The Blood Crows c-12 Read online

  ‘Well they haven’t, as far as I know. However Quertus keeps his men going, it works. You’ll see for yourselves once you reach the fort. You’re going to find that there’s a lot Quertus can teach you. If you are wise, Prefect, you’ll pay heed to the man.’

  The implied criticism angered Cato and he struggled not to let it show. He was a professional soldier who had served his Emperor loyally and effectively for many years. He knew damn well that it was wise to listen to his subordinates, especially one as evidently capable as Centurion Quertus. Cato swallowed his irritation. ‘Of course, sir.’

  ‘Good. Then you can leave at first light. I’ll assign you an escort to get you to the fort. A squadron from the legion’s mounted contingent should suffice. After you take command at Bruccium I want a more detailed report of the strength and condition of the two cohorts, as well as the progess they are making against the Silurians. That’s if it is safe to send a rider back to Glevum. Now, if you’ll excuse me, gentlemen, I am hard pressed to prepare the rest of my column for the coming campaign. Good fortune go with you.’

  He gestured towards the door and Cato and Macro saluted and left the legate’s office. Outside in the corridor, as they made their way back to the courtyard to rejoin Decimus, Macro spoke quietly.

  ‘I’m not so sure about this Centurion Quertus. Sounds like he might cause us a bit of trouble.’

  Cato thought a moment. ‘He’s playing by his own rules, that’s for sure. But, as you heard, he is hitting the enemy hard. That’s what the legate and the governor want. I just hope we can maintain the standard when I take command.’

  Macro breathed in deeply. ‘Somehow, I don’t think Centurion Quertus is going to be very welcoming. He’s run the show his way for some months now. What makes you think he’ll be happy to hand over the reins to you?’

  ‘Because he’s a soldier and he does as he’s told.’

  Macro pursed his lips. ‘I hope you’re right.’

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  It began to rain shortly after dawn and Glevum disappeared behind a grey veil of drizzle as the riders hunkered down inside their cloaks and urged their mounts along the track that led towards the distant line of hills. Macro and Decimus had visited the vicus the night before and shared a few jars of cheap wine in one of the simple inns. Cato had remained in headquarters, searching the records office for as much information as he could find about his new unit, and the officer temporarily in command of it. The Thracians had performed creditably in the years they had been posted to Britannia but in the last few months they had accounted for more of the enemy than they had in the previous eight years.

  As for Quertus, there was nothing on record that revealed any more than Quintatus had already told him — except for one minor complaint from the previous commander of the Thracians. Following a skirmish on the banks of the Severnus, prefect Albinus had issued an order for Quertus to escort their captives to Glevum. They never reached the fortress. According to Quertus they had all attempted to escape on the first night of the march and were killed in the process. None survived. There was no mention of any disciplinary action and a few days later the prefect was killed when he was thrown from his horse and his skull was caved in when it struck a rock.

  The cohort of legionaries that made up the rest of the garrison of Bruccium had an equally competent and unspectacular record up until their success of recent months. The only curious aspect was that neither unit had reported any breaches of discipline since Centurion Quertus had led them into the mountains. Normally, such infractions were part of the reports that were regularly sent back to the legion’s headquarters. But after the first few reports, there were only brief outlines of the number of enemies killed and villages burned. And nothing more for over a month now.

  Cato, his companions and the escort crossed the timber bridge thrown across the Severnus by the engineers of the Fourteenth Legion and followed the route along the riverbank. There were fewer signs of the natives here than at any point on their journey through the new province. A handful of small farmsteads dotted the landscape. The inhabitants, wild-looking people in furs and rags, tended a handful of goats and worked small fields in the rich soil beside the river. Every five miles, the riders encountered one of the small fortlets that had been built to guard the route. Each garrison of twenty or thirty auxiliaries sheltered behind a turf wall topped with a stout wooden palisade, and a sentry kept watch over the surrounding landscape from a small tower rising up above the meagre fortifications.

  At the end of the day they reached a large fort at Isca, garrisoned by a cohort of Gauls. After the mounts and baggage animals had been stabled for the night, Cato and his comrades joined the decurion leading the cavalry escort in the cohort’s mess. There was only one small room with two tables and a small counter where a skinny merchant sold bad wine for a premium to his captive market. This side of the Severnus was Silurian territory and none of the Roman army’s camp followers had been brave enough to settle into a vicus outside the walls of the fort.

  Macro and Decimus had worked off their hangover during the day’s ride and Macro ordered some wine from the merchant with the begrudging attitude of a man who knows he is being exploited.

  ‘Five sestertii for this piss?’ Macro growled as his lips wrinkled away from the rim of the cup following his first sip. ‘Fucking outrage is what it is.’

  ‘It’s not so bad, sir.’ Decimus raised his cup and drank again.

  Macro looked at him sourly. ‘Never is so bad when you haven’t had to pay for a drop of it. I ought to take deductions from your pay for the wine you consume.’

  ‘Then you’d only go and have to drink more of this piss, sir.’ Decimus pretended to look hurt. ‘Really, you should be thanking me for helping you out with it.’

  ‘Really?’ Macro narrowed his eyes a moment, then turned to Cato. ‘What do you think?’

  ‘Eh?’ Cato looked up vacantly. ‘Sorry, what was that?’

  ‘The wine. Taste it and tell me what you think.’

  Cato looked down into the Samian-ware cup and sniffed it. It was not unlike vinegar, but somehow suffused with a very ancient blend of goat’s cheese and sewage. Still, for Macro’s sake, he took a sip and as the foul liquid flowed across his tongue he winced. He set the cup down with a sharp rap. ‘That’s wine?’

  ‘According to our friend behind the counter. The sewer brewer. I’ve a mind to have a word with him.’

  ‘What good would it do? This is as good as it gets this far beyond the frontier.’

  Macro looked shocked. ‘By the gods, I hope not. What in Hades’ name must they be drinking up at Bruccium?’

  The comment stirred Cato’s thoughts and he turned to the decurion who had been drinking quietly, clearly preoccupied. Cato cleared his throat.

  ‘It’s Trebellius, isn’t it?’

  The decurion looked round and nodded. ‘Yes, sir.’

  ‘You don’t seem to be enjoying your little trip up into the mountains very much. At least the wine will keep your mind off it. Drink up.’

  Trebellius dutifully took a sip, without any change of expression.

  ‘Seems like someone has a taste for it,’ said Macro.

  Decimus chuckled. ‘Like I said, sir. Not so bad. You get used to such things in Britannia. The worst of everything. Weather, wine and even the women are as rough as you’ll find anywhere in the whole empire. It’s a wonder that Claudius and his advisers think there’s anything good to be had out of the bloody place. If you ask me, we should never have invaded and left the barbarians to themselves. If they want to live in mud huts, worship bloody Druids and fight each other all the time, then let ’em. If the Emperor had given Britannia a miss then I’d still have a good leg.’

  Macro stared hard at him. ‘And did I ask you? No. You knew the score when you signed up. You go where you’re sent and don’t stop to ask questions. You kill who you’re told to kill and that’s it. If the buggers get you first then that’s the risk you take. Otherwise, you
might as well be some shirt-lifting ponce who spends his life reading philosophy.’ Macro shot a quick glance at Cato. ‘Present company excepted.’

  ‘Thank you, Macro,’ Cato responded testily before turning his attention back to the decurion. ‘How long have you served with the Fourteenth?’

  ‘Twenty years, sir. Come summer.’

  ‘And how long has the Thracian cavalry been serving with the Fourteenth?’

  ‘That lot? Seem to be something of a fixture, sir. As long as I’ve been with the legion.’

  Cato smiled. ‘I’ve seen plenty of auxiliary units in my time. Some good, some bad. Never served with Thracian cavalry, though. So what are they like?’

  The decurion sniffed. ‘They don’t stink, like some of them. Germans is worst. But at least with your Germans you know where you are. Them Thracians is different. Got a cruel streak in ’em, they have. Bloody good horsemen, though. Glad they’re on our side, is all.’

  ‘I see.’ Cato reached for the jar and topped up the decurion’s cup. ‘And what about Centurion Quertus?’

  The decurion answered warily. ‘Can’t really say. The Thracians tend to keep to themselves. I’ve come across him on the parade field when we’ve been on training manoeuvres. He’s a big man. Built like a brick shithouse and has the guts to match.’

  ‘You have to be so careful what you eat,’ Macro chipped in.

  Cato shot a frown at him before he spoke to the decurion again. ‘What else?’

  ‘Like I said. He’s brave and the men would follow him anywhere.’

  ‘Inspiring, then?’

  ‘You could say that, sir. Depends what kind of inspiring you mean. He’s a born fighter, the kind who would die rather than give an inch of ground. Trouble is, he wants the same from those who he leads. I saw him beat a man senseless on the parade field once because he wouldn’t leap his horse over a ditch. Let’s just say he takes discipline seriously. And loyalty. I’ve heard he’s supposed to be some kind of prince in his homeland.’ Decimus looked round and leaned closer. ‘That, and some kind of priest. The kind who knows magic. The kind of magic that needs blood sacrifices.’

  ‘Magic?’ Cato repeated slowly. ‘I’ve yet to see any genuine magic in my lifetime.’

  Macro tilted his head to the side. ‘Don’t be so quick to pass judgement. After all, someone’s put a curse on this bloody wine, that’s for certain.’

  The decurion scowled briefly, then drained his cup and pushed it away with a nod of thanks. ‘Better see to the horses, sir. They’ll need feeding before the second watch.’

  He rose from the bench and left the mess. Macro stared after him and muttered wryly, ‘Was it something I said?’

  ‘Best not to make fun of someone’s beliefs, sir,’ Decimus suggested mildly.

  ‘Oh, come on!’ Macro chuckled. ‘Magic? Priests? Sacrifices? That’s a load of old bollocks. Anyone with half a brain knows that the only gods with any clout are Roman gods. That’s why Rome rules the world.’

  ‘I thought Rome ruled the world because our soldiers were better than everyone else,’ said Cato. ‘In any case, we clearly don’t rule half the tribes on this island.’

  Decimus made to reply to Macro but then closed his mouth and looked down into his cup. He was silent for a moment before he said quietly, ‘Some gods are false. Perhaps most of them. But there’s one who is powerful. One who comes from the east. And he promises a life in paradise to all those who choose to follow him.’

  Macro laughed. ‘I’ve heard that kind of rubbish before! Cato, you remember? Back in Judaea? The fools who called themselves servants of some wandering holy man. I hope that’s not who you’re talking about, Decimus.’

  The former legionary shook his head. ‘Never heard of no Judaean nonsense. I’m talking about Lord Mithras, sir. He’s the one.’

  ‘Mithras. .’ Macro scratched his stubbly jaw. ‘Bit of a cult in some units, so I understand. Can’t see the attraction myself. What’s he got to offer that Jupiter hasn’t, eh? Believing in Mithras is no better than that nonsense Trebellius was talking about our Thracian friend.’

  Decimus pursed his lips. ‘I think there’s more to it than that, sir.’

  Macro pointed at the brand on Decimus’s forehead. ‘I can see why. But you’re wasting your time, I’m telling you. Jupiter, best and greatest, and the rest of our lot piss all over anyone else’s gods.’

  ‘Maybe that’s what you believe now, sir. But I’ll pray to Mithras that he shows you the righteous path all the same.’

  Macro shrugged. ‘Pray all you like. It ain’t going to change a bloody thing. I’ll personally put a curse on any man who says different.’

  Cato sighed and turned his mind back to the matter of Centurion Quertus. It was evident the man had quality as a warrior and leader and was carrying out his orders to the satisfaction of his superiors. Such a man would not relinquish his position eagerly, or even willingly. Bruccium was far enough away from Glevum for Cato to have to rely on his own authority to take command of the fort and its garrison. It was an acutely uncomfortable prospect and the more he brooded over it, the more of a challenge it seemed.

  The following morning the track entered the Silurian mountains and wound its way up the broad valley through which the River Isca flowed. The river was wide and glassy, swollen by the rain that had fallen during the early months of the year, and the snow on the tops of the mountains that had melted into the streams and tributaries of the Isca. The route was guarded by more of the fortlets, whose sentries peered anxiously from behind their palisades at the grim landscape around them. The engineers had felled trees either side of the track to remove the cover that could be used to ambush any patrols or supply columns travelling through the valley. Beyond the cleared ground the trees reared up, and the shadows beneath their boughs were dark and impenetrable. In the distance, as the ground rose steeply, the treeline gave out on to rocky slopes with long grass and shrubs, bent over in the wind that blew across the mountains.

  The track began to twist and turn around the rocky outcrops and hills and the conversation of the riders died away as the oppressive landscape and the possibility that they were being watched by the enemy played on their nerves. Cato, having strapped his helmet on, rode beside the decurion at the head of the column and noted the anxious glances that Trebellius directed to each side.

  ‘Do you think we are in danger here?’ Cato asked quietly.

  ‘There was a patrol ambushed not far from here several days ago, sir. Lost half their men before they could reach the nearest outpost. In any case, the enemy has become more bold recently. The Silurians have raided the frontier zone as far as the Severnus on several occasions.’

  ‘Well, if they’ve set an ambush here once, they’d be foolish to do it again, where it might be expected. We should be safe.’

  The decurion looked at him. ‘I hope you’re right, sir.’

  Cato shrugged off the other man’s fears. ‘How much further to Bruccium, do you think?’

  ‘Half a day’s ride to the last outpost. Then another day should see us over the pass leading down into the valley. A few miles on from there is where you’ll find the fort.’

  ‘That’s good.’

  Trebellius smiled faintly. ‘Good enough for me. I can’t wait to get out of these accursed mountains and back to the arms of my woman in Glevum.’

  ‘Oh? Lucky man.’

  ‘I suppose. She’s not some classy bit from Italy. Not even from Gaul. Garwhenna’s a local girl, half Silurian. Not much to look at but strong and loyal. And she’s taught me some of their tongue. Comes in useful when I’m trading with the locals for feed.’

  ‘I can imagine.’

  They fell silent for a moment before the decurion pointed to a bend in the track a quarter of a mile ahead, where a rocky cliff pushed out from the side of the valley. ‘There’s a fortlet just beyond there, sir. We’ll stop to rest the mounts and I’ll pick up the optio’s report on his strength and supply situation.’

&
nbsp; ‘Very well,’ Cato responded absently. The rain had subsided into a misty drizzle and he was looking forward to enjoying a little shelter and warmth before they resumed their march. Then he heard a muffled noise above the sound of the hoofs clopping over the stony track. He was alert in an instant, straining his ears. For a moment he wondered if he was imagining it. The decurion’s anxiety was starting to rub off on him. But better safe than sorry. Cato tugged on his reins and threw his right hand up.

  ‘Halt!’

  Beside him the decurion reined in and the rest of the column lumbered to a stop and the quiet of the surrounding landscape closed in around them. Macro edged his mount forward to join his friend and the decurion.

  ‘What is it?’

  ‘I heard something. Up ahead.’

  Macro listened intently then shook his head. ‘I don’t h-’

  Then it came again. The long deep blast of a horn, muffled by the drizzle and the mass of the cliff rising up in front of them. It had been a long time since Cato had last heard the sound, but it was quite unmistakable. The brassy blare came from a Celtic war horn.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  ‘It’s an ambush!’ Trebellius said, eyes wide with fear as he scrutinised the treeline on either side of the track, well within the throw of a javelin. ‘We have to get out of here!’

  ‘Wait!’ Cato commanded. ‘Compose yourself! You’re a bloody officer.’ He turned to Macro. ‘Stay here. Have the men drop their packs and prepare to fight. Do it as quietly as you can. The decurion and I are riding ahead to see what’s going on.’

  ‘We are?’ Trebellius looked shocked. Then, as Cato glared at him, the decurion fought to steady his nerves and nodded. ‘Yes, sir.’

  ‘Then let’s go.’ Cato spurred his mount into a canter. After a moment’s hesitation the decurion followed and Macro turned towards the squadron and Decimus and drew a deep breath to bellow his orders. Then he caught himself and spoke in a husky undertone. ‘Now then, lads, let’s do this without too much noise, eh? Packs down. .’