Praetorian Series [3] A Hunter and His Legion by Edward Crichton Read Free Book Online Page B

know about what happened here was recorded in your journal, but that wasn’t much to go on.”
    I shrugged noncommittally.  “Fine.  I’m all ears then.”
    She rolled her eyes.  “It can wait until tonight after everyone’s settled down.  Besides, I think Helena and John will want to be a part of the conversation as well.”
    I blinked at the name John , realizing a few seconds later that she’d meant Santino.
    Great…
    “Fine,” I said.  “What did you have in mind then?”
    She glanced around as she tried to think, before her eyes caught something off to her right.  “What’s that city over there again?”
    “Damascus,” I answered.
    Everyone present craned their heads to look, seeing the small city of Damascus a few miles away at the bottom of a shallow mountain.  The city was very old, with clearly Roman influences, but it wasn’t large, and I knew that it had been completely rebuilt a number of times before the 21st century rolled around. 
    At least it had in my timeline.
    To my right I heard Stryker and Martin mutter obscenities under their breath, and Artie looked almost shocked at the name as she continued to hold her hand out in the city’s direction.
    “What?”  I asked.
    Archer leaned in and spoke.  “Damascus is the capital of one of the most powerful caliphate empires in the Middle East.  Just last year they were responsible for the destruction of Paris.”
    I blinked at his words, understanding every single one of them but not the context in which they were said.  I glanced at Vincent and he looked back at me, his eyes indicating he was just as surprised as I was.
    “I concur that it’s time to talk then,” Vincent said, and I found myself agreeing wholeheartedly.
    After a few moments, Artie finally regained her composure. “I think we could all use a break from this camp anyway.  I, for one, am not used to so much camping, and I’d like to explore a little, even if it’s… that place.  I think a group of us should head down there this evening so that we can talk.  How’s that sound?”
    I glanced off toward Damascus again and sighed.  The only reason we’d decided to camp so far away was because we were worried about being discovered by Agrippina’s Praetorian ninjas, but we’d been off their radar for days, so in all likelihood, the ninjas either hadn’t even come to Damascus or had already inspected it and left.
    We could take the chance.
    I turned back to her and nodded.
     
    ***
     
    Later that evening, Helena and I walked arm in arm through the city of Damascus.  The team had trickled into the city over the past hour, trying to keep our entrance subtle and unnoticed, and the two of us were the last to enter.  Using Santino’s UAV, we’d mapped out the city’s layout two nights ago and had determined a location that would suit our purposes: a wide, open public park with eating areas scattered around its perimeter.  It was a familiar atmosphere for anyone regardless of culture or time period, and we’d decided it was the best meeting place in town.
    As we passed into the city proper, Helena moved to place her cheek against my shoulder, and we took the opportunity to simply stroll and drink in the sights.  Having left our rifles and machines of war back at the camp, we tried to enjoy ourselves.  Cuyler had the city covered with his sniper rifle and a few of us still carried pistols as well, so barring the city coming under siege by a Roman legion, we felt fairly safe.
    Much like the city of Caesarea had been before it had been destroyed months ago, Damascus was a beautiful city, shaded in tans, whites, beiges, browns, and with green plants as vibrant as Helena’s eyes.  I’d never been to modern day Damascus, although the last place I’d visited in the modern world had in fact been in Syria, but I already knew this city probably looked nothing like its modern equivalent.
    Narrow streets with cobblestone pathways connected towering adobe buildings