Casca 28: The Avenger by Roberts Tony

Author:Roberts, Tony [Roberts, Tony]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2014-05-01T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

The next few months went by quickly for the new imperial officer. Theodora summoned him frequently to her quarters; but on the few occasions they passed in public she merely slipped him a quick smile. Casca bought and settled down in a new house in a reasonably well to do area in the north of the city, near the Golden Horn. Carina, once she had made her mind up, moved in with him and was pleased with her new surroundings. Delia had new friends to play with and Casca was content, but bitter experience had taught him that these periods were soon followed by a whole shitload of trouble, so he kept an eye out for any warning signs.

He had continued hunting the Brotherhood cell of Thassus, killing another eight in that time but the other three had now vanished, probably having realized someone was after them and had put discretion before that of valor. Casca didn’t blame them.

Narses appeared to be keeping his side of the agreement too. He passed Casca an address a week or so after their meeting in the palace and Casca had staked it out after dusk and watched it until Manius had come out, accompanied by a wide-shouldered bodyguard, and the two had gone to another house close by. Casca had returned to Manius’ house and waited in the garden for about two hours. The two men had then returned, talking about a shipment of wine, and Casca had struck swiftly, bringing the pommel of his sword down on the bodyguard, knocking him clean out.

Manius had whirled in fright and his speech had left him as he saw Casca advancing on him. He tried to run but Casca had caught him within a few feet and thrown him to the ground, pinning him as he lay on top. His sword had been pressed against Manius’ throat. “Goodbye, you shit,” Casca had breathed, “compliments of me and Narses.”

“N-Narses?” Manius had gibbered. “Why him?”

“Why indeed?” Casca had answered. “He wants you out of the way. As do I.” He had then rammed the sword through the auditor’s throat and had left him draining in his own garden.

Manius had been found the next morning and mourned by half the city. Blame was laid on robbers, or disgruntled Blues. The Greens vowed revenge and for a few weeks revenge muggings went on but they died out in time as all such things do.

Casca continued with his racing career, prompted now by the Empress who kept on showering him with gifts as well as using him as a means to satisfy herself. He’d gained a position in the palace but now he wasn’t sure where he should go next. Narses was still a target but the eunuch had kept himself a step ahead and fed Casca with enough victims to keep the Eternal Mercenary happy – for the time being. How Casca was to break away from Narses’ influence and turn the tables on him he didn’t know, but time would give him the chance, he knew that.

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