Read Online Hosker, G [Sword of Cartimandua 04] Roman Retreat by Griff Hosker - Free Book Online Page B

someone who can take charge of that area.  Would you consider being Tribune and overseeing the training of new recruits and the defences? That way you could still spend time with your farms and still manage the defences. It would make me feel safer.”
    “I suppose that it is a role I might enjoy.” As soon as he had been offered the post he knew he wanted it.  He would send for Cato and Agrippa and, once again be involved with the young warriors.
    “Excellent and as Tribune we could call on you to offer military advice should circumstances dictate.”
    “Circumstances?”
    “Let us say there was an uprising or an invasion you would have the power and authority to control the local forces.  I would make you a Legate but that would involve permission from Rome.”
    Marcus thought about it briefly as he sipped his wine.  He knew that, in the situation just mentioned, he would not be able to sit idly by.  He would want to be involved and this way he would, at least, be able to influence the direction. “Very well Governor.”
    Grinning from ear to ear Sallustius almost leapt to his feet to shake Marcus by the hand.
    A wary Decius spoke up.  “And me sir? What have you in mind for me or do I just retire?”
    “No Decurion Princeps.  You too have many qualities I need,” he waved a hand vaguely around the room.  “I need a camp prefect for this new fortress.  Does that interest you?”
    Decius thought about it for instant.  It was a perfect role for him.  He would still be close to the people whose company he enjoyed, soldiers and yet he would have a use. “Yes sir.  You have a deal.”
    “Excellent I have a nephew who will liaise with you, Livius Lucullus he is a bright boy but a little lazy.  I think that working with you might be the making of him and will take some of the load from your shoulders. Now all we need to do is to organise a new prefect and Decurion Princeps for Marcus’ Horse.”
    Marcus and Decius suddenly realised that their men might have a brand new commander and second in command. They both had the same thought, ‘not another Prefect Demetrius.’ “Yes sir.  Could we leave that for the morning when we have clear heads?”
    “Of course.  We haven’t even had the entertainment yet.”
     

Chapter 6
    Decius Lucullus was feeling like the prince he felt he should always have been as he rode along the newly made Roman road towards the gold mines at Luentinum. The Gallic cavalry riding in column behind him made him feel quite secure as did the frequent forts guarding this most important resource. The hills were deserted and devoid of people, still recovering from the slaughter of the Ordovices by Frontinus and Agricola.  By the time they had repopulated the area it would be totally Roman with villas, baths and forts. Decius had become a very rich young man since the return of his uncle. Times had been hard for the dispossessed aristocracy of Britannia during the early years of the Roman occupation; they had been particularly hard for Decius’ family. His aunt had emphasised, to him, the need for guile and secrecy. She lavished much attention on the handsome young aristocrat. For his part he had fallen in love with her the minute he had seen her and would have done anything for her.  The fact that his uncle had given him such an important task added to the excitement of what he hoped would be a close relationship with his aunt. Their ages were closer than that of Aula and Sallustius. 
    As he neared the mine he focussed his mind on the task in hand. He knew, quite clearly what he had to do, he had to siphon off as much gold as he could without making the Imperial officials suspicious. To that end he had sent ahead ten of his own bodyguards disguised as newly appointed clerks and miners and they would replace some of the older miners and clerks.  It would also provide him with personal protection for they were all tough mercenaries who had decided that there were easier pickings