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

the troopers welcome. The three officers settled into their usual corner with the amphora of wine. This was the only place in which they could relax apart from when they were in their own fort.  They were safe and the landlord saw to it that no one bothered them.
    “Those new lads look like they will work out Metellus.”
    “Makes a change from the ones we have been getting lately.  Most of them just seem to want the extra pay but not the extra risk.”
    This was Gnaeus’ first time with his superiors and he both looked and felt awkward.  “Was I ever like that sir?”
    “We are Marcus and Metellus not Gnaeus.  You are an officer. And no, you were not like that; you were born to be a trooper.  Remember that and it will you help you train your men up.”
    Metellus took a long swallow of the deep red liquid and sighed.  A mischievous look appeared on his face. “I heard that someone was the sole attention and focus of a very pretty young lady today.”
    Gnaeus blushed and tried to look away. Marcus enjoyed his old chosen man’s discomfort. “You are right Metellus.  I was at the back but I could see the steam rising.  I think something was going on.”
    “I was just being polite.  She wanted to know about the ala.“ Gnaeus was desperate for the conversation to be changed but his fellow officers were enjoying themselves too much.
    “Yes well so did Vibius and Aneurin but I wasn’t riding close enough to count their teeth like you were with her.”
    “I’ll go and get some more wine.”
    He rushed to the bar and the two older officers fell about laughing. “Oh that felt good!”
    “Yes Rufius and I used to enjoy hazing you as well.”
    Gnaeus returned and quietly sat down. Metellus raised his beaker.  “Here’s to the ala.”
    “To the ala.”
    Metellus leaned forwards.  “I probably shouldn’t tell you this but when we interrogated those prisoners one of them said something strange. He said that we should watch out for knives in our back.”
    Marcus put his beaker down.  “That is a strange thing to say. What do you think he meant?”
    “None of us were certain but Livius and I thought it might mean we would not be safe in our own forts.”
    “But we know our people and…”
    “Marcus you were an Explorate remember?  We lied for a living. Is it unreasonable to expect that there may be barbarians out there who are willing to do the same? And remember Morwenna.”
    Gnaeus looked puzzled Marcus said, in explanation, “Morwenna was the daughter of the witch Fainch.  She was the mother of my step brother Macro but she pretended to be something she was not and Macro’s father believed her.”
    “Not just Macro but all of us.  Poor Decius believed her so much, he died for it.”
    “So it could be anyone?”
    “Yes, except he was looking at the prefect when he said it.  I think there may be a traitor either in the ranks or in the fort.” He looked at them both. “Keep this to yourselves but keep your eyes open too. If there are no problems then the Votadini was just trying to make us look over our shoulders.” He swallowed off the last of the wine. “Anyway tomorrow we will hunt down these wagon thieves; we can worry about traitors when we get back to the fort.”
    Aula’s two children met by the river quayside; it lay close to a large warehouse which hid them from the prying eyes of the curious. They had both covered their faces but there were few people there for the river was low and the tide was ebbing. “How goes it?”
    “I have a good position and you?”
    “I am well thought of.  I have discovered where the ala is to be based but I have not had time to seek the gold.”
    “That will be difficult but we must be patient. The hard part was reaching here without being recognised and insinuating ourselves into the town.  We have both succeeded and now we must watch for our opportunities.” Giving each other the special handshake they had used since childhood, they