THE CORNOVII MYSTERY by GRIFFITHS DAVID

Author:GRIFFITHS, DAVID
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-11-28T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter XIII

‘I can see the great fort at Bredon,’ Argyll exclaimed, standing upright on his mount.

Alba and Rigari followed his outstretched hand. Sure enough, just visible through the morning mist rose the hill fort that dominated the landscape for miles.

‘We are almost at the point where we must go our separate ways,’ noted Rigari.

‘Argyll and I have enjoyed your company these last two days,’ answered Alba.

Rigari nodded at the compliment. ‘It is good our two peoples should strike such a close accord. Should our shared enemy succeed, then we will need all our resources to resist.’

‘Hopefully, it does not come to that, but I am glad we are met well. I am sure Rendrr will be reassured knowing we have such firm friends to the east of our borders.’

Rigari’s party, including the two Cornovii men numbered a dozen men at arms. As they were all mounted, their progress northwards towards Alba’s home territory had been fairly swift and, as yet, uneventful. At the head of the column were two scouts who would periodically disappear then reappear after checking the route ahead. Already today, they had been out and back four times. No one anticipated the fifth would be different.

Once more the two scouts approached, their horses kicking up dust as they rode in. This time their approach seemed faster and more urgent. The lead scout, a warrior named Arco, rode straight up to Rigari and bowed.

‘We found a party of native warriors, all dead, cut down in a small clearing not two leagues from here.’

‘A Roman attack?’

‘It looks like they killed each other. Some still have the weapon of death embedded in their bodies. We saw no evidence of Roman involvement. This appears to be a brawl or other dispute which got out of hand.’

Rigari looked across to Alba. ‘Is this common in these parts?’

‘Occasionally, rival groups do get into a skirmish, but it is unusual for this level of violence.’

‘There is something else,’ reported the second scout. ‘One of the warriors still lives. He may yet tell us something if we have the means to aid him.’

‘I may be able to help with that, ‘Alba volunteered. ‘I carry medicine which may be of some use, depending on the extent of his wounds and how quickly we can get to him.’

‘Alba, this smells of a trap. Remember, how Tadc’s death was staged? This may be a similar attempt,’ Argyll warned.

‘We will all go,’ Rigari cut in. ‘Your friend is right to be cautious. I too find it convenient that this occurs directly in our path. Therefore, let us go forward in what numbers we have.’

‘One moment,’ Horva cut in, addressing the scout. ‘Describe the terrain where you found these men?’

‘It is a small patch of grassland surrounded by fern and bracken,’ the scout replied.

‘And the ferns,’ Horva persisted, ‘are they thick enough to conceal an enemy?’

‘The foliage is extensive. Though we saw no other, it could conceal many men.’

Horva turned to Rigari and Alba. ‘I suggest dividing our forces so

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