Turning his head slowly on the lumpy pillow, he opened his eyes. Ilimic lay asleep on her stomach, one arm up under her breasts with her long fingers curled under her chin. He watched her eyelids tremble as she dreamed. His eyes explored her beauty, which seemed to be greater than ever before. Her lower lip showed a hint of a quiver as she exhaled. His eyes flowed down her body, travelling easily with the graceful arc of her shoulder down to where her ribs showed below a firm breast. Every curve his eyes found, they retraced. His gaze moved lower. Her trim waist and shapely hips. Back again to take in the fine hairs just catching the first light of morning, like the finest silk threads.
Morning light. They were supposed to be getting an early start to Orze this morning. Caros would miss his friend’s good humour once Neugen had gone on to Tagilit, but he had plenty to keep him busy and besides, Ilimic had accepted his proposal last night. He grinned happily. He would wed her and in time they would build a happy family in Orze. He trailed a finger through her hair and curled it back from her cheek. Of their own accord, his fingers trailed over her shoulder and her upper arm. Her skin was cool to touch.
“That tickles.”
He smiled as she shifted closer and buried her face in his shoulder, laying her hand on his stomach. He felt himself stir. There was time, although the day was growing brighter with each breath he took.
“It is light already. As much as I would like to stay right here, we have to rise.”
“Hmm. Yes, some of us seem to have done so already.” Her hand moved lower and he groaned as she stroked him gently. Her breath came hot in his ear and inflamed him still more. Deftly, she slipped over his hips and settled on him. He sat up as she encompassed him, drawing him out in waves. Gripping her shoulders, he kissed her throat as she tossed her head back. Their motion was liquid smooth and flowed together in an ancient rhythm even as Ilimic bucked and shook with her climax. Her eyes were like liquid pools as she stared into Caros’ own. He let himself go and was lost in moments of bliss deep within her. With a sigh, he fell back while she kissed him lingeringly, still holding him within her.
“My victor.” She whispered as at last she lifted her honeyed lips from his.
A heavy thump shook the wall beside their bed. From the next room, another thud sounded. Shutters clattered open followed by Neugen cursing the cockerel from his window.
Ilimic stifled a giggle. “At least it was not us that woke him.”
“Hmm, seems we are not the only ones late to wake. Now I need some breakfast. Preferably chicken.”
They dressed hurriedly and exited the room, leaving Neugen still thumping and cursing in his. Ilimic darted down the stairs and out the back gate as Caros ambled to the well and sluiced cold water into the trough. He would have preferred a hot bath instead, but this would have to do. The sky was pale blue and the sun about to lift over the flat horizon that was the Inland Sea. More than just roosters and gulls were stirring now. Caros could smell cook fires burning and hear pots been clanged about in the inn’s kitchens. A baby wailed from a nearby home. Many people lived outside the walls of the city. The less fortunate for one, but also traders and workers who had grown used to the years of peace that endured on the coast. The Bastetani had learned that trading with foreign merchants brought many rewards, including peace.
Freshly washed and clothed, Caros entered the inn. Its thick adobe walls and tiny, rectangular ground floor windows ensured it was gloomy in the passage, but the kitchen was another matter. A large fire crackled in the spit hearth. An iron cauldron hung above it, bubbling with thick porridge. A large, round clay oven held an eye of glowing embers from which a boy was drawing out freshly baked bread. Caros was surprised at all the activity, but on consideration it made sense. Sailors and merchants, guardsmen and traders, they would all want a full belly to start the day on.
Marc was waiting in the front hall. He lifted his eyebrows when he saw Caros’ swollen jaw. “Er, I was going to ask if you rested well, but it looks like you had some fun first.”
Caros prodded the swelling gingerly. “Fun. Yes, come to think of it, it was that.”
“Did you ask her then?”
Caros smiled. “I did. I am glad to say she accepted.”
“Ah. Good then. Her father and I were friendly and on occasion dabbled in some trade or other. He was lost at sea when she was a babe and her mother died of the cough. She is a daughter to me that one, and so I am glad she has chosen you, Caros.” The big man had a misty look in his eye and he gave Caros a tight embrace.
“She wants to come with me to Orze, meet the villagers and see her new home.”
Marc frowned. “It is dangerous on the roads these days. The only swords will be those of yourself and Neugen.”
“I thought about that too, but it is just three days travel to Orze and we will be riding fast.”
Marc did not look convinced, but he let the matter rest. “Talking of swords, one seems to be markedly absent considering first light has come, gone and almost returned? I recall something about you leaving early?”
Neugen stomped into the hall at that moment. “What? Miss all the food? That would be wrong. It is a desolate waste out there beyond the city. We almost starved getting here, just ask Caros.” He tossed his pack onto the clay floor beside the bench, swung a leg over it and sat heavily.
“Alugra was more cunning than I realised. He let you come along with me to save himself the food of three men.” Caros laughed.
“Yup. How long have you been up and there is not a morsel on the table?” He shook his head in mock regret. “Caros, Caros, Caros. Fortunately, I have instructed the kitchens to send food to follow swiftly!”
“What took you so long to come down, anyway? We heard you yelling at the cockerel before we were even out of bed.” He cursed himself and snapped his mouth shut.
Neugen’s eyes danced with mischief. “Hmm, did you make friends with that Turdetani graybeard after I left? Or was it that sailor? He even left a mark of affection there on your jaw.”
Marc laughed and Caros glared at him. “Do not laugh, it only encourages him!”
Six horses were tethered and waiting outside when they left the inn, having eaten in a rush. Three of the horses carried packs containing their provisions. Ilimic was sitting a grey mare and talking with the stable boy while he finished securing the packs.
She fell silent when they stepped out into the street, her eyes fixing on Caros. He gave her a broad smile which she interpreted swiftly.
“Thank you, Uncle!”
Marc waved her thanks aside. “No need to thank me.”
Ilimic sidled her mare up alongside Marc and gave him a peck on the cheek. The big man smiled happily. Caros knew that beneath the rugged, bear-like exterior, Marc was a gentle man who cherished his loved ones. He felt a knot of longing for his own family, but it was far from the raw pain it had been. Swinging up onto his mount, he smiled at Marc. “Thank you. I will send a message once we arrive in Orze.”
“Take care, son.” Marc grinned and waved them off.
The road to Orze ran due north into the interior and cut through well-tended farming land with many small villages within a single day’s ride. They passed farmers heading into the port town, pushing carts loaded high with the first spring produce; fresh greens, flax, hides and flagons of ale. Others had wicker cages filled with cackling poultry. Young boys drove small herds of cattle and sheep for slaughter. All going to the market in Baria, which not only serviced the needs of the townspeople there, but also of the galleys putting into the harbour, hungry for fresh foods. This was all Bastetani land and the people of the tribe had grown stronger with the ever-increasing trade that came to their coast. In generations past, villages here would have only traded surplus goods between one another and the occasional adventurous Greek or Phoenician galley. They had relied entirely on their own crops and herds for survival. Lean times would have meant their warriors would have had to travel to the lands of neighbouring tribes to sack their villag
es. In some cases, even raiding neighbouring villages of the same tribe. This explained why most of the villages were built on top of hills and had at least some kind of earthen or wooden wall circling it.
The sun climbed along with the temperature as they rode. The traffic they had met around the outskirts of Baria dwindled and died. The villagers were hard at work in the fields, preparing for the summer and autumn ahead. They rode till well after noon, making good time. Caros had spent a lot of the time riding beside Ilimic, chattering about his life and learning about her. It was exactly what he needed to help him relax and enjoy the day. Her laughter often tinkled merrily down the road as he jested with her. Caros found himself staring at her at times as she looked away at distant mountains or back over the sea that lay blurry behind them. Every little thing about her mesmerised him, from the tiny silver jewel drops of perspiration along her brow to the tantalising curve of her buttocks on her mount. She knew how to ride, but was no expert at it, although he could see she loved the horses. She often leaned forward to stroke her mount’s neck fondly and murmur soft words into its ears.
The heat had risen along with the sun and Caros saw Ilimic becoming uncomfortable on her mount. They had been on the road a long while and were already well into the hills. He decided they should stop soon to rest and stretch their legs. They had been riding all morning and while he was used to long days on horseback, neither of the others were. If his recollection was accurate, there was a small village not far ahead. It was a place his father had occasionally rested at when making the same journey. His memory was not wrong as they soon began passing cultivated fields and orchards, a sure sign of a community nearby.
By this point, Neugen began to grumble that they should stop to eat. The road took them through a cutting made by a small stream which they crossed by way of a precarious wooden bridge that swayed alarmingly under their mounts. Just beyond the stream, they rounded a bend to see the village on the hillside before them. A thick adobe wall with the usual wooden palisade bristling along the top, encircled the village. Smoke rose lazily from cook fires and the village forge.
It was as Caros remembered and he smiled at Ilimic. “We can rest here until the worst of the day’s heat passes.”
“That is welcome news! I did not realise how painful riding could be.” She groaned as she shifted atop the mare.
“You get used to it. Unfortunately, it takes more than a couple of days riding so you should expect that tomorrow you will be even more uncomfortable.”
Neugen lifted his head and took a long breath. “Hmm, I smell lunch!”
Ilimic laughed and Caros shook his head with a wry smile.
They followed the road into the village, passing through open gates guarded by a pair of youths who waved them through from their spot in the shade.
The sprawling inn was easy to find, and they all dismounted with relief. A couple of young boys, brothers judging by their looks, came trotting up.
“For a copper we can water the horses for you.” The taller of the boys addressed Caros, who was stretching his legs.
He smiled at the pair. “A copper it is, but I will come along as I need to walk this stiffness off.” He plucked a copper from a purse within his tunic and flicked it deftly into the air. The copper winked in the sun for a heartbeat before a little hand snatched it from sight.
Caros laughed. “Good reflexes lad, now shall we get these animals watered?” The boys were a blur of energy as they took the reins from the riders and with clicks and whistles, led them off with Caros following. Ilimic called after them. “We will have ale and bread for you when you return!”
Three large oak trees grew in front of the inn and the ground at their feet was packed hard from years of use. Rough-hewn benches and wooden tables were set out in the shade of the trees. They made for an ideal place to rest when the worst of the day’s heat lay oppressively over the village. The innkeeper brought them cool ale to drink as they sat gratefully at one of the tables, enjoying the slightest of breezes as it visited the shade below the trees. Another party of four travellers had arrived before them and had already eaten. They were four men and had the look of traders or farmers who made a decent living. Two of them slept below a tree while a third sat on the ground and whittled a lump of wood. The fourth man smiled at them and waved a good afternoon from the bench he sat on. They waved back politely.
The cool ale refreshed Caros as he sipped. Ilimic sat beside him, her knee against his thigh. Neugen smiled happily when the innkeeper arrived with olives, cheese, honey and fresh bread. He immediately tore a piece off the loaf and set to loading it with the chunky white cheese.
Passing the honey to Ilimic, Caros spoke, “We made good time this morning. We can do a fair bit of riding before dark as well if you are able to.”
She nodded and licked honey from her finger.
He squeezed her hand. “I think we will be able to get to Flat Cave before nightfall.” He referred to a place used by travellers to overnight beside a good stream. There was no inn or any kind of dwelling, just a shallow cave in the side of the cliff face, overlooking the stream.
After eating, Caros unfurled his cloak at the base of one of the oaks as it was still too warm to ride. They would sleep here in the dappled shade until the heat died away. Neugen was already snoring, flat on his back beside the table he had eaten at. Ilimic stretched out on the cloak. Caros stood looking around and wondered if he should sleep too. The innkeeper was in a basket chair; feet out before him and fast asleep as were the other travellers. Children laughed gaily somewhere in the village and a dove cooed softly in the oak above them. It was beyond peaceful. He looked down at Ilimic and found she was looking up at him tenderly. His breath caught at the depth of her eyes shining up at him. She patted the cloak beside her invitingly. He unbuckled his belt and dropped it along with the sheathed falcata before settling down beside her.
Caros slept lightly. Each time he dipped into sleep, visions of the days past appeared. Like an unseen river of thought flowing just below his conscience, the visions threatened to drag him into their world. Just as they became too vivid, he would pull hurriedly away and surface to feel Ilimic’s arm resting lightly on his own, her breath sweet on his cheek. After a time, he would doze again only for the visions to reappear.
Finally, after jerking awake a fourth time to avoid the dreams, he had had enough. Ilimic slept soundly as did Neugen and the other travellers. The innkeeper was nowhere to be seen. Caros sensed that it was nearly time to depart. The breeze was stronger, and the heat of the day had dissipated a little. He rose without disturbing Ilimic and buckled on his sword belt. Wanting to wash, he headed for the village well and drew a pail of cool water. He did not bother using the stone trough. Instead, he sluiced the water, straight from the wooden pail, over his head and face. While running his hands through his hair, he heard a clatter of hooves and a bark of laughter. Two strangers were riding abreast up the street, dispersing indignant geese before them. The men were warriors, armed with spears, short swords and shields. They wore leather armour over linen and wool tunics and their iron helmets hung beside their shields at their knees. The men stopped talking when they saw Caros and glared at him. He offered them a polite nod as they passed, but neither man responded and one hawked and spat from the side of his mouth. Too many men with sharp iron and little honour were about these days. The pair rounded the corner, clearly heading for the inn. Caros glanced back down the road they had come up. It was empty. He felt his gut tighten with tension and he wondered if he was being reckless by bringing Ilimic with him.
He returned to find Ilimic and Neugen awake. Neugen was fussing beside the horses, checking the packs were well secured. Caros smiled at Ilimic who was seated at the table, her cheeks flushed from sleep. She looked lovely, even as she yawned the afternoon sleep away.
“Sleep well?”
“Oh, my butt hurts.” She groaned and stretched.
“Did you see two horsemen?”
Ilimic s
hook her head, but Neugen nodded. “Woke me up, the bastards.”
“There is a well behind the inn. Water’s good. Why not freshen up and then we can be on our way?” Caros turned as one of the four travellers; the one who had greeted them, came across. His three companions were readying their mounts.
“Greetings. I am Arckat from near Tagilit.” He smiled through his thick beard. Tall, gangly with big, calloused hands, Arckat’s tunic was fine flax linen and someone had done a good job on it with dyes. He had the look of a man who worked hard at honest work and prospered from it.
“Greetings, Arckat. I am Caros.”
The man nodded. “My companions and I are travelling to Baria and were hoping you would ride with us if you are going that way?”
Caros shook his head. “Thank you, but we left from Baria this morning.”
The man looked glum for a heartbeat. “Ah well, I thought I might ask. Is the road good to Baria? We, my friends and I, are a little nervous after our trip here.”
Caros frowned. “Yes, the road is good. You will easily reach Baria before nightfall. What do you mean you are nervous after your trip?”
“I do not wish to alarm you my friend, but the road from Tagilit is not as safe as you would hope.” He looked back at his companions who were waiting with their horses. “We are just farmers so have little of value, but still we were set upon twice by armed men. The first time they stopped us and demanded all our goods and horses.” Arckat shook his head sheepishly. “Fortunately they were on foot and we were able to outrun them. I think they would have killed us if we had not fled.”
Caros was outraged. “This is Bastetani land! Were these men Bastetani?” Caros asked angrily.
Arckat shrugged. “The ones who spoke were Olacades. The second encounter we had, we were fortunate enough to see them before they saw us, especially as they were mounted. They pursued us for half a day, but we escaped into the hills until we could rejoin the road further south.”
Caros was desperately worried at this news. How could the road be this dangerous? He had travelled it many times both with his father and alone and had never encountered bandits.
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