The Wrath of Sekhmet by Williams Charles Edward

Author:Williams, Charles Edward
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-05-04T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

A storm of blood breaks over Judea …

The Roman fort was on high alert as the raggedly dressed group approached the entrance gate. A clearly nervous legionary on watch confronted the group. ‘Stand still and state your names, and send those goats into the scrub. They are not allowed inside the fort.’

Zelan whispered, ‘Ezra, go now with your goats. I will come for you later and bring you food.’

Without speaking, Cletus reached under his dirty robe and offered up an engraved seal stone to the watch soldier. Inspecting the seal stone quizzically, the legionary instructed them to remain where they were. He marched inside, and a thud sounded as a heavy beam locked the entrance. Barely a few moments later, the fort commander came striding through the gates, and with great respect that bordered on obeisance, ushered them inside. He glanced at the two figures. ‘You look and smell like rotting corpses. I can hardly imagine what soldiers who carry the emperor’s personal seal are doing wandering around Judea in vagrants’ rags. Who are you?’

‘Cletus, imperial legate. This is Zelan, my expert field operative.’

It was enough for the fort commander to turn pale and humbly apologise to Cletus for the interrogation and delay at the gate. ‘And I am Septimus, Honourable Legate.’

Cletus waved the obeisance away. ‘It’s of no consequence.’ Turning to Zelan he said, ‘Fetch Ezra and bring him inside the fort with his goats. It is unsafe to leave him and his herd outside.’ Glancing at Septimus he said sternly, ‘Lead the way. We have urgent matters to discuss.’ Cletus sized up Septimus. Young and vigorous, and imbued with ambition. This posting as the commander of a front-line fort was merely a stepping stone. All promising qualities, yet he was unseasoned and prone to rash judgements.

Entering the rough space that was used as the commander’s office, Cletus had hardly sat down before Septimus began his effusive praise of the imperial legate, whose reputation for bravery and courage was acknowledged throughout the empire. Cletus let him babble on for a few moments, and then fixed him with a stony stare. ‘We found three mutilated legionaries in the plains, barely a half day’s walk from here. The zealots had desecrated the soldiers and left them for the vultures to feast.’

Septimus’ reaction went from shock and dismay to righteous anger. ‘I ordered them only to patrol in the scrubland, and not on the open plains. Honourable Legate, I’m shocked to hear of this tragedy. If only they had obeyed their orders.’ Septimus put his head in his hands, but Cletus suspected it was only a superficial display of emotion.

He said in a quiet and chilling voice, ‘The hills and ravines have secret weapon caches. The zealots hide their weapons in the village wells. Why do you not know about this? The three mutilated legionaries have been dead for many a day. Why was a search party not sent out to find them? This is your responsibility. No one else’s.’

Septimus turned pale at the stinging words.

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