They did not like it, but I did not expectthem to. I expected them to obey and make sure the men did as well,which was why I repeated the same message to both Centuries. What Idid not tell them was why I was so adamant, but this was anothermoment where my father’s experience helped me, because I recalledfrom his account of the troubles that arose in Pannonia when themen of the Legions overreacted, and that had happened when they hadthe rest of their Legion, and the other Legions of that army tosupport them. We were far from home, all alone, and while we werenot starving yet, we were close; the water had done a great deal torestore our spirits, but the gnawing hunger was onlyintensifying.
We were alerted that something was happeningby the thin shout that drifted across the water to us, and itbrought everyone scrambling to their feet, including me. This time,we saw them coming because of the dust cloud that was trackingtheir progress from the south, heading directly for the village andthe river, but if we thought three chariots and twenty mounted menmade for an impressive sight, ten of the former and what Saloninuscounted was at least a hundred of the latter was not justimpressive, it was daunting. A glance at my men lining the side ofthe ship, where we had them arrayed in close order so that theywere shoulder to shoulder, and the manner in which they weresuddenly shuffling about and talking to each other quietly told memore of their state of mind than if I had asked, but glancing overtheir shoulders where Saloninus, Columella, and the Tesserauriifrom both Centuries were prowling, I could see they were of asimilar mind as the rankers. They’re wondering if they’re going tohave to fight for food, I thought; I confess, the thought hadcrossed my mind as well.
The minor lord had naturally driven hischariot out of his spot, as had the other two, and this time, thelord’s bodyguard lined both sides of the street in a wide enoughswathe to create a passage that enabled what I was certain wasCogidubnus’ chariot, which was a bit wider than the firstnobleman’s, to rush down the street. Another difference was thatCogidubnus was not driving the chariot; he was standing behind theman driving, although he was not even bothering to hold on to thewicker sides. Even if he had not been wearing a crown, which fromwhere I stood looked like nothing more than a circlet of whatappeared to be hammered iron with a series of points, I would haverecognized him by his bearing the same way I had recognizedIvomagus.
“Seeing those chariots makes me thinkof reading the Prefect’s account.”
I whirled about in surprise; Alex has a badhabit of sneaking up on me, and I growled, “Your Greek blood makesyou sneaky.”
“You’ve already used that a time ortwo. Maybe you should find something else,” he replied blandly, butwhen I glared at him, it was in mock anger.
“Oh, go piss on your boots. But,” Iturned back to see the entourage thundering into the open spacethat surrounded the dock, which made the villagers, who hadreturned with word that their king was approaching, essentiallyflee for their lives to avoid being run down, “you’re right. I wasthinking the same thing. What was it?” I tried to think, thensnapped my fingers. “They hop from the platform of the chariot ontothe back of the horses?”
“That’s it,” Alex agreed, then saidwistfully, “I’d really love to see that.”
Seeing that Cogidubnus’ chariot was about toslide to a stop, I began moving to go back to the bow, but I didsay over my shoulder, “So would I. Maybe I can arrangesomething.”
“What do you think, Pilus Prior? Arewe going to have to fight these bastards to get what weneed?”
It was a valid question, and one I wasconcerned about, but I really did not want to pause to answer thequestion from a ranker in the Third Section of my Century. However,I also saw that all of his tentmates and the men of the otherSections were not trying to hide the fact that they were payingattention.
“I hope not, Galba,” I answeredhonestly, biting back the urge to tell the ranker that tarryinghere on the deck answering questions I did not know the answer towas not helping. “But I’m going to do everything I can to make surewe don’t have to.” I had resumed moving between the ranks, then Istopped to add, “But one thing I will promise you. We’re going toget fed one way or another, and if it means killing these fuckingsavages to do it, that’s what we’re going to do.”
Fortunately, the men did not make theirnormal kind of demonstration whenever an officer teased them withthe idea of combat, but I took heart from their low-throatedapproval. Which, naturally, caught the attention of Ivomagus andthe two seamen who were back in their spots at the bow.
“What was that about?” Motius asked,but I only shook my head, preferring to address Ivomagusinstead.
“I’m assuming that’s your brother.” Henodded, and I will say that he looked like he wanted to throw up,which did not make me feel better, but it took a few heartbeats forme to realize that his turning his back to the dock so his brothercould not see his face was no accident. While I understood hishesitance, it did not mean I sympathized, and I snapped, “Turnaround and face your brother, Ivomagus. Stop wasting ourtime.”
I expected this to make him angry, not thatI cared; if anything, he looked like a scolded child, but he did asI said as I stepped up to stand next to him where I could seeCogidubnus’ face. We were certainly within hailing distance, but itwas a bit difficult to read facial expressions, and there was aslight delay as the Parisii king hopped off the platform of thechariot to stride out onto the wooden dock, just in front of thehorses. When
