Hosker, G [Sword of Cartimandua 11] Roman Treachery Read Online Free PDF Page B

would be able to do anything but it made sense to keep temptation away from them. The first prisoner was brought out of his cell.  His arms were tied around a log which was fixed behind his back and his feet were shackled.  He came out like a wild animal and tried to ram the guard who tethered him, with the log from behind his back. The guard just yanked on the rope and the barbarian crashed to the ground. The centurion picked him up and, pulling his fist back, hit him hard in the gut.  The warrior doubled up trying to catch his breath. “Now that was just to get you to behave yourself.”
    The man didn’t react and Livius said, “Well he doesn’t speak our language.  I will have to try his.” He lifted the man’s chin, gently and looked at him in the eyes. “The centurion wants you to behave yourself.  No more tricks eh?” The man shook his head but Livius knew he had understood. “Now tell me, what is your name?” The man spat at Livius who avoided the spittle.  Broccus brought his fist back but Livius held up his hand.  “Now if you do that again this man will hit you again and next time he will hurt you.  What harm is there in telling me your name?”
    He could see the man debating.  Livius had no doubt that if the others were present he would say nothing but Quintus’ fist had hurt him. “Lulach!”
    “There Lulach.  That wasn’t so hard was it? And your king is still Lugubelenus is it?” He looked defiant and Livius gave a slight nod to the centurion who hit him square on his face.  The crack of bone told them all that his nose had been broken. He nodded. “The officer who captured you said you had been hunting.  Was it a good hunt?”
    He could see Lulach wondering at the question.  The blow had hurt him and he wasn’t sure if the information about hunting would help the enemy or not.  He decided it wouldn’t and if it avoided another blow then so much the better.  He would need his strength when he escaped and killed the big Roman warrior. “Yes.  We caught two big deer.”
    “And there were only six of you?  Then you are mighty hunters.”
    The man, despite the pain, showed pride in his achievements.  “I am the best hunter in the village.”
    “Well that is good for there are many mouths to feed, especially with the new warriors arriving.”
    “The new warriors cannot hunt like Lulach!” There was an air of derision in his voice.
    “And you will need them when you attack the ones on the wall.”
    “We do not need them.” Now that he had begun to talk he could not stop the flow. “We need neither them, nor the Selgovae nor the Brigante.  We could destroy the women who wait on the wall.”
    It soon became obvious that they had learned all that they could from him and he was taken back. With that information the next three were questioned using the knowledge they had gained for confirmation.  They did not need to use force and they wondered how the Romans knew so much.  Finally the leader was brought out.  Livius had seen the torc around his neck and he had left him deliberately until last.
    “We have spoken with the others and know that you are mighty hunters and warriors.  We know that your king, the powerful Lugubelenus has joined forces with the Selgovae and the Brigante to destroy the Emperor’s wall.  The only thing we do not know is your name, the warrior who leads them.” He stubbornly remained silent. Quintus’ knuckles were bloodied to the bone when he had finished his beating but the chief refused to say anything.
    First Spear Broccus looked over to Julius and shook his head, admiring the courage of the Votadini warrior. “We’ll get nothing from this one sir.”
    “Right then we will crucify him and see what effect it has on the others.”
    As he was picked up by the two sentries he spat out some teeth and snarled at Livius.  “You will die Roman.  You will all die. My chief, Iucher has promised me this.”  He grinned a bloody, lopsided grin,