Cursed to Die: A gripping murder mystery from the Roman Empire (Murder in Antiquity Book 5) by Alex Wagner

Author:Alex Wagner [Wagner, Alex]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-05-30T16:00:00+00:00

XVI

Early the next day, my tireless spy Telephus sent me a mounted messenger posthaste. It was Nonius, the fellow whom I had placed at his disposal for this very purpose.

"I bring news, sir!" cried the youth, as he leaped nimbly from his saddle in the forecourt of my house. "Last night, Telephus and I were able to make another observation, of which I am to tell you."

I had a cool cup of wine brought to the lad for his dusty throat, and a bucket of water for the steed.

Nonius looked heated, and it seemed to me that he had ridden like a demon in his zeal. His face was flushed, and the poor mare was puffing and steaming as if she had had to contest a chariot race in the Circus Maximus.

How came I to this comparison? Well, as I was to immediately learn, the person whom Telephus and Nonius had observed in the witch's camp was none other than Smertius, the son of our famous charioteer Latobios. And he, in turn, made me think of the Circus.

"This is getting stranger and stranger!" I exclaimed when I heard Smertius's name. "First Avernus, then Hersilia, now her son … just what is driving them all to Luscinia?"

"Smertius did not seek open conversation with the witch," Nonius told me. "Rather, he came secretly into the camp. Well, no, only near to it—he came riding up to it with Sagana!"

"With Sagana? The witch's helper?"

"Yes sir. I was able to observe this, fortunately, because Telephus had placed me near the road that leads to the camp from Vindobona, while he himself kept an eye on the actual camp. He is an excellent strategist, I think," he added in an admiring tone, "and a legend among the gladiators! What an honor to be allowed to spy with him!"

I had to smile at the fervent enthusiasm this young man was displaying.

"Keep talking," I urged him. "Sagana rode in with Smertius? Are you sure?"

The fellow nodded eagerly. "Smertius is known to me by sight. The son of his famous father! Oh, I wish I could attend a chariot race just once!"

Apparently, Nonius was not only an ardent follower of gladiator fights, but was also fascinated by racing.

He took his mission seriously, however, and remembered that he should report to me straight away. He added: "I know Sagana from the witch's camp. I swear to you, master, it was these two who approached the camp together: Sagana and Smertius. She was sitting in front of him on the horse. He held her close—I think not merely so that she might not fall off."

I found myself scratching my head. First Avernus and Luscinia, and now Smertius and Sagana? What mismatched couples! What would come next? Hersilia and Bedran, the old servant of the witch?

"Go on," I urged Nonius, "what happened then?"

He chattered blithely on. "Smertius and Sagana dismounted," he reported. "She walked the last bit to the camp and met up with Luscinia there. Telephus reported this to me later when he and I reunited.

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