Hosker, G [Sword of Cartimandua 01] The Sword of Cartimandua Read online

  “My lady would speak with you. Follow me.”

  Ulpius was perplexed as he turned towards the doorway. What was the queen thinking? The guards would surely see him enter and then the whole camp would know. Just as he arrived at the door Lenta came to see them. “The Queen would have words with your leader about the state of her kingdom. She is not pleased that you did not report to her immediately upon your return!” The girl played her part remarkably well and her scolding tone made the hint of a smile appear on the faces of the two guards who took great pleasure in the apparent discomfort of a decurion princes.

  “I am sorry lady but I had to speak with the tribune. My time is now hers for as long as she needs me.”

  With that he entered. Cartimandua did not speak a word she just threw her arms around him and kissed oblivious to the startled looks from Lenta and Macha who quickly scurried into their own room. After an embrace which seemed to last forever she murmured into his ear. “You are so cruel; you knew I was waiting for you.”

  “I was trying to be, what is the word? Discreet.”

  Cartimandua threw her head back and gave such a heartily and loud laugh that the guards turned in surprise at the noise emanating from the domus. “I was never known for my discretion my love but come,” she led him by the hand to her bed and lay him on it. All the time she was speaking to him she was undressing and kissing him. “I have news, Great news. Well it is to me. We are to have a child.”

  Ulpius looked up in shock. “A child but how?”

  “The how is easy. When we lay together a child was created but in truth I thought my child bearing days behind me. The gods had other plans.”

  “When will it…”

  “In seven moons or perhaps eight.”

  They kissed and he began undressing her. He was already engorged and the queen hungrily took his whole length in her mouth. Using his great strength he rolled her on her back and was about to enter her when he stopped.

  “The child?”

  The queen thrust herself onto him. “The child will be fine it is the mother who needs this.”

  Their lovemaking went on well into the early hours of the morning. The guards were changed. Lenta and Macha went to collect some food and still they coupled, seemingly insatiable. When Ulpius could no longer raise himself they lay in each other’s arms.

  “What will your people think?”

  “My people do not think much at all and they certainly don’t think of me. If they did think they would believe that it was Venutius’ or Vellocatus’.”

  “And are you happy about that?” His one eye searched her face for deception or lies but could see only truth and love.

  “I am happy that we will have a child and more I believe it will be a son and one day he will rule this whole land. He will be the union of Brigante and Rome.”

  Ulpius smiled at her. “I am Roman as a soldier but I am Pannonian by birth. I think our son will be the better for that for he will have my warrior skill and your mind and,” he bent down to kiss her eyelids, “your beauty.” The rest of the night saw them continue their lovemaking until they felt asleep, exhausted in each other’s arms.

  Lenta and Macha had been asleep long before the two lovers but they had heard all the lovemaking.

  “When will you take a man sister?”

  Macha looked at her younger sister. “When the right man comes along. It does not always happen quickly, look at our sister. She has seen almost forty summers and now she as found the right man.”

  “The right man? How can you be sure?”

  “Look at her eyes, listen to the words when she talks of him, look how they are together and look at the man. He may be scarred but it is on the outside. Venutius was scarred on the inside. Ulpius Felix is a good man. He is like the noblest of we Brigante. He will protect her.”

  “You have not answered me. When will you take a man? Has not the right one come along?” There was a mischievous lilt to her voice and she suppressed a grin when Macha coloured bright red.

  “You are foolish. I do not know what you mean.”

  Realising that she had made her point she turned over to sleep leaving her sister aching for Marcus between her legs making her feel like a woman.

  Chapter 9

  When Venutius heard the reports from Brennus he seethed with anger. The warriors he had lost were a grave blow but the lack of supplies from the lands to the east of the hills was an even more disastrous loss. He had hoped to weaken his enemies but they had weakened him. None of his roving bands had returned with any provender and those who had arrived had all suffered wounds at the hands of the Roman cavalry. Venutius wondered if his subordinate had sent the right men. He knew that some of his warriors were little more than robbers; they served a purpose but he would have preferred to use warriors who had the aim of driving the Romans into the sea rather than raping women and butchering cattle. The Romans had surprised him; he had thought them soft and unwilling to campaign in the harsh land of Brigantia. He had learned a valuable lesson. The reports from his spy were even more alarming for the spirits of the Romans were high and the fortress was already a formidable structure. The jetties and docks at the river mean that supplies were coming into the heart of the fortress making his enemies stronger and stronger. Soon they might be too strong for him. He resolved to contact the Novontae, Selgovae and Voltadini. With those tribes supporting him even the mighty Roman army might be beaten.

  Leaving his chiefs he went into his hut where he kept those sacred objects given to him by Fainch. Perhaps he had not made enough sacrifices, enough promises to the Earth Mother. Before he met with his allies he would make another sacrifice. He had seen a small child prisoner brought from Stanwyck, it was rumoured she was related to the Queen. She would make a worthy sacrifice and the Earth Mother would drink her blood and look kindly on his endeavours.

  The Roman army was represented by someone who at this moment was not happy with life in Britannia. Marcus Bolanus hated everything about this forsaken corner of the Empire. If it were not for the gold rumoured to be hidden under the wild mountains to the west there would be no reason to be here. He peered out of his carriage at the windswept uplands without a tree in sight. He cursed to himself. They would have arrived far sooner had it not been for the floods which forced him and his forces up into the higher, colder more desolate land. The early winter rains had turned the wide plains into an enormous lake. As his carriage crashed and jolted he wondered if this land would ever have real roads and civilisation. He had plotted and schemed his way through various minor posts, he had destroyed many lives and literally taken some. He came from a noble patrician family who had fallen on hard times when they chose the wrong leader. He was determined never to have hard times himself. He was now as rich as any man in Rome but he dreamed of more money. He had secured this post so that he could acquire some of the fabled gold and copper this land held but first he had to destroy these barbarians and destroy them he would. He was already plotting his next move, out towards Parthia with its fabulous lapis lazuli and the lucrative spices. Then he would be the richest man in the world.

  Once again he studied the reports he held in his hand. At least Cartimandua was safe. The revolt by Venutius and the uprising had been the reason his predecessor, Marcus Trebellius Maximus had returned to Rome in disgrace. He had been too mild mannered and had not been ruthless enough. Marcus Vettius Bolanus would put down this rebellion and return to the luxury that was Rome by the next summer. At least he had a secure based now that he had built the legionary fortress at Lindum and he could call on a legion at a moment’s notice. He began to work out how he could claim the credit for the rescue of Cartimandua. Perhaps he would see a way when he reached the end of the world that was Eboracum. He shivered back into his robes and tried to sleep his way there.

  His clerk coughed discreetly waking the military governor from his disturbed rest. “We are here master.”

  Bolanus peered out and although he had not anticipated much
he was depressed by the sight which greeted him. The Roman camp as was the others spread throughout the Empire; perhaps a little sturdier than most temporary camps with towers solid looking gates. That reassured him. He would not be over-run by the savages of these parts. It was the rest which make him think about returning as soon as possible to Lindum. There was a straggle of huts close to the river with, what looked to him, like half naked savages. There appeared to be no stone to be seen and little evidence of either gold or jewels. He hoped he had not been misinformed about the riches of this land if so someone would pay dearly for their error. He glared at his clerk who shivered in fear.

  “Well do you expect me to walk into the camp? Move!”

  The guards at the gate recognised the retinue of the Military Governor and word was quickly sent to the tribune and prefect. As he rushed towards the tribune Saenius Augustinius was more than a little nervous. He had had the support and the ear of his predecessor; would he enjoy the same privileges and perks? He licked his lips nervously. Had his letter to Vespasian arrived? He dreaded the possibility that it had been intercepted by one of the Governor’s spies for he had been less than complimentary about his superior.

  Marcus Bolanus looked at the two men with distaste when he climbed down from his carriage. One was a barbarian, an auxiliary whilst the other was small man nervously licking his lips, obviously the tribune. Although a Roman he looked more like a shopkeeper than a Roman officer. He did not deign to introduce himself; he assumed they would know who he was. “Well? Your report.”

  Mentally the tribune sighed. From the governor’s comments he did not know of the letter to Vespasian. He was still safe. “Saenius Augustinius at your command. Perhaps we could go to my, er your quarters and be more comfortable.”

  The governor peered round. “A ditch would be more comfortable than this. Lead on.”

  ..”And so I affected the rescue of the Queen’s half-sisters and the treasure.”

  “I am pleased to hear that the tribune risks his life in the barbaric north for the Emperor.” Marcus looked keenly at the tribune whose account of the rescues sounded as though he was another Horatio at the bridge, a true Roman hero. His spies had told him a different story.

  “You misunderstand. I didn’t actually go myself, I sent cavalry. Just as I did when the Queen herself was rescued.”

  Bolanus waved his hand dismissively, the information was not news it confirmed that his spies told him the truth. “The box? What was in it? Was it an artefact, a religious object? Come on man out with it!”

  The tribune looked suitably embarrassed; despite numerous requests the queen had consistently refused to discuss it. “I don’t know, the queen has it and she, well she don’t discuss it.”

  Rather than the anger the tribune expected the governor showed quizzical interest. He was secretly pleased for he suspected it was treasure and he wanted no-one else to know of it. He felt sure he would be able to persuade the barbarian to hand it over. After all, the other wild queen, Boudicca had been a savage who was slaughtered as an animal; her only tactic had been a full frontal attack and her people had all died as a result. No this queen would be like wax in his hand, he would mould her to his own ends.

  “Have your cooks prepare some decent food and invite the queen to dinner. I will apprise her of the Emperor’s plans.

  The feast was richer than the tribune had enjoyed for some time but to Marcus Bolanus it was like eating hard rations. The cooks had received a delivery of spices and rich ingredients with the Governor’s caravan. They had been proud of the repast they had presented. The Governor and tribune looked at the dishes with differing views as they awaited the arrival of the queen. She was late but Bolanus put that down to the woman in her. He nibbled on some olives which had been in the jar too long as he waited for her. The wine was drinkable but only because he had brought it with him. His hand stopped half-way to his mouth when she entered. Even the tribune was surprised. All hint of grey was gone form her and her face had a pink healthy glow. The dress she wore was a vibrant red colour which matched her lips painted with cochineal. The Governor could not believe that this was the same queen who had met with Claudius. He had expected a toothless hag instead he found it hard to estimate her age. Her arms were laden with golden bracelets and on her fingers she wore rings with precious stones. But it was the torc around next which excited them both. It was the largest single piece of gold either man had ever seen and it gleamed in the light like the sun. The gold made his mind race with the thought of owning that gold and the treasure, perhaps it was even more fabulous than that which she adorned herself.

  “Governor welcome to my land; my people and I welcome the representative of our ally Emperor… Just who is the Emperor these days? Is it still Vitellius?”

  Inwardly Bolanus fumed. The cunning bitch had taken the initiative away from him. She welcomed him to her land and as though they were allies rather than the clients they were. He was also angry about the Emperor jibe as the whole Roman world knew they were on their fourth emperor in one year.

  “It is the divine Vespasian who is now the ruler of this Roman Empire.” Feeling that he had scored points now by calling the Brigante land the Roman Empire he magnanimously waved his arm for the queen and her sisters to sit. “Please ladies sit.”

  The Queen had dealt with people like Bolanus all her life. She knew the men who used power as a weapon and who resented women. He was crushable but first she had to ascertain her position. She as politically astute enough to realise that she had no power base any longer; her people would only support her if she returned at the head of an army and that army had to be the Roman army. She would be pleasant to this weasel until she had what she wanted. “I am pleased that Rome is in such safe hands. Does the Emperor plan on visiting us at any time soon? If so I will need time to plan a celebration and, of course, make sure that the rebels who have driven me here are destroyed.”

  “I fear that his divinity is busy in the Eastern lands but be assured your highness that he will visit just as soon as possible. Now please, eat, drink and enjoy the food, poor though it is.”

  They nibbled at the food and the Queen’s sisters watched, carefully, the reactions of Bolanus to the Queen’s questions; they would have to report to Cartimandua later.

  “It is a shame, governor, that it is so poor. Perhaps if there were a port here at Eboracum we could acquire the food that would please the Emperor.”

  The governor stopped eating and wiped a hand across his greasy mouth. The woman had a good idea for a port here would secure the Roman presence and enable a rapid supply chain. “I am sure we could come to some arrangement.”

  “Of course we would need to have a fortress here to ensure that the rebels do not ravage this place,” she paused meaningfully, “again.”

  “Again, I am sure we could come to some arrangement.” He looked carefully at this woman who was showing all the guile of an Eastern potentate.

  “That, of course, means that there would have to be a legion here. Are they not all accounted for?”

  Marcus Bolanus stopped mid chew. For someone so far away from civilisation she was remarkably well informed. He thought quickly. The only legion he had available was the Ninth Hispana that was busy building Lindum fortress; the others were busy in the west putting down the last of their rebellions. If he was to use another legion it would need to come from Rome. Perhaps he could turn the Queen’s request to his advantage and gain another legion; with another legion he could conquer all of this forsaken land and then his return to Rome would be truly a triumph. “That is true but we can begin the building with the troops already here.” He looked shrewdly at her. “Have you any more requests?”

  Cartimandua paused, delicately wiped her mouth and then looked directly at the governor. “Well once you have made Eboracum secure with adequate accommodation for a queen I am sure you will give thought to defeating the rebels and returned my lands to me.”

  “Your lands your majesty? Are they
not part of the Roman Empire?”

  There was a silence and Bolanus wondered if he had gone too far. Suddenly the Queen stood and in one movement pulled her sword from its scabbard. The blade was pointed at the centre of the table but her eyes bored into the Roman’s.” I am Queen Cartimandua of the Brigante and this is Sax Lacus the sword of my ancestors. As long as a member of my family wields this mighty weapon then we rule the land of the Brigante and all the people know this.” She slowly returned the blade to its jewelled scabbard. “If the Emperor wishes to help us to conquer my rebellious enemies then the sword of the Brigante will serve the Roman Empire as a, I believe they are called, client kingdom. Certainly that was the arrangement I came to with the Emperor Claudius.”

  The governor was white for the sword had been so close to his face that he was under no illusions that, had she wished, she could have taken his head. Next time he would have guards in the room, and the bitch searched. The comment about Claudius caused him some worry. He had been sent to Britannia without speaking to the new Emperor, perhaps there were arrangements in place he knew naught about. Even now the Emperor was in Judea making sure that the new client king place there would do as he was bid. Perhaps this was true in Britannia; He chewed to help him regain his composure although, in truth, he could taste nothing. He wondered how she knew about client kings. If she truly knew about them she would know that, as in Judea and Egypt they soon became Roman. “Of course your majesty that is what I meant.”

  “Excellent and now I fear we have imposed too much upon you and you have had a long journey. We thank you and bid you goodnight.”

  The three walked silently to their quarters and when Macha looked as though she were going to speak the queen held her hand to silence her. Once in the room Lenta closed and barred the door and they retreated into Cartimandua’s chamber.