owed the Iceni.  It is good that it is paid.  He will meet his father in the Otherworld and hold his head high.”

Rufius waved Marcus over, “Let us get this box for the prefect or else I will have got into trouble for nothing.”

Marcus laughed, “I do not think it was for nothing. You have managed to annoy the brother of the King of the Votadini.  That is no small achievement, my friend.”

They headed for Ban’s room. It was something of an anticlimax to discover that the chest had merely been shoved under a bed. They pulled it out and saw that it did, indeed, bear the sign of Prasutagus. Marcus looked at Rufius, “Do we open it?”

The decurion shook his head.  “We will leave that for the Prefect.  Give this to Gaius and tell him to defend it with his life.  I would hate to lose it now having caused so much trouble.”

It took more time than Rufius would have liked to gather together all of Mavourna’s possessions.  The four warriors took just their weapons and clothes.

Scealis waved the decurion over.  “The tide is beginning to turn.  Soon we can leave.”

Scealis and Mavourna addressed the slaves.  There were just six of them. Mavourna smiled at them.  She had known the older ones all of her life.  They had been treated kindly and she hated to be leaving them but she knew it was an unavoidable decision.  Banquo had seen to that.  She hated her cousin.  Putting his evil from her mind she spoke, “We are leaving here but we cannot take you with us. We give you your freedom.”