Beyond the Wall by Tanya Landman

Author:Tanya Landman [Landman, Tanya]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
ISBN: 9781406375008
Publisher: Walker Books
Published: 2017-04-06T04:00:00+00:00

XXIX

The frontier was as imposing as Cassia had imagined. A wall, taller than five men. Broader than an ox-cart. Manned by soldiers who were used to being harried by the savage tribes on the other side of it. Whose fingers twitched on the hilts of their swords even in their sleep.

It was a barrier that was impossible to scale. But here – where Marcus had led them – the wall became a bridge. The river was shallow, the arches wide enough to pass through. But how could they do so without being seen? It would be impossible to go unchallenged.

Yet here too Marcus had a plan. And once more, they were all entirely dependent on him.

He would ride back down the river then cut across country to the nearest town, he said. It was just over the next hill. At dusk he would come back to this spot in a loop, as though he had just then come from the west. He’d greet the soldiers, bringing them a jug of mulled wine on a cold night. In short, he’d distract them.

“It’s a cheerless spot. They won’t refuse my gift.”

Cassia asked, “They’ll have no suspicion?”

“I’m Roman. And I’m known here. I’ve traded this far north for the last two years. I can talk to them, keep them occupied for a while. Let Flavia go first – she’ll take the longest time to get clear. Silvio, you’ll help her, won’t you? Then Rufus. Cassia last. Go from here straight under the bridge, as far as the first bend in the river. There’s a copse that will give you some shelter. I’ll meet you there.”

It was a long day’s wait, keeping themselves concealed in the scrubby vegetation that grew along the length of the river. But Marcus was as good as his word. At dusk they heard hoofbeats and there he was, calling the soldiers, engaging them in conversation.

Flavia – bruised in the bear’s attack and now stiff from keeping motionless all day in the cold and damp – was awkward and slow to get going. Silvio almost carried her the distance to the bridge. It would take only one false step, one glance from the soldiers down at the water and all would be lost.

But Marcus had said he would distract them, and he did. Cassia couldn’t catch his words, but knew he was telling a tale from the way he held their rapt attention. When Silvio and Flavia had passed beneath the stone arches, Cassia prodded Rufus forward. He was reluctant to leave her and flung his arms around her waist. Her hands were on his back. Her fingers could trace the scars.

“Go,” she said. “On the other side you will be free. No master. No steward. No men with whips. I promise.”

He went. Limbs weakened from spending so long lying motionless in the cart, Rufus’s gait was awkward and shambling. But he too passed through without incident.

And then came Cassia’s turn.

She stepped into the water, ice-cold, fast-flowing, feeling the crunch of stones beneath her bare feet.

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