The Summer of the Swordsman

XXXIV

         We moved our camp down to the wharves the next day, within a half‑circle of sea wall thrown there a millennium before by the first lords of Timras. It was easy for Anakreon to cordon off the perimeter and set guards at intervals so that anyone trying to escape would have a hard time of it.

          He called the troop together after all this was done, and announced that herewith all leave was cancelled and no one was to leave the camp. There was a cry of dismay from those who had sweethearts within the city, but Anakreon ignored it. He also said that we would be departing within three days, as soon as Archistratos' ships arrived to carry us.

          I looked over at Mourner and saw that he was smiling faintly, leaning against a stout post that had been made from the entire trunk of a fifty‑year‑old oak tree. His arms were folded before him, his ankles negligently crossed, and a corner of his mouth was turned up. He raised his eyebrows as Anakreon, carefully avoiding looking at him, warned that those caught trying to leave would be executed. His smile deepened at that.

          He must have felt my stare, for he turned his head. I looked away before our gazes met, but I could tell that he was looking at me and willing me to turn back and look at him.

          I remained as I was, watching Anakreon, until I felt Mourner's attention shift. Then I sneaked a glance his way‑‑and caught the full force of his eyes. After a moment I had the distinct feeling that he was telling me that it would be all right, and not to worry about him or anything else. Then he looked away.

** ** **

          There was nothing else for the next two days. Mourner went about his duties and we all went about ours, though I caught some odd looks directed from Anakreon to Mourner. We heard, tentatively, that Archistratos' ships had been delayed by an emergency on the high seas, so we kept busy repairing armor and weapons and generally making ourselves even more presentable.

          Prince Hethra visited us several times in the company of his son, the Crown Prince Ramsin, and he very kindly offered to give us any supplies we needed. His offer was accepted, and when he was gone Anakreon took gold from the strong‑boxes containing Garius' pay, and did some careful thinking.

          Several days later we presented His Highness with a beautiful, long‑bodied skiff with gold oarlocks and a hull painted the color of precious jade. The face of a lady‑‑resembling his wife, the Princess Orianne‑‑was set at the bow. Hethra was pleased with the skiff, and I learned later that he and the Princess Orianne spent many hours in it, moving gently along the inlets and cliff‑edged bays of the coast.

** ** **

          On the evening of the second day I finally kept my promise to Kenui and spoke to Quinquius over a bottle of Verhemese brandy. I told him what Kenui had said to me before he died, that Quinquius should return to Rome and ask the Emperor Valerius to forgive him and reinstate him in a position befitting his birth and breeding.

          Quinquius listened with poorly concealed impatience and a measure of hurt. "What did he mean?" he demanded. "We had good times together!"

          "He didn't deny the good times," I said. "But he was afraid that you would become like him. A drunkard‑‑don't glare, Quinquius, because that is what he was and he knew it better than anyone else. He made me promise to tell you what he said. I've told you now. Hellas is on the same continent as Rome: think about it. The decision is up to you, though I, myself, would hate to lose you."

          Quinquius looked at the brandy before him and then at the bottle, and his mouth twisted for a moment. "All right," he said. "I'll think about it."