Terra Incognita by Simon Turney

Author:Simon Turney
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781804540343
Publisher: Head of Zeus

26

UPPER NILE

END OF OCTOBER AD 61

Three days had passed since the incident at the village. They had continued to see naked warriors here and there on their journey, but fewer with each passing mile, and there were no more road blocks. Faventinus had related the incident to Densus, who had winced throughout, picturing the disaster unfolding.

‘I didn’t trust that king in Kush,’ he agreed. ‘I think he saw us not as neutral but as on his sister’s side. I think he hoped a few hastily written tablets might get rid of us and remove us from the equation. Quick thinking with your scarab.’

Faventinus nodded. ‘I’d been disappointed with a carved beetle, but in the end I was glad to have it.’

Since then, Densus had kept his eye as much on their own people as on the terrain around them. Briefly, after leaving Kush, the men had seemed happier, but this event had changed everything for the worse once more. The story had circulated among everyone in the column, and even the slaves were now glaring at the tribune with distrust and unhappiness. The atmosphere in the column had plummeted. It was not exactly mutinous, but it certainly marched forthrightly in that direction. The centurions and their juniors were going to have to do something to rein it all back in, and soon.

The tribune had held a command meeting this morning and suggested that perhaps a small ceremony with offerings to the gods might help calm matters. Fortunately, Faventinus had managed to persuade him otherwise. Densus could hardly imagine anything the tribune did as priest having a positive effect on the men, after last time. Indeed, seeing less of him, rather than more, was more likely to have a useful outcome.

This morning, also, they had apparently passed from the lands of the king they had met, for they started to see other tribesfolk in the distance, and these ones were clad in bright colours. The column halted at around noon, in a wide grassy area near the riverbank, though not too close, for they could see the shapes of crocodiles by the water. Men with pila sat guard, watching the water while food was prepared. Some sort of bean and fish stew cooked up by the men from the supplies they’d gained in Meroë turned out to be a great deal tastier than it looked. The unit’s designated cooks were beginning to get the hang of these southern herbs and spices at last.

‘I can’t think of anything,’ Faventinus sighed, spooning stew, the two centurions eating a little away from the men.

‘We could throw the tribune to the crocodiles,’ Densus snorted. ‘That would cheer everyone up.’

‘For fuck’s sake, Sempronius, don’t even joke about that. If comments like that get back to him, you could be beaten to death for it.’

‘I’m touched by your concern,’ Densus grinned.

‘Fuck that. I just don’t want to be left to deal with him on my own.’

‘None of the traditional things will work,’ Densus said. ‘Extra rations, pay bonuses, promotions, and the like.

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