Chasing Blue- The Final Saga (Book 4)

Chapter 40: Persuasion

I rushed into the tangled brush that consumed me. Spindly thorns and twisted stalks sat waiting to greet my exposed limbs as my body grazed them. I did not stop to wait for Caius or to see if Cassius had escaped in time. In the heat of turmoil I evaded to my natural inclination. To run. That's what I knew best. Soon the brush grew scant as my feet pounded against the hard clay. Ahead lay a dusty road that cut across the clearing. A new sound was coming in the distance; clacking hooves. Someone was coming!

With the sack strung around my shoulder, I pulled out my cloak, flung it over my neck and pulled it down over my tunic. Even before I could duck into the bushes the driver turned his head in my direction. There was no use hiding. It would only make me look more suspicious. I emerged from behind the low brush that grazed my knees.

"Can I help you?" the man asked. I hesitated.

"Um yes. I need a ride to Apathia," I answered in a deeper tone.

"Well you are in luck; I am heading home to Apathia. What part of town are you headed?"

"Upper part of town, by the civil district," I replied, speaking in a tone alien to my own. He nodded before letting me step inside. With my hood over my forehead I managed not to make eye contact with the driver. As we continued our gentle ride into town, he began rambling about looking forward to the new theatre and how the King was finally listening to the growing demand for spectator sports. He then turned back to fetch my opinion.

"What kind of entertainment should we expect?" I asked.

"Gladiatorial fights, my friend. Rumor has it that Rome is on its way already in building a new amphitheater to host the gladiatorial fights. I would pay to see such a fight of valor. I heard that the former theatre is hosting an event tomorrow, although it could not compare." Aegea never staged such events. It was much too small. I remembered last year Maximus invited me to see a play but that was all the theatre was used for. At least that I was aware of.

"Another play?" I asked in an indifferent tone.

"No. I do not think so. I think they said they will be doing something a little different. Something they want everyone to remember," he said slowly.

"I suppose the King cannot wait for his arrival of fresh combatants," I said stroking my stubbly chin.

"He does not have to look outside. He already has a list of repulsive men for that," he snickered. I looked around the broad roadway lined with columns. Each column nailed with a placard with black letters: Missing. My blood turned to ice. Something was not right. I had to get out here!

"You can stop me at that next street block," I said, trying to mask my growing unease.

"What did you say your name was again? You look familiar," he said glancing back at me, while scratching his own smooth chin.

"Quintus," I lied.

"Well Quintus—" I jumped out the chariot before it could even come to a complete halt. I braced my fall onto the stone pavement. I blended into the dispersing crowd that had poured out from the adjacent theatre. I could feel shoulders and arms brush past my draping cloak. They were too busy laughing and talking amongst themselves to notice me. I did not care though. I wanted to be invisible right now. Just when I gained traction from the pressing crowds I slipped into the alley. Once on the other side of the imposing storefronts, I stopped to clutch my beating heart. That was too close!

I eyed the intersecting streets, taking in the familiar roads and landmarks; anything that would guide me to Julius' residence. I had been here before and I was going to rely on the memories to help me find it now. Every person that I passed was a potential informant. Some casted me dubious glances while others simply ignored me as they scurried into their quaint homes. The last street vendors were still out, enticing stragglers with a fresh meal. The smell of meat grew so strong that I could almost savor the charred meat roasting on a stick. I clutched my stomach as soon as it began to gurgle and hiss. But there was no time to stop. I willed myself to keep moving, determined to not let the aroma of fresh duck and veal seduce me. The crumbly stale bread in my sling would just have to do. I continued walking in the shadows of the looming buildings yet one building stood out from the rest. Its white-washed appearance was ashen as if charred by flames. My feet stood planted at the entrance. I was standing in front of Julius' home.