Paper wasn't known in Europe until a thousand years later. Use vellum, parchment, wood or wax tablets instead, temporary notes would most likely be taken on the latter.
Chapter 4
Chapter 4
1 month later
Finian Creel was eating a good few vegetables as a part of his dinner and relishing it. His war tent in northern Catuvellauni lands with his warband was a cold, wet and arid place. Finian shivered as the cold wind whipped across his back. He continued to eat his meal before being cut out by shouts outside his tent.
Shaking his head, he exited the tent and looked at the commotion. Lying on the floor with a dagger stuck to his back, was a young man with a blonde mop of hair. The soldiers were trying to debate on how to take the knife out without making the young man suffer death due to blood loss. Finian pinched his nose and asked “Does anyone know this man?”
“No your highness. His face his turned to the ground. We can’t recognize him like that.” One of the soldiers replied. Finian nodded and said “Upturn the body so that we can see his face. Carefully, we don’t want him to die.”
The soldiers nodded and slowly lifted the blonde and turned his body so that his face could be seen. Upturned blue eyes like that of the blue sky, soft chiseled cheeks and a small scar on his left eyebrow. The man was already dead. And Finian knew the man. This was Varun, the spy he had sent against Carvillius. He cursed internally and said “The man is dead. Carry the body into my tent and lay the body on my table.”
His soldiers nodded. One of them jerked the dagger out of Varun’s body as the others lifted him and carried him towards Finian’s tent. After five minutes after his troops had laid the body on his table inside his tent Finian looked at his second in command and said “No one is to come near my tent, make a 10 feet parameter, is that understood?”
The man hesitated and asked “Do you know this man?”
“Unfortunately for him and me, yes. Now follow my orders!”
The man scurried as he did so. Finian looked at Varun and sighed and rubbed his eyes in weariness. Varun was the son of one of finest officers, Cadell Deere. How was he to tell Cadell about this?
He sighed and started to feel Varun’s pockets and clothes for any clues as to what happened. After five minutes, Finian felt the rough touch of a parchment inside Varun’s inner coat. He took the parchment out. Ogham script runes were littered across the parchment in writing format. Finian was a literate man; a rarity in Britannia, however he was not the best and was quite slow in reading. He sighed and thought “This is going to be a long night.”
He slowly started to read through the letter.
General Creel,
As I write this, my pursuers follow me like wolves with the scent of prey. I will hide this letter in my secret pocket which only you and father know about. I will make it to camp, if that’s the last thing I do. General Creel, I am your finest spy, and I find the workings of a conspiracy. The Lord of West Ceint harbors ill intent, I beg of you, inform High King Cassibellanus about this.
Carvillius intends to betray the Confederation in favor of the Brigantes and Silures. These raids the past years, they were not random, they were orchestrated by the Brigantes and Carvillius along with the Silures. They planned this for who knows how many years. Carvillius has recruited the masses and trained them for war with thousands of men ready. He had 30,000 spears divided into 30 warbands while making known only 12 warbands to the Confederation. I know not how he managed to hide the warbands, but according to my findings, he used his relative isolation from the rest of the Confederation to his advantage in this one manner. As soon as the main Confederation warbands head north and east to fight the Silures and Brigantes, Carvillius’s 30 warbands will turn on the Confederation and seek to destroy the Confederation armies in one pitched battle. Plus his documents also read of possible Pictish aid as well. Some members of the Picts are angry that their leader did not attack us when we were weak fighting against Rome. They seek to send a good amount of warbands to aid the Brigantes in return for settlement in fertile lands in one of our northern kingdoms in the Confederation forming a Pictish state in South Britannia. I need not stress how disastrous this would be for our people. Now I must flee Lord Creel. If you find this letter, that means I have fulfilled my duty and go to the Death God Arawn in peace of mind. Please burn my body in the old Druidic rites and please…..tell my father not to be sad, tell him that I did my duty for Lord Cassibellanus in honor and that my death was no one’s fault but my own carelessness.
Yours sincerely,
Varun Deere.
The last sentences of the letter had a few dampness in them indicating tears had fallen on the parchments as Varun wrote the letter. Finian sighed in sadness. Such a useful spy, dead. He was a good man as well. He put the letter in his pocket and exited his tent and called for Cadell. He appeared before him in a few minutes.
“My liege, how can I be of help?” Cadell asked as he stood at attention in front of Finian. Finian looked at the man in his early forties with some trepidation. The man’s slightly greying hair and slight laugh lines aside, the man looked exactly like his son. Finian simply gestured for the man to enter his tent.
Cadell looked at him with confusion visible in his eyes and entered the tent. His eyes immediately went to Varun lying dead on the table and gasped.
“I am sorry, Cadell……but your son died in the line of duty.” Finian said softly. Cadell sobbed as his knees gave out beneath him as his draped his hands over Varun’s bodies and started to wail. His piercing wail of despair made Finian cringe as the man’s tears flowed in abundance.
“I told you….I told you, you idiot to not become a spy……” Cadell murmured and croaked between sobs. “I told you…..”
Finian sat quietly on the side keeping one calm hand on Cadell’s shoulder.
“What was he doing?” Cadell asked between sobs.
Finian hesitated. He couldn’t give the full truth, but at least some parts could be divulged. “Civil War within the confederation is coming. We know this now due to your son’s efforts. He will go down in history as perhaps the savior of the Confederation.”
Cadell sobs renewed as he stuttered. “As he should….As he should…..”
Finian stayed the whole night in the tent laying a comforting presence for the grieving father.
“It is a sad sight to see.” Finian thought sadly. “For a father must now give the last rites of his son. No parent wishes for that to ever happen."
***
The Next Day
Cadell’s tears had dried out by the morning. Finian murmured calming words to his ears. When dawn came, Finian rose and said “Cadell, you need not take part in the war coming on. Take your son’s body, perform the last rites, and mourn with your wife. No doubt she needs to be informed as well, of this tragedy.”
Cadell nodded silently. He stood up silently and unsheathed his sword. He offered it to Finian. Finian nodded as he grasped the sword and took it. Cadell had resigned from military life for the time being.
“Go and pack your things.” Finian spoke gently. “I will order a cart for your son’s body. And remember, he is a martyr.”
“Thank you.” Cadell replied just as softly as he lumbered towards his own tent.
Finian sighed in sadness as he looked at the body one last time before calling for his attendant.
“Arrange a cart for the body. Escort Cadell with the cart. Also arrange a horse for me. I need to go back to Fort Tamesas. I have urgent news for Lord Catuvellauni.” Finian ordered.
His attendant nodded. Half an hour later, Finian was riding across the paths towards Fort Tamesas.
***
4 days later
Cassibellanus was sitting in his room looking at his maps as he heard the knocks on his door.
“Who is it?” He asked as he continued to look at the maps trying to determine a good strategy for the upcoming war.
“It’s General Finian Creel, sire. I have news from your erm, private request.” Finian’s voice came through the door. Cassibellanus jerked forward as he heard Finian’s voice. Finally some news! He opened the door and saw the somber face of his general.
“What happened? Why so somber?” Cassibellanus asked concerned.
Finian said nothing. He entered the room and sat down in one of the chairs. He rubbed his entire face before he took out a piece of parchment out from his robes. He handed it to Cassibellanus and said “My Lord, read.”
Cassibellanus nodded and started to read. With every sentence, Cassibellanus’s horror grew. He lowered the parchment onto the table atop one of his maps and sat down in shock in front of Finian.
He shook his head and asked “What happened to the spy?”
“Varun Deere was stabbed in the back in a dagger. According to my troops he stumbled into the camp and fell down face first into the ground and died. I found the parchment in a hidden pocket in his sleeves. He is dead. I have given his father leave from the army.” Finian murmured.
Cassibellanus nodded mutedly. He sighed and murmured. “To think, Carvillius would stoop so low……”
“The man was always jealous of you. Even when you were a simple warlord.” Finian replied. “He didn’t see eye to eye with you unlike Segovax and Taximagulus. He is a radical. His 30,000 spears will be a challenge for us.”
“Yes indeed.” Cassibellanus murmured. “I had suspicions. I think Segovax and Bodica did as well considering the less amount of West Ceint traders and merchants arriving from West Ceint. My guess is that they were conscripted then.”
“Indeed.” Finian nodded in agreement.
“Altogether the entire Confederation barring Carvillius can raise 80,000 men divided into 80 warbands. The Brigantes can muster up around 50,000 men from themselves and their allies and vassals. The Silures can muster up 20,000. Carvillius 30,000. We do not know how much Picts will aid Herne and Carvillius, but I would estimate at least 5000. Altogether estimates would be 105,000 men against our 80,000. This is not good.” Cassibellanus stated as he rubbed his head in frustration.
“What is our new strategy then?” Finian asked.
“I would like to ask the others first but my own would be to attack and neutralize the Silures first and then Carvillius while remaining on the defensive in the north. After that take on the Birgantes.” Cassibellanus murmured as he added a piece of wooden square in the position of West Ceint marking the area as an enemy.
Finian nodded. “Shall I go and order the men to escort the other Kings and Queen here?”
“Yes, that would prudent. Work fast as possible Finian.” Cassibellanus replied. Finian nodded. He bowed to Cassibellanus and then exited the room.
Cassibellanus sighed as he looked at the roof. Flashbacks of his younger days spent with Taximagulus, Segovax, Carvillius and Cingetorix raided his mind. The five of them against the world it had been, the five of them vowed to be friends forever that fateful day 26 years ago. Cassibellanus clenched his hands. Politics, dirty politics, those were all to blame. And Cassibellanus hesitantly conceded, Carvillius, envy and greed. He let a few tears stream down his eyes before clearing his eyes of them.
In his place no longer stood, Cassibellanus, the kind High King and benefactor. Now stood Cassibellanus, the warlord and conqueror.
1 month later
Finian Creel was eating a good few vegetables as a part of his dinner and relishing it. His war tent in northern Catuvellauni lands with his warband was a cold, wet and arid place. Finian shivered as the cold wind whipped across his back. He continued to eat his meal before being cut out by shouts outside his tent.
Shaking his head, he exited the tent and looked at the commotion. Lying on the floor with a dagger stuck to his back, was a young man with a blonde mop of hair. The soldiers were trying to debate on how to take the knife out without making the young man suffer death due to blood loss. Finian pinched his nose and asked “Does anyone know this man?”
“No your highness. His face his turned to the ground. We can’t recognize him like that.” One of the soldiers replied. Finian nodded and said “Upturn the body so that we can see his face. Carefully, we don’t want him to die.”
The soldiers nodded and slowly lifted the blonde and turned his body so that his face could be seen. Upturned blue eyes like that of the blue sky, soft chiseled cheeks and a small scar on his left eyebrow. The man was already dead. And Finian knew the man. This was Varun, the spy he had sent against Carvillius. He cursed internally and said “The man is dead. Carry the body into my tent and lay the body on my table.”
His soldiers nodded. One of them jerked the dagger out of Varun’s body as the others lifted him and carried him towards Finian’s tent. After five minutes after his troops had laid the body on his table inside his tent Finian looked at his second in command and said “No one is to come near my tent, make a 10 feet parameter, is that understood?”
The man hesitated and asked “Do you know this man?”
“Unfortunately for him and me, yes. Now follow my orders!”
The man scurried as he did so. Finian looked at Varun and sighed and rubbed his eyes in weariness. Varun was the son of one of finest officers, Cadell Deere. How was he to tell Cadell about this?
He sighed and started to feel Varun’s pockets and clothes for any clues as to what happened. After five minutes, Finian felt the rough touch of a parchment inside Varun’s inner coat. He took the parchment out. Ogham script runes were littered across the parchment in writing format. Finian was a literate man; a rarity in Britannia, however he was not the best and was quite slow in reading. He sighed and thought “This is going to be a long night.”
He slowly started to read through the letter.
General Creel,
As I write this, my pursuers follow me like wolves with the scent of prey. I will hide this letter in my secret pocket which only you and father know about. I will make it to camp, if that’s the last thing I do. General Creel, I am your finest spy, and I find the workings of a conspiracy. The Lord of West Ceint harbors ill intent, I beg of you, inform High King Cassibellanus about this.
Carvillius intends to betray the Confederation in favor of the Brigantes and Silures. These raids the past years, they were not random, they were orchestrated by the Brigantes and Carvillius along with the Silures. They planned this for who knows how many years. Carvillius has recruited the masses and trained them for war with thousands of men ready. He had 30,000 spears divided into 30 warbands while making known only 12 warbands to the Confederation. I know not how he managed to hide the warbands, but according to my findings, he used his relative isolation from the rest of the Confederation to his advantage in this one manner. As soon as the main Confederation warbands head north and east to fight the Silures and Brigantes, Carvillius’s 30 warbands will turn on the Confederation and seek to destroy the Confederation armies in one pitched battle. Plus his documents also read of possible Pictish aid as well. Some members of the Picts are angry that their leader did not attack us when we were weak fighting against Rome. They seek to send a good amount of warbands to aid the Brigantes in return for settlement in fertile lands in one of our northern kingdoms in the Confederation forming a Pictish state in South Britannia. I need not stress how disastrous this would be for our people. Now I must flee Lord Creel. If you find this letter, that means I have fulfilled my duty and go to the Death God Arawn in peace of mind. Please burn my body in the old Druidic rites and please…..tell my father not to be sad, tell him that I did my duty for Lord Cassibellanus in honor and that my death was no one’s fault but my own carelessness.
Yours sincerely,
Varun Deere.
The last sentences of the letter had a few dampness in them indicating tears had fallen on the parchments as Varun wrote the letter. Finian sighed in sadness. Such a useful spy, dead. He was a good man as well. He put the letter in his pocket and exited his tent and called for Cadell. He appeared before him in a few minutes.
“My liege, how can I be of help?” Cadell asked as he stood at attention in front of Finian. Finian looked at the man in his early forties with some trepidation. The man’s slightly greying hair and slight laugh lines aside, the man looked exactly like his son. Finian simply gestured for the man to enter his tent.
Cadell looked at him with confusion visible in his eyes and entered the tent. His eyes immediately went to Varun lying dead on the table and gasped.
“I am sorry, Cadell……but your son died in the line of duty.” Finian said softly. Cadell sobbed as his knees gave out beneath him as his draped his hands over Varun’s bodies and started to wail. His piercing wail of despair made Finian cringe as the man’s tears flowed in abundance.
“I told you….I told you, you idiot to not become a spy……” Cadell murmured and croaked between sobs. “I told you…..”
Finian sat quietly on the side keeping one calm hand on Cadell’s shoulder.
“What was he doing?” Cadell asked between sobs.
Finian hesitated. He couldn’t give the full truth, but at least some parts could be divulged. “Civil War within the confederation is coming. We know this now due to your son’s efforts. He will go down in history as perhaps the savior of the Confederation.”
Cadell sobs renewed as he stuttered. “As he should….As he should…..”
Finian stayed the whole night in the tent laying a comforting presence for the grieving father.
“It is a sad sight to see.” Finian thought sadly. “For a father must now give the last rites of his son. No parent wishes for that to ever happen."
***
The Next Day
Cadell’s tears had dried out by the morning. Finian murmured calming words to his ears. When dawn came, Finian rose and said “Cadell, you need not take part in the war coming on. Take your son’s body, perform the last rites, and mourn with your wife. No doubt she needs to be informed as well, of this tragedy.”
Cadell nodded silently. He stood up silently and unsheathed his sword. He offered it to Finian. Finian nodded as he grasped the sword and took it. Cadell had resigned from military life for the time being.
“Go and pack your things.” Finian spoke gently. “I will order a cart for your son’s body. And remember, he is a martyr.”
“Thank you.” Cadell replied just as softly as he lumbered towards his own tent.
Finian sighed in sadness as he looked at the body one last time before calling for his attendant.
“Arrange a cart for the body. Escort Cadell with the cart. Also arrange a horse for me. I need to go back to Fort Tamesas. I have urgent news for Lord Catuvellauni.” Finian ordered.
His attendant nodded. Half an hour later, Finian was riding across the paths towards Fort Tamesas.
***
4 days later
Cassibellanus was sitting in his room looking at his maps as he heard the knocks on his door.
“Who is it?” He asked as he continued to look at the maps trying to determine a good strategy for the upcoming war.
“It’s General Finian Creel, sire. I have news from your erm, private request.” Finian’s voice came through the door. Cassibellanus jerked forward as he heard Finian’s voice. Finally some news! He opened the door and saw the somber face of his general.
“What happened? Why so somber?” Cassibellanus asked concerned.
Finian said nothing. He entered the room and sat down in one of the chairs. He rubbed his entire face before he took out a piece of parchment out from his robes. He handed it to Cassibellanus and said “My Lord, read.”
Cassibellanus nodded and started to read. With every sentence, Cassibellanus’s horror grew. He lowered the parchment onto the table atop one of his maps and sat down in shock in front of Finian.
He shook his head and asked “What happened to the spy?”
“Varun Deere was stabbed in the back in a dagger. According to my troops he stumbled into the camp and fell down face first into the ground and died. I found the parchment in a hidden pocket in his sleeves. He is dead. I have given his father leave from the army.” Finian murmured.
Cassibellanus nodded mutedly. He sighed and murmured. “To think, Carvillius would stoop so low……”
“The man was always jealous of you. Even when you were a simple warlord.” Finian replied. “He didn’t see eye to eye with you unlike Segovax and Taximagulus. He is a radical. His 30,000 spears will be a challenge for us.”
“Yes indeed.” Cassibellanus murmured. “I had suspicions. I think Segovax and Bodica did as well considering the less amount of West Ceint traders and merchants arriving from West Ceint. My guess is that they were conscripted then.”
“Indeed.” Finian nodded in agreement.
“Altogether the entire Confederation barring Carvillius can raise 80,000 men divided into 80 warbands. The Brigantes can muster up around 50,000 men from themselves and their allies and vassals. The Silures can muster up 20,000. Carvillius 30,000. We do not know how much Picts will aid Herne and Carvillius, but I would estimate at least 5000. Altogether estimates would be 105,000 men against our 80,000. This is not good.” Cassibellanus stated as he rubbed his head in frustration.
“What is our new strategy then?” Finian asked.
“I would like to ask the others first but my own would be to attack and neutralize the Silures first and then Carvillius while remaining on the defensive in the north. After that take on the Birgantes.” Cassibellanus murmured as he added a piece of wooden square in the position of West Ceint marking the area as an enemy.
Finian nodded. “Shall I go and order the men to escort the other Kings and Queen here?”
“Yes, that would prudent. Work fast as possible Finian.” Cassibellanus replied. Finian nodded. He bowed to Cassibellanus and then exited the room.
Cassibellanus sighed as he looked at the roof. Flashbacks of his younger days spent with Taximagulus, Segovax, Carvillius and Cingetorix raided his mind. The five of them against the world it had been, the five of them vowed to be friends forever that fateful day 26 years ago. Cassibellanus clenched his hands. Politics, dirty politics, those were all to blame. And Cassibellanus hesitantly conceded, Carvillius, envy and greed. He let a few tears stream down his eyes before clearing his eyes of them.
In his place no longer stood, Cassibellanus, the kind High King and benefactor. Now stood Cassibellanus, the warlord and conqueror.
Chapter 5 - The Battle of Byrgin's Hill
Chapter 5
Finian Creel stood at the ready as Cassibellanus surveyed his troops. All of them loyal to Cassibellanus and only Cassibellanus. For a high King, Cassibellanus did not have the largest army, indeed the Iceni and Dumnoni largely held that spot, however Cassibellanus’s army of 15,000 men were mostly veterans of his warlord days and Cassibellanus knew a lot of them personally and the men were fiercely loyal to the High King. Cassibellanus walked alongside his men as he looked at each of them in the eye. Finian knew that the kind middle aged man that the High King seemed on normal days was long gone. The Warlord of Britannia had taken his place.
Cassibellanus swept from the third lines after looking at the armies and then came walking towards Finian. Finian looked at Cassibellanus and asked “Where will you attack, the Silures or West Ceint?”
“West Ceint.” Cassibellanus’s grip on his reins on his horse tightened. “I think I need to have a good conversation with my old ‘friend’.”
“Of course milord.” Finian murmured. Cassibellanus looked at Finian and said “Finian, the other Kings and the Queen, and especially the King of East Ceint, Segovax was astonished at the news of Carvillius’s betrayal. Emotion is needed my friend, but it has no place in the battlefield. I fear only I can take on that duty in the battlefield.”
Finian nodded sagely. Both Finian and Cassibellanus were broken out of their conversation after a young man, bearing the light orange beard that was so reminiscent of his father galloped up towards them.
Cassibellanus smiled at his son. “Emrys, are all the preparations complete?”
Emrys Catuvellauni, the Crown Prince of the Catuvellauni Kingdom and son of Cassibellanus nodded. He disembarked from his horse and bowed to his father.
“Yes Father.” Emrys replied. “Of course most of the men are shocked that Lord Carvillius would betray us, however we understand the need to put him down quickly. They are ready to march at your signal father.”
Cassibellanus nodded. “Emrys, you shall take command of my left flank. Finian you will take my right. I have complete faith in both of you that you shall protect my flanks, eh?”
“Of course father/milord.” Both men murmured. They both stood up and swung onto their horses. Cassibellanus looked towards Fort Tamesas and saw his daughter-in-law Iona holding a very pregnant stomach as she looked at the slowly march away from the fort. Troubled thoughts erupted in his mind as he looked at his son. Just 18 summers old, exactly half Cassibellanus’s age. Cassibellanus sighed and said “Emrys, your wife is pregnant, perhaps you should stay back. There is a possibility you will die. I do not wish for my grandchild to grow up fatherless.”
Emrys snorted and said “Duty calls father. Arawn would never forgive me in the Otherworld if I went back on my duty. Besides, if Arawn claims my soul for his own, then my child shall grow up knowing about their brave father who died in the line of duty. I see no greater glory than that.”
“You know as anyone else that true glory on the battlefield exists nowhere, Emrys.” Cassibellanus murmured as they marched away and away.
Emrys shook his head. “Father, I know you are worried, however I will not back down. Whatever you or Lord Creel say, I will not back down.”
“He is your son after all, your majesty.” Finian quipped.
Cassibellanus chuckled at the quip. “Perhaps. But truly I see his mother’s stubbornness more than me. Very well Emrys, it is your decision after all.”
Emrys nodded and said nothing. With the three of them in the front, the army started to march in earnest.
***
Carvillius angrily threw his goblet to the other side of the tent. How in the world had his men allowed the spy to survive. In hindsight, Carvillius should have known, Cassibellanus always stood on the principle to trust all, but keep everyone at arm’s length; even his own childhood friends.
Now a declaration had already passed to the Confederation that the King of West Ceint had seceded from the Confederation and that they were in a state of war. The good news was that Herne was already pressing in the north to lift the pressure of men against him. However there was one thing he feared most……Cassibellanus’s loyal men and veteran army of around 15,000 was extremely well trained and equipped. They were veterans of Cassibellanus’s old warlord days and knew how to fight professionally. The same could only be said for about a third of his own army.
Carvillius looked at his lieutenant and barked “What is the situation?”
“Your highness, according to scouts, Lord Catuvellauni is advancing through the Watling Street path. We are at the southern end of the street after all. We must choose a suitable area for a battle and push the Warlord back.” His lieutenant replied.
Carvillius nodded and said “Send scouts out to bring reports of the terrain back to me. Then I shall choose our battlefield. I will force Cassibellanus to my terms of battle, not his. If I give in to his terms of battle, then I am done for.”
“Of course your majesty.”
“Of course it is! Have you given the sacrifice to Lord Camulos?” Carvillius asked.
“Yes.” His lieutenant replied stoically. “The Druids were a little squeamish about sacrificing the Ambassador of Lord Catuvellauni to Lord Camulos, however after some hesitance, they agreed and the blood of the Ambassador has been split.”
“Good. What of his family?”
“His wife was apparently….made use off before being killed by the troops. His son castrated and thrown to the sea. His daughter sold to the slave market for the highest bidder.” His lieutenant replied in an even tone.
“Good. The old bastard was a pain in the arse to keep.” Carvillius murmured. “Now go and bring me those terrain reports.”
“Yes Milord.”
***
“Byrgin’s Hill. (OTL Biggin’s hill.). That’s the place where the battle should take place.” Carvillius stated as he pointed at the hill in the map. “We face north from the southern slopes. We will have the numerical as well as terrain advantage. Cassibellanus will be forced to attack in small numbers and be unable to attack my flanks.”
“That is a good proposal your majesty. Shall we march for Burgin’s Hill? It is merely a day’s march from our position while it will take 3 days for Lord Catuvellauni to reach the position.”
“Yes. Gather the troops. By nightfall, I need us to be on that hill!”
***
As night fell, Finian received disturbing news from his scouts. He stood up, exited his tent, and entered Cassibellanus’s tent where father and son were sparring with each other (read: brawling). Emrys was clearly more powerful however Cassibellanus was not giving an inch with his superior experience.
Both of them stopped slogging each other as they saw Finian look at them with amusement. Cassibellanus stood up and threw the dust of his clothes off as Emrys did the same.
Cassibellanus looked at Finian and asked “I believe you bear news on Carvillius’s men?”
“Yes milord.” Finian bowed his head slightly. “They have made camp at Byrgin’s Hill with no intent of going any further. They are going to make their battle on that hill.”
“Curses!” Cassibellanus swore. “I would use the old strategy of waiting the man out, I however cannot afford that, my veteran men must be north against the Brigantes as fast as possible. I cannot just sit and test Carvillius’s patience. What is your opinion, Finian?”
“Honestly, milord the patiently sitting it out plan would be the best and less costly option milord.” Finian muttered back.
“Yes.” Emrys sighed. “However like father said, time is of the essence. We must be able to draw Carvillius out of his defenses and rout his army so that we can press onto more pressing matters.”
“How?” Finian asked.
Cassibellanus walked back and forth folding his hands on his back. He sighed and rubbed his eyes. “Emrys, Finian, I believe that waiting it out is the best strategy, and knowing Carvillius’s impatient nature, I know we can lure him out given time, however we need to be able to dramatically reduce the amount of time needed to lure him out.”
“Missile fire.” Emrys muttered. “Arrows, javelins, the such. We can irritate him to come out of his positions.”
“Perhaps. I will give only two days for this. We shall go for the waiting out tactic for the first day of the battle. If it does not prove fruitful then the next day; well you know what will happen the next day.” Cassibellanus ordered.
Both his son and commander bowed their heads in recognition of his orders.
***
2 Days Later on Brygin’s Hill
Cassibellanus looked at the bluffs and cliffs of Brygin’s hill in the distance and sighed and ribbed his forehead in consternation. Carvillius had been a close commander of his for a reason; he was smart and pragmatic. However Cassibellanus knew his old friend, he was quick to anger and his impatience was always his undoing. Cassibellanus would make it sure that impatience was once again his undoing.
His men were all in formation. His lieutenants and commanders knew the plan for the first day. He reared his horse and galloped across the field observing his veteran troops. They all stood at the ready and stared ahead unflinchingly despite the glaring obviousness that Carvillius commanded a far greater force. This pleased Cassibellanus greatly. He galloped back to his original position just as Carvillius’s war drums started to begin their performance Carvillius’s camp. Cassibellanus reared his horse and turned to his troops.
“Men!” He shouted. “When we fought against the Romans, we did so to bring peace to the South! But we were betrayed! By a man we thought our brother! Our comrade in arms! Why don’t you all enlighten me, what the punishment for betrayal is?”
“DEATH! DEATH! DEATH!” His men thumped their weapons and bellowed.
“Indeed. Death.” Cassibellanus replied. “Those men are standing in our path towards Peace and Prosperity. Will you allow them to stay in the way indefinitely?”
“NEVER!” His men bellowed again.
“Then let us begin the battle!” Cassibellanus bellowed as the morning rays of light hit his face. His men roared as they balanced their javelins and the archers pulled the strings of their bows.
“Fire!” Emrys bellowed from the left flank. A volley of javelins and arrows were released from the left and fell down upon Carvillius’s left entrance towards the hill’s bluffs and narrow pass.
Finian followed by motioning his hand towards the enemy right flank and entrance. Javelins and arrows fell down on the right as well.
Cassibellanus looked at his center and raised his hand. Carvillius was moving his men towards the damaged left and right flanks to plug the holes of the damage of the volleys. His keen eyes saw an opportunity. He turned his hand towards the left. The pointed direction of his missile troops also started to turn towards the left. Cassibellanus looked at the marching men at the other side of the battlefield for a few more quiet minutes before jerking his hand forward. His men unleashed their volley fire slightly towards the left side of the enemy center. Men fell in droves. Cassibellanus grinned. As they marched their left center had become perilously thin. Now perilously thin had become extremely thin.
***
“Damn it!” Carvillius swore as his left center fell. He pushed men forward as he said “Forward! Forward! Plug the hole! Plug the hole in the defenses!”
His men grumbled and took up their positions.
“Shield walls! Do not let those missile fires take you by surprise!”
Carvillius calmed down for a few seconds before looking at the small figure his old friend made from this far away.
“What is his plan?” Carvillius gritted.
***
Cassibellanus looked towards his commanders, Finian and Emrys. “Continue the barrage for an hour. Let us see how long Carvillius’s patience lasts! Start using fire arrows and javelins half an hour into the hour.”
Finian nodded and started to relay the order. Cassibellanus leaned back and looked at the opposing army.
“The call is in your front Carvillius. Now it is time for you to fall into my trap.” Cassibellanus thought.
***
4 Hours later
Carvillius was nearing the end of his patience. Men were falling left and right and the flame arrows of Cassibellanus were becoming a right pickle to his men. He ordered most of them to retreat behind the bluff keeping only his own missile men in the forefront.
Around this time, Carvillius saw something peculiar on the other side of the field.
The missile fire! It had stopped. Cassibellanus’s army was turning back into the forest. Carvillius let out a sigh of relief. He knew his old friend. If Cassibellanus was retreating back into the forest, then that meant he was going to seek another battle on his own terms and fight another day.
He looked at his men and raised his sword.
“Men! The enemy is retreating! We have won!” Carvillius cheered. His cheer was followed through with the cheering of his own men as well. Carvillius looked with smugness as the last of Cassibellanus’s men slinked back into the path leading to the forest. After an hour around 2 PM in the afternoon, did Carvillius dare march. Cassibellanus had left all his heavy equipment and camp materials. Perhaps Herne or the Silures had created a diversion to make Cassibellanus hurriedly leave? Well that mattered not to Carvillius, this just meant that his troops now had extra weapons and supplies!
“Plunder those supplies men!” Carvillius ordered. His troops poured out of the hills onto the plains below. Carvillius himself rode out with his men. Just as they came to the camp, some 20 meters away from the forest, Carvillius looked at all the supplies left behind and smiled in triumph.
Then all havoc reigned supreme. Arrows came flying out. Javelins, spears all came out from the foliage of the forest. A spear buried itself into Carvillius’s right shoulder as he fell down. Carvillius grunted as he clutched the spear and took it out. He rode his horse again and galloped backwards yelling “Ambush! Get ready for combat!”
But it was useless. Cassibellanus’s chariots roared out of the forest and cut down all his men. Missile fire continued to come out of the forest. His men started to die left, right and center. Then he saw the spears. Emrys, Cassibellanus’s son was leading a warband towards his position.
Emrys roared and shouted “CHARGE!”
His men roared as well and came crashing down on the disoriented army of Carvillius. Carvillius himself was flung out of his horse as someone attacked him from behind. He fell down to the ground receiving the butt end of a spear. He groaned in pain and turned to look at his attacker.
He paled as he saw him. Cassibellanus smiled coldly and said “My my, Carvillius, this is quite the reunion, don’t you think?”
Finian Creel stood at the ready as Cassibellanus surveyed his troops. All of them loyal to Cassibellanus and only Cassibellanus. For a high King, Cassibellanus did not have the largest army, indeed the Iceni and Dumnoni largely held that spot, however Cassibellanus’s army of 15,000 men were mostly veterans of his warlord days and Cassibellanus knew a lot of them personally and the men were fiercely loyal to the High King. Cassibellanus walked alongside his men as he looked at each of them in the eye. Finian knew that the kind middle aged man that the High King seemed on normal days was long gone. The Warlord of Britannia had taken his place.
Cassibellanus swept from the third lines after looking at the armies and then came walking towards Finian. Finian looked at Cassibellanus and asked “Where will you attack, the Silures or West Ceint?”
“West Ceint.” Cassibellanus’s grip on his reins on his horse tightened. “I think I need to have a good conversation with my old ‘friend’.”
“Of course milord.” Finian murmured. Cassibellanus looked at Finian and said “Finian, the other Kings and the Queen, and especially the King of East Ceint, Segovax was astonished at the news of Carvillius’s betrayal. Emotion is needed my friend, but it has no place in the battlefield. I fear only I can take on that duty in the battlefield.”
Finian nodded sagely. Both Finian and Cassibellanus were broken out of their conversation after a young man, bearing the light orange beard that was so reminiscent of his father galloped up towards them.
Cassibellanus smiled at his son. “Emrys, are all the preparations complete?”
Emrys Catuvellauni, the Crown Prince of the Catuvellauni Kingdom and son of Cassibellanus nodded. He disembarked from his horse and bowed to his father.
“Yes Father.” Emrys replied. “Of course most of the men are shocked that Lord Carvillius would betray us, however we understand the need to put him down quickly. They are ready to march at your signal father.”
Cassibellanus nodded. “Emrys, you shall take command of my left flank. Finian you will take my right. I have complete faith in both of you that you shall protect my flanks, eh?”
“Of course father/milord.” Both men murmured. They both stood up and swung onto their horses. Cassibellanus looked towards Fort Tamesas and saw his daughter-in-law Iona holding a very pregnant stomach as she looked at the slowly march away from the fort. Troubled thoughts erupted in his mind as he looked at his son. Just 18 summers old, exactly half Cassibellanus’s age. Cassibellanus sighed and said “Emrys, your wife is pregnant, perhaps you should stay back. There is a possibility you will die. I do not wish for my grandchild to grow up fatherless.”
Emrys snorted and said “Duty calls father. Arawn would never forgive me in the Otherworld if I went back on my duty. Besides, if Arawn claims my soul for his own, then my child shall grow up knowing about their brave father who died in the line of duty. I see no greater glory than that.”
“You know as anyone else that true glory on the battlefield exists nowhere, Emrys.” Cassibellanus murmured as they marched away and away.
Emrys shook his head. “Father, I know you are worried, however I will not back down. Whatever you or Lord Creel say, I will not back down.”
“He is your son after all, your majesty.” Finian quipped.
Cassibellanus chuckled at the quip. “Perhaps. But truly I see his mother’s stubbornness more than me. Very well Emrys, it is your decision after all.”
Emrys nodded and said nothing. With the three of them in the front, the army started to march in earnest.
***
Carvillius angrily threw his goblet to the other side of the tent. How in the world had his men allowed the spy to survive. In hindsight, Carvillius should have known, Cassibellanus always stood on the principle to trust all, but keep everyone at arm’s length; even his own childhood friends.
Now a declaration had already passed to the Confederation that the King of West Ceint had seceded from the Confederation and that they were in a state of war. The good news was that Herne was already pressing in the north to lift the pressure of men against him. However there was one thing he feared most……Cassibellanus’s loyal men and veteran army of around 15,000 was extremely well trained and equipped. They were veterans of Cassibellanus’s old warlord days and knew how to fight professionally. The same could only be said for about a third of his own army.
Carvillius looked at his lieutenant and barked “What is the situation?”
“Your highness, according to scouts, Lord Catuvellauni is advancing through the Watling Street path. We are at the southern end of the street after all. We must choose a suitable area for a battle and push the Warlord back.” His lieutenant replied.
Carvillius nodded and said “Send scouts out to bring reports of the terrain back to me. Then I shall choose our battlefield. I will force Cassibellanus to my terms of battle, not his. If I give in to his terms of battle, then I am done for.”
“Of course your majesty.”
“Of course it is! Have you given the sacrifice to Lord Camulos?” Carvillius asked.
“Yes.” His lieutenant replied stoically. “The Druids were a little squeamish about sacrificing the Ambassador of Lord Catuvellauni to Lord Camulos, however after some hesitance, they agreed and the blood of the Ambassador has been split.”
“Good. What of his family?”
“His wife was apparently….made use off before being killed by the troops. His son castrated and thrown to the sea. His daughter sold to the slave market for the highest bidder.” His lieutenant replied in an even tone.
“Good. The old bastard was a pain in the arse to keep.” Carvillius murmured. “Now go and bring me those terrain reports.”
“Yes Milord.”
***
“Byrgin’s Hill. (OTL Biggin’s hill.). That’s the place where the battle should take place.” Carvillius stated as he pointed at the hill in the map. “We face north from the southern slopes. We will have the numerical as well as terrain advantage. Cassibellanus will be forced to attack in small numbers and be unable to attack my flanks.”
“That is a good proposal your majesty. Shall we march for Burgin’s Hill? It is merely a day’s march from our position while it will take 3 days for Lord Catuvellauni to reach the position.”
“Yes. Gather the troops. By nightfall, I need us to be on that hill!”
***
As night fell, Finian received disturbing news from his scouts. He stood up, exited his tent, and entered Cassibellanus’s tent where father and son were sparring with each other (read: brawling). Emrys was clearly more powerful however Cassibellanus was not giving an inch with his superior experience.
Both of them stopped slogging each other as they saw Finian look at them with amusement. Cassibellanus stood up and threw the dust of his clothes off as Emrys did the same.
Cassibellanus looked at Finian and asked “I believe you bear news on Carvillius’s men?”
“Yes milord.” Finian bowed his head slightly. “They have made camp at Byrgin’s Hill with no intent of going any further. They are going to make their battle on that hill.”
“Curses!” Cassibellanus swore. “I would use the old strategy of waiting the man out, I however cannot afford that, my veteran men must be north against the Brigantes as fast as possible. I cannot just sit and test Carvillius’s patience. What is your opinion, Finian?”
“Honestly, milord the patiently sitting it out plan would be the best and less costly option milord.” Finian muttered back.
“Yes.” Emrys sighed. “However like father said, time is of the essence. We must be able to draw Carvillius out of his defenses and rout his army so that we can press onto more pressing matters.”
“How?” Finian asked.
Cassibellanus walked back and forth folding his hands on his back. He sighed and rubbed his eyes. “Emrys, Finian, I believe that waiting it out is the best strategy, and knowing Carvillius’s impatient nature, I know we can lure him out given time, however we need to be able to dramatically reduce the amount of time needed to lure him out.”
“Missile fire.” Emrys muttered. “Arrows, javelins, the such. We can irritate him to come out of his positions.”
“Perhaps. I will give only two days for this. We shall go for the waiting out tactic for the first day of the battle. If it does not prove fruitful then the next day; well you know what will happen the next day.” Cassibellanus ordered.
Both his son and commander bowed their heads in recognition of his orders.
***
2 Days Later on Brygin’s Hill
Cassibellanus looked at the bluffs and cliffs of Brygin’s hill in the distance and sighed and ribbed his forehead in consternation. Carvillius had been a close commander of his for a reason; he was smart and pragmatic. However Cassibellanus knew his old friend, he was quick to anger and his impatience was always his undoing. Cassibellanus would make it sure that impatience was once again his undoing.
His men were all in formation. His lieutenants and commanders knew the plan for the first day. He reared his horse and galloped across the field observing his veteran troops. They all stood at the ready and stared ahead unflinchingly despite the glaring obviousness that Carvillius commanded a far greater force. This pleased Cassibellanus greatly. He galloped back to his original position just as Carvillius’s war drums started to begin their performance Carvillius’s camp. Cassibellanus reared his horse and turned to his troops.
“Men!” He shouted. “When we fought against the Romans, we did so to bring peace to the South! But we were betrayed! By a man we thought our brother! Our comrade in arms! Why don’t you all enlighten me, what the punishment for betrayal is?”
“DEATH! DEATH! DEATH!” His men thumped their weapons and bellowed.
“Indeed. Death.” Cassibellanus replied. “Those men are standing in our path towards Peace and Prosperity. Will you allow them to stay in the way indefinitely?”
“NEVER!” His men bellowed again.
“Then let us begin the battle!” Cassibellanus bellowed as the morning rays of light hit his face. His men roared as they balanced their javelins and the archers pulled the strings of their bows.
“Fire!” Emrys bellowed from the left flank. A volley of javelins and arrows were released from the left and fell down upon Carvillius’s left entrance towards the hill’s bluffs and narrow pass.
Finian followed by motioning his hand towards the enemy right flank and entrance. Javelins and arrows fell down on the right as well.
Cassibellanus looked at his center and raised his hand. Carvillius was moving his men towards the damaged left and right flanks to plug the holes of the damage of the volleys. His keen eyes saw an opportunity. He turned his hand towards the left. The pointed direction of his missile troops also started to turn towards the left. Cassibellanus looked at the marching men at the other side of the battlefield for a few more quiet minutes before jerking his hand forward. His men unleashed their volley fire slightly towards the left side of the enemy center. Men fell in droves. Cassibellanus grinned. As they marched their left center had become perilously thin. Now perilously thin had become extremely thin.
***
“Damn it!” Carvillius swore as his left center fell. He pushed men forward as he said “Forward! Forward! Plug the hole! Plug the hole in the defenses!”
His men grumbled and took up their positions.
“Shield walls! Do not let those missile fires take you by surprise!”
Carvillius calmed down for a few seconds before looking at the small figure his old friend made from this far away.
“What is his plan?” Carvillius gritted.
***
Cassibellanus looked towards his commanders, Finian and Emrys. “Continue the barrage for an hour. Let us see how long Carvillius’s patience lasts! Start using fire arrows and javelins half an hour into the hour.”
Finian nodded and started to relay the order. Cassibellanus leaned back and looked at the opposing army.
“The call is in your front Carvillius. Now it is time for you to fall into my trap.” Cassibellanus thought.
***
4 Hours later
Carvillius was nearing the end of his patience. Men were falling left and right and the flame arrows of Cassibellanus were becoming a right pickle to his men. He ordered most of them to retreat behind the bluff keeping only his own missile men in the forefront.
Around this time, Carvillius saw something peculiar on the other side of the field.
The missile fire! It had stopped. Cassibellanus’s army was turning back into the forest. Carvillius let out a sigh of relief. He knew his old friend. If Cassibellanus was retreating back into the forest, then that meant he was going to seek another battle on his own terms and fight another day.
He looked at his men and raised his sword.
“Men! The enemy is retreating! We have won!” Carvillius cheered. His cheer was followed through with the cheering of his own men as well. Carvillius looked with smugness as the last of Cassibellanus’s men slinked back into the path leading to the forest. After an hour around 2 PM in the afternoon, did Carvillius dare march. Cassibellanus had left all his heavy equipment and camp materials. Perhaps Herne or the Silures had created a diversion to make Cassibellanus hurriedly leave? Well that mattered not to Carvillius, this just meant that his troops now had extra weapons and supplies!
“Plunder those supplies men!” Carvillius ordered. His troops poured out of the hills onto the plains below. Carvillius himself rode out with his men. Just as they came to the camp, some 20 meters away from the forest, Carvillius looked at all the supplies left behind and smiled in triumph.
Then all havoc reigned supreme. Arrows came flying out. Javelins, spears all came out from the foliage of the forest. A spear buried itself into Carvillius’s right shoulder as he fell down. Carvillius grunted as he clutched the spear and took it out. He rode his horse again and galloped backwards yelling “Ambush! Get ready for combat!”
But it was useless. Cassibellanus’s chariots roared out of the forest and cut down all his men. Missile fire continued to come out of the forest. His men started to die left, right and center. Then he saw the spears. Emrys, Cassibellanus’s son was leading a warband towards his position.
Emrys roared and shouted “CHARGE!”
His men roared as well and came crashing down on the disoriented army of Carvillius. Carvillius himself was flung out of his horse as someone attacked him from behind. He fell down to the ground receiving the butt end of a spear. He groaned in pain and turned to look at his attacker.
He paled as he saw him. Cassibellanus smiled coldly and said “My my, Carvillius, this is quite the reunion, don’t you think?”
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Carvillius did not know how long it had been since he had seen the outside world other than the dreaded walls of the dungeons of Fort Tamesas. He had lost count after 12 days. Cassibellanus had routed his men, captured him and killed any other survivor of the battle. He had hauled him to Fort Tamesas where Carvillius was now imprisoned.
He sighed and looked at the single window in the entire jail on the far side of the Fort dungeon pavilion. Voices were erupting there. Perhaps this was a good sign? Perhaps Herne had succeeded and entered the fort? His hopes were dashed when he saw Queen Bodica of the Iceni walk towards his cell with Emrys Catuvellauni in tow.
Emrys looked tired and his eyes were red, probably from crying. Crying for what or who, Carvillius knew not. He looked at the Queen of Iceni Bodica who was looking at him in stony silence.
Carvillius decided to break the silence. “Lady Iceni, to what do I owe this pleasure?”
“The end of this war it seems Lord Carvillius.” Bodica replied. Her previously pregnant stomach was no longer as such, Carvillius nodded. “I see your body is back to normal. Is it a boy or girl?”
“That is none of your concern.” Bodica bit out. “The matter is, you have been imprisoned for 6 moons. And now we need to know what to do with you.”
Carvillius blinked. 6 moons, by the gods had it been such a long time? He sighed and looked at the queen. “And, what has the High Council decided?”
“Death by sacrifice.” Emrys snarled.
Carvillius sighed and rubbed his eyes. Well, not the most glorious or painless way to go, but at least his body was being cleansed of its sins before going to Arawn. “Where is Cassibellanus? I would like to talk to him one last time before my untimely death.”
“Father is dead. I am the New Lord Catuvellauni. Lady Iceni has been elected High Queen of the Confederation.” Emrys bit out.
Ah, that explained the puffed out red eyes. “How did he die?”
“In battle, against Herne. The man was too cowardly to attack in a frontal assault. He sent an assassin and killed Cassibellanus. The next day Herne was killed by Finian Creel in the Battle of Brygrin’s Heights. The Silures and Brigantes are now suing for peace.” Bodica replied stiffly.
“Ah….so even Herne is dead.” Carvillius muttered. “Very well then, let me speak to Segovax before being sacrificed. That is my last wish.”
“Very well.” Bodica replied. She informed a messenger to bring the now King of all Ceint to the dungeons. A few minutes later Segovax stumbled down the stairs to the dungeons.
Bodica propped a chair for Segovax on the other side of the cell and together with Emrys left the dungeons to give the two men privacy.
Segovax sat down and looked at Carvillius with cold eyes. “Why?”
Carvillius laughed softly at the question. He looked at Segovax and said “Did you really believe Segovax that this confederation would last?”
“It is still standing.” Segovax countered.
“Today yes. Tommorow maybe. But the future is fickle old friend. This confederation will not last.” Carvillius muttered.
“It will not.” Segovax agreed. “It wasn’t meant to last.”
“What do you mean?” Carvillius asked surprised.
“Cassibellanu’s wished to maintain the confederation for a good few generations. By then he surmised, that the old enmities would die out and all of our kingdoms could unite into one kingdom displacing the old confederation. The Confederation was meant to be a stepping stone.” Segovax replied in a murmur.
“Then he was a bigger fool than I thought he was.” Carvillius sneered. “Do you really believe that all the other kings of the High Council would allow themselves to become second fiddle to the High King who would undoubtedly become the King of this new kingdom?”
“No you are the fool.” Segovax shot back. “The Kingship of the new Kingdom according to his plan wasn’t to be hereditary. It was to be an elected Gavelkind monarchy. All the Kings on the council would be ‘Low Kings’ and when the King died one would be elected from the Low Kings. It was to be a fair system with equal opportunity for all.”
“Huh. It would still end in failure. You forget one thing, old friend.” Carvillius muttered.
“And what is that?” Segovax asked with a snarl present on his face.
“Human nature. It is not within our nature to be subservient and it is within our nature to be envious, greedy and the such. This confederation or this new kingdom or whatever, will eventually fall to Human Nature sooner or later Segovax.” Carvillius stated with a cold smile on his face. “Perhaps not in your generation or not even in Emrys’s generation. But after that, it is anyone’s guess old friend.”
“You overestimate such things, Carvillius.” Segovax replied with a slight trepidation entering his tone.
“Ah, but I hear doubt in your voice already old friend.” Carvillius stated with a smirk. “But, oh well, I failed in my endevour to bring this confederation down. It is still standing after all. And of all things…..you people elected a woman as High Queen? Where is your dignity?”
Segovax shot him an angry look. “She proved herself in mind, and body to be as worthy of the title as all of us.”
“Ah body~” Carvillius swooned. “Did she give herself to you for one night, old friend, to all of you kings in the council? Is that why you voted for her, because I will freely admit she does have a…..very passionate body if I say so myself.”
“You disgust me.” Segovax retorted with anger rumbling his voice. “Where is my old friend Carvillius? What have you done to him you bastard?!”
Carvillius’s swooning face dissipated into a ferocious snarl. “He grew up that’s what Segovax! Something that you apparently forgot like the idiot that you are!”
Segovax looked at him with despair abundantly present in his face. “Carvillius, do you remember the old days……?”
“Of course I do.”
“When we fought against the Ordovices, the Trinovantes, the Belgae and the Cornovii…..There were five of us…..five of us against the world, do you remember?” Segovax mumbled with melancholy.
Carvillius leaned back and murmured. “Yes, of course I do.”
“We plundered, looted received women. Then we settled down. Then when the Romans came we banded together again. We fought together for more than two decades, and you threw it away, for nothing…” Segovax mumbled sadly.
Carvillius huffed and said “I did not throw it away for nothing. On the contrary you will find I did it for us. But you and Cassibellanus simply grew too soft in these recent years to see reason.”
“Perhaps, but is that so wrong?” Segovax asked back.
“Yes. I do not recognize you now Segovax. I remember the old bloodthirsty King of East Ceint, not this old lackluster and somber King of Ceint.” Carvillius retorted.
Segovax closed his eyes for a few seconds before opening them again. “Why did you call me here Carvillius? To dredge up old wounds?”
“No. I asked you to come here to ask you for a favor.”
“A favor? After all you have done?” Segovax asked with incredulity.
“Yes. My daughter, how is she?” Carvillius asked in a smaller voice.
“I do not know.” Segovax answered back. “She apparently fled your palace before we could apprehend her. She is probably hiding in plain sight as we speak.”
“Good. Good, at least she is safe. What of my family??” Carvillius asked. “Do not sugar the words, I want the truth.”
Segovax flinched and nodded. “Your mother and father were impaled. Your brother tied to a rock and stampeded by three horses. Your wife…..taken advantage off by some men before being gagged to death.”
Carvillius frowned slightly before sighing and leaning back. “I want you to find my daughter and take her in safely Segovax.”
“Why?”
“In the name of our old friendship that’s why.” Carvillius muttered.
Segovax looked at Carvillius for a few quiet few seconds before sighing. “Fine.”
“Swear it on Lady Morrigan. Swear it on your honor.”
“I swear it on Lady Morrigan and my honor, I shall find your daughter and take her in and keep her safe.” Segovax replied. Carvillius relaxed himself. He looked at Segovax and said “thank you old friend, thank you.”
Segovax said nothing.
“I am ready.” Carvillius mumbled.
Segovax nodded and stood up.
***
Carvillius was wincing in slight pain as the armed men dragged him up to the platform. The druid dressed in greenish black looked at him impassively. He then turned to the men gathered and said “This is a religious night! We have a human sacrifice today for the gods!”
The men and women cheered as mead and wine passed, splashed and sloshed all around. Carvillius looked at the far end of the small temple where all the kings and the High Queen were seated. They were looking at him impassively.
The armed men dragged him and placed him in front of the statue of Morrigan. They chiseled portions of the statue looked down upon, perhaps in disdain.
The Druid started to stoke his blade in the fire. The heat radiating off the fire was enough to make Carvillius wince. He was dragged upwards and tied to a pillar by one of the men.
“Oi. A warning would be appreciated.” Carvillius groused. The men simply ignored him.
The Druid looked at him and said “Carvillius, King of West Ceint, this sacrifice shall cleanse you of all your sins, and you shall depart this world clean, unless of course you deny this sacrifice. Do you accept this sacrifice?”
Carvillius felt a lump build up in his throat. He looked at the figure of Segovax in the distance. They locked eyes. Segovax nodded at him just slightly, but enough for Carvillius to see. Relief flooded his heart. Carvillius jutted his chin out and looked at the Druid in the eye.
“I am Lord Carvillius, King of West Ceint, Conqueror of the Cornovii. I accept the sacrifice and plead to enter the Otherworld clean so that Lord Arawn shall judge me favorably!” Carvillius stated in a strong voice.
“Then so be it child…..” The Druid murmured. “You have chosen wisely.”
The heated metal was slowly applied to Carvillius’s bare chest. Carvillius bit his tongue as he felt the pain course through his body. The priestesses started to sing as the knife and its metal was exposed to Carvillius.
Carvillius drew blood from his tongue as another metallic surface heated up by fire was exposed to his bare back as well. Blood invaded his taste buds. His breathing had gotten hard. However he would not scream. He would not scream. He would not scream.
The Druids withdrew the knives. The lead Druid looked at him with something akin to respect before nodding at one of the armed men.
A hulking figure around 6 feet tall walked towards him with a gaint axe in stow. The edge of the axe was shining, meaning that it had been sharpened recently.
Carvillius drew in a sharp breath as he saw the axe. The Druid looked at Carvillius and asked “Do you have any last words?”
The priestesses stopped singing at the question.
Carvillius spat some of the blood out of his mouth. He looked at the Kings and men gathered here. He opened his mouth and said “Long Live Cassibellanus the Great! Long Live Cassibellanus the Warlord! Long Live Cassibellanus….my Friend!”
The Druid nodded at his words and said “Now…..rest my child. Arawn awaits you.”
Carvillius clenched his eyes shut. He heard the man raise his axe into the skies. And then the swoosh of the wind. And then nothing.
He was free.
***
2 Days later
Segovax stood quietly as he looked at the four runestones depicting four graves in front of him. Cingetorix, Taximagulus, Cassibellanus, and Carvillius. Who would have known all those years ago in the midst of battle, that Segovax, the most least careful warrior among them would be the last remaining left. Segovax sighed. He took the dagger with which all 5 of them had proclaimed their friendship 20 years ago. He smiled with a fit of nostalgia. He placed the dagger in front of the runestones and left. He had a promise to fulfill after all.
Carvillius did not know how long it had been since he had seen the outside world other than the dreaded walls of the dungeons of Fort Tamesas. He had lost count after 12 days. Cassibellanus had routed his men, captured him and killed any other survivor of the battle. He had hauled him to Fort Tamesas where Carvillius was now imprisoned.
He sighed and looked at the single window in the entire jail on the far side of the Fort dungeon pavilion. Voices were erupting there. Perhaps this was a good sign? Perhaps Herne had succeeded and entered the fort? His hopes were dashed when he saw Queen Bodica of the Iceni walk towards his cell with Emrys Catuvellauni in tow.
Emrys looked tired and his eyes were red, probably from crying. Crying for what or who, Carvillius knew not. He looked at the Queen of Iceni Bodica who was looking at him in stony silence.
Carvillius decided to break the silence. “Lady Iceni, to what do I owe this pleasure?”
“The end of this war it seems Lord Carvillius.” Bodica replied. Her previously pregnant stomach was no longer as such, Carvillius nodded. “I see your body is back to normal. Is it a boy or girl?”
“That is none of your concern.” Bodica bit out. “The matter is, you have been imprisoned for 6 moons. And now we need to know what to do with you.”
Carvillius blinked. 6 moons, by the gods had it been such a long time? He sighed and looked at the queen. “And, what has the High Council decided?”
“Death by sacrifice.” Emrys snarled.
Carvillius sighed and rubbed his eyes. Well, not the most glorious or painless way to go, but at least his body was being cleansed of its sins before going to Arawn. “Where is Cassibellanus? I would like to talk to him one last time before my untimely death.”
“Father is dead. I am the New Lord Catuvellauni. Lady Iceni has been elected High Queen of the Confederation.” Emrys bit out.
Ah, that explained the puffed out red eyes. “How did he die?”
“In battle, against Herne. The man was too cowardly to attack in a frontal assault. He sent an assassin and killed Cassibellanus. The next day Herne was killed by Finian Creel in the Battle of Brygrin’s Heights. The Silures and Brigantes are now suing for peace.” Bodica replied stiffly.
“Ah….so even Herne is dead.” Carvillius muttered. “Very well then, let me speak to Segovax before being sacrificed. That is my last wish.”
“Very well.” Bodica replied. She informed a messenger to bring the now King of all Ceint to the dungeons. A few minutes later Segovax stumbled down the stairs to the dungeons.
Bodica propped a chair for Segovax on the other side of the cell and together with Emrys left the dungeons to give the two men privacy.
Segovax sat down and looked at Carvillius with cold eyes. “Why?”
Carvillius laughed softly at the question. He looked at Segovax and said “Did you really believe Segovax that this confederation would last?”
“It is still standing.” Segovax countered.
“Today yes. Tommorow maybe. But the future is fickle old friend. This confederation will not last.” Carvillius muttered.
“It will not.” Segovax agreed. “It wasn’t meant to last.”
“What do you mean?” Carvillius asked surprised.
“Cassibellanu’s wished to maintain the confederation for a good few generations. By then he surmised, that the old enmities would die out and all of our kingdoms could unite into one kingdom displacing the old confederation. The Confederation was meant to be a stepping stone.” Segovax replied in a murmur.
“Then he was a bigger fool than I thought he was.” Carvillius sneered. “Do you really believe that all the other kings of the High Council would allow themselves to become second fiddle to the High King who would undoubtedly become the King of this new kingdom?”
“No you are the fool.” Segovax shot back. “The Kingship of the new Kingdom according to his plan wasn’t to be hereditary. It was to be an elected Gavelkind monarchy. All the Kings on the council would be ‘Low Kings’ and when the King died one would be elected from the Low Kings. It was to be a fair system with equal opportunity for all.”
“Huh. It would still end in failure. You forget one thing, old friend.” Carvillius muttered.
“And what is that?” Segovax asked with a snarl present on his face.
“Human nature. It is not within our nature to be subservient and it is within our nature to be envious, greedy and the such. This confederation or this new kingdom or whatever, will eventually fall to Human Nature sooner or later Segovax.” Carvillius stated with a cold smile on his face. “Perhaps not in your generation or not even in Emrys’s generation. But after that, it is anyone’s guess old friend.”
“You overestimate such things, Carvillius.” Segovax replied with a slight trepidation entering his tone.
“Ah, but I hear doubt in your voice already old friend.” Carvillius stated with a smirk. “But, oh well, I failed in my endevour to bring this confederation down. It is still standing after all. And of all things…..you people elected a woman as High Queen? Where is your dignity?”
Segovax shot him an angry look. “She proved herself in mind, and body to be as worthy of the title as all of us.”
“Ah body~” Carvillius swooned. “Did she give herself to you for one night, old friend, to all of you kings in the council? Is that why you voted for her, because I will freely admit she does have a…..very passionate body if I say so myself.”
“You disgust me.” Segovax retorted with anger rumbling his voice. “Where is my old friend Carvillius? What have you done to him you bastard?!”
Carvillius’s swooning face dissipated into a ferocious snarl. “He grew up that’s what Segovax! Something that you apparently forgot like the idiot that you are!”
Segovax looked at him with despair abundantly present in his face. “Carvillius, do you remember the old days……?”
“Of course I do.”
“When we fought against the Ordovices, the Trinovantes, the Belgae and the Cornovii…..There were five of us…..five of us against the world, do you remember?” Segovax mumbled with melancholy.
Carvillius leaned back and murmured. “Yes, of course I do.”
“We plundered, looted received women. Then we settled down. Then when the Romans came we banded together again. We fought together for more than two decades, and you threw it away, for nothing…” Segovax mumbled sadly.
Carvillius huffed and said “I did not throw it away for nothing. On the contrary you will find I did it for us. But you and Cassibellanus simply grew too soft in these recent years to see reason.”
“Perhaps, but is that so wrong?” Segovax asked back.
“Yes. I do not recognize you now Segovax. I remember the old bloodthirsty King of East Ceint, not this old lackluster and somber King of Ceint.” Carvillius retorted.
Segovax closed his eyes for a few seconds before opening them again. “Why did you call me here Carvillius? To dredge up old wounds?”
“No. I asked you to come here to ask you for a favor.”
“A favor? After all you have done?” Segovax asked with incredulity.
“Yes. My daughter, how is she?” Carvillius asked in a smaller voice.
“I do not know.” Segovax answered back. “She apparently fled your palace before we could apprehend her. She is probably hiding in plain sight as we speak.”
“Good. Good, at least she is safe. What of my family??” Carvillius asked. “Do not sugar the words, I want the truth.”
Segovax flinched and nodded. “Your mother and father were impaled. Your brother tied to a rock and stampeded by three horses. Your wife…..taken advantage off by some men before being gagged to death.”
Carvillius frowned slightly before sighing and leaning back. “I want you to find my daughter and take her in safely Segovax.”
“Why?”
“In the name of our old friendship that’s why.” Carvillius muttered.
Segovax looked at Carvillius for a few quiet few seconds before sighing. “Fine.”
“Swear it on Lady Morrigan. Swear it on your honor.”
“I swear it on Lady Morrigan and my honor, I shall find your daughter and take her in and keep her safe.” Segovax replied. Carvillius relaxed himself. He looked at Segovax and said “thank you old friend, thank you.”
Segovax said nothing.
“I am ready.” Carvillius mumbled.
Segovax nodded and stood up.
***
Carvillius was wincing in slight pain as the armed men dragged him up to the platform. The druid dressed in greenish black looked at him impassively. He then turned to the men gathered and said “This is a religious night! We have a human sacrifice today for the gods!”
The men and women cheered as mead and wine passed, splashed and sloshed all around. Carvillius looked at the far end of the small temple where all the kings and the High Queen were seated. They were looking at him impassively.
The armed men dragged him and placed him in front of the statue of Morrigan. They chiseled portions of the statue looked down upon, perhaps in disdain.
The Druid started to stoke his blade in the fire. The heat radiating off the fire was enough to make Carvillius wince. He was dragged upwards and tied to a pillar by one of the men.
“Oi. A warning would be appreciated.” Carvillius groused. The men simply ignored him.
The Druid looked at him and said “Carvillius, King of West Ceint, this sacrifice shall cleanse you of all your sins, and you shall depart this world clean, unless of course you deny this sacrifice. Do you accept this sacrifice?”
Carvillius felt a lump build up in his throat. He looked at the figure of Segovax in the distance. They locked eyes. Segovax nodded at him just slightly, but enough for Carvillius to see. Relief flooded his heart. Carvillius jutted his chin out and looked at the Druid in the eye.
“I am Lord Carvillius, King of West Ceint, Conqueror of the Cornovii. I accept the sacrifice and plead to enter the Otherworld clean so that Lord Arawn shall judge me favorably!” Carvillius stated in a strong voice.
“Then so be it child…..” The Druid murmured. “You have chosen wisely.”
The heated metal was slowly applied to Carvillius’s bare chest. Carvillius bit his tongue as he felt the pain course through his body. The priestesses started to sing as the knife and its metal was exposed to Carvillius.
Carvillius drew blood from his tongue as another metallic surface heated up by fire was exposed to his bare back as well. Blood invaded his taste buds. His breathing had gotten hard. However he would not scream. He would not scream. He would not scream.
The Druids withdrew the knives. The lead Druid looked at him with something akin to respect before nodding at one of the armed men.
A hulking figure around 6 feet tall walked towards him with a gaint axe in stow. The edge of the axe was shining, meaning that it had been sharpened recently.
Carvillius drew in a sharp breath as he saw the axe. The Druid looked at Carvillius and asked “Do you have any last words?”
The priestesses stopped singing at the question.
Carvillius spat some of the blood out of his mouth. He looked at the Kings and men gathered here. He opened his mouth and said “Long Live Cassibellanus the Great! Long Live Cassibellanus the Warlord! Long Live Cassibellanus….my Friend!”
The Druid nodded at his words and said “Now…..rest my child. Arawn awaits you.”
Carvillius clenched his eyes shut. He heard the man raise his axe into the skies. And then the swoosh of the wind. And then nothing.
He was free.
***
2 Days later
Segovax stood quietly as he looked at the four runestones depicting four graves in front of him. Cingetorix, Taximagulus, Cassibellanus, and Carvillius. Who would have known all those years ago in the midst of battle, that Segovax, the most least careful warrior among them would be the last remaining left. Segovax sighed. He took the dagger with which all 5 of them had proclaimed their friendship 20 years ago. He smiled with a fit of nostalgia. He placed the dagger in front of the runestones and left. He had a promise to fulfill after all.
Just because few people are replying doesn't mean they aren't viewing this TL, @Sarthak Bikram Panta; BTW, good TL...
They did have a script called Ogham with documents and stoneworks being left behind stating that there were proto scribes.
Sorry I meant planners instead of economists
dcharleos
Donor
True, but IIRC, Ogham wasn't a written language like we think of it. It was more of a record-keeping script, e.g., "Cormac, King of Mide, owns 59 head of cattle."
It's one of the big reasons why we don't know much about the Celts or the Druids. It was all oral. But by inference, it means that the druids were incredibly powerful members of society--the seat of religion and jurisprudence.
It's been a while since I researched this stuff, so I could be wrong, but it might be worth looking into if you haven't already.
Like u said there aren't many written details however Roman scripts do say the Celtic royalty knew how to read and sent messages to each other. I'm simply going by this to say they did. Because there are multiple contradictory sources it gets a little puzzling. However there does seem to be a slight favour to the point that the Celtic Royalty did know how to read and write so I am going on that basis. There is just so little research (proper ones ) on this era in Britain it gets confusing at times
Btw the mythology was oral. Druids called it's blasphemy to write down stories of gods when the Romans tried to write down the stories. Presumably to add them into the Roman pantheon like other gods Rome conquered.
Watling Street only became known by this name during the Anglo-Saxon period (Wæcelinga Stræt) after a tribe living in the region. We don't know how it was called in Roman or Celtic times or if it was even regarded as one road.
This is an often repeated error, sadly even in documentaries. The order for a volley in archery was never "Fire!", this term only came up with firearms. The correct term is either "Loose!" or "Release!". In regards to non-firearm related projectile weapons the term should generally be avoided.
Fire arrows don't make sense in an open field battle. The purpose of fire arrows was to set structures, especially thatched roofs, ablaze. And contrary to modern depictions in media, fire arrows don't burn visibly after being loosened, they merely smolder, and are thus invisible at night, i.e. have no psychological impact either.
Celts were, depending on where they lived, using either Greek or Latin script in the late La Tène period in the century before Roman conquest. They obviously considered it to be much more practical than Ogham script.