The Thrice Named Man XV: Avenger by Miller Hector

Author:Miller, Hector
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-06-05T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19 – Attrition

“Do not look to the left, Father”, Aritê cautioned. “We are being watched from the high ground over yonder.”

Although I studied the forested hill from the corner of my eye, I made sure not to turn my head. “Where are Naulobates and his wolves?” I asked.

“As we speak, his warriors are moving in the shadows, encircling the scouts”, she grinned.

Moments later, a scream of anguish emanated from the wooded hill before it was cut short, no doubt by a Heruli blade. It prompted my daughter’s smile to morph into a leer. “It is time to go hunting”, she said, and reached down to retrieve her strung bow from its case.

* * *

Hostilius, Gordas, Diocles and I sat in the saddle beside my daughter. Vibius, who still felt the effects of his head injury, had remained with Cai in the camp. The Primus Pilus, also not fully recovered from his wound, had joined us after all attempts at persuading him to stay behind had failed.

We waited at the edge of a woodland on a low hill overlooking a thriving farm. On the flatland below, beyond the gentle southerly slope clad with olive groves and vineyards, lay the outbuildings of the large agricultural estate - all except the grand villa and bath house that had been built far from the slave quarters. This practice ensured that when the wealthy owner visited from the city, he would not be forced to endure the sight and smell of the men and women who toiled from first light to last.

Some labourers were tending to the vineyards and olive trees while others were toiling in the fields with hoes and spades. Goats, cattle and a handful of horses grazed peacefully in paddocks bordering pressing rooms. Inside the large warehouses, amphorae of wine and olive oil would be stacked on the ground floor while grain and fodder would be stored on the well-ventilated level above.

“I can’t help but think we’re protecting the estate of some stinking rich senator who probably had a hand in Marcus’s murder”, Hostilius sighed.

“Then it’s a good thing we did not warn the overseer, eh?” I said. “Else they would have been busy carting whatever is left in the stores into the hills.”

The Primus Pilus grunted his agreement.

“The Germani are no fools”, I said. “They will suspect a trap if the slaves are looking over their shoulders.”

“Are you even sure we’re staking out the right place?” Hostilius asked, and rubbed the small of his back. “We’ve been sitting for the best part of a third of a watch.”

“Have no fear, centurion”, Aritê replied. “Before long, your iron will taste the blood of the Semnones, although…” My daughter paused mid-sentence, distracted by movement on a pasture below. Moments later, a goat scampered across the open ground.

“Although what?” the Primus Pilus asked.

“… Although your spear does not have the range of our bows”, my daughter said, indicating Hostilius’s favourite weapon for hunting. “You might end up being no more than a spectator.”

“Spectator my arse”, the Primus Pilus growled, hefting the weapon with his left hand.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.