The Antonine Romans and The Redemption

The Antonine Romans and The Redemption

By

Andrew Boyce

Description:
AD144 The Antonine Wall, Caledonia, modern day Scotland.Battles rage amongst individuals and armies. The third Novella in the Antonine Romans. All of the Novellas standalone.

Chapter 1.
Centurion Andronicus sat alone in his quarters at the end of the day. As he poured himself a glass of warm wine, he reflected that it had been a good day. The legionaries had performed well in their practice drills, taking the commands from himself and Optio Scrivinus, quite literally, in their stride.
Andronicus felt proud of what his Century had become, ready to defend this Caledonian Northern Frontier of the Empire, as well as being ready to strive for peace and bring as many of the tribes of Caledonia to a peaceful conclusion.
The wine that Demius the trader had provided was going down well, along with the figs and dates he had also managed to buy. These items had cost quite an amount, but it was worth it, thought Andronicus, as he tidied his remaining documents into his campaign chest.
Finally finished for the night, a knock at his door could not have been worse timed. It was his Optio, still putting in the hours, even after all these years.
Optio Scrivinus saluted. Not something he would normally do when he entered Andronicus's quarters, but he had a legionary standing behind him.
"I have Legionary Castus with me, sir. He asks if he could have a quick private word with you."
"I see. Step forward Legionary Castus and Optio Scrivinus please wait outside."
Castus saluted.
"What can I do for you Legionary Castus?"
"Sir, I saw someone re-entering our Camp through the back fence yesterday evening. As it is a very serious offence to be outwith the Camp, I thought I should report this."
"I see. And why did you not report this straight away."
"Sir, I believe I know who I saw and feared it would cause great embarrassment if I reported this."
Andronicus did not like the sound of this. Could this legionary have seen him sneaking back into the Camp from his secret adventure to save Jamis at Camoch? Could this legionary be about to try and blackmail him?
"Legionary Castus, who did you see?"
Castus, who had been looking straight ahead, suddenly looked straight at Andronicus. "You, Sir! I saw you, Sir!"
"Indeed you did. I was on an important secret mission which was accomplished. I trust you can keep this explanation to yourself."
"I'm sure, Sir. It is just that we are always being told of the penalties of leaving the Camp, for example to visit prostitutes, or illegal purchasing of alcohol, which can all be very embarrassing if reported."
Andronicus saw at once where this was leading. "Enough! I will not be blackmailed! Your accusation is false! Return to your tent! Dismissed!"
Castus narrowed his eyes. "Yes, Sir! I just wanted to bring this to your attention, Sir!" Castus turned before Andronicus could reply.
As he made his way to the door, Castus felt that he had misjudged the situation. He had thought an Officer would do all he could to try protect his reputation and would pay a handsome price or grant favours, if anything threatened to jeopardise this.
Castus felt that he had just managed to escape the situation and that in the light of day, his Centurion may decide that no further action was required and instead was the actions of a confused legionary, wondering what he had seen.
He also felt however, that sometime down the line, his information on the Centurion may be of value to someone and therefore to him, also.
As a result, Castus allowed himself a slight smile as he made his way back to his tent. His information on the Centurion would remain with him again, for now, until he could work out where such information would achieve the best price.




Chapter 2.
Three months had passed since Jamis had almost fatally been killed by the Romans. Jamis had felt well physically for the last three days. His wounds had mainly healed and there were a lot of them. Most parts of his body contained the evidence of lead slingshot balls and although his childhood friend Angelis had skillfully removed all the lead, each area was painful, but now tolerable.
Mentally though, was a different matter. The physical state he was in was the result of an attack by the Romans to remove him of being King and his Kingdom, to instead put their chosen King -Fillin- on the throne.
This was the first reason for his mental distress, the fact that he had only been King for a short while and he had lost it. His chance to rule well, like his father Boridan had done in the past, a Kingdom lost as fast as the speed of the slingshot, that had kept him in this bed for the last three months.
But this was not the only reason for his mental distress. Lying almost fatally injured in a cart on his battlefield, he had drifted in and out of consciousness. It was there that he had heard his Centurion friend -Andronicus- admit to a fellow soldier that it was Andronicus himself that had killed Boridan in a Roman raid, two years prior.
Jamis lay in bed in the early morning darkness, his eyes fixed on the timber frame above him. He was completely sure that he had not imagined Andronicus's conversation. For any day where he had been conscious in the last three months, every moment of such a wakeful day contained his mental torment, that he kept hidden from the three other people in this dwelling.
He tried to focus his mind on the three other people. Angelis - the kind, intelligent and beautiful one, he had known all his life, destined to be someone's Queen sometime, if only she had been his Queen. Her father -Aritan- the nobleman, a King in all but name, respected by the people. Then finally Nastin - the brave Roman soldier, partner of Angelis, conveniently in a position to monitor the situation for his Centurion -Andronicus- and so the circle goes, his mind going round and round, back to Centurion Andronicus.
And so this was it. Fully dressed and ready in bed, well before dawn. Jamis pulled back his bedsheet, crept out the door and away on one of the horses into the night, his three sleeping friends unaware of his departure. When they woke in a few hours, he would be long gone, the horse carrying him back to where he knew he must go, the only place that would end his mental torture - his childhood home, the village that had been abandoned after the Roman raid and Boridan's death.

Chapter 3.
Centurion Andonicus rode with his two escorts towards the dwelling. On their approach, the three residents came outside and intimated their greetings. The two escorts were glad of a rest and sat exhausted on their horses, the effects of trying to keep up with their fit Centurion, finally taking its toll.
Andronicus had visited Jamis at the end of each month and each time Jamis had been unconscious.
"And how is Jamis today?" asked Andronicus brightly.
The three residents looked down to the ground, each not wanting to be the one who replied.
Eventually, Angelis broke the silence. "He is gone." Angelis spoke solemnly. Andronicus took his own meaning to the words.
"Gone? Jamis is dead? What has happened?"
Aritan decided to continue. "No. Not gone as in dead, but gone as in that he has left on a horse before dawn, while we were asleep."
"Did you not hear him go?"
Aritan looked at Andronicus, seeing Andronicus's concern. "You forget that Jamis is a skilled hunter. If he didn't want to be heard, then there is no way any of us would hear him."
Andronicus searched for answers. "Do you know where he has gone?"
Nastin met Andronicus's eyes. "At night, any time he has been conscious, he has shouted out in his sleep. Words like "Andronicus!" and "Father!" and "Murder". Just words going round his brain."
A shiver went right through Andronicus's body, starting from the top of his head to the souls of his feet. Had Jamis heard him admit to killing his father, when Jamis lay severely injured in the cart? Why else would Jamis be shouting out his name?
Andronicus tried to focus. "I must find Jamis. Where, honestly, do you believe he has gone?"
Aritan, Angelis and Nastin were silent, each considering the question carefully.
Angelis decided to speak. "I have had a vision. But I do not know if I should say."
"You must!" Andronicus stared at her.
"My vision is that he has gone back to the remains of his village."
Andronicus nodded, as if this was the dreadful confirmation he had feared. "Has he taken anything with him?"
Nastin took his opportunity to quickly respond. "Only his sword, golden torque and his amulet."
Andronicus considered the response. Three items. It was as if this was the concluding trilogy, something like the trilogy of stories he had read as a child, when growing up on the farm. The farm. It felt so distant now, but the one thing he held onto and to what his thoughts always seemed to return to. Just the same as Jamis would.
Aritan cleared his throat. "We will get ourselves ready to go."
"No!" Andronicus said firmly, almost startling the rest of the group, before he lowered the sound of his voice. "I must go alone."



Chapter 4.
The sound of hooves as loud as thunder alerted Optio Scrivinus to an approaching Roman party to Balmuildy Fort. Scrivinus looked closely at the riders and identified one of them as the Tribune - Lacitus.
"My Jupiter! Want does he want!"
As the gates were opened, Optio Scrivinus stood to attention as Lacitus swiftly dismounted, his ease on dismounting showing the skilled horsemanship of someone from the Equestrian classes.
Lacitus and Scrivinus saluted. "Good Afternoon, Optio. I trust you are well?"
"Yes, Sir!"
"Good. Can you take me to Centurion Andronicus, please?"
"Centurion Andronicus is out of the Fort today."
"Holding the Fort, Scrivinus? I think we had better go to the Headquarters and you can tell me exactly what is going on!"
"Yes, Sir!"
The two men made there way to the Headquarters in silence, Lacitus wondering about what was going on and Scrivinus wondering what explanation he could give. Scrivinus opened the door and Lacitus took the seat behind the desk, gesturing for Scrivinus to take a seat.
"Now, Optio Scrivinus, please tell me truthfully, where has Centurion Andronicus gone?"
Optio Scrivinus thought of concocting some story, but he knew Tribune Lacitus would see through this. Instead Scrivinus decided to tell the truth and frame this as well as he could for Centurion Andronicus.
"He has gone with a small party to check on the progress of our Interpreter, Jamis, who is also a highly regarded Caledonian. Having Jamis with us and his influence on this area, could be very useful for the whole campaign, Sir."
"I see. And does Centurion Andronicus often abandon his post or leave here without instruction?"
Scrivinus was unsure if he could make this situation any better as Lacitus was clearly angry at this situation.
"No, Sir!"
Lacitus looked down on the jumble of documents on the desk and was dissatisfied at the mess.
"I see. I am taking charge of this Fort from immediate effect. I will now be leaving tomorrow morning from here on the arrival of Centurion Aglastus and his Century from Barr Hill Fort. We are then to proceed to Camoch for peace talks with further Northern Caledonian tribes."
Lacitus sorted the documents into a neat pile and opened the first of then. "I will send a messenger with my apologies to Barr Hill Fort, which is where I was supposed to be going after visiting here. In the message I will inform Centurion Aglastus that he is to meet me here with his Century, tomorrow morning."
Lacitus looked up from the first document. "I will begin composing the messages immediately. Please arrange for a Clerk to be brought in."
"Yes, Sir!"
Legionary Castus watched Scrivinus hurry out of the Headquarters and a Clerk hurry in. Now was his chance, he thought, to make full use of the information he possessed on Centurion Andronicus.
Castus proceeded purposefully to the Headquarters door, knocked and waited for the Clerk to answer. A few moments later Castus was face to face with Lacitus, alone.
Lacitus looked up from the documents. "What can I do for you, Legionary Castus?
"I am concerned about my Centurion, Centurion Andronicus, Sir "
"I see. Why is that?"
"Recently, Sir, I witnessed the Centurion coming through a gap at the back of the Fort, in the middle of the night."
Lacitus put down the document he was holding in his hand. "Did you tell the Centurion that you had seen him?"
"I did, Sir. But I did not really get an answer as to why. I was soon asked to leave."
This was the sort of information that Lacitus thrived on. "I see. And have you told anyone else about this?"
"No, Sir! I wanted to speak to someone like you, someone in command and in authority."
"Very well, Castus. Leave this with me and tell no-one else. Are you the sort of soldier who likes to keep an eye on what is going on, for the good of the Century?"
"Yes, Sir!"
"I see." Lacitus was pleased, as this meant he had another pair of eyes and ears. "Then continue to do so. I have people that will seek you out from time to time, for which you will be monetarily rewarded for. Agreed?"
"Yes, Sir! Thank you, Sir!"
Lacitus picked up the next document from the pile. "Excellent, Legionary Castus! You can leave me now, thank you."
Legionary Castus saluted while Lacitus bowed his head and Castus left the room behind him, both men pleased with the result.
Lacitus sat back in the chair and poured himself a generous glass of the fine wine that Andronicus had neglected to put away. As he took an initial sip, he spoke out loud. "Interesting! Very interesting!" Enough ammunition to let this incompetent Centurion to be transferred and for my brother to take his rightful place. "Ah! What a delightful wine! Well done, Demius The Trader, well done!"
Lacitus put the wine glass down and looked forward to his next sip. "Clerk? Come in please, I have several pieces of correspondence to dictate."

Chapter 5.
Jamis approached his old village. Abandoned not long after the Roman raid two years ago, the village was silent. Dark from the storm clouds, the village was now nothing like the happy times it had created for him in the past.
A sheet of lightening illuminated the sky briefly, followed by the loudest bang of thunder Jamis had ever heard, as if to remind him he was not alone in this world. But Jamis knew he was not alone - he could feel his father's presence all around him.
Seeing his old dwelling in front of him, Jamis dismounted. For now, he tied the horse to the rail, but he knew that he would soon be setting the horse free, as this was his final journey.
Jamis walked round to the back of the property and knelt at the mound of his father's grave. He stared at the scene, not knowing what to say, as another flash of lightning startled him, before another crash of thunder.
Reaching over to his upper left arm, Jamis took off the golden torque. Bought by Jamis's father at great expense from Demius The Trader, this was something that was to be passed down through the generations. Jamis could almost hear his father speaking excitedly, explaining that the golden torque would still look as good as new two thousand years from now.
"Unlike you father, I am not deserving of this golden torque. If I ever am, I would come back for it and proudly wear it as your son, but I don't know if I'll ever be back. I fear my journey is coming to an end."
Jamis buried the golden torque next to his father and still kneeling, bowed his head and sat.
An enormous flash and crack of thunder brought Jamis back to the present and Jamis readied himself for the next part of his journey around his abandoned village.
Jamis became aware of the rain that had all of a sudden become heavier, to accompany the thunder and lightning. He stood up and began walking to the cliff that was not far from his past home.
Now completely soaked, Jamis soon reached the cliff edge. As a boy he had often looked over the edge and wondered at the nature around him. But this time was different. All he could see and hear was the menace around him and perhaps, Jamis thought, it was time for him to join the menacing scene.
He looked down at his neck, seeing the red and yellow amulet inlaid with silver. It had been given to him as a present from Demius The Trader, to ward off danger, evil and disease.
In anger, Jamis swiped his hand across his neck, breaking the amulet into all its component parts. He watched as all the red and yellow stones scattered amongst his feet and toppled over the edge. All except one red stone. Jamis looked at the red stone and knelt down, picking the stone up. He rubbed the red stone through his fingers, about to throw it over the edge. Instead, he put the stone inside his tunic and looked out at the scene before him.
Jamis stepped forward to the cliff edge but as he did, he became aware of a noise behind him. Jamis turned and saw the stag emerge from the trees, just as he had seen before at times of near death.
He remembered lying on the cart, near death, when he opened his eyes to see a stag running alongside, before the stag darted into the trees and more unconsciousness.
He also remembered the battle between Soridan and Bastol, in which Jamis was named King after their deaths. Again, a stag was in the distance on that day, running between hills and out of sight.
Having evaded death before, Jamis reflected that perhaps this was his time to die. Jamis knelt down and plucked some grass near his feet, holding his hand out towards the stag. The stag watched Jamis intently and stamped his foot. Slowly the stag moved towards him, antlers long, many branched and proud.
Suddenly the stag stopped and held his head high, then moved his head to the side. With a flair and a snort from his nostrils the stag trotted back into the trees and was gone.
A few moments later, Jamis began to hear what had disturbed the stag. It was the pounding of hooves, becoming ever closer. Through the driving rain and gloom, came a Roman cavalry officer his metal facemask shining in the darkness.
The horse and rider came to an abrupt stop, his horse almost rearing up at the sight of Jamis. The rider steadied himself, while Jamis stared at the metal facemask, enough to scare any enemy, let alone the mentally fragile Jamis, soaked through with the cold and rain.
Jamis froze on the edge of the cliff, watching the Roman cavalry begin to take off his metal helmet and facemask. Slowly, his face was revealed - it was Andronicus.
"Don't jump off the cliff, Jamis! You have your whole life ahead of you!"
"What do you care! Murderer!"
"What do you mean by murderer?"
Jamis looked back in disgust. "You know fine well what I mean! I heard you when I was on the cart near death. You killed my father!"
Andronicus threw his helmet and facemask to the ground. "Step back from the cliff! I can explain!"
"The cliff? I've had a better idea!" Jamis drew his sword and rushed towards Andronicus.
Andronicus just had time to draw his sword and meet the blow from Jamis. Blow after blow, whatever the angle, Andronicus managed to meet each of Jamis's blows. Exhausted, like two old gladiators, the two men slogged it out, completely soaked in the driving rain and gloom of darkness, occasionally lit up by a flash sheet of lightning across the sky and a thud of thunder booming around them.
As Jamis struck another blow which was again met, Andronicus wondered how long he could survive this frenzied attack and whether he would be able to meet or deflect each and every blow. It then crossed his mind that perhaps it was time to strike Jamis down and be done with this youth forever. Andronicus wondered if this temptation could be resisted.



Chapter 6.
Jamis struck another blow which was again met by Andronicus's sword. Jamis could now barely hold up his sword, his body already weak from his past injuries and in no fit state of mind.
Jamis threw down his sword and collapsed onto the ground, lying flat on his back in the sodden mud. Andronicus, equally exhausted, dropped his sword and dropped to the ground.
"So what happens now?" Jamis asked, without looking at Andronicus.
Andronicus took a moment to think. "I don't know. But somehow we have been thrown together, either by fate or circumstance. We have a chance to do some good if we can work together."
Jamis looked over to Andronicus. "What do you mean?"
"I am sorry your father was killed in the Roman raid on your village when I was the commanding officer. Truly, I am."
Both men looked at each other, until Jamis looked away. Andronicus continued. "Both sides did not speak the same language and before we knew it, a battle broke out."
"If only I had been there!" said Jamis. "I could have intervened and maybe stopped all of this killing, as I know your language "
Andronicus looked back over to Jamis. "And this is precisely my point. Together we can communicate with the remaining tribes of Caledonia and bring peace."
Andronicus continued with his proposition. "I don't want to fight anymore. I will ask Lacitus if we can join the negotiations and with you back as as my translator, we can achieve peace in Caledonia! The century from Barr Hill Fort is to accompany Lacitus to peace talks at Camoch tomorrow, where with King Fillin as host, we hope to achieve peace with further Caledonian tribes.
Jamis wiped some of the mud and rain from his eyes. "Tomorrow, did you say?"
Andronicus nodded. "Tomorrow. We can make a difference, you and I, starting from tomorrow."
Jamis wasn't sure how to phrase what he was about to say. "On my way here, through the valley, I was stopped by some of my tribe. I explained that I was on my way to see my father's grave. With the respect my tribe has for my father Boridan, they let me pass but they warned me that there would be a big battle in the valley tomorrow, that by this evening a thousand men would be ready to ambush Lacitus and his escort the next day."
"I see. A trap by those who still do not want peace. Much as I have every confidence in the Barr Hill Century, being outnumbered by ten times, is not odds of a winning throw of the dice!"
"No."
Both men sat in silence for a few moments, each with much to think about.
Andronicus, usually one with a quick humourous remark, was true to form. "I must say, thanks a thousand times for coming to warn me! I mean, with your close affinity to the Roman Army, did you think the Barr Hill Century would get through on some sort of winning streak?"
Jamis smiled slightly, aware of the tone that Andronicus had taken. "Actually, before you arrived just now, I had thought my destiny lay over the side of that cliff. I couldn't think of anything else but that. It is frightening how ill someone can become, but I'm able to take a new path now."
"With me?" Andronicus asked.
"Yes." Both men clasped hands and tried to help each other out of the mud. Both men then tried to use their feet and hands to try search for their swords beneath the mud.
"Found one!" Jamis shouted. Both men faced each other and then Jamis handed Andronicus the pommel. "It's yours." Andronicus looked down at the pommel and looked at Jamis. It would have been so easy for Jamis to have stabbed him at that instant, unarmed and exhausted. But he didn't and so Andronicus gratefully took hold of his sword. Moments later Jamis kicked his foot out again a little further away and his sword was found, too.
Andronicus and Jamis rested for a few moments. Amazingly the rain, thunder and lightning had abated and the dark gloom was starting to be replaced by some mid-afternoon sunshine, as if to signify the brightening of the two men's friendship.
Andronicus's thoughts turned back to the ambush. "Jamis? Can I tell you something that only my family know?"
Jamis looked up. "Yes. What is it?"
"Centurion Aglastus of Barr Hill Fort is my brother. Will you help me stop this ambush? Will you help me save my brother from being killed?"
Jamis looked at Andronicus and was not sure how to reply. It had, after all, been quite a day already.



Chapter 7.
Jamis and Andronicus sat together, but apart, after their eventful morning. It had seen Jamis bury his golden torque after paying his respects to his father, as well as destroying his lucky amulet in preparation of throwing himself off the cliff. But possessions meant nothing to him now.
As for Andronicus, he had rode full speed for several hours, somehow managing to stop Jamis from killing himself, only to narrowly avoid being killed himself by Jamis's attack.
And so, both men sat not knowing what to say or do next. Jamis had come to a decision, he had nothing left to lose, other than take the lifeline that Andronicus had offered, to work together for peace. A chance for both men to make sense of the world they lived in and their seemingly interlinked fate.
"I will help you save your brother."
"Thank you. I'm afraid I have not come up with a plan yet. I've had quite an exhausting morning, as have you. Do you have any ideas?"
"I do!"
Andronicus sat up, eager to hear how his brother could be saved.
Jamis cleared his throat. "First of all, there is no way we can travel along the valley to get to Aglastus. The valley will be filling up as we speak with tribes waiting for tomorrow morning's ambush. Our only hope is to travel up the hill and along the hill plateau to the end and then onto the path thereafter. That way, we avoid the valley altogether."
"My Jupiter, Saturn and Mars! I knew you were a clever lad!"
"There are two problems though."
Andronicus's smile dropped. "What's that?"
Jamis took a deep breath in. "Halfway up this side, on our way to the plateau, the path stops. From there, it is an actual climb to the plateau, a sheer rock face is the only way up."
"I see." Andronicus said pensively. "I think it will be alright for me. I used to love climbing the mountains around the family farm. I think I could still manage it. How about you?"
"That's the second problem. I am useless at climbing and I am afraid of heights." Jamis felt a little ashamed at his admission. "I really think that for me, this problem is too high to scale."
Both men went silent again.





Chapter 8.
Andronicus and Jamis left their horses in the open field next to Jamis's childhood home, where there was ample feed, plants and grass, should the two men make it back to here at a later time, to find their horses again.
As hoped the first part of the gentle hill climb went well, although at times their feet squelched through mud and heavy ground, unsurprising after the amount of rain in recent days.
Jamis spotted the cliff climb first, when the two reached the top of the first slope.
"There it is. I don't know how I'm going to climb that."
"And there is no other way round from here?"
"No. It is either over the top or falling and I don't like the sound of either!"
Andronicus wanted to reassure Jamis, as confidence was half the battle and he studied the cliff face closely, working out the route they would take. "You'll be fine! I'll go first and you can watch and be right behind me."
Andronicus pointed the route out to Jamis. "Once we get to that ledge halfway up, there is just a few final steps and then we will be at the top. And you were telling me earlier that the other side is a plateau and a gentle slope down?"
Jamis nodded his head, the fear in his stomach starting to betray his thoughts and facial expressions. "Yes. I used to come up the other side several times and go down the same way."
Andronicus mirrored Jamis's nod. "Good! Let's go! Imagine how grateful Lacitus will be with us when we save his skin. But more importantly, we'll be saving my dear brother Aglastus!"
Unknown to Andronicus, Lacitus had already began arrangements to remove Andronicus as the Centurion of Balmuildy Fort, in favour of Lacitus's brother and so if Andronicus had known this, his only concern would have been that of his own brother, Aglastus.
The first few steps were easy enough and Jamis was able to closely follow Andronicus, who had paused to check that Jamis was managing.
Andronicus set off again. These next steps to the ledge were much more difficult, involving a final stretch for a hand-hold and foot-hold.
"Jamis! Stop for a moment and watch me climb this last part before the ledge. This looks perhaps the most difficult stretch."
Jamis tried not to bite his lip as he watched Andronicus climb nimbly upwards, finding his hand-hold on the ledge, a stretch for the foot-hold and then hauling himself onto the ledge. In all honesty, neither seemed confident that Jamis could perform this task.
Andronicus stood on the ledge, ready with encouragement for Jamis. "Now you, Jamis. Get ready for your hand-hold here."
Jamis reached out and put his hand into the ledge for his hand-hold. Andronicus looked down at Jamis's hand. "Good! Now, ready with your ..." Andronicus saw the ledge start to crack at Jamis's hand-hold, some dust appearing around Jamis's fingers. The ledge at Jamis's hand-hold was not going to last.
With quick reactions, Andronicus grabbed Jamis's wrist as the ledge began to give way, soil splattering into Jamis's face, mouth and eyes.
"Hold on, Jamis!"
Jamis heard all the soil and small stones scattering past him down way below, a long way down. He dared not look beneath him, too frightened at how high he was.
Andronicus called up his full might. There was no way he was going to let go. Not after all they had been through.
"Let go, Andronicus! Go save your brother!"
"We both will!" Andronicus gave a mighty heave and hauled Jamis upward. "Now stretch for the foot-hold!"
Jamis stretched his leg to the foot-hold, with Andronicus providing as much support as was humanly possible. The foot-hold was reached and the final efforts of Jamis and Andronicus managed to bring Jamis onto the ledge.
Jamis looked at Andronicus sincerely, his heartbeat ringing fast in his ears. "Thank you. Thank you, brother."
The words Jamis spoke were worth more to Andronicus than all the coins that he had seen in his lifetime. Perhaps he could begin to live with himself again and to stop beating himself over the village attack that resulted in the death of Jamis's father.
The remainder of the climb was less steep and with great relief the two men reached the top and onto safe high ground. Standing away from the edge they turned to look back at what they had achieved.
Turning again, the pair began their route along the plateau. Jamis turned to look at Andronicus "That was more scary than some of the battles I have been in."
"Indeed."
Jamis tried not to smile. "Nearly as scary as fighting you!"
"I'm more scary than that? I am honoured!"
Both men laughed, striding out along the flatter top. Suddenly, Jamis went over on his ankle. The uneven ground and small rocks had caused him to miss a safe-footing and he crumpled into the ground in agony.
"My ankle!"
Andronicus stopped, unsure what had just happened.
"I've went over on my ankle. I'm not sure I can walk!"
Andronicus supported Jamis as Jamis tried to get up and put some gentle weight on his leg. Each step was cautiously made and each step hurt.
"I've had better days than this" Jamis joked.
"Me too and it is only the afternoon."
Andronicus supported Jamis as they continued walking along the plateau, slower than if Jamis had not twisted his ankle, but fast enough to get them moving along in their journey.
Suddenly Jamis saw a man in the distance waving a green flag. The two men crouched down and watched the man ahead. The man stood on the plateau, looking down at the valley below. After around another fifteen more minutes, the man picked up the green flag again and waved it again to someone below in the valley.
"It looks as if he is signalling with the green flag that all is clear on top of the hill and that he can see no Romans approaching up the valley." Andronicus looked down at the man's feet to see a yellow flag and a red flag.
Andronicus continued. "Probably the yellow flag is to show there is danger where he is and the red flag is probably the signal that he has seen the Romans approaching up the valley. All very clever!"
Jamis took the situation in. "I have an idea. I will say that we are two locals looking to get back home before the ambush and that we thought this would be the safest way home. I will say that I went over on my ankle."
"Sound reasonable. What if he recognises you? You were briefly a King after all."
"I will say that I have often been mistaken for Jamis and that it is sad that he had died at Camoch."
Andronicus was thinking through the problems. "What if he starts talking to me?"
"Just say the few words of welcome I taught you and look vacant. I will explain that you are simple." Jamis allowed himself a slight smile. "It shouldn't be too difficult for you to act out." Jamis enjoyed teasing Andronicus when a clear opportunity arose.
"Thanks very much!" replied Andronicus. "I am spoken to so nicely by you and Scrivinus."
"You're welcome."
The two men began walking towards the flag man. Most of the time he had his back towards them but Jamis thought that the flag man must surely have seen them.
Before long, the two men had nearly reached the flag man, Jamis having to be supported for most of the walk, by having his arm round Andronicus's shoulder.
The flag man still had his back towards Jamis and Andronicus as Jamis prepared to speak. Jamis opened his mouth when suddenly the flag man turned in one sweeping movement, swinging his sword directly across Jamis's stomach.
The sharp pain caused Jamis to go into a severe shock and he fell onto his knees.
"Traitors and Romans! You never know where they will appear!"
Jamis looked at the man and recognised him as one of Callan's nobles, Fastig. Fastig now swung his sword in the other direction, ready to decapitate the kneeling Jamis. The sword reached Jamis's neck and was met by Andronicus's blade, enough to lessen the cut to Jamis's neck.
Jamis's core gave way and he tumbled forwards onto the ground. Andronicus stabbed his sword forward and Fastig dodged backwards. Off balance, Fastig managed to regain his footing and was about to stab downwards into Jamis. As he did so, Andronicus leapt forward and with a thrust, Andronicus's sword met Fastig's chest, causing Fastig to be stopped in his tracks.
Horrified, Fastig looked down at the sword and then looked back to Andronicus, to then spit out some words aimed at Andronicus.
"What did he say? I can't speak much of your language."
Fastig fell to the side and Jamis tried to prop himself up on his arms. "He said there will be many others that will take his place."
"Not up here they won't!" Andronicus was silent for a moment as he wiped his sword clean. In his short time with this Antonine Wall posting, he had already been involved in numerous deadly encounters with the Caledonians and he hoped he would live long enough to be given an easier post elsewhere sometime.
Andronicus bent down and examined Jamis's wounds. "You've been lucky! These wounds to your stomach and neck are only skin deep.'
"I don't feel lucky!"
"No, I know, but it could have been much worse." Andronicus took the red and yellow flags and ripped them from their wood. He then tied them together and placed them quite tightly around Jamis's body, underneath his tunic. "That should help protect the area around your stomach."
Next Andronicus took out a white piece of fabric that he had within his tunic and tied it, again quite firmly, around Jamis's neck. "And that should help protect your neck."
Andronicus straightened himself up. "We will rest a few moments, then I'll wave the green flag before we will get underway again."
Jamis let out a sigh. "I can't go any further in this state. The ankle, the wounds to my stomach and neck, I just can't do it. I've decided I will stay here until nightfall, waving the green flag every so often. Then I'll make my way down the hill. I will say that I was robbed."
"Is there anything I can say to convince you otherwise?"
"No. I want you to get back to avoid the ambush and save the lives on both sides. And I want you to save your brother, Aglastus."
"I see." Andronicus knew it was pointless to try change Jamis's mind and instead they clasped hands. "I will see you at Aritan and Angelis's home in due course then?
"Yes. Yes you will."
Both men thought that the odds of Jamis surviving were great, but both men felt that there was a greater purpose at stake, that outweighed the individual.
Andronicus helped Jamis to his feet and was almost in tears as he watched Jamis painfully swing the green flag back and forth. Both men nodded, the nod conveying the same as a thousand words between them, as Andronicus set off once more.

Chapter 9.
It was mid-afternoon. Both Angelis and her father Aritan, had dozed off in the heat, in between the gloom, thunder and lightning, torrential rain and sunshine.
A loud boom of thunder woke Angelis and Aritan up, followed by the brightest flash of sheet lightening they had both seen. The heavens opened to torrential rain once more.
Just as a bolt of lightning trickled down the sky, a shiver went down Angelis's spine. "I have had a vision! The strongest vision I have ever had! Jamis is on top of the hill alone and badly injured. I have seen exactly where he is. We must go to him, otherwise he will bleed to death!"
Jamis was almost like a son to Aritan and as he knew Angelis had this power of second sight, he did not doubt what Angelis had seen. He was now wide awake and he followed Angelis inside to prepare for a journey.
Angelis woke Nastin and explained to him what was happening.
Nastin quickly got ready, putting on his sword belt. Assigned by Centurion Andronicus to look after Jamis until he got better, Nastin had taken it badly when Jamis disappeared. He felt as if he had let everyone down. "I will get myself ready!"
"No! It is safer that I go alone with Aritan. If we are stopped, it would be more dangerous having a Roman soldier with us."
Nastin reluctantly agreed with Angelis's logic and helped Angelis on with her sword belt and bags.
As quickly as the heavy rain appeared, it was gone, replaced by bright sunshine again and Angelis hoped that this was a good omen for their journey, instead of nature tricking them to begin a journey, which instead would be a gloom of danger.


Chapter 10.
Andronicus carried on down the hill, trying to keep low and not attract any attention. He reached the edge of some trees and followed their line, keeping away from the men below on the tracks. He looked back up the hill and saw Jamis waving the green flag and then Andronicus looked at a man on the track, who responded with a similar wave back to Jamis, with his green flag also.
Andronicus allowed himself a slight smile. The man on the track had no idea that it was Jamis who was waving the green flag and not one of their own men, trying to outfox any possible Roman threat.
Andronicus watched a scared fox running across the track into the trees and he decided that like the fox, he had better get moving. He remembered as a child on the farm playing hide and seek in the trees with his brother Aglastus and now this was playing out for real, trying to avoid being caught.
As he moved along the edge of the trees he suddenly became aware of cracking branches ahead of him. Instantly Andronicus stopped and tried to shelter behind a tree. And then more cracking of branches, this time to his right.
Suddenly someone pounced on his right towards the cracking of the branches. It was a boy shouting out that he had seen the other boy, their very own game of hide and seek, just as Andronicus and Aglastus had played long ago.
A branch snapped under Andronicus's foot and he cursed himself for being so careless. The two boys turned their heads and Andronicus was caught. Andronicus stood up and came out into the open. He pointed to his behind and held his stomach. How would these two boys know that he was Centurion Andronicus of Balmuildy Fort?
Andronicus smiled and reached inside his tunic and brought out two shining coins. He held his palm out to them and cautiously the boys approached him.
After the boys had taken the money, Andronicus pointed to his behind again, held his stomach and then squatted down, as if ready to do the toilet once again. He then waved the two boys away with his hand and they ran off laughing, as Andronicus went back into the woods.
Once the two boys had ran off, Andronicus began his journey again, along the edge of the trees, taking him further away from the men on the track and closer to safety.


Chapter 11.
Jamis hauled himself up again, having to put his full weight on the green flag as he did so. He had lost count of how many times he had done this, possibly because his mind was now cloudy, from the blood loss from his stomach and neck.
As before, he waved the green flag and this was reciprocated by a man below in the valley. Jamis stopped waving and slumped back down onto the ground. It was getting dark and he would soon try to make his way down the hill and move round the edge of the trees unnoticed, as he had seen Andronicus begin to do earlier.
Jamis became aware of the sound of hooves. Was this the sound of horses on the track? To Jamis's dismay, the noise grew louder and he soon saw two approaching horses charging up the hill. And so this was it, Jamis said to himself. This was how he was going to die, struck down by swords from horses at speed.
Jamis had told himself that when the end came, he would face this bravely. Once more he hauled himself up using the green flag, to stand as tall and proud as his body would allow. At his full height, Jamis drew his sword and waited.
As the two horses approached, Jamis expected their speed to be maintained, but unexpectedly, he noticed that the horses were slowing down. Perhaps the riders wanted more of a contest and Jamis tightened his hand around his sword in readiness.
His vision blurring he then heard his name being called. He thought he had imagined this but he heard the call again and this time he recognised the voice - it was Angelis. Beside her, Jamis made out the image of Aritan. It would seem, thought Jamis to himself, that he would live another day.
Jamis allowed himself a small smile and with his remaining energy, he leaned on the green flag once again, to collapse back down on the ground.

Chapter 12.
Andronicus made good progress along the edge of the trees. As he went, he would look through the trees and see various groups of men standing on the tracks. It did indeed appear to be around a thousand men, preparing themselves for the night ahead, before the ambush of the Romans in the morning.
Several hours passed and Andronicus had kept up a good walking pace. As night fell, the amount of men around the tracks thinned out and Andronicus felt that the end of their number would soon come. He knew that his Balmuildy Fort was approaching and this would give him the chance to mount a horse and set off as a party to Barr Hill Fort, to prevent Centurion Aglastus, Tribune Lacitus and a Century of men from being massacred in a later ambush.
The light from the fires on top of the palisade was a welcome sight and he approached Balmuildy Fort with a great sense of relief. He would now be able to stop the ambush and save many lives on both sides, not least his brother Centurion Aglastus.
Andronicus reached the Gates. A figure looked down, which Andronicus was bewildered to see. It was Legionary Nastin. Surely Nastin would have been at Aritan and Angelis's dwelling, awaiting news of Jamis?
"Open up! Centurion Andronicus approaching!"
"Nastin? Why are you here? Should you not be with Aritan and Angelis?"
"Sir! Angelis had a vision of Jamis badly injured on top of the hills. Angelis and Aritan rode there straight away, found him and brought him back to their dwelling. They asked me to ride here to warn of the ambush and to let you know Jamis had been found alive."
"This is good news indeed! Has a message party been sent to Barr Hill Fort to tell them of the impending ambush and so not to march?"
"Yes, Sir!"
"Excellent! So now I can go and wash, eat and sleep well!"
Nastin made a face that Andronicus did not miss. "Not quite, Sir. Tribune Lacitus is in your Quarters. He left instructions that you were to go to him immediately, should you arrive."
Andronicus's elation collapsed on hearing Lacitus's name. He looked over Nastin's shoulder and could see the light coming through the edges of the door.
Andronicus looked back to Nastin. "Will Jamis survive?"
"Angelis seems to think so, Sir."
"Very good, Legionary Nastin. Have you ever been face to face with a wolf?"
"No, Sir!"
"Well, that is what I am about to do now. Carry on with your duties, Nastin. I will speak with you later."
Andronicus made his way to his Quarters. Normally a place where he could have peace and quiet to carry out his documents or to have a time to relax, the light from underneath the doorway did not look inviting.
Andronicus knocked on the door, his door, not something he had done before.
"Enter!"
Centurion Andronicus marched in and saluted Tribune Lacitus, who was seated behind the desk.
"Ah! Centurion Andronicus! You survived! Please, take a seat!"
"Thank you, Sir!"
"Centurion." Lacitus looked directly at Andronicus, like a wolf sizing up its prey.
"Nastin has told me of your adventures with your Interpreter Jamis. Nastin was also informed by someone named Aritan that an ambush was planned against myself, Centurion Aglastus and his Century during our journey to peace talks tomorrow morning."
"Yes, Sir!"
"Although undoubtedly our Century would have won, we may have lost some good men as there were to be over one thousand of these, these, what's the word - barbarians!"
"Of course, Sir!" Andronicus did not expect a high ranking Officer of the Roman Army to suggest they could ever be defeated, even although in this case, the sheer number of the enemy may have indeed resulted in defeat.
"The fact that you have risked your life to help prevent this ambush is to your credit. However, there are many negatives."
"Yes, Sir." Andronicus suddenly felt as if he was on trial. The wolf was starting to move forward.
Lacitus looked through some documents on the desk, before looking back at Andronicus.
"You have left Balmuildy Fort without permission. You have taken on missions that were outwith orders. You have risked the safety of the Fort and all within it."
Lacitus opened another document. "Tell me Andronicus. What will you do outwith the Army?"
"Sir?" Did this mean he was being struck out the Roman Army?
"Will you go back to the Family farm and await your brother - Centurion Aglastus?"
Andronicus was completely taken aback "How did you know Aglastus was my brother?"
Tribune Lacitus smiled, his teeth white, like a young, successful wolf. "Oh, come now Andronicus. I can only get to this position of Tribune by reading each and every document and it was clear that you both came from the same farm. Also, I have eyes and ears everywhere, such that I know you sneaked back into the Fort through the back, like some sort of common criminal."
Andronicus was at a loss for words. This had been the final condemnation.
Lacitus reached across the desk for another document.
"By rights, you should be eliminated from the Roman Army immediately. However, in these times, I must reach a peace deal with these Caledonians. You and your Interpreter are the most likely to reach this deal, given Jamis's close relationship to these Caledonians. The next scheduled peace talks are in three weeks time and I want you and Jamis to lead them. In three days, I will send an escort for Jamis to be brought back to Balmuildy Fort to recover from his injuries. Then you will both be briefed exactly over the next three weeks what the peace talks are to achieve."
"Yes, Sir! Thank you, Sir!"
"Based on what I have said and the mess of your desk, I have ordered a new Centurion to work alongside you in Balmuildy Fort. My brother, Centurion Antallius will arrive in one week to take on his first Centurion position."
Lacitus poured Andronicus a glass of wine. Blood red wine, the red blood of the kill of a wolf. Lacitus laughed. "So you see, my dear Andronicus, we are not so dissimilar after all! We were both looking out for our brothers!"
Andronicus allowed himself a smile as Lacitus gestured to Andronicus to take his wine. Lacitus then leaned forward menacingly as Andronicus took a sip.
"Remember Centurion Andronicus, how well I have treated you this evening. Now, Army business over, let us enjoy this very fine wine. I believe Demius The Trader said it was from a Germanic area. Did I ever tell you about the wolves I came across in the forests there?"
Andronicus took another sip of the wine. "No, Sir!" But it was clear to Andronicus that the wolves were not confined to forests in the Germanic area. No, there was one sitting opposite Andronicus in this room.



Chapter 13.
Andronicus was eager for the next three weeks to pass quickly as he desperately wanted the peace talks to begin and succeed, in order to achieve further peace in the area. He could see that this could be the start of himself and Jamis achieving numerous peaceful outcomes throughout Caledonia.
On the orders of Tribune Lacitus, most days for Andronicus recently were spent indoors, working out the exact details of the peace talks, either with other members of the negotiations unit or with Tribune Lacitus himself.
Jamis had returned to Balmuildy Fort and worked closely with Andronicus, despite feeling pain from the various injuries he had received throughout the year.
Andronicus had met the new young Centurion Antallius, who seemed pleasant enough. Optio Scrivinus had played the perfect host, introducing Antallius to the various documents and procedures he would have to master, in order to fulfill that part of the job.
On some occasions, both Centurions jointly took the marching drill outside of the Balmuildy Fort gates and Antallius certainly had the voice for it and the ability to instill discipline, both needed if the Legionaries were to carry out orders at vital stages. Such qualities could be the difference between life and death not only for the legionary, but the Unit as a whole.
Andronicus found that Antallius was quite a likeable individual and decided that he could not help that he had a wolf of a brother. Nevertheless, Andronicus was guarded in what he said, in case this should get back to Lacitus and used against him at a later date.
With only one day to go before the peace talks were due to begin, all was proceeding well, too well and Andronicus sensed that this good fortune could not last forever.
As the morning's documents arrived, Andronicus was instantly drawn by the document from the Caledonians. Andronicus passed the unopened document immediately to Lacitus, who had arrived again in the early morning.
Lacitus shook his head. "This is not so good news. King Fillin has died of natural causes. His noblemen are in the process of picking a new King, one that wishes peace with the Romans. This tribe of Caledonians still wish the peace talks to go ahead."
Andronicus was in no illusion as to the seriousness of this situation. "Could this be a trap?"
Lacitus read over the document again. "I don't think so. Normally, in the event of such news, I would cancel these peace talks. But it is time that real progress was made. With the end of this campaign year, peaceful or otherwise, this particular tribe of Caledonians must cause us trouble no more."
Lacitus ran his finger over the words. "Although we do not know who the new King will be, the document does say that it is to be a King that wants peace with us. We will just have to accept this situation and go ahead with the visit."
Putting the document to one side, Lacitus decided to broach another topic. "And how is young Antallius getting on?"
Andronicus thought for a moment. The last thing he wanted to do was create any ill-will of Lacitus's use of power to appoint a relative. "Very well, Sir!"
Lacitus leaned back in his chair. "Ah! That's good! I thought as much. I know he is young, but I think he has the makings of a fine officer. Someone that could go all the way, given the right connections. I would be obliged if you and Scrivinus take him under your wing."
Lacitus laughed to himself. "Roman eagle, take under your wing! Quite apt, don't you think?"
"Yes, Sir! Very apt!" Andronicus wondered when Lacitus would be leaving. It was not easy completing all the Fort's documentation when someone like Lacitus was in the same room, let alone the same Fort. It didn't help that Scrivinus could not help, as he was busy helping young Antallius.
"Well, if you'll excuse me, before we leave here early tomorrow morning to go to Camoch for the peace talks, I think I should go and visit another unsuspecting Fort today. I have to keep everyone on their toes!"
"Yes, Sir! Of course, Sir!" Lacitus leaving to go somewhere else for the day - this was exactly what Andronicus wanted to hear.




Chapter 14.
Centurion Andronicus poured his Interpreter Jamis, Optio Scrivinus, Centurion Antallius and himself a glass of wine.
Andronicus raised his glass. "Well, gentlemen. We have done all we can. Let us drink to success tomorrow for the peace talks. This time tomorrow, more of Caledonia will hopefully be at peace with Rome, with further tribes strongly considering the same."
"To the greatest victory - Peace!"
"Peace!" The men toasted the very thought of it. To turn hostile opponents into respected allies would bring benefits to both sides and was a prize worth winning, an ideal to make the fighting to be not in vain.
The young Centurion Antallius, brother of Tribune Lacitus, cleared his throat quietly. "May I say that it has been an honour joining you these last two weeks. I know that I am really only starting out in my military career but you have shown me the example to follow."
Andronicus raised his glass again to Antallius. "That is very kind of you, Antallius. It has been a pleasure working with you, too. I hope your career will be a long and successful one. Indeed, starting from tomorrow, it may turn out a day that no-one here will ever forget."
Andronicus returned to his words that he had prepared earlier. "Gentlemen. Before we each take our rest, one final toast."
The gentlemen prepared to raise their glasses as Andronicus looked intently at each of his companions. "To give our all for Rome!"
"To give our all for Rome!"


Chapter 15.
The sun shone brightly as the Roman procession reached Camoch. No intelligence of planned ambushes had been received and the strength of two Centuries had deterred any unwanted attention.
Centurion Andronicus had managed to travel much of the way next to his brother, Centurion Aglastus and they had talked excitedly about past times on the family farm and making plans for their return one day.
Centurion Antallius had listened respectively to the two brothers and chipped in with comments from time to time. Andronicus found that he genuinely liked Antallius, who seemed to be a genuine, straight forward man.
Andronicus caught a glimpse of Tribune Lacitus further up the procession who was riding on a handsome black horse, looking the very part a successful Roman. Although not the genuine, straight forward person like his younger brother, Tribune Lacitus was on the same side and was determined to bring peace to more parts of this population and extend the extent of the Roman Empire once more.
For Tribune Lacitus, he had sent word earlier that he wished for a successful, brief meeting, culminating in a peace document signing, for which a more detailed outcome would be worked out in due course.
Based on his previous experiences, Lacitus had found that longer meetings could throw up disagreements and problems, resulting in ultimately, a failure to reach any agreements after all.
And so with little fuss, the Centuries arrived and the Romans negotiations unit took their places at the tables in the Great Hall. All from the Roman party awaited eagerly to see who the new King was, that the noblemen had chosen to succeed King Fillin after his death from natural causes. The New King would emerge from the door opposite and the Roman eyes glanced to the door every so often whenever they had thought they detected any opening.
At last the door opened and the Caledonian party emerged. Andronicus and Jamis could not believe who the new King was that was appearing before their eyes. Resplendent and distinguished in fine robes, accompanied by a confident and noble lady. It was Aritan and his daughter Angelis.
Once a foe of Rome, Aritan had fought against the Romans, but had come to realise in his later years that peace was a far greater prize.
A delighted Lacitus leaned over to Andronicus. "This is wonderful news! Aritan is known to want peace with the Romans! I know also that Aritan is almost a father to Jamis. It seems that all your efforts to save Jamis in your un-authourised actions are going to be rewarded after all, Centurion Andronicus!"
Andronicus smiled back at Lacitus. "Indeed, Sir! Indeed!"
As hoped by Lacitus, the discussions amongst the two groups were brief and before long, ceremonial documents were brought out and signed by Tribune Lacitus and King Aritan.
Aritan rose to his feet and the excited chattering slowly came to a silence. Aritan paused to look around the faces gathered in this Great Hall. His eyes met with Jamis and Aritan remembered Jamis's father, Boridan.
Aritan remembered how he and Boridan had vowed in their youth to always do their best for their people. He remembered how Boridan was killed by a visiting mounted Roman unit to their village over two years ago and how a dieing Boridan had asked Aritan to be a father to Jamis.
As Aritan continued to stand, he readied himself to make his speech, with Jamis ready to translate for the Romans.
"Today is a great day! We have secured peace and shown the way for other tribes to follow. As a young man, I would never have thought that I would be standing here many years later, helping to bring peace. I lived in a time of war and now is the time of peace."
"Never!" A Caledonian rushed forward, his dagger raised with the metal glinting in the light. Andronicus saw what was happening and leapt out of his chair towards danger, putting himself in between the path of the attacker and Aritan.
The momentum of the charging attacker pushed Andronicus backwards, but Andronicus held on. Other Caledonians had sprung into action and managed to stop the attacker and the huddle lead him away out of the Great Hall, the attacker still shouting as loud as he could.
The Great Hall now looked back at Andronicus, the hero who had saved the King. Jamis was first to congratulate Andronicus, clasping his arm. "Well done, Andronicus! You have saved the day!"
"Oh, it was nothing. Anyone would do the same when they saw what was happening."
"Not at all! You were very brave running towards danger!"
"No, don't be silly!" Andronicus cut short what he was saying, suddenly feeling a shortness of breath. He looked down and then raised his tunic, to see blood pouring from near his heart. He suddenly felt very faint and collapsed downwards, the group around him helping him to fall into the nearest chair.
"I'm not feeling well at all, Jamis. It looks as if I met the attacker's blade. I'm not going to survive this one."
"Nonsense! Hold on while we attend to this wound." Jamis and the others tried to stem the wound with some cloths, but the bleeding would not stop, the white cloths turning red almost as soon as they were applied each time.
"Jamis. Can you forgive me for the death of your father?"
"Of course. It was a battle that started because no-one knew what the other side was saying. One thing lead to another. Look at what we have just achieved! Think about all of the peaceful outcomes with other tribes that we will go on to achieve!"
Jamis wanted to keep talking, not wanting Andronicus to lose consciousness as his wound was attended to by others. "We fight when we have to but seek peace when we can!"
"Continue to do so, Jamis. You will have Optio Scrivinus and Centurion Antallius with you."
"And you, Centurion Andronicus!"
"I'm afraid not, Jamis. Please tell my brother Centurion Aglastus that I love him and for him to take care of the family farm when he leaves the Army. And to everyone else, I wish you all well. It seems I have given my all to Rome."
"Andronicus! Stay with us!" But Jamis's words were now lost to Andronicus, who was now already gone.
Chapter 16.
Jamis had been granted a few days of rest after the peace deal and Centurion Andronicus's funeral. Jamis returned to the resting place of his father and sat in the gardens, taking in the stillness and the beauty of the nature around him.
Carefully Jamis unearthed the golden torque that he had left there several days before. He had felt unworthy to wear such an object, but now that a significant peace deal had been struck, he had decided this should be worn with his Roman uniform.
A new peace deal was being worked out with other Caledonian tribes and Jamis was ready to play his part as a trusted figure on both sides, also able to use his role as an Interpreter. He would work alongside his brother Tribune Lacitus and his companions Centurion Antallius and Optio Scrivinus.
Jamis was confident that they could build upon Andronicus's recent peaceful success but further thoughts about up coming talks was for another day.
Jamis took out his tools and sitting on the grass he carefully engraved the words he wanted on the inside of the golden torque - Andronicus, Jamis, Boridan.
As Jamis finished engraving the last letter, he heard a noise from the trees and looked up to see a proud stag emerge, his antlers resplendent and head held high.
The stag stared back at Jamis and bowed his head. With a flair of his nostrils, the stag then turned and disappeared into the trees. Some people believed the stag guided people to their next journey after they had passed away and Jamis hoped that seeing the stag was a signal that Andronicus was on his way, to join his father, Boridan.

Jamis stood up and put on his golden torque, touched his lucky stone and mounted his horse. Ready for his next journey back to Balmuildy Fort. Ready for life on the Antonine Wall. Ready for
whatever may be next.
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