Chapter Five: The Warmth of the Sun
From Beltane to Mabon was a time of rebuilding, a time of healing in the hold of Richardus Castellum. He had lost a little more than one hundred men in the last battle. It was a victory but a costly one. It was fortunate that his losses came from his light forces, his militia rather than his core professionals, his heavy infantry and his Cataphracts. Those men were highly trained and veterans of numerous battles, men who were nearly irreplaceable. Some of the fallen men left widows behind them, widows with children. They had to be cared for. The recovered loot from the Saxon ships left Richardus with a goodly store of gold and silver even after distribution to his men and their families. Richardus was frustrated and annoyed with himself, something he very rarely was. He was a field commander not really an administrator although he was learning and learning well but it didn't really suit him. Seamus had surprised Richardus. Initially he only been viewed as a bard and religious leader but Richardus was finding that he was an able administrator and versed in Celtic law. He had agreed to help Richardus learn the necessary skills to be a true ruler rather than just a war leader. His wicked sense of humor eased the tedium for Richardus.
Even long training sessions and strenuous workouts weren't enough to really tax him. His biggest worry was rebuilding his forces. He was sitting on a bench reading a message when Casca Longinus, his Pilus Primus (the senior Centurion) approached him.
"Ave Tribune, may I speak?"
"Ave Pilus Primus, of course you may. Please sit." Richardus called for watered wine. After the wine came, Richardus said; "What do you wish to speak about Centurion?"
"Sir I believe that I have a solution to recruiting more soldiers. When the field army returned to Rome many of the frontier army stayed behind. I suggest that we send emissaries to the Limitanei. There are several large bands that I believe would come to us if we offer them a haven and a purpose other than banditry. A steady pay would help too. A little silver in their hands, a little wine and a willing woman and a soldier is happy. I know that we can't pay much but a home, a place to stand would sway the steady ones even more than silver."
Richardus clapped Casca on the shoulder. "So be it Pilus Primus. Pick ten good men to go with you, what supplies you need and horses. I shall have a sack of silver ready to go with you. Casca departed a day later with his ten picked men.
While he was recuperating and regaining his strength, Richardus had been comparing the shorter, leaf-bladed Celtic swords to the Spatha. There were advantages and disadvantages to both. The shorter, lighter sword allowed quicker movement but that was balanced by the Spatha's greater length. A major advantage to the Celtic sword was its wider, down-curving cross guard that could deflect or trap an enemy's blade. After studying it, Richardus had his smith forge a new sword for him, lengthening the blade to thirty-six inches and adding the downward pointing cross guard, changing in from a curve to angles.
Catraoine had surprised him, asking him to teach her to fight. She'd told him that she'd not accept hiding and fretting in the hold if there was danger. If the hold were attacked she would fight at her man's side or guard his back. Agreeing with her he'd ordered a smaller lighter version of his sword made for her as well as a Lorica Hamata, a helmet and a light shield.
Catraoine proved to be an apt and eager pupil, once learning the basics she developed tactics to use her speed and grace to offset most men's greater strength. The reach was not a problem, she was taller than most of the men around her. Beyond the need to defend her home and her loved ones was the determination that never again would she be naked and helpless waiting to be raped.
Time spent in the hold with only a few sorties to suppress local bandits and those often under either Xavierus or Caoimhin meant that Richardus and Catraoine spent many hours together, their love growing into something strong, beautiful and lasting. Alexis now called Catraoine Mamaidh all the time and it was as true as if Catraoine had birthed her. It was just as true that for Catraoine was her Nighean though she usually called her a chroi.
Watching their respective children growing steadily closer, more in love caused Marta and Siobhan to become closer and finding many things of common interest led them to be fast friends. They happily schemed on ways to insure that Richardus and Catraoine became life-mates. Their scheming was actually more for their own amusement than of necessity. That Catraoine would be wife to Richardus before the summer was over was as inevitable as the rising and falling of the tide.
Litha evening: The celebrations of the summer solstice were waning, a soft summer breeze wafted over the fields of the hold. Richardus and Catraoine strolled, enjoying the smells of the clover, heather and the wild roses. Richardus' arm was around Catraoine's waist, her head resting on his shoulder. He stopped and turned to face her, smiling softly. Catraoine was often amazed at how the hard planes and angles of the warrior's face softened and transformed when he smiled a smile he reserved only for her. She looked up at him, her lovely face bathed by the pale moonlight. He spoke;
"Catraoine, M'fhiorghna, you have my heart. Wolves mate for life and like a wolf, so will I mate for life. I ask you will you be my bean. My life-mate? If you will if it is not too soon, we will wed on Lughuasa."
Catraoine's face seemed to glow and even in the moonlight Richardus could see her eyes dance and sparkle. "Aroon, you did not even have to ask me. You should have known. Yes I will be your bean. You are my anamchara." She raised up on her toes and kissed him. At first, soft and sweet but quickly becoming fiery. Screened by the heather, the thick clover made a fine bed for their love making.
They walked back to the hold and one in his (their) chambers they made love twice more before the morning. After bathing and a sumptuous breakfast Richardus and Catraoine joined hands and smiled at their family. Richardus spoke;
"Those we love the most should hear the news first. Alexis, you have loved Catraoine as your mamaidh for some time now. On Lughuasa Catraoine and I will wed and she will truly be your mamaidh. Alexis squealed with delight. Seamus I shall venerate you as if you were my blood athair. Siobhan you shall share the same honors as Marta. What say you?" Marta spoke first.
"Well said my mac and I shall gladly share with Siobhan a mathair's honors for I know that you love me no less. And I shall accept Siobhan as my siuir. Catraoine you are the loveliest of nigheans." Both Seamus and Siobhan accepted the news and honors with joy and gratitude. Tears of happiness flooding Siobhan's eyes, she embraced Richardus.
"All the years of my marriage the gods granted me only one child, my beloved Catraoine but they have denied me a mac. Now they have finally granted me this boon. As Marta loves you, I shall love you also." She kissed his cheek and withdrew. Seamus shook his head. "I am a Druid and a bard and yet I can find no better words than Siobhan's." He embraced Richardus and stepped back.
Richardus had his people gather in the courtyard of the hold. He wore his finest tunic and cloak, yet even here, on this happy occasion he still wore the silvered Lorica Hamata over his tunic, Spatha and dirk belted in place. Seamus, Catraoine, Siobhan, Marta and Alexis were dressed in their finest clothing. Richardus spread his arms and the crowd grew quiet. Richardus smiled.
"My people, at the celebration of Lughuasa there will be a feast. A wedding feast, for the Lady Catraoine shall become my bride and your liege lady. "Caoimnih O' Riain called out;
"Ave Richardus, Ave Catraoine." The crowd repeated the calls although a few of the young women looked none too happy. Marta and Siobhan began planning and preparing for the wedding and feast, laughingly listening to Alexis' input though obviously not intending to incorporate most of her ideas. Siobhan coached Catraoine on her parts of the rituals while Seamus taught Richardus.
The work in the fields and the other tasks necessary to supporting a community was harder due to the loss of so many men but it went on, with men of the war band filling in for the farmers who were lost. It was as if the land itself were a living thing, contributing its part. The crops were growing and ripening in the summer sun. It would turn out to be a very bountiful harvest.
In the third week of July, Xavierus returned with more than one hundred fifty men all veteran Limitanei. Xavierus and Casca spent the rest of the month integrating them into the war band. To Richardus' delight, twenty of them were cavalrymen. The influx of men meant that many of the farms had men to work them and to court the widows, practicality being more important than a formal mourning period. Most of the new men still had their weapons and armor so that all that needed to be done was dye the tunics black.
There was some trepidation on Catraoine's part about sending invitations to Arthwyr and Morgaine to attend the wedding but as relatives, albeit distant ones it was necessary. Catraoine was none too pleased when a courier arrived with the acceptance. Not pleased at all but she knew there was no choice but accept it. That didn't mean she wouldn't be watching Morgaine like a hawk.
Arthwyr, Morgaine and their entourage arrived at the hold two days before Lughuasa. Arthwyr was a burly man not as tall as Richardus but broader, easily worthy of his name. Arthwyr; Bear-man. He is two years older than Richardus. He dismounted.
"Merry met Ruiseart, Sidheah it has been too long since we broke bread together, cousin." The two men embraced.
"Aye it has cousin and merry met to you as well. Will you take wine or perhaps mead?"
"Wine cousin. Like you I was long in the service of Rome and have come to prefer wine."
"It's rather odd Arthwyr, after returning home you dropped Artorius, returning to your birth name and I haven't heard Ruiseart used by anyone except my mother. I have come to prefer Richardus." Arthwyr grinned.
"Ah yes, Richardus Castellum Lupus. Richardus the wolf. Your fame grows, would you be Ard Ri?" Richardus shook his head and clapped Arthwyr on the shoulder.
"That is your ambition not mine. I have enough to do ruling my own. I have no desire to be high king and settle the disputes of petty kings. I will aid you if needed but I do not want the position. I will be your ally but not your vassal."
Arthwyr Clasped Richardus' shoulder as well. "So be it cousin. I will ride to your aid if needed and you will ride to mine. Now let us talk no more of politics but let us commune with Bacchus."
Morgaine slid from her palfrey and walked up to Richardus. "Am I to pine for a proper greeting dear cousin?" And kissed his cheek. She gave a saucy grin but quickly stepped away before Catraoine's temper could ignite.
"First a cup of wine then if you prefer, the baths are ready or we can have something to eat before the evening meal." Richardus said.
"The baths first I think, Arthwyr said."
Morgaine smirked. "Will you join us Richardus?" Richardus was no fool.
"I think not Morgaine, Catraoine and I bathed this morning."
Author's note. I am sorry for the long delay on this and other updates but I have had much to deal with in real life. I'm back on track now. Please review.
Swordwriter