Conn Iggulden - Emperor 01 by Gates of Rome

Author:Gates of Rome [Rome, Gates of]
Format: epub
Published: 2010-04-23T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 16

Marcus wondered at the tight expression on Renius's face as they traveled the road to the sea. From dawn until late in the afternoon, they had trotted and walked the stone surface without a word. He was hungry and desperately thirsty, but would not admit it. He had decided at noon that if Renius wanted to do the whole trip to the docks without stopping, then he would not give up first.

Finally, when the smell of dead fish and seaweed soured the clean country air, Renius pulled up and, to his surprise, Marcus noticed the man was pale.

"I want to break off here, to see a friend of mine. You can go on to the docks and get a room there. There's an inn...

"I'm coming with you," Marcus said curtly.

Renius's jaw tightened and he muttered "As you please," before turning off the main road onto a lesser track.

Mystified, Marcus followed him as the track wound through woods for miles. He didn't ask where they were going, just kept his sword loose in his scabbard in case there were bandits hidden in the foliage. Not that a sword would be much use against a bow, he noted.

The sun, where it could be seen at all through the canopy, had dropped down toward the horizon when they rode into a small village. There were no more than twenty small houses, but the place had a well-kept air to it. Chickens were penned and goats tethered outside most dwellings, and Marcus felt no sense of danger. Renius dismounted.

"Are you coming in?" he said as he walked to a door.

Marcus nodded, and tied the two horses to a post. Renius was inside by the time he was done, and he frowned, resting a hand on his dagger as he went in. It was a little dark inside, lit only by a candle and a small fire in the hearth, but Marcus could see Renius hugging an ancient old man with his one good arm.

"This is my brother, Primus. Primus, this is the lad I mentioned, traveling with me to Greece."

The man must have been eighty years old, but he had a firm grip.

"My brother has written about your progress and the other one, Gaius. He doesn't like anyone, but I think he dislikes you two less than most people."

Marcus grunted.

"Take a seat, boy. We have a long night ahead of us." He went over to his small wood fire and placed a long metal poker in its fiery heart.

"What is happening?" Marcus asked.

Renius sighed. "My brother was a surgeon. He is going to take my arm off."

Marcus felt a sick horror come over him as he realized what he was going to see. Guilt too flushed his face. He hoped Renius wouldn't mention how he had been injured. To cover his embarrassment, he spoke quickly. "Lucius or Cabera could have done it, I'm sure."

Renius silenced him with a raised hand.

"Many people could do the job, but Primus was... is the best."

Primus cackled, revealing a mouth with very few teeth.

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