The Northern Conspiracy by Marc Jones

Author:Marc Jones [Jones, Marc]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Marc Jones
Published: 2015-05-28T22:00:00+00:00

Lerix had three sons, all of whom were auxiliaries and all of whom had their own armour and equipment. He called them in as soon as he heard the stress in Cato’s voice and he had them all saluting him as soon as possible. The oldest was a stolid man of stern visage. The middle one was a man of similar appearance. And the youngest was somehow more serious than the other two combined. Their father had summoned them as soon as possible after he had heard the alarm in Cato’s voice and the latter was still wondering just what kind of a note of alarm he’d had in his voice.

“They’re good lads sir, all of them. My wife and I raised them right and I’ve trained them right. They all know which end of a spear is which and the youngest, young Marcus, wants to join the nearest Turmae. I’m getting on a bit I’m afraid and this leg of mine is a pain when it rains. I want to escort you to Deva, but you don’t need an old man you need reliable escorts and I’d bet my last coin on my lads. They’ll get you there sir.” Lerix stood there after making what was (for him) a long speech and Cato looked at him for a long moment.

“I’m honoured to lead them Optio Lerix,” he said gravely. “And I’ll get them back to you alive, I swear it.”

The veteran looked back at him and then nodded. “Thank you sir. Your orders in the meantime?”

Cato held up a piece of parchment. “When the garrison gets back, give Decurion Salarius this. He is to make for Deva at once. On my authority he is to bring in every unit of cavalry and every auxiliary he can find. Now listen Lerix, this is important – he is to ignore any order that comes from Eboracum. Marcus Junius Beliatrix has transferred his authority down to Lucius Ambrosius Aurelianus Aemilianus, as he is dying. The eldest son of Beliatrix however is fighting this transfer. Contact any other auxiliaries or veterans in the area and get them in here. I’ll send further orders. Do you understand?”

Lerix stared at him for a long moment and then he came to attention and saluted with a formality that Cato would have expected from the guards in Londinium. “Yes sir. And begging the Centurion’s pardon I strongly suggest that you contact Gaius Sertorius when you get to Mamucium. He was a Decurion until he retired five years ago. And he served under Gaius Tortorius.”

This pricked the ears of Cottia, who strode over. “Gaius Sertorius? I remember him. Tall man, looks like a real Brigante despite his name. Father liked him. Liked him a lot.”

This was a good recommendation. “Thank you Lerix, we’ll call on him. And I suspect use him as an escort. The ride to Deva… well I hope that we don’t meet any problems there.”

Lerix nodded, saluted and moved off with a certain grim purpose. Oh, he knew what was going on.

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