Retribution

Chapter Five

As Caradoc sank into the well filled straw mattress and drifted into a deep sleep, his mind’s eye took him away from the present and far away into the past. To happier, safer times, when he still went by the name Caratacus or Cara as his friends and family called him. He felt different in this world, younger, fresh and unburdened by responsibility, almost carefree. At fourteen years of age, when his chores permitted, he was able to roam the tribal lands with his brothers and play, hunt and fish, talk to girls and explore the world around him. Tog and Ad, his brothers, were always close by in those days, as the three boys discovered the land around them and the people who shared it. For the first time in their lives there was no conflict with other tribes. King Cunobelin, their father, had sought treaties with surrounding lands and even strengthened ties with Rome with trade flowing freely to the far off empire in the east.

The three boys had left their roundhouse earlier that day armed with little more than water skins, bows and daggers, intent once more on exploring and hunting. They wore simple short sleeved beige tunics and crisscrossed blue and black coloured leggings, their sandals secured by leather straps wrapped around their lower legs. When they had set out early after breakfast, Cara had noticed for the first time that year, a slight chill on his exposed skin and wondered if they needed more clothing, but the day’s sun had soon warmed them, and he felt more comfortable in no time.

His siblings were a little older than him but not by much, although physically he was shorter by half a foot. Ad and Tog were almost men now, they had begun to change, Tog the largest of the three boys had developed muscular arms and facial hair, his voice was deeper, whereas Ad was taller, thinner and wore his fair hair short in the style of the traders from the east. Tog’s longer style was more common and drawn together at the back, tied into a pony tail that drifted down between his shoulder blades. Cara often wondered how his brothers were so different from each other, with him sat in the middle, although as personalities went, he was much closer to Tog. He often prayed to the gods that he would be closer to him in strength as well as appearance, but for now no matter what he did his arms remained sinewy. He rubbed at his chin as they rode along wishing to feel bristles but only found the short soft fluff that had started to appear recently, how he wished he were a man.

“Don’t worry brother,” Ad said guessing his thoughts, “you’ll be cursed soon enough with a manly beard and find yourself wishing you weren’t believe me.”

He frowned but before he could reply Ad continued, “I prefer to have a clean face although,” he said cupping his chin, “it hurts sometimes scraping it off every other day.” He raised his head and looked around at both brothers as if to emphasise the point. “Father would have to shave every day he says, so he keeps a beard but I doubt I ever will it’s so much cleaner like this.”

“That’s fine, as long as you want to look like a twelve year old girl.” Tog said grinning, “Not very, what’s the term, warrior-like, though is it?” He smiled at Cara. “Imagine facing an enemy like that, they’d just laugh at you.”

Ad smiled, “Well it’s a good thing we’re all different.” He said, “I like a smooth face,” he added as he felt his own again, “you wouldn’t want a hairy girl would you?” He said to no-one in particular.

“And there was me beginning to think you didn’t like girls at all.” Tog said as he led them down the track towards the outskirts of the next village. “With the affection you show for the Romans, I thought you might want to marry one of them, men n’all!” He chuckled as he steered his horse along the track.

Ad smiled again, “Oh dear brother, we are in a funny mood today aren’t we? We can actually learn a great deal from our friends across the water.”

Cara looked at Ad, he was tired of this conversation. Why did everything always come down to this where his elder brother was concerned?

“But they aren’t from across the water are they?” Cara asked. “They came from further away to the east, Rome. A great stone city and they slaughtered half of Gaul to get there. Do you really think they’ll be happy with that and won’t attack us next?”

Ad laughed, “Oh Cara, don’t worry about such nonsense. Why would they want to hurt us anyway? We’re friends, Father even trades with them, wine, livestock, gold and sometimes slaves. I’ve even heard that there’s talk of warriors joining their legions.”

“Ugh,” Tog said turning, “where did you hear that? Why would our people want to join them in their wars, we have enough to be getting on with here, surviving is enough and besides that, we need our warriors here.”

“Father told me that the barbarians to the north of Gaul were rebelling again and that they’d had to send more legions to the area, they’re looking to recruit more auxiliaries from Albion.” Ad replied. “Being the sons of a king, we would be officers of course.” He looked at his brothers, “Well you two could anyway. I wouldn’t want to be a soldier, I’m sure my talents would lie elsewhere.”

“Don’t you mean Britannia?” Tog said.

“What, erm,” Ad hesitated, “well that’s just their name for Albion in their language.”

“Is it?” Tog replied, “Is it really? Surely such close friends should at least call our land by the name that we call it, the name it has always been known as.”

“Why do we always have to argue when it comes to Rome?” Cara cut in, “Anyway Father wouldn’t allow it, and he won’t let our warriors go and fight for them and we’re not going there either, so forget it.” Although he was younger than his brothers he had never been afraid to speak his mind, or to tell them what he thought, especially when the subject came to Rome.

Approaching the village they could smell the ever present smoke from fires, children laughing and playing and somewhere in the background, a smith forging metal as he struck molten chunks together to form whatever he was creating.

“Hello Cara.” A pretty blonde haired girl walked towards them. She was slender at the waist and wore a cheeky grin as she reached up for his reins, “I thought I’d see you again.”

Her name was Mott, although everyone knew her as Mo. They had met at a birthday celebration when her father, who was a local Chieftain, had brought her along to their major settlement.

“What have you brought me?” She asked smiling and reddening slightly. He couldn’t help glancing at her sensual shape, the top of her breasts were visible from above, but he tried to keep his eyes fixed on hers. They were dark brown almost black and not for the first time he felt himself lost to them.

He frowned, “My brother Ad of course.” He said quickly looking to his brother for support. “He’s of the age now to take a wife and I told him all about you after the celebrations.”

Now Mo frowned, “But I only have eyes for you.” She blushed and dropped her gaze and let her hand graze his thigh palm first. “Anyway I want a warrior to warm my bed not a bare faced boy.”

Tog laughed, “See Ad! I tried to tell you but you wouldn’t listen. There are many benefits to a manly appearance.” Ad looked at Mo in disdain.

“Are you staying long?” Mo asked Cara.

“We’re just passing through.” He replied, “On our way to do some fishing, maybe a little hunting.”

She frowned again, “Without a rod and line?”

“We’re going to make them when we get there.” He lied, “we have sinew for a line and will find good sticks for rods. “Why, what are you doing?” He asked trying to change the subject.

“Come and see my new baby goat.” She raised her dark eyebrows pleadingly. “He’s only a few weeks old and very friendly and cute.”

“We don’t have time for such things young woman.” Ad remarked as he rode past a stationary Cara.

“Young? I’m sixteen summers I’ll have you know, bare faced one. You look about six with your baby bottom smooth face.” She looked back at Cara. “Come on please, please, please,” she begged, “it won’t take long.”

He looked at his two brothers, “I’ll catch you up this won’t take long.”

Tog smirked looking at Mo, “I’m sure it wouldn’t.” Being older and more experienced with females, he had already had his share of them. Cara blushed slightly.

“We’ll wait for you at the smith’s,” Ad said, “just don’t be too long.” Caradoc smiled at Mo as she again took his reins and led him through the village.

“You’ll love Edbutt,” she said, “you’ll see.” As she led him away people saw who she was with and nodded respectfully, he smiled in return. At first he had found it strange when he began to realise that he was different to most boys as he was the son of the king, but usually forgot about it and went about his business of being a lad. Such things could wait, although he often wished he were just like other boys, anonymous.

She led him to her roundhouse where there was a small animal enclosure at the rear, he heard Edbutt before he saw him as a loud bleating started as Mo climbed the fence. There before him staring up at them was a small fawn coloured goat shouting, ‘Mmmmnh mhhh mhhh.’

“Oh Edbutt stop all the racket!” Mo said, “You know father has said you’ll be for the pot if you keep this up.”

Edbutt ran over to Mo as she knelt down, his tail furiously wagging, “Mmmmnh.” He cried excitedly, even more despite the warning. “He accepts me as his Mother now.” Mo said as Cara frowned then raised his eyebrows as the little goat nuzzled up to his ‘mother’. He was slightly larger than a small dog and was almost white except for a darker stripe running along his back and he had a dark face, tiny horns stuck out from the top of his head. He pushed himself into Mo’s legs as he began to calm down.

“I had no idea goats were like this.” Cara said. “I’ve had dogs who behave like it but never a goat.”

“That’s because people keep goats for milk and meat not pets but they’re very friendly when you get to know them.” She said patting his neck and rubbing his soft hair as he lifted his head enjoying the attention. “Smell him.” She said.

“What?” Cara’s head bobbed backwards. “Smell your goat?”

“Yes,” she replied raising an eyebrow. “He’s very fresh,” she leaned back, “go on try him.” He climbed the gate still unsure about sniffing the young animal but he went ahead and screwed his face up as he leaned forward. Edbutt turned shaking his head. “Is he going to….!” Before he could say another word the little animal rose up on his hind legs and butted Cara’s knee. He grabbed the green woollen neckerchief around the goat’s neck and pulled him away.

“Ah he likes you.” Mo said clasping her hands together in glee.

“Likes me? He just tried to butt me out of the way.” Cara replied.

“No that’s just his way of saying hello.” She said stroking the goat’s head. “You just like him don’t you?” Mo asked the little goat as he made more noise, his tail wagging vigorously. Cara smiled as he suddenly realised how taken he was with Mo.

“What?” She asked smiling and showing her straight, almost white teeth.

Cara reddened, “Nothing, nothing.” He said, “He’s just cute, for a goat I mean.”

She stood up smiling, “See I told you.” She took his hand, “Come on.”

“What … where are we going?” He asked, almost being pulled along.

“I want to show you something else.” She said as she began to climb out of the pen. He let go of her hand and followed as Edbutt tried to as well but stopped short and started bleating again at the fence. Cara followed Mo hand in hand into a small thatched room attached to her family roundhouse, it was quite dim inside but a roof vent at the top allowed for some light.

“What exactly is it you want to show me?” He asked as he widened his eyes to try and adjust to the dark, Mo turned.

“Mmm, well not show you exactly.” She smiled and drew him closer, and he noticed that she smelt clean, better than Edbutt he thought anyway. Her eyes grew larger as their noses touched and then their lips, as she kissed him gently, soft and warm, he let himself become absorbed in the moment. He moved his body closer still to hers as she closed her eyes, wrapping his arms around the curvature of her waist at the back as he felt slightly dizzy with strange sensations running through his body. In that moment nothing else mattered, he wanted to lose himself, and then he did. His head spinning, he almost felt as if he was falling. He had never kissed a girl before and as suddenly as the thought entered his head it was gone, as he felt her hands at the back of his head, gently caressing him as her warm tongue pushed inside his mouth and he was lost completely.

“Where have you been?” Ad asked as Cara rounded the corner and walked into the shade of the smith’s area. “We nearly went without you.” He added to emphasise the point.

Cara blushed and replied, “I wasn’t that long. Anyway I was just helping Mo with her goat.” He said dropping his eyes to the ground.

“Is that what she calls it?” Ad replied laughing to himself, “strange name for her virginity.” He added. “Come on we need to get going.”

Cara reddened again, “It wasn’t like that, we kissed that’s all,” he untied his horse from where the reins had been secured to a wicker fence and jumped up. “I’m ready, let’s go.”

“Kissed?” Ad asked, “Is that all?”

“Leave him alone.” Tog said, “Well done Caratacus,” he added using his full name, “I was beginning to worry you preferred boys, a bit like that one.” He said nodding towards Ad.

“Very humorous, I wonder sometimes if I’m actually a brother of you two.” He said, “Now come on before the day is over.”

“So do we, so do we.” Tog whispered to himself. The three brothers walked their horses away from the smiths. Cara looked back and saw Mo standing with Edbutt on a lead of some description, she was waving. His heart pounded in his chest as thoughts of their kiss returned.

“Ah true love.” Ad said as he saw the glance. “I hope that you don’t go all soft on us now that you’re going to take her as a wife.”

“I suggest you be quiet brother or I’ll give you something else to talk about.” Tog said, defending the younger of the boys. “Now let’s concentrate on what we’re supposed to be doing. Are we going fishing as we planned to do, or are we going hunting?”

“I don’t care.” Cara replied. “Let’s just see where the path takes us.”

After a while, the boys found themselves entering a wooded area not far from Mo’s village. There were paths leading off in different directions where the locals had travelled through the area over the years. Tog who was leading the three as usual, pulled his horse up and motioned for the others to stop by raising his hand. They sat listening for a few moments and heard branches breaking some distance away.

“It must be a deer.” Tog said straining his eyes and ears as the sound went away from them. “Come on.” He pushed forward as his horse moved on along the path which wound along in the same direction and adjusted his bow on his back. The boys followed the sound through the trees where shards of sunlight were slicing through the branches above them, foliage at the side of the path brushing against their exposed lower legs. Suddenly the sound of the running animal ahead of them stopped, Tog pulled up listening again. The peace was followed by the sound of something to the left, far off, something else moving through the undergrowth.

“Wolf?” Ad asked. Silence followed.

“Come on.” Tog urged moving forward again as the hunted creature ahead bolted from its hiding place. The boys picked up speed recognising that their prey was making a concerted effort to flee from whatever was tracking it.

“What if it’s a wolf after it?” Ad shouted above the sound of hooves and whipping branches as they raced along. “We could get into trouble.”

“If it’s a wolf, it will turn and run when it sees us.” Tog shouted back spitting a leaf from his mouth. “Ugh,” he scraped his tongue with his fingers, “they don’t attack people anyway. It’s an old woman’s tale.”

“What if it’s a pack?” Ad shouted.

“Shut up and ride.” Tog replied steering his mount along the winding track in the direction of the panicking animal. Ad frowned and lowered himself towards his horse’s neck to avoid branches and cursed to himself as Cara smiled behind him. The chase went on for some time as the three boys travelled further into the woodland, until once again Tog pulled up to get his bearings and to listen. It was virtually impossible to follow anything whilst you yourself were crashing along a path even as well-worn as this one had proven to be. The sound of the horse’s heavy breathing, their hooves and the occasional branch to the face, always ensured losing whatever you were chasing unless you stopped to listen.

Tog calmed his own breathing and leaned forward cocking his head, his muscular arms shone with a film of sweat. He was the biggest of the three brothers in breadth by some way. Again they heard the sound of whatever was tracking the animal ahead moving slowly now, stalking not rushing. It wasn’t another animal.

“It’s probably exhausted.” Cara whispered and whatever’s hunting it is closing in for the kill.”

“Come on.” Tog said as he slid from his horse and tied his reins to a branch. “We’ll go on foot from here.” The other two dismounted and secured their own horses. One by one they pulled their bows to the front and reached for an arrow. The woods were quiet now as they moved forward crouching low, trying to mingle with the bushes and undergrowth, where possible Tog led them along the path using the track to avoid noise. He turned pressing a finger to his lips urging the other two to be quiet.

“Just ahead,” he pointed, “the woodland dips down into a small valley, the deer is down there, it’s gone to ground again but whatever is following it, is over there.” He pointed to the left where branches concealed their view. “Come on and be quiet.”

Cara and Ad followed crouching as low as possible. Tog held his bow in his left hand as he brushed leaves and branches away with his right whilst moving forward. The place was quiet now except for birdsong nearby and the occasional rustle of leaves in the trees above. As they traversed into the valley below, the canopy above made it cooler and slightly darker which made the hairs stand out on Cara’s arms. Tog raised his bow arm indicating that he had seen something. Cara peered through the greenery and could just make out a white furry tail almost hidden, a few feet in front of them. Then he saw an arrow sticking out of the rump of the wounded deer, and deep red blood, where it had trickled down the wounded animal’s side.

“It’s not a wolf that’s after it but a hunting party.” He whispered looking at Tog who was staring at the wound. The deer tried to stand but slumped down, tired and exhausted after the chase that had brought it to this place. “Tog, what are we going to do?” Cara asked.

“These are our lands.” Ad said, “There won’t be a problem, we can do as we like.” Without waiting for a reply, he strode forward unsheathing his dagger and sank it into the stricken deer’s throat. Dark red blood shot out squirting over his hand and arm. The stricken deer let out a high pitched yelp but quickly slumped and died.

“What are you doing brother?” Tog asked. “You have taken someone else’s kill.” As he said it they all heard branches breaking and the sound of running feet coming towards them.

“It’s too late now.” Cara said standing up from a crouch just as the hunting party emerged from the bushes. His hand automatically grabbed for the handle of his bone carved dagger, Tog armed himself with his bow, an arrow ready to fire and Ad did the same.

“What is this?” It was a girl, about the same age as themselves. “That,” she said trying to stop panting and pointed, “is our kill. We have been stalking that deer for most of the day.” She was tall, as tall as Tog, athletic looking, and had long dark black hair. She wore some sort of animal skin leggings and a short sleeved woollen top that showed her sleek muscular tanned brown skin. Her dark eyes stared at the three boys taking each of them in, one at a time. In seconds she was joined by four males, all of comparative age. The largest of which stepped forward and saw the dead deer. He was dressed in a similar fashion to the female and Cara thought he saw a resemblance, were they brother and sister he wondered? They were joined by three others.

“Move away or there will be trouble between us.” The large male at the front said.

“Now we don’t need to argue,” Ad replied, “there’s more than enough for all of us, he stepped forward loosening the string on his bow and let the arrow un-cock.

“Take one more step and you’re arguing days will be over boy.” The male said and stepped forward knife in hand, raising it slightly.

“You’re outnumbered and you’re trying to steal our kill,” the girl added, “I really do hope that you see sense and withdraw or my brother here,” she touched his shoulder, “will see to it that you end up like our prey,” she looked directly at Cara, “and you wouldn’t want that to happen would you?” She half smiled and he suddenly noticed how beautiful she was.

“That’s enough Brenna,” the largest of the boys said turning to his sister, “maybe the scrawny one is right.”

“Tevelgus,” the girl said stepping around her brother, “we’ve chased that animal from our own land, it’s ours by right.” Her face was full of determination and anger despite the long exhausting chase.

“So you are intruding onto our lands in order to take our food?” Ad said as he looked at his brothers for support, “A grave mistake on your part I would say.” He looked back at Brenna. “You are to go back now and leave this beast, you are the ones intruding and trying to steal from us it would seem.” Cara saw the half grin on his face, an expression that had always annoyed him when they got into arguments. It was an awful sneer that never failed to make him feel uncomfortable.

“We are still five to your three.” The female said.

“I don’t think you’re helping Brenna.” Her brother said. “Anyway he’s right, we shouldn’t have strayed this far, and it’s only a deer, there are plenty more.”

“He said we could share.” She said staring at Tevelgus.

“Ah, that was before we found out that you had crossed the border.” Ad said. “You have broken the pact between our two people and you could start a war with this intrusion.” She laughed.

“Let them have it.” Cara said.

“What? Have you lost your sense little brother?” Ad said anger building.

“It’s a deer for the god’s peace.” Tog said, “Cara is right let them have it, they earned it.”

Ad couldn’t contain his rage any further and strode quickly back to the corpse. He threw his bow to the ground and took out his dagger. “I will not allow these thieves to come onto our land, shame us and take what is rightfully ours.” He then plunged the blade into the carcass and began to cut away at a hind limb.

Tog frowning, looked at Cara, he raised his hands and nodded at Ad as they both walked towards their brother and grabbed an arm each.

“Come Ad, it is but one deer, the woods and forests are full of them. We will find our own.” Tog said as he applied pressure to the arm he had grabbed.

“Take your hands off me.” Ad demanded. Tog however ignored his older brother and pulled him up and away from the carcass. As Ad struggled to get free, Cara let go of his grip and his flailing brother spun round and fell to the ground. He landed roughly, face first and quickly jumped up to confront Tog. Although Ad was the elder of the three boys, he stared at his brother prepared to fight, fists raised.

“I warn you now Ad, you may be my brother but you will regret this, I won’t allow you to do it and if you attack me, I will respond.” Tog said.

The girl Brenna spoke, “Adminius?” She looked at him as he stood scowling, breathing heavily. “You are the one to be crowned King, the heir to the Catuvellauni lands?”

“What do you know of me, of us thief?” Ad asked. “Well?”

She moved forward slowly, “More than you will ever know.” she said. She approached Ad and raised her hand to his face, he pulled back.

“I won’t hurt you.” She assured him, “Come.” He hesitated and then stood his ground as she reached over and touched the left side of his face with her palm. She looked into his eyes, as her own seemed to glaze over as her head rocked forward slightly.

“It is you.” She whispered.

Ad looked from her to the others in her group, “What is she talking about? How does she know me?”

Tevelgus answered, “She is a Shaman.”

“A what?” Tog asked.

Tevelgus walked to his sister and placed a hand on her shoulder, she was still staring at the Catuvellauni.

“A Shaman, well she will be soon anyway.” He looked at Adminius, “She can talk to the spirit world, to our ancestors, to the world beyond where we are.”

Ad pulled back breaking the physical contact from Brenna who then jerked her head whipping backwards as if she had been struck to the face.

“It’s true.” She said, beginning to pale.

“What’s true? What is this nonsense? What are you talking about?” Ad demanded. “Spirits, ancestors, another world, I think you need to take your sister home, she’s lost her mind. A Shaman?” He laughed, “I think she needs one.”

Brenna looked from Ad to his two brothers, “Traitor.” She whispered. It was barely audible. Ad frowned but before he could say anything she continued. “You are not like your brothers. You want power, to take from others, to dominate, you care nothing for others. Your soul is black.” She stepped away. “Come, she said looking to each of her group, “leave the deer, it’s theirs, I want nothing from this place.”

“Wait, what did you see?” Cara asked.

“It’s lies brother, she saw nothing, twisted words and lies nothing more, she’s mad. You yourself know I’m not as she says.” Ad said but Cara was still looking at the girl. He had recognised the words, the description she had used for his older brother. Although strange it was oddly accurate when spoken aloud. There were times when Adminius behaved totally different than he and Tog and he did have a cruel, vicious streak. How did this girl know these things? His mind churned, was it possible that she could communicate as her brother described?

“Why did you call my brother a traitor? He is to become King when our father passes to the next world, why would he be a traitor, to who?” Cara asked.

Brenna turned her dark eyes to him. “You weren’t meant to hear. I can’t see that but it is true, it will happen. He will betray you, your brother and your people.” She turned, “Come we must go.” She said to Tevelgus.

“Lies and madness,” Ad said. “She knows nothing of us, of me and I would never betray you or our people, you know that.”

Brenna stopped and turned and focused her eyes on Cara, “Don’t trust him. Whatever you do, do not trust this one,” She pointed, “no matter what he says or does, or where you go, the time will come when he will care nothing for you or yours. He will betray everything for his own gain. Nothing means anything to him except what he can get for himself. You Caratacus of the Catuvellauni,” this time she pointed at him, “are the only one who can stop him.” He felt a chill rush through his body, he shivered and knew what she was saying was true. Brenna nodded her head, turned and vanished into the thick undergrowth.

“Tog, go and get the horses, we’re not dragging this through the woods, Cara give me some help to get this out onto the path.” Ad said as he stooped down to look at the deer. A few seconds passed and neither brother had moved.

“Come on let’s move, we can’t stay here all day.” His brothers did as he’d asked with concerned expressions on their faces. From that moment, nothing would ever be the same between them.