The Centurion's Woman

Chapter 5

WHEN SHE WAS awake, Alex watched the trees pass on the edges of the road from her nest of fur blankets in the cart. She was more aware today than she had been in the days prior, but that wasn't saying much. She still felt weaker than a kitten and spent most of her time awake and staring listlessly, when she wasn't slowly eating.

        The soldier who was taking care of her seemed to be in charge. Alex guessed that made him an officer of some sort. Which explained the private tent, but not why she was getting the special treatment. She could hear the villagers that had been taken prisoner farther back, some crammed into a caged cart and others trudging along, and all of them, it seemed, were wailing.

        She was sleeping when they entered the city, but woke up when a couple of the soldiers were preparing to move her. They looked unsure when her eyes opened and she focused on them, pulling their hands back from where she was laying.

        Alex sat up on her own, drawing curious stares from the few passers-by. One of the soldiers beside the cart, the same man who'd brought her the food the first night, called out to someone and a boy took off through the crowd. She held on to the side rail of the cart and slowly worked her way down to the back edge where she could get off. Leaning heavily on the cart, the two soldiers hovering close, she was able to stand. It was exhausting, but so worth it just to feel earth under her toes. She was smiling faintly as she looked around at what was most likely a small city.

                                                                ***

        Ixillius spotted the messenger weaving through the street. He paused to let the young man pass, but the fellow drew to a stop in front of him.

        "Ixillius Traversi, Centurion of Minerva's 1st Legion, 6th Cohort, 4th Century?" the young man asked.

        "I am," he replied, wondering what sort of message he could have already.

        "Optio Brasus Nazario Albus... requests... you back to 'the cart', with haste, sir."

        The messenger paused a few times, obviously editing the 'request' to wording meant to be polite toward an officer. Ixillius felt a smile pulling at his mouth, but didn't let it show.

        "Thank you, messenger," was all he replied, handing over a coin, then wondered what had gone wrong with the woman and hurried back to where he'd left his friend and the cart.

        He spotted them before they saw him. He slowed to an easy stride, seeing that she was awake and standing at the end of the cart and not wanting to surprise her.

        Brasus waved good-naturedly and sent away their Guard Commander, who'd been helping him, once he saw Ixillius. The woman was looking around appraisingly, a small smile on her face. Ixillius noticed that she was wiggling her toes in the Bonna street mud. Recognition of him showed on her features when he stopped beside Brasus, but nothing else. Her obvious lack of fear continued to knock his thoughts off center.

        "I sent the messenger for you when she sat up. I'm still not certain if she's going to cause trouble, but she seems content to just stand here." Brasus made sure to keep his tone and body language level.

        "Probably a good idea, although I doubt she'd be able to walk, let alone cause any trouble," Ixillius replied. He noted her shallow breaths and how heavily she was leaning on the cart, then remembered the grin in the pit and wondered just what she could do right now if she felt she had to.

        "I see from the grim set of your brow that you've arrived at the same point of thinking that I did just after she sat up." Brasus said. "What should we do with her now?"

        Ixillius thought for a moment. "Same thing as you and Marcus were going to do before she woke up. We take her to my room and settle her there the same as in my tent, ensure she has food and water, and I'll go report to the Camp Prefect that we've arrived as requested."

        "Do you think we should lock her in?" Brasus asked, friendly as ever.

        Ixillius admired his friend's ability to appear calm in any conversation. "No," Ixillius finally answered. "Let's see first if she'll stay put. If we do have to lock her up, I doubt my room would be sufficient."

        Brasus nodded and scratched his chin. "And how do we go about getting her into your room, sir?"

        They both looked at her long enough that it drew her attention back to them. Her gaze was level, almost amused. It was as if she knew what they were talking about, although anything about her until now evidenced no understanding of the language.

        "She gives me the creeps, Ixillius. And not in the regular 'that's a disgusting new bug' sort of way," Brasus said flatly, yet still friendly.

        "You and me both," Ixillius agreed. "Grab the furs, Brasus."

        He stepped toward her carefully, exaggerating his arm motions almost to the point of comedy as he demonstrated what he was going to do. Brasus grabbed up the bed of furs and took them up the steps into the nearest building, the woman's eyes following him until he disappeared into the gloom.

        Ixillius hadn't moved while she watched Brasus, his arms still held out at awkward angles. She took measure of him, then slowly lifted one of her hands off the end of the wagon. She lifted her arm, settling her hand on the back of his shoulder as he stepped close and wrapped a cautious arm low around her waist. She transferred her weight to him slowly, testing his support. She was taller than he'd expected, but pitifully light.

        He held his other hand in front of her, giving her a leaning point so she wasn't carrying all her weight on his shoulder, possibly pulling on what he now assumed was a broken rib. She gripped firmly onto his wrist without hesitation and, once she focused on the door Brasus had gone through, he started slowly leading her to his room.