Free Hosker, G [Sword of Cartimandua 04] Roman Retreat by Griff Hosker

away from the battlefield and their other option, banditry. This was legal banditry; they would be paid for from the gold he would secure for himself.  Life was good.
    Luigsech coughed again and Morwenna noticed that, once again, there was blood although the old woman hid it well enough. “We must stop, mother, for you are ill.”
    Smiling through the pain she said, “I have told you that my time is coming to an end and I must hasten your learning.  You have already learned much magic and you have, indeed, your mother’s gift and her looks. I can see your mother’s soul in your eyes.” Morwenna had no mirror and never seen herself.  She had no idea what her mother had looked like but the old witch told her that watching her was looking at a taller Fainch. The long chestnut tresses and the bright green eyes sparkled from a face which entranced, just as her mother’s had.  Her willowy body belied its strength which had also been part of her training and her mind was as sharp as a piece of flint and as intricate as a spider’s web.
    “Soon you will leave me when I am gone to join your mother and my sisters. You have two tasks; to drive the Romans from this land and to destroy those who killed your mother.”
    “But I am just a girl.”
    “No you are a druid and that is more powerful a being than any warrior or king. The only people who are still fighting the Romans are those in the north and the mightiest of those is King Calgathus.  He knew your mother and he will recognise you.  Seek him out.”
    “But how will I drive the Romans out?”
    The old woman shrugged. “I know not but you are Fainch’s daughter and you will find the answer.  You will fast and meditate.  You will eat the mushrooms and you will dream the dreams. This was as your mother did.” The girl resigned herself but it was hard to picture herself coming up with a plan which would work.  She had learned, however, to trust the old woman and believe in her teachings.
    “And my mother’s killers? Do I dream of them also?”
    “No. They are closer and easier to destroy for I have taught you all the poisons and potions which can kill or bend men’s minds to your will.  Even more than your mother knew. The men who killed your mother were the Roman horsemen called Marcus’ Horse.  They are in the north fighting Calgathus. The one with the sword of Cartimandua is the leader but all of those who wear the red horsehair are guilty. Find them and follow them.  Be patient and be cunning. You must visit the places they lived and ask about them.  They lived close by here at Glanibanta; over the hills at Stanwyck and Morbium and far to the east at Derventio. You must visit all of these places and discover as much as you can. They do not know you and you infiltrate their places and their minds. Pretend and feign loyalty for men always believe women to be the weaker species; you can show them they are wrong.”
    “I will, I promise.”
    “And swear that you will be revenged upon them. Swear now and on my bones when I am dead.”
    “I will swear.”
    “And Morwenna, you will need a charm when I am gone.  You will take the fingers from my dead body and some of my hair.  Put them in a bag and keep them with you at all times.  That way my spirit will be there to aid you.” When Morwenna looked dubious the old woman waved a bony finger at her.  “It they had not burned your mother’s body after they crucified her we would have had her bones and then you would have been the most powerful witch.”
    Terrified of having to despoil the body of the woman that she loved but terrified of failing her, the young woman nodded and said, “I swear mother that I will do as you wish.”
     
    “Now then prefects, excuse me, Tribunes.” Sallustius laughed at his own joke and the four men smiled mirthlessly. “Which officers should we consider?”
    Marcus shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “Will not Rome wish to make the appointment?”
    Shaking his head