We set out early the following morning. \u00c2\u00a0It was half a day’s ride to Castra Exploratorum, a cavalry fort used to send out scouts and hunters into Brigante territory. \u00c2\u00a0In my late twenties, I spent summers at the fort working on my tracking and hunting skills. \u00c2\u00a0I knew the road well.<\/p>\n
The men had no complaints about their orders, but I still felt like they were keeping a close eye on me. \u00c2\u00a0They knew little about how I gained my position, and I felt like an impostor, like I was given my rank by subterfuge. \u00c2\u00a0Still, these were good men, and my reputation in the ala was well established. \u00c2\u00a0I knew that if I did not have their trust I would earn it in time.<\/p>\n
During the night, it had rained, and the air had turned windy and cold, unusually cold for June. \u00c2\u00a0We got to the fort before noon and ate a small meal. \u00c2\u00a0I talked to my former commander and some of the guards about the brigands. \u00c2\u00a0No one could give us any additional information. \u00c2\u00a0We headed west toward the outpost at Blatobulgium after the horses got a chance to eat and drink. \u00c2\u00a0We talked to everyone we met on the road and stopped at every village and farmstead.<\/p>\n
A third of the way to the outpost we stopped at a small farmstead located along a small stream shrouded by willow trees. \u00c2\u00a0I asked the farmer about the brigands but he deflected my questions and told me he had nothing to say. \u00c2\u00a0There was a dark bruise on the side of his face and outside his granary were fresh wagon wheel ruts and grain scattered on the ground. \u00c2\u00a0Tributes and taxes were levied in the fall and the farmer did not seem like the careless type.<\/p>\n
“You are fortunate to have excess grain to sell this time of year,” I said.
\nHe glanced quickly at the granary and then back to me, “What?”<\/p>\n
“It looks like you’ve sold off some grain recently. \u00c2\u00a0Can I take a look?”<\/p>\n
He squinted at me and said, “Fine.” \u00c2\u00a0He walked to the granary door and removed a wooden peg from a metal clasp. \u00c2\u00a0The door swung open to reveal a bare floor. \u00c2\u00a0There wasn’t enough grain to last the farmer through the summer until the harvest. \u00c2\u00a0Rome took its share but never so much to leave the farmers hungry and prone to revolt.<\/p>\n
“Do you have another storehouse?” I said.<\/p>\n
“No.” \u00c2\u00a0The old farmer looked down at the grain on the ground. \u00c2\u00a0The wind picked up and ate away at the piles, spreading the seeds out into the grass.<\/p>\n
“Did someone take this grain from you?” I said.<\/p>\n
He looked down, his jaw locked, his eyes avoiding contact.<\/p>\n
“Are you afraid to say anything because they might come back to hurt you?” I said.<\/p>\n
He looked at his small home.<\/p>\n
“You know these men aren’t like you and me. \u00c2\u00a0We do our duty. \u00c2\u00a0We follow the law. \u00c2\u00a0You pay your tax in grain and I pay mine in service.” \u00c2\u00a0The man was clearly of local stock so I pushed harder. “They may hate Rome but they have no right to do this to one of their own people. \u00c2\u00a0How many years has your family farmed here?”<\/p>\n
“It doesn’t matter! \u00c2\u00a0You can’t protect me every day and night. \u00c2\u00a0They’ve taken more from me than grain and not once did your legions protect me.”<\/p>\n
“But we are here now and I can get your grain back.”<\/p>\n
He kicked at the grain sending a swirling torrent of seed into the air, “I could care less about the grain! \u00c2\u00a0They beat me and my wife and raped my daughter when she tried to fight them off. \u00c2\u00a0Where were you then? Where!?”<\/p>\n
“Who did this? \u00c2\u00a0Where did they go?” I said<\/p>\n
“If they find out I told you they will be back and do worse. \u00c2\u00a0Now get out of here!”<\/p>\n
“They will be back for sure if you don’t tell us. \u00c2\u00a0We are your only chance to be rid of them.”<\/p>\n
“I’m an old man and if I know anything it is that if it isn’t them it will be another bunch of thieves at my door. \u00c2\u00a0It is better to give them what they want than try and fight them and end up dead.”<\/p>\n
“After what they did to your family this time, you think they will stop from beating you to death because you give them a little grain? \u00c2\u00a0They are like wild dogs. \u00c2\u00a0You give them a taste and they will come back for more. \u00c2\u00a0They will bring others. \u00c2\u00a0They will wonder what is in the house. \u00c2\u00a0They will remember your daughter,” I said. \u00c2\u00a0I didn’t want to threaten him but I had to make him see they wouldn’t stop.<\/p>\n
He scowled at me but the fight had left his eyes.<\/p>\n
“Follow the stream until it joins the river. Go along until you find a trail that fords the stream. \u00c2\u00a0Follow the trail,” he said in a quiet voice.<\/p>\n
“You will not regret helping us,” I said.<\/p>\n
“I already do,” he said as he began walking back to his house.<\/p>\n
___________________________________<\/p>\n
Merula, Narses, Cimber, and I went on foot from the ford. \u00c2\u00a0It would have been too difficult to proceed quietly with the horses over the rocky terrain. \u00c2\u00a0The trail narrowed to a path that wound its way through outcroppings and underbrush. \u00c2\u00a0Stones along the way were marked with strange symbols. \u00c2\u00a0Cimber said that some were Druid symbols honoring gods of the forest and others were meaningless scratches. \u00c2\u00a0The trail began to rise, and in the darkening forest, we spotted a level clearing at the top of the bank.<\/p>\n
The clearing was nestled amongst large boulders and a halo of ancient oak trees. \u00c2\u00a0Vines were woven in an elaborate pattern between the trees forming a gnarled ring about ten feet off the ground. \u00c2\u00a0The opening was empty except for an enormous fire pit that had not been used for more than a month. \u00c2\u00a0At the other end of the circle were elaborately carved stones set up like an altar.<\/p>\n
Around the clearing, outside the oak trees, amongst the rocks were smaller clearings with fire pits and room enough for three or four men to sleep. \u00c2\u00a0They looked to be used frequently, but no one was there. \u00c2\u00a0We also noticed that leading out from the circle were a number of paths like the one we followed. \u00c2\u00a0Two of them were larger, big enough for a cart or small wagon. \u00c2\u00a0They headed in opposite directions along the length of the hillside, one east and one west. \u00c2\u00a0The farmstead and other raids we knew about were mostly in the east. \u00c2\u00a0We began tracking eastward looking for clues.<\/p>\n
Time went by faster than I anticipated, and the low clouds brought dusk early. \u00c2\u00a0We were prepared to spend the night in the forest, and I had told the other men not to expect our return. \u00c2\u00a0We found shelter under a rock overhang and made a small fire. \u00c2\u00a0We had some cured meat and sweet wine and wrapped up in our cloaks to endure the night. \u00c2\u00a0I took the first watch.<\/p>\n
The clouds cleared after the sun set, and through the trees, I watched the thin crescent of the moon travel a quarter of the way across the night sky. \u00c2\u00a0I woke up Narses to take the next watch and then went to relieve myself. \u00c2\u00a0Standing there, I heard Narses whisper to me.<\/p>\n
“What is it?” I said.<\/p>\n
“What?” Narses said.<\/p>\n
“What did you say?”<\/p>\n
“I didn’t say anything.”<\/p>\n
“Come here and listen.”<\/p>\n
Narses stood next to me and after a moment said, “I hear it too.”<\/p>\n
“Wake up the others,” I said.<\/p>\n
Not more than a half mile along the trail, we saw firelight. \u00c2\u00a0It was down off the trail about two hundred feet in a grove of birch trees growing amongst the boulders. \u00c2\u00a0I sent Cimber ahead to check it out. \u00c2\u00a0By the time he returned, the firelight was dim and the voices quieter. \u00c2\u00a0**There were ten men, two boys, a mule and an old man. \u00c2\u00a0I thanked Fortuna for my good luck. \u00c2\u00a0Cimber said the men were drinking and that only one man looked to be on guard. \u00c2\u00a0The old man was not bound or under any kind of special protection.<\/p>\n
We waited until the fire collapsed into coals and the sliver moon was more than halfway across the sky. \u00c2\u00a0I sent Cimber ahead again to assess the guards. \u00c2\u00a0He returned quickly and said that the only guard was asleep, spear in hand, on top of one of the boulders. \u00c2\u00a0We took our time getting closer.<\/p>\n
I had Narses train an arrow on the sleeping guard while Merula and Cimber watched my back as I approached the camp. \u00c2\u00a0Elijah was asleep on the outside of the circle, no bindings, no guard. \u00c2\u00a0I knelt by his side and put my hand over his mouth. \u00c2\u00a0He opened his eyes without a hint of surprise. \u00c2\u00a0I showed him the amulet. \u00c2\u00a0He looked around at his slumbering kidnappers and then nodded in acknowledgement. \u00c2\u00a0He quietly got up and grabbed a satchel that was by his side. \u00c2\u00a0We started walking away when he tugged on my arm and pointed back toward the camp. \u00c2\u00a0I shook my head, “No.” \u00c2\u00a0He sighed and continued to follow me. \u00c2\u00a0Barely a man stirred, and we were back on the trail without incident. \u00c2\u00a0We went down the trail a ways before anyone spoke.<\/p>\n
Elijah said, “You are early.”<\/p>\n
I turned to look at him, “What?”<\/p>\n
“I wasn’t expecting anyone for a couple days. \u00c2\u00a0I was hoping to witness their solstice celebration.”<\/p>\n
“Why would you want to stay with these brigands any longer than you have to?” Merula said.<\/p>\n
“These people’s rites fascinate me, plus I never like to miss a good celebration,” he said.<\/p>\n
“I’m sure the governor will throw you a celebration when you return,” I said.<\/p>\n
“Well that may be but we can’t go back just yet,” he said stopping in the middle of the trail.<\/p>\n
“What do you mean?” I said.<\/p>\n
“I need my books.”<\/p>\n
“What do you mean? \u00c2\u00a0What’s in the bag?” I said pointing at his side.<\/p>\n
“Oh, this and that, some bread from earlier, an extra hat, some acorns from a . . .”<\/p>\n
“I don’t care what it is if it not your books,” I yelled in a whisper. \u00c2\u00a0“Where are the books?”<\/p>\n
“Well, they are back at the camp of course,” he said. \u00c2\u00a0“You don’t think they would let me go around with my books. \u00c2\u00a0What would keep me there?”<\/p>\n
I stood in the trail staring back toward the brigand’s camp. \u00c2\u00a0We could go back and try to steal the books but that seemed impossible. \u00c2\u00a0I thought about my promise to the farmer. \u00c2\u00a0I thought about what I told the boy, but I wasn’t thinking like a decurion. \u00c2\u00a0I wasn’t thinking like a leader, like the head of a unit. I was thinking like a man trying to avoid a fight.<\/p>\n
I turned back to the men, “Cimber go back to the unit and get the men. \u00c2\u00a0Try to get back here before dawn. \u00c2\u00a0Merula, take Elijah and follow Cimber. \u00c2\u00a0Narses and I will stay here and keep an eye on the camp. \u00c2\u00a0I want to make sure no one else shows up, and I want to be ready when they find out their hostage has escaped.”<\/p>\n
The men acted without hesitation even though I worried they wouldn’t be able to find their way back to the unit in the dark. \u00c2\u00a0But we had to do this now. \u00c2\u00a0More Brigantes would be coming to the grove for the solstice, and if we didn’t prepare before sunrise we would lose the advantage. \u00c2\u00a0Speratus would revel in this, the challenge, the fight, the chance for glory. \u00c2\u00a0I was worried about being caught off guard, about losing men all over some books. \u00c2\u00a0It didn’t help that it was one of the shortest nights of the year, and it was more than half over.<\/p>\n
Narses and I climbed up on a tall boulder and watched the camp in the dim light. \u00c2\u00a0Narses was the opposite of his brother, Adar. \u00c2\u00a0He hardly ever spoke and when he did it was only out of necessity. \u00c2\u00a0I asked him how long he thought before they would realize Elijah was gone. \u00c2\u00a0All he said was, “Soon.” \u00c2\u00a0Unfortunately he was right.<\/p>\n
The guard finally woke up and walked over to one of the blanketed mounds. \u00c2\u00a0He kicked it and mumbled something. \u00c2\u00a0The man got up and the guard lay down. \u00c2\u00a0On the way to his post the new guard looked around at all the other sleeping men and then at the spot where Elijah was laying. \u00c2\u00a0He yelled back at the other guard who looked up slowly. \u00c2\u00a0The new guard yelled at him again. \u00c2\u00a0Now he got up and looked around too. \u00c2\u00a0Within moments they were waking everyone up and stoking the fire.<\/p>\n
A short man with shaggy brown hair finally took charge. \u00c2\u00a0He screamed at the guard and hit him on the side of the head. \u00c2\u00a0The guard who was a full head taller said nothing. \u00c2\u00a0He then went to where he was sleeping and turned over his blankets. \u00c2\u00a0He opened up a large leather bag and pulled out two or three books and looked them over. \u00c2\u00a0Now everyone was awake and crowding around the growing fire to see what was going on. \u00c2\u00a0The short man slung the bag over his shoulder and began barking orders. \u00c2\u00a0In pairs, the men lit torches and headed out in all directions. \u00c2\u00a0It didn’t take them long to find our tracks. \u00c2\u00a0They followed them to the trail. \u00c2\u00a0All we could see were their torches flickering through the trees from our rock perch. \u00c2\u00a0Eventually they headed back. \u00c2\u00a0I had Narses ready his bow in case they found our tracks to the rock. \u00c2\u00a0Thankfully, they passed by and went to the camp where they began loading up the pack mule.<\/p>\n
They packed their belongings quickly and were on edge, looking around the whole time. \u00c2\u00a0When they headed out they went in the opposite direction from where we came. \u00c2\u00a0I heard someone call the leader Torrin, and he seemed to know enough about Elijah that he wanted to avoid a conflict with whoever rescued him. \u00c2\u00a0This was bad for us. \u00c2\u00a0There were probably others along the trail heading to the solstice celebration and if he was able to find their camps I would have a much bigger problem. \u00c2\u00a0My men weren’t going to arrive until daybreak, and I could only hope that he wouldn’t find reinforcements by then.<\/p>\n
The stars had vanished from the eastern horizon by the time I heard the horses. \u00c2\u00a0I told the men the situation, and we started after the brigands at a canter. \u00c2\u00a0If they stuck to the trail and didn’t find some sympathetic souls to fight with them, they should be easy to catch and overcome. \u00c2\u00a0Coming over a crest in the trail, we saw them on the next hill scattering into the woods. \u00c2\u00a0I ordered the men to spread out and surround them. \u00c2\u00a0I didn’t want a fight. \u00c2\u00a0This was their territory, they had the high ground. \u00c2\u00a0I had Merula stay back with Elijah, as I rode ahead to the hill. \u00c2\u00a0Adar and Narses stayed a hundred feet back to cover me. \u00c2\u00a0I rode to the top of the hill and sat in the center of the trail waiting to see my horsemen complete the circle in front of me. \u00c2\u00a0We had them completely surrounded but none of the brigands were in sight. \u00c2\u00a0The giant oaks and beech along with the boulders provided them with more than enough cover.<\/p>\n
When all my men were in place, I said, “Come out now and we can avoid unnecessary bloodshed.” \u00c2\u00a0I repeated the words in Celtic as best I could.<\/p>\n
There was no reply.<\/p>\n
“Surrender or you will be killed. Do you understand?” \u00c2\u00a0I said. \u00c2\u00a0I felt exposed sitting on the open trail. \u00c2\u00a0I held my shield close and kept turning Saad as I talked.<\/p>\n
Still, no reply.<\/p>\n
“You leave me no choice.” I swung my sword in a circular motion above my head and whistled. \u00c2\u00a0My men slowly began closing the circle.<\/p>\n
“If we surrender you will butcher us like pigs,” I heard from behind a large rotten stump. It sounded like their leader, Torrin.<\/p>\n
“I am no butcher. \u00c2\u00a0I do not wish to have your blood on my hands. \u00c2\u00a0Come out now before what little mercy I can afford you is gone.”<\/p>\n
From the other side of the trail, a voice called out, “Wait, wait! \u00c2\u00a0We don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to fight.” \u00c2\u00a0A man and a young woman stepped out from behind the base of an oak.<\/p>\n
Torrin called back, “You worthless pile of donkey shit!”<\/p>\n
“Who else wishes to be spared? \u00c2\u00a0Step forward now.”<\/p>\n
Others emerged from behind fallen trees and outcroppings. \u00c2\u00a0The leader yelled out again, “You are surrendering to sure death. \u00c2\u00a0You cannot trust them.”<\/p>\n
More than half of them came to the trail, no weapons in hand.<\/p>\n
“You will face certain death if you do not come forward,” I said. \u00c2\u00a0My men continued to close the circle.<\/p>\n
Torrin finally jumped up onto the stump. \u00c2\u00a0He pointed his sword at me, and I could hear Adar’s bow bend behind me. \u00c2\u00a0I waved him down. \u00c2\u00a0Killing their leader now would only eliminate what little trust they had in me.<\/p>\n
His face was beat red and he spit when he talked, “How dare you come into our woods and threaten us. \u00c2\u00a0We do not go into your towns and temples and terrorize you. \u00c2\u00a0This act will not go unanswered.”<\/p>\n
“It is too late for you to pass your blame onto me. \u00c2\u00a0You are the one who has kidnapped an innocent man and terrorized your own people, stealing their livelihoods and robbing them of their dignity. You are no better than scavengers.”<\/p>\n
“We only take back what Rome has taken from us.”<\/p>\n
“No. You take what doesn’t belong to you. \u00c2\u00a0You take what you haven’t worked for. \u00c2\u00a0You feed on the vulnerable not because they are weak but because you are weak.”<\/p>\n
“I’d rather die than submit to pathetic Romans.”<\/p>\n
I turned my attention to the others, “Does this man speak for you? \u00c2\u00a0Do you want to follow him into the afterlife? \u00c2\u00a0Has he done anything but torment farmers and merchants and kidnap old men?” \u00c2\u00a0Two more men emerged from the trees.<\/p>\n
“Why are you listening to him? \u00c2\u00a0They have never told us anything but lies. \u00c2\u00a0You are will be slaves by the end of the day if you don’t fight.”<\/p>\n
“I won’t lie. \u00c2\u00a0You all will pay for your crimes but if you come with us peacefully you will live to see tomorrow,” I said. \u00c2\u00a0He was right though. \u00c2\u00a0Slavery awaited most of them. \u00c2\u00a0Given the choice, I hoped they would take this over death.<\/p>\n
The last three men walked past their leader and joined the others on the trail. \u00c2\u00a0They all looked ashamed. \u00c2\u00a0I don’t know if it was shame for giving up the fight or for what they had done under Torrin\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s leadership, but they stared at the ground and wouldn’t look at me or their leader.<\/p>\n
Torrin stuck his sword in the stump and jumped down to the ground, “Curse you all. \u00c2\u00a0You’ve not only betrayed me but all your kind. \u00c2\u00a0I’m surrendering only to prove to you that they are the liars, they are the murderers and thieves. \u00c2\u00a0When they crucify me let my death be your proof.”<\/p>\n
My men closed in and tied them up. \u00c2\u00a0I told them to hurry. \u00c2\u00a0I still feared other Brigantes would be in the area shortly. \u00c2\u00a0Before we left, I singled out the first four individuals who surrendered. \u00c2\u00a0I told Merula to cut them loose.<\/p>\n
“You can go. \u00c2\u00a0Take your belongings and go back to your settlement. \u00c2\u00a0I do not believe you wish to fight anymore than we do. \u00c2\u00a0I will forgive you this once and assume you’ve followed this little tyrant out of fear or desperation.” \u00c2\u00a0I glanced for a second at Torrin. “But do not betray my mercy because if I come across you again in the company of brigands and murderers, slavery will not be an option.” \u00c2\u00a0I don’t know if this gesture was effective or not. \u00c2\u00a0I hoped it would change them, change their view of Rome, but I accepted the possibility that once back with their people they would laugh me off as a self-righteous Roman pawn. \u00c2\u00a0I also felt some of my own men looking at me like some idealistic fool. \u00c2\u00a0It didn’t matter. \u00c2\u00a0I didn’t know if I was doing the right thing but it felt right, and I was in charge.<\/p>\n
I took a quick inventory of the brigand’s belongings and made sure Elijah found his writings. \u00c2\u00a0We headed south back to the main road that ran between the northern outposts. \u00c2\u00a0We moved as quickly as we could, keeping the captives at a slow run. We were fortunate and did not come across any other groups. \u00c2\u00a0Back on the main road, we slowed down but remained vigilant. \u00c2\u00a0When we got to the muddy trail to the farmer’s house, I told Catalus, Varus, and Gratian to fetch the mule that was still carrying two large sacks of grain. \u00c2\u00a0I sent them to the farmer and asked them to relay the message, “That justice had been done.” \u00c2\u00a0It wouldn’t restore his dignity or his daughter’s innocence, but it might restore what little faith he may have in Rome.<\/p>\n
__________________________________________________<\/p>\n
We made it back to Castra Exploratorum before nightfall. \u00c2\u00a0The horses were put to stable and the men enjoyed a hearty meal of fresh rabbit and porridge. \u00c2\u00a0Torrin and his men were chained together and put into a makeshift stockade in the stables. \u00c2\u00a0After eating, I sat outside the small barracks and made some repairs to my scale armor. \u00c2\u00a0Elijah came along and sat down next to me.<\/p>\n
“I do not believe I ever thanked you for rescuing me,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Your welcome. \u00c2\u00a0The governor was very worried about your well-being,” I said.<\/p>\n
“He wasn’t worried about this decrepit old man. \u00c2\u00a0He was worried about what I know.”<\/p>\n
I risked overstepping my bounds but he led me to ask, “And what is it that you know that is so valuable?”<\/p>\n
A wry smile crossed his bearded face, “I don’t know until he asks me. \u00c2\u00a0I collect information, tidbits about this and that. \u00c2\u00a0I’ve been fortunate that more than once the governor has found it useful to have me around.”<\/p>\n
“Well it is clear you have made yourself indispensable.”<\/p>\n
“You must be pretty useful yourself for Severus to send you out to find me. \u00c2\u00a0He doesn’t send incompetents to do his tasks.”<\/p>\n
“Right place, right time,” I said.<\/p>\n
“I think there is more to it than that but whether it was destiny or chance I do have one question for you. \u00c2\u00a0Why did you spare Torrin and his men? \u00c2\u00a0No code prevented you from killing them on the spot, and I don’t believe your men would have questioned an order to attack. \u00c2\u00a0Did Severus ask for Torrin to be spared? \u00c2\u00a0Do these men have information that warrants mercy?”<\/p>\n
I hesitated. \u00c2\u00a0His questions were blunt, but I didn’t feel like he was questioning my decisions. \u00c2\u00a0He was simply seeking information.<\/p>\n
“I was being honest when I said I am not a butcher. \u00c2\u00a0I already have enough blood on my hands. \u00c2\u00a0Besides my assignment was to bring back a kidnapped scribe not slaughter a pack of desperate thieves.”<\/p>\n
“Desperation leads men to go against their better judgment,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said.<\/p>\n
“It can. Especially if they are weak,” I said.<\/p>\n
“So you are saying you understand these men. \u00c2\u00a0You see their plight and feel sorry for them.”<\/p>\n
“I never said I feel sorry for murderers and thieves. \u00c2\u00a0I said thieves and murderers are weak, desperate men.” \u00c2\u00a0I was starting to tire of his babble.<\/p>\n
“Ah, but your words and actions betray your pity for them. \u00c2\u00a0You have a hard time justifying killing a man that under different circumstances could be you.”<\/p>\n
“Look old man, you can mix up my words however you like but I am no murderer and if you think as a soldier I am getting soft, that I’ve lost my edge, then you are wrong. \u00c2\u00a0I chose to spare those men, because I am not a murderer not because I feel sorry for them. \u00c2\u00a0And if you want to tell Severus that I’m not a good soldier, that I don’t have what it takes, go right ahead because I am confident in the decisions I made. \u00c2\u00a0I know I did the right thing.”<\/p>\n
“I see,” he said getting up from the bench. \u00c2\u00a0He started to walk away and without looking back he said, “I also think you did the right thing.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
We set out early the following morning. \u00c2\u00a0It was half a day’s ride to Castra Exploratorum, a cavalry fort used to send out scouts and hunters into Brigante territory. \u00c2\u00a0In my late twenties, I spent summers at the fort working … Continue reading