Centurion: An epic Roman military adventure (Quintus Roman Thrillers Book 4) by Neil Denby

Author:Neil Denby [Denby, Neil]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sapere Books
Published: 2024-09-27T00:00:00+00:00

XXXIV: KÖNNEN WIR DIR VERTRAUEN

As the horsemen came closer, Quintus recognised Agnus, the messenger. He was accompanied by a Germani tribesman and flanked by two legionaries. The two sat upon their mounts, the spatha, the long sword of the cavalryman, at their side, round shields strapped at their back.

‘Centurion,’ Agnus shouted happily. ‘I have found you.’

‘I was never lost,’ replied Quintus as he and Agnus dismounted.

They clasped arms and then Agnus stood back and saluted. ‘I thought you might not have survived the action. You were still missing when Aquila sent me to find Galba.’

‘Buried beneath the dead, but not yet among them,’ Quintus grinned.

‘I am glad of it. I warned Galba about the tribesmen who attacked us, as ordered. It explained our delay and alerted him to possible danger. But he was more concerned about the Germani in front of him than those behind. He thinks he has found the commander. The ladies are keen to see a rescue attempt mounted.’

‘And these?’ Quintus indicated the other three riders.

‘These two are my companions and protectors, keen to find out if their friends in the cavalry live still. And this one you know; he is our guide to the oppidum.’ He pointed to the boy clad in trews and a plain tunic, unarmed. ‘Your men have orders. We have a fight waiting for us.’

The Germani boy made a sort of salute as Agnus pointed to him. He looked unhappy, eyes downcast. Of course, he had seen his cousin flogged and crucified, so he had no love for these men.

‘Welcome,’ Quintus said to him. ‘How is your father? Vater?’ He had heard the word used before.

The boy said something Quintus did not understand and pointed to the sky.

‘Is his father dead?’ Quintus asked Agnus.

‘No, sir. He thinks you are referring to Wotan. They call him the Skyfather.’

‘Why would I…? Never mind.’ Quintus shook his head, then looked at the boy, at his pale hair, his smooth cheeks, his lack of the beard that clearly marked out manhood in his tribes. ‘You are still young,’ he said, not unkindly. ‘You will learn to live with Rome in time.’

The boy hung his head. He clearly didn’t understand what Quintus was saying to him.

‘Dismount,’ ordered Quintus, accompanying the command with a gesture. The boy slid off the horse. ‘Give the horse to the legionary and wait there.’ He pointed to a spot. Agnus, seeing that the boy did not understand, took the horse’s reins from him and pointed to the same spot. The boy, sulking, stood where he was told.

Quintus looked at his men, squatting on the ground and chewing biscuit or dried meat. At the edges of the group there were guards posted. ‘How urgent is the message? Do we need to go now?’ he asked.

‘Not at once, sir,’ said Agnus. ‘Centurion Galba plans to attack at the dark of the moon.’

‘Attack who?’

‘The Germani. In their fortress. The prefect is held a day’s ride away, sir, in the oppidum of the local tribe — possibly the Vindelici.

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