Hosker, G [Sword of Cartimandua 06] Druid's Gold Read Free

had had when at full strength, Julius, Livius and Sergeant Cato.  They could barely muster two turmae of troopers and many of those who still mustered showed the signs of the ravages of the battles over the past year.  Julius had spent the morning with the Governor and Legate discussing the fate of this famous force. Julius had not had time to talk to either Livius or Cato and he knew that they would be surprised, not to say shocked with his words. The faces before him were only a tiny portion of the ones Julius remembered; the lucky ones had retired or left with minor injuries.  The far greater numbers were those who had died in battle, amongst them his brother and the greatest warrior amongst the troopers Decurion Macro.  He shook his head absent mindedly to clear away the sentiment.
    “Men, today is a sad day.  Today is a day I did not foresee coming, certainly not as long as I was prefect of this ala.  Marcus’ Horse is now a fraction of the force it was and it has been decided to disband it as an ala.” With the exception of Sergeant Cato every man looked aghast, Livius in particular, he opened his mouth to ask a question and then thought better of it.  He was too well trained an officer to be insubordinate and interrupt his commanding officer. “Some of you are due a pension either now or soon and any man who has served eighteen years will be granted his pension and a plot of land on the border.  For those younger men,” he glanced at Livius, “there is the chance to transfer either to the Gallic Horse based at Coriosopitum or the cavalry unit attached to the Ninth.” He paused to let his words sink in. “You will need to tell me of your decision within the next two days.” Some of the men began to talk to the trooper next to them. Julius held his hand up and there was absolute silence once more.
    The attention of the guards on the walls was totally focussed on the drama unfolding before them. They were witnessing the end of an ala which had been famous since they had rescued Queen Cartimandua almost forty years earlier. The inns and taverns or Eboracum would have but one topic of conversation at the end of this working day and that would be the disbanding of Marcus’ Horse and the retirement of its swallow tail standard.
    Julius rode to the end of the line.  “I would like to thank you men, you brothers in arms, for all that you have done in my time with this glorious ala.  You have always done more than even I could have expected, you have never retreated and never shown dishonour. Our brothers who are no longer with us but with the Allfather are looking down now proudly on the last of their comrades and I would like to clasp the arm of every one of the finest warriors not only in Britannia but the Empire.”
    As he rode down the line speaking a few words to each man and clasping forearms in a soldier’s salute there were many silent tears shed. It was, as the Governor himself had said, ‘the end of an era’. Finally he embraced Sergeant Cato and then Livius both of whom were fighting to remain stone faced. As he turned to face the ala for the last time every troop pulled his spatha from its scabbard and raised it in a last salute roaring, as a man, “Marcus’ Horse!”
    The silence echoed strangely around the fortress as every eye in the fort, sentries, clerks, farriers was fixed on the dramatic tableau. Time seemed to stand still until every man slid his sword back into his scabbard and led their mounts back to the stables and barracks. Only then did a murmur of comment rise like the buzz from a swarm of bees.  Livius and Cato dismounted to face the Prefect. “Bit of a surprise eh Livius?”
    “That is putting it mildly.” He glanced over at the Sergeant. “What about you? Did you expect it? Are you happy about the decision?”
    Cato shrugged, “I was going to take my pension this year anyway, the prefect, er sorry sir, Marcus has asked me to help him with the stud.” He paused.