Caratacus could have led a full assault on the installation but with it burning and the ditches of the palisade on fire, they would have been sitting ducks for the Roman archers inside. The great Vespasian Legion had suffered a bloody nose during the attack and he would no doubt be seeking revenge but it would come at a cost.
After the battles of the Medway and the Tamesa, Caratacus had learned that he didn’t have to face the beast head on every time, he could sneak up behind it and plunge a lance into its side, that was what he had decided to do. He would use every natural advantage he could, cover, hills, trees, rivers, deceit and surprise and he would show no mercy to the enemy that would show him and his people none. He didn’t know if it would be enough to drive them from his shores but it would make them falter and the soldiers hesitant. The problem with wounding a dangerous animal however, was that it was even more deadly after it was hurt, so as they had planned, they would now melt into the hillsides and disappear into the winter of the lands of the Silures.
“I really don’t see how you were having so many problems with these Romans cousin.” Ardwen remarked from his saddle smiling broadly.
Caratacus gave a cautious smile in return knowing that Ardwen wasn’t being serious but was trying to make light of the situation, “How so cousin?” He asked regardless.
“You seem to have encountered all kinds of problems with them, letting them land from the sea, cross rivers, set up their armies behind their shields, make camps and forts and even drive you from your own lands.” He pushed the hood back over his head so he could see his cousin, “I would say that during the summer months you should relax with your woman and children, go hunting, fishing, travelling maybe, cultivate some crops. When the Romans march we can rest and when they withdraw into their forts for the winter, we can attack. In the summer you could spend your time recruiting more warriors for your army,” he paused, “our army. Then as the nights get shorter and the leaves start to fall from the trees, prepare to fight and then when winter comes and the enemy is safely tucked up warm inside their forts, you can destroy them, simple really.” He smiled again.
Caratacus laughed, “If only it were that simple my friend. You will see when the spring comes and they creep out of their shells, it’s not as easy as you presume, they’ll be spreading like disease all over. You would have fought them as I did, had they crossed your lands first.”
Now Ardwen laughed, “Ah but cousin your ground is flat like a twelve year old girls breasts, it is suited to them and the way they fight.” Caratacus screwed up his face at Ardwen’s words but he continued, “They take their time and they set their army out like loaded dice, then they wait for the local barbarians that’s us by the way” he remarked, “to come along and courageously but bravely throw ourselves upon their blades.”
“And last night was how you would have fought them bearing in mind that it was my idea.” Caratacus countered, it was now his turn to smile again.
“Well yes and no really. You see my hills and valleys are like a mature woman’s breasts and you can do more with them you see. We can let our friends the Romans enter our valleys where they won’t be able to play soldiers like they’re used to doing and then once they’re in,” he slammed a fist into his palm and closed the hand around it, “we annihilate them.” He smiled looking up at the last remnants of the night sky and the snow that was still falling, “Thirsty work all this slaughtering isn’t it?” He grabbed his water skin from the side of his horse and took and few cold gulps. “Ah beautiful that spring water and nice and chilled thanks to all this snow and ice, not as nice as the mead we’ll be celebrating with tonight though eh cousin?”
Caratacus looked at him, “You actually enjoying fighting don’t you cousin, bashing heads in and killing men?”
Ardwen looked at Caratacus the smile now gone, “When someone or something threatens my family and my way of life, of course I do and do you know why?”
Caratacus looked at him, “No, why?”
“Because if I am bashing his brains out and killing him, then he isn’t doing the same to me or mine. I love it I do Caratacus and I freely admit it and you should learn to love it as well. Forget what happened before, we are where we are my friend and we have to make the most of it, look at it another way, it’s got to be better than planting crops eh?” He laughed again and Caratacus laughed with him.
“There’s something else I think you should consider.” Ardwen added.
“What’s that?” He asked.
“You should seriously consider using your own name not the one given to you by your parents when all was well with Rome. The people would respond better to being led by Caradoc of Albion the Celt not Caratacus the Romanised Briton. You know it means the Ram, it would be a fine symbol on your banner.” Ardwen said.
“It would be strange to suddenly change my name, it is all I’ve ever known but I know what you mean, I will consider it although I don’t think my wife would be very happy.”
Chapter Eighteen
It was just after midday and the sun was high in the sky when Ardwen and Caratacus led the army over the river that naturally separated the lands of the Dobunni and the Silures. Caratacus turned and looked back one final time but there was nothing to see except their own warriors snaking through the cold countryside. He had continually expected to hear shouts from the rear as the Romans sought revenge and attacked their ragged column stretching for as far as the eye could see but it didn’t happen.
Despite their success of the night before, the men and women were now looking weary as they tramped along and splashed through the cold water. The hills of Ardwen’s land were now in sight in the distance, the snow-capped mountains unseen hidden by grey cloud. It almost felt like coming home to Caratacus he suddenly realised as the walk of his horse rhythmically helped him relax more as much as the symbolic crossing of the river. He began to feel something that he hadn’t for what seemed like an age, safe and comfortable.
They followed the path of a small stream that ran down from the valley and into the great river and slowly started their journey upwards on an incline that was almost imperceptible at first. Shale and stone littered the ground over the grass and moss where it had broken off the slate and rock sides of the valley they were about to enter. It looked very different from their journey a few days before when the snow had yet to fall but that didn’t matter now, they were nearly ‘home.’ As they got further up the valley, the hillsides rose higher, the path got steeper and it began to snow.
“Don’t worry my friend you’ll soon be nice and warm with your wife, sat round a fire and telling tales of a great victory.” Ardwen said.
“It cannot come soon enough, my feet have lost all feeling and are like blocks of ice, my hands are useless, if we were attacked now I wouldn’t be able to defend myself. I’d have to roll you towards them.” Caratacus laughed in response his face hidden by the hood drawn over his head to keep out the chill.
“Mott will soon warm your bones I’m sure.” He heard Ardwen say as the wind began to blow. He didn’t reply lost in his own thoughts as he realised that his entire legs were as cold as his feet, he tried to feel his thighs but there was virtually no sensation in his fingers tips. He considered getting off his horse and walking but didn’t think his legs would carry him properly and imagined crumpling to the ground.
He tried to take his mind off the extreme weather and its effects as he thought about the coming year, it would be crucial and his decisions could determine survival or death not just for him but for many, many thousands. His imagination showed him every possible outcome from slaughter to victory and even to living in peace with the Romans although that was a last resort, it was probably possible. If it ultimately meant the survival of the people who were now under his charge, he would consider it.