‘But why you?’ Spartacus asked with a disbelieving look on his face.
‘As much as I make the plans Spartacus, I still need to gain the respect of the men,’ Cassian replied.
‘You have it. They know you have steered them this far.’
‘You are most gracious Spartacus. Then maybe I have to gain self-respect.’
‘But you have never even served, I have never even seen you lift a weapon.’ Spartacus was exasperated that he now had to watch Cassian as well as carry out this bloody mission.
‘Well I stick them with the pointy end, I think.’ Cassian tried to make light of the situation but he could tell Spartacus was in no mood for humour. The conversation died.
Spartacus was bloody annoyed, he would rather have come alone. If the bloody idiot went and got himself killed what of the mission then and why the bloody hell is he so fucking cheerful, we're going to almost certain death and he's whistling a fucking tune? He kicked his heels as they reached the flatter, safer dirt road, eager to take his frustration out on someone and if that whistling did not stop it would be Cassian.
Quite some time later they arrived just outside Caralis. They tethered the horses in a quiet spot under the cover of a clump of trees and stood for a while discussing the best way to approach the town. They required ease of access to Apelios’ main building.
They picked their way through the dark, dank streets, the putrid smell of human filth filling the nostrils. The occasional beggar grumbled his discontent at being disturbed, but to all other inhabitants they were like spectres, ghostly, moving ever onwards to an unsuspecting victim. On they went, avoiding any sign of life, in a town so submerged in deceit and mistrust it was better not to be noticed until the options to do so were exhausted.
The timid approach made the journey to their desired location take some time and put an edge to the nerves. Spartacus much preferred a straight forward fight but this was no straight forward mission. This required a whole different type of skill, one which he hoped the Roman possessed too. They moved into a dark alley and there, directly across from them, lay a large building with just two slumbering guards at the front entrance. Spartacus had guessed that Apelios would not have too many men guarding him for in a place like Caralis sometimes the show of force was to have little on view, as though stating to the world I am untouchable. They decided to find another way in, for removing the guards may well be noticed and they needed time to complete the task. They skirted the building and found an old tree. They silently used it to scale the wall. Now they must find the prey they sought. Albus had given instructions as to the layout of the building. He knew the details well as he had dined there many times when it belonged to the previous occupier. The previous occupier was a wealthy merchant who met with an untimely end. His property had almost instantly been inhabited by Apelios. Of course no blame for the merchant's death could be placed upon him, but it was an unspoken reality that all knew but dared not even whisper.
Apelios again woke from a disturbed sleep. That burning stare had interrupted his dreams of power again. The fear of it had woken him many times since he had observed the unknown stranger at the entrance to the warehouse just a few days before. He was not usually subject to such frailties but that man unsettled his very soul. He took a huge mouthful of wine and cast a nervous look about the room. All was quiet. He wondered whether he should have doubled the guards but almost laughed at his own suggestion. That man was far away, running with all his might. Both he and the arrogant Roman would not dare to enter Caralis again. They had been lucky and the Gods rarely granted such luck a second time.
He glanced down at the slave girl next to him, the bruise already showing on her face where he had slapped her into submission. He smiled and knew he had the power to take what he wanted when wanted it. He lay back and slipped into slumber.
The slave, sure that this time her master had fallen into a heavy slumber, rose and pulled her torn tunic back into place, covering the red welts on her body made by the pig now asleep before her. She raised a hand feeling the bruise forming on her eye. She shot the man an evil glance and prayed to the Gods that they would kill this man and then walked, while feeling the agony he had bestowed upon her, from the room. She often walked the grounds at night and dreamed of scaling the wall to freedom. She began to sob, but quietly, for if a guard heard they would come and force her again to perform for them. Such was the life of a slave unlucky enough to be sold into the household of Apelios. She cursed her luck that she had been born attractive, for it meant she gained attention she neither sought or needed. As she sobbed she felt the small wooden pendant around her neck, the only gift she had managed to retain from her mother.
As the girl quietly sobbed, the sun had not yet risen and the villa of Albus was bathed in the eerie glow of burning torches. The household was already in full flow, preparing the wagons and supplies for the mission. Those men who would be completing the journey to Utica had been allowed to sleep longer, while Albus and the rest made all the preparations. Now even those men were roused, for the time for rest was over. Bull emerged from his quarters, attempting to stretch and yawn the earliness of the day out of his aching muscles. He glanced around looking for Plinius and as he did so Albus approached him.
‘The boy will be down with Chia.’
‘You excused her duties?’ Responded Bull, surprised at his host's generosity.
‘By the Gods, if we were all granted the chance to say goodbye to loved ones before we went to war,’ he answered solemnly, ‘best go fetch him.’
Bull nodded and strode to where he knew the two lovers would be. It was not long before he found them. He had expected to have to wake them but they sat huddled together, as if trying to steal every last moment they could. Bull smiled as he approached feeling awkward at disturbing the moment.
‘Forgive me, it's nearly time.’
‘I will be along,’ Plinius answered, a sad resignation in his voice. Bull turned quickly, not wanting to encroach on the couple's precious moments, especially, he thought to himself, as it may well be the last time they shall see one another. His heart was heavy for he liked Plinius and thought him deserving of a brighter future.
Plinius looked into Chia's eyes.
‘It will not be long then we shall be free to be with one another.’
‘Just come back, whether to me or another, just as long as you come back,’ she responded, the emotions churning her up inside.
‘There will be no other. You will be with no other. You will be my wife and free, this I swear.’
‘I would gladly spend two lifetimes as a slave in exchange for you to be safe.’ She had not told him of the nightmares that had haunted her slumber, nightmares of a young man bleeding in the sand. He smiled, trying to reassure her.
‘I will return and will never leave you again, I promise.’ He kissed her and held her tight, trying to take her sadness from her.
Within the household of Apelios the slave girl struggled to stop the tears which dropped freely onto the wooden pendant. She was so desperate in her misery and pain she did not hear the figure behind her, and could do nothing when the hand clamped around her mouth to prevent a scream that would alert the guards. A quiet, tender voice said.
‘I have no wish to hurt you, but you must not make a sound. I need information and then you can go on your way.’ The owner of the voice had not pressed too hard upon her face, a fact which was not lost on the girl and she nodded in compliance. She turned to face the man and he raised his other hand, placing a finger to his lips and then released her.
‘What do you want of me?’ She asked, the fear coursing through her body, she had learned not to trust men.
‘Your master is Apelios, yes?’ As he spoke he took in the state of the girl, seeing evidence of the recent ordeal she had obviously gone through.
‘Yes – he is sleeping,’ she replied.
‘Do not worry about that, this is not a social call. Tell me, where are his chambers?’ The
man smiled and tried to not frighten the timid creature any more than was necessary.
‘I will tell you, if you take me with you.’ The girl stiffened as if expecting a hand to slap her into submission.
‘That will not be possible, but tomorrow things will be different here.’ Cassian removed the cloth from his face.
‘I cannot stay here my lord,’ the girl said, the pleading tone evident.
‘Come the morning a convoy will pass this building, you will join it,’ Cassian instructed. ‘You will find safety.’
‘My master will never allow…’ She began.
‘Like I say, things will be different tomorrow. Now where are his chambers?’
The girl, for the first time, found herself wanting to believe the man and quickly gave instructions to where her master lay, including a way through the slave quarters which the guards never patrolled, which would lead Cassian straight to Apelios.
There were two entrances into the chambers, the one revealed to Cassian by the slave girl which was used by the servants and the other manned by two guards who were supposed to be watching but who were, in reality, lazily drifting in and out of sleep. This entrance Spartacus discovered at the same time as Cassian moved towards the other. Spartacus realised there was no sneaking past two men so close to the door, even though they were only half awake, so he quietly unsheathed his sword and hoped to close the distance before they became aware of his presence.
The first guard fell with a single blow to the neck, blood spraying the surrounding area. The second guard was quicker and managed to scramble out of the way of a second thrust and drew his weapon. He called the alarm and attacked the intruder. Apelios woken, once again, jumped from his bed and raced to the door, swinging the heavy wooden door to the side, only to be greeted by a sight of carnage. There was blood splattered on the walls and one of his guards was crumpled on the floor, his throat gaping. There was then a terrible squeal as his other guard had just been impaled through the gut. Apelios observed the sword and followed the arm that held it, tracked with his eyes on to the powerful shoulders and then to the head, just as it turned to look straight at him. He was looking straight into those eyes he had hoped he would never see again.
Spasms of fear took hold of him and he backed into the room he had just emerged from. He scrambled for his sword, all the time watching the man moving towards him. He tried to call for help but his throat and mouth were like dust and he managed only a feeble, faint sound which would alert no guard. He held his weapon up, transfixed by the man to his front so much so that he never saw the figure move behind him. The hand came quickly, clamped over his mouth and his head jarred violently back. Before he could react a voice whispered to him.
‘This is for Trabus, you murderous bastard.’
The blade entered the middle of his back. It tore aside all tissue, splintering part of the spine and carrying on through the internal organs until its tip burst through the man's chest. Apelios never dropped his gaze from that of Spartacus and held his stare until the moment of death took him. Blood quickly covered the marbled floor, Cassian smiled at Spartacus.
‘Told you, the pointy end does it.’
‘You're a bloody idiot,’ Spartacus laughed, ‘we best leave.’
In truth, the exit from the building was easier than both expected. The guards, on finding their master slain, were more interested in looting his possessions than finding the culprit. It was clear the house of Apelios was at an end and each of his men had made many enemies in his service. They would need plenty of coin to avoid being slaughtered like the beasts many had behaved as.
They slipped through the streets with ease and with more haste than they had arrived. They had arranged to meet Albus and his men and time was racing on, they could not afford to waste any more. It was time to continue the mission. They hoped the path was now clear from the likes of Apelios, his death would serve as a warning to any others who would try and delay the convoy from proceeding on its intended path.
Chapter 15
The two men climbed onto their horses and retired to a safe distance where they had agreed to meet Albus. They set up camp with a small fire to prepare food and to keep them warm until Albus arrived and escorted them through Caralis with the convoy. They would not sleep, for they needed to sit and watch Caralis in case there were those who would seek revenge for the death of Apelios.
No avengers came. Apelios was as popular in death as he was in life, with not one soul to mourn his passing into the next life. Both Cassian and Spartacus began to relax and waited for the convoy to arrive. They added wood to the fire and took some provisions which Albus had provided. Each reflected on the task they had just carried out. Cassian was in a joyful mood
‘Well that could not have gone much better,’ he said, a broad smile spreading across his face. Clearly the excitement still coursed through his veins.
‘We were lucky, it is unusual to carry out such a mission without some sort of loss,’ Spartacus replied.
‘All the more reason to be thankful to the Gods for safe passage through,’ Cassian said, still gleeful.
‘Ah the Gods. They usually demand some sacrifice in such matters.’ Spartacus was in a brooding mood, one which Cassian struggled to understand and it more than a little annoyed him so he left the man to his thoughts. Cassian was just happy they had completed the task which would allow the convoy to continue towards its proper goal.
It was not long before the sound of wagons and troops could be heard and the convoy soon entered their vista. Albus and his men were in full armour as were the men of Cassian. All were anxious, wanting to see Spartacus and Cassian alive and well. Hearty handshakes were given by all and a sense of relief spread throughout the convoy. All now believed they would safely cross the streets of Caralis to the docks. In truth, few had looked forward to a street battle where soldiers often fell to an unseen foe.
‘How in Hades did you manage it?’ Albus inquired.
Cassian told of their exploits, how they had become separated in the house of Apelios but entered his room virtually at the same time from different doors. How the slave girl had shown him the rear entrance to Apelios’ private chamber, and the how the guards had shown no interest in catching the killers of their master. Indeed the guards had taken the opportunity to steal all that was not too heavy to move, and who could blame them? For those that had been wronged by Apelios were still likely to look for someone to blame. Albus listened, amazed at the tale and, just a little part of him, felt annoyed that he would not be entering battle. He had retired from army life what seemed a life time ago, but part of him still craved the clash of steel, the excitement of that fight against death and facing all the dangers it had to offer.
Spartacus observed Plinius, surprised to see him in good spirits and approached the young man.,
‘How are you Plinius?’ He asked, in rather too much of a fatherly way. Inside he chastised himself for the act.
‘I feel eager to see this mission through,’ Plinius replied.
‘I thought you may be brooding on that young girl of yours.’ Spartacus wondered whether he should remind Plinius of the girl.
‘Oh, I was sad to part from her, but now it seems I have something good and true to fight for. I will free Chia!’ There was no question within the young man's words, it was a statement of intent, one from which he would never falter or be diverted. Spartacus slapped the young man on the back heartily.,
‘Then we shall complete this task together. We will kill those who prevent it and together we shall drink heartily at its end. Yes?’ The response invigorated Spartacus. It reminded him of simpler times when, as a young man, the world was black or white, right or wrong and all young men thought only of how the world should be. It was joyous to observe the simplicity of it all.
‘I will be honoured to drink at your side Spartacus,’ Plinius replied.
Within a short time the convoy began its slow trundle to the port. Still the men were alert and looking for
signs of danger. Just because Cassian and Spartacus came through the port easily this did not mean they would enjoy the same experience. However, with the success of Cassian and Spartacus though the men were cautious, they were also confident.
Spartacus lay down in the back of a wagon and slept, but Cassian was eager to see this part of the mission concluded and he marched with the other men. Besides, he was enjoying the new way the men looked at him, with looks of respect for his deeds and for himself. They reached the outskirts of the town and all was quiet. Cassian guessed this was partly down to the time of day. So early few people had an honest reason to be on the move, and secondly with all that had happened recently he supposed the normal populace would be keen to stay indoors. They passed the burnt out wreckage of the warehouse where the mission had so nearly come to an abrupt end and so many of their comrades fell. Aegis broke away from the convoy and paid homage to the site with a little prayer. The convoy though kept moving not wanting to slow and become an easy target. They wanted to reach the dock before too many locals were about.
They soon came upon the headquarters of Apelios. The quiet seemed to settle more on that looming building, more than on the rest. The guards were gone and the doors stood open to the world. The power and the memory of the man would be forgotten within a week, as was the way with such men. With luck Albus would now be the only man with real power and he could restore some normality to the port and allow it to return to the prosperous state it once knew.
The dock was not that far away and they reached it in good time, unmolested in their journey. Despite Albus’ deep yearning for battle he allowed a sigh of relief that their journey had been a simple and safe one. They settled at the dock and glanced out to sea. Lathryus and his boat could be clearly seen, cutting through the waves, but it would be some time before the vessel reached them, so they created a little area to rest, which could also be defended against any locals who still felt brave enough to try and take the convoy. Cassian called Spartacus to him.
Spartacus Page 12
