Hosker, G [Sword of Cartimandua 06] Druid's Gold Read Online Free PDF Page B

it he cared for, besides from what Cato says Marcus’ Horse still lives with Livius and the Exploratores.”
    “Uncle Marcus what are Exploratores?”
    “Well young Decius Macro Culleo, now that you are clean enough to listen to your elders I will tell you.  They are a new cavalry unit attached to the legions. They will operate secretly sometimes behind enemy lines and they will scout and track Rome’s enemies.”
    Gaelwyn snorted. “Scouts! They couldn’t find  their arse if they didn’t fart!”
    The boys giggled. “Uncle Gaelwyn!”
    “Sorry Ailis but they were never very good at tracking.”
    “To be fair Gaelwyn they were never as good as you but then few were.” Mollified by Gaius’ words the old man nodded.
    “So Livius is out on patrol then?”
    “Well Marcus he was about to leave with his men when I left the fortress. It looked strange to me, the whole force is but twenty one men, not even a turma but they have to do the job of an ala.”
    “Sounds interesting anyway.”
    “Sounds perfect!” Marcus Gaius’ voice had yet to break and the squeak he made caused the adults to stare at the blushing young boy. “Well it would. Don’t you fancy it too Decius?”
    Macro’s son was a smaller version of his dead father with broad shoulders and he grinned and nodded his affirmation. Gaelwyn found himself thinking he was actually looking at Macro. “Well you are too young.  They wouldn’t be able to have you for at least ten years.”
    The four men looked at each other not wishing to contradict the she-wolf protecting her cubs but they knew that they had been warriors when barely fourteen summers old.  It would be two years at the most that Ailis would have her boys with her. The disappointment on their faces almost made Marcus laugh out loud.
    Suddenly Gaelwyn’s hunting dog rose and growled. The four men grabbed their weapons from beside the door and raced out.  The growling meant strangers and after Ailis and the boys had been kidnapped by a raiding band of barbarians they took no chances. The four adults and three boys formed a half circle of steel around the door as the horsemen trotted into the yard.
    “Well that is a nice welcome for an old comrade!”
    “Livius! Your ears must have been burning for we were just talking of you.”
    “Well if my men can use your barn I will join you.”
    Gaius shook his head.  “They are my old comrades too.  They can join us. Wife we have company for supper.”
     

Chapter 3
    “An unexpected visit Livius.”
    “I do have an ulterior motive Marcus.  I called at your farm first and your man told us you had left already. “he paused and then gestured at the line of horses standing in the yard. “These are fine horses and they look like Roman horses.  We need to look less Roman and somehow...”
    “Wilder?”
    “I was thinking more Brigante.”
    Gaelwyn snorted. “As though that could ever happen.”
    Gaius smiled.  “It could uncle.”
    “How? Your short hair and womanish faces mark you as Romans even at a thousand paces.”
    “He is right Gaius and I have told my men to grow their hair and beards.  Out tunics are old and worn. We do no carry shields but the horses…”
    ”The horses look the same; they look Roman.”
    “Exactly Pref.. er Marcus. Could we exchange them for seven or yours?”
    Marcus looked at Cato who nodded. “We have some that would just suit.  They are a variety of colours and sizes but the only problem I can foresee is that they are not as well trained as I would like. We can pick them up tomorrow if you like.”
    Sighing with relief Livius shook his head. “That is no bad thing Sergeant for we do not need them to be able to ride knee to knee and we can train our own mounts as we head west.”
    Gaius looked up suddenly animated. “West?  Towards the land of the lakes and…” they all flashed a glance at an entranced Decius Macro Culleo, son of Macro and Morwenna, who seemed oblivious to their sudden interest in