Stones of Power 01 - Ghost King Read Online Free PDF

open, but there is a war in the south, and that has cut our profits.'
    A tall Brigante warrior with a deep scar across his cheek rose from his table and approached Victorinus. -'I have not seen you before,' he said.
    'Is there any reason why you should have done?' replied Victorinus. 'Do you travel much to Eboracum?'
    'You look more like a soldier than an Order Taker.'
    'I earn more salt this way, friend, with a great deal less danger.'
    'Are you travelling alone?'
    'Even as you see. But then I carry little money, and there are few who would attack an Order Taker. They would much rather wait until I have fulfilled my duties and then raid the wagons on their way back.'
    The man nodded, but his keen blue eyes remained fixed on the young Roman. Finally he turned his back and rejoined his comrades. Victorinus returned to his conversation with the innkeeper, while keeping a wary eye on the Brigantes. The scarred tribesman looked across at Caradoc and Gwalchmai.
    'Where are you from?' he asked.
    'South,' said Caradoc.
    'Belgae, are you?'
    Caradoc nodded.
    'I thought I could smell fish!' The other Brig-antes chuckled and Caradoc coloured, but tore his eyes from the warrior. 'I had a Belgae woman once,' continued Scarf ace. 'She charged a copper penny. She looked like you; perhaps it was your mother.'
    Gwalchmai reached across the table and gripped Caradoc's arm, just as the tribesman was reaching for his sword. 'It could well have been his mother,' put in Gwalchmai softly. 'As I recall, she had a fondness for animals.'
    The Brigante rose from his bench. 'Not wise to be insulting so far from your homeland.'
    'It's my upbringing,' said Gwalchmai, rising smoothly. 'I was taught always to silence a yapping dog.'
    Iron blades slid sibilantly from their scabbards. Gwalchmai up-ended the table and leapt to the right, drawing his gladius. Caradoc moved left, his sword extended.
    'Six against two,' said Gwalchmai, grinning. Typical of the Brigantes!'
    The object of battle is to win,' said Scarface, his eyes gleaming, his colour deepening. Caradoc's left hand dropped to his belt, coming up with a heavy dagger. Just as the Brigantes tensed for the attack Caradoc's arm flashed forward and the dagger entered Scarface's throat below the chin strap of his bronze helm. With a gurgling cry he sank to the floor as Caradoc and Gwalchmai charged into the mass, hacking and cleaving.
    Victorinus cursed, drew his gladius from within his robe and leapt to join them, plunging his blade deep into the back of a stocky warrior. The tavern was filled with the discordant sounds of battle - iron on iron, iron on flesh. Within seconds the fight was over. Victorinus despatched two of the men, as did Gwalchmai. Caradoc finished his own opponent and then sank to the floor.
    Victorinus knelt beside him, staring in anguish at the sword that jutted from the Belgae's belly.
    'I think he's finished me,' said Caradoc, gritting his teeth against the pain.
    'I am afraid that he has,' Victorinus agreed gently.

    'You'd better leave me here. I have much to consider.'
    Victorinus nodded. 'You were a fine companion,' he said.
    'You too - for a Roman!'
    Gwalchmai joined them. 'Is there anything I can do?'
    'You could look after my woman, Gwal. She's pregnant again. You could . . .' His eyes lost their sparkle and breath rattled from his throat.
    Gwalchmai swore. 'You think they guessed who we were?' he asked.
    'Perhaps,' replied Victorinus, 'but it is more likely to have been the normal British penchant for tribal disharmony. Come, we had better be on our way.'
    'How far is it to the Wall of Hadrian?'
    Too far - unless the Gods smile.'

*
    Gael chuckled at his brother's discomfort as they walked across the cobbled courtyard to the carles' quarters. 'You should not have mentioned the Sword,' said the taller man.
    'Go ahead - enjoy yourself, Gael. But I know what I saw. When he threw that blade out over the ice, a hand came up out of the water and drew it down.'
    'Yes, brother. Was