The two officers returned salutes to the sentries that stood guard at the entrance to the large wooden structure, it was the focal point of all military and civil activity in the area. The high ceiling corridor was dimly lit by oil burners along the walls compared to outside and it took a few seconds for his eyes to adjust as Varro was led into a substantial room. Plautius was standing talking to a group of men dressed in togas, as they got closer he saw they were studying plans and designs of buildings, they waited.
The room was lavishly decorated in comparison to the Spartan accommodations of the ordinary soldier but that was to be expected. Windows allowed light through, stretched skins and large iron oil burners were scattered about here and there providing more light and warmth. Depictions of Rome were draped from the walls and pots containing burning incense helped freshen the air as two slaves stood waiting to receive orders. Dominating the walls, were the emblems of the Second Augusta, and a large white depiction of Pegasus stood out amongst the others.
“Good, good,” Plautius said to the men, “the sooner we have some permanence here the better, you can only live in tents and wood for so long, well done gentlemen. If you need any further assistance don’t hesitate to come and see me.” Dismissed, the men turned acknowledged the new arrivals with a nod and left the room. Plautius looked at the plans on the table and smiled clearly happy, he looked up.
“Ah Centurion Varro, back so soon?” he said, “Please come forward.” They walked closer to a large table that was covered in scrolls of varying sizes some were maps and others written orders, requests, supply, manning lists and the plans the men had been studying. Plautius turned to the duty centurion and asked him to locate Legate Vespasian and request his presence and thanked him, dismissed he saluted the governor and left.
“Well how did you find it out there, did you have any success in locating the Silures and their Catuvellauni friends?” he asked.
Varro looked at Brenna standing next to him and then back to Plautius, “We did sir but our task was gravely hindered by the weather. They have returned to the mountains of the north west, if I may?” He said indicating to the large cattle skin map that hung on the wall behind the desk.”
“Of course,” Plautius said standing, at that moment Vespasian arrived, he saluted and removed his helmet. “That was quick Legate,” he said, “you weren’t eaves dropping lurking about out there listening to my plans were you?” He joked laughing.
“I was just returning from checking on the delivery of the grain and food stuff sir. You’ll be pleased to know three galleys arrived this morning. We should have fresh food this evening, there’s meat and amphorae as well, enough to keep the men happy for a while. Once the ships have unloaded they’ll be ready to set sail on tomorrows tide. With regular supplies getting through, it will be one thing we don’t need to concern ourselves with.”
“Excellent, excellent,” he said, “Centurion Varro,” he turned and indicated the thawing soldier, “he will be most pleased I’m sure after spending the last few days tracking Caratacus and his Silures friends. I’m sure that you and your party will welcome a good feast later after a hot bath of course.”
“I can think of nothing better after we’ve thawed out properly and had some sleep sir.” He replied walking to the map pointing, “We got as far as here, when the weather closed in and made further travel virtually impossible.” He indicated a location south east of the river that separated the lands of the Dobunni and Silures. Plautius and Vespasian exchanged a curious look. It wasn’t where they had expected the patrol to go and walked closer to inspect the map. Realising that the two senior officers were clearly concerned Brenna broke into the conversation.
“It was here that we encountered a small group of twenty or more heavily armed Silures scouting the territory.” The officers looked to Varro concerned etched across their faces.
“Brenna,” Varro said as he turned to the Briton, “here was able to converse with them and they confirmed that the main army of Caratacus had retreated into the mountains of the south of their territory, here.” He pointed to the area concerned. “They said they were hunting for Romans but with such a small group they were probably just a rear-guard sent out to see if we were pursuing them in force.”
Vespasian approached the map and pointed to the location that concerned them most, the lands of the Silures. “It’s an area that will warrant at least half legion strength, maybe more I should imagine to go into if we want to pluck them from their perch. Those mountains, hills and valleys will make for difficult terrain not too dissimilar from Thrace where I campaigned not long after joining up. At least here we won’t have the sun burning our flesh to a crisp. However, at the moment it’s the opposite, with this blasted cold. It’s not a time for pursuing an elusive enemy buried like ticks on a hounds arse.” He turned to Varro. “What were conditions like underfoot Centurion?”
“Quite bad sir, at times we had to dismount and walk the horses through snow drifts, we wondered if we’d ever find our way back. Everything looked the same, white and we found it difficult to find our bearings. There were times when it was so white we couldn’t see any landmarks and the snow was so thick we couldn’t see more than twenty paces in front of our faces.” He answered.
“Mm,” Plautius murmured looking at the details of the map, “it’s as we suspected. They have returned to their mountain hideout and the country is virtually impassable between them and us with this weather. I’m not willing to lose any men through the cold and the winter pursuing an enemy that can wait until we are ready to engage them. Things will be different, a lot different come spring.” He turned to those gathered around the map.
“We’ll continue to concentrate on things here and wait until the weather improves before seeking them out. In the meantime we can send out light infantry to scout the local area but that’s all. No-one and I mean no-one, is to go beyond the two mile marker point.” He looked at those listening to him. “If they can see the bloody things that is.” He laughed.
“We can develop our relationship with the people of the land here, speak with their elders and show them that we’re here to help those allied to us.” He smiled, “Very good, thank you Centurion and Brenna,” he looked at the Briton, “this help has been invaluable once more. I’m to return to Camulodunum leaving the Legion to manage efforts here in a few days so I will say goodbye for now. Go and get yourselves cleaned up, warm and some decent food inside you.”
Varro saluted and he and Brenna left the two men to their plans, entering the darker corridor again he said, “That went better than I thought it would.” as they almost immediately walked out into the bright winter sunshine.
She said, “We were lucky to get back after our encounter with that Sadgem, if he had suspected that I was with Romans we would still be out there now, cut open and food for the wolves.” She looked at him. “I think that both Plautius and Vespasian knew full well that we could have achieved little more in the conditions. I’m sure they’re just glad to know that Caratacus hasn’t stayed south. It would have been a disaster if they had chosen to stay in the region, especially after what they will no doubt be regarding as a success against us. They are not stupid though and know they cannot fully rely on the local population to assist them. People are more concerned with surviving the winter than fighting, whoever the enemy may be. The Silures and the Catuvellauni are virtually as foreign in these lands as you remember.”