Anthony Riches - Arrows of Fury (Empire 2)

Arrows of Fury

Empire:Volume Two

ANTHONY RICHES

www.hodder.co.uk

First published in Great Britain in 2010 by Hodder & Stoughton

An Hachette UK Company

Copyright 2010 by Anthony Riches

The right of Anthony Riches to be identified as the Author of the Work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

All characters in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead is purely coincidental.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library

Epub ISBN 978-1-848-94857-0

Book ISBN 978-0-340-92033-6

Hodder & Stoughton Ltd

338 Euston Road

London NW1 3BH

www.hodder.co.uk

Contents

For Dorothy and Edwin, with all my love

Writing the second book in the Empire series was always going to be harder than the first, and not only because of the sudden and necessary imposition of a deadline as opposed to the leisurely approach that was possible with the first. Writing a debut novel was, for me, an activity fuelled by aspiration and ambition, whereas the delivery of the sequel featured the addition of a decent sized dash of nervousness to the mix. Everyone has one novel in them, or so the clich goes, but from the moment I knew Id sold three, the big question in my head was whether I could even deliver a second commercially acceptable story. Of course I knew the back-story that will see Marcus through the decades of the empires difficult transition to rule by Septimius Severus, and that controversial emperors reign, but could I actually write a story about the months following the battle of Lost Eagle?

The answer, to my eventual relief (and a good deal of eye rolling by those close to me), was yes, I could. Successful delivery of Arrows of Fury can be credited primarily to the assistance of the usual key people in the writing side of my life. First and foremost, my partner Helen told me in no uncertain terms to stop worrying and get on with it, and chased me to write when internet car reviews held more attraction than the next 500 words. My agent Robin Wade told me much the same thing, albeit in his usual breezy and convivial style, and my editor Carolyn Caughey gently pointed out what was needed to make the first draft of the manuscript into a second draft that really worked, and didnt ever let me believe I could get away with nearly good enough. Carolyns assistant Francine Toon was always on hand with prompt and effective assistance when needed.

I was provided with valuable factual assistance by several people who have expertise in the period. Adrian Wink, purveyor of authentic Roman military equipment at www.armamentaria.com, helped me with both kit to play with and insights as to its maintenance and carriage by the soldiers of the day, and equipped me for the charity walk Ill be plugging later. John Conyard of Comitatus (www.comitatus.net) was kind enough to take time out from knocking soldiers over with his cavalry horse at Maryport to give me a fresh perspective on Roman archery. Pete Noons and the Roman Military Research Society (www.romanarmy.net) were hospitable and helpful, and demonstrated their equipment with both zeal and demonstrable enthusiasm. Dr Jon Coulston gave me some valuable insights into the reality of the Syrian archer in 2nd century Britannia, and dispelled the myths of men in long flowing skirts once and for all, and Jon and Dr Mike Bishops excellent and learned book Roman Military Equipment is recommended reading for anyone with an interest in the subject.

Lastly, the draft manuscript was beta tested by a few people, notably Paul Browne and David Mooney, and their critical input was of great value in picking out a few points that could be improved.

Robin Wade and I plan to walk Hadrians Wall for charity when this book is published, and weve chosen Help for Heroes (www.helpforheroes.co.uk), an organisation which highlights both the worst and the best in Britains attitudes to its armed forces. If youre interested in reading more about the walk, please go to my website (www.anthonyriches.com), where you can find further details.

September, AD 182

The Tungrian centurions gathered round their leader in the warm afternoon sunshine, sharing a last moment of quiet before the fight to come. Marcus Tribulus Corvus winked at his friend and former chosen man Dubnus, now centurion of the 9th Century, which Marcus had previously commanded, then nudged the older man standing next to him, his attention fixed on the ranks of soldiers arrayed on the hillside behind them.

Stop mooning after these legionaries, Rufius, youre a Tungrian now whether you like it or not.

Rufius caught his sly smile and tip of the head to Julius, the detachments senior centurion, and picked up the thread.

I cant help it, Marcus. Just seeing all those professional soldiers standing waiting for battle takes me back to the days when I stood in front of them with a vine stick. And thats my old cohort too

Julius turned from his scrutiny of their objective and scowled at the two men with an exasperation that was only partly feigned. Rufius nudged Marcus back, shaking his head solemnly.

Now, brother, lets be fair to our colleague and give him some peace. Its not his fault that its taken all morning and half the afternoon to get two thousand men and a few bolt throwers into position. Even if my guts are growling like a shithouse dog and theres enough sweat running down my legs to make my boots squelch for a week.

Dubnus leaned over and tapped the veteran centurion on the shoulder.

I think youll find we call that wet stuff piss in this cohort, Grandfather.

The older man smiled tolerantly.

Very good, Dubnus. Just you concentrate on taking your lads into action as their centurion for the first time, and Ill worry about whether Ill be able to hold my bladder in a fight for the fiftieth time. Youth, eh, Julius?

Julius, having turned back to his study of the defences looming before them, replied in a tired tone of voice that betrayed his growing frustration with their prolonged wait in front of the tribal hill fort they would shortly be attempting to storm.

Might I suggest that you all shut the fuck up, given that it looks like well actually be attacking soon? Just as soon as those idiots have been cleared from the top of their wall thatll be us on the march, and ready for our starring role in Tribune Antoniuss great victory over the Carvetii tribe. When I send you back to your centuries you get your men ready to advance, you repeat our orders to them all one last time, and remember to keep your bloody heads down once were on the move.

Julius cast a disparaging glance at the batteries of bolt throwers ranged alongside his four centuries, their sweating crews toiling at the weapons hand winches as they ratcheted the heavy bowstrings back ready to fire. He tugged at the strap of his helmet, the crosswise crest that marked him as a centurion ruffled by the breeze as he turned back to stare at the wooden walled fort to their front.