Lionslayer's Woman by Glover Nhys

Author:Glover, Nhys [Glover, Nhys]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Belisama Press
Published: 2013-05-24T21:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINETEEN

It turned out the Consul was located at Corinthus, which was a half a day or more away on the other side of the isthmus that connected the Peloponnesus with the rest of mainland Achaia, or Hellas, as the natives called their country. While Appius took the Parthian slave and went to find what passed as the authority in the township, Leonis settled Cyra, the child and the slave Asmina into a room in the inn where they’d found Appius.

He couldn’t take his eyes of Cyra, even when he was busy dealing with other matters. His eyes sought her out constantly, assuring himself of her safety. It had been too close a call. Only the fortuitous intercession of the Goddess had meant that the day had gone their way. If Appius hadn’t appeared when he did, Leonis may not have been able to save his love from death. The thought brought a lump to his throat every time he let his mind go down that path.

While the child chattered on excitedly, as if nothing terrible had happened in her life, Leonis reclined on the other side of the small room watching in amazed delight. She was like a chittering bird; always on the move, constantly taking in what was around her, curious and bubbly. He knew it wouldn’t last. Memories of what had happened would return to her soon enough. But in this moment, she was still too elated by her rescue and finding Cyra and Appius again to focus on those bad memories.

When Appius returned to them, he looked hot and angry. He took a space on the pallet next to Leonis and spent a few moments relaxing, listening to his sister’s chatter until her stories turned to more troubling tales.

‘Asmina told me to be quiet so the bad man wouldn’t give me more of the syrup of poppies. She said he would leave me alone if I was quiet, but it was so hard. I was so scared. When those soldiers came into the villa, father looked surprised. He didn’t know what was going on. We heard the slaves screaming but we didn’t know what was happening. Then they killed the girls… and then, before Pater could get off his couch, they killed him, too.’

The happiness was gone from the child’s face now and she looked like a very old woman as she went on. ‘Mater was screaming, and I held on to her. She pulled me into a corner and we crouched down to make ourselves small. She made me hide my face from the blood… but I couldn’t not look. It was like a god had my face and kept yanking it back so I was forced to watch. The girls just lay there as blood soaked the mosaics red. Pater just lay there… looking surprised…’

‘Don’t… Gali, it’s all right. You don’t have to say anymore.’ Cyra stroked the girl’s hair and for a moment tears welled in the ancient eyes of the child.

‘No… I want to tell you.

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