A Bitter Chill (42 page)

As I got to the bank, two tall figures came out from behind the warehouse: Otus and the Skipper, the two men I least wanted to meet in all the world.

I raised my spear and faced them, taking a step backwards onto the jetty. They strode towards me, and I moved back slowly, feeling the way with my feet, not daring to look round. I stopped midway between the bank and the boat. That meant I was a good ten paces from where they stood at the river’s edge. I felt the comforting solid spear in my hands, and waited.

“Aurelia Marcella! You here again?” Otus growled. “Everywhere I turn, you keep getting in my way. Time we taught you a lesson.”

“More than time.” The Skipper smiled nastily and put a foot on the plank. “And it won’t take long dealing with one stupid woman all alone. Your friends have deserted you, from the looks of things. So we can do what we like with you.”

“They’ve gone for reinforcements. They’ll be back here any time.” I was pleased to find I could keep my voice almost conversational.

“If you mean your boy, he’s gone nowhere,” Otus retorted. “We caught him easy. Now he’s what you might call tied up.” They both laughed at this witticism.

I tried not to show the fear that shot through me. They’d caught Titch! I’d been banking on him getting through, and now they’d captured him! How long would it take for rescue to come, with nobody to raise the alarm for us?

I gripped my spear and looked across at them. “Help’s on its way already. And they’re coming for you two. Get out while you can, that’s my advice, if you want to save your skins. And the gods help you if you’ve done anything to hurt that boy!”

“He hasn’t complained yet,” Otus jeered. “Well, how could he? You could tear him in pieces, and with that stammer, he’d never be able to object till it was too late. He always was a stupid little runt.”

I felt a huge surge of relief. The boy they’d captured must be little Nasua, on his way back from the baker’s. I didn’t wish him any harm, but the important point was that Titch was still free.

And for all their bluster, the brothers were continuing to stand at their end of the gangway. They were reluctant to challenge me, and I must convince them they were right to be cautious. Though they were ruthless, I was counting on them not being reckless. As long as I had my spear and kept my nerve, I could hold them where they were. I took a deep breath. “If you’re expecting to see Candidus, he isn’t here.”

“We don’t need him. We’ve come to check on our property,” the Skipper answered. “So out of our way, while we get on board my boat. You can come ashore or you can jump in the river, I don’t care. Just go.”

“You haven’t seen Candidus today, then?”

He scowled. “What’s it to you?”

“He told me not to let anyone onto the boat till he gets here. So I’m afraid you’ll have to wait on the bank there till he comes.”

“
What?
” he roared. “What nonsense is this?”

“Not nonsense. I’m not letting you aboard.” I levelled my spear.

“She’s bluffing.” Otus spat towards me. “She can’t stop us. She doesn’t know how to use that thing.” He pulled out a large dagger.

The Skipper drew a blade that looked like a butcher’s cleaver, and held it towards me. “I said get out of our road.
Now.
”

“No.”

He took three steps towards me and seemed to be measuring the distance between us, perhaps wondering if he could run at me and throw me off. Otus was close behind—at least there wasn’t room for them to advance side by side. But as the planking moved under their weight, I suddenly felt very scared and very alone. The gangway was three fingers deep in water, and my feet were numb with cold. It would be easy to slip. And, being realistic, I knew these strong, determined men would sooner or later find a way to pull me to the bank, or push me into the river. The water didn’t frighten me, I’m a strong swimmer. But if they got their hands on the others…. I gathered my courage for a last stand.

I raised my spear a fraction and said, “That’s far enough. Don’t come any closer.” They didn’t try to, which gave me confidence. “And don’t even think about trying to rush me. My father was an army man, and he taught me how to use a spear for close combat. I can trip you up, or stick you in the eye, or spike you in the balls, before you’ve got time to yell for help.” It sounded good, and the Skipper shuffled back a little, making Otus step back too. One up to me.

Otus lost his temper. “You interfering bitch, I’m sick of you sticking your nose in my business! That’s my brother’s boat, and it contains property of mine. Let us on board now, or we’ll put you in there with the others. The dealers down south pay plenty for females in good condition. Or maybe we’ll have a bit of fun with you first, and if we spoil your looks, we can always sell you to the Druids. Come on, brother, let’s get this finished.”

But the Skipper didn’t move, and Otus’ words, far from frightening me, made me angry. Threatening me like that, and describing those two terrified people as “property”! And my sister was there with them now. They were all depending on me, and I wouldn’t let them down. I
couldn’t!
I felt a sudden fierce rush of energy, like fire racing through my veins and leaving no room for fear. This was a battle, and I was elated, and knew I was invincible.

“Don’t be stupid! You know you can’t cross to this boat if I say not.” I was shouting now, loud and exultant. I pointed my spear at Otus. “As for the people on the boat, you won’t lay a finger on them. I’m guarding them till Candidus gets here. He’ll have something to say about crooks who steal slaves.” I shifted my weight and took a pace forward, daring them to come within my reach. “And as for you, Skipper Ephialtes, we know all about your foul trade with the Druids, and how you’ve been helping army deserters. You’re the worst kind of scum, the pair of you, and you’ll get what’s coming to you. You’ll die in the arena, and the slower the better.”

The Skipper swore. “Right, that’s enough. I’ll count to ten. If you haven’t shifted by then, I’m coming for you, and you’re dead.” He began to count aloud. “One…two…three….” I crouched, preparing to give him a low blow. Perhaps I could trip him, use his own momentum to pitch him into the water.

“Four…five…six….” Holy Diana, help me now! As if in answer, into my mind came the image of my hero Horatius, guarding his bridge against an invading army. I’m a Roman, I thought, and Romans don’t give in.

“Seven…eight…nine….”

Then I pictured the heroic warrior Horatius standing next to Sempronia’s drunken lawyer who shared his name, and I laughed aloud. It must have looked like mad bravado, or simply madness, and it goaded them into action.

“TEN!” The Skipper started along the gangway, with Otus at his heels. He took three paces, and he was almost within my reach.

And then, incredibly, he stumbled and swayed, and came no further. He put a hand up to his neck, and I saw there was an arrow sticking out of him. He grunted and tugged at the shaft, and it came free in his hand, releasing a stream of blood. Then he fell backwards, straight onto Otus.

Otus shouted and staggered sideways, thrown off balance by his brother’s heavy weight. As I stared in astonishment, both of them tumbled into the river with an enormous splash.

I looked beyond them to see where the arrow had come from. Timaeus stood on the bank, carrying a hunting-bow. He had Titch and Taurus with him. I let out a yell of delight.

They stopped a safe distance from where the two men stood chest-deep in the river, clinging onto the submerged planking. Timaeus yelled, “Stay down, you two. If you try to get out, I’ll shoot.”

“Mistress Aurelia!” Titch called. “Are you all right?”

“Fine, Victor, thanks to you three.”

“Where’s Gaius and Margarita? And Miss Albia?”

“In the boat. We’ll go and get them. Taurus, can you go into the house please, and find Nasua. These two tied him up. Then come back out here and stand sentry on the bank. If anyone comes in sight, anyone at all, we want fair warning.”

Taurus nodded. “Very good, Mistress. But take care, these two aren’t done yet.”

“I’ll watch them.” Timaeus gestured with his bow. “Aurelia, can you and Victor get the others out?”

“No, wait,” Titch cut in. “Let’s not take any chances. Let’s catch these bastards first.”

I looked down at the two brothers. Otus was struggling and splashing, and I realised he was pulling off his heavy cloak. As he got himself free of it, he shouted, “Come on, Ephialtes, swim for it!” and letting go of the jetty, struck out strongly for the other side of the river. The tide was at its highest, and there was no real current flowing either up-stream or down, so he made good steady progress.

But the Skipper stayed where he was, holding onto the planking. The water around him was red with his blood. “Let me out of the river!” he called up to Timaeus. “I’m hurt. I’m done for.”

“Stay where you are,” Timaeus ordered. “Victor, watch him, will you, while I try and deal with Otus.” He raised his bow and shot at the swimmer. He missed, but not by much. Quick as lightning he fitted another arrow and shot again, and this time hit Otus squarely on the back of the head.

“Good shooting!” I exclaimed. But Otus was strong, and he swam doggedly on, not pausing to remove the shaft, which stuck out of his thick black hair. He was more than halfway across the river now, and looked as if he would make his escape. Then another arrow caught him, this time in the back of the neck. He stopped swimming, twisting a hand behind him to try and shift it, but he couldn’t. We saw him desperately splashing as the water around him turned red, and then he sank.

C
HAPTER
XXX

“Help!” The Skipper was clawing feebly at the planking close to the bank. “Help me! I can’t get out of the water. I’m done for. I won’t give you any trouble! Help me, please!”

“Stay where you are,” I ordered. “See if you can find a rope, will you, Titch? There may be one in the house.”

“There’ll be some on the boat, for sure.” The lad ran onto the gangway, leaping lightly over the place where the Skipper’s hands were still desperately holding on.

I hurried to the boat, shouting, “Albia, Margarita, Gaius, you’re safe now! We’re coming!” Titch was behind me, and together we jumped on board and pulled back the heavy leather covering.

“Aurelia! Oh, thank the gods!” Margarita was laughing and crying at once as she stood up and looked around.

Gaius stayed where he was for a couple of heartbeats. Then he saw Titch and gave a joyous shout. “Victor! Victor, you’ve come!” Titch crouched down, holding the boy tight and saying gently, “There, young Gaius. You’re safe. I’ve come for you, just like I promised. You’ll be all right now.”

Albia looked over their heads at me and said quietly, “Good work, Relia.”

“You too. They wouldn’t have stayed here without you. Are you all right?”

“Yes. Thanks to you.”

“Thanks to Timaeus. He’s the one who saved us.”

“Timaeus?” Margarita moved to stand on the raised stern deck. “Is he here?”

I pointed. “On the bank there.”

“Oh, this is wonderful! I can hardly believe it—we’re safe! It’s been a nightmare. I can’t describe it.” She gazed at the river and the shore. “Where are we?”

“Just outside Eburacum. That’s Candidus’ warehouse, and his house is just behind.”

“Eburacum?” she repeated, surprised. “They wouldn’t tell us where we were, or where they were taking us. Gods, what’s that?”

We heard shouting on the bank, and looked across in alarm, which swiftly turned to relief. Taurus had hauled out the Skipper, who lay unmoving on the ground, either unconscious or dead. Now Taurus was shouting excitedly and pointing up-stream. A tiny rowing-boat had rounded the bend and was pulling rapidly towards us, with Candidus and Priscus at the oars.

Titch gave a whoop of triumph, and carried Gaius to the bank. The brothers disembarked, and Albia rushed across the gangway into Candidus’ arms. I reached out a hand to help Margarita, thinking she was still too weak and stiff to manage the treacherous planks alone, but she waved me aside and ran nimbly across. I thought, Venus is giving her feet wings, as I saw Priscus waiting at the end of the gangway, his arms open wide to receive her.

But she flew past Priscus without even seeing him. She ran to Timaeus, who took her in a fierce embrace. They clung together as if they’d never let go.

I walked from the boat to the bank, too astonished to say anything. Priscus was standing as if he’d taken root, watching Timaeus and Margarita, who were too absorbed in one another to be aware of him or of anyone else.

“I don’t understand,” Priscus breathed. But his white face and staring eyes told me he understood only too well. He was seeing the girl he loved, happy in the arms of the man she loved.

“Margarita’s mine!” he exclaimed. “I love her. She said she loved me. Why is she with him?”

I couldn’t think what to answer. What can you say to a man whose heart is breaking?

“It’s all been for nothing then,” he muttered. “All for nothing.” He raised his voice. “Margarita!
Margarita!
”

She broke away from Timaeus and came to him, her face full of sadness. “I’m so sorry, Priscus. I should have told you, but I didn’t know how.”

“Told me what?” He sounded dazed.

“Since Timaeus came into the household, I’ve realised I love him. I can’t help it. We belong together. We knew each other years ago, you see, before your mother bought me.”

He stared at her. “You knew each other before? You mean you were lovers?”

“Yes. But it stopped when I came to you. I swear it.”

“You said you loved
me!”

“I cared for you very much. You made me happy, and I wanted to make you happy too.”

“All these years we’ve been together, and I’ve loved you so much. I refused to marry, I wouldn’t go into politics, all because I loved you. And now I find that you—you’ve been lying to me!” He was shouting, and everyone had turned to listen to him. With the tail of my eye I saw Titch pick up Gaius and carry him round to the house. This was no scene for a young child to witness.