The Eventide Child by C.A Hines Read Free Book Online

don’t think a hundred other people asked that question? You were alive and alone when I found ya. Sometimes, the Gods just favor ya. There’s no rhyme or reason to any of it.”
    “So where are we going?”
    “Can’t say.”
    Alexandra gave a defeated sigh, slumping down. They were words that her father had used when she was a child. The Gods did not answer to the schemes of man, but rather worked on the grander scale of things. It was pointless to wonder why one might be spared when others perished, the Gods always had some masterful plan. They were words he had comforted himself with to explain the loss of his men, to explain why he had survived. Cass seemed annoyed by her original line of questioning, so she allowed the subject to pass.
    “So what is a Fru-men-ta-rii?”
    “…Bit of a secret,” Cass replied, an aggravated sigh escaping her by that point. The woman might have been wonderful at keeping her calm, but it seemed even Cass could be annoyed.
    “You’ve taken me from my home, you can’t tell me why I survived, if anyone else survived, or where you’re taking me. The least you can do is explain who you work for?” Alexandra’s voice took a desperate tone at that, fingers curled into balls as she stared at the woman.
    Cass finally groaned and rolled her eyes. “Right. Everyone knows about the senate and the legions, but nobody knows how they make all that work. That’s where the Frumentarii come in. Scouts, agents, spies. Wee lil fingers stretched throughout the whole Imperium. Used to report directly to the Emperor, but we’ve been actin’ a bit autonomously as of late.”
    “I see…”
    Alexandra yawned, body slumping onto the hard bed. It almost felt like home to her despite the persistent rocking of the ship. She closed her eyes and tried to will herself to sleep, her body still feeling exhausted and her mind hoping that sleep would give her release from the nausea of the voyage. Night fell without incident and Cass stood her vigil over Alexandra.
    The next day was a bit more pleasant as she was able to eat a solid breakfast from their provisions before she moved on deck. Being at sea was a totally new experience to her, but it seemed her nerves were finally calming. Cass stood no more than five feet away from her, looking over the side of the ship and into the waters below.
    “We should be arrivin’ today.”
    Cass turned to face her, Alexandra giving a small nod as she leaned over the side of the ship as well. The weather had been favorable in their endeavor, it seemed. She went about the deck with Cass, watching and observing the woman before Cass decided it was in her best interest to show her the very basics of self-defense. There was no telling what dangers they might face. Before she knew it, the ship was pulling into port.
    There wasn’t anything special about it, but Alexandra still looked impressed. For a girl that had only known a shepherd's life until just a few days ago, the entire world seemed so vast and extraordinary. Still, worry gnawed at the back of her mind. Why did she survive? Did anyone else survive? Would she ever see her father again? Her mother? Should she even try to return home?
    “We’ve a bit of a walk inland, girl. You’ll want to lose those sea legs fast," Cass announced, drawing her out of her own thought.
    She nodded, watching as the ship was tied with several lines before a wooden gangway was lowered to the docks. She slowly moved toward it, Cass standing directly behind her and facing out toward the crew as if daring a single one of them to pass her.
    Alexandra, however, soon found herself touched down upon dry land once again. It was a welcome feeling and she’d half a mind to bend over and kiss the ground with all the relief of a forlorn lover. The first time was always the hardest, she imagined. First time sailing. First time riding. First time herding. She could remember plenty of ‘firsts’ in her life and the hilarious time she had of it.