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

have a chance.
    Gaelwyn’s raised hand halted them as they lay in the shallows barely breathing. On his signal they scampered to the gorse lined patch beyond the beach. Above them they could see the platform built over the cliff and Gaius realised that it hid them from prying eyes.  Of course once they left its security then they would be vulnerable but it gave them an edge. They each grabbed handfuls of soil and spread them over the bare, wet patches of flesh which helped spread the mud like paint. Soon they were darkened shadows, wraiths. Gaelwyn gestured for them to do the same to their blades to prevent them gleaming in the light which was just beginning to glint from a rising moon.
    Taking a breath they all stepped out from the gorse bush and began to ascend the slope. They took their time, securing foot and hand holds before moving on. Gaelwyn caught Macro’s attention and signalled the sentries talking to their right. There were none to the left. Macro nodded and, taking Gaius’ arm led him in that direction. As Gaelwyn and the other two slipped around the back of the wicker cage Macro and Gaius edged slowly towards the two sentries. As long as they stayed together the would-be rescuers had a problem. They needed them apart for then Macro could take one with a slingshot whilst Gaius could slit the other’s throat. After what seemed an age one of them lowered his breeks, telling the two Romans he was about to urinate. His companion wandered a few yards away more to avoid being splashed than any thoughts of discretion. They both had their backs to the troopers and rather than risk a falling body they both rushed and each grabbed a sentry, their hands clasped over their victim’s mouth. The other hand held a razor sharp knife which sliced effortlessly through the throats of the doomed sentries. As their warm, dark life blood oozed from their bodies the Romans laid them gently on the ground. They dared not roll them down the bank in case there was a splash. Immediately on guard they scanned the encampment. The tribesmen seemed remarkably close but the Romans were hidden, as they squatted by a row of thick gorse which disguised them.
    Gaelwyn saw the sentries fall and he rose up to sever the rope which held the wicker effigy together. Within moments he had cut a hole big enough to get the decurion out. The two troopers joined him and they all cut through the bonds. Gaelwyn held his hand over Marcus’ mouth as he felt the soldier stir, “Friends,” he whispered and Marcus gave a faint nod. Gaelwyn supported the man’s body as the two troopers made short work of the bonds. The weight of the body suddenly increased as the support was removed and the extra weight almost made Gaelwyn drop him and it was only the lightning reactions of Salvius that prevented a disaster for Marcus, who had taken neither water nor food for a day and a half had no strength of his own. The three men manhandled the unresponsive body towards the slope down the side furthest away from the dead sentries. Gaelwyn kept his eyes on Macro and Gaius; when he saw that they had seen him the three men moved more quickly. Gaius and Macro moved swiftly down the slope listening for any alarm. At the water’s edge they turned Marcus on his back and Gaius was delighted when he saw his mentor open his eyes and smile. Macro squatted in the shallows, slingshot at the ready while the other four half dragged, half towed the decurion back to safety. When they were halfway across the narrow straits Macro started across slithering backwards through the salty surf. He was halfway across when he heard the shout of alarm as the bodies were found at the base of the tower. The man who found them made the mistake of running to the edge of the platform to attempt to see where the killers were where he was silhouetted and Macro’s slingshot ended his life. Although it only delayed the pursuit any delay might give them time to escape and time was not on their side.
    Macro