“Quiet.” A Tribune shouted at the men as he appeared from around a corner. “The General is ready for you now gentlemen.” He added smirking suddenly changing his demeanour at the standing officers. They entered the large briefing room where maps were laid on two tables.
“Good, good come in men.” Plautius said moving to the rear of the table. Only a few senior officers, Tribunes and Prefects were still present in case their input was required, others had already left and were preparing to carry out their orders.
“Right gentlemen,” he began, “come forward please, step forward so you can see.” He waved them closer as Varro and the others did as they were instructed. He looked down at the table and saw what lay beyond the fort and the trees beyond. He could see the large river which it was estimated was an hours ride north on the map, it was named Tamesa the name given to it by the locals. The General turned and introduced a man dressed in a white toga. He recognised him immediately his Latin was the same as Brenna’s and spoken with an unusual accent.
“This gentleman,” the General said pausing and indicating with an outstretched arm, “is Prince Adminius soon to be King Adminius of the Catuvellauni. He was cruelly exiled by his own people as I’m sure some of you will already know.”
The assembled officers looked at the man as he spoke, “Welcome to my country Centurions. I welcome you on behalf of those who do truly welcome you not the traitors that you have fought today.” He raised an eyebrow as if waiting for some kind of response from the men standing at the other side of the table, he got none.
“A few years ago,” he continued, “my father, then King of the Catuvellauni decided that it was better to distance his people from the great Empire of Rome.” Varro decided quickly his first assumptions were correct about this man and that he was a sycophant and no doubt a traitor and liar to his own kind, he continued.
“Although trading continued as it had for many decades he, my father decided that he would not under any circumstances become a client King to the Emperor. At the time of course that was Emperor Caligula.” The men bristled and he blushed slightly realising he had mentioned the lunatic who had ruled before Claudius but went on quickly. “My vision was to bring my land into the Empire and to work with it not against it.”
A centurion standing behind Varro broke in, “Excuse me Prince.” He said.
“By all means Centurion.”
The soldier continued, “Do you speak on behalf of all Britannia? I thought there were many tribal regions?” Someone coughed as if indicating the point was well made.
“My tribe is one of the largest in all Britannia and the most powerful and we have the greatest influence over lesser regions. With the Catuvellauni at your side, I can assure you that Britannia will be one of your greatest allies.” He smiled pausing, expecting applause maybe. He continued. “With us at your side the rest of Britannia will quickly fall in line and then we can all work together with common aims and goals.
“If what you say is correct Prince,” the centurion continued, “then we have a real fight on our hands because it seems that your Catuvellauni are not exactly welcoming.”
Quiet laughter broke an awkward silence as Adminius looked at the General clearly expecting him to come to his defence and offer support, he didn’t.
“The warriors that met you in battle today have been misled. Since my father’s death my own brothers, Togodumnus and Caratacus have ruled. Togodumnus to the north of the Tamesa,” he pointed at the river on the map, “and Caratacus to south. They were always jealous of my vision that saw Albion,” he stopped, “sorry Britannia as a part of the Empire.” He reddened slightly after referring to the island with the Britons name for it.
“Since I met the Emperor in Rome, they have clearly persuaded my people that their view was the right one to follow.” He looked at the faces watching him. “They were wrong and those who follow them are wrong and they will pay for their insolence and betrayal.” His face flushed again clearly angry at being embarrassed by the assembled soldiers.
The General expecting more of a history lesson that neither he, nor his men had time for, broke in before Adminius could say anymore. “I sincerely hope that those less powerful and less influential; share your vision Prince Adminius.” He stared at the prince. “I can assure you that if the Catevallauni continue to resist, I will be forced to destroy them. Thank you for your time.” The General said dismissing the Briton. He stared at the commander of the army in shock but bowed nonetheless and left the room.
“Gentlemen.” The General said turning to his centurions. “Right men come closer,” he said as if the Prince had not even been introduced to them as he began to outline his plans for the continuing campaign. Over the next hour Plautius told the centurions that the captured Dubonni were to be kept inside a newly constructed fort on the coast. It was to be manned by the Ninth Hispana who would also secure their landing area fully and build better harbours for their ships. Once hostilities had ended the tribesmen would be allowed to return to their lands, unarmed obviously. This brought a few raised eyebrows nevertheless but the General went onto explain that they didn’t intend to enslave or kill the entire population of the enormous island.
They all knew that taking the Britons weapons would be insult enough and would no doubt create its own problems but that was an issue for another day. By that time Plautius mused, a Roman governor would be appointed and the law of the land would prevail over the law of the sword. He reiterated his desire that he intended to pursue the Catuvellauni and destroy those who continued to resist them. Any who surrendered would be treated the same as the Dubonni and would eventually be released.
The capital at Camulodunum would be taken as soon as practically possible with the Emperor Claudius leading the advance. This surprise raised more eyebrows especially when he said that the Emperor had even intended to bring with him a team of elephants and ride, ‘Hannibal like’ in person into the enemy stronghold, thereby ensuring the complete and utter capitulation of any who thought of carrying a sword against the men of Rome again.
After the briefing the men were given various duties and assignments, some more rigorous than others as those assigned to work in the fort complained about later. The men fortunate enough to be told they were to pursue the Britons with all haste, laughed at those to be left behind and quickly went to their duties.
Varro went to find his men and found them at one of the forts stable enclosures tending to the horses. Decimus, Lucius and Marcus were all relieved when told they were to ride in advance of the main body of cavalry and would be leaving as soon as they were prepared. None had sustained any injuries in the battle nor had the horses, not even a scratch, which he considered was a miracle considering the ferocious attack by the enemy and thanked Mithras, the god of the legions.
After a light meal they tacked up their animals, re-armed with javelins, food and water supplies and were ready to ride. Soon after they trotted towards the northern gate. Soldiers shouted their good luck and good fortune seeing that they were fully armed and leaving the safety of the fort. Some shouted good humoured abuse about having all the women and leaving some for them as well as their gold.
The four men smiled in response and waved as their horses kicked up dust flashing their tails as they increased their speed. As they got to within fifty yards of the gate, the great wooden doors were pulled and then pushed open allowing them to continue. More shouts of encouragement greeted them from above as they trotted below the guards manning the towers. Varro waved in acknowledgement and kicked Staro into a canter as they left the fort behind.