From the Edge of Existence, A Casse A.A.R.

[Shylence]

The fires flickered inside the warrior hold, the wind howled and the rain poured down the cascade of heavy raindrops made a hypnotising sound. At this time of year such heavy showers were common, it was late spring and as the lengthening day began to draw to a close the narrator carried on with his story.

”So as our story continued He had made our tribe one of the most powerful in all the land, making peace with our neighbours. If needed he had defeated some in battle forcing some of our ancient enemies to the land across the cold North Sea. But just as the moon grows and dies with each month and just as the sun rises and falls each day, The peace was not to last to the south a reinvigorated confederacy of the central tribes had marched against us. Jealous of our pride and our power and determined to enlist us in their war with men who we have only ever spoke with about terms of trade and peace. He could not let strangers’ dictate who we could call enemy and friend. So he summoned all the greatest fighters from the Belgae and we marched against the Aedui”.

This was the legend the old man always told, he and other men of his clann and of his age told this story with a variety of different twists and turns for this story was not a story at all, but a recollection. A narrative of what had occurred around 30 years before the story of the Casse.

The battle began quickly we did not wish it to happen we had no part to play in the wars in the central lands. You see to our east lay stranger men. These men did not speak as we did and, they had strange gods who were twisted and cunning. They were Gods from the dark places who weaved dark magic and evil upon the land. There had been rumours of a force of strangers flirting on our borders. Remote villages had been attacked. So our hero knew that he had to win quickly winter was setting in and he needed his warriors to the east where we could defend our lands from raiders.



The door flung open but the children had not noticed or even flinched as the echoes of the rain grew louder and the whistling of the wind screemed through the inside of the great hall. Although many had heard the story before, this man spoke it the best. It was also the story in which all the young boys would listen to before they had the chance to train as a soldier. As the door was hastily closed by the figure who slid in he stood there to listen so he could find just where about the man was in the most recent and, most important event in the tribes history.

"The Aedui advanced on our position and they were no match for the brave and vicious warriors of the Belgae. Within two small hours their leader generals were ruined and the man sent to "unite" with the belgae was dead and our men victorious. However, the battle had been won, but the army had to move to the east as quickly as possible few heads were collected."


"Every winter for the previous 10 the strange foreigners had came forth from their cursed lands to pillage. After a few weeks march our hero reached the borderlands the snows had fallen it was like the very land was in mourning that such filthy men had stepped into our domain. A thick fog had set in, the chieftain sent out his son with a vanguard of warriors to scout ahead. But the fog lifted as a wind blew in from the east a cold wind of dread…. Ahead of them lay the main force of the raiders!"


”Gostareces will you ever grow tired of history?”
”Magorix maybe you could give the children a first hand account of what happened that day?
”Maybe another time we have more pressing matters right now and I need you to come with me.”

The druid got up at the command that was thrown at him. He knew from the tone of the voice it was something serious indeed.

[Chirurgeon]

Woot!! Another "barbarian" AAR! Great first installment. I look forward to this one!

[Shylence]

oh mannnnn i spelt Casse wrong.

[Chirurgeon]

Its ok...Barbarians can't spell

[johnhughthom]

I had just assumed a Casee was a female member of the Casse

[Shylence]

Chapter 1 The latest emergency


”So I’m needed elsewhere?”
”Yes”
”Man of few words Margorix…Look I’m sorry if I upset you”
”It doesn’t matter, we have to go to the glade most of the druids, nobles and their retainers have gathered, Barae has summoned a meeting”
”That many people at the holy site well I must say I’m impressed but in this weather well maybe I should be worried… Should I be worried?”
”Well the equinox is approaching and it would seem that an early group of holy apprentices who travelled to the great standing stones have been attacked. Of about 50 that left 10 came back it seems that upon arrival they were a great amount of hostile druids from the lands in the west”
”Really? Dumnones Cymreniu?”
”Yes exactly the peace that we negotiated had a ploy. They knew that they couldn’t afford to march in our land, so instead they fortified their borders. Stupidly Setanta and Barae forgot that since our borders extend up to the standing stones that the other side belongs to them.”
”Ah…. I see”
”yes and they said that if anymore druids from the Casse or any Belgae man is found caught defiling the holy site of the Britons then they will be sacrificed as a tribute to those Britons who died during the migration of Belgae”

The conversation had carried the men through the squall and in towards the glade. Torches were struggling to stay lit under the rain. Around tall and ancient oaks men’s voices were heard, sometimes loudly followed by the calmer and quieter voice of two men

”Well I say we march against them! We have fought these men before and what did we do? We expelled them from our lands! Your father has passed now and the leadership has passed to you!”

”Yes! Carradog would have fought them he would not be so hesitant, or are you like your brother??”

“We chose you for a reason”

Shouted another man as Margorix walked past him, Margorix sensed the comment was a jab at him and after it was spoken a few whispers were raised and disapproving snorts were heard With a cocky snarl and smile he raised his voice above them.

”Yes Barae as your eldest brother! Need I not remind you that many of the nobles here carry on their clanns names after their fathers were cruelly slain or enslaved. Many young men placed with heavy burdens on their heads”

A small uproar echoed around the glade

Sentata had acknowledged his brothers arrival and let out a small chuckle as the torrents of abuse were directed at him. Margorix smirked at him he had developed a thick skin. For most of his adult life judgement had been made. He had to put up with it and he knew he was to blame.

”Let us not dwell on the past brothers! We have to think about our future did we not bring you security in uncertain times. All over Gaul and here too in Britain we have suffered, our constant tribal bickering angered the gods and what happened? We may not have control in Belgica anymore but even the eastmen have stopped attacking our former lands”

Soon the dissent was silenced they could not deny that the family of Carradog had saved the whole future of their people before.

” listen I have some more news for you all. The Coritanes have developed an alliance with the other midland tribes. They too are unable to attack fearing that a Tribe to the north of them will attack will their men are away.”

”so? What are you talking about the Coritanes are not the fielding an army at the stones it is the Cymreniu!”

”yes yes your right also back by small bands of Dumnones and Coritanes They stand right on the very edge of our lands peering in with greedy grins on their faces! for they know they have to wait. It would seem the Coritanes have made a deal with what the Iverni calls the Calydrae. It is a most remote region where higher mountains lay higher then those to the west. IT would seem that an army of this remote people has been promised safe passage through Brigantes and Coritanes land. Where they can pillage our rich lands. Would you care to tell them men what you now Senaculos”
”aye I will”
some of the men chuckled at the Belgae accent he wore his hair in a different style and also his clothes where made up on interwoven patterns that were more common on the island of Hibernia”

”listen! Putting my accent aside I have to tell you they are not far from our lands at all. My people have fought them before these are the most ancient of the Britons they speak a very ancient tongue that is only spoken by the druids at the stones themselves.”

” Propaganda has been used against us men. We fled our lands where we thought it was safe to start again and one-day return. Well just as we stood against the Eastmen. As they invaded we too have invaded These Calydrae lands. The other Britons have informed them of our supposed sacrilege so we will have to prepare for battle once more”

“ Our army is small and week Barae it will some time before we can even attempt to leave our lands. Carradog has left us and we know what happens when someone young rushes in without consideration. You have saved us many times before but we will have to wait them out.”

Many of the nobles began to agree and started to leave the glade, Carradog was the great hero of Gostareces stories. With his passing the great saviour of the Casse had gone. His sons were left in a grave situation. Thirty years of war, migration and more war had taken their toll. Only one figure stood out in the glade now it stood their watching the three brothers they had not even noticed the person, it was a small person who was hunched and meekly dressed. As they lowered their hood a grey shimmering of hair flowed out.

“Sons my sons listen to me”
it was Vyncorra the wife of Carradog and the mother to the three men charged with the Casse’s latest emergency.

"When I was the age of my granddaughter we were a people with barley a name your father had brought us to prominence within the people of Belgica, he had defended our lands from all those who opposed him. His only fault was he could not control the gods. Maybe he had offended them I’m not sure the climate has ripped the very heart out of our world and now we must try to rebuild. You stood with him as we reunited our old enemies against a hostile new people. These people are only hostile because it is we who are the invaders now"

She moved towards the men and rang her hand across Margorix face.

“My eldest boy you have had to carry a heaven burden on your shoulders since before even Barae was born you cannot blame yourself for the weak willed treachery of our former allies maybe your father should have rested our men… Maybe he should have let the Eastmen raid that winter for that is now in the past”

”mother you should not be standing in the rain like this”

”bah!! I am old I have seen my boys grow into strong men my daughters have gone. The world in which we knew is gone my Son of Belgica”

She moved towards Barae
”You are a Son of Britain and you will be a king among these men”

Shuffling forward towards Sentata she let out a yelp and fell. Sentata had caught her in time but looking at both Barae and Margorix the glances past between confirmed only but one answer, Death was approaching. By the following morning Vyncorra had died

[Chirurgeon]

Intriguing...I like it. Your surrounded by powerful enemies it will take all your power to prevail. I look forward to more of your writing!

[Eyes330]

Good start! I like the differences between the brothers and the last words of their mother (why do both Caradog and Margorix marry wives 20 years older than themselves, making it impossible for Margorix to have children as his wife is dead very quickly) I'll be following this one!

[Shylence]

because No-one likes Margorix he is a loser. and there are rumours circulating that he may like Bovines over sapiens.

[Eyes330]

Yeh, it is true no one likes Margorix, not even the gods. When I conquered Ictis and put him in as governor, the plague got him the turn after. Must be down to those bovines. They carry all sorts of diseases.

[Shylence]

Chapter 2 Dividing lines
268BC
Four years after the death of Vyncorra not much had changed in Cassemorg, the kingdom of the Casse. The region in which the Casse had come to control and where most Belgae migrants had settled. The lesser chieftains of the tribes had refused to an immediate confrontation with either of the two armies in the north west of Casse controlled land. The majority of Carradog’s generation had died in the wars back in Belgica, and as they fled to southeastern Britain hostile Britons awaited them. Not long after, the Casse themselves were soon in Britain. Wounded from wars with the Aedui and the Germanic raiders. With this another struggle began for domination of the migrant Belgae’s new home. Barae, Sentata and Margorix had managed to keep the lesser chieftains onside with memorials and ceremonies to appease those from each tribe, but knew that the general population would soon grow angry if the Druids were continually barred from their holy practices at the great standing stones.

Barae understood that internal strife would be imminent he could wait no longer. His Belgae spymaster from Ivernis had been tasked with monitoring the situation to the northwest with great care. With a stroke of luck a small border dispute had occurred between the Cymreniu and the Coritanes. A lesser tribe on the Cymreniu side had gone raiding for slaves and had captured the family of a wealthy king. The Coritanes were forced to act by supplying the dishonoured chieftain a war band in which some sort of counter raid could take place. This of course angered the Cymreniu as it was said that the men who had taken part were off Calydrae origin. The Cymreniu accused the Coritanes of planning an attack on the mines of Cambriae and using the Calydrae as mercenary force to defeat them. Coritanes leadership fearing a larger scale raid halted to the advance of the Calydrae army into Cassemorg and their leader prastegeous was ordered to stay within the region of the great stones to keep any invasion from the west in check.

The Casse had taken advantage of this anticlimax and prepared themselves. The War ravaged land had time to heal, farmsteads began to prosper once more. A small trickle of migrants from Belgica proper had also helped bolster Casse rule, as they were the more loyal of Carradogs former kingdom. Barae now had the chance to move his men forward and after a quick meeting with the lesser kings it was agreed that he move the small Casse army up the great north road and then West along the hilly pass that ran from the Iceni territory to the great standing stones. The Ickneild way, as it was called, ran along the hilltops as it was faster to traverse then the wooded valleys below. While the Calydrae waited on the eastern side of the border, watching for any wrong footing in the Territory of the Coritanes. The Cymreniu force policed the western side as the inter tribal warfare of the Dobunnes and Cornovii continued. With his eyes firmly looking west Praesutagos did not notice the Casse edge closer towards Him.

Barae and Sentata were out in front of the troops
”What do you think Barae?”
”I believe we cant sneak up close enough without them realising our presence Senacolos says that his army is larger but lighter. And curiously all red headed. Not and single shade of black or brown.”
”Shorter swords and spears I presume”
”Indeed we will need to find an large enough opening between the trees where we can use our chariots to advantage, mobility is the key in this battle and speed. If we take out the mercenary army with little casualties then we can hope to attack the Cymreniu before the Coritanes can mobilise again”
”it is a treacherous and dishonourable thing to pay others to fight for you we shall have to punish those in the Coritanes leadership for hiding behind Calydrae”
”hahah yes in due course Sentata I wish not to end trade between our peoples it is key to our survival that we can control what leaves our shores back onto the mainland”
”Why don’t we just take control at the source. The Coritanes have always been the dominant obstacle in our path by forcing those in the west to snub us. King of the Britons Barae it is what you are destined to be.”
”You seem pretty keen on the idea yourself Sentata!”
“hahaha I may have to be one day as you are always certain to risk your life in battle”
”my tactics keep the enemy on their toes, and it confuses them. Its your job to make sure each man knows what to do when the horns sound”

just then Senaculos rode out from the trees just ahead of the army.

”Lord they know we are coming. They will arrive in an hour or so. I will go forward to watch when I next return they will be here”

Barae smiled “Grand so! Senaculos grand so!”

Senaculos frowned at him “tis not funny Barae”

Sentata mimicked him “Ahhh tis not funny Baraeeee-ay”
both brothers began to laugh as Senaculos sighed and rid off. He shouted back to them “ your both becoming stupid Britons!”

The laughter soon faded as Senaculos departed and Barae ordered the troops into an opening between the forests. There they waited while a unit of younger troops were stationed in a thicket far ahead and right of the main force the army waited for the arrival of the day’s foe, soon the battle horns could be heard.


The meadow in which the Casse had made their ground was around two acres. With trees encircling all around save a small gap jus to the south. The Casse army stood facing west towards the sounds of the horns and chanting. They were extremely close now Senaculos and his agents’ rode past; Barae cheered them on followed by his army. With the trees forming a ring around the men it echoed slightly. Helping to resonate the sound much louder. Senaculos roared and maniacally expression came across his face his tongue lashing out from side to side rapidly as he passed by.

The chants from the Forest grew quiet and through the shadows darkness began to emerge soon the forms of the Calydrae were seen. Wearing black tartan with black patterns splayed across their bare chests. The forms were archaic and so too were the voices of the chants.

”They truly are an ancient people,” gasped Sentata “sound the horn!”

With the call everyone began to retreat from the centre of the meadow towards the eastern fringe. The Calydrae soon charged forward Barae looked towards the trees the Calydrae sped past; a small glimmer flickered back to him, he smiled the trap was set. As the lines reformed the charging army was upon him.

”Too light Barae" shouted Sentata, "they run much faster with smaller swords!!!!!”

The young soldiers struggled to form up in time and the chaos of battle soon began. The Calydrae were more accustomed to skirmishing inflicting more casualties form range but the Belgae warriors, once closed in began to cut down vast swathes of Calydrae Barae watched ready to signal his ambushers then he noticed that there were more enemies waiting in the woods. He knew what he had to do rushing forward roaring the early attackers soon broke and he helped his soldiers to cut down as many as he could. The Calydrae had been pillaging his lands and farmers were eager for him to annihilate those who had destroyed their farms. He knew he was getting closer to the Calydrae as the land looked more ravaged.

As he approached the western end of the meadow the enemy raged forward pulling his troops swiftly back. One charioteer grew over excited and he looked back and frowned and saw the chariot overwhelmed and the men aboard cut down. Blowing his horn the young spearmen lying in ambush jumped up and a rain of javelins poured down on the Calydrae flank. They rushed towards the main force and have also spotted Praesutagos. With the Calydrae command engaged with fighting the battle lines became chaotic. Bands of Calydrae had continued to chase Barae while the survivors of the first wave were cut down by the Casse troops in the centre of the plain. Sentata had ordered the soldiers to resist chasing down the fleeing foe and to stop and rest.

A captain of the swordmans ran forward to him
”Sentata!! Barae has been chased into the trees and the is now stuck the warband chasing him is nearly upon him we must act, I propose I lead my men into the trees to relive them”
Sentata looked back and paused ”Riggghhhttt no. You need to rest now Captain Manwdyin send your men to relive our young spearmen I believe they have got Praesutagos cornered. Now is our chance!”

”bu but… look he needs our help I have to help. Men!!! To the trees our leader is in trouble”

Sentata was about to halt their advance but seeing the worry stricken across his men faces and even his own bodyguard look fraught at the possibility of Barae’s death he had to concede his own personal defeat and concentrate on the bigger picture
”very well quick now”

Sentata rushed to the western end of the meadow and as the main Calydrae force began to pour down on the spearmen. Superior Casse training and morale was tipping the balance Praesutagos soon found himself surrounded. Manwdyin entered combat with him and soon enough overpowered him. Forced to the ground Praesutagos realised that he was beaten. Disarmed by the Casse troops He stood up and faced Manwdyin and began to chant, Manwdyin smiled and swung around his sword building up enough momentum he severed the head of Praesutagos he held it up high and the screamed! The rout began.

Over in the east the young captain who had disobeyed Sentata had relived Barae. Surrounded the small warband began to flee spurred on by the horns of victory now being blown by the Casse troops. The Calydrae had been beaten and the victors soon began to collect the days trophies Barae rode forward to meet with his men

”We have defeated a feared and ancient foe today soon news will spread around the tribes that the Casse are still a force to be reckoned with and no amount of Bullying will force us from this land. Today we have made our claim true. Now no man will ever deny that we are a feature of Briton. Our Holy men will soon be able to return to the stones and we will finally be accepted to the council of the Britons. Not as enemies but as a people of this fine country!!!!

Amongst the celebration an envoy from the Coritanes arrived.
Allowed through he joined council with Barae, Sentata saw his arrival and quickly rushed to join with the delegation.

”So great king of the Belgae invader I watched your battle a fine performance a rousing speech also but I must confess I doubt you will find a place on the council of Britain just yet. Holy men still read the signs from the gods that you are not wanted here”

“Yet our gods are the same as yours and they have smiled on us today, do you not find it strange that even though we are “different” we can understand each other to great degree”

”maybe so, you will have angered my king and will pay for this. Also the Cymreniu still guard the stones from your druid’s foul belgic stench”

Sentata burst forward and grabbed the man

“you watch your tongue little servant or I shall cut it out and whip you with it”

the Casse bodyguard followed swords drawn and pointed at the man he only seemed to laugh “ah yes the would be king of the Casse, Margorix I presume? the shamed member of the kings clan”
“No Sentata defeater of the Coritanes on a numerous occasions and the man who united the Belgae against the hostile Britons”

”and there was I thinking that the man who you call king did all that”
”we did it together, my patience is thinning”
”Sentata release him he has nothing else to say that is worth my ears Be gone servant man tell your king that I wish to speak to him he if he does not respond then maybe I should arrive with my men at Ratae and force him to”

the envoy bowed and smirked and Sentata, Sentata’s eyes followed him out”
”Oh and one more thing!” Barae said in a calm but raised tone

” With the Calydrae gone. I’m sure your King will be worried now that Cornovii will have no back up in their conflicts with the Dobunnes. What if the Cymreniu sense your weakness and make a plan with the Brigantes tell him I will gladly help if he has no other way. I wouldnt want the Britons to be divided in their alliance agaisnt me now would I?”

The envoy had stopped and looked at him with a bemused look “whattt? That would never happened”

Barae laughed and soon everyone followed. He knew what he said could quite possibly come true.

[Wolfman]

This is fantastic! Its good to finally see you writing again Shylence!

[Chirurgeon]

Man I had not seen the skins for the Casse until now. That woad looks awesome and the patterns on the back of that one soldier is wonderful! Your AAR is looking good. Keep up the good work!

[monkian]

Great story so far but with one problem -

ITS NOT JUST ANOTHER AAR - ITS FREAKIN' CASSE!

And theres not many Casse AARs, especially as promissing as this on e- change the title to befit the story

[Shylence]

Ahhh spoken like a true cymraeg, A true briton indeed well i suppose i could change it. ill have a tinker about

oh yeahh on the 8th of march........that lovely field of daffodills will be swamped and killed off by some lovely looking shamrock....

[monkian]

Ahhh spoken like a true cymraeg, A true briton indeed well i suppose i could change it. ill have a tinker about

oh yeahh on the 8th of march........that lovely field of daffodills will be swamped and killed off by some lovely looking shamrock....

Bring it on Paddy lad, Cymru am byth !

Hope you thump the Saesneg though

[Reverend Joe]

Wow, man, fantastic!

One thing, though -- you use a lot of run-on sentences. Gotta watch that a little more.

[Shylence]

Give me an example of what you mean. My grammar n punctuation have never been so great. If i know where im going wrong then i can stop.

[Reality=Chaos]

I like it, I like it, I like it a lot. Not only are you oleplaying really well, you make the Casse culture come to live. Also the fact that you use the different 'rebel' tribes to create a complex political landscape is awesome. Not just any other AAR, one that shows huge (really huge) potential. I would help you with the grammar and spelling (since there are a few mistakes there) but I'm not a native speaker, and my grammar is awful. Apart from those mistakes its awesome. a possible rename for this thread: Rule Britannica: Of brits and Belgians.

[Shylence]

Chapter 3 Tribal politics
264BC
Spirits were high in Cassemorg a great victory had been won and secured the Casse immediate survival. A great celebration was planned the last years even though politically traumatic had been perfect for agriculture. Feasts in the larger settlements were planned and Barae and Sentata Toured around explaining the great defeat of the Calydrae. Soldiers had rushed to join the ranks as it was quite well known, through the gossipmongers anyway, that Barae would soon defeat the Cymreniu also. Even if he were not going to, once it dawned on him that absolute power would only come through promises. He soon declared that indeed the Cymreniu force that still resisted all Casse druids would have to be removed. Among the new soldiers a surprising amount of native Britons were present as well as former Belgae enemies as the men were organised a new unit of Veterans were produced. Proud and optimistic the men choose to do battle naked and woad free minus their torcs that proved their bravery in battle. A powerful symbol on the battlefield one in which Sentata and Barae very much approved off. After the celebration had ended Barae and Sentata moved west. Margorix who had never entered an aggressive battle in 20 years stayed behind to administer the kingdom. Something that he had grown to be skilled at, if some nobles and soldiers taunted him for his past deeds on the battlefield, they never would question his authority on his patronage for fair taxation and law. Barae had left his sons with Margorix to be educated in all the things that had made the Casse kingdom it’s strongest and that was great economics. When the time was right the boys would soon join their father and uncle on the battlefield to learn the ways of war.

Margorix and Mowg, Barae’s eldest were walking along a track from a Iceni settlement back to Camulosadae.

”So what was it like then uncle?”
”What do you mean?”
”The battle? The battle you fought in with grandfather”
”ohhh I hope you haven’t paid any attention to the rumours!” He scoffed at the thought
“I suppose I better tell you then. Well I was young man about your age around about 30 years ago. Your father hadn’t even been born yet and Sentata was about 5 years old. After we had shamed the Aedui we had no time to rest, your grandfather knew that if he showed any weakness then the fragile alliance of the tribes would soon collapse”
“I remember as we began to march east the weather had turned. You see as a child I grew listening to the elders’ talk of how cold it had seemed to be how the whole world had fallen under the grip of death. The winters were harsh and long and in the summer it was almost always grey and wet many of the crops could not cope. This winter was no different the men from the east would come to scavenge at the small food stores.
” The day we met them, there was a thick fog we couldn’t really see them but we could hear them. The fog had lifted and ahead of my small vanguard and me stood a thousand and more dark warriors. I guess I panicked I ran back to my father and he was furious as he saw me come back he sent the whole army the other way to my troops”
”Get back and fight! Do not leave your men!!!”
”So you had ran?”


”Yes I didn’t know what to do. Then more men appeared even the great veterans were committed to battle I was so tried by that point running back and forth and then into the biggest battle of my life. Our army broke quickly only the veterans stayed and fought, they fought the strangers to breaking point and then once the strangers had enough they left. I had been sent to retrieve those who were running away. They wouldn’t listen to a boy and that’s where it started my indecision had caused them to flee or so they said. When it is one man, no, boy arguing against 1000 it is very hard to come out on top. So I was the scapegoat you see. Of course the men who stayed did not judge me so hard and your grandfather didn’t judge me either to save our people and all that he had achieved I was to be sacrificed”
”really?!?!”
”Yes but my father couldn’t bare to do it instead I was banished from fighting with the army of course it didn’t matter. Our strength was broken The Aedui soon appeared and forced a deal on us. Leave our homeland and face former enemies in the land across the sea or perish. So to survive we moved. Many of those men who had fled during the battle quickly joined with the Aedui and with their backing had waged personal vendettas of eviction to those tribes who stayed loyal to your grandfather They look at me as the nemesis of their people. But you see Mowg they still look at me with hatred due to their own self-loathing. Their men fled that day and as you know it is a terrible shame to leave your brothers in battle. I did not flee I was ordered to collect those men who would not listen to a child. I believe many were surprised your grandfather survived that day. It is an important Lesson that you must learn Mowg and that is tribal politics. To be a ruler you must know your friends just as much as your enemies for you never quite know who is who”

Weeks later Mowg now marched ahead in full battlefield attire. He listened to his Uncle and father. Much of the journeys conversation was about tactics and the Cymreniu army. They were now deep inside Cymreniu territory far west of the Great standing stones. Crossing the great river they helped to mark Cambriae proper. Sentata convinced Barae to march deep and draw the army, led by a Siluri named Casticos, into fighting them, but Casticos had not moved. Sentata then took to raiding which Barae then overruled comparing their tactics to that of the raiders from the lands far in the east. Mowg had spoken up siding with his father saying to act like a foreigner would only prolong the great British snubbing that had been enforce the minute the Casse had set foot on Britain’s soil. Sentata had been quiet since the army had turned around. Senaculos the great Iverni spymaster had reported daily to Barae saying that somewhere in the woods the Cymreniu main force laid the only thing Sentata had asked about was a captain. In the Army
” Manwdyin?”
”No not him he had killed the Calydrae leader during the battle. The other one”
”oh erm…the one who came to my aid towards the end of the battle? I could have sworn it was Manwdyin”
”It wasn’t”
”well erm oh wait!!! Nodaicos yes he is now in charge of our naked warriors. A fitting place for a great man he saved my life”
”Yes he did Barae very admirable I have not seen him since that day.”
”Well I sent him home as a reward he joined us as we had left our territories a few days ago. He was eager for battle I’m sure he will serve our people well.......I was thinking that maybe i will allow him to marry Andoran”
"really?" Sentata choked on the idea
"What?"
"well isint he a bit old for her"
"ten years but that doesnt matter andoran is becoming a woman and she has taken a noted interest in him also. this would not be a marriage of political convenience possibly of love"

Sentata smiled at Barae and then glanced over to Mowg who was scanning the trees for danger the excitement on his face was obvious

”Don’t worry Mowg wolves or bears wont want to eat a scrawny boy like you! Haha”

Before Sentata had finished his sentence a distant horn was heard. The whole army was halted and in almost perfect silence Barae signalled to his commanders to ready to the men. He rode out ahead of the army towards the horn calls.

He could hear the sound of men marching and chattering away it was Casticos and his Cymreniu army. Barae had inadvertently marched his men into the path of the Cymreniu. The Cymreniu were obviously marching back west to find Barae.
He rushed back to the army his eyes wide.

“what?”
”shhhsss!!! Its them its them!!! They are headed right this way!”
”They know we are here? Oh F.. Quick Mowg run to the.
”NO! shhss look they are headed this way but they have no clue we are hear! The will be probably be at this point in the road in about 10mins! Quick get the men on either side of the path! Mowg my boy follow me and your uncle we will wait further down the path”

Soon the army straddled the path both left and right hiding in the dense forest Barae took his son and brother back west along the small path. As the army settled in their positions Casticos men rounded a corner and walked in a straight line into the trap. Casticos led the men from the front. The army had looked as if it was made up of Southern men of Cambriae they had a darker skin to the other Britons and it was said they had come far from the south of Gaul. Once Sentata had seen Casticos he surged forward his men blowing their battle horns! And at once the Casse army descended down on the front of the Cymreniu column. Through the thick forest it as hard to see what was going on.

The naked spearmen of the Casse had quickly got the Generals bodyguard surrounded and amid the chaos Casticos was slain. Before the rear of the Cymreniu army had a chance to engage in battle the front had collapsed and a rout had started. In pockets of clearings small battles took place. As some Cymreniu reformed but although inflicting casualties the disorder and lack of command let down the brave troops. Most of the Casse army was flooding east and bearing down upon the fleeing troops Sentata Roared at his men to slay them all

Sentata then veered of course he left the main force and rid back down the path to where the small battles were taking place. He stopped just ahead of a skirmish, he Casse naked veterans were mopping up the last of the Cymreniu resistance.

Sentata scanned the scene. He spotted what he was searching for and selected a javelin. He flung it far into the sky knowing exactly how and where it would fall. The javelin soon began its descent into the fray the sharp point plunged deep into its target making contact in right side of the mans upper body it hit at the back and drove right out of the mans front. The men surrounding the victim were shocked it had come from nowhere they rushed to their commander’s side as he collapsed into the dirt. Turning him over they called to him

” Nodaicos you are going to the afterlife you have served your people well on this day your family will be protected”

Nodaicos smiled through his coughing, blood was frothing out of his mouth in seconds he was dead he joined 110 other Casse warriors that day a small price for the complete annihilation of the Cymreniu standing force.

[Shylence]

Ok for those who read this Im away for 5 days so it will be a while before i next can get anything down. I have some many work obligations right now. thats my College work. And my work work. Someone died where i work and his fiance is takeng time off because of it so too has his two sisters. some is very ill at work and two peeps are on maternity leave that means we are 7 people down.

So right now im on over time. Give me some feedback. I feel as if i make my things to long, im not gonna change it. Its they way i like to write even as a kid i go a bit overbored with things. anyway im still at it just have'ne time at the moment.

Patience is a virtue.

Also i think i put my difficult on m/m thats gonna be shit i dont wanna be wining all the time. i need some loss for my role playing. anyway Toodle pip old beans! i will be back soon

x

[Shylence]

Ok so some of mourners of my dead work colleague have come back. And my coursework is Done. Chapter 4 has started but i have an exam in a week so some hardcore revison has to be done. but soon the the saga will continue!

[Lovejoy]

yay! take your time mate! :)

[McScottish]

Excellent. Just excellent. Can't wait for Chapter 4 laddie, gae on ye.

[Shylence]

Ok OK Chapter 4 was done ages ago but i was not happy with the way my story was going. Dont worry! nothing has changed, perhaps many of those who red this condemmed it into the doldrums of many unfinished AARs were the writers get bored. I didnt get bored just distracted. Games come and go but EB always holds sway in my heart. Chapter 4 tonight!!!!!

[Chirurgeon]

yay!

[Shylence]

Chapter 4 The stones

All was peaceful in Camulosadae, everyone went about their daily business, buying, selling, playing, drinking, skiving off work and cheating at games or cheating on their spouses. Barae watched from the centre of town as the people smiled at him and praised him. Casse, Belgae, Iceni, Trinovantes, Atrebates, Regni, Cantiaci and a few members of the smaller tribes and clans moved about flittering the relaxing atmosphere away. He had not been in the capital, his hometown, for such a long period and also for this long too. Always on the move fighting a tribal skirmish here and there then the grand British alliance drawing him out for several years. The political power of the Coritanes and Cymreniu alliance had been broke. And a great shadow for the belgic peoples who now inhabited the south east of Britain had been lifted.

One problem still persisted and that was the power of the druids. Even the Belgae druids had been exempt from Barae’s control. But Margorix who, due to his unfortunate curse, was trained by the druids as it was expected he would become one. It never materialised, as he was always needed to manage things in town while the nobles went out to defend themselves. British druids still preached the importance of a boycott against the Belgae and all things Belgae. The British chieftains always made sure that they and the druids were in close partnership, it served both their survival. The British druids were above most of society and with the help chieftains were able to control the population and manoeuvre it in a way to suit their purposes. The newcomers had upset the balance. Belgae ways were freer, less conservative and more secular.

While Barae relaxed with Margorix in the capital. Sentata had been increasingly wayward he had continued to spread the news of the great ambush and had taken the liberty of enjoying the life usually reserved for the Bren of the Casse on tour. Barae had not minded too much knowing that Sentata had been the son of Carradog who had been by his father’s side in the early days of the Casse migration, he was a famous fighter too. Sentata had personally visited the Cornovii and also the Dobunnes and had managed to settle a peace. He then marched on to the standing stones with a small force to negotiate with the warrior druids who still guarded the holy site. The Druids of the land were a political force that was separate from all of the tribes. It was said that the Cymreniu boasted the most amount of senior druids. The Cymreniu controlled the western portion of Britain. There were large mountains in the region and the rugged landscape produced many ores. The Cymreniu were subsequently the richest tribe of the Island and also one with the most political power. Sentata had approached the Druid leaders and after much negotiation a small ceremony would take place, which would see the Belgae druids return to the Stones and began to practice once again.

Barae took his sons Mowg and Massorias out on hunts and when back in the settlement Margorix taught them about the world and gods and each persons place within nature. Barae had held a high respect for his oldest brother and had ignored the jibes that were frequently made. Margorix was as wise as any druid and it was no surprise that he held a regular council with the druids and had kept them from trying to achieve the autonomy many of the British druids held. His eventual control of the school also ensured that the newer generation of druids were more humble in their station so to keep a common link with the people.

Sentata had returned and immediately called his brothers for a meeting along with many of the younger nobles and druids. As the men came to the meeting glade Sentata was stood with some druids, from the style of the hair and moustaches they were obviously Coritanes and senior in their position. “We are the future! Welcome men. I have good news, we can allow our men back too the great stones this is why we are gathered, a great ceremony is to take place. I propose that to lead it Margorix the great bridge between the Bren and Druid should go. Brother this will be the great redemption in which your honour is restored”
”I thought I sacrificed my honour to the honour of our great capital hahahahaha”
Barae as well as the others followed with him. These younger men cared little for the great defeat that was attributed to Margorix. Sentata failed to find it as funny; he was a member of the old guard, constantly reminded as a young child that his brother brought great shame.
“Margorix this is a unique opportunity to find your name in the annals of our bards. For your name to live on for your entry into the world of the gods it draws near”
”trying to get rid of the old man now are you laughed a young druid”
once again the glade filled with laughter
”Ok, listen, what Setanta says is excellent news, Barae I’m sure you would agree this is probably the turning point of our people, especially on this land. I have memories of the old lands across the sea and I can tell you it was not as beautiful as these great holy islands. But the new holy leader of our people has just been inaugurated I believe that he should be the man to lead to ceremony. My place has always been in our capital it is where my honour is restored. Hanrynlyll will lead. That is of course if people have objections?”

The men in the glade had none, most were nodding and the whispering indicated that he was the best man to lead. Sentata looked dismayed Barae noticed this and captured Sentata’s attention he moved forward to him as the men began to disperse. Sentata was horrified, it was almost as if Margorix was Bren how dare he just assume command of the meeting like that, relishing his position as the younger men walked away.

”Brother I understood what you were trying to do I guess Margorix has just got used to staying in the city. He has done well here don’t you think? If we make up the hand and fist of the Casse he is defiantly the spine, when do they leave?”
”Well in the morning the new moon will arrive in 7 days, tomorrow would be best to leave”
”ha! don’t look so let down brother you have been busy Sentata let us have a drink we can tell my sons about the great battles we have fought we need to get them into the fighting spirit I have a feeling that it wont be long before the Cymreniu send another army”

Sentata just glared as he headed back to the centre of town with Barae he slowed behind Barae and Barae understood that he wanted to be alone and walked on ahead. As he did so Sentata grabbed at a stick in the tree and in a rage snapped it and threw it off over some houses. At the same time a Man had caught his son trying to sneak out of the house. As he was smacking him at the entrance of the building an object out of nowhere hit him right across the face. Stunned he fell down as his son cackled. “Ill teach you boy!” he yelled quickly grabbing him and smacking him harder.

Hanrynlyll got up off his knees and Margorix finished his blessings a lot of the people from the town and around the countryside had come to see the ceremony. The Belgae were happy once again. “A new step forward” he said, being recognised at the holy places of Britain was important to them. Most of Belgica had become subservient to the Aedui and rumours on the trade routes on the eastern shore of Britain told of a new power that had emerged. Known as the Sweboz they had begun to dominate over the eastmen. But they were even further east then the edges of Belgica. Most Casse and the smaller tribes looked north and west to the new land and with recognition from the holy druids of the island things defiantly could not get any better.

A small force of volunteers and apprentice druids followed the senior holymen who in turn were led by Hanrynlyll. After two days marching, crowds still gathered along the hill pass of the Ridgeway. After another two days the population became a bit more sparse some came to celebrate still but merchants from the western tribes were wary of the Belgae some laughed and others stopped with a ghost like stare at the men as they passed. After another day Hanrynlyll knew that he was on the fringes of Casse regions Men now began to focus solely on him as he led the band. Many winced at him realising that it was not the great Sentata or Barae. As the evening set in he stopped at a small holy glade 5 druids sat in the middle chanting. He greeted them in the ancient tongue of the Britons they in turn stood up to greet him, as one stepped forward he suddenly stepped back and turned to the rest. They were wary too Hanrynlyll expected such a look. These laymen perhaps did not realise that the greater druids had accepted the Belgae to practice at the stones.

”Hello.. er.. young priest” The man who greeted him seemed confused at Hanrynlyll appearance.
”Did I surprise you? You must not know of what has happened”
”That you continue onto the great stones. Oh no we know of course we know! Its just we did not expect you so soon” the priest gave Hanrynlyll a false smile
”What do you mean?! The new moon is tomorrow! of course we would expect to be here if we were to arrive on time”
”Hahaha of course of course sorry was soothsaying you see the mushrooms can sometimes leave you dopey hahahahah”

Hanrynlyll laughed along with the 5 druids. One was just starring at him scanning his body he then looked in his face. It was unnerving to Hanrynlyll the man seemed to be running a million thoughts through his mind he titled his head as if he was like a dog. He smirked then chuckled as he began to pace up and down behind the lead druid. Hanrynlyll sensed that the men were still upset about the changing politics of Britain but he expected it

”Yes I know what you mean. The spirits sometimes drain you I will converse with our holy ancestors at the stones tomorrow it is an new dawn of our co-operation”

As he said this two of the druids who had stood at the back began to walk off behind him as they passed the pacing druid and the lead, the torches flickered off their faces. The pacer had a thick scar running diagonally across his face.

”Don’t worry Belgae they just want to check who your entourage is. Its almost as if you have brought all of your… holy men with you?”
” no not all but most”
The pacer suddenly stopped “not all? Surely such a moment like this would require all your kind have to offer, you are after all asking our gods for acceptance in this land”
”No some stay behind of course they have organised feasts with Margorix the brother of our Bren”
”Margorix is not with you then?”
”No he bestowed the honour of leading our men to me”
The other druids who had gone to the Casse party returned neither of them looking at Hanrynlyll but at the pacer he smiled at them as the passed by they exchanged looks and then the pacer began to walk off with them

”Oh well then congratulations” interrupted the lead druid. ”Further on from here is a clearing where your party can rest. We have all but finished now we head back north from here our villages is a few hours away. Forgive our cold reception you know how it is. These border regions are always dangerous we must be careful especially since your are or well WERE the enemy hahahhah may the gods smile on you”
”Thank you, safe journey home”


As the men left the glade Hanryllyl laughed and muttered to himself. “Bigots, Men! Forward from here there is a clearing we will set up camp then tomorrow we will be at our destination” Once everyone had settled down to rest Hanryllyl began to get nervous. The big day he thought he would be the high priest of the Casse who had finally received Blessing from the gods of the Britons then the Belgae and the Britons would be equal. A strange feeling came over him Like most of his generation he had lived a life on he move as the battles to gain a place of land for the Casse raged. His children would grow up in a safer environment. It made him smile as he began to drift off. He awoke to the sound of the dawn chorus and knew it was time to move on he wanted to get to the great stones early. Perhaps walk around to converse with his ancestors and await the rising of the moon. The rest of the holy band and young retainers were ready also the holy warriors marched along they were told by Sentata to accompany the holy men as a precaution. Sentata wanted all of them to go as he feared for the worst, But Barae made the more experienced contingent stay behind to help with the preparations of the great feasting expected while the new moon rose. Of course this meant more experienced and senior druids from the outlying villages of the Belgae tribes who fought under the Casse Stayed home also. As they continued on Hanrynlyll chuckled at his recollection of the Argument Sentata had with Barae.

”Look Margorix does not want to go you cant make him go he wants to say here you might as well let the stubborn old man stay”
”Exactly he is old! He is also one of our most holy soothsayers as the years go on. He is a member of the fast shrinking pool of people who can remember our former home”
”I know I know but he knows as well as I that he is needed here. How the hell do you think I can organise feasting in all the settlements within a week. Margorix can do it and that’s why the Elite band stay and anyway your too late they were dispatched before dawn this morning. That’s why fewer druids have turned up. They are to stay and help with the preparations”
”Barae…. It’s a new dawn! A New Era We will become Britons! The leaders of the Britons, Hanrynlyll as much as you deserve this honour don’t you think Margorix deserves it more?”
”Of course my lord but I can only do as he says”.
“Sentata its final my brother I don’t understand why you are getting so worked up about it. Lets be honest you never really saw eye to eye with Margorix anyway. Are you like the others in your scorn for his ancient mistakes? Like you say a new Era, that was then and this is now. Without him to stay behind at Camulosadae we would have probably been annihilated from the bottom up. He kept the other Belgae tribes on side” his place is here he understands that he should go. But I trust his decision. Maybe we are becoming Britons brother…I have no memory of Belgica do you? I think ill be more upset when he departs for the next life then when father did.”

He pondered the argument, in the last few months Sentata had been getting increasingly active in pushing the Casse cause. Spending years with Margorix. Hanrynlyll knew that all he wanted was peace. The clashes between the too older brothers where forcing Barae to carefully think over his next moves. Not at all a fault when your forces had the upper hand. After a few more hours the stones were merely minutes away. During the day Hanrynlyll thoughts kept drifting back to the druids from the previous night. The looks the druids gave him and the pacing druid’s scar. “Not all?” he remembered. It was like he was expecting they should all be there. “No some have stayed behind to help Margorix, the other brother” Idiot, he thought, they wouldn’t know of Margorix. Yet they did…”So Margorix is not here” How would they know of him? Unless they wanted him to be there It didn’t matter the horns blew the stones were in sight! Gasps and whispers rang out behind Hanrynlyll it was the first time many of the men had been here and the significance of this day would last for centuries. The sun had set according to calendar the moon would rise in the next hour the sky was clear and everyone was optimistic.

Some birds crying out and dispersing from a near thicket of trees broke the silence of the night. No one had noticed how the small amount of bird cries escalated and a whole flock of crows nesting flew away. Hanrynlyll noticed this though and sent out the men who had escorted him from the villages along the route they were on small ponies and were not heavily armed at all many were adolescents who wanted an adventure. Hanrynlyll watched as they disappeared out of his view with only the flicker of the torches to be seen. Then they stopped and men began to scream and yell. The rumble of the hooves grew and as they came back into sight they were in full speed. As they continued on past “AMBUSH!!!” they cried and a War cry roared out behind them.

At that moment Hanrynlyll realised what happened. It suddenly all clicked into place the men at the glade were assessing the strength of the Casse entourage. Asking if all were present, asking for Margorix It was a set up! Those he had negotiated with had fooled Sentata. Hanrynlyll heart sank, he put his head in his hands amid the men the same phrases were muttered alarmingly “Where are they” “who are they” the small entourage of cavalry had fled. Hanrynlyll knew what was going to happen. “OK men!!! we have been deceived by these wicked liars!!!!! We Trade with them We teach them how to smelt their iron better and When we beat them in war!!!! We let them return back to their homes! AND This is how they repay us!!!!! WE will stand hear in this place and we will fight to the very last man! These savage Britons may win tonight! But believe you me!! Tonight will be their first Lesson in the true Savagery of the Belgae!!!!

The war cry rang out it seemed to raise the spirits of the frightened men. In the north the darkness seemed to wobble about backing forth. It was silent now excepted for the sound the wind it hissed louder and louder. With a slow rumbling accompanying it. Forms appeared…hundreds of them Thought Hanrynlyll he watched his lines of young soldiers form up. The forms of the enemy began to take a proper shape. “How many Sir?” Too many he thought “Enough for yours and my sword to both share haha”

the elite layman warriors of the Belgae Druids formed behind the main line. Hanrynlyll was not prepared for such a battle when he was younger he thought in the battle with the Calydrae but he was just a soldier then fighting under his young Bren. The men who now began to move startling close to his battle line were not Calydrae many of them were armed with swords of immense wealth and beauty. The lines clashed and the Belgae fought bravely but to no avai,l for more and more men appeared out of the gloom.


His elite guard was soon swallowed up in the fray, he to soon entered the battle after what seemed hours Hanrynlyll had lost count of the amount of men that he had slain. It was just he and the more senior Druids left. Some of his men had fled But to do that in the presence of ancestors and gods was to bring him a great and terrible shame.

He was exhausted things began to blur and his vision slowed down. His sword arm burned.The sounds of battle had quietened somewhat. He looked up he couldn’t see his comrades anymore. Some of his enemies now laughed and through the men with the voyeuristic smiles on their faces he saw the pacer. The same smirk on his face the pacer came forward and whacked Hanrynlyll around the face with the flat side of his own sword. As he fell down to his knees two sharp pains attacked at his ankles he went to yell but the pacer held his throat he looked into Hanrynlyll eyes.“The last one to die priest…how noble of you…I was owed Margorix! And I got you instead…but much credit is due to you. More of my men have been lost than I anticipated. Ill make sure your head flies highest on the pole of my homestead” Hanrynlyll’s final memory was this sentence He realised that at some point his feet had been chopped off a sharp pain came across his back and then pain of his feet had stopped. His eyesight faded and all he could hear was the pacer’s now quiet voice
”Sentata Le…”

[Shylence]

Furious Revenge

The merchant group travelled hastily and nervously through the trees. Back in Ictis trade was good, foreigners from the far south paid handsomely for the ores and dyes they had carried with them. A true merchant port, the Dumnones of Ictis were more devoted to gold and silver then too power or territory. The southwestern tip of Britain was easily defendable due to its geography and the inhabitants were united in their own particular traditions. The tranquillity of Ictis had been replaced in the two weeks of travel by fear, suspicion and terror. The merchant group did not travel directly on the trackway but in the undergrowth deep enough to avoid detection but close enough as to not get lost in the now hostile environment.
“Where now?”
“It can’t be too far now, I doubt any raiding Cornovii or Dubunnes war band lurk here. But we should stay out of view just in case. This massacre will be good for no one ”
“Remember when we passed close by the Belgae village that had been razed”
“Yes and so far any of our villages have also been razed too, this cant be good. The Dumnones men we saw travelling back to Ictis said rumours had spread that it was Cymreniu backed by northern mercenaries. Think about it, we lose the war against the Belgae and allow safe passage to the stones. The minor fracas between the Dubunnes and Cornovii is settled and a couple of months later it all blows up again. What would we have to gain from ambushing the Belgae Druids? Could you imagine the fury they would unleash upon us”?
“Well it doesn’t look good so far. No one wants to talk any Belgae band we see either flees or chases us. Even fellow Britons have taken to patrolling the pathways. You cut the head of the religious branch of the tribe and the rest of the tribe will panic. Maybe Maudamoros reckoned that the Belgae would collapse into civil strife”
“You two shush!” The two leading men were silenced by one of their companions behind “look…can you see that” by a ruined farmstead a group of chariot were stationed and out of the trees some men began to approach the riders. “Looks like some Belgae nobles and some Cymreniu”

One of the chariot riders a wealthy adorned man stepped out and greeted the incoming party. They couldn’t exactly hear what was being said but the party on foot seemed angry. The noble calmed them down and after a 10minute discussion the Belgae chariots rode north east the men on foot went in the opposite direction.
“Stay down we will wait for them to be a safe distance away”
“Why would the Belgae and Cymreniu be talking out here? Is it an alliance against us?”
“Never! Such a thing would never happen it was they who wanted us to join them in expelling the Belgae back to where they came from plus their druids would never allow it. Its no secret that the druid council of the island wants them removed and we all know who holds power on the council”
“Aye but look! They meet, both heavily armed, an indicator for war, in our land! Along the main trade route which is now empty and dangerous rather then the bustling highway we passed through 3 months ago”

"Would you two just shut up! Im sick of this we must be about 2 hours away from the safety of Ratae we get there, we get home, we can rest, we can spend the money we have earned and we don’t have to worry about bandits or these dammed foreigners who have caused all this mess! Lets go!”

Carefully navigating along the wood the men avoided detection from the Cymreniu who had passed close by to their position. They too were trying to be discreet about their movements and quickly dispersed into the forest the 6 merchants travelled along for another hour until it was decided that it was safe to return onto the pathway. 45mintues later they came into view of a war band. Already spotted the merchants failed to sneak away.
“Were doomed!”
“Keep walking there’s nothing we can do its not like we are soldiers they probably wont attack us”
“Of course not! Not with all these coins noooo were of no value to them at all are we?”
“And if we run they will know that we are defiantly worth the chase fool, this is our only option now”
The war band was unresponsive to the approaching merchants. As they drew closer the chatter among the young soldiers began to stop and they now all watched as the merchants walked on. Heads bowed they were terrified into a silence, as they passed the warriors commented on them. “Petty merchants look no horses”
“They have probably already been mugged 7 or 8 times hahaha!!!”
The accents were distinct as the merchants now passed by
“Belgae….probab..”
“Traders! Show me your wares” the war band was sniggering behind the merchant group
“Just keep walking we are nearly there its just over the hill”
”I know where we live!”
“How about you sell us some Teachers!!” the tone of this question seemed more ominous and the laughter had stopped. “Or some Judges” another voice shouted. “In fact I am not an expert on trade myself but I believe you owe us something of great wealth” as the last merchant looked back he saw the war band begin to follow. They were baying for blood and he knew exactly why
“They are following us…. they are going to kill us oh my god what did Maudamoros do…”
“We could run…yes just run!” the merchants picked up the pace and then began to run at full speed
“You cant run from us now! Scum its payback you owe us far more then you can understand!!”
A javelin whistled by the merchants and landed ahead of them. One began to wail at the prospect of his doom “ STOP,” yelled another older and gruffer voice it was just to the left of the men they halted in a petrified state. Some chariots passed them and encircled them. The same noble man they had seen two hours previous had appeared. The young war band had also stopped persuing them and with a quick glance from the noble, backed away from the chariots.

“Coritanes I presume where have you been?”
“In Ictis on business trading dyes and such we have been there for a few weeks. As we returned we were harassed by small war bands and bandits five more were with us but were killed”
“I can tell you have had a rough business of it. Well you will be thankful to know I do not wish to kill you but if you can prove to me you have been in Ictis then I suppose you would have some sort of Exotic provisions”
“Erm yes well just coin silver and gold from southern sea traders” He passed over the bag and the chariot lord looked closely “Greek or Carthaginian?”
“I don’t know they are all the same to me,” the merchant nervously laughed. “Indeed that’s what a TRUE Foreigner is… a complete alien culture. Well you can pass on, no wait, I will escort you to Ratae I presume that’s where you’re headed?”
“Yes”
The merchants looked at each other one with realisation that the worst-case scenario was true. Reaching the summit of the hill they looked down upon the walled town. An army waited at the gates. Chariots rode around in circles and the songs, chants and cries began to reach the merchants ears…
“I am Sentata lord of the Casse, a terrible wrong was inflicted upon us by your ruler and warriors. We are extremely annoyed at him, thank the gods your on this side of the wall and not that one…Like the young soldier said…we are owed a great deal indeed” The calmness of the Sentata was unsettling he was one of the great generals of the Belgae’s chief tribe. His piercing stare dismayed the merchants like a nasty appetiser of a meal. The main course was underway two rams were being thrust upon their walled town.

[Chirurgeon]

Amazing AMAZING. Did I tell you this AAR is AMAZING?! Keep it up. Wonderful writing, beautiful pics, and brutal barbarians....life is good

[Teleklos Archelaou]

Let us know if you want to change the title line btw - a lot of folks might bypass it as it is now.