The Foot of Gellerthergy
Chapter One
Challenges
"To me men of Gellerthergy! Sons of the Eravisk tribe! This day we fight to protect our homes, our families, and we fight to uphold our honour!" These last words bellowed with the full force of the tribe voices ringing in his ears, Stermburg watched as the army swept down into the valley to confront the Roman Legion…..
Caesar read the letter from his Procurator once more,
Hail Mighty Caesar,
How fares the conquest of the Celtae? We are eager to hear of your victories. The praetorian are restless at your long absence. I have cause to believe Domothius is working against you within the Senate. Your return is imminent I trust. We long for it with all our hearts.
Yours faithfully
Amelus Oratrices
His mind desperately tried to conceive a reply that would keep the Senate subdued.
As for the Praetorian, he had little power over that aspect of the Empires Legions, they were more likely disrupted because of Arelius Casidius' unfortunate demise during an ambush in Southern Gaul. His mind flicked back to the letter in front of him. With a shallow sigh he quickly scratched several sentences into the rough paper, not taking care to avoid blotching the ink as he dipped the quill for another word….
"Stand firm Legionnaires. The Emperor's faith lies in you" Etodarius Casidius, the new General of the Legion, calmly shouted to his front rank of soldiers.
Far forward just within hearing distance, the General's words reached the ears of the unfortunate men in the front ranks.
"Stand firm he says, get up here and then say it!" muttered Resturen, a mere Legionnaire, to himself.
"You heard the General, Resturen. Stand firm, don't let the men around you down." This from a nearby Centurion who chose to re-affirm his soldiers courage and overlook the treason in the words just muttered.
"They are naught but a mindless rabble. Watch each others backs and we will defeat them"
Slightly behind them there came a cry.
"Archers" a pause "Up" another short pause "Fire!" this final word reached the forward ranks accompanied by a hiss that heralded the entire firepower of the Roman Legion. Catapults launched boulders coated in burning tar far into the enemy's ranks ploughing troughs through the undulating mass of bodies.
The hiss of arrows and the dark masses spinning across the sky signified the commencing of battle. The cries of the army burned long in the ears of Bolstrund, even far to the right flank he could hear the men cheering viciously. He silently signalled his knights forward. Keeping noise to a minimum, the group that was intended to flank the enemy was a mere thirty feet wide. Though it comprised of several dozen heavily armed Celtic knights each with a huge Lancaei to their name.
The first wave of arrows and boulders took heavy casualties on the enemies lines, but they continued streaming towards the Roman lines like a rising wave. The sound of their voices echoing through each man's helm. At a bark from a high ranked Officer the line stood to attention and snapped their shields into place. Forming a three hundred man wide shield wall that started marching, slowly, fatefully towards the Celtic lines.
More arrows hissed overhead aimed at the enemies forward runners as they drew nearer, dozens of them falling within yards of the Roman lines. The Roman troops broke into a slow run increasing in speed until they were running full tilt at the enemy.
The sudden clash of arms and armour and weapons was terrifying, instantly dwarfing the sound of the Celtic chants. Screams of the dying rose, lingered for a second and were smothered by the maelstrom of noise surrounding the battle. Arrows still flew into the advancing Celtic ranks, more sporadic and individual than the earlier controlled waves. Men fell neutrally on both sides, but there where two points at which both lines where breaking, one in the Roman's favour and one against…
Rurisk ducked low under an arrow. Screaming to his battle brethren.
"They are weaklings behind their shields, their spears are unwieldy in close quarters"
Rurisk and his bodyguard type warriors darted around other combats into the very heart of the Roman battle lines. Dodging wide around a spear thrust he drew both his swords, spinning quickly he sliced the neck of one soldier, his other blade slashed across the hamstrings of another man who fell forwards into the stab of a ##########, frenzied warrior who screamed to his gods with bloodlust…
Resturen blocked the Celtic warrior's sword blow with his shield, making his adversary stumble. He brought his spear up into the warriors unprotected stomach, drawing a deep gurgling noise from the man as he collapsed further onto it. Dropping the spear in anger he drew his gladius and parried another warrior's swing. The warrior suddenly stopped and stared strangely at him, then glanced down at the spear protruding from his side, attached to the hand of Erservius, the Centurion who had reprimanded Resturen earlier…
Bolstrund's knights rode through the deep dark of the forest around the flank of the battle. The sounds of conflict were remote and distant, putting each man in their own world of mysterious calm. Each contemplating the battle to come. As they drew nearer the sounds of weapons clashing and men dying rose louder and louder until the beating of the horses hooves was naught but a vibration to the men riding them. They were growing near to the archers who had plagued the Celtic armies advance and where about to fall upon them from the trees like thunder, when a single horn rose from the right of their lines. The Romans cavalry had been waiting for them to arrive! As the enemy charged forward their archers turned the face the new threat.
Bolstrund bellowed orders to his knights, as the enemy General and his troops fell upon them. The ensuing battle was heated and vicious. Many archers where killed as a large contingent of the Celtic cavalry rode on, leaving a small detachment led by Bolstrund to deal with Etodarius and his men. The huge Lancaei of the Celts where put to the test as they wheeled their mounts to confront the opposing cavalry.
Bolstrund was exhausted, he had dispatched at least seven of the enemy cavalry and each had been a struggle. His Lancaei was embedded in one of the fallen horses and he had a stab wound in his upper arm. He fought on against the remaining enemy with only five of his original knights. The enemy General too looked in a similar state of affairs. Bolstrund spurred his horse forward calling to his men. They formed a line beside him. The six Celtic knights parallel to the remaining nine Romans, just as Bolstrund was about the give the order to charge Etodarus rode from his battle line. Etodarus bellowed out to Bolstrund.
"You are the son of Stermhurg, are you not?"
"I am, and what is it to you dirty Roman?" answered Bolstrund
"As is your custom, I believe, I challenge you to single combat!" Etodarus emphasised the last words with the all the force he could muster.
Bolstrund considered for naught but a second and replied
"You will have your challenge, scum" and with that he kicked his horses flanks and galloped towards the bewildered Etodarius…
Chapter Two
"Call a meeting of the Senate" said Amelus quietly to his personal plebian slave. He sat down heavily on his dining lounge, Caesar's letter having arrived during his midday meal.
"I do not understand, how does he plan to do this, if he returns he will lose face to the senate and the people; surely there can be another way to subdue the praetorian." Amelus laid back, planning the speech he intended to put forward to the Senate, the Senators were in general a haughty group, any perceived slur on their abilities to effectively rule alongside with Caesar could be fatal. As Caesar's private and most trusted Procurator, Amelus had some measure of protection.
"Enough, this is the only plausible course of action" With that thought echoing in his head, Amelus strode out of the room, leaving it empty. A shadow moved as the sound of his footsteps slowly faded away…
"What is it you have called us here for, Procurator" This last word laced with criticism and poorly hidden disgust.
"Have you news of Caesar's conquest?" continued Domothius, a powerful senator who controlled a large portion of the Senate.
It was apparent that somehow Caesar had lost his esteem and had thus gained himself an unfortunate adversary.
"Nay, Domothius, I have called you… all!" Started Amelus,
"Here today to come to a viable solution to our current dilemma. The praetorian is uneasy at Caesar's long absence and, this, as you well know, can and eventually will cause us distress.
I recently received a message from Caesar, informing me of the current state of affairs, and also of his chosen course of action regarding the praetorian. He has decided that he must return to Rome, to subdue this restlessness." a murmur of voices rippled across the room, each Senator contemplating and sharing their surprise.
"However, he has also mentioned that this will only be necessary, in the event that the Senate is unable to find a temporary solution, which will allow him enough time to conclude his conquest and return on more favorable terms."
These last words were muffled by the uproar the declaration had caused. Many Senators were arguing heatedly about the sense of such a move, others were open shouting their anger at the entire situation.
"Silence!" bellowed Domothius, the yelling continued.
"SILENCE!" Domothius managed in such a loud and commanding voice that, all the senators instantly paused.
"This is not the way of resolving this matter, those with an opinion must make that clear at the appointed time. Until such a time, listen and consider…."
"How is he?" Asked Caesar dispassionately,
Nike ACG, his mind on other matters.
"He was wounded severely, he has a good chance, however it will take time. A great deal of time."
"You are dismissed"
Alone in his tent, Caesar wandered, unsure of what to do he sat down; drawing a rug around his shoulders for warmth. The air was colder here than in Rome, and he wasn't getting any younger.
"I must finish this conquest and I must do it quickly, The Senate are weak, they have no power over the Praetorian and they dislike me just as much, if I am to survive this I must personally take command of the army, that will gain me some respect from the Praetorian and the Senate will have less grounds to speak ill of me….." For a time he sat there contemplating, and slowly fell into an uneasy sleep, his mind wandering even as he dreamt.
When the dusk had fully settled and the activity in the camp had slowed; a figure slipped around the rear of the tent, slicing a neat hole along the seam of the material he entered, careful not to cast a shadow on the sleeping Caesar, he padded softly over to the writing table, took out a pre-prepared letter and marked it with Caesar's seal. With that he left, without a trace, re-stitching the seam he disappeared into the deep of the night….
Darkness….a bright searing light scorched somewhere just out of sight, he had not the energy to move, his mind scattered and fragmented….. His mind jolted back to awareness, he frantically tried to move but the light flared causing him to stop dead, he sank back into darkness…..
"A rout, they all run because our stupid green general gets slaughtered by some psychotic Celtic chief. If they spent more time fighting and less time snapping orders then they wouldn't …."
"Shut up Resturen! You've been whining about Etodarius forever! We need to focus on how we are going to get out of here. I'm not planning on spending anything more than a night here!"
"Fine, fine. But you have to admit…."
"SHUT UP! Your whining again, it doesn't matter anymore. The fight is over and we are stuck here in this dank hole because of it, whining isn't going to get us out of here."
"How are your ropes?" asked Resturen nonchalantly, his smile hidden by the darkness,
Adidas Sutra,
"Tight and chafing, yours?" answered Erservius, grumpily.
"Off"
"Then untie me for Zeus' sake!"
"Okay, okay; could have been polite, but no; your always ordering me around…" Resturen grumbled as he fiddled roughly with the ropes on Erservius' hands.
"Thank you, happy now?" said Erservius sarcastically, Resturen glared at him.
"Let's just get out of here"
The 'dank hole' was in fact an underground room, with one door made of solid oak. Erservius inspected the door less than hopefully before moving away to have a look at the rest of the room. Resturen went to the door and procured a small knife from the inside of his cuirass, he started fiddling with the latch….
Chapter Three
"You take the first guard" whispered Erservius, Resturen silently nodded. There was a heavy clunk as the bar was removed from the other side of the door, then a scratch as the latch was lifted. The first guards moved into the room brandishing his torch before him. "Now!" mouthed Erservius, Resturen needed no more beckoning, roughly grabbing the first guard from behind, kicking his knee in and pushing him to the floor, Erservius waiting till the second guard had entered and was about to grab Resturen, taking a small step forward he grabbed the guard's head and with a sharp jerk snapped his neck, the guard fell lifeless to the floor. Erservius hurried over and grabbed the man's weapons, turning just in time to see Resturen finish the other guard with a kick to the head. When he turned around Resturen was grinning sheepishly.
"Got him" he said as he picked up the guards weapons, "Come on, what now?"
"Let's find a way out, for starters. Don't touch anything unless I tell you to. Okay?"
Resturen mumbled something unintelligible
"Okay?" Erservius said more forcefully
"Yes, sir" mumbled Resturen a bit louder.
"Good, lets go"
The corridor was dark, the guard's torch had gone out when Resturen had tackled him. They groped their way forward, feeling the walls to stay straight. After several minutes the light grew stronger and they could see their surroundings a bit better, the corridor's walls were made of compacted dirt, supported at regular intervals by timber frames. The ground began to slope upwards and split in two. One path leading up and towards the light, the other staying level, light only by the flickering light of torches.
"Where now?" Resturen asked quietly.
"Up would be suicide as far as I can tell, we could walk right out in the middle of the fort in broad daylight. Lets see where this other path goes"
"Hmmm" pondered Resturen, looking longingly towards the light, "You could be right" but his words fell on deaf ears, Ereservius was already on his way down the path to the right, his figure barely discernible in the poor light. Resturen quickly caught up, in time for him to stop. His hand raised to indicate silence. There was noise from ahead, the crude language of the Celtic guard's raised high above necessity. Erservius snuck forward, pressed low and hard against the wall, taking partial cover by the next support beam he lent around the corner bit by bit.
There was three men, all sitting around a brazier, they seemed to have been drinking by the way they swayed.
One made crude gestures while the other two laughed loudly, their unkempt beards soggy from cheap wine. Erservius quietly moved back to where Resturen was waiting, making some vague hand motions he gestured back towards the drunk soldiers, muttering let's go. Resturen just nodded pretending to understand, happy merely because they were getting to hit someone. All of a sudden Erservius sprinted across the pool of light shed by the brazier, one of the men raised his head quickly in alarm.
"Whaat wash dat?" he questioned loudly.
The other two ignored him, continuing with a game of dice, giggling insanely every time one of them won.
"What was that?" the soldier questioned again, rising from his log barrel, trying to sober himself up, steadying himself on the shoulder of one of the other men only to push him off his barrel and collapse on top of him, the man grumpily sat up asking what was going on.
"I saw someone run through the light!" he said quickly, reaching for his sword.
"Now, now don't be hasty" said the still seated soldier, "might have been a boy on an errand to the druids."
"Maybe" he conceded, walking close to the pillar behind which Resturen was hiding.
Erservius was beckoning like crazy, trying to attract Resturen's attention, making wild swinging motions with his arms.
Resturen understood and waited till the soldier turn around, heading back to his seat before he drew his sword and stepped out. Quickly cutting down the unaware soldier. The other two stunned by the sudden death of their comrade, dived for their weapons as Erservius and Resturen rushed them, neither made it in time to defend themselves.
Erservius led the way down the path again, deeper into the bowels of the hill fort, looking for a place to hide or a way out. Into the heart of Gellerthergy.
Chapter Four
The light flared bright again, bringing the pain of awareness with it. It drew him inexorably towards consciousness, he fought its pull, but it felt as if he were swimming in honey. The sounds of camp slowly seeped into his mind, the clink of armour and weapons, the clumping of Roman sandals, the rough murmur of the Legionnaires as they went about their day to day chores. He tried to open his eyes, attempting to make the best of the situation in which he was stuck. The light hurt his eyes as they slowly adjusted to being open again. He was very thirsty and tried to move but could not.
He saw a chirugeon sitting at his table, he tried to ask for water but a muted throaty noise was all that came out. He tried again, a faint croak of "water" escaped his lips. The chirugeon turned his head startled by the sound as he realized the General was awake. He quickly set about getting water and food for him.
The moral of the camp was low, the recent defeat to the Celts had been exhausting and had cost many lives. The ########## bloodlust driven warriors faster than the armoured Romans. The loss of their General the salt in their wounds. Two generals in two battles was not a good record.
Caesar stood, addressing the remaining Commanders of his army. "The situation is dire, we must remove these barbarians and move on, the situation in Rome needs attention!"
"Sir, our army needs rest, we suffered many casualties and the men's morale is very low." one of the commanders said sadly.
"I know this, that's not the point. They have to be ready, and quickly! I wish it had not come to this. I am going to have to personally command the army in our next battle. Our generals seem to be incapable of, well, success."
"Yes Sir" they all replied in unison, their emotions well hidden behind the obeying fa?ade of true soldiers.
"You may go, be ready within the week. Tell the men that after the fall of Gellerthergy they will be able to go home to their families, each with my goodwill, and the honour of being they that conquered."
Each man saluted smartly and filed out of the tent.
Bolstrund walked towards the tunnels of Gellerthergy, his arm bandaged and supported by a sling, thinking about Romans. He had lost many knights in the battle, won as it was at a high cost.
"Dirty ROMANS!" he bellowed into the dark, his anger exploding.
The laughing and cheering in the hall behind him continued unabated, the sound slowly fading away as he descended. He needed to hit something. Something Roman. He headed towards the cell where the two Romans were being held.
As he approached he paused, something was wrong. There was no noise coming from within the room. He put his torch in front of him and lifted the heavy bar. The door swung open slowly, the hinges creaking softly. The two Romans where gone, they had killed the guards.
They lay where they had died, splayed on the floor, relieved of their weapons.
Bolstrund's face contorted with rage, the flickering light of the torch making him look like some kind of grotesque elemental spirit. He backed out of the room and went along the tunnel, taking a right down into the sacred end of Gellerthergy, towards the temple of the Druids.
He came across the three dead guards, cursing the effects wine has on a man. He continued along the tunnel as it moved deeper, the floor sloping steadily downwards, no corners or niches marring its passage. He slowed as he heard footsteps ahead of him. Moving along as quietly and quickly as he could. Abandoning his torch for his blade, he drew closer.
"This tunnel never ends!" exclaimed Resturen angrily, "We should have walked out when we had the chance."
"Shut up! Walking outside would have got us killed, how are we supposed to move about in broad daylight!"
"I don't know, but maybe we could hide, this is going down not up!"
Erservius agreed to himself. The tunnel was sloping down not up, and the further they had to go from the exit, the more trouble they would have getting back.
"Ok" he said abruptly, "Lets go back" with that he turned around and stopped dead, quickly reaching for his sword as he saw Bolstrund.
"What?" questioned Resturen as he turned "Shit!" he exclaimed as he saw the Celtic knight standing quietly eyes shut, between them and where they wanted to go.
"Come here you smelly barbarian bastard!" Resturen said angrily, lunging forward as he drew his sword. Bolstrund's eyes snapped open and his sword came up, parrying Resturen's first pass,
Casquettes Gucci, leaving him defenseless. Bolstrund quickly counter attacked, swinging high, Resturen ducked hastily as the blade whistled through the air above his head.
"Die Roman!" muttered Bolstrund in a gutteral form of Latin.
He went on the offensive, swinging high, Resturen blocked. Bolstrund's sword moved quickly as he parried a counter attack and lunged forward hoping to impale Resturen who sidestepped the blade and hit it downwards, overbalancing the Celt and bringing him staggering towards Resturen's upswing. The Celtic cheiftain spun as he fell, narrowly avoiding Resturen's sword. but landing heavily on his injured arm. He cried out angrily and rolled away from another swing by Resturen.
"Stop!" cried Erservius as Resturen homed in on the fallen Celt.
Resturen's blade stopped in mid swing.
"Why?" he questioned angrily, giving Bolstrund the opportunity to stagger backwards a few metres.
"Because we can use him to get out of here, if he is dead he is no use to us." Erservius quickly explained as he muscled past the bewildered Legionnaire, grabbing the struggling Bolstrund and twisting his uninjured arm up behind his back, pulling him backwards and setting a dagger to his throat. Bolstrund was bleeding from his arm and was staggering heavily as they pushed him towards the exit from the tunnel.
"Let's hope this works, or poor Chiefy boy is meat." Resturen contemplated bitterly as they headed for the fork in the tunnel.
Chapter Six
"Come here my sweet" Rurisk beckoned the serving girl nearby. She approached slowly, he rose and took her tray, casting it aside. He lunged forward and she gasped as he grabbed her and tossed her over his shoulder effortlessly. Making towards his apartments, those soldiers not already similarly engaged gave him grins as he passed.
She giggled as he lay her on the bed, quickly pulling her course woolen dress over her head. Revealing her soft skin, he fell on her hungrily, kissing her passionately, his fingers exploring her flesh. She withdrew from the kiss as she moaned, reaching down and guiding him into her. He let go of his restraint and gave rein to his more primal nature.
A tap came at his door, he ignored it, if anything increasing the vigor with which he engaged his task. The tap became a knock, then a brutal thumping.
"What!" he bellowed angrily, interrupted.
"Bolstrund is missing" came a soldier's voice from the other side of the door. "Do you know where he is? Stermhurg is looking for him."
"No, now let me be, I'm busy!" he began his work again.
There was a scuffle at the door as another person approached, the muffled sound of arguing voices could be heard through the door. Rurisk paid them no heed, succumbing to his lust again, thrusting violently, the woman crying with simultaneous pain and pleasure. Grabbing him and pulling him deeper.
"Rurisk" came the commanding voice of Stermhurg. "Where is your brother?"
"I don't know!" Rurisk replied, angry that he was being interrupted again. He rose and opened the door roughly, standing ########## before his father and the soldier. "Now leave me alone!"
"Find him! Then you may do what you will." retorted Stermhurg, twitching his head in the direction of the bed.
"########" Rurisk grunted, slamming the door angrily. He emerged a moment later, pulling his clothes on and carrying his swords. "I'm going to kick his scrawny horse scrubbed arse!"
He clumped away grumpily, muttering to himself. Collecting three of the more sober soldiers from the hall he went towards the tunnels to start searching there. Descending he went to check on the Roman prisoners, maybe throwing them about a bit would make him less angry.
The door was open as he approached, making him cautious. He grabbed the nearest guard's torch, swinging it in front of him protectively. Two bodies lay motionless on the ground.
"Ahh ########!" grumbled Rurisk "Stupid drunk bastards. You two" he said pointing at the two torch carrying guards, "Search down that way" he continued, beckoning down further past the cells. Check they didn't go that way. "You" he said to the other, "Come with me"
Rurisk and the soldier made their way down the tunnel towards the Druid temple. Coming across more fallen guards they knew that the Romans had come this way. Continuing on they saw the sword dropped by Bolstrund, accompanied by a nearby blood splatter where his arm wound had reopened.
"########ing Romans" bellowed Rurisk, breaking into a run down towards where he thought the Romans would be.
"Quick" beckoned Erservius, "Let's go" he rose from his crouched position behind some scrub.
"Stupid barbarian bastard! Stop fighting me or ill cut your arm off!" whispered Resturen angrily as he dragged the gagged Bolstrund along with him.
"You won't you dirty Roman. You need me alive." thought Bolstrund as he staggered along in front of Resturen.
"There isn't many guards on the gate, we should be able to get rid of them quietly." considered Erservius as he paused at the edge of a nearby building.
There was a wide clearing about twenty to thirty metres, across which they would have to go to get to the gatehouse. Erservius was startled by the snort of a horse. The noise coming from the building next to him.
"Must be the stable" Resturen said, stating the blatantly obvious. Legionnaires were not particularly well known for their intelligence.
"Let's get some horses" Erservius suggested "It will make those guards much easier to deal with."
The stable was open and the smell of animal strong. There were many to choose from, and no one around to bother them. They tied Bolstrund up and galloped out of the stable, making their way towards the guards at the gate.
"Caesar is weak! His conquest of the Gauls has taken three times as long as any capable commander would have taken! He is a weakling, old and powerless.
We should replace him, with a man worthy of our support, a leader who owes us his power. A leader selected by us. Rome's true leaders!" Domothius clenched his fists as he finished his address. The Senators surprised at such open treason, many however nodding in agreement with the idea. It would require little effort to replace Caesar. What with his unpopularity with both the Praetorian and the people in general.
Amelus was astounded by Domothius' nerve and stared around the room, seeking out support in those Senators still faithful to Caesar. There was few, all unsure of what to do.
"Hold on!" bellowed Amelus, quieting down the room. "Domothius suggests replacing Caesar with a more capable leader." he began "Who is it that makes the real decisions around here? Who is it that runs the economy, deals with foreign affairs, cares for the people, ensures the security of our citizens? You do Senators, not Caesar. He is spoilt and he is weak. That is true!" he lied "But is that not of benefit to you?" He let the words hang.
'Is it not easier to control through a weak leader than through one of strong will." these words brought order back to the room, each Senator considering the words "If you were to replace this weak ruler with a strong one. Where would that leave you, with the same control as before? I think not. I believe that Caesar's unpopularity and long absence is useful! In that it allows the Senate to carry out its plans and achieve it's goals without the interference of a strong leader to question them. This is your opportunity. Your opportunity my friends, to take the power for the Senate!" Amelus let the words sink in as the Senators nodded in agreement "But pray, do not let me make up your minds. This matter requires careful consideration. Take rest and we will decide the matter in three days." The Senators agreed, and began filing out of the hall. Those faithful to Caesar lingering behind to talk to Amelus, those supporting Domothius the first out; arguing heatedly amongst themselves.
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