The Centurion's Choice: Chateau Sarony, #4

By RCS Hutching

2014

The distance from an archaeological site office to a small hotel has never been formally adopted by the International Athletics Association as an accepted race distance, which is a great pity because Anna Price would have been a gold medallist.

68AD

"Who's going to buy these two from you. You haven't got any evidence of ownership I bet." He casually grabbed a handful of the nearest woman's red hair and yanked the bruised tear stained face upwards to meet his eyes."

Two men and two women separated by centuries but ultimately connected by a great archaeological discovery.

• Language: English
• Publisher: RCS Hutching
• Release date: Jun 27, 2016
• ISBN: 9781534858589

RCS Hutching

I am English and live in East Sussex, England. For additional information please visit my website.

Book preview

Prologue

Major Martin Price I believe.

Just plain Martin Price will be fine thank you, Colonel. I left the army some years ago.

The tall figure rose from behind his desk and studied the man before him. Keen eyes swept up and down, noting the civilian attire and the unflinching gaze of the grey eyes. The man’s posture stiffened slightly at the use of his former rank, and Colonel Oscar Willerby of the Queen's Royal Rifles noted approvingly the almost imperceptible movement and turned his attention to the second figure. The woman was tall and admirably carried off the tight-fitting beige jeans accentuating her long legs. Whilst not having the features that would have entitled her face to be called beautiful she was, without doubt, attractive. The mass of golden hair pulled back into a ponytail and the clearly ample bust harnessed by the plain white blouse served to confirm that the TV pictures had not exaggerated the overall package that was Anna Price. She was undoubtedly a woman who deserved to be looked at more than once.

And Mrs Price. Welcome to 'The Royals'.

Thank you, Colonel. It's good of you to let us intrude like this.

The Colonel turned back to her husband. You don't use your rank, um, Martin?

I'm no longer in the army Colonel.

Once a soldier always a soldier and you are entitled, replied the Colonel.

Even so, I would prefer the civilian form, preferably just Martin, and I'm sure my wife will be more comfortable with Anna. He looked at his companion who nodded.

Very well. In that case please call me Ossie, and do sit yourselves down. Uncle Hubert told me you were acquainted and after that marvellous TV programme about the Considine Affair I made a point of doing a little research of my own. I was surprised, er, Martin, to find that a large part of your service file is still restricted, although the decorations are fully disclosed. You must be very proud of him, um, Anna.

Yes Colonel, oh sorry, Ossie, replied a flustered Anna.

Now to business. I know that you are both archaeologists, but you are also now quite famous. When I first spoke to Uncle Hubert I was surprised that he took such an interest in our little discovery. I was then very impressed when he mentioned that he knew you both, and finally amazed that you expressed an interest in examining our long dead friends. After all, some dead Roman soldiers can hardly be anything other that run of the mill so far as the world of archaeology is concerned. Are you sure you really want to spend time on this?

He leant back in his chair and his eyes darted from one to the other of his guests.

Can they really be that interesting when compared to your other cases? I'm quite happy to call our local museum and let you busy people get back to your other work.

All such finds are interesting Ossie, but what makes your chaps particularly worth a close look is the fact that they have absolutely no right to be where you have found them. Martin smiled at the Colonel and casually ran his hand through his hair. The XXVth Legion has acquired the nickname of 'The Mystery Legion' because of the fact that it disappeared from Roman records for several years. It has only recently been verified that it arrived in Britain and travelled West to the coastal region of West Wales. Quite why you would discover three skeletons from that Legion here on the East coast in the Southernmost part of Lincolnshire is intriguing. Maybe we can find a clue."

The colonel smiled and said I've arranged for Sergeant Davidson to take you to the site of our ancient warriors following breakfast tomorrow. In the meantime, I will be delighted if you would both join me as my guests for dinner tonight in the Officers Mess."

Chapter 1 - Mission

Maxentius surveyed the orderly lines of tents that marked the XXVth Legion encampment and mulled over the momentous news that had finally caught up with them shortly after arrival in Britannia. Nero dead and Galba now Emperor. The cooking smells floating on the early morning air as the last of the cool morning fuzziness evaporated under the warmth of the watery sun, lingered in his nostrils. His ears were filled with a familiar music that was itself composed of hundreds of disparate sounds as the Legion went about its routine business like a massive well-trained animal. He turned, strode back into his own tent and stood absentmindedly fingering the hilt of the short sword known as a gladius that lay on the trestle table before him. Running his thumbnail across the legion's number that was embossed on the hilt he wondered whether the cost of having those same three numerals inscribed on every one of the legion's gladii was any more than a nod in the direction of his own ego.

Having unexpectedly been called back to Rome from the nearby province where the XXVth was stationed, he had received orders from Nero himself that had sent him hastening back to collect his Legion. As a consequence, here he now was, newly arrived in the province that had never proved entirely passive in the twenty-five years since Claudius had finally imposed Roman rule, amidst an atmosphere rife with speculation and uncertainty following Nero's suicide. With the Empire's representatives thrown into jittery disarray, the Britons were not slow to sense that there was less cohesion among the occupying forces. Stories, no doubt exaggerated, had already begun to drift in of unrest among the locals, and there had even been an attack on one of his patrols, although of only a half-hearted nature.

He propped himself against the edge of the table, arms folded and chin resting in thought on his chest. Rome followed a colonial policy of accommodating the religious beliefs of the tribes that were brought under its rule. Additionally, a strong military presence together with the judicious application of money and status to the ever avaricious local headmen ensured that a reasonably peaceful coexistence prevailed between conquerors and conquered, at least in the Southern part of Britannia. Maxentius did wonder with some irritation whether that damned new Christian religion was somehow mixed up in the turbulence surrounding Nero's demise. Whatever the reason, Galba was now top dog but, if rumour had it right, his accession was far from unanimously approved and the amount of bloodletting that had occurred was already causing the name of Otho to be murmured as a possible alternative. Personally, Maxentius would have chosen Vespasian as the tough, no-nonsense leader the Empire needed, but he kept such thoughts strictly to himself.

With the uncertainty currently abroad in the province, and his patron in distant Rome now dead, he resolved to adhere to the orders issued when he last met Nero in Rome. Get me Hibernia, Maxentius. Do that and I will let you see what you can do with Caledonia, which was all very well, but the ultimate prize of the governorship of this entire cluster of islands rested on those two extremely ambitious and hazardous military adventures. He had a plan it was true, but with the other established military and civil leaders in Britannia now all jockeying for position and conscious that old slights and grievances may suddenly, and fatally, come to the fore, any bright ideas that could put a newly arrived legion and its Legatus in a favourable light were well worth guarding. So, unless specifically ordered otherwise he would head west. In truth, Maxentius had received two sets of orders. The 'official' orders instructed him to take the XXVth into the west of the island and provide a military presence in support of the existing Roman authority. Some unrest among the western Celtic tribes provided a reasonable excuse. Accordingly, he had dispatched his engineers westwards some weeks before in order to get the camp construction underway.

Even so, Nero had typically proved to be as devious as his reputation suggested and ensured that the official records only vaguely referred to the XXVth being sent to 'reinforce our presence on Britannia’. The 'unofficial' orders were for Maxentius to establish an encampment in the far west of the country and to use this as the jumping off point for an invasion of Hibernia. If questioned by the Senate, or members of the Roman administration based on Britannia the justification would be the continued raiding by Hibernian pirates, the ever closer links being established between the tribes of Hibernia and Caledonia, and lastly the urge to be independent of Roman rule, still felt by many Britons following the near successful rebellion by the whore Boudica and her followers seven years before.

Despite the suppression of the revolt and the death by suicide of its charismatic leader, many of her followers had escaped and taken with them slaves and plunder from the city of Londinium, most of which had never been recovered. It was with all of this in mind that Maxentius sent a request for Centurion Marcus Rustius Dexter to report to him without delay.

An experienced centurion of the Third Cohort and responsible for the eighty men under his command, Marcus Rustius Dexter was related to Maxentius on his mother's side of the family. At the age of 30, he was already a veteran of ten years’ service, had served in Britannia before transferring to the XXVth, and was a proven leader. Without displaying any particularly outstanding qualities he was a seasoned warrior whose family had suffered in the rebellion, trusted by his men, and more importantly, because of the family connection, he was trusted by Maxentius. A further relevant consideration was the fact that the blood tie was not so close that, in the event of Rustius failing to survive the mission Maxentius had in mind for him, the repercussions from his wife's family would be too problematic.

You have of course heard the news from Rome was the greeting as the Legatus waved away formality and motioned the younger man to take a seat.

Yes, Sir. The answer was formal and sensibly non-committal.

I have orders Rustius. The legate was careful not to specify from whom, nor when they had been issued. They are confidential and require the XXVth to proceed to the Western coast with a view to establishing Hibernia as an Imperial province. If we are successful then who knows what greater honours may come our way.

Will one Legion be sufficient Sir? Rustius was mindful of the fighting abilities of the Celtic races, particularly if supported by their priesthood.

Possibly, or possibly not, said Maxentius. Hibernia is far less populous than Britannia, but with some additional help, we should prevail. Even if outright victory is not achieved we should be able to at least hold our initial gains until further legions can make the crossing and reinforce us.

Forgive me but what additional help, apart from other legions, is available?

Now that is where you and your century come in Rustius. In either case, your contribution will be critical. What I am about to tell you now must remain a secret, and even your destination is to be withheld until at least 48 hours after you have left us. Do you understand?"

Yes, Sir. Again the uncomplicated formal answer giving no hint of curiosity or apprehension. The man was the right choice, no great imagination or ambition. Happy to serve the Empire and the Legion and carry out orders, and with a personal interest in ensuring that a second rebellion would never have a chance to gather momentum.

He paused and regarded the man now sitting silently before him before continuing. We live in changing times and you will no doubt be aware of the occasional raids carried out by Hibernian pirates on the West coast. What you will not have heard, I am sure, is that one such raiding party was intercepted and its vessel seized. The raiders were wiped out to the last man but two female slaves were found on board. They were Roman women who had been taken by those Iceni who managed to flee following Boudica's defeat. They had been used as whores for some years by a faction of the tribe until being sold on to the pirates. Being sisters and members of a high-ranking family they were escorted back to Rome and their rescuer duly received a substantial reward for his efforts. Their names will be all too familiar to you I am sure. So much for the women themselves, but what is relevant to us is the fact that they were able to provide the Emperor with some very interesting information concerning the location of a great treasure guarded by the Iceni and of immense value to them. I, in turn, will now enlighten you and you will no doubt appreciate both the importance and urgency of the task I am entrusting to you and your century.

The Centurion sat in silence as Maxentius detailed the nature of his mission and concluded his speech with Very well, now feel free to raise any questions.

The women who were rescued, am I allowed to know their names?

Yes. They are Aurelia and Lavinia Vatia. In the circumstances, you may feel that your mission takes on an additional dimension.

The centurion sat silently digesting what he had been told. Seven years seemed more like a lifetime, and all that time during which he had got on with his life they had been suffering in the captivity of the barbarians. He dragged his thoughts back to the present. What guarantee is there that if we make it to our objective we won’t find that this Iceni treasure has been moved to a different location completely unknown to us?

Maxentius rubbed at his chin That is always a chance Rustius, but the unfortunate women only passed into the ownership of the pirates six months ago; there is no reason to suppose the location will have been changed. The pirates were nothing more than trading partners of the Iceni. There would have been no reason for the news to have been regarded as noteworthy. Those poor women were only unwanted goods that had been cashed in when an unexpected offer was made. Women who are kept available for a pirate crew usually end up being thrown overboard when they are worn out. He saw the look that passed across the centurion's features and added: I'm sorry Rustius; I am simply stating a fact.

He paused again and waited as Rustius Dexter digested the information and replied: You want my century to make this raid in as much secrecy as possible I take it?

Maxentius nodded and said It has to be done in secret. If word gets out beforehand then there will be nothing for you to recover by the time you arrive. And if you are successful and word that you have the treasure is broadcast before we invade Hibernia not only will it lessen the impact we wish it to have, but it is likely that members of our own armed forces or civilian administration will seek to recover it for their own ends

So if we succeed, we will not only have the tribes hunting us down as we run for home but maybe also our own people?

Not necessarily Rustius. There is a good chance that the theft will not be immediately discovered, and even if it is, the news may not be widely broadcast for fear of the damage it might cause to the status and reputation of the Iceni within the British circles of power. Make no mistake, were it not for the divisions and rivalries between the various tribes this item would have proved pivotal in welding their fighting men into a unified fighting force willing to serve under a solitary commander. Ironically it is precisely the fragmented nature of their military forces that will assist our plan.  Dangerous though they may be, the Britons are not organised enough to react very quickly on a countrywide basis, and many tribes are now comfortably acceptant of Roman rule. Also, they will expect you to run for the nearest Roman sanctuary such as a town or fort.

And that will not be the case?

No, I want you to head for Mona Insula in the far west. I appreciate that this is not an easy course but it will, in the long run, prove the most advantageous as far as the main plan is concerned. Choose your own route, but try and avoid towns and forts. I do not want rumours to start, nor any indication of what it is that you are transporting to reach other ears.

You have not said what it is that we are being sent to recover from the Britons. No eagle was lost in the rebellion so far as I recall.

Maxentius smiled I will tell you after we have left Dubrae. I do not trust the rumour machine that is a fundamental part of all encampments. You must now keep what I have just told you to yourself until we have left here. Even then, only you and the most senior men under your command must know that you are not proceeding all of the way to the west along with the rest of the XXVth.

In the event that we are caught?

Then destroy your prize as the last resort.

But if we successfully bring this ‘prize’ to you at Mona Insula then this is the ‘additional help’ you referred to in an invasion of Hibernia?

Maxentius hesitated before responding. The man had reached that conclusion far quicker than he expected. Yes. If we land in Hibernia it will be at Eblana in the territory of the Cauci. Not only is that the shortest route but just to the south lays the territory of the Meniapii that at present are not openly hostile. More importantly, to the south of the Meniapii are the Coritani. That same tribe whose territory is adjacent to the Iceni here in Britannia. If we show them that we possess their great treasure they will ally themselves with us and, caught between us and them, the Meniapii will fall into line. The Cauci will already have been subdued following our landing and with your prize as our totem, Hibernia will soon come under Roman control. Once secure and with reinforcements from Britannia I will then move back across the water to Caledonia. Our forces in northern Britannia will also be reinforced and I will drive southwards and we will squeeze the damned Picts in a vice. If you are successful, our work will be made far easier. Needless to say, as the centurion responsible you will find yourself extremely well rewarded and the XXVth will add the word ‘Hibernia' to its name.

Where is it we are to head for?

"Your target is just inside Coritani territory close to the North coast of Metaris Aestuarium. I will give you more exact directions when you set out, but you should now have enough to be able to plan your route.

When do we start sir?

The XXVth decamps in two days’ time. We leave Dubrae in the usual manner but I suggest that once north of Londinium you look to make your departure before we reach Verulamium. You will be in Catuvellauni territory and it will be infantry only. No attachment of cavalry I'm afraid. We will speak further during the next few days but you have enough to be going on with at present.

Thus dismissed Rustius Dexter got to his feet, saluted and withdrew from his Commander’s tent.

Chapter 2 - Croix de Guerre

The news revealed by the Considine affair created a sensation. Martin and Anna Price encountered a media avalanche that at first threatened to sweep them away. The original decision not to publish the story had subsequently been debated at length due to the fresh light that their final discovery shed on the entire matter. Several days of anguished discussions and changing opinions had been suddenly resolved from a sad and unexpected source. They had received a letter from the Mulberry Rest Home informing them that old Mrs Considine had died peacefully one morning sitting in her chair in her room where they had met her for the only time. The letter was sent by the supervisor of the home who had discovered their address in the old lady's diary and recalled their visit of some weeks before. The revelations they then made public exploded across the media with tsunami-like results.

Initially, Sarony found itself in a state of siege and although Monique at Auberge Fleurie found her rooms fully booked and the sales of food and drink running at twice the level expected in September, the influx of so many representatives from the world of press and TV threatened to overwhelm the peaceful life of the small village. Aghast at what he perceived to be the unwanted consequences of the Timewarp investigations, Martin Price took steps to stem the invasion of his quiet corner of France. Their agent and personal assistant Nikki Prendergast announced that a huge marquee would be erected in the grounds of Chateau Sarony, and a single press conference would be held at which all three members of Timewarp would be present. When question time had finished, the representatives of the media would be entertained with a buffet lunch and further questions