He stood alone on the path, still gazing down at the platform. The stone had been covered once more and only half a dozen guards remained. The men stood in pious silence, facing outward. Judging by their faces, they would have preferred another duty. Other than them, and the guards at the inner g...
He was travel-stained and weary but something else as well. I tried to work out what it was as he talking to Cimon. I’d avoided his gaze: I still felt too much shame. I think he was embarrassed too; these things can hang between men like an invisible curtain. Didn’t stop him speaking though.“If y...
Lounging around on benches outside were about twenty legionaries, though only a few of them were drinking. They implored the officer to join them but he waved a dismissive hand and continued purposefully on his way. ‘Slow down,’ Cassius murmured to the others. Though they inevitably drew the atte...
There was no unworked land here; all the wheat had been harvested, and the olive farmers tended carefully to their crop. The road was busy too; the trio passed priests and merchants, pedlars and beggars. They lost count of the goat-herders and shepherds, and became used to the chime of the bells ...
He guessed Abascantius might still be in Bostra and it seemed advisable to report his arrival in Berytus, if only to reassure his superior that he was moving forward despite the difficulties in Tripolis. Cassius actually winced as he thought of the agent and Marcellinus reading about the disastro...
‘Not without a supply chain back to Anasartha.’ Azaf looked at the men putting the finishing touches to a wide network of awnings – essential protection for the warriors and horses. They had made good progress the previous day, and were now within striking distance of their objective. A short dis...
That long night he tossed sleepless in bed; the idea of them lying there silent gnawed at him and by early morning he decided his nerves were too stretched for him to wait for Giles. He’d take them to Andraki. Once he made this decision, he managed to drop into an uneasy sleep.He was woken by the...