Hosker, G [Sword of Cartimandua 03] Invasion- Caledonia by Griff Hosker Read Free Book Online Page B

on the bluff trooper’s face.” You will have your revenge but this is a task for a younger man.”
    “Sir!” Once he left the tent he said, more to himself than anyone else, “All this because I got out of breath climbing that bloody hill.” He turned to Gaelwyn. “Right then. What is the plan?”
    “We will go along the beach as they did.  When we get to the isle I will swim around to the far side where there is a cliff.  I will climb and be able to see into their camp. I will return to your men. “He looked at Decius.  “I do not need to be guarded.”
    Decius’ voice softened.  “I understand and I know what you think of the Decurion Princeps but look at it this way. If you have four or five men with you then it might be possible to rescue him. Difficult on your own eh?”
    For the first time he could remember, Decius saw the scout smile. “You are not as addled in the head as you make out are you decurion?”
    “Gerroff with you!”
    The choice of two of the rescue party was obvious, Macro and Gaius it was the other two who were not as easy to find for they had to be tough, quick and fearless. It was Macro who gave them the answer. “Those two troopers who Modius and Scipio sent back to us.  Cilo and Galeo they are as good a pair of fighters as I have trained and they would give their lives for the decurion. Oh and one more thing.”
    “Yes?”
    “They are Atrebate, from the south.  They might know about the customs of the tribe. We need all the help we can get.”
    That settled the question. “Right. No horses, they will make too much noise. Take your slingshot and just swords, don’t bother with shields.” He looked over his shoulder. “And there will be a turma within a mile of the isle. I want your ugly faces back. May the Allfather protect you.”

Caer Gybi
    There was a sudden movement and Marcus found himself lying on his back although still contained within the wicker structure. He was roughly bounced around and then flickering daylight began to flood in through the gaps in the wicker and he involuntarily tried to shield his eyes with his tethered arms; the pain was excruciating.  After a few moments he found himself upright. Again there was some movement and a piece of the wicker from directly in front of his face was removed. He found himself seemingly hovering above the sea like a gull, for it stretched before him blue and grey in the early light. He turned his head to the left and saw, with some relief, the land that, he assumed was Mona.  He still wasn’t certain whether he had died or not but the pain in his head and his arms seemed to suggest that he was still in Britannia.
    “Roman!” He looked around for the owner of the voice. When he looked down, an action which increased the pain in his head he saw that his wicker coffin, for so he thought it was, was on a wooden platform at the edge of the cliff and there before him was his nemesis, his enemy, Fainch the witch. He did not know what he had expected but he was disturbed to find that he was oddly attracted to her and, despite the pain he was in, felt his loins stirring. She was older than he had expected and there were flecks of grey dotted in her hair but, as she stared at him, had had to admit that she had a power. Her violet eyes, or were they blue, seemed to exude a power which bored into his brain. “Do you know where you are Roman?”
    He tried to speak but he was dry and he had to cough. The witch stared at him, a grim grin like a savage slit in her face, enjoying his discomfort and pain. “I assume this is a sacrifice to the god Tanasis and I am to be burned alive.”
    She seemed surprised and annoyed for she had hoped to shock and frighten this Roman who had thwarted so many of her plans. “You know our ways Roman but I forget you had a bitch whelp you a pup did you not?”
    If she was hoping to anger him she failed for his anger was a cold vengeful anger which was stored up inside him, powerful and patient.