Vulcan's Fury: The Dark Lands by Michael R. Hicks Read Free Book Online Page B

and the creaking carts laden with supplies fell behind, guarded by the other soldiers Marcus had chosen to accompany them on this trek.
    “There you are, uncle,” Valeria said with a mischievous smile as Marcus pulled up along her right side and Paulus on her left. With a quick glance over her shoulder, she saw Septimus behind her, and she laughed as she saw his mouth move in what could only be a venomous curse. Beside him was the standard bearer, the golden eagle at the top that was the universal symbol of Roman power gleaming in the last light of the sun. The red banner below it bore the letters SPQR, short for Senatus Populusque Romanus , The Senate and People of Rome, fluttering in the wind of their passage. She had seen the acronym countless times in her life, but for the very first time it sent a shiver down her spine. Turning away, she kicked her horse into a full gallop and leaned forward, her face inches from its mane as she raced the soldiers to the city’s main gate, an ornate arched entryway through the thirty foot high stone wall.
    Her elation at beating her protectors in the race transformed into fear as soldiers poured out of the gate to take up defensive positions, blocking her way. “What is the meaning of this?” She demanded.
    “Make way for Princess Valeria, daughter of the Emperor!” Marcus boomed, his voice echoing from the city wall as he rode forward until the muzzle of his horse was just beyond the points of the pila , or spears, the soldiers leveled at him over their shields. The other soldiers of Valeria’s guard encircled her, ready to draw their swords. “How dare you raise weapons against the princess!”
    “Marcus Tullius, is that you?” A soldier bearing the crest of a fellow centurion called out.
    “Atticus?” Marcus said. “Atticus Cantius?”
    The other centurion stepped forward through the shield wall formed by his men to get a closer look. “Tullius, by all the gods, it is you! I would say it was good to see you, but your timing could not be worse.” He cast his eyes over the other soldiers with Marcus, and the annoyed looking girl they protected. To his men, he said, “Lower your weapons! Make welcome the princess!”
    The soldiers instantly stood to attention, then with precise movements parted to either side of the gate, forming a ceremonial honor guard.
    Marcus held his tongue until the princess approached, bringing her horse to a stop before Centurion Cantius. “What is the meaning of this?” She repeated in a cold voice.
    “Princess,” the centurion said, saluting and bowing his head, “I can only beg forgiveness for such a rude welcome, but after what has happened, our general commanded that no one may enter the city without close inspection.”
    “You said our timing could not have been worse,” Marcus said. “What did you mean by that?”
    “You haven’t heard?” Cantius frowned. “The general sent couriers to you bearing word, requesting that you return to Rome, or at least delay your visit here until we knew it was safe.”
    “If they came south along the Via Aurelia, they would have missed us,” Tullius told him. “We took a more westward route.”
    “ But why? ” Valeria’s patience was quickly wearing thin. “Why wouldn’t we be safe here?”
    “Because, princess,” Cantius told her in a grim voice, “the people in one of the villages in the province were massacred to the last soul, and we are marching at first light tomorrow to investigate.”
    ***
    “Princess, it has been far too long.”
    Valeria could not help but blush as Legatus Canus Sergius, commanding general of the legion known as Legio XVII Invictus , kissed her hand. He was young for a general, only in his mid-twenties, and undeniably handsome. His skin was dark, hearkening back to his Nubian ancestors, while his eyes were a rare and startling blue. His wiry black hair was trimmed short, barely more than stubble, which went completely against the norm among Roman men. She