Faithful

by Carol Ashby

  Adela’s brow furrowed. This Galen confused her. How could a man she’d tried to kill treat her as if they were friends? He seemed harmless, but was he? Could she risk letting her guard down to sleep without him doing anything?

  In the darkness outside the circle of light cast by the fire, something moved, then stilled. Was it only an animal? Adela peered past Galen, trying to make out the moving form. Suddenly a man with a raised dagger stepped into the light behind him.

  She gasped. “Behind you!”

  Galen dove into a somersault and rolled away from his attacker. He rose with his gladius in his hand and spun around. The man lunged, but Galen caught his dagger with the sword. He stepped into the attack, sliding the sword up the dagger blade until it nicked the attacker’s thumb. One sideways sweep of the sword flicked the knife from his hand and flung it fifteen feet away. The attacker’s eyes widened as Galen raised the gladius and slammed the rounded pommel at the end of the handle into the man’s temple. The man collapsed at Galen’s feet.

  He slid the gladius back into its scabbard before bending over the crumpled form to release the man’s belt and pull it free. He untied the attacker’s purse strings from the belt, tossed the purse down beside him, and pushed it under the man’s body with his foot. Then he picked up the dagger and slid it into its sheath before strapping the belt around his own waist.

  Adela’s jaw dropped, but she snapped her mouth shut before the Roman could see. She had never seen anyone fight like he just did.

  Galen unhobbled the horses and led them near the fire to saddle them. Adela stared at him, but he ignored her until he finished.

  Then he knelt by her ankles and freed them. He began untying her wrists. “We need to leave right now, in case he has friends who come looking for him.”

  She stared at the unconscious man. “Why didn’t you kill him?”

  “Because I didn’t have to.”

  “He’s one of the men who kidnapped me. He deserves to die.”

  “But I don’t want to kill him.” His fingers froze. “And if I untie you, you’re not going to kill him, either.”

  She glared at him. What right did he have to tell her not to take her revenge on this worm of a man?

  “You’re not going to kill him. If his friends find him knocked out, they probably won’t look for us. If they find him dead, they’ll hunt us. I might not be able to defend us if there are too many. Understand? I want your word you won’t kill him.”

  His eyes had lost any hit of laughter. His mouth was straight, lips pressed together. There was steel inside this man that hadn’t been obvious before.

  “I won’t.”

  His face relaxed, and he finished untying the knots. “I do believe you were kidnapped now.”

  Galen knelt by the bedding and rolled it up. “We’ll find a safer place to camp and come back for Otto in the morning.”

  He stood and tucked the roll under his arm. “I’ll talk with Otto about taking you back to your father. Otto’s a good man. Once he knows you’ve been kidnapped, he’ll be willing to take you home.”

  Adela’s eyebrow rose. Why would any man who thought he owned her be so willing to let her go? It would even take him at least six days out of his way to take her home and return. She couldn’t name any man in her village who would go to that much trouble for a woman.

  Would a giant of a man like the gambler Otto be willing to give her up just because his short friend tried to talk him into it? The big one had handed over most of his money and her, but this Galen hadn’t talked him out of continuing to drink and gamble. His influence over the big man had limits, and taking her home was probably past them.

  But he was right. She’d be a fool to try to return on her own. She’d end up someone else’s slave if she didn’t stay with this skilled fighter, even if he didn’t like to kill.

  Chapter 6: Not a Fool

  As the short Roman led the two horses through the dark streets of Argentorate, Adela shifted in the saddle. Just past his stallion’s ears, she could see the back of Galen’s head. He’d put her back on his horse because she had no shoes. He said he didn’t want her to hurt a foot by stepping on something sharp in the dark before he could get her some.

  What he did made no sense. He didn’t want the kidnappers to find them, but he risked that by putting her up on a horse, where all could see, to protect her bare feet. And what kind of man would buy shoes for the woman who cut his face open? She felt a twinge of guilt each time she looked at the gash on his cheek. But how was she supposed to know he only wanted to help when she cut him? No one would blame her for trying to get away, no matter what it took. Even he didn’t seem to, but that was very strange.

  Galen led them deeper into the town. Her eyelids kept drifting shut. She’d been afraid to sleep while the kidnappers held her and was tied so couldn’t in the cage. It might be safe with him. When would he get to the campground? After so many twists and turns, surely no one could still be following them.

  They finally emerged from a narrow street into an open field. Directly ahead loomed massive walls of gray stone.

  He turned to face her. “I don’t know which of the regular camps your kidnappers might be staying in, and we need to find someplace they won’t think to look. I know where to ask.”

  Her eyes saucered as he gestured toward the arched gate with its blazing torches and sentries in full battle armor. “Isn’t that a legion fortress?” She tried to keep the tremor from her voice, but a trace remained. “We shouldn’t be so close. My father says the legion warriors are fearsome in battle, and the men they don’t kill, they haul away as slaves.”

  Galen turned and stepped between the horses’ heads. He placed a reassuring hand on hers where it rested on her thigh. “You don’t need to be afraid, Adela. Roman soldiers are safe when you’re a Roman, and I’ll protect you. Just stay close to me and try not to look too frightened.”

  Adela put on a warrior face with eyebrows scrunched and lips parted to show her teeth.

  His face split in a grin. The grin became a chuckle. What did he find so funny?

  “That isn’t quite what I meant. I don’t want you to frighten the soldiers, either.”

  She worked at relaxing her face until she hit something between fearful and frightening.

  “That’s perfect. Now just sit quietly and let me do all the talking.”

  She gave him two quick nods. He didn’t need to worry. With Roman warriors so close, she’d do exactly what he said. Besides, she wouldn’t know what to say. Even though her father had her brother learn Latin, she’d heard him say he wasn’t going to pay for his daughter to waste her time trying to learn what only a man needed to know.

  Galen approached the sentry at the gate with his hands held up in a peaceful gesture. The sentry pulled his sword.

  “Halt. State your business.”

  He kept his hands in plain sight and away from his sword. “I’m seeking information. Someone tried to rob me in one of the vendor camps, and I want to find a safe place for me and my woman to camp tonight.”

  The centurion in charge of the guards turned at the sound of Galen’s voice. “Crassus?”

  Silanus strode over and flicked his fingers first to tell the sentry to lower his sword and again to summon Galen closer. “Tell me what happened.”

  He glanced at Adela, then turned his eyes back on her for a longer look. An appreciative smile curved his lips. “I’d want a peaceful resting place if I had such a companion. Much prettier than your big friend.”

  Galen chuckled. “And more exciting company. It’s good to see you again, Silanus. Otto is somewhere drinking and gambling. Someone tried to knife me as I sat by the fire waiting for him.”

  The centurion drew his finger across his own cheek. “Looks like he got close.”

  Galen shook his head. “No. I already had that.”

  Silanus’s eyebrows rose. “How?”

  Galen shrugged and grinned. “Le
t’s just say it’s not wise to sneeze when you’re shaving with a dagger and no mirror.”

  The centurion chuckled. “I’ll remember that. Which camp and what happened?”

  “The western vendor camp. I was sitting by the fire, and he came at me from behind.”

  “And you killed him?”

  “No. I only knocked him out. He might still be there. I was concerned he might have friends coming after him, so we left right away. The horses brought good money today, and I saw him where Otto was gambling. Otto might have said too much where he and others could hear.” He turned and looked at Adela. “I think he and his friends are kidnappers as well as thieves. Otto won her, and she’s under my protection now.”

  The centurion’s eyes scanned her again. “A job I’d gladly take myself, Crassus.”

  Galen’s smile was noncommittal. “What I need is a safe place to spend the night away from the regular camps. Where do you suggest?”

  The centurion’s eyes returned to Galen. “Just west of the fortress, there’s a camp for the waggoneers who deliver the legion supplies. I would expect no trouble there.”

  “Then that’s where we’ll stay.” Galen’s smile broadened. “Thank you, Silanus.”

  Silanus slapped Galen’s shoulder. “Glad to help my favorite horse trader. That colt you sold me today―I’ve already been offered more than I paid for him. Tribune Aemilius Lepidus would pay me double. It’s certain he’ll want to see what you bring to trade in the fall.”

  Galen returned the slap. “I may have exactly the colt he’ll want. We’ll bring him.”

  He glanced at Adela. Each blink lasted too long, and she was swaying a little. “Time to make camp before she falls off my horse. I’ll see you come fall, Silanus.”

  The centurion folded his arms and watched as Galen turned his horses and walked toward the west. He called out, “If you want to sell that black stallion of yours then, give me first chance.”

  Galen raised his hand in response but kept walking. Astrelo wasn’t a horse he’d put up for sale.

  Adela’s heart had beaten faster as they got closer to the fortress gate. When the sentry barked something at them and drew his sword, she could feel it thumping against her ribs. When the man with the fancy red crest on his steel helmet spun and walked toward them, it was all she could do to keep the fear off her face. The way he looked at her, like a hungry wolf, made it even harder.

  If only she could understand what Galen was saying to the man who must be at least the son of a chieftain, but it was all Latin. Not a word made sense. Galen was so brave the way he stood there, so relaxed as he talked to the warrior. Maybe it was because he was such a good fighter himself, but that wouldn’t help much with so many of them.

  Suddenly the man with the crest was laughing with Galen about something, and it seemed like they were friends. She relaxed in the saddle. He was right about Roman warriors being safe for Romans. Even the chieftain’s son didn’t seem so scary when she watched how friendly he was with her protector. She didn’t like how the Roman looked at her, but with Galen there, she didn’t feel threatened by it. As the fear drained out of her, the fatigue came back with a vengeance. It was getting harder to keep her eyes open.

  She awoke with a jerk when the warrior slapped Galen. A few more friendly words, and Galen slapped him back. Maybe they actually were friends. Still, she was glad when Galen began leading the horses away from the gate. Everything would be fine, at least for the night, as long as she was with him.

  As Galen led the horses past the cluster of wagons to an empty space toward the center of the camp, Adela’s eyelids kept drifting shut. She shook her head, fighting to stay alert.

  “Adela.” He said it gently, like he had when he had her pinned after she cut him. He reached up to help her down. She pushed his hand away; she could ride with the best of the men. She didn’t need any help. He stepped away as she swung her leg across the horse’s neck and slid from its back.

  “We’ll stop here.” He stepped past her and untied his bedroll from his saddle. He flipped it to make it roll out on a smooth place near a fire pit where the last camper had left tinder and wood. “Time for you to get some sleep before you drop.”

  “Are you going to tie me up again?”

  His mouth was twisting up into a grin before he stopped it. “No. You don’t strike me as a fool. You’ve seen enough tonight to know you’re safest staying close to me. Just lie down and rest.”

  He turned from her to tend the horses. After lifting off the saddles and placing them near the fire pit, he hobbled the two stallions and released them to graze beside their camp.

  As he squatted to start the fire, she slipped into his bedroll, turned on her side, and pulled the top blanket up around her chin. Her eyelids were so heavy, but she wanted to watch him for a while. When he had the fire going, he settled on one of three upended sections of tree trunk that had been left there as stools. He didn’t look like he planned to sleep.

  The short Roman must be as tired as she was, but he was going to watch over her. Well, maybe he was really watching over the horses. They were beautiful animals, worth a lot of money. She couldn’t be that important to him. Except whenever she opened her eyes to check on him, he seemed to glance at her. The smile that hovered on his lips got a little bigger then and relaxed when he turned his eyes back on the fire.

  He held a short stick, and he occasionally poked at the coals with it. He looked alert but also peaceful. He was a strange one, this man who hadn’t tried to take advantage of her and was making sure no one else did.

  As Adela let down her guard for the first time in days, sleep overpowered her in seconds.

  Otto awoke with a head that felt like he’d been kicked by a horse. He was draped across a horse’s back with his hands and feet tied together. He bounced a little with each stride of the trotting animal. A gag pulled the corners of his mouth tight enough that his lips pressed against his teeth.

  He raised his head, trying to see where he was. As he began to thrash, struggling against his bonds, a mounted Gundahar slipped into his field of view.

  A hand grabbed his hair and tipped his head back until their eyes met. “Stop struggling. It’s hard on the horse.”

  Otto’s eyes threw daggers, and Gundahar chuckled.

  “That’s the look I like to see. If the trainers think you’ve got fighting spirit, that’s more denarii in my purse. You said you could fight two at once and many would love to see it. You’ll get your chance to entertain a few…at least once. Maybe more, if you don’t die in the first match.” He dropped Otto’s head. “There’s always a market for big Germans. Most don’t last long, but maybe you’ll beat the odds.”

  His chuckle turned into a wicked laugh. “You thought you were a good gambler, but everything you won is mine again. Gerlach took care of your short friend, and I’ll have the girl and those fine horses to sell when I sell you.”

  Otto’s heart shriveled within him. Galen…the best friend a man ever had…dead because of his own stupid choices.

  The galloping hoofbeats approaching from the rear drew both their gazes.

  The man who’d brought the girl to the table rode up beside Gundahar.

  Gundahar’s brows scrunched. “Where’s the girl?”

  “There was a problem. The girl saw me and warned the runt. He knocked me out when I tried to knife him. When I came to, he and the girl were gone. Why he didn’t just kill me…” He shrugged. “I left right away in case they came back with soldiers.”

  A string of curses spewed from Gundahar’s mouth, and he cuffed the man’s ear. “You worthless son of a donkey! How could you lose all that money and the girl? Especially the girl. I’d planned on some fun with her after we got some distance between us and Argentorate. The first time wasn’t much sport. I like it when they put up a fight before I have my way, and she had enough fight in her to satisfy any man.”

  Otto closed his eyes and drew a deep breath.
A seed of hope sprouted within him as he released it. His friend was alive. Galen would search for him, and he wouldn’t stop until he found him. If anyone in the Empire could rescue him from the stupid mess he’d gotten himself into, it was Galen.

  A couple of hours before dawn, Adela jerked awake.

  Galen turned his gaze on her. “Anything wrong?”

  She sat up. “No.” She rose and walked to his side. “Let me watch so you can get some sleep.”

  He tilted his head and cocked an eyebrow at her. “Will you give me your word you won’t run away?”

  She tightened her lips. “Of course. I’m no more of a fool than you think I am.”

  He stared into her eyes before he nodded once. “I could use some sleep.”

  He rose and held his hand out to offer her the stump. She settled onto it and sat watching him as he added more wood to the coals in the fire pit. He strolled over to the bedroll and picked up the top blanket.

  When he walked back to her and wrapped it around her shoulders, she almost fell off the stump as she leaned back to look at his calm eyes and that trace of a smile.

  He unbuckled the belt holding the kidnapper’s dagger and offered it to her. “Here. In case there’s trouble I can’t handle alone. Wake me right away if anything makes you nervous.”

  Her jaw started to drop, but she snapped it shut. She sat frozen as she stared up at him. “You’re giving me a dagger? But I cut you. Aren’t you afraid I might again?”

  Galen lifted her right hand away from where it clutched the blanket at her throat. He placed the sheathed dagger in her palm and wrapped her fingers around it. “Like you said, you’re no more of a fool than I think you are.”