The Siege Read Online Free PDF Page B

Alauran and what turmoil the next few days might bring.
    The sky above was cloudless, lighter than the inky black around him, and he passed the time by identifying the few stars he knew. He had long since forgotten the names but one of his childhood tutors had made a point of showing him the most recognisable constellations. They had used the star catalogues within Ptolemy’s Almagest , of which his father had a good copy. Tracing lines between the stars with his fingers, Cassius succeeded in losing himself for a while, only to be interrupted by Simo, who emerged out of the dark proffering a wooden plate.
    ‘And what delights have you prepared for me?’
    ‘Some spiced pork, sir, some bread, a few dried apricots also.’
    ‘It’ll have to do. I’m becoming used to eating like a peasant. I must say though, Simo, you’re doing rather well with this outdoor stuff. You’ve travelled widely in the province?’
    ‘No, sir. My work kept me at my master’s house or one of his other premises. This is the furthest I have ever been.’ Simo’s usual immaculately neutral tone wavered. ‘And this is the longest I have spent away from the city.’
    ‘I see.’
    ‘I’ll just fetch your wine, sir.’
    Cassius found the pork with his fingers. He was about to take a bite when he heard a noise from behind the boulder. It sounded like the scuffing of feet.
    Warily lowering the plate to the ground and freeing himself from the coverings, Cassius reached for his sword and slid it gently out of the leather scabbard. Simo was not close enough to hear a whisper so he got to his feet and circled the boulder, crouching low. The slab of rock was easily ten feet across and it wouldn’t have been difficult for some unseen foe to hide there, waiting to strike when the two of them were off their guard.
    As the angle of the sword changed, the blade caught the moonlight. Cassius stared down at it, eroding what little night vision he had gained. Cursing his stupidity and blinking the glare away, he rounded the boulder and gazed into the darkness. The hillside was as black as the plain and might have masked a hundred men. He could barely see two yards.
    ‘Sir?’
    Ignoring Simo, Cassius started up the slope, only to catch his right boot on something. He jumped back and thought he’d perhaps startled a snake. Then he heard a sniff and his fears evaporated. His sight had improved enough to see the eye, then the muzzle, then the head of one of the horses. Cassius kicked the ground and the horse moved away with a grunt, taking the rope with it. He turned away and met Simo as he rounded the boulder.
    ‘Is something wrong, sir?’ the Gaul whispered, his hand on his dagger.
    ‘Just one of the horses. I heard something and thought I should investigate.’
    ‘Sir, it may be wise for me to stay awake for the hours of darkness. Please – your wine awaits.’
    Cassius followed him back into the little camp and replaced his sword in the scabbard. Simo had decanted the wine into a small jug, which he handed over once Cassius was back under the blankets.
    ‘Apologies, sir. I forgot to pack anything smaller.’
    As Simo arranged his own makeshift bed, Cassius drained the jug, savouring every mouthful, despite the low quality of the wine. Determined to keep a clear head, he had been limiting his intake since arriving in Syria, but felt present circumstances justified a little indulgence.
    ‘Sir, I’ll go and take a brief look round if I may. You can try to get some sleep.’
    ‘Try is probably all I’ll do. You can take first watch but I don’t intend for you to keep watch all night, servant or not. Wake me in a few hours and I shall take over. It’s been a long day for us both and we’ll need our wits about us tomorrow.’
    ‘That’s very kind of you, sir,’ Simo said as he moved away.
    ‘Not at all.’
    Wishing to take advantage of the wine’s effects, Cassius lay down again and pulled the blankets up under his chin. Though the air was still