To Love Again - Bertrice Small [162]
“My lord …”Wulf did not know what to say.
“I want her taken care of, Saxon,” Flavius Aspar said harshly. “Do you understand me? She is never to want for anything!”
Wulf nodded, and wondered if Cailin had chosen Aspar over him, would he have been so gallant. He wasn’t certain.
Jovian left them to go arrange passage for the trio of travelers. The trading vessel upon which they would travel occasionally took passengers. It had one tiny wooden shed of a cabin upon the deck, which the captain and his mate shared unless there was a paying passenger along. When that happened, the captain and his mate slept in hammocks upon the open deck. The ship would never travel out of sight of land for too long. It was not large enough for an adequate water supply.
Jovian had six barrels of fresh water brought aboard and stored for Cailin and her party. He saw that there was a goat for milk, a pen full of chickens, several boxes of bread, four cheeses, and fruit. The vessel was to carry bolts of cloth woven in Constantinople to Gaul. There were also some expensive luxuries hidden among the cloth in order to escape the custom agent’s eyes, although he was well bribed to overlook such infractions of the law.
Casia met them at the boat. She had not only packed the necessary clothing for her friend, but a comb, a pair of boots, and the jewelry as well. Nellwyn was astounded by the turn of events, but excited to actually be returning to Britain. Casia had explained everything to her. Her eyes widened at the sight of Wulf Ironfist.
Wulf’s possessions were few and had been easily gathered together. The other gladiators were still sleeping, and would probably not miss the Saxon until the following day, when he did not appear for his match.
“It will be a great disappointment to the populace to find that the great unbeaten champion has disappeared,” Jovian noted. “We must see that they hold Gabras responsible. They may riot against him. Perhaps even burn his palace down. Ahh, the possibilities are simply endless. Casia, my dear, I do not think I would go to the games tomorrow.”
“I would have only gone to see the Saxon,” Casia said with a small smile. Then turning to Cailin, she hugged her. “I will miss your honesty. Go with the gods, dear friend. When the winter winds curse this city, I will think of you back home in your beloved Britain. I still think it a savage place, and you a madwoman to go!” She sniffed audibly.
“And I will miss your irreverent ways,” Cailin said softly. “We will not be back to Britain by winter, though. Perhaps in the springtime. Farewell, dear Casia. May the gods favor you always.” She turned to Aspar, who stood silently.
Taking his hand, she raised it to her lips and kissed it. “If you regret one moment, I shall never forgive you, Flavius Aspar. Our love is real, and it is true; but the fates have governed that we go in separate directions. I will never forget you, my dear lord.”
“The memory of you will have to suffice me,” he replied quietly. “I will never forget you, Cailin Drusus. You taught me how to love, and for that I am not certain that I can forgive you. Perhaps it is better not to know how to love than to ache with the loss of it. God go with you, my precious love,” he finished, and he tenderly kissed her lips, bringing tears to her eyes.
“Damn you, Aspar,” she whispered.
“I was born beneath the sign of the Scorpion, my love. I sting when I am hurt. Now get aboard before I decide I cannot be noble.”
The ship sailed out of the walled Phosphorion Harbor, around the point of the city, past the imperial palace. The day was bright, and the water sparkled as they passed the Marble Tower that marked the end of the city’s walls. Their vessel skimmed the waves, the fresh breeze sending it onward.
Wulf Ironfist put a hard arm about Cailin and drew her close to him. “I hope that neither of us regrets the bargain between us.”
“I do not think so,” she told him, and as their ship swept past Villa Mare, she whispered a silent, final good-bye to Flavius Aspar. He would survive,