Ghosts of Iberia by Autieri Jerry

Author:Autieri, Jerry [Autieri, Jerry]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-12-18T00:00:00+00:00

14

D iorix repeated his offer in his native tongue. Varro knew this from the stares of Albus’s men. But Albus himself roared back defiance, raising his fist to his enemy.

“Are those the Romans?” Diorix pointed to Varro, Falco, and Curio lined up against the stone wall of the gatehouse. He waved at them. “I have found your packs. Look inside, see?”

Diorix spilled one over, dumping all of Varro’s kit to the ground along with the sheets of vellum. He then kicked at the spilled contents, laughing as he did.

Falco balled his fist on the edge of the wall. “He’ll regret that. I’ll stuff that vellum down his throat.”

“No,” Varro said, glaring at Diorix as he kicked Varro’s gear across the grass. “Curio needs it for writing practice. But he’ll refill my ink pots with his own blood.”

While Diorix and his henchmen laughed at the destruction of the pack, Albus had already begun to argue with his men. They kept looking toward Varro and the others, and he knew they debated the offer. He inserted himself into their group.

“They cannot be serious. It is some sort of ruse to get you to open the gates, or else they will take us and give nothing in return. Worse still, they may send poisoned food. There is no reason for Diorix to aid you.”

Albus shook his head and growled. “Of course there isn’t. But do you think everyone who heard his offer understands this? If we ration food per your plan, think of what the people will do.”

They stared at each other in stony silence, neither one needing to articulate what a desperate mob could achieve.

Falco broke into their silence. “What does he want with us?”

“Ransom, of course.” Albus now looked back over the wall. “Your consul will pay for your lives.”

Laughing, Falco patted Albus’s back. “No, he won’t. Maybe if I were a tribune, and even then I’d have to be a famous one. We’re expected to fight to the death. If we get caught, it’s up to the gods if we are to be freed again.”

“We will not explain that to him now.” Albus pointed back over the walls.

Diorix had finished his sport and now drew his short sword to point it at the walls. He made demands of Albus, who seemed to curse him. The battering ram now trundled up the long hill behind him. He once more repeated his offer in Latin.

“Romans, if you have any mercy you would surrender yourselves to me. I will break these gates then kill all the men and give the women to my warriors. But if you come down now, I will spare them for a time, and even feed them.”

“Do not answer,” Albus said, grabbing Varro by his arm just as he drew breath to shout. “My father must make the final determination. I have sent a messenger to him now.”

They turned to the yard before the gate where King Bilistages stood with his warriors. The messenger ran from the gatehouse tower to him and delivered his message.

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