I was too tired to laugh or revel in mysmall victory, and this was when a slave appeared, carrying a basinof water still steaming from the fire. Once she was gone, Alexrummaged in the leather satchel that he always carries slung overhis shoulder, pulling out a bronze needle that, to my eyes, lookedmore like a javelin.
“You don’t have a smaller needle thanthat?” I asked, only partially jesting. “I thought I was out ofdanger from being stabbed.”
“You talk like an old woman,” he shotback, but most importantly, he was using a fresh bandage that hehad dipped in the water to clean the blood from my face. He frownedeven more deeply than he already was, his eyes on my cheekbone.“That is deeper and wider than I thought, Gnaeus.” He actuallyleaned a bit closer, squinting at me, then said with what soundedlike a cheerful tone, “I can actually see your cheekbone!” Glancingaround the room, he mumbled, “Where did that mirror go?” When Iasked him why it was needed, he sounded surprised when he answered,“So you can see it.”
“I don’t want to see my cheekbone,” Isnapped, but then I saw the amusement in his eyes. “Oh,go…”
“Piss on my boots,” he finished forme. Then he warned, “This is going to hurt. I’m going to clean outthe cut now.”
He was true to his word; it hurt like Dis,but I managed to keep my mouth shut, mainly because I knew I wouldreceive no sympathy.
Then it was time to stitch the wound, andAlex was only too happy to remind me, “It seems like I did this afew weeks ago.”
I was going to tell him to piss on hisboots, but I managed to refrain, if only because he was not throughstabbing me with a needle I still believe was just a slightlywhittled down javelin point. Even with the discomfort, however, Iwas finding it impossible to keep my eyes open, and I wantednothing more than to crawl onto the pallet of furs and sleep. Ieven considered sending Alex for a jug of mead, but while I did nottruly believe that Cogidubnus would be so underhanded, I decided itwas best to have a clear head, however tired I may have been.Finally, with a last snip of the scissors, he was done, steppingback and examining me as if he was admiring his work.
“What?” I asked, suspicious because ofthe way he was standing there.
“Well,” he sounded reluctant, “it’snot my best job. But,” he shrugged, “it will have to do. Besides,”he said seriously, “the whores in Ubiorum won’t be looking at yourface, just the coins in your hand.”
I blame my fatigue for not recognizing thatAlex was having fun with me, but I started looking about for thepolished brass disc that Ivomagus had lent me, which was when Ilearned he was tormenting me because of the way he burst outlaughing. It was, I must admit, humorous, but I only saw thatlater. Turning serious, Alex asked if I wanted something to eat,and I shook my head, pointing to the pallet.
“I’ll come back here a watch beforedawn so that we can get this over with,” he told me, but again Ishook my head, though not for the reason he might havethought.
“You won’t need to,” I assured him. “Ihave every confidence that Ivomagus and his fucking brother willwake me promptly and be only too happy to bring me toPetuar.”
It was one of the few things I was rightabout.
When I left Gnaeus, Ivomagus was waiting,while the hall was almost completely deserted, and there was nosign of Berdic’s body, although my eyes were drawn to the darkerpatch of ground where his blood, and brains, had soaked intoit.
Ivomagus clearly saw this,because he began, “Berdic is being prepared for his burial rites.Now,” he turned to business, “we will be on the dock at sunup, withGnaeus, and we will make the exchange then.” It was straightforwardenough, but my doubt must have showed, because in a lower tone andwith an emphasis that told me he understood, he added, “I swear toyou on all of my honor that I will not allow my brother to doanything to Gnaeus. Not,” he added, which I assumed was because heheard his words and how they could be construed, “that Cogidubnushas anything…underhanded planned.” I wanted to believe him, but toomuch had happened, but he convinced me when he said, “Alex, I oweyour Centurion my life, and I am a Parisii, and while I cannotdefend my brother’s actions in taking Gnaeus prisoner,I am a man of honor, and I owe him adebt that honor demands I repay. Making sure that everything goesas planned and you leave together tomorrow may not come close torepaying that debt, but it is the best I can offer.”
I was not sure what words were appropriate,so all I said was, “I believe you. Now,” I nodded towards the doorsof the hall, “if you will excuse me, I want to return to ourship.”
“Your horse is outsidewaiting,” he assured me. “And Tincommius and his wife waited toreturn with you.”
He escorted me outside,where there was a single torch burning, and Tincommius and thewoman I assumed was his wife were standing there. Since we couldnot converse, it was left to us to communicate by pointing,although it was straightforward enough because Ivomagus had beentrue to his word, with the horse Tincommius had procured for meearlier standing there, saddled and ready. Naturally, there was notany talking, at least between me and the couple, although theyexchanged a few murmured words that could have been about anything.We rode into the square, and it took me a moment to find theSalacia because someone, presumablySquillus, had moved it to a different spot, but what was mostimportant was that it was still out in the river. With a nod ofthanks, I handed Tincommius the reins to my horse, but he did notleave immediately, and I sensed he wanted to saysomething.
I
