Dark Eagle by K.M. Ashman

Author:K.M. Ashman [Ashman, K.M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-05-30T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-One

Oppidum Ubiorum

Decimus led his horse down the ramp from the liburnian to the dock. They had arrived in the port earlier that day and once the marinarii had secured the ship, they were allowed off to continue on their way. The messenger was the first to disembark and had already ridden from the dock to head for the local fort. Decimus watched him go and as he sorted out his equipment, Julius approached, leading his own horse by the reins.

‘It has been an interesting voyage, my friend,’ he said, ‘and whatever task lays before you, I wish you well.’

‘Thank you,’ said Decimus, and reaching beneath his cloak, produced a bag of coins. ‘This is for what you did on the ship.’

‘Keep your money,’ said Julius, ‘it was fun. Is there anything more that you need from me?’

‘I am good,’ said Decimus. ‘Just travel safely and sleep well knowing that you may have helped save the lives of some good men.’

They grabbed each other’s wrists and as Julius rode away, Decimus mounted his own horse to continue his journey, but first he needed to do some digging.

Armed with the information he had received from Lepidus, he headed towards the ferry that carried traders between the two banks of the river. As he rode, he could feel the eyes of many attentive watchers upon him. These were dangerous times, and all information was of interest, especially to those who were willing to pay a high price and the movement of strangers could be particularly valuable.

Thinking back to the days he spent alongside Seneca; he knew that the Occultum would not have been so stupid as to cross the river here with so many people watching and would have certainly used an alternative crossing point.

He stopped near a Roman ale house and after having some food, engaged in casual conversation with those around him. Within an hour, he had learned about a second ferry crossing further upstream, one that was not recommended as the village was the haunt of criminals and bandits. It sounded far too dangerous for any sane man to use, but Decimus knew it was exactly the sort of thing that Seneca would seek out. With both him and his horse rested and fed, he headed up the riverbank, confident that after the long voyage from Oppidum Vindonissa, he was at last on the right path.

----

A league or so away, in a massive fort built on a bend in the river, the messenger had also been fed and watered and now awaited an audience with the commander of the legion garrisoned there. It had been a long journey, one that he had to share with men far below his social class, but at last he was here and if the gods were with him, he could be back on his way to Rome within days, though this time, on a more leisurely sea voyage. He lay on his bunk in one of the rooms reserved for visitors when a boy arrived to fetch him.

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