‘Still sitting on their horses, waiting,’ shouted Navio.
The hairs on Spartacus’ neck prickled. ‘Go back and see what’s happening. I want no more stupid risks today,’ he said to Carbo. He knelt down. ‘What’s your name?’
‘Publipor,’ replied the third man, who was perhaps thirty. His thin face was pinched by hunger and suffering, and now sorrow.
‘We can do nothing for your friend. He’s dying,’ whispered Spartacus.
‘I know,’ said Publipor bitterly.
Carbo reached Navio, who was watching the group of horsemen. They had withdrawn perhaps a hundred paces, beyond accurate bow range. ‘I don’t like it,’ said Navio. ‘Why haven’t they either dismounted and come in here after us, or just pissed off? There could be other troops in the area.’
Carbo squinted into the dust cloud that yet hung in the air behind the Romans. He could see nothing. Navio was right, however. Something didn’t feel right. ‘Spartacus?’
‘What?’
‘They look as if they’re expecting reinforcements.’
Spartacus caught the tone of Carbo’s voice. ‘Time to go.’
Kineas’ eyes opened. For a moment, they wandered, unfocused, before settling on Publipor. His forehead creased. ‘Why-?’
‘Easy,’ murmured Publipor. ‘Don’t try to talk.’
Kineas finally took in Spartacus. His frown deepened, and he pointed a finger at Publipor. ‘He-’ A fresh bout of coughing took him. More blood gouted from his wound and what colour was left in his hollow cheeks vanished. He sagged down on the earth and his eyelids fluttered closed.
Publipor let out a deep sigh.
‘It’s hard when a comrade dies,’ said Spartacus quietly. I have seen it too many times.
Publipor’s lips twisted with an unreadable emotion.
‘We have to leave him.’
Kineas’ eyes jerked open and he tried to sit up. ‘I should never have-’
The effort was too much for him, and he slumped back down on to the crimson-soaked ground. He drew one more shuddering breath, and let it out with a loud rattle. Publipor bent over him, catching the last gasp. Then he gently closed Kineas’ staring eyes.
Spartacus only let him grieve for a heartbeat. ‘We must go.’
Publipor got to his feet and eyed them awkwardly. ‘I do not like to ask anyone for money, but I have none. Kineas needs a coin for the ferryman.’
Spartacus fumbled in the little purse that hung around his neck and produced a denarius. ‘Here.’
Publipor accepted it with mumbled thanks. He bent, opened Kineas’ mouth and slipped the coin on to his tongue. ‘Rest in peace,’ he said heavily.
Carbo and Navio came trotting in. ‘There’s another dust cloud coming,’ said Carbo.
‘Is that so?’ snapped Spartacus.
Carbo didn’t see the fist that cracked into the side of his head. Stars burst across his vision, and he dropped to the ground. A kick in the belly made him retch. Dazed and nauseous, he looked up at Spartacus.
‘What in the name of all the gods were you thinking? Did you want to die?’
Navio glowered at him, adding to the pressure.
Carbo spat out a gob of phlegm. ‘No.’
‘What then?’ Spartacus’ voice cracked like a whip.
‘I–I thought one of the men was a slave belonging to my family. A man who was dear to me. I couldn’t stand by and watch him be butchered like a pig.’
‘Were you right? Was it he?’
‘No,’ replied Carbo miserably.
‘Even if you had been correct, charging out like that was the wrong decision to make. You answer to me! Unless I tell you, you do not run off like a fucking maniac trying to commit suicide.’ Another mighty kick was delivered.
Carbo rolled into a ball, trying to protect himself. No more blows landed.
‘Look at me!’
He dragged his eyes up to meet Spartacus’ flinty stare.
‘If you ever do such a damn stupid thing again,’ and he bent over, ramming a forefinger into Carbo’s chest for emphasis, ‘I will shoot you in the back myself. I only risk my life for a soldier once. Do. You. Understand?’
Carbo had never seen Spartacus so angry. ‘Yes.’
‘LOUDER!’
‘YES!’
Without another word, Spartacus led the way up the slope.
Carbo stumbled to his feet. Navio didn’t help him, and he knew that if he couldn’t keep up, they would leave him behind. I deserve no less, he thought miserably. His stupidity had nearly got them all killed. He was fortunate that Spartacus hadn’t slain him.
Spartacus’ pace was brutal but no one complained. Apart from picking up Arnax, he didn’t stop running until they had gone a couple of miles. Even then, it was but a brief pause to listen for sounds of pursuit. I have tested the Rider’s regard for me enough for one day. He only let up when the army’s tents came into view.
Publipor’s jaw dropped at the sight. ‘You must be some of Spartacus’ men.’
Carbo was able to raise a grin at that. ‘You’re not far off.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘You’re looking at the man himself.’ He indicated his leader.
‘Y-you are Spartacus?’
‘I am.’
‘The gods be praised!’ Publipor clutched at Spartacus’ hands like a supplicant to a king. ‘I owe you and your men my life. Thank you.’
‘It’s Carbo you should be grateful to.’ Spartacus’ smile did not reach his eyes.
Publipor’s attention moved to Carbo. ‘How can I ever repay you?’
‘Join our army. Swear allegiance to Spartacus,’ replied Carbo awkwardly. He knew that this gesture would not restore him to the Thracian’s favour, but he wanted to show that he was still loyal.
‘Of course. That is all I want to do.’
‘You were trying to reach my army?’ asked Spartacus.
‘Yes. We had been on the run for four days.’
‘You did well to evade the riders for that long.’
Publipor shuddered. ‘No, they only happened upon our trail today, about three miles back. We hid as best we could, but they kept finding our tracks. When they flushed us out, the woods were the best cover we could see. We had no chance, but then the gods intervened to bring you here with your men.’ Awe filled his eyes. ‘I’ve never seen anything like that mad charge that you did to save me and Kineas.’
‘The gods were definitely on hand,’ agreed Spartacus. Acting in combat as I did today wouldn’t just get me killed. It would get scores of men slain, perhaps even lose the battle. I am eternally in your debt, Great Rider. I will not make the same mistake again. ‘You want to become a soldier?’
‘Yes.’ He bobbed his head. ‘I’d be honoured to serve you.’
‘Good. Have you come far?’
‘I detect a southern accent in your words,’ added Carbo.
‘You do.’ Publipor sounded surprised. ‘I’m from Apulia.’
‘You’ve travelled as far as we have, or further,’ said Spartacus. ‘Did your master bring you up here?’
‘No. I was with Publius, my master, on business when I heard news of Crixus’ army in the area. I ran away and joined them, to be free. That’s where I met Kineas and the other man. Things went well for a while, until Gellius arrived.’
‘By the Rider! You were at Mount Garganus?’
‘Yes.’
‘No other survivors have reached us thus far. I’m glad to have you.’ Spartacus gripped Publipor’s shoulder, which elicited a small smile. ‘It must have been a black day.’
Publipor’s eyes clouded over again. ‘It was terrible.’
‘But you survived. You did not run?’
‘No,’ replied Publipor steadily. ‘I did not run. At least not until Crixus had been killed, and it was clear that all was lost.’
‘I want to hear the full story,’ Spartacus announced. ‘But not here.’
He was keen to understand how, despite his superior numbers, Crixus had lost the battle. Maybe Gellius had outmanoeuvred him? Just because Spartacus’ own forces had had the better of him didn’t mean that the consul had not directed his forces skilfully. Roman generals were famous for their resourcefulness. I must be careful with Longinus. The smallest error and we could lose tomorrow. Even this close to complete freedom, we could fail.