As I had predicted, I was roused byIvomagus, who, if anything, looked even more tired than I stillfelt.
“Did you get any sleep?” I foundmyself asking.
“No,” he confirmed. He hesitated, thenadded, “I had some matters to attend to.” Either he realized how Imight take this or it showed in my face, because he addedhurriedly, “Nothing that will delay your departure.”
I searched his face, difficult because theonly illumination was the oil lamp he had carried with him and setdown, but I saw nothing in it that gave me any pause, so I beganputting on my armor over my tunic without the padded undershirtthat I would have worn going into battle.
“I have roused the kitchen slaves soyou can break your fast,” he said as he left the room, and as oftenhappens with me, his mention of food instantly reminded me of myalmost constant state of hunger, which in this instance wasexacerbated because I had deliberately eaten lightly the nightbefore.
Consequently, once I was prepared andwith a last glance around what was both my quarters and my cell toensure I left nothing behind, I headed immediately out into thehall, and I am certain that my approach was announced by the noisesmy stomach was making. Ivomagus had been true to his word; twoslaves were already laying out a platter of cold meat, hunks of theBriton version of bread, which is made of barley and not wheat.That this is the bread we provide to rankers on punishment wassomething I had considered pointing out as a jibe against mycaptors, but had decided against it. Although I had becomeaccustomed to it, even as I was shoving chunks of the dark breadinto my mouth, I was dreaming of a golden loaf ofcastra paneris, made with wheat asbread is meant to be made. After I finished eating, I followedIvomagus outside, where there were four chariots waiting, and itwas here there was another choice for me to make, when Ivomagusindicated not his chariot, but the one where Cogidubnus and hisdriver were waiting.
“My brother asks for the honor to ridewith him to Petuar,” Ivomagus said, and when I glanced over at him,his expression was enough to convey his concern at how I mightrespond.
I did have to take a breath so that I couldlie through my teeth, “Tell him I am the one who’s honored, and ofcourse I’ll accept.”
Then I strode over to the chariot, steppedup onto it, and gave my version of a bow to Cogidubnus, althoughthis time, he did not seem unhappy about it. We waited for Ivomagusand the pairs of bodyguards to mount the other chariots, and withthe horizon turning pink, Cogidubnus issued the command, his driverslapped the reins, and the horses went immediately to a trot. Oncemore, I had anticipated this, not needing to grab the railing onthe side, and we pulled onto the track for Petuar. It was within acouple dozen heartbeats that I realized something; eitherCogidubnus had been hoping I refused his offer or he wasreconsidering the wisdom of it, because I kept seeing him glanceover at me. It’s almost as if, I thought suddenly, he’s worried I’mgoing to snap his neck. This thought cheered me considerably, andwhile it did not completely erase the sour taste in my mouth ofwhat lay ahead, it certainly helped. I turned my attention to ourold camp for what I hoped would be the final time, and I consideredasking Cogidubnus what his real purpose for leaving it intact was,but decided against it; as far as I know, it is still there.
It had gotten light enough for me tosee the tops of the thatched roofs of Petuar, and I blame thissight for the sudden stab that, while not physical in nature, wasevery bit as painful as if a blade had been plunged into my body asI realized that it was not just the camp I would never see again.Something in my demeanor must have alerted Cogidubnus, because lessthan a heartbeat after this realization hit me, I saw his head turnto examine me. I ignored it, and after a moment, he turned away.Within a few heartbeats of this, we were at the corner, turninginto the square, where I saw that the Salacia was now moored at the dock. Moreimportantly, I saw several figures on the deck of the ship, whilethe oars had already been placed in the water, although they werehanging there, the most potent sign that, as soon as it waspossible, we would be leaving. When Cogidubnus saw this, however,he drew a very different conclusion, and he turned to say somethingto me, his tone telling me why he was doing so.
It was left to Ivomagus, who called out frombehind us, “My brother is concerned about why your ship seems aboutto depart, Gnaeus.”
“Pluto’s cock.” I muttered this undermy breath, and Cogidubnus scowled at me for it, which I ignored toanswer his brother, “What does he think we’re going to do,Ivomagus? That I’m going to dash onto the ship and then pull away?Or,” I added scornfully, touching my hamata to make my point, “that they’re about topull away and I’m going to swim after them? Wearingthis?”
Ivomagus presumably translated this; perhapsnot the actual words but the meaning, and his brother relaxedslightly, although he was still clearly wary. By this point, wewere pulling up to the dock, and given the tension, I waited untilwe were at a complete stop before I hopped down, not wanting toappear as if I was about to bolt up the plank. Once Cogidubnus andIvomagus were standing next to me, suddenly, none of us seemed toknow what to do. I assumed that they were waiting for me to makethe next move, as I was doing with them, mostly out of stubbornnessand not wanting to appear to cooperate with this in any way.
“Pilus Prior!” We all looked up toAlex, who said, “Might I suggest that Ivomagus come aboard so thathe can examine the ransom while you stay with KingCogidubnus?”
I
