03 Brigantia by Adrian Goldsworthy

Author:Adrian Goldsworthy [Goldsworthy, Adrian]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Head of Zeus
Published: 2019-05-15T23:00:00+00:00

XVII

The bridge gave way slowly, the rotting main beams breaking under the weight so that the rest sank down into the roaring torrent. It was roughly made, wide enough for one man or beast at a time, and spanned the high chasm over the stream, the waters brimming over from yesterday’s storm. They had crossed slowly, a man at a time, each leading a horse, warily taking each step, unable to hear the creaking over the noise of the rushing water, but feeling every sag in the timbers underfoot.

Crispinus had gone first. ‘All right for him,’ Longinus had shouted into Vindex’s ear, ‘look how light he is.’ The Batavians followed, one by one, and then Sepenestus. Gannascus hesitated, and no one could blame him. Sepenestus came back and offered to lead over the other man’s mount. The giant shook his head, so the archer took a pony over instead. As soon as they were across Gannascus spat for luck and strode onto the bridge. The rest watched, at once horrified, fascinated and a little amused. Halfway across a piece of wood broke away and fell, and they waited for more, but it did not come, and then with half a dozen more steps the warrior reached the bank, his horse following. Some of the Batavians clashed their spears against their shields in approval, and the German shook his fist at the stream. The scout went next, got his horse over without trouble and then came back for the pony.

Vindex did not see any sign until the bridge began to collapse. The last pony reared and screamed, until the planks lurched down and it slid into the water.

‘Let go!’ Vindex screamed at the scout who was leading the animal. The man gaped, and must have wound the lead around his arm as he had tried to drag the skittish beast over the widely spaced planks of the little bridge. As the pony fell he was yanked down after it. Both disappeared into the foam. A couple of times Vindex glimpsed the head of man or beast as they were whisked away, slamming into boulders, until they vanished over the top of the waterfall a long bowshot away.

Ferox heard the shout and galloped down to the bank.

‘Poor bugger,’ Vindex said as he arrived. They were the only ones still on this side, Crispinus having ordered the centurion as next most senior officer to bring up the rear of the little column. He had also suggested that perhaps Ferox might disguise their tracks, in the hope of throwing off pursuit. There had been little point in explaining the impossibility of hiding the passage of so many heavy riders across spongy soil thoroughly soaked in the storm.

‘Can you hear me?’ The tribune had cupped his hands around his mouth and was yelling across the chasm.

Ferox raised his thumb and shouted that he could.

‘Longinus thinks there should be another way across about three miles to the south, and maybe twice that to the north! You know where we are going! Catch up when you can! Understand?’

Ferox raised his thumb again.

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