Howl of Blades by J Glenn Bauer

Author:J Glenn Bauer [Bauer, J Glenn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-05-15T16:00:00+00:00

Caros sat with Artur in the afternoon sun. The Vascon was keen to talk about his days as a young warrior and his adventures raiding the Tarbelli to the north and Celtiberi in the south.

“There was a time when I never gave the sun a thought. It was just there, clouds or not. A fire was good enough to warm me if it grew cold.” He blinked slowly and blew his nose into his hand. “Now. Now the only warmth my bones crave is from the sun.”

Caros had quickly grown to like and respect the old warrior. He also knew Artur liked to begin a serious conversation by raising something totally unrelated.

“You say Hannibal Barca has won some great victory against the Romans in their land.”

“This is what I heard. At a place named Trebia.”

“Tre…bi…a.” Artur rolled the unfamiliar name on his tongue. “Just so. Why then have the Romans north of the Ebro remained?” It was a sound question for which Caros had no answer. Artur cracked a grin, spittle gumming the corners of his blue lips. “They have tasted victory here and want to keep it alive in the hearts of their people in Rome.”

“You mean if they returned to Rome, it would signal their fear of Hannibal?”

“That is my thinking.” Artur rapped a fistful of knuckles on the bench. “Hannibal Barca. Your friend?”

Caros waved his hand.

“Hannibal has a gift of making people feel he is their friend. Better to say we know one another.”

Artur smiled crookedly.

“That is a true talent, but my thoughts were of your future.” He nodded, cocking his head to listen to the squeals of Beaugissa’s daughters approaching. “Why did you not go to Hannibal? You could have given him a truthful account of what happened.”

“I left in a hurry, but since arriving here I have come to see this is the only door left to me. If we leave with the new moon in two days and find a willing ship’s captain, we can be in Italia before the next.”

Artur wiped his lips and adjusted his cloak. “Then I will prepare to deal with a very unhappy wife.”

Caros was saved from embarrassment at Artur’s candor by the arrival of the two girls who squealed and leaped onto their father’s lap.

The older girl by a year, Alaia, had Beaugissa’s high forehead and deep brown eyes. Lorea had light brown hair and her father’s strong chin. Both were boisterous and roamed the village at will, even going beyond the walls to pick wildflowers and chase butterflies. He had even seen them play-fighting with tiny wooden swords carved like falcatas.

Lorea clambered off Artur’s knee and came to stand before him, her face serious and a little frightened. The girls loved Neugen who spoiled them and they especially liked to visit with Rappo who made them little clay horses. Maleric kept his distance and Caros wondered at the drawn look in the big Gaul’s eye when he watched them. With Caros, they were reserved, exchanging only polite greetings.

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