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

[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.

[Shylence]

Hmmm i supose it is...i thought maybe as it was text heavy and grammar and punctuation errors were constant throughout. That people were struggling to follow. Also the real world constantly calls me away. I will keep the name Change in mind.....

next update soon. i have two days off in a row for once!!!! OHHH EMMM JEEE

[Teleklos Archelaou]

Name change for thread as per request by PM.

Best of luck with it!