“Problems sir?” He asked Varro.
“Nothing we couldn’t handle, just.” He replied relief all over his face. “Come on let’s get out of here.” He led them away from the warriors who were now slipping back into the forest once more.
When they were clear of further attack Varro turned to Quintus, “I want you to ride back to the column and make your report. Make sure you mark this place on your map and the settlement we saw, we’ll take a look at that. We’ll ride along the coast until tomorrow and find somewhere to wait for you, I’ll light straw flares if you don’t find us, as long as the area is clear look for cover near the coastline. May the gods be with you my friend, I have a feeling we may all need them soon enough.” They clasped wrists.
“And may they be with you sir, I think you may need them more than us.” Quintus replied looking back to the trees.
“Come on.” He ordered as he commanded his horse forward, automatically his men followed and Varro and his men were alone again. “Two days in and we’ve already met the locals and surprisingly they’re not that pleased to see us.” He said leading them further from the trees and away from danger.
“When the column gets here that rabble will pay for that.” Marcus said looking back at his bed roll.
“In time my friend,” Varro cautioned, “but in the meantime let’s see what else we can find.”
Later they had ridden back to the coast where the sea breeze was cool and refreshing in the salt air as they walked along the cliff tops. The white chalk of the landing area had been replaced by rock and sea birds were nesting and hunting in the waters below.
“Before we move on and get further away from here, I want to see what’s in the village that we saw illuminated last night.” Varro said and added, “I know we need to get clear of here quickly so we’ll just take a brief look.”
They skirted the cliff moving slowly and turned inland nearing noon. Progress was slow anyway because of the terrain but they had to be cautious in case any friends of the tribesmen were nearby. With only a few of them in their party now, they wouldn’t stand a chance if they were ambushed and trapped. They avoided confined areas and places that would make good ambush points, nearing noon as they continued away from the sea, they could see tracks had been established in the grassland areas. Marcus said that he could smell smoke and soon enough small plumes were seen as they rose up into the blue sky over the trees in the distance, many plumes of smoke. Reaching the wooded area that was a natural barrier between their position and the village they dismounted.
“We’ll leave the horses here.” Varro said. “Marcus, you stay with them but if there are any problems get to us as soon as possible. The rest of you follow me.”
He led them through the trees along a path, knowing there was a possibility of running into locals but there were no other routes, thick un-passable bushes and gorse lined the worn track on either side so they now had no other choice if they were to see what lay beyond. Before long they could hear faint voices and laughter, they slowed their pace crouching, swords were quietly drawn.
Varro looked through the thicket and saw movement and indicated for the others to stop, he peered through the thick branches. Large round brown huts with straw roofs dotted the settlement at irregular intervals, it looked like the walls were made from packed mud and straw, fires were burning drying animal skins that were hung nearby. Children ran chasing a small dog who was barking happily at its pursuers wagging its tail.
Decimus drew level with his commander, “Anything useful?” He asked.
Varro continued to watch the village, “Shhh, keep your voice down, it looks like a bunch of natives that’s all, nothing worthy of a military target but good intelligence none the less.”
“What’s that?” Veranius asked pointing with his sword to the far left side of the roundhouses. Situated at the edge of the area he was pointing towards was a much larger hut and beyond that was a large human figure.
“It looks like they’ve made a large structure of a man out of wood, branches, sticks and twine, must be some pagan ritual probably.” Lucius said peering through the leaves. Studying its strange formation he said, “It must be high though because that hut is twice the size of those nearer to us and they’re taller than a man themselves. That straw effigy stands twice as high as the larger hut.”
“It’s probably a straw god or something.” Varro added. “They’re are known to worship the sun, stars and moon so why not something that looks over their village and provides some form of cover as well?”
Two figures cloaked in black could be seen at the base of the effigy, kneeling down. “Look they must be some of their druids, holy people, they’re praying aren’t they?” Decimus pointed out.
The soldiers watched as the two figures raised and lowered their arms praying and worshiping to some unseen entity.
“It’s said they hold positions of great significance within their people and can even influence tribal leaders.” Varro said.
“Fucking arse bandits more like, imagine that? People led by mystics and fools?” Decimus added. “We’ll rule this land within the year if this is anything to go by!”
Varro counted the huts, making a mental note for later. “The village couldn’t have been here that long because it’s not on the map, they’ve probably set up here because of the fishing in the sea,” he pointed out a river beyond the effigy, “fresh water and there’s probably good hunting in these woodlands near where we saw our blue friends earlier.”
“How many men do you see in the village?” Veranius asked. Varro counted the two men they presumed were druids and then he realised no more.
“Our blue warriors must be from this village then. They’re the men of this settlement. That means they won’t be back for some time unless they have horses and I doubt that.” Varro said. “Anyone care for a closer look?”
“Is that wise sir? Veranius asked. “We can’t see who is in those other huts if anyone and there are lots of them. If there are only three in each hut, we would be badly outnumbered we could be walking straight into a trap.”
Varro thought about what he had just said and reluctantly replied, “Yes you’re right.” He surveyed the surrounding ground. “See that rise over there?” He pointed beyond the straw man where a grass bank beyond the river rose to a height of about a hundred feet.
“I say we get the horses and move round,” he indicated with his left arm in a sweeping movement, “cross the river and hold up in the trees above. We can observe the huts from there and see if our blue friends return. If they do, our legion will be paying them a visit during the next few days.”
Returning to Marcus they explained the situation in whispers and moved off cautiously crossing the river that actually turned out to be a large stream, they could still see the top of the straw man and the settlement clearly. Marcus frowned as he looked back as they led the horses on foot through the water. Decimus dragged his water sack through the stream almost filling it, reaching the other side Varro checked to make sure the druids couldn’t see them and walked left further away from the settlement and then came up finally reaching the cover of the trees. The slope flattened out and they secured the horses on the far side of the plateau, where they immediately started to eat the long lush fresh grass.
“Let’s get some food while we can but no fires or cooking.” Varro instructed as he removed his helmet. “Veranius, make sure the horses are watered, I want them ready to move at a moment’s notice.”
The men settled down and ate a small meal from their rations of salted pork, the three days rations they carried always came in handy as hunting could never guarantee a successful result and so the men were always prepared. The meat was tasty and provided all the nutrients they required.