Stones of Power 01 - Ghost King Read Online Free PDF Page A

the question, but his voice was neutral as he answered it.
    'Victorinus is no fool, brother. He knows we will send men south-east and he gains time by such a manoeuvre. We need to use Goroien.' Moret cleared his throat and shifted nervously in his seat.
    Eldared said nothing.
    'What choice do we have, Father?' Gael continued.
    'Choice?' snapped Moret. 'Another dead Brigante babe for that foul woman!'
    'And how many dead Brigante men will fall before the walls of Eboracum if we do not use the Witch?' replied Gael. 'If I thought it would guarantee victory, I would let Goroien sacrifice a hundred babes.'
    'Moret has a point,' said Eldared softly. 'In this deadly game I like to control events. This Mist Magic of hers can be a boon, but at what price? She plays her own game, I think.' He leaned back in his chair, resting his chin on his steepled fingers. 'We will give the huntsmen another two days to catch the retainers. If they fail, I will summon Goroien. As for the boy . . . I believe he could be dead somewhere in a snow-drift. But send Alantric into the high country.'
    'He will not like that,' said Moret. "The King's Champion sent out after a runaway boy?'
    'His likes and dislikes are mine to command - as are yours,' said Eldared. 'There will be many opportunities in the spring for Alantric to show his skills with a blade.'
    'And what of the Sword?' asked Moret. Eldared's eyes flashed and his face darkened. 'Do not speak of it! Ever.’'

*
    Victorinus sat near the narrow window of the alehouse tavern staring out at the remains of the Antonine Wall, built far to the north of Hadrian's immense fortifications and stretching from coast to coast over forty miles. It was a turf wall on a stone foundation and, as he stared, the young Roman saw the ruins as a vivid physical reminder of the failing Roman Empire. Three hundred years ago three legions would have patrolled this area, with a fortress every Roman mile. Now it was windswept and mostly deserted, except in remote villages like Norcester, on the well-travelled trade roads. He sipped his ale and cast a covert glance across the room to where Gwalchmai and Caradoc were sitting together, just beyond the six Bri-gante tribesmen. The three had been journeying for nine days; they had managed to buy provisions and a change of clothing from a Greek merchant on the road south. Victorinus was now dressed in the garb of an Order Taker: a long woollen robe and a fur jerkin. Across his shoulders hung a leather satchel containing stylus parchment and a letter from Publius Aris-tarchos naming him as Varius Seneca, an Order Taker from Eboracum.
    The innkeeper, an elderly Romano-British veteran, moved on to the bench seat alongside Victorinus.
    'How soon can delivery be made if I order goods from you?' he asked.
    'They will be here in the second week of spring,' answered Victorinus, acutely aware of the Brigantes who sat nearby. 'Depending of course on what you need,' he continued. 'It's been a bad year for wine in Gaul and supplies are not plentiful.'
    'I need salt a deal more than I need Gallic wine,' said the man. 'The hunting is good in these hills, but without salt I can save little meat. So tell me, what does your merchant charge for salt?'
    Victorinus drew in a deep breath; he was no quarter-master and had no knowledge of such dealings.
    'What are you charged currently?' he asked.
    'Six sesterces a pound. Five if I take the bulk shipment and then resell to the tribesmen.'
    'The cost has risen,' said Victorinus, 'and I fear I cannot match that price.'
    'So what can you offer?'
    'Six and a half. But if you can secure orders from surrounding villages, I will authorise a payment in kind. One bag in ten sold will come to you free.'
    'I do not know how you people have the nerve to sell at these prices. It is not as if we were at war. The trade routes are as safe now as they have ever been.'
    'Your thinking is a little parochial, my friend. Most of the trade routes in Brigantes territory may be