Insurgent of Rome

by Ken Farmer

  He nodded with a grim smile, pulling the pugio from his belt, then lifting the hem of her tunic. With a quick motion, he cut a gash just at her knees, then with both hands ripped the piece from the garment. To his men, he warned, "Make ready. If the scum see my signal, then we will have to carve our way to the shore." Looking at the woman, he said, "You will have to walk behind us - Ngozi will need his hands for other than your carry, but the way is not far." She just nodded, no doubt willing to walk over hot coals if such would carry her from captivity.

  Julius knew that the pirates would be looking out to sea, at the Petrel, whereas his men would be looking ashore for their Captain and mates. With any fortune at all, his signal would only be seen by the ship.

  Now was the wait for the Petrel make the distance to the point of land. Both Ngozi and Melglos might have been sitting in the Forum waiting for the performance to begin, for all the concern they were showing about accosting a group that was three to their one. And Camelia was merely waiting without visible show of affright. That was unusual - and admirable - in the eyes of Julius. His experience with women - other than brothel wenches - was limited to his sisters and overgarbed feminae that he met at social gatherings on the rare occasions of his return from a voyage. Such pampered women tended to excitement, even when merely encountering a rodent in the hallway. Until now, he would have assumed that a femina in the dire situation as this would dissolve into a quivering mass of uselessness. Either this woman was made of different cloth than most, or his conceptions of females needed more thought.

  But such could come later. Now, lifting his head slowly above the bush to gain full view of the pirates on the shoreline, he looked carefully for any with a gaze other than out to sea. Quickly he stood, holding the white strip of cloth high, then moving his arm back and forth a handful of times to give wave to the fabric. He stooped again, looking to see if the reavers had given notice.

  "Capitaneus! There!"

  He turned to see Melglos pointing back into the island. "We have gained the attention of another group of the putrid scum." Indeed, much movement and activity could be seen between them and the encampment. That gave much need of haste in their next actions. The Petrel was only a few handfuls of strides from the water's edge and he could easily see the crew lining the shoreward beam in their search for just such a signal as he had given. And he could see the sudden orders that gave proof of the sighting of the fugitives.

  Quickly, he drew his weapon. Both of his companions immediately pulled their blades - a gladius for Ngozi and a longer sword for Melglos. Now, without worry of concealment, he strode between the bushes toward the beach. Their foe was without notice, all looking at the ship, swinging into the wind as the line to the anchor stone was tightened. As they approached, one of the men apparently suddenly listened to his inner sense, gaining that feeling that all was not goodsome in their being. He turned just as the three strode onto the sand of the shoreline.

  The sudden shout of the man did not give sufficient warning. Julius had no idea of the skills of the reavers, but such made no consequence. Three died with their blades still in the leathers and the forth barely showed a double handspan of iron before the long sword of Melglos cleaved his head from his being.

  Julius looked around for the woman, seeing her in wait at the inner edge of the shoreline, eyes wide to be sure, but not with horror as would most females in the situation. He waved for her to join them, that she might be first into the skiff...

  It was then that he realized that the little boat was not in the water, but still at the resting place of its stowage - in the waist next to the mast - and no man seemed to be unstowing it for use. Looking back inland, he could see a pack of men in full run toward their position, and in numbers that gave little hope of success of defense. Even the sons of Mars could not contend with numbers that were twenty to their one, and it seemed indeed, that most of the band of pirates was in full bay as a pack of hounds in pursuit.

  "Camelia. Can you swim?" He knew the answer even as she shook her head. Few people could, and interestingly enough, among sailors of the sea the percentage was even lower. Ngozi could thrash through the water without fear, but as to his ability to do so for fifty strides or so was a question. As to the Thracian, he had no idea. Still, it was take to the water or...

  The oncoming mob of enraged pirates was close enough to hear, now. He was looking around for the best - for any outcropping or rock that might give them a slight advantage, the Ngozi barked, "Sos! There!"

  He turned to see the circles of a splash at the side of the ship, then realized that a man had leaped into the water and was striking out for their position with some speed. It took a moment to realize that the swimmer was towing a line, being payed out by a man on the deck. He quickly said to the woman. "We will be pulled to the ship with a rope. I want you to grasp it with both hands and with all your vigor and do not release your grip for any reason." She nodded. Both of his comrades were standing in wait and watch of the incoming horde. From his estimation, it would be a close race - the pirates were only a hundred strides away, or less.

  Turning, he saw that the swimmer was almost to the sand and strode to meet him, no doubt with well-tired sinews now. It was with utter surprise that he saw that the 'man' was Pontiki. In the back of his memory was the notice by Flavius of the skill of the boy in water, but such was a topic for later, should there be one. The boy stood up, chest deep in the water, handing a loop of the line to Julius. With dismay, the Captain saw that it was not a rope, but merely a lanyard, such as might be used to secure the sail for the port call. Such could not possibly take the pull of four - nay, five - bodies without parting, but before the thought was completed, he realized the reason. Pontiki, no matter his ability in water, could not have swum with a heavy rope in drag, and indeed, he could see a crewman bending another line onto the light lead.

  At the wave from the ship, he began to pull with utter haste, calling to the two men to assist. As the knotted junction of line and heavy rope sped across the water, he said in a shout, "Camilia! Come into the water. You will be first on the rope." To the men, he ordered, "Hold with both hands and firmly. It will be slippery in grip."

  Looking back, he realized that the race between rope and reavers would be lost. Even a quick glance back gave that the pirates would be on them even as they were being dragged from shore. He turned to take stance for the impact of the onrushing men, then heard the sudden 'pfffft' of a shaft passing close above. The visual sight was more spectacular than the audible - a pirate in the first ranks fell forward in and rolled into a clump of man flesh, with a pair of his followers giving loss of foot as they failed to check their rush before passing over their comrade. Then another arrow gave sound - and equally startling results. He knew that the man giving wing to the wood was Judoc - no other on the ship besides himself could give such exactitude of aim.

  It was enough. The pirates stopped for a hesitation at their mates falling from the sudden surprise of shafts. From behind he heard Kaeso give bellow through the speaking trumpet. "Capitaneus!" He turned to see the two men and the woman being pulled with some haste through the water. But to his surprise, not with the boy in tow. The youngster was still waiting in chest deep water for...

  Tossing his sword into the water and pulling the clasp at his waist to allow the belt, with both pugio and empty scabbard of his gladius to fall away, he turned and sprinted through the water, diving forward even as Pontiki turned to begin his swim back to the ship. He hated to gift the pirates with weapons of superb quality, but a man needing to hold himself in the water for a hundred paces is not assisted with a cargo of iron and leather. And, any who cannot abandon possessions in need is one whose years may be given diminishment for the foolish act.

  Julius was comfortable in water, but he realized that the words of Flavius were without overstatement. Where he was paddling himself at his customary slow pace, the boy was stroking along as if he were one of the large piscis that sometimes leaped and ju
mped with their cavort in follow of the ship in open sea.

  The boy was already pulled to the deck as he reached the hull of the ship, a loop of rope already dropped for his use. Quickly placing body and arms in the coil, he was hoisted aboard with zeal by three men on the bitter end of the rope. Looking around, he saw that the men deprived of their desire to engage the despised reavers, by their service on the ropes, had quickly taken their bows and were launching a stream of arrows at the land.

  A glance to shoreward gave that the effect of the rain of wood was rapidly diminishing. With their quarry out of reach, and death raining from the sky, they had scattered and were moving away from the shore.

  "Hold!" he called. "Pull the stones. Stand us away from the land." Kaeso immediately began to shout his orders for the Petrel to begin the voyage back to Latium.

  Now, their noble passenger walked up. "Capitaneus Clavius. Should my future include any high office in the Legions, and yours have tirement of your sea-wandering, I would welcome you as my leading Admiral."

  Julius smiled with a nod. "Aye, Sos. We have been fortunate."

  "As all who sail with you will be fortunate." He gave a grim smile, looking back at the land, now slowly beginning to recede. "My hope is that your incomparable archer did not feather the putrid Aniketos."

  Now the Captain shook his head. "You saw the haste that the pirates were attempting to close with us. Their fat leader could not have been in the forefront of such. Those were all younger men." Looking down the deck, he saw the family of his friend, Marcus, in tearful joy and welcome of his detained sister. Then, to Gaius he said, "If you indeed return for your vengeance, you will find them still here. They have nothing but two flatboats for use."

  Now he walked forward to examine the skiff and the reason it had not been used for their succor. And such was immediately obvious - the little boat was inverted and several of its bottom strakes had been removed, with their replacements laying by in preparation for shaving to size. From behind, and in follow, Kaeso said, "I am at fault for such, Capitaneus."

  "How?"

  "I was the man who fired the second ship, and the hold suddenly burst forth a blaze as if the forge of Vulcan had overturned. Fire blind, I missed my handhold in descending to the skiff, and my fall was in haste enough for my feet to crack through the bottom strakes."

  Julius clapped his First Mate on the back with a grin. "After your deeds of the day and night, such a failure is as a single grain of sand on the shore." He turned, with the intention of descending to his cabin to change garments - his work-tunic even more disreputable than before the activity on the island, and now still dripping with seawater. Behind him, Marcus and his family had come to stand.

  "Our debt to yourself, Julius Clavius, can be acknowledged, but never repaid in full."

  Julius was abashed at the humility of an old friend, but merely nodded as he said, "Nay. My ship was in commission for contract and we would be neglectful had we had less than success. And, my men would cross the Styx to rid the world of such pirate..."

  He stopped as the femina, Camelia, suddenly stepped forward to take a most un-noble grasp of himself. Taken totally aback, Julius moved his hands to hold the woman, then stopped the motion in confusion of propriety. As she squeezed with unnatural strength, he could see the crew of the Petrel - and not a few of the passengers - grinning at the sudden discomfiture of the Captain. At the sudden scowl of their master, the crew suddenly gave attention to their duties, although with facial expressions of less than respect for a Captain.

  Finally, he managed to unwind the woman from his body, holding her at arm's length. To Marcus, he said, "Take your sister below and gain her some dry garb." He smiled. "The Petrel, alas, does not carry a bath, but there is sufficient clear water to bathe with a rag, else the salt of the water will begin to redden and itch her skin as it dries."

  As the gladdened family moved to the scuttle, the other came forward with their gratitude. A far older couple than the other, Antonius Pullus bowed deeply - as did his mate. "As the goodly Domitius spoke, our thankfulness cannot possibly be rendered in full, but know that your name will be ordered at the highest level in our family."

  Julius bowed, then descended to his tiny cabin to wipe the salt from his skin and find a less disreputable tunic for use. The work in the days ahead would be light, merely sailing due west until they fetched up at the island of Silicia, then a few days north along the coast of Latium to Capua. The Petrel was sailing almost empty, the lack of burden other than the few passengers giving her a quick and nimble pace. Any reavers encountered in route would be left in the wake and should the winds give goodly blow, they would be back in their city within the month, mayhap much sooner.

  At the evening meal, taken by all in the waist, except for Judoc on the rudder, he asked, "How came you to use Pontiki for haul of the line?"

  Kaeso was the aim of the question. "He has a greater facility in the water than even Flavius. During the night of the burning, when my clumsiness stove in the bottom of the skiff, we - Flavius, Judoc and myself - found ourselves swamped before covering half the distance back to the Petrel. The boy and Densus were all that were left on the ship - other than the passengers - and of course, we know that our cook swims with all the facility of a stone cast into the water. But, just as this day, Pontiki swam a line to our foundered, but floating boat, and we were slowly towed back to the Petrel."

  "Aye," interjected Densus. "The water-filled boat, with three whole men and the youngster, was not easy of pull. All the men on the ship were on the line until it hove close aboard."

  "It was no small venture, Capitaneus," said Kaeso, "for a youngster to leap into black water to swim in the fullness of the night. Even a man of goodsome courage would give imagination of menace coming from every point in the darkness."

  Now the Dominus of Pullus gave comment. "Indeed. It is quite a praetextatus that you have added to your crew. I have understanding that the fledgling was gained in the city of Antioch during your last porting?"

  Julius nodded. "Aye. He was engaged as a... shadow by myself, to assist in the uncovering of some unpleasantness to the family in that city. He gave good service even beyond his agreement." He waved a hand toward the far horizon. "But, the voyage to Capua will be long enough to give the entire tale."

  "And I eagerly await the saga," replied the elderly man, "but should you find his age to be insufficient as yet for crew of your ship, I can easily find a solid place for a youngster with a goodly stoop on his chine. My senior Dispensator is always giving complaint that he cannot find young men of goodsome work-habits for his needs. And I give oath that he will be fairly waged."

  "Pontiki is his own man, or will be in a few years. All on my ship are such. None are bound to me with legal shackles. It will be his choice, but I will not allow his mettle to go unremarked while on board." Turning to Densus, he asked, "Where is our fledgling sailor?"

  The rotund man pointed down. "At his duties in the scullery after the meal."

  Julius nodded. Aye, it would be so. The boy was still under discipline for his brazen act of securing himself below when the Petrel stood out from Capua. The cook would maintain the punishment - if such gentle tasking could be called such, especially by a man fond of his charge - until the Captain gave other orders.

  Now was the time for such.

  To Densus, he said, "Order the young scamp to wait on us."

  Shortly, the cook returned with the boy, pointing him to stand before the chair of his Captain. Julius looked the lad up and down, realizing that the youngster had added at least a handspan of height since the start of the voyage. Obviously, he was entering that age where his growth would be as hasty as an unwanted weed in the grain fields.

  The Captain stood, looking down for a moment, then said, "Once again, I am told that our young miscreant has performed actions that are unsuitable for a mere urchin of the streets. I have come from a foray, and barely with a whole skin, to find that the ship's boy has been gambo
ling with ropes and cavorting in the water at all hours of the day and night." Pontiki, not daring to take his vision from the stern face of the Captain, could not see the wide grins of all sitting around the mast. "Such actions cannot be overlooked or ignored. Therefore..." He pointed a finger at the wide-eyed face of the youngster. "... the man, young though he is to gain such a description, known to all as Pontiki, is to be considered a member of the crew and receive full shares of wage for the voyage, the bulk to be placed with the family Numerarius until he is of an age to safely receive such." Pointing again to the cook, he ordered, "Bring a platter and a cup for our new crewmate."