by Jane Finnis
I suppose people of a romantic turn of mind would say the warehouse’s surroundings were pretty, with the river sparkling in the bright midday sun, reflecting the blue of the sky. Birds flew in and out of the reeds, and the tide was coming in fast now, so the water level was high enough to conceal the ugly mud close to the bank. Behind the house the fields were dotted with trees, including a couple of holly-bushes to remind us of our Saturnalia decorations at home. But to me, the remoteness seemed threatening rather than relaxing, and the cold was still biting. We didn’t linger long to admire the scenery, but went indoors, leaving Titch outside as our sentry.
We’d hardly had time to sit down comfortably when he came running in. “Miss Albia, I’ve heard funny noises coming from the boat. I think there’s someone inside it.”
“On the boat?” She shook her head. “No, there’s nobody there. We’d have seen them.”
“Mebbe we wouldn’t if they’re in the cargo space, under that big leather cover. There’s room for a few folk to sit or lie hidden there. Not very comfortable, mind.”
I asked, “What sort of noises did you hear?”
“Like a girl’s voice, but sort of muffled, and I couldn’t make out the words. Could be she’s gagged, trying to shout out.”
“Most likely a bird,” I suggested. “A gull or something?”
“I don’t reckon so. But come and listen for yourselves.”
“Candidus told me there was nobody there last night,” Albia said thoughtfully. “But someone could have loaded a small number of people aboard this morning early, after he left. I wouldn’t have seen them from here in the house.” She jumped to her feet. “Could it be—you don’t think—oh, let’s go and look! If there’s anyone there, we must get the poor things out straight away.”
“Wait, Albia. It could be a trap. We need something to defend ourselves.”
“I’ve got the axe,” Titch said, “and I found a couple of spears outside. Old army issue. I don’t know why they’re here, but they’ll do for you two ladies.”
Albia and I collected one each as we went out. They were long and unwieldy, but heavy and comforting, and they’d do at a pinch.
We stood on the bank and looked at the boat. The tide was still coming in fast, and the Albia now floated level with the wooden gangway, rocking very slightly at its moorings. There wasn’t a sign of life on it. I called out, “Hello, is anyone on the boat? Margarita? Gaius? It’s Aurelia and Albia and Victor, come to get you out.”
I thought I saw a tiny stir of movement under the heavy cover, but there was no sound.
“It’s me, Aurelia. I promise you’re safe.”
“And me, Albia. We’re going to come onto the boat and get you. Margarita? Are you there?”
“Mmm,” came a female voice, muffled and wordless.
“Margarita? Answer if it’s you.”
“Mmm.”
“Brilliant!” Titch exclaimed. “Have you got Gaius there too?”
“Mmm.”
“You sound as if they’ve gagged you,” Albia said.
“Mmm.”
I called, “Don’t worry any more. Albia and I are coming to get you free. Titch will go and fetch help.”
“I can’t do that!” he protested. “I can’t leave you here alone.”
“You must. The Skipper will be coming soon, ready to take them away. But he won’t sail on this rising tide, so we’ve got—I don’t know, two hours, maybe three, before he can leave. I want plenty of help here by then. Find Quintus or Rufus at the fortress if you can, or Candidus—he’ll be at Clarilla’s house. Priscus too, if he’s turned up there. Preferably all of them. Hurry!”
“But I’ve got to stay. Master Quintus would never forgive me if I didn’t….”
“Victor, I’m giving the orders now, and this is an order. As my father used to say, stop talking and start doing. Straight away, please.”
He gave me a salute and a grin. “Yes, sir! And I’ll be as quick as I can.” He set off at a run.
We hefted our spears and walked out along the plank jetty, which was now almost under water. This was going to be an exceptionally high tide, with the river already fuller than usual because of melting snow. Typical of the Skipper’s badly built gangway, I thought, that anyone boarding his boat at a very high tide would get their feet wet. As we went we talked to the prisoners, telling them we were coming, reassuring them that they’d soon be free. We stepped onto the raised stern deck, and together bent and unfastened the heavy leather sheet that stretched over the whole central area, where the cargo would usually be stowed.
Margarita and Gaius lay huddled in the bottom of the boat on a pile of straw. They were tied hand and foot, and gagged with strips of cloth. We hugged them both tight, and then used our daggers to cut away the gags.
“Aurelia, Albia, thank you! Oh thank you….” Margarita was incoherent with relief. Gaius lay silently, staring at us with huge, scared eyes.
“You’re safe now. We’ll soon have you ashore.” Albia and I began to cut the ropes that tied them, while Margarita thanked us over and over, and we all tried to reassure Gaius, who remained as still as a statue. Freeing them was slow work, because the tight bonds had cut into their flesh, and the last thing we wanted was to hurt them. And our excited chatter stopped dead when we all clearly heard the howl of a wolf on the bank.
“Oh no,” Margarita whispered. “Otus and his men!”
“Or the Skipper.” My mind raced. “Who brought you here to the boat, Margarita? Was it Otus?”
“Yes. At dawn. Now he’s come back for us.” She began to shiver, and there were tears in her eyes.
“No, I think it’s his brother who’s coming. And he may not know for sure that Otus has brought you yet. You must stay out of sight in the boat, and we’ll tell them you aren’t here. We just have to keep them talking until help comes.”
“No! Please, don’t leave us!”
“You’ll be absolutely safe. We can hold them off for long enough. It’s easy to stop anyone coming across that flimsy plank gangway. We can do it, can’t we, Albia?”
“Yes, we’ll do it. Now let’s get this cover back in place….”
“No! We’re not staying here on our own again. We’ll jump in the river, try to swim for it. Anything’s better than sitting waiting for them.” She stood up unsteadily, and reached down a hand to pull Gaius to his feet.
My heart sank. If we couldn’t hide them, we were all done for.
Albia said briskly, “Swim for it? What nonsense! That’s really doing it the hard way. Here’s what we’ll do. I’ll stay in the boat with you, while Relia goes and talks to them. I’ve got a spear, look, and my dagger. You’ll be all right if I’m here, won’t you?”
“Well, I suppose so. Will you, Albia? Otherwise I can’t face it!”
“We’ll face it together.” Albia looked at me. “All right, Relia?”
Hardly how I’d have described it, but I took a deep breath. “All right. I’ll tell them the whole place is deserted, except for me. I can keep them talking till Titch brings us reinforcements. I’m a good talker. Ask Albia.”
“But you’ll never stop those men all by yourself!” Margarita wailed.
“Yes I will. I’ll stay on the gangway, so they can’t touch me or come past me to the boat. I’ve got a spear, and my father taught me how to use it. Now hurry, let’s get you hidden.”
“She’ll be like Horatius Cocles,” Albia added, “guarding the bridge across the Tiber to save Rome. Remember the old story? He held back a whole army.”
Horatius had been a hero of ours when we were children, and in a quick flash of memory I saw the three of us re-enacting his heroic victory in our games. Well, now I’d be doing it in earnest. It was a desperate plan, but it was the only plan available.
“Crouch down with me in the straw,” Albia was saying cheerfully. “You too, Gaius. Relia will hide us. We’re the secret reserves, here to help if we’re needed. But we won’t be.”
I wa
s proud of my sister, so brave, so outwardly confident. The least I could do was match her courage and her air of assurance. “Just stay quiet. Albia, if I have to fall back, I’ll signal to give you as much warning as I can.” I deliberately used military jargon, because that’s what we’d done in our childhood games. Anyway it sounded better than, “I’ll yell if I can’t hold them off, and you’re on your own.” I stooped and pulled the cover into place, but didn’t fasten it. “Don’t worry now. Help will be here any time.”
There was nobody in sight as I walked gingerly towards the bank, using my upended spear as a staff, because the planking was completely under water now. It felt slippery and treacherous, the cold river lapping round my feet, and I was glad to reach solid ground.
As I got to the bank, two tall figures came out from behind the warehouse: Otus and the Skipper, the two men I least wanted to meet in all the world.
I raised my spear and faced them, taking a step backwards onto the jetty. They strode towards me, and I moved back slowly, feeling the way with my feet, not daring to look round. I stopped midway between the bank and the boat. That meant I was a good ten paces from where they stood at the river’s edge. I felt the comforting solid spear in my hands, and waited.
“Aurelia Marcella! You here again?” Otus growled. “Everywhere I turn, you keep getting in my way. Time we taught you a lesson.”
“More than time.” The Skipper smiled nastily and put a foot on the plank. “And it won’t take long dealing with one stupid woman all alone. Your friends have deserted you, from the looks of things. So we can do what we like with you.”
“They’ve gone for reinforcements. They’ll be back here any time.” I was pleased to find I could keep my voice almost conversational.
“If you mean your boy, he’s gone nowhere,” Otus retorted. “We caught him easy. Now he’s what you might call tied up.” They both laughed at this witticism.
I tried not to show the fear that shot through me. They’d caught Titch! I’d been banking on him getting through, and now they’d captured him! How long would it take for rescue to come, with nobody to raise the alarm for us?
I gripped my spear and looked across at them. “Help’s on its way already. And they’re coming for you two. Get out while you can, that’s my advice, if you want to save your skins. And the gods help you if you’ve done anything to hurt that boy!”
“He hasn’t complained yet,” Otus jeered. “Well, how could he? You could tear him in pieces, and with that stammer, he’d never be able to object till it was too late. He always was a stupid little runt.”
I felt a huge surge of relief. The boy they’d captured must be little Nasua, on his way back from the baker’s. I didn’t wish him any harm, but the important point was that Titch was still free.
And for all their bluster, the brothers were continuing to stand at their end of the gangway. They were reluctant to challenge me, and I must convince them they were right to be cautious. Though they were ruthless, I was counting on them not being reckless. As long as I had my spear and kept my nerve, I could hold them where they were. I took a deep breath. “If you’re expecting to see Candidus, he isn’t here.”
“We don’t need him. We’ve come to check on our property,” the Skipper answered. “So out of our way, while we get on board my boat. You can come ashore or you can jump in the river, I don’t care. Just go.”
“You haven’t seen Candidus today, then?”
He scowled. “What’s it to you?”
“He told me not to let anyone onto the boat till he gets here. So I’m afraid you’ll have to wait on the bank there till he comes.”
“What?” he roared. “What nonsense is this?”
“Not nonsense. I’m not letting you aboard.” I levelled my spear.
“She’s bluffing.” Otus spat towards me. “She can’t stop us. She doesn’t know how to use that thing.” He pulled out a large dagger.
The Skipper drew a blade that looked like a butcher’s cleaver, and held it towards me. “I said get out of our road. Now.”
“No.”
He took three steps towards me and seemed to be measuring the distance between us, perhaps wondering if he could run at me and throw me off. Otus was close behind—at least there wasn’t room for them to advance side by side. But as the planking moved under their weight, I suddenly felt very scared and very alone. The gangway was three fingers deep in water, and my feet were numb with cold. It would be easy to slip. And, being realistic, I knew these strong, determined men would sooner or later find a way to pull me to the bank, or push me into the river. The water didn’t frighten me, I’m a strong swimmer. But if they got their hands on the others…. I gathered my courage for a last stand.
I raised my spear a fraction and said, “That’s far enough. Don’t come any closer.” They didn’t try to, which gave me confidence. “And don’t even think about trying to rush me. My father was an army man, and he taught me how to use a spear for close combat. I can trip you up, or stick you in the eye, or spike you in the balls, before you’ve got time to yell for help.” It sounded good, and the Skipper shuffled back a little, making Otus step back too. One up to me.
Otus lost his temper. “You interfering bitch, I’m sick of you sticking your nose in my business! That’s my brother’s boat, and it contains property of mine. Let us on board now, or we’ll put you in there with the others. The dealers down south pay plenty for females in good condition. Or maybe we’ll have a bit of fun with you first, and if we spoil your looks, we can always sell you to the Druids. Come on, brother, let’s get this finished.”
But the Skipper didn’t move, and Otus’ words, far from frightening me, made me angry. Threatening me like that, and describing those two terrified people as “property”! And my sister was there with them now. They were all depending on me, and I wouldn’t let them down. I couldn’t! I felt a sudden fierce rush of energy, like fire racing through my veins and leaving no room for fear. This was a battle, and I was elated, and knew I was invincible.
“Don’t be stupid! You know you can’t cross to this boat if I say not.” I was shouting now, loud and exultant. I pointed my spear at Otus. “As for the people on the boat, you won’t lay a finger on them. I’m guarding them till Candidus gets here. He’ll have something to say about crooks who steal slaves.” I shifted my weight and took a pace forward, daring them to come within my reach. “And as for you, Skipper Ephialtes, we know all about your foul trade with the Druids, and how you’ve been helping army deserters. You’re the worst kind of scum, the pair of you, and you’ll get what’s coming to you. You’ll die in the arena, and the slower the better.”
The Skipper swore. “Right, that’s enough. I’ll count to ten. If you haven’t shifted by then, I’m coming for you, and you’re dead.” He began to count aloud. “One…two…three….” I crouched, preparing to give him a low blow. Perhaps I could trip him, use his own momentum to pitch him into the water.
“Four…five…six….” Holy Diana, help me now! As if in answer, into my mind came the image of my hero Horatius, guarding his bridge against an invading army. I’m a Roman, I thought, and Romans don’t give in.
“Seven…eight…nine….”
Then I pictured the heroic warrior Horatius standing next to Sempronia’s drunken lawyer who shared his name, and I laughed aloud. It must have looked like mad bravado, or simply madness, and it goaded them into action.
“TEN!” The Skipper started along the gangway, with Otus at his heels. He took three paces, and he was almost within my reach.
And then, incredibly, he stumbled and swayed, and came no further. He put a hand up to his neck, and I saw there was an arrow sticking out of him. He grunted and tugged at the shaft, and it came free in his hand, releasing a stream of blood. Then he fell backwards, straight onto Otus.
Otus shouted and staggered sideways, thrown off balance by his brother’s heavy weight. As I stared in astonishment, both of them tumbled into the river with an enormous splash.
I looked beyond them to see where the arrow had come from. Timaeus stood on the bank, carrying a hunting-bow. He had Titch and Taurus with him. I let out a yell of delight.
They stopped a safe distance from where the two men stood chest-deep in the river, clinging onto the submerged planking. Timaeus yelled, “Stay down, you two. If you try to get out, I’ll shoot.”
“Mistress Aurelia!” Titch called. “Are you all right?”
“Fine, Victor, thanks to you three.”
“Where’s Gaius and Margarita? And Miss Albia?”
“In the boat. We’ll go and get them. Taurus, can you go into the house please, and find Nasua. These two tied him up. Then come back out here and stand sentry on the bank. If anyone comes in sight, anyone at all, we want fair warning.”
Taurus nodded. “Very good, Mistress. But take care, these two aren’t done yet.”
“I’ll watch them.” Timaeus gestured with his bow. “Aurelia, can you and Victor get the others out?”
“No, wait,” Titch cut in. “Let’s not take any chances. Let’s catch these bastards first.”
I looked down at the two brothers. Otus was struggling and splashing, and I realised he was pulling off his heavy cloak. As he got himself free of it, he shouted, “Come on, Ephialtes, swim for it!” and letting go of the jetty, struck out strongly for the other side of the river. The tide was at its highest, and there was no real current flowing either up-stream or down, so he made good steady progress.
But the Skipper stayed where he was, holding onto the planking. The water around him was red with his blood. “Let me out of the river!” he called up to Timaeus. “I’m hurt. I’m done for.”
“Stay where you are,” Timaeus ordered. “Victor, watch him, will you, while I try and deal with Otus.” He raised his bow and shot at the swimmer. He missed, but not by much. Quick as lightning he fitted another arrow and shot again, and this time hit Otus squarely on the back of the head.
