to go.’
‘Excellent,’ replied Sapho with a broad smile. ‘Your son will be coming with us.’
The chief jumped to his feet. ‘He needs medical attention.’
‘Which he will receive in plenty. We will leave him in the care of the best surgeon in Emporiae. You have my word on that.’ Sapho leaned on his sword slightly, eliciting a loud moan from the huge warrior. ‘Or I can end it right here. It’s your choice.’
The chieftain’s lips peeled back with fury, but he was powerless in the face of Sapho’s resolve. ‘Very well,’ he replied.
Only then did Sapho glance at his father and Bostar. Both gave him fierce nods of encouragement. Sapho found himself grinning like an idiot. Against all the odds, he had redeemed the situation, won his father’s approval and his brother’s admiration. Inside, though, he knew that the Ausetani would have to be defeated before this particular passage to Gaul was safe.
Chapter XII: Plans
A boot in the ribs woke Hanno the next morning. Grunting in pain, he opened his eyes. Agesandros was standing over him, flanked by two of the largest slaves on the farm. Hanno knew them for dumb brutes who did whatever they were told. Sets of manacles hung from their ham-like fists. Confusion and dread filled Hanno. Quintus’ and Fabricius’ absence hit home like hammer blows. This had to be more than coincidence. ‘What was that for?’ he croaked.
Instead of answering, the Sicilian kicked him again. Several times.
Protecting his head with his hands, Hanno rolled into the foetal position and prayed that Aurelia would hear.
At length, Agesandros ceased. He’d made no effort to remain quiet. ‘Gugga son of a whore,’ he snarled.
Through squinted eyes, Hanno looked up. He was alarmed to see the Sicilian clutching a dagger in one hand and a small purse in the other.
‘I found these under your pathetic pile of possessions. So you would steal money and weapons from your owner?’ Agesandros thundered. ‘Probably cut all our throats in the middle of the night too, before running away to join your scumbag countrymen in their war against Rome.’
‘I’ve never seen those things before in my life,’ Hanno cried. Immediately, an image of Agesandros lurking in the atrium came to mind. That’s what the Sicilian had been doing! ‘You bastard,’ Hanno muttered, trying to sit up. He received a kick in the face for his troubles. Sprawling back on his bedroll, waves of agony washed over him. Blood filled his mouth, and a moment later he spat out two teeth.
Agesandros laughed cruelly. ‘Fit him with manacles,’ he ordered. ‘Neck as well as ankles.’
Dazed, Hanno watched as the slaves stepped forward and fastened the heavy iron rings around his flesh. Three loud clicks, and he was back to where he’d been in the slave market. As before, a long chain extended from the metal band around his neck. With a brutal tug, Hanno was jerked to his feet and towards the door.
‘Stop!’
All eyes turned.
Still in her nightdress, Aurelia stood framed in the doorway to her room. ‘Just what do you think you are doing?’ she screeched. ‘Hanno is a household slave, not one of the farm workers, to do with as you please.’
The Sicilian bowed extravagantly. Mockingly. ‘Forgive me, my lady, for waking you so early. After hearing of the news in your father’s letter, I became concerned about how this slave would react. I worried that he was planning to do you and your family harm, before escaping. Unfortunately, I was correct.’ He held up the evidence. ‘These clearly aren’t his.’
Horrified, Aurelia’s gaze shot to Hanno. She flinched at the sight of his bloodied face.
‘ Someone planted them among my things,’ Hanno muttered, throwing Agesandros a poisonous look.
Understanding at once, Aurelia started forward. ‘You see?’
The Sicilian chuckled. ‘He would say that, wouldn’t he? Every gugga’s a liar, though.’ He jerked his head at the two hulks. ‘Come on. We have a long journey ahead of us.’
‘I forbid you,’ Aurelia shouted. ‘Do not move another step.’
The slaves holding Hanno froze, and Agesandros turned. ‘Forgive me, my lady, but in this instance I am going to override your authority.’
Atia’s voice cut in like a whiplash. ‘What about mine?’ she demanded. ‘In Fabricius’ absence, I am in charge, not you.’
Agesandros blinked. ‘Of course you are, mistress,’ he replied smoothly.
‘Explain yourself.’
Agesandros held up the knife and purse once more and repeated his allegations.
Atia looked suitably horrified.
‘What would Fabricius say if he found out that I had left such a dangerous slave on the premises, mistress?’ the Sicilian asked. ‘He would have me crucified, and rightly so.’
You clever bastard, thought Hanno. Make your move when you only have two women to intimidate. Fabricius was far away, and who knew when Quintus would return?
Atia nodded in acceptance. ‘Where are you taking him?’
‘To Capua, mistress. Clearly, the dog is too dangerous to sell as an ordinary slave, but I’ve heard of a local government official who died there recently. The funeral is in two days, and the man’s son wants to honour his father’s passing with a gladiator fight. A pair of prisoners are to fight each other to the death, and then the survivor is to be executed.’
Atia’s lips thinned. ‘I see. Will my husband be out of pocket?’
‘No, mistress. For an event like this, I’ll get far more than we paid for him.’
Tears of impotent rage ran down Aurelia’s cheeks. Frantically, she racked her brains. What could she do?
Atia crossed to give Aurelia a hug. ‘Don’t fret. He’s a slave, dear,’ she said. ‘A murderous one too.’
‘No,’ Aurelia whispered. ‘Hanno wouldn’t do something like that.’
Atia frowned. ‘You’ve seen the evidence for yourself. The only way we can confirm the Carthaginian’s guilt is have him tortured and see what he says. Is that what you want?’
Defeated, Aurelia shook her head. ‘No.’
‘Fine. The matter’s closed,’ her mother said firmly. ‘Now, I’m going for a bath. Why don’t you join me?’
‘I couldn’t,’ whispered Aurelia.
‘Suit yourself,’ said Atia. She turned to Agesandros. ‘Better get going, hadn’t you? It’s a long way to Capua.’
The Sicilian flashed an oily smile. ‘Yes, mistress.’
With a satisfied nod, Atia disappeared from sight.
Hanno, meanwhile, was in a daze. Agesandros must have been planning this ever since Quintus and Aurelia rescued me, he realised. Waiting for the right time.
His horror was only to grow.
‘I forgot to say.’ Revelling in the moment, the Sicilian looked from Hanno to Aurelia and back. ‘The other fighter is also a gugga. A friend of this shitbag, I believe.’
Hanno’s stomach lurched. It seemed too much of a coincidence to be true. ‘Suniaton?’
Agesandros revealed his teeth. ‘That’s his name, yes.’
‘No,’ cried Aurelia. ‘That is so cruel.’
‘Quite apt, I thought,’ said Agesandros.
Hanno’s relief that Suni was alive vanished. Blinding fury consumed him, and he lunged forward, desperate to close with Agesandros. Within three steps, he was pulled up short. The slave holding the chain attached to his neck had simply tightened his grip. Hanno ground his teeth in rage. ‘You will pay for this,’ he growled. ‘I curse you for ever. May the gods of the underworld act as my witness.’
There were few who were not afraid of such powerful oaths, and Agesandros flinched. But he regained
