Free Hosker, G [Sword of Cartimandua 03] Invasion- Caledonia by Griff Hosker Page A

fort of Mamucium. There they had replaced broken equipment, trained new horses, practised the new skills needed for fighting on foot and reorganised the ala. Macro had taken over Marcus’ turma as a reward for his increasing maturity and his bravery during the rescue.  He still kept his role as weapons trainer.  As Decius had said, “He’ll burst into tears if you take it off him. He’s still the volunteer.” Decius himself had been made Decurion Princeps. A role he seemed to have been born into; he was a different Decurion Princeps to Marcus but as Marcus himself commented, that was no bad thing.
    As the spring grew into summer they began to get increasing reports of banditry and brigandage. The Governor broke off from an inspection of Mona and the west to brief Marcus on his new role.
    “Well prefect you have done well for yourself. Governor Agricola praises you and your men highly and you have earned your promotion.” He lowered his voice and spoke conspiratorially, “Tell me prefect did he order you all to swim across the sea?”
    “Yes sir although it wasn’t wide four or five hundred paces only.”
    “Four or five hundred paces! Gods man, I couldn’t swim ten yards in armour. Well, well so it is true. If you can do that then I suppose nothing is beyond you. I am more confident now that you can cope with the task I am going to give you. It seems there is a large band of bandits operating from the area west of Glanibanta, where you built the fort.  They are preventing trade. Complete your mission from the general and rebuild the fort but then I want this band destroyed. Utterly! Do I make myself clear? I want no survivors. They have to realise that if they disrupt the life of the province they will pay with their lives.” Once more he leaned in, “Next year we will be moving north to repay those warriors from Caledonia who sided with the Brigante.  We need this part of the province secure. Anything I can do for you?”
    “More men and horses sir? Those Atrebates you sent last year worked out well. We don’t need to have replacements from the homeland, those from Britannia appear as committed.”
    “I’ll see to it. Good luck prefect.”
    With that the busy Governor left a bemused Marcus. It seemed that life came in full circle and always came back to the same people. Cresens, Fainch and now Aed, for he was in no doubt that it was Aed who was running the bandits. He and Julius Agricola had discussed what happened to the survivors of the battle of the Taus. There had been too many of them to forget and Marcus had begged his general for the chance to destroy the man who killed his wife. Agricola had been adamant, Mona came first. Upon reflection Marcus realised that the general had done his best to aid him in his quest by sending him back to Glanibanta.
    As Marcus waited for his decurions and senior sergeants to arrive he began to appreciate the pleasures a brick building and hypocaust could bring. He would have to forego these pleasures when he rebuilt the primitive fort up by the edge of the icy cold lake. Decius would undoubtedly roll his eyes and utter some unintelligible curse. Marcus made a mental bet with himself. When they arrived and saluted Marcus felt a real pride. He believed himself to be unique; all of his decurions were the best he could hope for.  He had sergeants and chosen men just waiting to be promoted. The number of rogue troopers, normally quite a high proportion, was almost negligible. Indeed most of them had either died with their decurion Scipio Demetrius or deserted with following their decurion Modius.
    “You have all become far too comfortable.  We are going for a little ride.” The younger decurions looked delighted, being bored with fortress life. The older ones and especially Decius looked wary. “We are going north.”
    “Morbium sir!” Decius glared at Macro who sheepishly sat down.
    “No Decurion Macro oh and congratulations on your promotion. I am pleased that