The Antonine Romans and The New King

The Antonine Romans and The New King

By

Andrew Boyce

Description:

AD144 The Antonine Wall, western Caledonia, modern day Scotland. Chaos reigns as the Scots seek a new King. As a whole and as individuals, the Romans and the Scots battle it out.(Sequel to The Antonine Romans and The Golden Torque)

Chapter 1.
The hunting party sat still on their horses staring intently at the stag ahead of them, that stood halfway up the hill. Callun the tribal leader sat further forward in his saddle as he prepared to lead his men for the kill.
The stag, sensing danger, raised his head from the grass he was grazing on and turned his head to look directly at Callun. For a moment their eyes locked, both the mightiest of their kind, as the stag's nostrils flared. Both raising themselves to their full majestic heights, the stag then bowed his head and turned, running uphill as if leading Callun to follow.
Callun dug his heels into his horse's flanks and urged his horse on up the hill with a shout of encouragement, his men closely behind, including his son Soridan. In an instant, Callun's horse at full speed, stumbled on the uneven slope and with a neighing cry, Callun was flung forwards from his tumbling horse, Callun crashing to the ground, as the stag ran over the other side of the hill, out of sight.
Soridan shouted out in disbelief as he watched his father motionless on the ground. Without waiting for his horse to stop, Soridan swung his leg over and dismounted by his father. Soridan put his hand under his father's head and Callun slowly opened his eyes. "It would seem you will be King sooner than expected, my son." said Callun softly, having difficulty in forming his words.
"Nonsense. You're just winded. You will outlive us all! Just take a moment to get yourself together."
"No. My time has come." Clearing his throat so that all his men would hear his next words, Callun looked around the scene, resigned to his fate, as the stag reappeared running up the crest of the next hill.
"Soridan. You are the new King. Rule us well."
Callun caught the movement of the stag in the distance as the stag paused on top of the hill, looking back, aware that the hunters' chase had long since ceased. Looking down on the scene, the stag watched the party, again all still. Callun could not take his eyes off the stag and as his vision dimmed, the stag stood proud, ready to lead Callun to the next life.

Chapter 2.
Centurion Andronicus sat at his desk in his quarters. It had been a long day and he was glad of the peace and quiet. Every now and then he would hear a raucous cheer, either a soldier winning a game of dice or the end of a bawdy joke or story.
He poured himself another glass of warm wine and made a mental note to ask Demius the Greek trader on his next visit to find him some more quality wine, that would remind him of the family farm back home.
Having rubbed his forehead, he looked back at the document on his desk. It was from the Army describing the authority of the newly appointed Tribune for the area.
The new "Tribunus Rufulus" was destined for high things in the Roman Senate, when this tour of duty was over. Andronicus looked at the name specified on the document - Tribune Lacitus.
Andronicus knew him and didn't like him. He had come across him in Rome, when they were both starting out in the army. Lacitus seemed to have had the knack of getting on with those in command and so Andronicus was not surprised that this ambitious young twenty-something was already a Tribune.
What concerned Andronicus was that Lacitus was always trying to make a name for himself and perhaps Andronicus would be made an example of, after the debacle of the failed peace treaty with Callun. That episode had almost cost a full chest of Roman treasure and coins, not to mention the loss of some good legionaries in what could have been viewed as an unnecessary battle.
All this would not have gone unnoticed by Tribune Lacitus and Andronicus surmised that he could expect a visit from Lacitus, sooner rather than later.
Andronicus let out a little sigh and put the document down. He had done enough for one day. Any worries about Lacitus would have to be put aside now, if he was going to enjoy the last glass of this fine wine. Another raucous cheer rose up from some soldiers beyond and Andronicus hoped he could win his own game of dice, the one where he would live or die depending on reports such as from the upstart Lacitus.

Chapter 3.
Camoch, the northern stronghold of the now deceased Callun and his successor son, Soridan was a large settlement with many buildings occupying the river area, the source of trade for many years. In a corner of the Warriors Hall, Bastol held court, two men around him.
"Callun was a great man." began Bastol. "As our King, he ruled us well. But it is well known that his son Soridan sides with the Romans. Are we simply to let our identity go and be slaves to an unknown ruler from far away?"
The two men shook their heads and sounded their approval of Bastol's words.
"We have gone ahead with Callun's will and we have never broke our King's bond. It is Soridan who is breaking our King's bond, by not ruling us well! He wants to sell us down the river!"
Once more the two men agreed and they were impressed with his clever witty words linking their situation to their river. It was clear that Bastol had finally won the warriors over.
"It is clear what we must do! As Callun's youngest son, I am willing to be your new King and keep Rome away from our doors! Only one man stands in our way." Bastol paused and looked each man in the eyes. "For the good of our people, Soridan must die!"
Once more the two men were in agreement and they waited for Bastol's next words.
"You great men. Go and tell your brothers, cousins, fathers and uncles that the time has come for Soridan to die and that us three will see this is done. Even today Soridan does not know of our meeting, as he talks with some Romans away from here about some so-called peace."
For Bastol the defining moment of his life so far was about to be spoken. "Are we agreed?"
The two men looked at each one another, nodded and spoke simple words of "yes", "we are" and the like.
Bastol nodded back. "Then we are agreed."

Chapter 4.
Soridan and his two enormous bodyguards Seris and Oras, approached Camoch and the horses seemed to know they were near home by their gentle neighing, perhaps eager to reach their feed. It was late and it had been a difficult day of talks with the Romans in a nearby settlement and Soridan was grateful to pass through the gates.
All was quiet as they tied up their horses by their feed and then made their way to the door of their dwelling. Soridan opened the door and the three men walked in, thoughts of making some food and having a drink.
The door was slammed behind them by a darkened figure. Suddenly two more men were ahead of them, swords drawn and running straight for Soridan. Seris bravely stepped in front of Soridan, taking the sword blow from Bastol, direct to his outstretched unarmed arm. The pain burned straight through Seris's arm as he drew his own sword.
The man that had slammed the door ran from behind and was met by a swiping blow from Oras who had skillfully drawn his sword and swung it in one action, cutting the attacker through the middle and finishing him off on the floor.
Seris stood in pain, trying to prepare where he would strike but before he could prepare any further, he was stabbed in the stomach by the third man.
Seris went down on his knees and heroically blocked the blade of Bastol that was seeking Soridan.
The other attacker clashed swords with Oras and Oras pushed him back with his free hand. The attacker dived in again but Oras dodged to his side, stabbing his sword into the attacker's side as the attacker fell.
With his two conspirators down, Bastol once more made for Soridan. Oras and Soridan backed away, Oras opening the back door from which they had entered only moments before. Somehow Seris held off Bastol as his two companions made their escape out of the door, jumping onto their horses and fleeing into the night.
In the dwelling, Seris held off Bastol once more until all his strength had gone. He was unable to hold off Bastol anymore, who dispatched him once and for all with a stab to his throat. The blood gushed everywhere from Seris's neck as Bastol could finally step over the giant frame of Seris and out of the door. The cold night air hit Bastol full in the face as he watched the backs of Soridan and Oras ride away in the distance, making good their escape.

Chapter 5.
Soridan and Oras rode through the night. It was a wicked night, not only in terms of the weather that was foul, but the whole air of treachery. Soridan could never have believed that his youngest brother Bastol would have tried to kill him and take the position of King.
Soridan hoped that they did not come across anyone else on their flight as he did not think he had the will to fight anymore and as this whole area was in turmoil, he knew that other enemies may appear - Roman and Scots.
It would seem that the cold, wet weather deterred any other encounters and the two bedraggled men reached Aritan's dwelling. Aritan came out straight away on hearing the horses arrive. A fit man that looked much younger than his age, Aritan was proud to be the leader in his area and proud of his daughter Angelis, with whom he lived with.
Aritan could not quite believe the sight of the two men in front of him. Normally Soridan and Oras stood out as the smartest dressed men in the north, but this time they stood out for all the wrong reasons.
Soridan dismounted. Normally he would be the very best at greetings, but this time he had no room for niceties. Bluntly he spoke to Aritan, who himself was struck by this meeting.
"I have lost my Kingdom." Soridan could barely say the words.
"Please. Come inside. You can tell me what has happened and then we'll get you back to the man I know."
Soridan tried to smile out of politeness, it was good to see Aritan once again, after all. Meanwhile Oras clasped Aritan's arm in greeting, all three men close in their friendship and kinship for many years.
The men smiled their greeting to Angelis and Aritan asked the men to make themselves comfortable and to take off their outer clothing, which was sodden and full of mud.
Soridan took off his last outer layer to reveal his white tunic. The group gasped as the tunic was revealed. In the struggle of the attack, Bastol's blade must have hit home and Soridan's normally pristine white tunic was sodden with blood. As Angelis took off Soridan's tunic, his vision blurred and he passed out. It would appear that the pain of losing his Kingdom was greater than the pain of any blade, as he had not once felt the deep wound that Bastol had inflicted.
As Soridan lay unconscious and Angelis tended to his wound, Oras recounted the attack in detail. When Soridan opened his eyes, he realised that he had passed out and felt embarrassed that he had done so.
"Well, that's quite a day you've both had." Only Aritan could sum up such a ghastly situation with his understated way. "We will go to see Jamis at first light at the Balmuildy Fort. He will know what to do to get your Kingdom back, I'm sure of it. Until then we must rest, eat and drink."
As Aritan put the glass to his lips he did not know what felt worse. The physical pain that he now felt from his wound or the mental pain he felt from losing his Kingdom, made even worse that this was the work of his younger brother Bastol. He considered all of this and realised that another factor was causing him distress - that he was now reliant on the Romans to get his Kingdom back.

Chapter 6.
Jamis stood alongside Centurion Andronicus and Optio Scrivinus within Balmuildy Fort's grounds. He sometimes felt guilty of the remaining people he had left behind as he had been a leader in his area, but circumstances found that he was now a translator for this Centurion, a bridge between his people and the Romans, a chance for peace.
The three men practiced their sword craft, stabbing and thrusting at sacks filled with material, watching each others movements, to see if any tips could be gained. Jamis still favoured the long sword of the Scots that he was used to and the two Romans marvelled at the huge sweeping movements Jamis made, compared to the precise jabbing movements of his Centurion and Optio, with their shorter swords.
"I see we've not made a Roman soldier of you yet, young Jamis! You still prefer your longer sword."
Jamis looked over to the two Romans. "I can use both now. I still like to alternate my training between the two. Now I'm twice as dangerous!"
Legionary Nastin on guard duty shouted from above on the palisade. "Three riders approaching! One of them is Aritan." Nastin had fought with Aritan in their joint Roman and Scots effort in their unsuccessful attempt to rid the area of Callun, who had stood in the way of peace.
"Open the gates!" instructed Centurion Andronicus. "Let's see what this is all about!"
Aritan was friendly greeted by the men. "Jamis will already know the two men I am with. Centurion and Optio, may I introduce you to Soridan, son of Callun and now the new rightful King. And secondly Oras, his trusted friend and bodyguard."
Jamis translated the introductions to the Romans and Centurion Andronicus looked perplexed.
"What happened to Callun? And why are you here?"
"Callun was killed in a hunting accident. His oldest son Soridan is the new rightful King and as you know, Soridan desires peace with the Romans. But Soridan's youngest brother Bastol does not and has seized control. If we are to have peace, we require your help to dispose Bastol and to restore Soridan as King."
Jamis translated and Centurion Andronicus considered the situation. Andronicus was already a marked man by Lacitus after being tricked by Callun over fake peace talks, that resulted in the loss of good men and nearly a chest of coins and treasure, that Andonicus only just managed to recover.
Andronicus thought that this situation may be a opportunity to get out of this mess. Perhaps he could help restore Soridan as King and thus win the peace with this tribe. He decided this was the path he must take.
"Scrivinus. Please show our guests to their quarters and we will see what can be done to help Soridan in this unjust situation."
Soridan and Oras bowed their heads to Andronicus, who was already thinking what his next move should be.
Chapter 7.
After extensive talks, it was decided that Soridan would ride back to Camoch with Oras, Jamis and a Roman military guard of seven men. The group of ten set out from Balmuildy Fort late at night and arrived at Camoch's Gates by early morning.
The plan was to confront Bastol at the Gates to demand that he step aside and return Soridan as the rightful King. If this should fail, Soridan was to give Bastol the news that he would return with force to retake Camoch, accompanied with peace with the Romans.
"Bastol! Come out! We need to talk!" shouted Soridan, sitting high on his horse.
Within moments Bastol appeared with two other men.
"What do you want, brother?" called out Bastol.
"I want you to stop this. I have negotiated a peace with the Romans. I will lead us into the future and you will be part of it." appealed Soridan.
"No!" Bastol was defiant in his words and his stance. "We will not be slaves to this Roman Empire! It is not what our father would have wanted!"
Soridan tried to reason with Bastol. "Our father is dead. He would not want us to be dead, too!"
"I will never give in!" shouted Bastol. "Leave these Romans and come back here and I will gladly step aside."
"No!" It was Soridan's turn to show defiance. "The only way for our people to survive is by the side of the Romans in peace and I will lead us to that, here in Camoch. If there is any resistance when we return, it will be crushed and then I will be the new King!"
"Never!" shouted Bastol and a moment later, one of the two other men that stood beside Bastol released a spear.
Soridan watched the spear arc towards him and tried to lunge to his right. His horse reared up in fright of the oncoming spear and Soridan was violently thrown from his mount. As Soridan fell through the air he wondered if this was his moment of death, just as his father, Callun before.
Soridan survived the impact and lay still, eyes open, trying to regain his senses. Jamis and Oras helped Soridan up and back onto his horse. Oras looked over at Bastol and felt torn by the situation his people found themselves in. On one hand he was loyal to Soridan, the rightful King. But on the other hand, he did not want his people to be enslaved, as Bastol had described.
Soridan, however, was not in two minds. "So be it, Bastol! So be it! If you decide to fight when we return, so be it!"
Soridan roughly pulled on his reins, his anger at boiling point inside, causing his horse to rear up once more. Soridan wheeled his horse away, followed by the other nine men.
He hoped Bastol would stand down when they returned and in so doing, bloodshed would be avoided. Otherwise the two men were headed for battle, this time not on the same side.
Chapter 8.
The group of ten men arrived back at Balmuildy Fort by evening and Soridan gave Centurion Andronicus and Optio Scrivinus a full account of the day's events. After some food and drink, Soridan and his bodyguard Oras retired to their quarters. Both men were tired and all that they wanted to do now was sleep, rather than talk anymore.
Soridan drifted in and out of sleep and sometime later he lay awake with his eyes open, trying to rest his mind. Although it was very early in the morning, there was the beginnings of light and Soridan saw and heard Oras get up.
Soridan had noticed that Oras had not been sleeping well of late and that he tended to get up a few times in the night to relieve himself. Perhaps the stress of recent times were beginning to tell on his friend and bodyguard.
Soridan considered whether he should tell Oras in the morning to try not to worry so much and he resolved this would be the best course of action. Now, thought Soridan, what would be the best way to phrase this to Oras. Should I begin by - whoosh! - a sword from on high swooped down towards Soridan's head. Instinctively, Soridan with his quick reactions from years of hunting managed to move his head to one side and the sword smashed into the bedding.
Soridan rose up and grabbed his sword that he kept by his bed, just in time to meet the next blow from Oras's sword.
"What are you doing, Oras?"
Oras's eyes were wide and crazed. "Bastol was right! We will lose our identity forever at the hands of these Romans! Bastol is the only one who can save us! You must die!"
"No, Oras! Stop! Help! Help Help!"
With both their swords locked together, Soridan managed to push his sword enough, until both men separated. Oras came at Soridan again, both swords clashing together once more. Unseen by Soridan, Oras put his other hand into his tunic and produced a dagger. This would be the end of Soridan, unaware of the dagger's presence.
Oras let his daggered hand swing back, ready for the fatal blow. As the dagger started back on its delay approach, a sword slashed across the back of Oras's head and Oras collapsed to the ground.
In the place of Oras stood Andronicus, his sword dripping with blood, whilst more soldiers piled into the room.
Soridan spoke in Latin to his now crowded quarters, Oras dead on the floor. "I had always thought nightmares ended when you woke up."
Andronicus smiled. Kings always seemed to know exactly what to say.

Chapter 9.
Shortly after morning rations Andronicus sat with Scrivinus in their quarters at Balmuildy Fort. All that was needed for the battle against Bastol to go ahead was the decision of Andronicus.
"I'm not entirely sure what to do, Scrivinus."
"I have known you long enough to know that means you are almost decided but want to talk it through with me, as a final safeguard."
Scrivinus looked at his friend and senior officer long and sternly, inviting Andronicus to reply. This was a far cry from what the two men could have been doing with their lives.
If matters had been different, Scrivinus at this very same moment would have just finished baking the bread for the morning's trade in his village bakery, just outside Rome. Similarly, Andronicus would have just finished seeing to the livestock on the family farm, ready to then examine the progress of the crops in the fields.
But matters were different and this was the situation the two men found themselves.
"The way I see it," began Andronicus, "Lacitus is after my neck. I have this one chance to obtain peace to the North of us. If I don't take this chance or if this chance fails, I can see you and me being dismissed."
Optio replied back - half sarcastically, half in truth. "Thanks for including me in this scenario."
"Oh, it's my pleasure, my dear friend!" Andronicus still had his sense of humour. "I have decided that, unless you can persuade me otherwise, I will take three quarters of the unit together with Soridan, Jamis and Aritan to fight Bastol and his thugs at Camoch."
Scrivinus nodded in agreement and Andronicus continued. "You will stay here with the remainder of the men to hold the Fort and if Lacitus appears from his lair, you can say that I am taking the men on manoeuvres, to sharpen up their skills. Does all that sound alright to you?"
Scrivinus felt his chin for a moment, giving him time to reach a decision. After all, the way the two men worked, it was usually Scrivinus that would finally give the go ahead or not to Andronicus's plans - despite Scrivinus being lower in rank. Equally, Andronicus liked Scrivinus to think this was the way it was - it helped keep Scrivinus happy and hence an easier time of it for Andronicus.
Scrivinus had reached his decision. "All things considered, this appears to be the best course of action. When will you leave?"
Andronicus took a sharp intake of breath and then exhaled. "Tonight, my friend. Tonight."

Chapter 10.
The weather was foul, that was the only way Centurion Andronicus could describe it. The rain had not stopped all night and this is what the people here describe as their best, warmest season?
The only two consolations were that the lighter nights meant that the Unit of three quarters strength made the journey in a gloom light rather than in pitch blackness and that the rain had deterred any unwelcome company. As a result, Andronicus's plan of a surprise arrival at Camoch at first light had worked.
The Unit lined up in the vast area of flat open land outside the Gates. Andronicus felt confident that his men would be able to defeat these remnants of Callun's supporters and make this area a peaceable Kingdom under the friendly Soridan. As well as the fully armed men, Andronicus had two flanks of slingers that should bring a swift end to any battle, should a battle prove necessary.
Soridan dismounted from his horse and walked alone the next hundred yards near to the Gates, leaving the Roman army behind him. "Bastol!" Soridan called out, the echo repeating in the early morning quiet. "Come out and take your place beside me!"
From one of the nearest dwellings, a figure emerged. Similar in size and shape to the mighty Callun, it was obvious that this was son of Callun, the youngest son to be precise.
The oldest son Soridan watched Bastol make his way out of the Gates to stand in the open. Moments later the rest of the men, around eighty, stood behind Bastol, somewhat back, armed and ready.
Confidently, Bastol started to speak. "I have thought of what could be done in the event of your return. Something that could save the lives of our people. We should fight one on one. If you win, the men behind me will step aside and allow you to be King and be at peace with the Romans. If I should win, then my defiance will continue, with no peace with the Romans."
Soridan looked Bastol straight in the eyes. "Allow? Allow me to be King? I am the King! Step aside!"
"Never!" Bastol drew his sword, the rasping noise filling the air and ran straight for Soridan. Soridan stepped forward and met the first blow, sparks flying as the two men clashed. Soridan struck out, his sword met by Bastol and then by a kick to Soridan's stomach.
Soridan stumbled back. The shock of this ferocious attack seemed to have taken hold and his legs weakened in the soft ground as he retreated back. Bastol continued forwards, a scent of finishing the deed and struck his sword fully into Soridan's chest, surely a fatal blow.
Soridan collapsed backwards onto the ground. Andronicus watched from afar a hundred yards back and to his horror saw Soridan fall to the ground with a fatal blow.
"Slingers! Loose!" shouted Andronicus.
In a moment the air was filled with an unnatural sound of whirring wind, as the slingers let loose their deadly lead balls. Skilled at their weapons, the slingshot flew through the air, meeting their targets a hundred yards away.
Most of the men went down, the battle almost over before it had even begun. Bastol was struck and then struck again, the second wound enough to bring Bastol to his knees.
The slingshot stopped and Andronicus gave the order for fast march ahead, reaching Soridan quickly, who lay alive but fatally wounded.
Soridan called out to Jamis. "Jamis. Get some legionaries to bring Bastol to me and then translate my words, so the Romans know what is happening."
Bastol was brought to Soridan. Both men were fatally wounded and the prospect of death seemed to have brought peace to the brothers, Bastol no longer wanting war with the Romans and Soridan no longer wanting division amongst his people.
The two men lay on the ground side by side, some cloaks propping up their heads. Both men watched a stag that had appeared nearby, standing majestically near the top of a hill, his head turned towards them, his antlers catching the sunlight of the early dawn.
"And so this is it brother Bastol. We die on the same side, wanting peace for our people."
"I am sorry brother Soridan. I see now. Let there be peace."
Soridan beckoned Jamis over. The blood was oozing from the mouths of Soridan and Bastol, sometimes bright red in a stream, sometimes dark black in clots of coughs. "Jamis. Repeat my next words loudly. First in our language and then in Latin." Jamis nodded and readied himself.
Soridan began. "Let there be peace between us and the Romans. We must continue side by side, just like I am now, with Bastol. This will mean our people will survive into the future, so that one day they can look back and see from whence they came."
Bastol's words a few moments earlier were indeed his final words, as he closed his eyes and was still. Soridan looked over at his brother, both at peace with themselves and with all.
"Jamis. Make these next words very loud and clear." Jamis nodded. "I name the new King. His name is Jamis"
Jamis was stunned as he said his own name. Soridan smiled as he looked at Jamis, then Bastol and as his vision blurred, his last sight was the glint of the antlers in the sunlight, as the stag proudly bowed his head.

Chapter 11.
Centurion Andronicus stood on the palisade in Balmuildy Fort. A beautiful sunlit dawn and all was quiet. He missed Jamis, who had become somewhat of a companion in this hostile land. He had become accustomed to having him by his side as his translator, standing out from the soldiers with his golden torque and red and yellow amulet round his neck. However, if Jamis was now a King, he wished him well and perhaps their paths would cross again.
Andronicus continued to look out over the countryside, taking in the peace and quiet, but he then became aware of the sound of approaching horses. Sure enough, a Roman party of eight men appeared, in which he recognised the distinctive aristocratic features of someone he dreaded - The Tribune - Lacitus.
Andronicus spoke quietly to himself. "Oh my Jupiter! That's all I need! Just when I thought matters were looking better!"
Andronicus straightened himself up. "Open the Gates! Roman party approaching!"
Down below, the large wooden gates were swung open and Andronicus hurried to greet the visitors. Lacitus, a skilled horseman, had already swung himself to the ground.
"Ah! My dear Andronicus! It is good to see you again. Please forgive the early morning visit. But you know me, I always like to start work by dawn. Besides, I get a much truer representation of a Fort at an unexpected visit - able to catch out any sloppy Centurions, present company excepted, of course."
"Of course, Sir! What may I help you with, Sir?"
"My dear boy! Don't look so worried. If you may show me to your quarters, there are some matters we need to discuss."
Andronicus did not like the sound of this. Whatever it was, it was not about matters to discuss, rather most probably matters to be told, such as his dismissal from the Army or at the very least, some form of demotion.
Andronicus tried to appear calm as they walked inside his quarters.
"Please, Sir! Take a seat and have some wine. It is a very fine wine that my trader sought out for me."
"Demius?"
"Yes, Sir. Something that reminded me of home." Andronicus regretted this remark, as perhaps this was where he was about to be headed.
"I'll come straight to the point, Centurion Andronicus. I have previously negotiated a new King, named Fillin, who was the middle son of Callun."
"Sir, I believe the area already has a new King, who wishes peace with the Romans." Andronicus hoped that King Jamis would have the ability to deal with such difficult characters such as Lacitus.
Lacitus looked up from his wine, his face showing clear annoyance at this interruption, until he fixed his face again to his false benevolence.
"My dear Andronicus. We go back a long way. To Officer Training School, in fact. The truth of the matter is that Fillin is to be the new King. My Superiors were all for your dismissal, your possible execution in fact, if the treasure chest had been lost."
Lacitus looked up from his wine again, clearly enjoying this moment of power. "My! This really is good wine! I must ask Demius to get this for me, too!" Lacitus watched a bead of sweat drip down Andronicus's forehead.
"Ah yes, where was I? Your execution."
Andronicus felt faint. Standing to attention in this morning's heat made him now hate the sunlit dawn he had admired earlier.
"No need to worry! I managed to persuade my Superiors otherwise. It was close though, seeing as you almost lost Roman treasure and have lost several men in battle."
Andronicus felt a little better. At least he knew that he was not going to be executed.
"In light of all these circumstances, the Centurion Aglastus from Barr Hill Fort will travel with his Unit to forcibly take Camoch, ready for Fillin. If there is anyone remaining at Camoch and if they do not move leave peaceably to the North, they will be killed by Aglastus and his men."
Lacitus drained the final drops from cup and then stood up formally.
"Very well, Centurion! Carry on! I will see myself out."
Both men saluted and as fast as the Roman party had arrived, the same could be said of their departure. Lacitus went on his way, ready to disrupt the unwitting lives of his next destination. Meanwhile, Andronicus tried to work out how he could warn Jamis and his people to flee, rather than be massacred in Camoch.

Chapter 12.
Andronicus had thought all day on what he could do to save Jamis. Whilst observing his Unit on javelin practice, whilst studying their Testudo formations and whilst eating and drinking with his men, at the back of his mind was how to save his friend.
By evening, Andronicus could stand it no more. As Andronicus and Scrivinus examined the remaining documents that required their attention, Andronicus decided that now they were alone in their quarters, the subject could now be broached.
Both men stood by the last open document of the day.
"Scrivinus?"
Scrivinus recognised Andronicus's tone straight away. It was the tone that announced that Andronicus had some plan that he wanted to finalise.
Scrivinus responded, waiting for whatever would come next. "Yes?"
"You know how you are very good at holding the Fort when I am away?"
"Yes? What is it?" asked Scrivinus, half knowing what Andronicus was about to say
*Well, I'll need to ask you to do that again."
"Why?"
"I can't just let Jamis be killed. After all we have been through. If I can get to him and warn him, he can escape northwards before Aglastus arrives in Camoch. Then through time he can make his peace with this middle brother Fillin."
"It would be very noble of you." Scrivinus half meant to add in this humour.
"Indeed. It is the very least a 'noble' should deserve." Two can play at that game, thought Andronicus. It shouldn't always be Scrivinus that won this battle of words.
Scrivinus wanted to talk more seriously. "Are you planning to go alone?"
"No. To give me a chance of reaching Jamis through this hostile journey, I need someone that has got their wits about them. I'm thinking Nastin."
"That would seem a good choice. He is clever with his feet and his mind."
"Scrivinus?"
"Yes?" Here we go again, thought Scrivinus.
"Do you remember when some of us got rather drunk after we got the treasure chest back?"
Scrivinus was not sure where this came from. "Yes. What about it?"
"Well, Nastin blurted out in between laughing, that he sometimes left the Fort at night to go and see Aritan's daughter, Angelis."
"Right." Scrivinus was lost at this change in subject.
"Well, I see I've lost you!" Andronicus was pleased over this little victory over Scrivinus.
Andronicus continued. "Nastin's secret route out of the Fort will allow Nastin and I to get away without anyone knowing tomorrow night."
Scrivinus looked confused.
"Following drill tomorrow afternoon outside the Fort, after the men have marched back inside, we will leave our horses hidden and walk back into the Fort. If anyone should ask we can say the horses bolted and that we will find them in the morning. Nastin and I will ride away that evening and be back as soon as possible."
"I see. And where will I say you and Nastin are?"
"I will get Nastin to tell his tent mates that he is away to see Angelis. You, for once in your life, will have to miscount the roll call. Nastin's tent mates won't believe their luck that they don't have to make up a story why Nastin is missing."
"And what will I say about where you are?"
"You can leave instructions that I am not to be disturbed for one day, due to illness. You can bring in my meals and eat them yourself!"
Scrivinus mood picked up with the thought of eating Andronicus's meals. "Well, it sounds plausible enough. Is your mind made up?"
In reality, Andronicus's mind had been made up since this morning.

Chapter 13.
Andronicus felt that the following day seemed to last forever and the day's bright sunshine had now been replaced by the foul, heavy rain, typical of recent nights. Standing with Nastin somewhere near the back of Balmuildy Fort in darkness, the contrasts continued. Rather than the bright reds and ornate bright metals, both men instead wore simple dark tunics, concealing daggers and swords. And rather than the leader giving out the instructions, it was the leader who took the instructions, Andronicus relying on Nastin to get them out of the Fort unseen.
Andonicus was annoyed with himself. "I must remember to have this part of the Fort patrolled more. It's no wonder you could come and go as you pleased."
"Perhaps sir if we make it back alive you could turn a blind eye to this area. It is only the occasional visit."
"We'll see. At this precise moment I wish I had that problem to consider."
Nastin smiled and watched the guard turn round the next corner and out of sight. "Right, sir! Time to go!"
Carefully Andronicus, then Nastin, squeezed through a gap in the fencing and with the utmost quiet, made their way to the tethered horses that Andronicus and Scrivinus had left concealed earlier that day.
The rain pounded on the two men and although this would cause the two men an uncomfortable journey, Andronicus was pleased, as this horrid weather would hopefully keep all enemies away, be it thieves or hostile tribesmen.
Both men made good progress, no enemies to be seen in this stormy night. As Andronicus reached a certain stretch of track, he realised they were close to where Aritan and his daughter Angelis lived. His thoughts of these two Scots that he had befriended came into his mind.
Aritan was a tribal leader, though now mostly symbolic, as most of his people had been killed by various Roman encounters. Now in his early seventies, Aritan had turned to peace and had helped Andronicus and Jamis escape from Callan. Andronicus wondered how Aritan would take the news of Jamis being in mortal danger, being that Aritan had known Jamis all his life.
Then there was Aritan's daughter, Angelis. Under the influence of too much wine following a battle, Nastin had told how me had met Angelis when they were both foraging for food and that a love had developed between them. Nastin had even drunkenly laughed that he had often gone visiting Angelis, slipping out of the Balmuildy Fort as he pleased.
Andronicus smiled at the thought of the drunken night but was brought back to present by being aware that Nastin was staring at Andronicus.
"Sir! This is where Angelis and Aritan live. May I have a few moments with her, before we go on?"
Andronicus considered the request. Although he wanted to reach Jamis as soon as possible, this may be a mission that they may not reach, nor make it back safely. Nastin was a brave soldier, thought Andronicus. Surely he deserved this small request.
"Very well." Andronicus spoke calmly. "We will stop for a few moments to rest ourselves and our horses. But then we must be on our way, that is an order."
"Thank you, sir." A few months ago Nastin had hated this new Centurion, but he had grown to admire his bravery and fairness, reflected once again tonight in Andronicus's request approval. Perhaps he was similar to Andronicus after all, thought Nastin.
As the two men approached the dwelling, they slowed their horses to a walk.Within moments, Angelis appeared at the doorway.
Angelis could not believe her eyes. "Nastin!"
Angelis and Nastin embraced. Andronicus looked down to his side, embarrassed by this show of affection. After a few moments, Andronicus cleared his throat unintentionally, but it was enough for Nastin to remind him that his senior officer was there.
"What are you doing here?" asked Angelis.
Andronicus decided that he would give Angelis the explanation. "Please forgive the intrusion. We have information that Jamis is in great danger of being killed in Camoch by a Roman Unit, to make way for a new King, Fillin "
"Fillin?" Angelis repeated, aghast at the name. "He is a good for nothing waste of time! Not to be trusted at all! He would sell his own brothers!"
Andronicus continued. "Well, it appears you couldn't have been any nearer to the truth, as Fillin had arranged with the Romans to be the new King, rather than either of his brothers - Soridan or Bastol "
All three were silent now, each considering the situation. Their thoughts were then interrupted by another figure appearing in the doorway. The man was Angelis's father, Aritan. Normally looking athletic, this evening was an entirely different appearance. Struggling with a fever, Aritan could barely stand upright and clung on to the door as his sweat poured down his face.
"Aritan! You are not well!" Andronicus was shocked at Aritan's ill health, a man that Andronicus respected and who also wanted peace.
Aritan tried to steady his breathing and wheezing. "I heard what you were saying about Jamis and Fillin. If I was well, I would be jumping on my horse and joining you right now. But, I cannot go."
"But I can." finished Angelis.
All three men were taken aback. They were not expecting such a statement.
Angelis continued, tying her long dark hair into a ponytail. "I will not take no for an answer. I am coming and that's that. You may need another sword, translator or navigator. Fortunately for you, I am all three. I am three men!"
There was nothing to argue about there, thought Andronicus. All was very true and this mission needed as much help as possible, if they were to reach Jamis alive.
"It would appear then that in any event, your three votes would beat our two!" Andronicus was pleased with this quip. Too many years with Optio Scrivinus had sharpened Andronicus's mind to be as sharp as his blade. "There is no time to delay and so if you please, I think we should mount our horses and go if we are to have any chance of saving Jamis."
Aritan looked into his daughter's eyes. "Promise me you will come back alive."
Angelis looked steadfastly back into her father's eyes. "I promise. I know this is not the time I will die." Angelis seemed to have some form of second sight and so this was all that Aritan could hold onto for now.
Aritan was also one with a quick wit and spoke directly to Andronicus and Nastin. "Take good care of my three men!" And then, looking directly at Angelis, "They are priceless!"
With that, Aritan turned and headed back inside. Unlike Angelis, he was not so confident of the outcome. He too had the gift of second sight and was unsure that he would see his daughter again following his vision of Angelis lifeless on the ground. As he lay in his bed, he closed his eyes when he heard the horses hooves clattering by and on into the distance, hoping that one day soon, he would hear the horses return.

Chapter 14.
The rain remained terrible as the three rode on, heads down, trying to reach Camoch as soon as possible. Being mid-Summer, the light was more of a gloom, rather than of a darkness and early morning was fast approaching.
As the skies became lighter, the rain eased. On the one hand, Andronicus was pleased but on the other, he was concerned. This after all was enemy territory, not to mention the possibility of encountering rogues that would rob and kill you no matter side you were from.
With such thoughts running through his head, the three rounded a bend. Andronicus was instantly startled by a man on horseback with his sword arm outstretched. Andronicus ducked to the right, the years of sword practice making this instinctive move. Andronicus's horse swerved into Nastin causing Nastin to be thrown to the right. Somehow Nastin managed to use all his strength to right himself in the saddle and Andronicus and Nastin managed to continue down the track.
Angelis was next to meet the outstretched sword. Would Angelis fair so well, thought Andronicus in an instant, realising he should shout out a warning. As Andronicus opened his mouth and inhaled ready to shout, a terrible shriek came from Angelis's horse as the outstretched sword sank into the horse's neck. The horse reared up, throwing Angelis from her mount and then the horse in shock and near death, stood still by the attacker.
Andronicus managed to wheel his horse around before Nastin and he raced back along the track towards the attacker. Full speed, Andronicus charged towards the back of the attacker who was fumbling around the saddlebags of Angelis's horse, trying to get a hold of anything that may be of value. At the last moment the attacker began to turn in his saddle, aware of the charging Andronicus. But unlike Andronicus who had years of sword practice, the attacker did not have the instinctive movement to swerve and Andronicus's sword went straight through the attacker's back.
The momentum of Andronicus's charge made the sword tip emerge through the attacker's stomach, as Andronicus had to let go of his sword as he sped through. The attacker looked down at the bloodied sword protruding from his stomach, which was the last image the attacker had before slumping onto his horse. The horse, startled by the last few moments, felt his mount hunker down over his neck and took this as a signal to gallop frantically away with all his might, unaware his mount was slumped over in death, not for haste.
Nastin reached Angelis who lay lifeless on the ground, just as in Aritan's vision, having been thrown violently from he horse. He kneeled down beside her still body and could see no sign of life. In a moment of immense grief and anger, he screamed out at the top of his voice and held Angelis in his arms.
Nastin felt inconsolable until suddenly he felt movement from Angelis's arms. He turned Angelis towards him and saw Angelis open her eyes, regaining consciousness.
Angelis looked at Nastin. "I heard you scream."
"I thought you were gone."
"Never. I wouldn't leave you. You forget I have the strength of three men inside me, as I said before we left!"
Angelis began to become more aware of what happened. "My horse! Where is my horse?"
Angelis looked over to see her trusted horse laying on his side. Angelis knelt over him and touched the side of his head, looking into his eyes. The horse looked up and saw that Angelis was alright and then closed his eyes in peace.
Andronicus was unsure what to say to Angelis and Nastin, but the bond between them all forgave any errors. "I'm glad you are all right, Angelis. Can you manage to sit behind Nastin? I'm sorry your horse did not make it."
Angelis regained her composure. "Thank you. I am fine. I am ready to go on. We must reach Jamis before Aglastus and his Unit does." And with that, the three went underway again, the morning now taking hold.

Chapter 15.
The three travelled on in silence, shocked at the attack they had just endured. Angelis had a second reason for her silence, being that she felt ill after her time of unconsciousness. She could only hold on as best she could sitting behind Nastin, her horse now gone.
Angelis did not tell the others that she felt unwell. It was difficult enough at the best of times to be treated equally and any mention of illness would only make this inequality reappear again. The last thing in life Angelis wanted was to be treated any differently.
Nastin was also quiet. Seeing Angelis lifeless on the ground was something he would never forget. He did not quite realise how deeply he felt for Angelis until that moment and not knowing where in the world he could end up as a legionary, how on earth could they remain together?
The morning's weather was changeable. At times the sunshine was strong, such that there was even an element of heat. This heat would normally please Andronicus but for now, he associated any pleasant weather with an increased risk of bringing out attackers and being attacked.
As the sun came out strongly once more, Andronicus's heart sank. Who knows who else they could encounter on this journey? The three rode on, each silent in their own thoughts.
Sudden thumping noises brought them all back to the present, away from their silent thoughts. More thumps and the three could see all the arrows protruding from their horses. More thieves and this time, thought Andronicus, this must be the end.
The next moment all three were thrown from their horses as the horses went down, succumbing to their injuries, unable to gallop no more.
Ending up in a heap, Andronicus was first to react. As his vision came back, he could see three archers running towards them, each preparing their swords in their free arms.
"Quick!" Andronicus shouted. "On your feet! Attackers coming!"
Andronicus's companions managed to respond as the archers dropped their bows and ran full speed with their swords, each focusing on their individual target, who were still dazed.
Each managed to hold off the first blows from their attackers, able to stop the swords from finding their mark and pushing their attackers back from their first encounter.
With their backs to the track, the attackers were experienced thieves and their initial rebuff would not deter them. The defenders backed off, waiting for the next attack.
As if from nowhere, a horse and cart came careering down the track and over the edge, the driver frantically urging his horse on. His large passenger, standing holding on to the cart with one hand and brandishing a large sword in the other, ready to strike.
The attackers looked round just as the horse and cart slammed into the first attacker, knocking him to the ground and then crushed under the wheel of the heavily laden cart.
The passenger, high above, swung his sword at the second attacker, decapitating him in one mighty swoop, clearly a well trained swordsman, not to be messed with.
The third attacker, seeing the horse and cart hurtle directly to him, had no choice but to run and ran straight into the outstretched blade of Andronicus, the blade piercing right through the man's stomach and out through his back, after which Andronicus let go and dived to his right, narrowly missing the oncoming cart. Nastin pushed left, taking Angelis with him, both missing the other cart wheel, as it swept past.
The driver pulled hard on the reins, calling out to his horse and brought the horse and cart to a halt, looking back at the devastation it had left behind.
The driver beamed at his passenger. "You've not lost your gladiatorial skills, Maxis!"
The passenger grinned back. "I know! I'm wasted looking after you, Demius!"
Andronicus usually enjoyed when Demius - the Greek trader and Maxis - his German ex-gladiator bodyguard, visited Balmuildy Fort. Normally, their visit entailed spending a lot of money on food, wine and trinkets but this unexpected meeting in the middle of nowhere, provided something much more precious - the saving of their lives.
Andronicus looked Demius sincerely in his eyes. "Thank you Demius and Maxis. We owe you much more than money this time. We owe you our lives."
Demius returned the complement. "It was our pleasure, Centurion. You would have done the same for us. Besides, it gave Maxis a chance to re-live his gladiatorial days!"
Maxis smiled. "Indeed it did! All that was missing was the cheers from the crowd! I used to be quite popular, you know."
Demius continued. "Yes you were, Maxis. I spent a lot of money to acquire your services as my bodyguard. Which reminds me - if you could give us a few moments to gather up the bows and arrows of these thieves. We could either keep them for ourselves or find a suitable buyer."
"Of course." said Andronicus, welcoming the opportunity of some time to think about what they could do next, now having no horses and still a journey to reach Jamis at Camoch.
Demius and Maxis soon returned, carefully placing the bows and arrows in the back of the cart.
Andronicus decided on a plan to ask Demius to take them to Camoch. "Demius. May I say that as long as I am Centurion at Balmuildy Fort, you are most welcome to trade with us."
Demius was delighted with this remark. "That is most kind, Centurion. That reminds me again! I have found the delightful wine that you had asked me to source for you. It is so much better than the standard wine."
Nastin raised his eyebrow, which did not go unnoticed by Andronicus, who wanted to quickly end that line of conversation. "Yes, well, that's good." Andronicus nervously cleared his throat. "Perhaps, we could talk about that later."
"Of course!" said Demius. "I am heading to Camoch to trade with Jamis. Now you have no horses, would you like to ride with us in our cart?"
"Yes, thank you Demius and Maxis." Andonicus was now also delighted. No further plan was needed to persuade Demius to take them to Jamis after all. "We were on our way to visit Jamis as well. I will tell you all about why, when we get underway."
With little fuss, Andronicus and Angelis squeezed in between Demius and Maxis. With no more room up front, this left Nastin to haul himself up into the back of the cart and to make some room for himself, by shifting some of the goods to one side.
"Good!" exclaimed Andronicus, looking over his shoulder to Nastin. "We are all ready to go?"
Nastin met Andronicus's question with an altogether alternative answer, forgetting that he was speaking to his Superior and due to tiredness, he blurted out what was on his mind. "A delightful wine? So much better than the standard?"
Andronicus tried not to smile and turned his head back towards the front, as the horse and cart began to move.

Chapter 16.
The remainder of the mid-morning was uneventful. Demius was quiet, thinking seriously about the plight of his friend, Jamis. A new King, but soon to be stripped of his Kingdom by the Romans' choice of Fillin, the last remaining middle son of Callun.
Nastin struggled all morning in the back of the cart. Either the heat or sitting on a pile of onions had shifted his thoughts about Angelis to drink, occasionally resulting in audible mutterings that made Andronicus and Angelis laugh quietly to themselves up front.
Such mutterings included - "No bloody wine to drink!" or "No delightful wine for me!" or "What a bloody life!" - but at least it kept Andronicus and Angelis amused.
Maxis sat at the far edge of the front. A big man, he had to keep his stomach happy and he sat munching apples, one after another, occasionally noisily spitting out a seed over the side. The other noise was the sporadic sound of wind coming from Nastin as the onions dug into him in all the wrong places.
By early afternoon the horse and cart had travelled far, but it appeared the group would have one more challenge to overcome before reaching Jamis at Camoch. Ahead stood an unkempt pair of villains, their swords visible by their sides, intent on stopping anyone approaching Camoch, to rob them of their valuables, or their lives.
Demius saw them first and skillfully drove the horse and cart off the side of the track into the trees, before they were seen, quietly bringing them to a halt.
Demius turned to Andronicus. "What's the plan to deal with this lot?"
Andronicus scratched his chin and was unsure what to say. How made times could they ride their luck?
It was Angelis who broke the silence. "Friends! I think I have the solution to this problem."
Andronicus was relieved. "Please continue. We are all ears. We are all ears."
After listening to Angelis's plan, the group were in agreement that this sounded the best way to get past this last obstacle, being tired and weary from their battles and their journey. Angelis prepared herself for the first part of the plan.
Quietly, Angelis climbed down from her seat and made her way through the trees onto the track. There, Angelis started to walk with the planned terrible limp, uttering "Help me! Please help me!" from time to time.
It was not long before the two villains turned to face this strange sight coming down the track and they drew their swords waiting for Angelis to near. As Angelis reached a few steps away from them, she collapsed into the ground, as part of the plan.
The two villains walked towards Angelis to investigate further and in puzzlement, they then gazed down at Angelis, who was sprawled moaning on the ground.
"Gentleman! Put down your swords!" The two villains looked to their left to see Maxis emerge from the edge of the trees, poised with one of the bow and arrow that Demius had recovered from their previous attack earlier this morning.
"Do as he says! Put down your swords, put your hands up and you will not be harmed!" The men looked to their right on hearing this, to see Nastin emerge from the other edge of the trees, his bow and arrow also poised.
The two villains put down their swords and put their hands up, while Maxis and Nastin closed in from either side, their bows and arrows ready to fire, should needs be.
Maxis bent down and picked up the two swords, tucking them into his belt, while Nastin kept aim, poised to fire.
Maxis took up his aim again and spoke to the two villains. "We mean you no harm. We are just passing through, to reach Camoch. We will drop your swords onto the track near Camoch. Know that we could have killed you but we did not. Your honour means that you should not then come after us. Agreed?"
The two villains nodded and spoke. "Agreed."
Demius and Andronicus approached on the track in the horse and cart and Angelis got up, dusted herself off and was helped onto the seat by Maxis. Nastin hauled himself up onto the back of the cart and the group got underway again. A while later, the Gates of Camoch came into view. Maxis dropped the villains' swords onto the ground as previously agreed. Against all the odds, the group had made it to Camoch and they could now warn Jamis to flee the area, or be massacred by Aglastus and his men, to make way for their new King approved by the Romans- Fiillin - Callun's surviving son.

Chapter 17.
"My goodness! My friends! Welcome to the far edge of my Kingdom! Please, make yourself at home!" Jamis was both surprised and pleased at this unexpected visit.
Andonicus looked to the ground and there was no response from all.
"What is it? What is wrong?"
Andronicus decided to speak for the group, in part as no-one else seemed willing. "I'm afraid it may no longer be your Kingdom for much longer. Centurion Aglastus and his Unit may be arriving soon, possibly even this afternoon, to clear this area for a new King - Fillin, the surviving son of Callun, who has made a deal with the Romans. Aglastus has orders to kill anyone who does not leave this area. We have come to warn you, so that you can escape this area."
"Fillin. I might have guessed. I had wondered where he had gone. But I am the King now. I will not leave."
"But you will be killed!"
"No. I will speak with Aglastus when he arrives. I have been pronounced King by the previous King - Soridan. I want peace with the Romans and I can deliver this. The Romans can find another role for Fillin."
Andronicus was at a loss to argue, knowing that he was unlikely to change Jamis's mind. "I cannot let Aglastus see me. When the time comes, we will wait in the trees, with Demius's horse and cart."
"Until then, let me entertain you as a King. In my position, I now have fine food and wine and it is made all the finer by sharing this with you."
Nastin's eyes lighted up. "Fine wine? Sounds like to me that you are a good King!"
With the tension broken, the King walked with the group as they first took Demius's horse and cart to the trees, leaving the horse safely tied to one of the trees and with a well deserved feed for the horse to graze on.
Onwards the group walked to a large hall where they were shown to perhaps the most generous late breakfast the group had ever experienced in their lives. Although Andronicus laughed and joked and appeared enthusiastic to all that Jamis described, inwardly Andronicus reflected sadly to himself that they were not meeting in happier times and that after Aglastus had visited, most probably Jamis would be dead.
Before long it was early afternoon and Andronicus heard the sounds that he had come to know so well. The clink of metal on metal and the marching of men; a murmour of talking and orders, a horse's sudden whinny and the occasional raucous laugh. This all signalled that Aglastus and his Unit had arrived.
Looking out through Camoch's Gates, Andronicus could see Aglastus and his men lining up. This was the moment that Andronicus and his group were to take their leave to the trees and Andronicus felt this was a final goodbye to Jamis.
"Tell Aglastus that you will leave and head North."
"You know that I cannot do that. I will talk with Aglastus and explain the situation."
Andronicus knew that anything else he could say would be futile and so the two men clasped hands and wished each other good luck. Andronicus took his position in the trees and looked on.
Jamis strode out the Gates and headed for Aglastus, who was carefully eyeing the scene. Aglastus didn't miss much and most probably had seen the group heading for the trees.
"Good afternoon. I am King Jamis. May I ask your business here?"
Aglastus was respectful but firm in what he had to do. "I am Centurion Aglastus. I have been ordered to clear Camoch, to make way for the new King - King Fillin, who will peacefully rule within the Roman Empire of Antoninus Pius."
"I am at peace with the Romans. There is no need for a King Fillin here."
"I am sorry. But the situation is already decided. Are you and your followers going to leave this area and head North?"
Jamis was also respectful but firm in his response. "No."
"Then will I have to instruct my men to forceably remove the people from the buildings?"
"Surely this does not have to happen? Can you not report back to your Superiors?"
"I am sorry, I cannot. If you do not leave, you will be killed. My orders are to clear the area."
"We are staying. You will not kill us."
Centurion Aglastus reflected on the situation, nodded his head to Jamis and stepped away. "Even Units! Proceed to clear the buildings and board them up!"
At once the sound of men carrying out an order took hold. Groups of men ran past Jamis and headed to the various buildings. There, with shouting and raised swords, the men were ordered out of the buildings and forced to gather behind Jamis in the clearing outside the Gates. Meanwhile other legionaries boarded up the buildings with hammers and nails, to remain ready and intact, for King Fillin's new stronghold of Camoch. The last legionaries then boarded up the Camoch Gates behind them, hammering them shut with the last of the nails. Different from other Roman raiding parties, Aglastus hoped this one had a peaceful end.
Jamis stood with his men in the flat open clearing as the legionaries ran past them, back to their starting positions behind Centurion Aglastus.
When the men had returned to their positions and were still, Aglastus marched forward the eighty yards and came to a stop facing Jamis. "Will you and your men now leave and head North?"
"No, we cannot."
"If you do not turn around and start leaving to the side of Camoch, we will open fire, attack and kill you by whatever means possible."
"You will not kill us. We will wait here until you turn around and leave and give your Superiors the news that no attack was necessary, as a peaceful King remains."
Aglastus remained calm. This was the situation where Centurions remained Centurions and carried out their orders, for the good of the Empire. This was the situation that showed that being a Centurion or someone in authority, was not always such a wonderful existence. Sometimes the armour of a Roman Centurion felt it's full weight, but it was all that Aglastus had known.
"Is that your last word and you will not be changed?"
Jamis was resolute. "It is."
"Then if you do not leave this area, we will commence our attack."
Centurion Aglastus bowed his head and smartly turned and walked away.
Jamis looked across to his left arm and wondered at his golden torque. Left to him by his father Boridan after he was killed in the village during an encounter with mounted Roman soldiers. The golden torque was the sign of a leader and he felt that he must stand firm.
Jamis then looked at the red and yellow amulet around his neck. Given to him by his friend - the trader Demius, the silver, red and yellow caught the sunlight and was to ward off danger, evil and disease. Jamis hoped that the amulet would go to work, as he felt he needed as much protection as possible, in an ever increasingly tense situation.
The two sides remained standing, each watching the other. Both leaders out in front, their men watching their leaders. Andronicus, watching from the trees, punched his fist into his hand and turned away, knowing what was going to happen next.
Aglastus quietly cleared his throat. "Slingers! Take your position! On my order you will loose! Slingers! Loose!"
An unearthly sound filled the air, as the skilled slingers carried out their orders. The lead balls with holes sounded terrifying and began to hit their marks. The men tried to run but there was no shelter and the slingers had the whole area covered.
Jamis looked around and saw his men begin to fall. He did not believe the Centurion would open fire. He turned to the front, waiting for the impact, for wherever he may be hit.
Jamis took a deep breath in and shouted out. "Father! I die the same as you! My time has come to join you!" A lead ball hit Jamis in the stomach, then another one in his thigh. A third smashed through his upper arm as the fourth and fifth struck his knee and shin. Jamis's world went black as he fell unconscious to the ground.
Jamis's second in command saw Jamis fall and then tore at his own tunic, waiving the resulting white rag in his hand, as he ran towards the Romans, shouting "We surrender! We surrender!"
Aglastus watched the man running towards them. "Slingers! Cease fire!" The frightening whirring sound began to ease, as the breathless man reached Aglastus.
"We surrender! We surrender!"
Centurion Aglastus spoke directly to the man. "All that are still alive are to start walking away to the North. Any injured can be taken away with you on the carts. We will deal with the dead and near dead with respect. Do you accept those terms?"
"Yes. I accept those terms."
Aglastus nodded. "We will bring the carts forward for your usage."
As men moved around, helping the injured and preparing to move North, Nastin and Andronicus emerged from the treeline and without drawing attention to themselves, carried Jamis away. Jamis was still and gave no indication that he was alive when he was lifted or carried.
Nastin and Andronicus gently lay Jamis on the cart and Angelis began to attend to him straight away. Known for her medical ability, this was the best chance Jamis had for survival.
Andronicus watched Angelis in her initial examination of Jamis. "Is he still alive?"
Angelis lifted her head to look at Andronicus. He is alive but only just. First of all I will have to remove the lead shots and clean out the wounds. I have counted five wounds so far. If he survives that, he truly has the heart of a King.
The group watched Angelis get to work. With each wound Angelis carefully managed to remove the lead shot and clean out with water, before bandaging tightly The bloodied tags and bandages made for a sorry sight and Andronicus looked away, not rating Jamis's chances very highly.
Andronicus looked out beyond the trees and watched the remaining men walking away to the North, round the edge of the Gates and walls. They took with them the injured on carts, leaving the too badly injured to the Romans. Some soldiers were already lighting the fires to attend to the dead, or dispatching those who were to join them.
Andronicus looked away and sat down with the others by the horse and cart. Each were silent in their own thoughts, listening to Angelis as she worked on, trying to attend to Jamis's many wounds.
The sound of footsteps made the group look up, out past the trees and before they could think about doing anything about it, Centurion Aglastus strode towards them.
Centurion Aglastus spoke directly to Centurion Andronicus and very blunt, at that. "Centurion Andronicus, did you honestly think you would not be seen here or not be seen carrying the body in here?"
"Centurion Aglastus. I can explain. Please, let us talk in private."
"Fine. You have a lot of explaining to do!"
Centurion Andronicus and Centurion Aglastus moved a little way from the horse and cart and spoke quietly, so that no-one else could hear them.
Aglastus spoke first. "Brother, what are you doing here?" No-one in the Roman Army knew that Aglastus and Andronicus were brothers, it was none of their business, they had long since decided.
"We came to save Jamis. Tribune Lacitus informed me in a personal visit that Camoch was to be cleared to make way for a new King suitable for the Romans - King Fillin. He also ordered that anyone resisting in Camoch, were to be killed, including Jamis."
Andronicus and Aglastus moved back towards the horse and cart and looked at Jamis laying still in the back of the cart. The rest of the group, now including Angelis, sat some way off, all shocked at this afternoon's events.
Aglastus looked at Jamis. "This is all very well, brother. But I don't understand why you felt so strongly to save this Jamis? Why would a Centurion leave his Unit and secretly travel across a hostile country to save someone he barely knows?"
Both men stared at Jamis, blood seeping from some of the bandages.
Andronicus turned to his brother. "Because I killed his father. I was in charge of a mounted group two years ago. The settlement turned and we only just escaped with our lives. Jamis's father - a tribal leader, was one of the men killed. Jamis sought revenge and wanted to kill the man who killed his father. I even flatly denied to his face that it was I that did this."
Jamis moaned and moved slightly. The two brothers began to walk away again.
Aglastus sighed. "I sometimes wish we hadn't left our farm. Do you?"
"I miss our parents and our oldest brother. I hope one day we both return."
The two brothers re-joined the group, who were anxious to know the result of the discussion between the two Centurions.
Centurion Aglastus addressed the group. "As you may know, this area unlike some others, is not safe. It is full of thieves and undesirables."
Demius's bodyguard Maxis spoke up. "You are right. But at least there are a few less of them wandering about now. Perhaps you saw some of our handiwork on the tracks up to here?
"Yes. We have seen some sites in our time, but we definitely noticed the trail of destruction you left behind. Perhaps you should consider joining our Army?"
Maxis was flattered. "Oh, well, you never know. Depends on how much my present position will pay me."
Demius gave Maxis a side look and Maxis enjoyed that he had teased Demius once again, one of the reasons he enjoyed what he did.
Centurion Aglastus brought matters back. "Being such a dangerous area, I am willing for your group to join us on our route back. We will be leaving quite soon and so please prepare yourselves. Centurion Andronicus, may I have one final quick word with you?"
"Of course, Centurion Aglastus."
The two men walked away, out of earshot of the others. "Brother! For the sake of Jupiter! Will you stop getting yourself into these messes! I will get you back to Balmuildy Fort as fast as the Unit can make it. I only hope that Lacitus never hears of this. If he does, the chance of us ever setting foot in our farm again, is about the same chance as that poor lad in the cart surviving!"
The group watched Centurion Aglastus turn and stride away from Centurion Andronicus, as if he had made clear his displeasure at the whole situation and could barely contain his anger. Andronicus walked back to the group, who awaited the final outcome of their discussions.
"Don't worry, everybody! Aglastus's bark is worse than his bite! He'll get us all back safely."
Nastin stared after Centurion Aglastus. "He's an ugly bugger right enough! He reminds me of someone, but I can't quite remember who. Any ideas?"
Andronicus watched his brother Aglastus fade into the distance, offended by Nastin's accusation of family ugliness. Andronicus had always thought of themselves as being handsome. "No. None at all. I've no idea who Aglastus could remind you of. None at all."

Chapter 18.
Jamis opened his eyes. He had no idea where he was, other than that he was travelling in the back of a cart. Some movement caught his eye to the left and he turned his head round to see a stag watching him from the trees, which then ran alongside in the distance and then disappeared. Jamis turned his head back again, as pain gripped his whole body, before unconsciousness set in once more.
The Unit had made good progress and the journey away from Camoch had been uneventful, much to Centurion Andronicus's relief. By late afternoon, the dwelling of Angelis and her father Aritan, had been reached and so Andronicus knew they were not that far off from what had become his home, Balmuildy Fort.
It had been decided that Jamis would leave the procession at Angelis's dwelling, as if he should survive, a long recovery would await. As the Unit approached, Aritan appeared at the doorway, much better from his fever, having taken the various concoctions Angelis had left him.
Aritan spoke to his daughter, trying to keep the emotion from his voice. "I did not think I would see you again. I had a vision of you lying still on the ground."
Angelis clasped her father's arm. "That will have been when I was thrown from my horse. I was unconscious on the ground. Unfortunately my horse did not make it back and as you can see, Jamis has a long recovery ahead of him, if he should make it at all."
The Unit prepared to get underway again, minus Angelis and Jamis. Also, Demius the trader and Maxis the bodyguard, were leaving the Unit at this point, having decided to rest with Angelis and Aritan for a few days.
With departure imminent, Nastin turned to Andronicus.
"Sir. I cannot leave Angelis. I must stay here."
"I see. Do you know what the punishment for desertion or fustuarium, as it is known, is?"
Nastin could barely look his Centurion in the eye. "Yes"
"If caught, it would be the stoning to death by your fellow soldiers. If you think you could always evade capture, what kind of life is that? Banished from Rome, always looking over your shoulder? I cannot let either of these happen to you, Nastin."
Andronicus thought about what he could do. As a Centurion, he felt it was his duty to show his skill of finding a solution and protecting his men.
"As your Centurion, I give you my word that when I am back at Balmuildy Fort, I will write a document giving you secondment to help Jamis, our Interpreter, to recover from his injuries. After that you will have a pass to visit Angelis, to learn her medical treatments, that can then be used by our Unit. Do we have an agreement, Legionary Nastin?"
"Yes, Sir! We do. Thank you."
"Good! And before I go, I have paid Demius for some special bottles of wine. He is inside just now preparing the first of them, for after I have left."
Nastin could hardly contain himself. The mention of wine, was almost as good as the rest of this deal. Perhaps he had misjudged this Centurion after all, though he still reserved judgment on all officers, for now at least.
Andronicus took one last look at Jamis, who was being carried into the dwelling. Still unconscious and pale, with blood oozing out from the bandages, it did not look good for this young man. Even if he survived, could he come to terms that he was no longer the new King?
Andronicus did not have the answers, but he knew that if Jamis was to have any chance at all, it would be with the expert care of Angelis and their comradeship of them all under their roof. Andronicus waved and mounted a horse next to Aglastus for the last part of the journey, back to Balmuildy Fort.
Chapter 19.
By early evening the point where the two paths diverged was met and this was where the two brothers had to part.
The two men clasped arms. "Take care of yourself, Andronicus "
"You too, Aglastus."
"One day Andronicus, we will make it back to our farm. There we will sit in the evening sunshine and talk over our battles. Until then, if you need me, you know where I am."
"Thank you, Aglastus. You have always been a good brother to me. You both have. You and Arius. I hope Arius is alright on the farm. And our parents."
Sometimes it was best not to think too much. Andronicus missed home on the farm and he knew he was not as skilled in the army as Aglastus. But somehow he would try to make the best of his situation and find his own way of making a difference.
Andronicus dismounted, ready for the remainder of the journey on foot back to Balmuildy Fort. He waved his brother farewell on his own journey back to Barr Hill Fort, where Aglastus would be able to write his report that Camoch was clear, ready for the new King Fillin. There would of course be no mention of Andronicus or Jamis.
As the night darkened, Andronicus could make out the light of the fires around the palisade and so he knew he was close to the place that had become his home for now. He felt strangely relieved, as he had vowed many years ago, that all he could do was to make the best of his life in the army.
Almost a day had passed since he and Nastin had been in this same spot, just outside the back of the Fort. This time though, he was alone and would have to judge when the patrol had passed, to then slip back inside and back to his quarters, with no-one seeing him.
Above on the palisade he heard the boots of the patrol pass by. This was it, thought Andronicus. Quietly Andronicus prepared himself to slip through the gap. And then he was through! On the other side now, he briefly looked around and did not see anyone. He decided to continue and cautiously started to make his way to his quarters.
He reached the back of his quarters and tentatively made his way round the side. As he peered round the edge, he could see another patrol who had stopped near his quarters. Andronicus tried not to bite his lip. Surely after all he had been through he wouldn't be thwarted by a couple of his own men, a couple of steps from safety.
The soldiers looked around and Andronicus pressed his head firmly onto the side of the building. His legs felt as if they had seized, as he waited for the soldiers to shout out, if they had seen him. He had quickly decided that he would say that he was getting some air, if the soldiers had seen him. As he waited it felt as if his ears were going to burst, listening out to hear any challenge or sound of approaching boots. And then he heard it. A distant cough. Andronicus cautiously looked round and saw that the distant cough came from one of the soldiers, who had both moved on.
Andronicus took the last few steps of his longest day, opening the door and into his quarters, closing the door gently behind him. He took off the dark tunic he had been wearing for this mission and put on his red tunic. He reflected on the colour, which had become his colour for all of his adult life.
Red, the colour of the army, signifying the God of War - Mars, a show of blood and strength, qualities he had tried to exemplify in the last day, proudly keeping him from his farm. Centurion Andronicus closed his eyes and fell asleep.
At that same moment, two men linked to Centurion Andronicus could not sleep. Legionary Castus lay awake, his eyes wide open, re-living what he had just seen. Having felt unwell all day, he had stepped out of the tent. As his eyes had become accustomed to the dark night and the light from the fires around the palisade, he could not believe it when he saw his Centurion squeeze himself through a gap, coming back into the Fort.
Castus had dared not move and stood still as the crouched Centurion looked about and then made off towards his quarters. Now, as Castus lay in his bed, he was trying to figure out how he could use this information to his advantage.
Several mi
les away another man that Centurion Andronicus knew well, could also not sleep. After several hours of discomfort, Jamis woke fully with a start, his eyes opening up in horror. He could not believe what he was thinking, but he knew what he was thinking had happened.
"I heard you Andronicus." spoke Jamis aloud. "I heard you say that you killed my father. You will pay with your life."
The End!
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