“STOP.” Tog shouted pulling his horse up. “Stop this now.”
Adminius turned, clearly shocked, “Brother! What are you doing here?”
Tog jumped from his horse and walked quickly to Adminius, who began to move backwards but not far enough to avoid the back handed strike from his younger sibling. His head jerked backwards with the force of the blow, one of Adminius’ companions moved as if to attack Tog but Cara leapt from his horse knocking him to the ground.
“How dare you strike me!” Adminius shouted, blood dripping from the side of his mouth. The youth on the ground underneath Caratacus struggled trying to get up.
“Stay down.” Cara warned him as Adminius’ companions approached in a threatening manner. Tog drew his blade, a sharp dagger and put it to his older brother’s throat.
“Our Father wants you home, now! We have been told to bring you back,” He looked around at those beginning to surround him, his own men dismounting to protect him. “He didn’t say anything about bringing your friends home,” he lied, “Maybe Colgan here, could find a use for them.”
The youth under Caratacus struggled again and managed to un-sheath a knife he had hidden in a boot. Caratacus grabbed his wrist and slammed the hand holding the blade into the ground. He shuffled his body up, placing his knees against his opponent’s throat. The boy gurgled struggling for breath, red faced.
“I appreciate your loyalty to my brother but believe me, if you struggle anymore, I will kill you where you lie.” Caratacus said determination in his stare.
“Leave it Smydion.” Adminius said to the boy underneath his brother, “my Father will hear of this insult.”
Tog moved closer to Adminius, “And what of this insult brother?” He looked to the girl with the ripped clothing, now covering her breasts, “You cross the border and treat these people like this? You risk war, after all that our Father has done to ensure peace?” He grabbed Adminius by the throat, his strong fingers gripping the flesh and tightening. Adminius gasped.
“You are a disgrace to the Catuvellauni and if you weren’t my brother, you would die right here like the dog you are.” Adminius couldn’t respond, Tog nodded at one of his men who came forward, as he threw Adminius to the side, he began choking immediately struggling for breath.
“Bind them all.” Tog instructed. “The King will deal with them when we return. He looked at the youth still underneath Caratacus. “One word from you and you won’t live to see your homeland again, understand?” The stricken friend of Adminius could just nod his understanding.
With Adminius and his group bound, Tog turned to Colgan. “My brother won’t disturb you or your people again. I will take him north where my Father will deal with him and his unruly friends.”
Colgan looked at him with suspicion, “And how will I know there will be justice? You could ride back and nothing would be done.” He looked at Adminius,” This one your brother, is their leader but the others were as bad, what do I tell my chieftain…..that your word is good?”
Tog stared at the Regni warrior and knew if the situation were reversed, it would be unlikely he would let a band of riders just ride away. He looked at the group who had trespassed onto this land, their heads bowed except for Adminius.
“Choose one.” He said to Colgan. Adminius struggled but was held firm by one of Tog’s men.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Adminius demanded but Tog didn’t answer. Colgan pointed at the young man who had grappled with Caratacus on the ground.
“This one,” he said, “I choose him.” Colgan said pointing at Smydion, who lifted his head, concern growing on his face.
“What are you going to do?” Smydion asked beginning to struggle with the bindings holding his hands together, as he was shoved forward away from the others.
“Take him there,” Tog said, “where your people can see.”
Colgan grabbed him by the shoulder and marched him into the centre of those gathered all around. He stopped and looked at Tog, “Well?” He asked.
“You want a guarantee of justice?” Tog said striding toward Smydion. “On your knees.” He commanded as he pushed him down to the floor.
“Stop now, stop what you are doing.” Adminius shouted. Tog turned to his brother.
“You are responsible for this.” He pointed at Smydion and then took out his dagger. He walked behind him as he began to scream but it was too late, the cry was cut off as Tog sliced into Smydion’s throat and ripped his blade through his flesh from ear to ear. Colgan jumped backwards trying to avoid the gush of fluid but his legs were instantly covered. Blood shot out of the open wound spraying the soil dark red as the gash widened, white flesh stark against the awful image. Smydion’s eyes rolled backward into his head, he tried to speak, to say something but no words came out. His body began to jerk unnaturally, then spasm uncontrollably. Blood continued to spurt hitting the ground like heavy rain until it slowed. Tog pushed him forward and he landed with a wet thump onto his own life’s blood now pooled on the floor, he was dead.
Colgan looked up at Tog, shock over his face.
“Do you require further guarantees?” Tog asked the Regni. He turned and pointed at the others, hands bound behind their backs now standing trembling. “Choose another.” He said, “Any except for my brother.”
Colgan backed away, “No, that was enough, I believe you, and I don’t want any more bloodshed.” He turned to his men, “Come.” He ordered as he jumped onto his horse, “King Cunobelin will deal with the rest of these savages.”
Tog ensured that Smydion was buried in a ditch on the outskirts of the settlement before they left and headed north. They rode slowly through the night crossing the border before the sun rose and headed home.
Cunobelin stared at Adminius, his eyes boring into his very soul as he stood in front of his reckless band. They had been taken directly to the hall the King used for large gatherings, a place normally reserved for official meetings, celebrations and festive occasions. The King stood up from his large wooden chair and walked towards his errant son, Adminius couldn’t look him in the eye.
“So tell me,” he said his deep voice calm and deliberate, “what shall I do with you?” He walked closer. “Rape, theft, brutality and worse, you did it inside Regni lands, you crossed the border like some uncivilised barbarian. What were you thinking?”
“Father I…” He spluttered.
“SHUT UP,” Cunobelin ordered his voice booming, Adminius lowered his head. “It was not a question for you to answer boy.”
“Tog killed Smydion.” He whispered.
“I told you to shut up!” The King shouted. “Your brother here,” he pointed to Tog, “probably prevented a war between us and the Regni or at least stopped them from taking retribution on our own people.” He turned back to Adminius. “He did the right thing, you,” he said leaning into him, “are lucky that I didn’t come to get you or the rest of your little war band here would be buried along with the other one.” The King moved away and looked at the others. “Talking of which,” he said, “get them out of my sight. If they ever come to my attention again I’ll have the flesh torn from their bodies and what remains fed to the pigs. The only thing that’s saving that from happening now is that you were following this fool.” He stared at Adminius again. “Now take them away.” The others were escorted out of the hall leaving the King with his three sons, Cunobelin returned to his chair.
“How can I ever trust you again?” He asked. “My oldest son and heir behaving in such a way, is this how you will rule when I’m dead? You would bring war to the tribes after all we’ve done to ensure peace, a good way of life.” Adminius didn’t answer. “I must have done something wrong with you,” the King continued, “why can’t you be more like your brothers?” He raised his head looking at the high roof. “Gods I’m just glad your Mother isn’t alive to see how you have turned out, a vile, treacherous sliver of weasel dung that would ruin everything we’ve worked for over the years.” He stared at his son who stood head down. “Look at me when I’m talking to you!” He shouted. “At least demonstrate some real kind of courage.” Adminius looked up his face red.