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

brother’s farm in a few days.”
    Marcus leaned down to clasp the former slave’s arm.  “Thank you old friend. I can always rely on you.”
    “Without you and the hawk I would not have a life.  My life is yours and it is now full.” In the blink of an eye he was gone.
    Sextus looked around in amazement. “How in the Allfather’s name does he do that sir?”
    “Practice, Sextus.  He was born to it.”
    When Livius received the news from Marcus’ trooper he held a meeting with his officers. “If they are in the high valleys then we will have no cover and they will see us before we can see them. We only have three turmae which handicaps us a little.  Gnaeus you know this land as well as I do.  Take your turma on a long loop to the south and approach the valley from the southern side.  They used heavy wagons which means they could not get to the head of the valleys and I suspect that they will be where the wagon trail ends.  Lucius you are new to the region so you will be the bait.” The young decurion grinned; he liked living life on the edge. “You will ride up the wagon trail.  Follow the ruts.  It has been raining so even Julius Longinus could follow them.  I will approach from the north.  Remember that we want the wagons secured but, even more importantly we want these bandits caught.  Do not risk your men. If you can get prisoners then all well and good but I would rather have a turma whole than a prisoner caught.”
    “Sir.”
    The spy stared with eyes filled with hate at the back of the Prefect of Marcus’ Horse. Briac had hoped to ambush the horsemen but now it looked like his fellow warriors would be ambushed themselves. Now it was up to him to try to thwart the grey haired officer.
    Briac and his men had seen the spy’s signal and had trailed him.  Briac was disturbed when one turma headed north, especially as it was led by the one with the sword.  He had been tempted to have him followed but he had decided that the three turmae merited his attention.  Now as the three turmae split up he was in a dilemma; whom should he follow.  The fact that his spy was in the leader’s turma determined him.  They would ambush that turma; without their leader they would flee. His men easily followed the horsemen for there was little cover on the fells. An occasional copse made them briefly disappear but they soon returned in sight.  He kept his men between the turma and his precious wagons.  The grain had long disappeared south but the cement he held close to the end of the wagon trail, guarded by his men.  His people had no use for it but the fact that the Romans wanted it made it precious.
    Suddenly the horsemen turned south and head directly for Briac and his band.  Had they been spotted? His men quickly found cover where they could and Briac peered from the rocks to the east of the turma. The Allfather and the gods of his people were with him for the turma would pass beneath them. “When they are close enough we will attack them!” He outnumbered them by over two one and he had the advantage that they could not attack him, the Brigante had the high rocky ground.
    The prefect’s horse’s ears suddenly pricked and the experienced officer knew that there was something amiss. The wind was from the east and his horse had detected an unusual smell. “Stand to!”
    The fact that the attack came from the left, added to Livius’ warning command meant that the turma had more protection than they might have had.  Their shields came around to protect them and the arrows and spears found few vulnerable targets. One horse went down in a tumble of legs and the trooper rolled down the hillside.  He was in danger only for a heartbeat as two of his of his comrades shielded him with their mounts whilst a third picked him up. Livius could see that they had no chance of defeating the Brigante while they were on their rocky perch and he cursed the lack of scouts.  Scouts would have seen the enemy trail.