Hosker, G [Sword of Cartimandua 11] Roman Treachery by Griff Hosker

with Appius but he and the Governor were busily engaged in a conversation about the possibility of opening a copper mine close to Glanibanta.  One of the Brigante officers had told of deposits washed down to the lakes there in huge quantities.  Both men saw the potential of copper in this part of the world; copper was almost as valuable as gold and silver.  There was a port on the west coast and it could be quickly exported to the rest of the Empire. The young girl pouted at her rejection and turned her attention to Gnaeus.  With his new officer’s uniform he looked dashing and Lucia decided to try him.
    “Are there barbarians over there?” She pointed to the east.
    Gnaeus shook his head, “No my lady.  We are south of the wall.  We will be safe.”
    Vibia gave an innocent look.  “But we were told that barbarians had stopped the wagons heading north.  Is that not why you are travelling south?”
    Gnaeus became flustered, partly because of the question but more because of the effect Vibia’s voice had upon him.  “They are Brigante my lady, as I am.  We are not barbarians.  The ones who stopped the wagons are bandits, nothing more.  We will stop their raids.”
    “Oh I do feel safer now with such big brave men.”
    Both Gnaeus and Vibia ignored Lucia’s empty words. “You are Brigante then?  Have you seen this mighty sword about which I have heard so much?”
    “Oh it is a mighty sword.  I have held it and it is a powerful weapon.” To our people it is more than a sword, it is a symbol of our history and our heritage.
    “I hear that it had driven all the enemies of Rome before it when used on the battlefield?”
    “It has done that since the time of Ulpius Felix and Queen Cartimandua.”
    “Tell me, for I am intrigued, why does the prefect not bear the sword if he is from the royal family?”
    “It was passed down from Ulpius Felix to Marcus Maximunius who commanded this ala in times past, for he had been married to the Queen’s sister.  He gave it to Gaius Aurelius who was married to the last female relative of the Queen and he gave it to his son, the decurion.”
    “Women have been important in the sword’s life then?”
    Gnaeus had not thought of that before that moment. “I suppose you are right.  Certainly the Queen used the sword before she gave it to Ulpius Felix and I heard that was a good swordswoman who fought against warriors.”
    “Do you think the decurion would let me hold it, the sword I mean?”
    “I do not know but I could ask.”
    She leaned out of the carriage to touch his hand, much to the annoyance of both Lucia and Appius who had suddenly become aware of the flirting. “I would be so grateful if you could do that.”
    The journey to Eboracum was uneventful but tedious.  The only ones who found the journey noteworthy were the Lucia, Vibia, Appius and Gnaeus.  Vibia enjoyed playing the two young men off each other and annoying Lucia. At the rear of the column Marcus also enjoyed the opportunity to get to know his three new troopers; Aneurin and Vibius reminded him, very much of himself and Macro, his step brother.  They got on well and they were both desperate to learn how to become good troopers. Their questions were intelligent and spoke highly of their determination to become good troopers.  Vibius, in particular seemed to be interested in all matters military but especially the history and traditions of Marcus’ Horse.  By the time they had reached Eboracum he felt happier than he had in quite a while.
    The ala was able to use one of the barracks as the Sixth was still building the wall which meant a comfortable bed and hot food.  As they were in a safe place Livius allowed some of his officers to visit the vicus and the tavern, The Saddle. The original owner of the tavern had been a trooper from Pannonia who had lost his arm fighting Boudicca.  It had become the unofficial meeting place of the ala for many years.  His son now ran the place and always made