Hosker, G [Sword of Cartimandua 09] Hero of Rome Read Online Free Page A

first time since he had left Rome, that he had not brought Hercules and his own ship, The Swan. It was somehow reassuring to have the old sea captain looking after him.  He decided that he would send a message back to Ostia and have the old man bring the ship here. It struck the senator that travelling by ship would save much pain from the backs of saddles. He left instructions for his baggage to be sent to the fortress; his Imperial warrant ensured that there would be no thefts.
    As he walked through the vicus he noted the changes in the old legionary fortress.  The vicus was enormous and seemed to spread over a large area.  The fortress itself now had dressed stone replacing the wooden palisade he remembered.  The towers looked solid and, unlike Rome itself, bristled with ballistae and scorpions.  This was a frontier fortress. The sentries were auxiliaries this time and he wondered when the Sixth legion would arrive. Hadrian had ordered it to leave Vetera but Julius was certain that the Emperor would wait until the province had settled down a little more before the reliable force was despatched to police yet another frontier. The sentries recognised the senatorial purple and, almost before he had flashed his warrant, had allowed him speedy entry.
    The Prefect, Octavius Saturninus, had been expecting the Senator for a few days. He was wary of the politician for he knew him to be an intimate of the Emperor, a friend of the new Governor and, more importantly, he knew the area well having served as a cavalryman. He was unusually impressed when he met the man for the first time.  He looked far younger than his real age and did not affect the mannerisms of a courtly man.  His first words put the nervous Camp Prefect at his ease. “Sorry to have to put you out Camp Prefect. I know that having your own quarters is a perk of the posting and I promise I won’t be a nuisance for too long; when the Governor returns I shall head north to Coriosopitum.”
    Octavius was taken aback, how did this newly arrived visitor know that the Governor was inspecting the frontier? Julius saw his look and smiled. “I am no magician Prefect.  The Emperor told me that the Governor would not be in residence for our task is not in Eboracum but north where we intend to build some limes .”
    The Prefect sighed with relief.  “And about time too sir.  We have had too many raids in the past few years and not just from the north but across the sea.”
    Julius leaned forward.  “I had not heard that report. Whence do these raiders come?”
    “From the icy lands north of Germania.  They have fast boats and they raid for slaves and booty.  The fleet is too thinly spread to stop them.  You may not have heard because the last Governor thought it merely an inconvenience.”
    Bradua again! “You did not share his views I take it?”
    The Prefect was a military man and not a politician but he felt, instinctively, that he was speaking to another man with a strategic brain. “The raids made the people worried and that means less productive. Also we had to react to the raids ….”
    “But you would have had men closer to the coast to prevent them?”
    “Just so.” The Prefect was right Julius Demetrius knew his stuff.
    “The Ala we despatched is it still based at Morbium?”
    “No the Decurion Princeps moved it to Coriosopitum to be closer to the Votadini and Selgovae.” He looked keenly at the Legate. “You know him I believe?”
    Julius smiled at the diplomatically phrased question.  The real question was, ’is this one of your favourites ?’ “Lucius is a good friend and I served with him but, to put your mind at rest, I have no self interest in the officer. He is to be promoted to Prefect rather than appointing one from Rome.”
    “That makes a change;  a sensible appointment.” Realising that he might have spoken out of turn he blushed and held up his hand.  “Sorry sir, that just came out.”
    “Don’t worry about it