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

He wanted to see as much of the country as he could but he found it amusing that Scanlan took it to be a punishment.  He was sure that Aneurin, the other Brigante would not have done so.
    “All I wanted to know was how long we would be there?”
    “Why?” Scanlan’s broad face looked puzzled.  “I mean what difference does it make?”
    “I dunno.  I thought we would be fighting more than we have been.” The young Brigante seemed to notice Vibius for the first time. “I meant to ask you, why did you wait so long to join up?  No disrespect Vibius but you are as old as some of the troopers who have been in for five years.”
    Vibius’ face clouded over.  “Let’s just say things didn’t work out the way I intended when I was younger and leave it at that. “ He glanced back up the road and then to the river, not far east of them. “This must be a couple of miles from the turma, let’s wait here.” There was a small hill fifty paces west of the road and Vibius led Scanlan towards it.  “We will see further from up there and yet be close enough to the road.” Scanlan suddenly realised that he would not have thought of that but it was a good idea. He would stick close to Vibius; he was bright and the decurion liked him. Thinking wasn’t what Scanlan did best; he was a fighter.  After they had fed their horses, they took it in turns to sit atop their mounts to watch for the grain wagons which would trundle slowly from the south.
    The warband sent by Briac to capture the latest convoy was smaller than the ones on the first raid. Briac had needed his men for the ambush of the prefect but Tadgh, their leader was happy enough.  He had forty men and the Romans would not expect them to strike so far south of the city.  Their leader was both wise and wily and he would outwit the Romans.  They saw the wagons approach and noted that they were unguarded.  This would be even easier than the first raid. His men had covered themselves with brown and green blankets and were invisible to the bored wagon drivers. They knew that north of Eboracum there were raids but here they were safe. Tadgh raised his arm to signal the attack. 
    Scanlan was watching to the south and he suddenly saw a strange movement; the white arm, rising from the ground looked out of place. “Vibius.  I can see the wagons but…”
    Vibius sprang on to the back of his horse.  He took in the situation in an instant. “Quick, ride back to the decurion.  The wagons are under attack.  I will try to….”
    Scanlan never heard what Vibius would do for he was riding as quickly as he could for the turma. Vibius checked his shield and hefted his javelin. As he kicked his horse on he wondered just what he would do.  He could see that they were at least thirty or forty warriors that he could see. As he rode to meet them, a vague plan began to formulate in his mind.  They would not know that the turma was a mile or two behind. He began to look behind him and to shout as he neared them.  “On! Turma Two! Charge!”
    Tadgh looked in horror as the lone Roman horseman hurtled towards him.  The first wagon drivers were dead and his men were busily despatching the others. Had he had horses he would have charged the maniac coming towards them but they were afoot. “Get those wagons off the road and up the hills. You eight, form a shield wall.”
    His eight warriors locked their round shields and stood steadfastly in the middle of the Roman Road. Vibius had gone beyond the point of no return.  He hurled his javelin and had the satisfaction of seeing it plunge into the surprised head of a Brigante bandit who had failed to use the full cover of his shield. Emboldened by his success he threw a second which merely struck wood.  He tugged fiercely back on the reins and his horse stopped but ten paces from the Brigante. The warriors could see that he was alone and they roared towards him intent upon killing this bold and foolish warrior. As he wheeled quickly