Hosker, G [Sword of Cartimandua 03] Invasion- Caledonia by Griff Hosker Page A

“After dark.”
    The looks on the faces of the four troopers was the same, dismay, despondency and dejection. They were ready to rescue but they might be too late. “There’s nought we can do until dusk. Let us rest.” Gaius looked at them all. “We will rescue Marcus, or die trying.”
     
    Back at the camp Agricola had finished his briefing with Decius and the prefects. “We will arrive before dawn. I want every man in position before the first hint of the sun appears.” Decius knew that every man in the camp would go without sleep all night if necessary for the barbarians had violated their camp. Even the sentries who had been flogged felt the same. They wanted to avenge their shame. “Our scout has not reported back yet. That means that either they are dead or they are trying to affect a rescue, “he looked pointedly at Decius, “against orders. Perhaps they are using that turma of cavalry which left for a patrol this morning. However we cannot let that change our decision. The Decurion Princeps will either survive or he will not, it is no longer in our hands. However the fate of the island and Wales is. We will ensure that every person on that island is destroyed and obliterated from history. When we have finished with this pestilential hole then we will return to the heartland of these Ordovices and kill every single man woman and child. Every animal will be killed and every dwelling burned. Nothing of the Ordovice will remain. The people of these lands will find out what happens when you kill and kidnap Roman soldiers. They will pay with their land and their lives.”
     
    Fainch was becoming increasingly concerned when the Roman army did not appear. She had expected a swift reaction as there had been when Inir had destroyed their cavalry. She had counted on a swift response to this challenge. She had thought they would come charging across the island and attack. That was why the wicker effigy had been placed on the eastern side of the island ready to be burned. The only positive side to their delay was that the Roman prisoner was in agony with bound arms and legs and a day and a half without water. By the time the Roman army came and they burned him he would be begging for death. There was satisfaction in that.

Chapter 5
    Gaelwyn gathered the auxiliaries around him in a small circle. “We could walk through the water, for it is shallow, but I do not wish us to be seen by scouts and sentries.  We will slide through the water as fish, making no sound.  The sound of the surf should hide any sounds you might make. Once on the other side we will need to move as animals on all fours. There is some soil at the foot of the cliffs; when we get there rub it on your faces and arms to darken your skin.  The moon will soon rise and white skin will stand out.” He had already told them to discard their armour leaving them only with a sword, knife and, in Marco’s case, a slingshot. “I will go around the back and release the ropes which hold the decurion in place. You and you, “he pointed at Gaius and Macro will make sure no-one is near, kill any sentries silently. You two, “he pointed at Salvius and Numerius,” will help me to carry him down to the water.”
    “Good plan. Remember we have one chance and once only. Macro and I will wait at the top of the cliff until we see you in the water. Our lives are not important but we must rescue the Decurion Princeps.” Macro nodded his agreement but in his head he knew that they could fill any warrior who even came close.
    The water seemed icy as they slipped into it although it was relatively warm. The five men spread out like an arrowhead with Gaelwyn as the point. Keeping their heads beneath the waves they occasionally lifted their mouths out for air, when they did so they glance up at the cliffs where they could see the sentries peering across the water to the island of Mona. They were not looking down. For the first time Gaius thought that their plan might