Warhorn by J. Glenn Bauer

Author:J. Glenn Bauer [Bauer, J. Glenn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Iberia, Military history, Carthage, Punic War, Spain, History
ISBN: 9781499171815
Publisher: Bauer Photography and Media
Published: 2013-12-29T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14

CAROS STAGGERED, FLAGON of ale in hand, to the house and slumped onto a bench. He had found an easy rhythm in these long days since he had returned home. The village men would come midmorning and work till the sun grew too hot then they would return to Orze leaving Caros to his preferred solitude. He would open a flagon of ale and drink through the afternoon until he passed out on the bench at the front door.

This was where Julene found him late in the afternoon. He squinted up with one eye when she wiped his forehead with a damp rag. The ale still ran warm through his body giving him a feeling of weightlessness. Looking up at her, watching her bosom shift under her tunic, he felt himself stir. The concern in her face and her large, shining eyes beckoned him and without thought Caros reached up and gently cupped her breast. Her eyes widened, and she stopped moving. He caressed her, savouring the weight and feel of her in his hand. His thumb found her hardening nipple and felt his body’s response echo hers. Pulling her closer, he sought her mouth with his while he loosened the pins of her tunic. She parted her lips to his probing and met him urgently. Her tunic fell free and his hands found her flesh, stroking and caressing.

Rising to remove his breeches he saw a rider seated on a horse at the entrance to the yard. It was Julene’s youngest brother. Staring at the youngster, Caros felt shame course through him. What was he doing? He cursed. Julene was removing her tunic fully, her body plump and bountiful. She was his dead brother’s intended. What had he been thinking?

“Stop. Your brother is here!” Stepping forward to protect her from her brother’s sight, Caros waved at the youth. How much had he seen? The boy looked afraid. Behind him Julene scurried to pull her tunic back into place and he heard her sobbing quietly in distress. The youth walked his horse slowly forward. These were deep country people who lived by honour and virtue. Clearly Julene had some experience of acts of love. It was only a matter of a season or so before she would have wed Ximo, so this was perhaps no surprise. Under those circumstances, while still not condoned, intimate acts were at least understandable. Caros spared a quick glance over his shoulder and saw her still struggling with the pins. “Quickly, he is almost here.” He hissed.

The heavy wooden table on the front portico helped block her from view, or so Caros hoped. He uncovered the basket of foods she had brought him. Feigning indifference, he removed a fresh baked loaf from within and tore it in half. He looked to smile at the boy, but froze instead. Julene’s brother no longer looked afraid. He was glaring at Caros, his arm extended, pointing directly at his face. The words the boy shouted nearly made Caros choke.

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