Kyle woke slowly, a dull throb on his forehead. He opened his eyes carefully, his heart hammering in his chest, hearing foreign voices around him in a guttural language he could not understand. He moved his hands and realized, surprised, that he had not been tied down. He looked around carefully. A large village, probably, huts and burning fires, women cooking on them, warriors walking around. He felt the ground under his body and shifted his eyes to the man sitting next to him, waiting, his eyes lost in the flames of the fire in front of him.How long have I been knocked out? Where am I? Where’s Marius...His hand went to his head, and he felt a cut on his forehead, already scabbing.Nothing too bad.
The man sitting next to him spotted him move and turned around, a large grin on his face. He had a long scruffy blonde beard and long hair, all dressed in skin and fur. “Awake last?” His Latin was crude, and Kyle just nodded, not wanting to talk.
The man got up and pulled him up, dragging him to a large hut in the middle of the village, shoving him in. Kyle landed on his knees and decided to stay there; the position bringing a mild comfort in his panicked state.
He looked up, straight into the steely grey eyes of their leaders, his rich brown beard and long hair, his amused face. “You’re a fast runner. My men had a hard time catching you on horseback.”
He spoke Latin well, and Kyle just watched him, breathing hard.
The chief watched him carefully. “You are not a Roman.”
Kyle decided it was probably better to speak at this stage, his mind racing. “No, I’m not.... I’m a Celt.”
The chief raised his eyebrows. “A Celt? Interesting... but you work for the Romans.”
“I don’t work for them. I’m a slave.”
“Whose slave?”
Kyle’s guard went up.Careful. “Just a camp slave.”
“Your name?”
“Kyle.”
The chief tasted his name. “Kyle... nice name. I knew many Celts and tribe leaders when I still traveled there.”
Kyle shrugged. “I was a simple peasant boy, nothing more.”
He nodded, eyeing him curiously. “Well, Kyle, as you can see, we kept you alive. My men sort of figured that you must be a captive. But those days are over. You are free now.”
Kyle blanched, looking at him. “What...? But...”
“Is there a problem?”
His chilled tone made Kyle lower his eyes. “No... I mean, I ought to thank you.”
“Start by getting up. You don’t have to kneel to me.” Kyle got up, on shaky legs, standing in front of him. “I am Adelbrand, and I lead this tribe. I think you might have heard of me.”
Kyle knew who he was. The father of that girl, their supposed ally, but he just shrugged. “I am a simple camp slave, I don’t know much.”
Adelbrand smiled. “Yes, of course... so, you look like an able young man, strong, but I gather you have no fighting skills?” Kyle nodded. “Not an issue. You can learn with us and fight with us. Take revenge on those savage Romans who took years of your life... and maybe more?” Kyle swallowed, shame washing over him. Adelbrand smiled wryly. “I figured... So, my offer is up, boy? What’s your decision? You can also leave and try to make it to Britannia, but the roads are tricky and full of Roman soldiers...”
Kyle swayed a bit, steeling himself after a few moments. He had no choice, again, his thoughts flying to Marius.Forgive me, love. “I’ll stay with you, Adelbrand.”
“Excellent! Now, just stay, as this might be a glorious moment for you too and your vengeful little heart.” Kyle stood next to him, a few other fighters walking in, and Adelbrand boomed. “Bring in the prisoner.”
A half-naked man was dragged in then, his hands bound behind his back, and he was shoved down to his knees in front of Adelbrand.
That muscled back.... the jet-black hair...Kyle felt the air being knocked out of him as his stomach became a pit of ice. A warrior yanked the prisoner’s head up by his hair, his blue eyes wild, a gag pulled tight into his mouth. Their eyes locked and Marius’ face fell momentarily in shock, just to be slowly replaced by a burning hate.
Adelbrand looked at Kyle, his smile mocking. “Isn’t that a glorious feeling, the mighty Roman general Marius kneeling at our feet?” The others laughed, but Kyle couldn’t, too shocked, his mind numb. “I see you’re in shock, boy, but he can’t hurt you. He can’t hurt anybody.”
The fighter next to Marius kicked him in the belly, and he howled, doubling over. It took every ounce of Kyle’s self-control not to lurch forward and protect him.Do not give yourself away. Think. Think.
The fighter pulled Marius’ head up again, making him look at Adelbrand with his eyes filled with pain. “See... this is what happens when you mock me and think that your pathetic peace treaties mean anything to me... I have the upper hand now, having you at my feet. You will stay with us and I’ll negotiate your life with the emperor. I know who you are. He will probably not let you down. Then again, you are all dogs and you would eat your own child if it meant winning a war...” He turned to Kyle. “Did this Roman dog cause you grief?”
Kyle nodded, making sure his voice didn’t falter. “Yes.”
