Faithful by Carol Ashby

Author:Carol Ashby
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cerrillo Press

Silence hovered over the sand as Brutus’s gladiators, who had been watching, froze. Then a string of curses erupted from Felix’s mouth. All turned back to their posts, and the sound of wood striking wood returned.

The armorer took the gladius from Crassus. Brutus drove the tip of his own sword into the sand and crossed his arms. He should be sorry he lost, but he wasn’t. For him, Bjorn was only a chance to make some money. The big German had great earning potential, but he’d already made a four-fold profit on him. For Gaius Crassus, Bjorn was a man worth dying for.

“Well done, Crassus. You can have him for 5400 denarii. Shall we retire to my office and sign the papers?”

Crassus stroked the scar on his cheek. “I don’t have the full amount with me right now. I might need up to three days to get it all together.”

The corner of Brutus’s mouth lifted. “Three days? I can wait with some patience.” He glanced at Bjorn. “But I’m not sure your German friend can.”

“A word with Otto, and then I’ll go arrange for the payment.”

When Crassus got within reach, Bjorn wrapped him in a crushing hug and lifted him off the ground. He rocked his friend so his legs swung back and forth before returning his feet to the sand. The grin on his gladiator’s face triggered a grin of his own until Brutus forced his mouth into the smiling frown.

Crassus started toward the door but turned back to face Brutus before stepping through. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

Brutus raised his hand to acknowledge the promise, but no promise was needed. Of course a man who’d crossed half the Empire to save his friend would be back.

He strolled over to stand beside his grinning gladiator. He rested his hand on Bjorn’s shoulder, then fingered the bronze collar as the frowning smile played on his own lips.

His brow furrowed when his gaze shifted to the doorway through which Crassus left. “He tracked you all the way from Argentorate. Four weeks without knowing if you were alive or dead or if he’d ever find you, but he crossed half the Empire looking.” Brutus shook his head. “Do you know how rare that kind of loyalty is? I can’t name a single man who would do that.” He crossed his arms. “He looks like a runt, but inside…he’s a giant.”

“He always has been. It’s like he says, ‘It’s the heart, not the height that matters.’”

Brutus shifted his gaze to the tall German. “Soon you’ll be Otto of the Vangiones, but until he actually pays me, you’re still Bjorn of the Langobardi. I have two young men coming to spar with you this afternoon. I expect you to give them their money’s worth.”

A giggle floated down from the balcony that overlooked the training sand. Two young women draped with gold jewelry leaned over the railing. A seductive smile curved Brutus’s lips as he raised his hand to wave. That triggered another round of giggles.

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