Hosker, G [Sword of Cartimandua 11] Roman Treachery Read Free

reacting to events.  I would like a little more information and the best way to get that information is to interrogate prisoners.”
    “You need Explorates.”
    “I know but you, Metellus, Rufius and the Prefect are the last of the Explorates we could count on and we would really need native speakers. Still, if you could find a prisoner or two…”
    “I will be back on patrol in fourteen days.  That will give me the chance to check Julius’ maps.  He is very efficient at keeping them up to date.” Julius Longinus was the ala clerk and also an unpaid intelligence officer.  He had a sharp mind and kept immaculate records.  “I think we need to get close to one of their settlements.  The ones who are closer to us are wary warriors.  Closer to home they might feel safer.”
    “Come on then, I will ride with you to Rocky Point.  I am supposed to be inspecting the defences after all.” First Spear Broccus had gone back to work. “I’ll be back along this way in a couple of days Quintus.”
    He pointed towards the east. “Then we will be about fifty paces that way sir!” He absentmindedly clipped one of the legionaries who had turned at the words. “He was talking to me you horrible little man! Get on with it!”
    Rocky Point was nearing the end of its life.  Built before the wall as a camp for the ala which protected the workers, it would soon be redundant.  The fort of Cilurnum was nearing completion and, already, the clerks and farriers had moved from Corio to Rocky Point ready for the grand move. The auxiliary ala would have its first permanent base.
    “I shall miss Rocky Point sir.” The isolated wooden structure rose defiantly in the land which was still Selgovae and Marcus remembered the early days when the ala had been the only force keeping the barbarians away from the construction site of the wall. Many men had fallen defending its wooden walls and ditches.
    “The new fort will have stone walls and a bath house Marcus.  It will be more comfortable.”
    “True but I still think of this as a refuge.  Remember the time we barely made it escorting those refugees the barbarians had captured?”
    “Don’t remind me. That was as close as I want to come to a Selgovae spear.”
    As they descended the primitive track which led to the fort Julius could not help notice the keen eyed sentries.  This was not a safe posting; this was the edge of hell. Here the garrison was almost completely surrounded by the enemy.  It was another reason for the move.  When the wall finally reached this exposed northern ridge the fort that had been the cavalry’s home would be beyond the frontier.  The grim troopers faced death every day.
    The first thing Julius noticed was that Livius now looked greyer and older.  The frontier took its toll on its defenders and Livius had performed that duty longer than most. When he greeted them and smiled at two old friends, his face looked far younger. Marcus was so close to him, as had been his father and his namesake that Livius felt this was the son he would never have.  His darkest times had been when he had been captured by Trygg, the Uite. Like Marcus he would be sorry to leave Rocky Point; it had been a bastion against the barbaric forces from the north.  They suffered attacks on a weekly basis but not one enemy had managed to breach the walls. It was a record of which the prefect was proud.
    After greeting the Legate he asked Marcus. “Good patrol?”
    “We lost no-one; it was a good patrol but we did not find any enemies. The Legate here wishes me to capture prisoners next time.”
    Livius frowned.  It was his task to detail the missions but he accepted that he was outranked. “Rufius is out at the moment with his turmae; he may have more success.”
    Marcus shook his head, “Sir, with respect, we defend first and think of prisoners second.  When I try to get one it will not be through war but stealth.”
    “Stealth young Marcus? When were you ever stealthy?”