“Beat you up, raped you? Treated you like shit?”
“Yes.”
Adelbrand’s lips curled into a cruel smile. “It’s payback time then... but we can’t really damage our priced negotiation good here, can we?”
He paused, thinking, and Kyle spoke, trying to put all his hate and hurt into his voice. “I would love to take care of him, if you don’t mind, just to make sure he suffers the way he made all of us suffer... without damaging him too much, of course...”
Adelbrand watched him with an icy smile. “Tempting... but I don’t know if I can trust you, you served them after all.”
“I had no choice... they have ways to get you there...” His face was so miserable that the old man bought it, seeing his tears pool into his grey eyes.
Somehow, he reminded him of his dead son and his heart clenched at the young slave’s suffering. “Fine, fine... let’s do this.” He turned to the fighter standing next to Marius. “Chain him and cage him up on the cart. He can stay the way he is. Oh, and make sure he gets a good beating before you stash him away. He deserves it... not too rough though, he needs to live.”
The fighters left, grinning, dragging Marius out. Kyle watched them, his heart bursting, his face impassive, cold.
Adelbrand turned to Kyle. “We are moving North soon in the mountains for our winter settlement. They can’t reach us there, these bastards!” He waved a tall fighter over. “Lothar, give the boy clothes and show him around. He’ll also be in charge of this animal of a Roman here. He has a lot to make him pay back.”
Kyle smiled at Adelbrand. “Yes, I do...”
“Very well! Go with Lothar and then you can watch over this beast. In a couple of days, you can drive the cart with the convoy.” Adelbrand clasped his shoulder. “You remind me of my son... he died fighting these bastards... but I am glad we saved you. If the emperor doesn’t give a shit about this general, you can kill him the way you want. Torture him for hours... anything you want.”
Kyle smiled back at him, his eyes gleaming. “Thank you...”
Back at the fort, Clavius and Julius watched the forest, dusk settling, a light rain falling from the grey sky.
“They should have been back by now... let’s send the cavalry to search for them.”
Julius nodded when a black stallion galloped out of the woods, wild. Clavius’ blood froze, seeing the riderless mount. “Marius’ horse...open the gates!”
They did, and the animal flew in, soldiers catching the reins. Clavius and Julius ran down from the ramparts, trying to calm the wild animal, his eyes darting around in their orbits. Clavius soothed him and his eyes went to the saddle, Marius’ cape on it.
He took it off, alarmed at the bloodstains, and Julius took the scroll wedged between the saddles leather flaps. “Look...”
He opened it and wordlessly handed it to Clavius.
We have your general. Inform the emperor that he is alive, and he needs to negotiate if he wants his beloved nephew back in one piece. Your letters can be left in that big oak tree near the river. Just follow it, you can’t miss it. If you don’t obey and try to come with an army, he dies. Adelbrand
Clavius’ hands shook. “A messenger, quick! Get ready to deliver this to Rome...”Rome, weeks away...He looked at Julius, their faces ashen, Clavius smoothing his hair back. “Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!”
“You’re in charge now, Clavius.”
“I fucking know it... let’s write a response to these shits...”And Kyle?Where was the boy? Probably killed...“A response and then we’re patrolling. Let’s try to find survivors and see where they got caught. Prepare two centuries.”My friend... I hope you’re not too bad off...
Kyle followed Lothar, trying as best as he could to ignore the desperate groans and cries coming from behind the huts, the dull thud of blows raining on human flesh.
The tall fighter brought him to a supply room and gave him clothes. He also showed him where they had stashed the food and ingredients. “You will need a cooking pot, here. Make sure that Roman animal is fed, but not too much. He can’t die, but we won’t make him feel full either.” He grinned, and Kyle gathered what he needed. Lothar then gave him a large knife. “Here, you’ll need this. If he gives you grief, just poke him enough to draw blood? That should shut him up!”
Lothar laughed and Kyle smiled, a strange feeling overcoming him, the knife familiar in his hands. He knew how to fight, of course, but kept his mouth shut. He had to wait and play the game, praying that Marius would somehow understand.
They strolled around the village, and Kyle realized it was bigger than he’d thought, memories of his village pouring in, this long-lost feeling of just doing what he wanted.
Lothar glanced at him. “You’re awfully silent?”
Kyle swallowed, not even having to fake how moved he was. “It’s just... this village... it’s very similar to mine... how mine was... brings back memories.”
Lothar stopped; his eyes filled with sympathy. “You’re free now and you belong with us. Even if you’re a Celt, we fight for the same cause. Freedom from these oppressors, these monsters... I do hope the emperor won’t negotiate; I want to be there when we kill that son of a bitch of a general.” He spat and clasped Kyle on the shoulder. “Talking of which... here he is... I’ll leave you with him, have fun. This small hut next to the cage is yours. You can sleep in there until we leave.”
Kyle nodded, his eyes on the still, huddled form in the cage put on a big cart. He approached carefully, not showing any emotions, his training kicking in when he had to fake all the time and keep his face still.
