Pirata: Hunters of the Sea: Part three of the Roman Pirata series by Simon Scarrow

Author:Simon Scarrow [Scarrow, Simon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Headline
Published: 2019-06-05T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

‘Seems we’re the first ones here.’ Leitus nodded at the distant shore and Telemachus followed his gaze, shading his eyes as he searched for any sign of Proteus and her crew.

The sun beat down from a cloudless sky, and a warm breeze was blowing as Galatea steered towards the meeting point. In her wake a pair of prize crews sailed the two ships Telemachus had captured: Skamandros, and a smaller cargo vessel they had intercepted on their way back from Flanona. The latter had been caught fleeing a squall further up the coast and had stood no chance against the far speedier pirate craft. Her cargo of cloth, glass and Samian ware would fetch a decent price with the merchants at Petrapylae. With each man due a share of the profits from the captured hauls, the crew were in good spirits and chatted and laughed as they went about their duties.

Geras scanned the unbroken shoreline and frowned. ‘Where’s Proteus? Hector and his lads should be here by now.’

‘Who knows?’ Telemachus shrugged. ‘Perhaps they ran into another naval patrol. Or they might have been blown off course in that last squall.’

‘There’s that, I suppose. Or maybe the bastard simply wants to keep us waiting. That’d be just like him.’

Telemachus sighed wearily. ‘Either way, there’s nothing for us to do except heave-to and wait for him to arrive. Bulla’s orders.’

‘Since when did Hector give a toss about following orders? Anyway, we’ll have the last laugh. Just wait until he sees all the loot we’ve plundered. I bet his lads won’t have captured anything as valuable as a shipload of spices. That’ll put the bastard in his place.’

Castor pressed his lips together. ‘I wouldn’t be so sure.’

‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ Telemachus asked, turning to the veteran pirate.

‘Hector’s been on the crew for a long time. Longer than most. He might not be a skilled sailor, but he’s tough and he knows how to survive. He’s seen off plenty of challenges to his authority over the years. Once he finds out how well we’ve done, he’ll see you as a threat. Mark my words.’

Telemachus shook his head. ‘I’m just following orders. At least Bulla will be happy.’

‘Try telling that to Hector.’

Geras snorted noisily. ‘Pirates. More bloody politics than an Athenian debating society. Frankly, I’m just looking forward to getting back to the base with all this loot. There’s enough here to keep us drunk and laid for months.’

‘For the other lads, perhaps,’ Telemachus remarked. ‘Somehow, I doubt your share will last that long.’

Geras looked at him, grinning. ‘Maybe not. But what’s the point in capturing all this booty if you can’t enjoy it?’

Telemachus looked away, listening in silence as Geras and the others lapsed into an excited discussion about how they would spend their fortunes once they returned to Petrapylae. His own thoughts turned to his brother. Even with his double share of the profits, he might not have enough coin to purchase Nereus’s freedom. According to one of the merchants he’d

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