Vespasian felt suddenly alert. ‘What do you mean?’
‘Few men’s destinies are preordained and those that are can be changed if that man voluntarily accepts an early death. We can see the fate that your guardian god, Mars, had waiting for you, but that will not come to pass because Judoc played his part well.’
‘Judoc was false?’
‘Of course. When the man you know as Alienus came and told us that you were on your way here we had to work out how best to have you deliver yourself up to us. Alienus we couldn’t trust because we’re sure that he was the one who betrayed us before.’
‘It was; in return for his life.’
‘Then we shall take that from him. He was never going to be given to you, that was just a pretence by Judoc to make you trust him. Judoc respects the gods and will give his life and those of his people to preserve their ways. He set the fire in his settlement and allowed you to escape; it was fortunate, but not unforeseen, that your men turned up so that you wouldn’t realise how easy your escape was. You see, if you had been delivered to us in chains then you would not have willingly come to your death. In that case the prophecy from your birth would have been stronger than our will and you would have survived — somehow. So Judoc pretended friendship but refused to help you against us; he told you that we were expecting you; he told you that this wicker man was built for you and he warned you of our power and yet you still came of your own accord.’
Cogidubnus let out a groan.
‘Ah, the King stirs; we can begin. You’re a dead man, legate, and a worthy sacrifice to our gods.’
‘You’re wrong, Myrddin.’
‘We’re never wrong.’ Myrddin turned and walked away, shouting at his followers.
Vespasian yelled after him, ‘You are this time, Myrddin; I didn’t come here of my own accord. I came because it was my duty to Rome to do so; but I had to force myself to take every step towards you, do you understand? Every step was unwillingly taken; every part of my being rebelled against coming here except my sense of duty. I, Myrddin, am not here of my own free will!’
A sudden jerk unbalanced him and he sprawled onto Magnus.
‘That was some weird conversation you were having.’
‘You heard it?’
‘Most of it; and I reckon that you made a fairly decent point at the end.’ Another jerk and they felt themselves rise slightly off the ground; cries of terror came from close by accompanied by the bleating of sheep. ‘Although I don’t see how that’s going to help us now.’
Vespasian suddenly took in his surroundings. ‘Shit! We’re in the wicker man!’
‘Well, where else did you think we were?’
‘I thought that we were just in some sort of cage.’
‘And why would they put us in a cage when they’ve got a perfectly good wicker man waiting for us?’
They felt the wicker man rise again; the cries intensified and wind whistled through the gaps in the weave. ‘Of course! That settles it, I was put here without my knowledge and there’s no way that can be construed as willing. Let’s pray that Myrddin is as right about the prophecy meaning that I will survive as he is wrong about me being here of my own accord.’
‘I’d prefer it if you said “us”, “we” and “our” rather than “I”, “me” and “my”. Now get behind me and let’s try and loosen these knots.’
Vespasian crawled into place and Magnus began to work his binding with his fingers. Another jolt raised their prison further; white-robed figures placed themselves underneath and began heaving at the wicker framework with their hands and backs, helping their colleagues hauling on the four ropes. The ascent became smoother and steadier.
Cogidubnus opened his eyes; he groaned as he registered where he was and began struggling against the rope binding his wrists. ‘You shouldn’t have talked about being swallowed, Vespasian.’
‘What?’
‘Look where we are: at the top of the chest, just below the throat.’
With Magnus working behind him, Vespasian leant his head against the central pole and put his eye to a crack in what would soon become their floor; he could see down into the next compartment in the belly of the wicker man where Glaubus and Balbus were sitting back to back also fumbling with one another’s bonds, surrounded by bleating sheep. Beyond them the central pole split into a ‘Y’ shape; each branch headed into one of the legs, whence the cries emanated. He could just make out figures through the walclass="underline" the last few marines. He was, indeed, just below the throat; he felt the bile rise in his.
Then a vague hope came to him. ‘The four ropes came out of the throat; they must be tied off to this pole just above us. If we can break through into it we might be able to release them, and then with this wind the man would fall.’
‘And we’ll break our necks,’ Magnus complained, still pulling at the knot.
‘Better than being burnt alive; but we might not if we brace ourselves between the walls and try to land on our feet.’
‘I can’t think of a better option,’ Cogidubnus agreed. ‘And we have a bit of time; there’ll be prayers of dedication before they set the thing on fire.’
Magnus turned around to examine his progress. ‘This plan works upon yet another assumption: that I can get this bastard knot undone.’
Cogidubnus crawled over. ‘You use your teeth and I’ll pull at it; stop me if I’ve got hold of the wrong bit.’
The wicker man continued to rise; it was now beyond the height of the druids below who had resorted to long poles to help erect it.
The wind strengthened the higher they went, whistling through the different sized and shaped cracks, producing various tones and pitches as if scores of pan pipes were being blown at once. The angle grew steeper and Vespasian’s face was forced against the wall that would soon become the floor of the chest section, but he stayed where he was and prayed to Mars that this was how he would survive to fulfil the prophecy made at his birth.
‘It’s coming,’ Magnus growled through teeth clenched around the rope. ‘Pull yourself away slowly, sir.’
Vespasian arched his back, pulling his wrists away from Magnus and Cogidubnus; he felt the pressure of the rope around his wrists tighten and then, a moment later, give a little.
‘Stop,’ Magnus ordered. He opened his mouth and let go of the rope. ‘I’ve made a loop; put your fingers to my chin, Cogidubnus, and I’ll guide you to it.’
The King did as he was told and Vespasian felt a finger push next to his wrist.
‘Got it!’ Magnus exclaimed. ‘All right, pull again, sir.’
This time he sensed the rope giving gradually; Magnus leant forward and yanked with his head and neck. Vespasian felt the constriction around his wrists lessen and began to work them apart until, with a sharp pull of his right hand, the rope fell away.
He hauled himself up as the angle increased; Magnus and Cogidubnus floundered forward unable to support themselves. Pulling Magnus towards him, Vespasian worked on his knot; within a few moments it was loose. The wicker man was almost upright; through the gaps he saw two of the four ropes pulled around to the other side to prevent the colossus toppling as it reached the vertical. Cogidubnus’ wrists were released as the wicker man settled upright, rocking back and forth and making Vespasian feel sick as he looked down from his swaying prison.