by Ben Kane
Kneeling, Berisades placed his pouch amongst the other offerings.
Ariadne retreated, leaving him to his devotions. An image of a leering Kotys filled her mind’s eye at once, and her spirits plunged. She could see no escape from him and despair overtook her. Thinking that meditation would make a difference, she closed her eyes and tried to enter the calm state that so often provided her with insight into the god’s wishes and desires. She failed miserably, instead imagining Kotys manhandling her on to his bed.
‘What do they call you, lady?’ Berisades’ voice was close by.
With huge relief, she jerked back to the present. ‘Ariadne.’
‘You weren’t here when last I visited.’
‘No. I arrived here six months ago.’
He nodded. ‘I remember at the time the old priest not being that well. Still, you’re young and healthy. No doubt you’ll be here for many years, to gladden the eyes of every grateful traveller wanting to pay his respects.’
‘You’re very kind,’ murmured Ariadne, cringing inside. If only you knew the truth.
‘It won’t be long until the next pilgrim arrives, by the way.’
‘No?’ Ariadne was barely listening. She was already worrying about Kotys once more.
‘I met a warrior yesterday who was returning here. He’d have come in with us, but his horse is lame. Spent years in the Roman auxiliaries, apparently. He wants to give thanks to the tribe’s gods for his safe return. A quiet man, but he put himself across well.’
‘Really?’ replied Ariadne vacantly. She had little interest in the return of yet another tribesman who’d served as a mercenary for the Romans.
Berisades could see that her mind was elsewhere. ‘My thanks, lady,’ he muttered, withdrawing.
Ariadne gave him a bright smile. Inside, however, she was screaming.
As they climbed the slope to the palisaded settlement, old memories came flooding back. Hot summer days swimming with other boys in the fast-flowing river that ran past one side of the village. Herding the sturdy horses that served as mounts for the wealthier warriors. Hunting for deer, boar and wolves as a youth among the peaks that towered overhead. Being blooded as a warrior after killing his first man at sixteen. Kneeling in the sacred grove at the top of a nearby mountain, praying to the rider god for guidance. The hours of his life he’d spent wishing that his mother had not died birthing his sister, a babe that had lingered less than a month in this world. The day he’d heard the news that Rome had invaded Thrace. Riding to war against its legions with his father Sitalkes, brother Maron and the rest of the tribe. Their first glorious victory, and the bitter defeats that followed. The agonising death of Maron, a week after being thrust through the belly by a Roman sword, a gladius. The subsequent vain attempts to overcome the Roman war machine. Ambushes from the hills. Night attacks. Poisoning the rivers. Unions with other tribes that were undone by treachery or greed, or both.
‘We Thracians never change, eh?’ he asked the stallion. ‘Never mind what might be best for Thrace. We fight everyone, even our own. Especially our own. Unite to fight a common enemy, such as Rome? Not a chance!’ His barking laugh was short, and angry. The first part of the task his father had set him — serving with the Roman legions — had been completed. He had anticipated a period of relatively normal life before attempting the second part, that of trying to unify the tribes. It was not to be. The dark cloud of war with its bloody lining had found him yet again. Yet he did not try to ignore the adrenalin rush. Instead he welcomed it. Kotys killed my father. The treacherous bastard. He must die, and soon.
Used to both his soliloquies and his silences, the horse plodded on behind him.
Two sentries armed with shields and javelins stood by the walled settlement’s large gates. They peered at him through jaundiced eyes, muttering to each other as he approached. Few travellers arrived at this late hour, in such bad weather. Even fewer possessed a mail shirt or tinned helmet. Although the newcomer’s stallion was lame, it was of fine quality. It was also white — the colour prized by kings.
‘Halt!’
He came to a stop, raising his left hand in a peaceful gesture. Just let me in without too many questions. ‘It’s an evil evening,’ he said mildly. ‘After paying respects to the rider god, it’s one to spend by the fire with a cup of wine.’
‘You speak our tongue?’ asked the older guard in surprise.
‘Of course.’ He laughed. ‘I’m Maedi, like you.’
‘Is that so? I wouldn’t recognise you from a dog turd,’ snarled the second sentry.
‘Me neither,’ his comrade added in a slightly more civil tone.
‘Maybe so, but I was born and raised in this village.’ He frowned at their scowls. ‘Is this the best welcome I can expect after nearly a decade away?’ He was about to say that his name was Peiros, but the first guard spoke first.
‘Who are you?’ He peered at the newcomer’s arms, noticing for the first time the spatters of blood, and then back at his face. ‘Wait a moment. I know you! Spartacus?’
Shit! ‘That’s right,’ he replied curtly, caressing the hilt of his sword.
An incredulous grin split the older man’s face. ‘By all the gods, why didn’t you say? I’m Lycurgus. Sitalkes and I rode together.’ He threw a warning look at the other guard.
‘I remember you,’ said Spartacus with an amiable nod. The stare he gave the second sentry was far less friendly. Mortified, the warrior took a sudden interest in the dirt between his feet.
‘Things have changed since you left home,’ said Lycurgus unhappily. ‘Your father-’
‘I know,’ Spartacus cut in harshly. ‘He’s dead.’
‘Yes.’
He couldn’t help himself. ‘Died in suspicious circumstances, I hear.’
Lycurgus glanced at his companion. ‘Neither of us had anything to do with it. Polles is the one you want to talk to.’
‘Polles?’
‘The king’s chief bodyguard.’ The distaste in Lycurgus’ voice was clear.
‘What about Getas, Seuthes and Medokos? Are they still alive?’ he asked casually.
‘Oh yes. They’ve fallen from favour, but they keep their noses clean so Kotys leaves them be.’ Aware of the dangerous undercurrent to their conversation, Lycurgus licked his lips. ‘Are you…?’
Spartacus acted as if he hadn’t heard. ‘I’m tired. I’ve been on the road for weeks. All I want is some hot food in my belly and a drink with my old friends. The king can wait until tomorrow. He doesn’t need to know that I’ve returned until then.’ By which time, gods willing, it will be too late. Now that these two know my identity, I’ve got to act at once. Getas and the others will help. ‘That’s not too much to ask, is it?’
‘O-of course not,’ stammered Lycurgus. He glared at his companion.
‘We won’t say a word to anyone.’
‘Not a soul,’ warned Spartacus. Hearing the sudden chill in his voice, the two guards nodded fearfully.
‘Good.’ Pulling a fold of his cloak over the lower half of his face, Spartacus walked by without another word.
‘You fucking idiot,’ hissed Lycurgus the instant that he had vanished from sight. ‘Spartacus is one the deadliest warriors that our tribe has ever seen! Be grateful that he was in a good mood. You do not want to piss him off.’
‘What is he planning?’
‘I don’t know,’ snapped Lycurgus. ‘I don’t want to know. If anyone asks later, we didn’t recognise him. Understand?’
Chapter II
Ariadne’s mood was darkening. The usual ritual of burning incense and meditation had brought her nothing but a sequence of fractured, distressing images. Most of them featured Kotys, naked on a bed. Others also involved Polles, which revolted her. The more appealing — and dangerous — ones were those in which she defended herself against the king with a knife, or her snake. What use is there in killing him? she wondered hopelessly. I’d have to flee the settlement to avoid being killed by his bodyguards. Whe
re would I go then? Kabyle? Ariadne could think of nowhere else, but she dismissed the notion out of hand. The priests in the city would not shelter a regicide. She was trapped. Alone, with no one to help her.
Cloaked by misery, she shut up the temple and headed for her hut. The sky was full of clouds threatening snow, and she wanted to gain the safety of her door before it started falling heavily. The settlement wasn’t dangerous for most, but Kotys could easily have set some of his warriors to lie in wait for her. As she hurried towards the alleyway that led home, Ariadne saw a man entering by the main gate. She’d never seen him before, but his slow, self-assured carriage attracted her attention. He was of average height, with short brown hair, and wearing a mail shirt and closely fitting red trousers. A Roman soldier’s belt circled his waist; from it hung a sheathed sica and dagger. The bronze helmet he was holding had a forward curving crest, and the lame white stallion following him was also clearly Thracian.
He called out a low greeting to a bunch of warriors who were standing nearby. Ariadne recognised three of them: Getas, Seuthes and Medokos. Hearing the other’s voice, Getas turned his head. He frowned, and then with delighted looks, he and his companions descended on the newcomer.
So that’s the traveller whom Berisades met, thought Ariadne. He must be well liked if they have not forgotten him in his absence. She kept walking. Reaching home was more important than staring at strangers. Perhaps Dionysus would visit her that night. Give her some hope. She consoled herself with that idea. A moment later, she heard a characteristic, braying laugh coming from inside the alleyway. Recognising Polles by the sound, Ariadne reacted without thinking. She quickly angled away from the alley’s entrance to approach it from the side. Poking her head around the corner, she saw the outline of at least three men a short distance inside. Their slouching posture was at direct odds with the naked weapons in their hands. Feeling very weary, Ariadne sagged against the house’s cold wattle and daub. Kotys was being true to his word. The bodyguards were there to abduct her. Curse him! Creeping around them to reach her hut by another route would merely delay the inevitable. In that instant, the helplessness that Ariadne had felt when her father was about to assault her sexually returned. It sat in her belly as if it had never been absent, an acid pool of nausea and self-loathing.
Her indecision seemed to last an eternity, but in reality was no more than a few heartbeats. Unsure of where to go, Ariadne stumbled across the central space. It was then that she saw a second party of warriors heading towards her from the temple. Ducking her head in a pathetic attempt not to be seen, she changed direction. There was only one way to go. To the main gate. It didn’t matter that it was bitterly cold, snowing, or that it was dangerous beyond the village walls. She had to get away from Kotys, and it didn’t matter how.
‘Priestess!’ a voice called behind her.
A sob escaped Ariadne’s lips, and she quickened her pace. All she had to do was reach the entrance. The guards outside wouldn’t dare to stop her and the impending snowstorm would swallow her up as surely as the underworld. What she was doing was madness, but in that exact moment, Ariadne didn’t care. Death was better than experiencing again what she’d endured as a child. She glanced over her shoulder and was pleased to see that the warriors were too far away to prevent her from escaping. With few other people about, this one tiny victory would not be denied her.
Totally absorbed, Ariadne wasn’t looking where she was going. With a thump, she collided with someone. It was only the other’s strong arm that prevented her from falling flat on her back. She looked up to find a pair of amused grey eyes regarding her. It was the man who’d just arrived with the lame stallion. Ariadne blinked. This close, he was quite handsome.
‘My apologies. I don’t usually make it my business to knock over attractive women.’
‘N-no, it was my fault,’ she faltered.
Noticing the tattoos and red cloak which marked her station, he released his grip. ‘I’m sorry, priestess, I meant no disrespect. Why the hurry?’
‘I-’ Ariadne glanced back. The warriors were less than twenty paces away. ‘I have to go. Leave the village.’
‘In this weather, priestess?’ He looked alarmed. ‘You’ll catch your death. If not, the wolves will have you.’
‘That’s as maybe,’ muttered Ariadne, ‘but I’m going nonetheless.’ She made to move past.
He threw out his arm, stopping her. ‘What have you done?’ he asked, nodding his head at the approaching group.
‘Done? Nothing!’ She laughed bitterly and tried again to walk on, but his arm was immovable, like a bar of iron. Ariadne didn’t have the strength — or will — to push against it.
‘Something tells me that lot aren’t coming to discuss the weather. Who are they?’
‘Kotys’ men,’ she replied flatly.
‘Kotys?’ I haven’t thought of the prick for years, but now his name is falling from everyone’s lips.
‘The king.’
His lip curled. ‘The king. You’ve crossed him, I take it?’
‘Does refusing to go to his bed count as crossing him?’ she spat back. ‘If it does, then yes, that’s what I’ve done. Now let me go.’
He lowered his arm. ‘So they’re coming to take you to Kotys, but you won’t have it?’
‘Yes. I’ll die before I let that bastard rape me.’ Ariadne stared into his eyes, and was surprised by what she saw. As well as anger, there was admiration. And hate — but not for her.
‘Don’t move.’ Dropping the horse’s lead rope, he stepped in front of her.
‘What are you doing?’ she stammered.
‘Men might act like that in war, but not in peacetime, in my fucking village,’ he barked. ‘I thought I’d left all that behind me.’ I thought I could come home without discovering that my father had been murdered by a man he once called friend.
Ariadne watched, petrified, as the warriors arrived, four well-armed warriors with hawkish expressions and a purposeful manner. ‘Well met,’ called the first. ‘We’re in your debt for stopping that woman.’
‘I didn’t stop her,’ he replied harshly. ‘We collided and I prevented her from falling.’
‘It’s of no matter how you did it.’ Revealing rows of rotten teeth, the warrior’s leer was more snarl than smile. ‘She’d have escaped but for you. We’re grateful. Now step aside.’
‘Why? What’s she done?’
‘None of your damn business,’ growled the warrior.
‘She’s a priestess. Hardly a common criminal. Not the type of person to manhandle either, unless you want to anger a god. Don’t you agree?’ His voice was low but menacing.
The warrior blinked in surprise. ‘Look, friend, we’re just following orders. The king wants to see her. So do us a favour and piss off, eh?’
He looked back at Ariadne. ‘Do you want to go with these men?’
‘You don’t have to do this,’ she whispered, not quite believing her eyes and ears.
He didn’t acknowledge what she’d said. ‘Yes or no?’
Ariadne looked at the quartet of bodyguards and shuddered.
‘Well?’
‘No,’ she heard herself say. Instantly, guilt tore at her. Why have you involved him too?
He shrugged carelessly. ‘You heard. She’s not going.’
‘What’s your name, fool?’ hissed the lead warrior, raising his spear. ‘I like to know the name of a man before I kill him.’
He ignored the demand. Drawing his sword, he pointed it straight at the man’s face. ‘Ready to die? Because that’s what is going to happen next.’
Even in the poor light, it was possible to see the warrior turn pale. He glanced at his companions, who also looked far from happy.
‘Shall we get this over with?’ he snarled, taking a step towards them.
Ariadne couldn’t believe her eyes. The bodyguard’s confidence shrank like a bladder pricked with a knife. ‘We’ve got no quarrel with you,’ he mumbled.
‘Nor I w
ith you, but I’m not about to see you seize a priestess without good explanation,’ he snapped, continuing to advance. ‘It was my understanding that we held such people in great veneration. That we didn’t treat them like runaway slaves.’
Lifting his spear point into the air, the warrior backed away. His companions did the same. ‘This isn’t going to end here,’ muttered the first man.
‘I’d be disappointed if it was.’ He watched as they vanished into the gloom.
‘I wish you hadn’t done that. You’ve as good as signed your own death warrant,’ Ariadne said coldly, disregarding the amazement she felt at the warriors’ about-turn.
‘A simple thank you would suffice,’ he replied in a mild voice.
‘I don’t want another’s death on my conscience!’ she said, colouring.
‘My fate is mine to decide, not yours,’ he growled. ‘What kind of a man would I be if I just let a group of thugs carry off a priestess?’ It was a rash move, all the time. Thank the Rider that none of them recognised me.
‘A wise one,’ she snapped.
‘Got quite the temper, haven’t you? Seeing as you don’t want my help, I’ll leave you to it. The gate’s still open.’ He picked up the lead rope and clicked his tongue at his horse. ‘Come on. Let’s get you stabling and some food. And better company, if we can find it.’
‘Wait,’ said Ariadne, hating her fear, which had resurged at the prospect of him leaving.
He raised an eyebrow, which made him even more attractive.
‘It was noble of you to intervene. Thank you.’
‘You’re welcome. Was there anything else?’ He made to move off again.
‘The king’s men won’t leave it at that, you know. They act as they please.’
‘I can tell. But they’ll have to find me first. The settlement is a big place to search for one man.’ He nodded in farewell.
‘Stay for a moment,’ asked Ariadne. Walking out into the night now seemed utterly terrifying. So too did waiting for Kotys’ warriors, alone.