The Far Shore Read Online Free PDF

Cassius and Indavara were soon heading back past the fish market, this time on horseback. Clemens only had one legionary with him at the way station but they’d swiftly saddled up the mounts and the optio assured Cassius that their rooms would be ready within the hour.
    Cassius always tried to be as reasonable as possible with common soldiers – especially when he was dependent on their cooperation – but it was usually an uphill battle. Their suspicion of the Service was deeply ingrained – with some justification he knew – but it pained him to be repeatedly judged so harshly by men he’d just met. All things considered, Clemens had been exceptionally polite and helpful. Cassius wondered what he and the legionary would be saying now.
    ‘So who’s this man we’re going to see?’ Indavara asked as they passed a little fishing boat coming in alongside the quay.
    Cassius shook his head. ‘Do you remember anything I’ve taught you? Straighten your back and ease your grip on the reins. You’ll pull the poor thing’s teeth out if you’re not careful.’
    Indavara rolled his eyes.
    ‘Open your fingers – you’re not holding a sword.’
    Cassius waited for him to comply before answering the question. ‘We are going to visit Augustus Marius Memor – the Service’s second in command beneath Chief Pulcher. As I understand it, he’s in charge of affairs in Africa and the East. We’re to take some documents to Abascantius back in Antioch. I imagine he’s keen to get them before winter sets in.’
    ‘Africa is close to here?’
    ‘South – a few hundred miles. In fact I believe the god Helios was Egyptian.’
    ‘Why do so many wild animals come from Africa?’
    Cassius sighed. He often felt like a teacher when talking to Indavara. ‘I’ve no idea. Fewer people perhaps. More space and food for them.’
    ‘I’d like to see a lion,’ said Indavara.
    ‘You never had to fight one?’ Cassius asked.
    ‘No.’
    ‘I saw one once, but it was in a menagerie. Mangy old thing.’
    ‘I’d like to see a crocodile too,’ Indavara continued. ‘And a rhinoceros. I once heard of a fight between a rhinoceros and three bulls. They chained them together.’
    ‘People do love to see animals tear bits out of each other.’
    Cassius pointed towards a patch of beach where twenty or so men stood in a circle, watching a pair of fighting cocks. Outside the circle were other birds in cages. Feathers shed by the anxious creatures covered the sand.
    ‘Not only animals,’ Indavara said as they came to the end of the sea wall.
    ‘Here’s the turn.’
    Cassius led the way as they rounded a corner and headed up a slight incline along the Via Alexandria. This was an area of warehouses and boatyards and fishermen’s huts. A pair of old women sat on a bench, stitching a thick net as they watched the riders pass.
    ‘What was it like? The arena?’ Cassius asked. ‘You never really talk about it.’
    Indavara cast a weary sideways glance at him but eventually relented. ‘Quick. It was always over so quick. For months you’d just wait and train. Then suddenly you were told you were fighting – in a few days, or even the next day. You had to be ready. And not just your body.’ Indavara tapped his head. ‘I saw men shout at themselves for hours before a contest, even bang their skulls against the wall until the blood ran. Others would just sit and cry. By the time they had to actually fight, they had nothing left in them. I remember one man killed himself just before he was to go up. Shoved a latrine sponge down his throat.’
    ‘By the gods. And you – how did you prepare?’
    ‘Did as little as I could. The night before there was always a big meal – drink too if you wanted it. I never even went. Once the day came, I’d try and sleep, do a few exercises just before I was taken up.’
    ‘Sleep? How could you sleep?’
    ‘As long as I’m not on a boat I can always sleep.’
    ‘But thinking about it, what you faced