Caratacus

Chapter Nine

The next morning the sun rose casting a warm blanket of air over the earth. As Varro opened his eyes he was suddenly aware of being watched. As his adrenalin started to build and his heart race, Brenna placed a calming hand on his shoulder as he began to rise.

“Shhhhhh. It’s okay, everything is fine.” She smiled at him as he started to relax and lay back down.

“What were you doing?” He asked suddenly aware that his sword and dagger were not even in arms reach, as they would have been last night. They had been moved and put with his uniform, women he thought to himself ‘always moving things with no idea of the consequences.’

“I was watching you sleep. Without your armour and weapons I can see you much more clearly, how you should be.” She said.

He frowned obviously confused. Maybe disarming a man and leaving him open to attack enabled a better view of his unprotected skin. He looked down at his body and felt himself stirring again.

Brenna smiled, “I don’t mean like that.” She said as she stroked his chest and then sat back, he looked disappointed.

“I mean looking at you at your aura and who you really are, your journey and where you’re going, what kind of man you really are.” She tried to explain.

He looked confused. “And what kind of man am I really do you think?”

“Kind, loyal, you always try to do the right thing. Our teachings tell us how to read these things, how to translate auras and see what they mean.”

He raised his eyebrows, “Do you mean like a soothsayer or druid?” He sat up on an elbow. “Is that what you mean? We have many soothsayers at home. Many people that believe they can see the future and can tell what the gods have in store for us. Nobles and common folk alike use them, it’s a good living I’m told, they even sacrifice animals and read their organs, have stalls in the markets and in the shops near forums. Obviously there’s no proof to what they say and by the time the things they predict either happen or don’t they are long gone. Rarely do they hang around once they’ve been paid.”

Brenna smiled, “I’m surprised that you say this. Romans accept these practices at home and yet they try to destroy them here and in Gaul. Most soothsayers as you call them move from place to place because of the suspicions they evoke. Just like you did then you don’t trust in them, yet you pray to unseen gods.”

The frown returned to his face but before he could respond she continued, “Lay back and relax, let me show you it’s true and not made up to get money and then you can make your own mind up.”

He did as he was told and Brenna moved around to his head kneeling with her knees either side and started to massage his temples, he began to relax almost straight away.

“Listen to the sounds around you, the mild breeze, the birds singing in the trees and the water of the stream nearby.” Her voice softened as she spoke. They were far enough away from the Legion not to hear anything from that direction and so he let his senses become absorbed by his surroundings. Varro felt his troubles ease as Brenna’s hands moved to his neck and shoulders.

“Just relax, lay back and allow all your worries to float away. I’m going push all the stress in your body out through your hands and feet.” He lay still not moving enjoying the feeling of his muscles being manipulated. Brenna started to use her nails gently, lines following the curves of his flesh covering the muscle, as she brushed a nipple he smiled lightly.

“Relax.” She ordered mildly, “There will be time enough for that later.” He took a deep breath and exhaled leaving himself fully under her control, as her hands moved across his skin her voice lowered more.

“Feel yourself relaxing deeper as your muscles and bones relax. I’m going to push outward from your middle moving the strains and stresses to you limbs. See it in your mind like a small cloud as it moves from around your heart as I cleanse your organs and body.”

Fully relaxed now, he did as she said barely clinging to consciousness seeing in his mind’s eye a small cavity where the cloud was being pushed, dragged and persuaded to the sides clearing it of harmful elements. Satisfied that she had completed his trunk she moved to his limbs starting with his arms that tingled when she got to the hands. As he lay there his inner vision saw his body and now arms starting to clear as she worked her ‘magic.’ He didn’t know what she hoped to achieve by this but no longer cared as he moved deeper into a relaxed state that he hadn’t experienced before. He could see things clearly mentally but his eyes were closed and now he was aware his hearing was beginning to reduce, bird noise was no longer audible and the sound of the breeze in the trees started to disappear.

“In your mind’s eye you can see a wall in front of you. In the wall is a door, a large wooden door, I want you to approach the door and stop beside it.” As he ‘moved’ without walking he saw the door, previously unseen getting closer. It had a large round black handle.

“Reach out and take the handle and open the door.” Brenna instructed and he did, seeing his arm reach out and his hand take the handle. She saw his expression change slightly as he mentally saw what she was saying.

“Turn the handle and push the door open slowly and see the steps going down beyond.”

He could see numerous large sandstone steps through the door, light and sandy in colour, he moved towards them stopping at the top.

“As you take each step you will go deeper into your relaxed state. Each step will be taken very slowly, there’s no rush. You can’t see what’s below but at the bottom you will find another door set into another wall. This wall surrounds a beautiful garden like the one you told me about from your childhood. Statues of beautiful men and women naked line the path beyond.”

She was now massaging his lower ribs but he was barely aware of her touch anymore. As she asked him to move, he took a step down and could actually feel the coolness of the stone on his feet, it almost made him shiver briefly. Slowly guiding him down with her voice, he moved lower until eventually he stood below the bottom step. The ground was cooler to the touch of his feet, a worn path maybe. He stood almost floating at the door in the second wall, the air was now colder here and a little shaded. At her prompt he opened the door.

“The garden is warm and bathed in sunshine, you can feel it warming your skin.” She said as if somehow making it happen. He walked forward, the grass was short and he could see various flowers of many different colours and varieties, reds, yellows, greens, purples and more than he could separate in his mind and be aware of as he tried to take everything in. As he moved forward he saw the statues lining the path in front of him, worn from feet treading the way before.

The marble slabs shone and reflected the sun brightly back into his eyes, the fact that his physical eyes weren’t able to actually see what his other senses were aware of seemed irrelevant now.

“Move along the path.” She instructed from somewhere distant. He barely heard the voice now and was totally unaware of the contact of her hands on his body. He was elsewhere submerged in another plain, another place. He took in the intricate details of the statues, the stone masons that worked them must have been masters of their craft. As he got to somewhere near the middle of the path he saw water beyond, a lake maybe. Tied up on the shore were small boats dug out from tree trunks, they were long and thin.

“Continue slowly forward and choose a boat to get to the other side.” He heard her whisper.

Unquestioning, without thought or reason why, he reached the boats and chose which one would take him across the water.

“On the far shore amongst the trees you will see various paths, choose a path and make your way towards it and go into the woods beyond.”

As he walked he reached out with his arm feeling a female statue. His hand caressed her smooth cool flat stomach, he resisted the temptation to cup her pert beautiful breast. Walking slowly past he looked down at the boats, choosing the one he had seen near the middle, he untied the rope securing it to a stump. He looked around taking in the serenity of the moment. Without further thought he pushed the boat further out into the crystal clear lake feeling the cold water surround his legs and then climbed aboard, it wobbled but didn’t threaten to tip over. Taking a small oar he found in the base he rowed away from the shore slowly.

On the other side trees of different types studded the shore in dense formations, the only breaks he could see were paths leading into the woods to places unknown. He didn’t feel any trepidation or fear because for some reason everything felt calm, warm and as it should be, almost as if he had come home or if as if he had been here before.

Ten paces from the bank he heard a whispered voice, “Choose a path, think carefully and take it. At the other side of the trees you will find a previous life, one you have lived before.”

Had he been awake and conscious he would have dismissed the idea and laughed it off as complete bunkum but here in this place it felt normal, he didn’t know why, in fact he didn’t even wonder, he just did as the voice told him and rowed slowly for the shore on the other side of the water. Soon he felt the bottom of the boat crunch gently against stones as he reached the small pebbled beach.

Climbing out he headed for the path he had already decided he would take and walked into the shade of the tall trees. It only seemed like he had been on the small narrow path for seconds before he was somehow suddenly elsewhere. No longer in the place he had seen from the water.

“Go to three moments in your former life, three important times that helped mould that life and the way you are in the present.” A voice instructed and instantly he was looking down on himself or someone similar, who looked different but somehow was him, a former life? Maybe, but was that possible?

He watched as the young legionnaire finished his training, dressed in the armour of Caesars Legions nearly a century before, the celebrations and wine, he and his friends enjoyed. The voice asked questions, where, when, why and then asked him to move forward. The image moved onto the next point, it showed him again but older maybe by a few years possibly as many as ten, wearing the uniform of an Optio. He was on a green hillside standing next to a Centurion whose face was familiar.

A gentle breeze brushed his face, arms and legs and he saw the horse hair of the Centurions helmet plume move slightly with the air. Behind them stood rows of Roman soldiers, quietly waiting, somewhere behind horns and trumpets blared as orders were given, it resembled the scene before a battle.

As he watched from somewhere above, apprehension gripped the faces of those on the hillside. Slowly and quietly at first another sound came to his ears but from the opposite direction down the incline of the hill, he recognised it as men moving in large numbers towards his position ascending the slope to face the gathered Roman lines. The sound of wheels or more specifically chariots joined the cacophony from somewhere unseen.

The tips of banners came into view depicting animals crudely drawn onto material fluttering in the slight breeze, on his side the eagle standard waited shining in the bright sunlight. He realised he was watching a scene from Briton but from decades before during one of Caesars forays into the country. A battle was about to be fought a pivotal battle he suspected, the final battle before Caesar ordered a retreat back to the sea and to Gaul. The Britons had been prepared on this occasion and had amassed thousands of warriors to defy the armour clad legions of Rome.

Horses whinnied from their lines, an order was given to advance towards the enemy still unseen except for their banners as the front ranks began to march slowly forward and the flats of swords began to slam into the sides of shields.

“Move forward now.” The distant voice almost whispered like a memory as if inside his head and the image changed. The man he recognised as himself was lying wounded on a field surrounded by the dead and dying. He felt sharp pains in his leg and upper arm. Looking at the image he saw a deep puncture wound in his upper left thigh and a large jagged wound to his left arm just above the bicep, blood flowed from both injuries.

A medicus ran from one man to another desperately trying to staunch the blood flow sustained by men from his Legion. Some he stopped at briefly and gave aid and then ran to another where he could save a life but some he ran on from barely stopping, their lives already expired.

“Is this how you pass from this life?” The voice asked.

“Yes.” He heard himself reply in a hushed tone. “The leg wound wouldn’t stop bleeding, a vein was damaged inside the flesh it bled inside and stopped my heart from beating.”

“And what did you learn from this life?”

“Discipline honour and duty.” He whispered again accepting that what he had witnessed was somehow real or had been real and that he had lived before. Everything seemed to make sense to him now, he was a warrior that was his calling that was what he had been before, that’s what he was now and that’s what he would be again. Brenna calmly called him from where he had been, slowly and carefully, aware that it would be damaging to pull him too abruptly from his past. Eventually he blinked open his eyes suddenly aware of his physicality, his body and where he was, he smiled up at Brenna’s beautiful face. Clenching his fists and moving his toes, he felt as if he had been asleep for days.

“That was amazing.” He said attempting to rise from the ground but she held him down, “Stay still for a moment and relax.”

He suddenly remembered the wounds and quickly looked at his arm and leg but there was nothing there, he frowned.

“How is this possible?” He looked at her with a frown over his face.

She smiled, “It’s part of who we all are. I wanted to show you this,” she gestured to the surrounding area, “everything is a part of everything else, the trees, the lakes, the animals and the people. Like all things the gods provide this and they watch. We will all live many lives and as long as we learn from each of them and grow we will live again.”

“Is this how soothsayers see the future?” He asked.

“I cannot say but like some soothsayers of our people mine too sacrifice to see what the future holds but it’s not always certain. Things can change the future especially where people have changed their ways or have chosen to take a different path. It’s like being in a strong river, different currents can take you different ways and those currents can determine where you will finish your journey.”

“I feel strangely more alive than ever before.” He remarked.

“That is usual especially when someone experiences this for the first time, elation, happiness and a renewed excitement and sense of life, it rejuvenates the physical body. It comes from knowing there is more, that there is something almighty out there even though we can’t always see it. Our people have always known this that is what some of our people have in common. A few tribes do not have druidic teaching but most do but even they can’t agree on all manner of things such as human sacrifice. I would never take part in such barbaric practise but I wouldn’t even take an animal’s life for such reasons although some believe it appeases the gods.

All life is sacred and I would never take one for such a purpose only for food as the gods have provided them. The wooden cages where the young are sacrificed are vile in the extreme but some of the more desperate and power hungry druids use them to control their people with fear.”

A realisation suddenly dawned on Varro and he sat up concern on his face.

“Are you a druid Brenna?”

She stared into his eyes unblinking. “I am what I am and I mean no harm to anyone or anything. Like you I’m on a journey, a journey as old as time itself. I know this word you use and if that’s what you choose to call me then yes I am a druid but that is no reason for you to be concerned about me or my intentions towards you. I have nothing for you but love. You used the word soothsayer before and now you use the word druid. I call myself neither, I am just me” She smiled as her hand moved lower and he relaxed a little lying down.

As she continued talking her hand caressed his stomach and he felt himself getting aroused.

“There are some who pervert the teachings for their own purposes but there are also some who will do anything to fight against the army that you are a part of. To them its normal its natural.” She smiled down at him. “It’s like making love, like you and I making love.”

He returned the smile as she reached down and took hold of his hard erection massaging it slowly with her hand. He moaned quietly arching his back as she manoeuvred herself to sit by his side. His hand stroked her back and slowly moved to her breast caressing a nipple. She leaned forward and licked at his shaft before taking its swollen end into her mouth. He felt her gently suck the end, warm and wet as he grew harder, tingling in anticipation. He was lost in the moment and watched as she moved and mounted him and guided herself onto him. She was beautiful, her body perfect, so sensual, he didn’t want this to end. All thoughts of duty or the army and druids vanished from his mind. For now nothing else mattered except this moment and their bodies moving together as one.

Later as they lay together wrapped around each other

they kissed passionately. “Can you see a time when people don’t have to fight?” She asked.

He looked into her eyes, “Maybe but not in our time, or not in this time I should say.” Smiling he kissed her again.

Some miles away to the west Togodumnus and Caratacus sat in the morning sun with their tribal leaders gathered around a small fire. They ate fresh fish caught earlier and cooked on the same fire and drank strong alcoholic milk made from the herd. The mood was sombre because they had lost a lot of warriors and had seen no sign that they could stop the invader spreading through the land.

“We need to strike them hard and stop the advance.” Said Tomgundum, a young warrior who had fought the enemy many times before and killed more than a dozen himself, or so he claimed.

Togodumnus looked at him, “And my young warrior just how do you propose we do this? Whilst we have the advantage of numbers and the knowledge of the ground they have their weapons, how they fight and the armour they hide behind. These men live this way, they don’t work the farms and land like most of us. They fight and invade lands and no place has stopped them so far. We have to use our natural advantages or they will take this land as they have others, enslave our women and imprison us all. We did it before against their best General and we can do it again and reclaim the land that they now pollute.”

There was agreement around the fire. “So what we are to do?” Asked another voice, Togodumnus looked into the eyes of those around him. Sat amongst the group was a man whose head was hooded, his body covered in a long dark grey robe, greyer even than his long straggly beard. He had sat listening to the group as they discussed the situation, he had eaten but not drank the brew. He was a druid from the far western island of Mona where many of the spiritual men and some women were trained and lived before teaching others across the lands. He like all of his kind was highly respected and revered.

“If I may,” he asked his voice strange to those around him, he talked differently his accent almost rhythmic and guttural. Caratacus nodded his permission for the man to speak.

“These Romans are many and they fight in an army although not large compared to the warriors we have, you can call to your banner, they are well equipped and trained in warfare. Even as we speak now, more are coming to our shores. My scouts tell me there are at least three landing points around our east and south coasts. Those already on the beaches are fortifying their position right now while we sit here.” Anxiety spread from face to face around him.

“Our lands face their greatest threat, the greatest threat they have ever faced. There are druids who tell me their Emperor sends many Legions to our people. In Gaul they say that over forty thousand trained men will soon be on our soil. Our enemy also has an advantage we haven’t considered as well as those that we have.” Confused faces looked at the druid as he stood and began to pace taking in their expressions.

“When these men came before a long time ago, certain peoples welcomed them and even drew up treaties, alliances, paid for peace with gold, women and children and animals so in awe were they of the invader and their power. Some even sent tribal envoys with them back to their great stone city. These Romans made friends of tribes and even gave some sanctuary across the water. Even your father Cunobelinus worked with them and we had peace. Just two years ago before this Claudius came to power, your great tribe traded with Rome and they with you. That has all gone now because certain Britons have turned their backs on their own because of their own greed and have run to Claudius and lied. We cannot trust all those who we should be able to rely on.

He looked around those sat by the fire, a new fear written over their faces. Tribal conflict had always been a way of life, it was something that they were used to and could live with, or die with as the case maybe. No one tribe now had the power to defeat another entirely after many years of war, lesser tribal lands had been swallowed up and so eventually those that survived came to agreements and fractious peace remained. None would encroach onto another’s land unless under a banner of peace and then only for talks with other tribal leaders, They would respect their neighbours livestock, they would trade and even have marriages for the sake of peace and stability. It didn’t always work but that was what the leaders had agreed to do.

The peace was sometimes fraught however, and every now and again an unforeseen crisis would happen and deaths would occur but conflicts were kept to a minimum. The coming of the Romans under Caesar had changed all that and certain tribes had taken advantage of it by siding with the foreign invader instead of their neighbours. For years when the wars outcome in Gaul was uncertain one tribe in particular kept a low profile but now rumours were rife that they had once again sided with the Romans and now it seemed so had others. Some who had left when the enemy were sent back into the sea were said to have returned and were able to speak the strange language of the invader. They were said to wear the clothes of the enemy and the adornments around their wrists and had promised the same for those others who had been left behind.

They spoke of the places they had seen, great settlements made of rock, shaped into blocks that towered taller than the largest tree and made into great buildings, images of the Roman leaders carved from mountains and of their gods of which there were many, buildings many levels high, plentiful water supplies from rivers and lakes many miles away carried on high man made rivers of stone, schooling of the stars and many other things the Britons hadn’t even imagined.

“The invader is truly strong and powerful and they are the worse threat we have ever faced, our entire way of life is under threat, you can believe that but they will not defeat us. They will not conquer us entirely as they,” he pointed eastwards, “now face an enemy they will never truly conquer. This is where they are stopped. This is where it is written that their mighty advance is halted. This is where they begin die. This is where the victorious legions of Rome will meet their end.”

The gathered crowd were now on their feet cheering and roaring applause, they took heart in his words and some of the faces previously filled with anguish now had expressions of joy.

“How do you now this?” A voice asked quietly but went unheard. “I said, how do you, know this? “He shouted looking at the druid with suspicion as the crowd quietened.

He looked in the direction the voice had come from. “Our lands will face many threats over the coming years and centuries, many lives will be lost. Invaders will always come from the east. It is there the threat exists and where it will always come from but never truly succeed. Across the water is where our enemies grow and sometimes friends as well.

Long, long ago the water between our eastern coast and their shores didn’t exist and we were one land until the gods separated us many, many centuries ago. This they did for a reason to protect our shores and peoples from barbarian hordes. In recent years we have enjoyed peace with our Gallic brothers across the water, for many of us came from those lands as well. Now we have trading and treaties which have helped us all live in peace. We even sent warriors to help when the call came from Gaul but the enemy crushed all who stood before them. They are now an enslaved people, their women soiled and sold around their empire along with their children but some prosper under this way of life.

Now as we begin our fight against them, they are still enslaving Gaul’s and people from the great Germanic tribes but not all. Resistance will always fester for the invader like a wound that will grow and eventually kill its host. Those who take or give them gold and betray their own will be slain without hesitation. They may live like Kings and Queens for now but their time will come and they will pay dearly as those who help them will pay. Already there are some who have returned to our lands with the invader.”

The lighter expressions on the faces around him were replaced by confusion. “Caratacus, it is the gods will that you and your brother lead and unite our tribes but even you have an enemy closer to home who, now walks with the Romans.” Heads turned to face Caratacus and Togodumnus who both stared at the druid.

“Your brother Adminius expelled three years ago by your father has returned. He is not alone however, more lap dogs cast from our lands have returned with promises of power in exchange for their corruption.”

Both Togodumnus and Caratacus stood red faced clearly offended by the druid’s words, rage flowed through them as they suspected what he would say next.

Togodumnus took a step towards him, “Be careful druid. You may know many things but insulting my family is something I will not allow. My father expelled Adminius for reasons that will remain with me and my brother Caratacus. Rest assured, he was exiled for good reason and had shamed our name.” He looked around at those gathered around the fire. “Know this all of you. If indeed my brother Adminius has returned and has allied himself with the enemy, he will be hunted down. It was my fathers will that he be expelled and if he has gone against those wishes he will pay for it with his life as will any others who betray us. If he is now betraying not only his father but his forefathers then this blade,” he drew his long sword as it rasped out of its sheath, “shall take his life.”

Cheers greeted the warrior’s promise, “We cannot allow ourselves to be divided by deceit or those corrupted by the pestilence of Rome, especially those whose aim it is to flourish on the people that gave them life. All those who ally themselves with those who threaten our shores are enemies of all our people. They will be destroyed as will all those who give them shelter.”

Warriors stood and began banging swords and spears as they cheered. The druid bowed to the warrior leader and turned to walk away.

“Wait druid!” Caratacus ordered, the man turned. “You spoke of others, what are their names and how do you know of these things?”

The druid faced him, “Two others are Verica of the Attrebates and Cogidubnus, the latter it is said was even taken in by Claudius the great emperor and taught their ways. It is believed he has been schooled for many years and now intends to return to Briton to make our people learn their ways. He talks their language and wears their robes, he doesn’t even sound like us anymore. He is a cross breed hound who has already sealed his own fate.”

He raised his eyebrows as if to emphasise his words but Caratacus felt there was no need, he knew these men, he had spared them but sent them across the water, expelling them as his father had exiled Adminius.

The druid continued, “These men will prove more lethal than swords lord, they have already betrayed their own kind and whored themselves to the Roman. Now they intend to persuade our brothers and sisters to suckle from them as well, to take their coin, dress as they do, drink their wine and prostitute our women and children.

They plan to become rulers on behalf of the invader, like a disease in our crops they intend to spread through the land. This is what the Roman does after conquering a tribe, he usurps the people and uses the weak minded to rule on their behalf. That way they think they ease themselves onto the population using a known face whilst robbing them through taxes, taking gold and silver, we have to unite to destroy them.”

Togodumnus smiled and approached the druid clearly impressed by the his knowledge and defiance. “What is your name druid?” He asked.

“Mersax my lord,” The hooded man replied, “Mersax of the Druidic Isle of Mona.”

“Not merely a druid then but a man that teaches, you are a high priest are you not?” Togodumnus asked.

“Yes lord some call me that and in answer to your other question, I have people amongst the enemy now. They have seen the three named and recognised them, you can rest assured this is true. It is how I know where they are and their numbers, weapons and horse. Anything that you need to know will be told to you to help push them back into the sea where they belong. I knew your father Cunobelinus well. He was a wise and gracious leader, a man who would have led his people against the invader had he been alive today. He was a good man who made the Catuvellauni one of the strongest and largest, most powerful tribe in our lands.” He looked away, “I’m just glad he isn’t here to see their armies march across our lands.”

Togodumnus studied the man’s face. “I owe you a debt of gratitude Mersax, your information is invaluable and I thank you for your kind words. Our father was a great leader and I hope we can prove ourselves worthy of being his sons. I will give everything to fight no matter what it takes, where it takes me or how long. These Romans think they can come taking what they wish, killing without cost to their own but they will learn otherwise. I shall break this beasts teeth, I will blind its eyes and I shall rip out its heart and destroy its soul. I will not stop until there isn’t a drop of their blood left and if I die my brother shall fight them as will our brothers and sons.

Take these words back to your priests and to the great tribes of the west, the Silures, the Demeta, the Ordovices and the Deceangli. Tell them all that Togodumnus and Caratacus of the Catuvellauni will smash these fools who come to take everything from us. Our neighbouring tribes who have been our enemies in the past and cannot be relied upon now will also die if they side with them. They envy our power and have fallen to our swords before.” Mersax saw the determination in his eyes.

He continued, “I too have scouts where they are on our shores, one will return soon and I’m sure will confirm your words. I owe you a debt Mersax and my thanks.” He extended his arm, Mersax took it.

“You are not indebted to me lord Togodumnus or you Caratacus, we fight the same enemy. If we don’t we are all doomed. Even with some tribes united some will help and even assist those we are now at war with. We are merely at the beginning of a great and long journey and some of us will not see its end and those that do will endure great hardship and loss.”

He smiled, “You are courageous and noble leaders and your own journeys are difficult. They are long and hard but you will see them through, you will live long and prosperous lives.” A slight break in his expression betrayed something he knew as he spoke the words but he continued, “My people will keep you informed of anything that may be of use. I myself must return to the west, I have duties to attend to and other leaders to speak with as I travel West. I will ensure that my tendrils spread amongst our common enemies for all our sakes and I will seek out the chieftains of the tribes you named and warn them, they will know of your names as friends.”

Mersax turned and walked through the gathered warriors to find his horse as did two men dressed in the same robes who had been sat around the fire previously unseen. Togodumnus turned his attention to his people and spoke of his plan to lead the Romans West for another day and then back to the North East as far as possible before engaging them. Riders would be sent to the southern tribes to warn them of the threat they faced.

By midday as the sun was high, thousands of warriors were ready to move. Chariots carried men and women, small horses pulled carts carrying families and mules and oxen dragged larger carts containing food and weapons. At the rear of the large train of humanity and animals, boys herded cattle, pigs and goats. Riders had been sent forward to Camulodunum to warn the occupants of the forthcoming battle and to prepare for war, forge weapons and re-enforce defences. Caratacus estimated that it would take three days to get back to his home land where he had grown up as a boy. He and Togodumnus already knew where they planned to take the war to the enemy.

Miles to the east Togun watched as the Romans made firm their landing area, they had only been there a matter of days but had already built a wooden fortification beyond the cliffs where they had landed. He had been a scout for Caratacus for a number of years but had never seen anything as formidable as the sight that now met his eyes. Large towers stood tall at all four corners as did two at either side in the middle walls, below which huge doors had been constructed. Sentries walked the walls and watched from the towers where ballista, were now positioned.

Palisades had been dug outside the fortification where other soldiers patrolled and scrubland had been cleared enabling the defenders a clear view of anyone or anything that approached the location. From his vantage point Togun could see Britons approaching the soldiers, he could also see Britons talking to others and passing the time of day. Anger welled up inside his chest as he watched the exchanges. He found it hard to comprehend how his own people could accept these killers of his tribal brothers and sisters. Clearly there were people who were prepared to accept them, to buy and sell and trade with them. They would share their fate. He mounted his horse and galloped off in search of Togodumnus to report his findings.