Shadow of Death (Book 2 of Hanthalah)

Chapter 6

I found that the beauty of Alexandria was compounded from such a great height, if that was even possible.

The city was sprawled before me, in all its glimmering magnificence.

I whispered a prayer of thanks to Hubal for creating such a wonder. For lending me eyes to appreciate the glean of the morning sun on the domes of palaces perched upon hills, or the blinding reflection of the golden dew on the ornaments of glass and gold and silver that adorned the lavish churches of this city of splendor. I thanked him for lending me ears to listen to the sweet tunes of seagulls and pelicans, the flapping of their wings as they journeyed to and fro far shores. The chirping of early morning birds was always a welcome melody.

Such was the privilege of being the hostage of a pirate that roamed the Mediterranean. I was granted access to the topmost tier of the lighthouse in exchange for promises dealt with the pirate chief, who introduced himself as Hyrkon.

"I would see myself and the governor well fed and well rested during our sojourn among trusted friends," I told him on the very first day.

Hyrkon traced a finger across my arm. "Why would I consent to your...demands?" his voice was no louder than on the ship.

I stopped in my tracks. "I would see you well rewarded for your treatment of me, a reward from my own purse. And when our business is concluded..."

I paused to bite my lower lip and gaze into Hyrkon's dark eyes, sunken deep in a thin and leathery face. "My services may remain available for dear Hyrkon. But only afterwards."

"The way I see it is I have you...and you have something I want," Hyrkon was watching me intently.

I took a step back. "No, Hyrkon. If you touch me now, no money. Only after. Understood?"

He only stared back with deep-sunken, glowering eyes. But he didn't attempt anything after that.

May Martha and the gods forgive me, I thought, disgusted at my actions born of necessity. Yet, it was fun toying with this pirate.

The man cared for naught but his purse and his loins. Once I dangled bait of either before him, I could manipulate him in whichever direction I pleased.

I secured decent quarters for Andronicus and myself within the lighthouse, and the meals we were served here put the rations of the barracks to shame. It did not come to me as a surprise that even a bloody pirate was more gracious than Tetrarch Dalmatius.

I had not slept in four days. Tonight was to herald the fateful conclusion, the moment of truth, the final stage of my plan.

I prayed to every god known to the Arabs that I would be seen safe and unscathed, in order to return to Martha's arms; perhaps spend a lifetime within them. I would need to convert to the odd Christian cult in order to fulfill my dreams, but that was a small price to pay. My beliefs belonged in my heart, not on my tongue.

I caressed the alabaster idol of Hubal, feeling the ridges and curves of his beard, thinking of Martha and what the future would hold. I studied the clear rippling waters of the sea below. I heard the deafening chiming of bells carry across the city, drowning out the gentle brush of the waves and the diverse sounds of a plethora of birds lurking on this shore.

And imagined myself an old man, hunched and grey and beaming. With Martha in my arms.

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"If your plan gets us killed, I'll fucking murder you," Andronicus said, as we stood at the foot of the lighthouse, the light from within the entrance spilling out into the night and bathing us in its illumination.