Get Out or Die Read Online Free PDF

belt-pouch and brought out a battered-looking roll of parchment. It was from his father’s former commanding officer, certifying that Gaius Varius Victor was the son of Gaius Varius Secundus, cavalryman, who had served his time in the Ninth Hispana; the boy was born in the eighth year of the Emperor Vespasian’s reign, he was a citizen, and of good character. So far so good.
    “You worked with horses at Eburacum?”
    “Yes, all the time.”
    “Well let’s see then. Come with me.” I led him round the side of the house, through the stable yard to where the horse-paddocks sloped down to the river. In the nearest one several of our own black horses were grazing, making the most of the lush summer meadow.
    “See the black mare there?” I pointed her out and called “Merula!” and she raised her head briefly in answer to her name.
    The boy nodded. “Blackbird, is it? A beauty, she is. Real good looker. And her foal’s only a few days old.”
    “That’s right. Now can you bring the foal over here?” It would test his boast about being good with animals. The mare wasn’t keen on strangers near her new baby, and would know if the lad was afraid; if he had the true horse-boy’s touch, she’d accept him.
    He considered it seriously. “She looks a bit fiery. Will she play me up?”
    “What, an experienced horse-boy like you? She’s not the most placid of mares, and she’s wary of strangers near her just now. But if you work here, you’ll be handling different horses every day. You’ll need to be good with animals you’ve never met before. In the cavalry lines you presumably got to know your mounts, working with them regularly.”
    “Aye. Still, best not to get too attached to them, if they’re going into battle.”
    I recognised the echoes of a drill instructor’s lecture to new recruits. “Right. Off you go then.”
    He climbed lightly over the rail fence and walked towards the mare. Several of the other horses looked up from their grazing as he passed, but didn’t seem bothered enough to stop eating, which was a good sign. He paused near the foal, which pricked its ears and came towards him, curious and unafraid. The black mare laid her ears back and advanced on the boy, warning him to keep his distance. He moved in closer to her and I heard him talking quietly, and then he held out a piece of bread on the flat of his hand. She sniffed at it, not touching it, but her ears came forward and she let the lad come to her and rub her neck. She sniffed him all over, and didn’t move when he went over to the foal and stroked him gently.
    He came back to the mare, grasped a handful of black mane and, without fuss, led her over to where I stood by the fence. The foal walked quietly after her. Both animals came to me to be petted.
    “Easy,” Titch grinned, giving the mare a pat.
    “I didn’t tell you to bring the mare,” I objected.
    “You didn’t say not to. And I’d be a fool to try and separate them, when she doesn’t know me.”
    Yes, he had the touch all right.
    Hippon, my stable-master, had come up quietly to watch beside me. “The lad’s a natural,” he murmured in my ear. “He’s been hanging around here since first light. Been sleeping rough, by the look of him. I tipped him the wink that there might be a job for him.”
    Hippon is a cautious man, especially where the precious horses are concerned. If he thought the boy would do, that was good enough for me.
    “Well then,” I said, “we’ll give you a try.”
    Titch leapt right over the fence in one exuberant bound. “Oh, thanks, Mistress! I won’t let you down, I promise.”
    “Make sure you don’t,” I warned, “because as I say, you’re on trial. Hippon here is your boss, and you do what he says and don’t give him any lip. You bunk over the stables with the other boys; you get your keep and the same wages as the other boys. And remember, horse-boys are the bottom of the heap, so do as you’re told, and don’t go getting into