Read Online War Raven: Barbarian of Rome Chronicles Volume One by Nick Morris - Free Book Online

you’re home Servannus?” the red-faced Gallio asked.
    “Yes.” Servannus suppressed a yawn.
    “Anyone in mind?”
    “I’ve already purchased two men who I believe will perform reasonably well.” Servannus frowned slightly. “But I’ve seen nothing special...As yet.”
    “Egypt for whores and Campania for gladiators my friend.” Gallio swigged from his cup, then after coming up for air, stated, “I’m sure you’ll acquire what you want.”
    “Of that there is no doubt,” Servannus agreed.
    “A judgement then,” Gallio proposed. “Marius and I have a matter to settle.”
    “Something of interest I hope.” Servannus forced a smile.
    Gallio belched, and then continued with the conviction that only a man with a belly full of wine can have. “Marius professes that Ludus Quaracalla trains the best gladiators in Pompeii. Would you agree?”
    “It’s the biggest, but perhaps not the best of the gladiator schools,” Servannus replied, his tone more serious. “Ludus Gordeo, although small, is building quite a reputation for itself. I’ve been informed that its trainers are excellent and that it’s a school to be watched. I’ll reserve my judgement until after I’ve seen its best perform.”
    His remarks were met with nodding heads and empty cups.
    Dislodging a stubborn chicken remnant from between his teeth with a thumbnail, Gallio addressed him. “Speaking of gladiators, is it true that Carporphorous has retired from the arena?”
    “The beast killer?” queried Marius.
    “The same,” Gallio confirmed. “His killing feats have given him almost god-like fame. The mob loves him. Have you seen him perform Servannus?”
    “Once, at Paestum.”
    “What did you think?”
    “He’s a rare one, a freak. Large, with strength enough to break the neck of a bison and hyena. When he moves in for the kill with that great spear he uses, he moves with incredible speed. It’s uncanny.” Servannus’s dark eyes glinted as he spoke, his tongue wetting his lips. “He seems to scurry, more like a huge spider than a man. He is different...special.”
    “And what of his ability to train animals to kill?” Marius asked.
    “He has trained a pack of fighting dogs that attack as one. I watched them tear the flesh from a bull as easily as you stripped that chicken from its carcass.”
    “Has he ever fought men?”
    “Not that I’m aware of,” said Servannus. “The Imperial Schools don’t like mixing their trained killers. Men killing men, and men killing beasts has always been their way; each trained separately and killing separately. If he ever does, it will be a sorry day for the man who stands before him.”
    “More wine!” Servannus waved a hand. His guests applauded. “I need to stretch my legs.” Servannus suddenly pushed himself up from his couch. “I suggest you continue with...your wine.”
    He was past them before they could reply.
    He followed a nearby path into one of the villa’s gardens, the pair left babbling vaguely behind him. He passed through the garden without stopping, following a stone path away from the villa and past a thick wall of trees. Suddenly, he was in the open, on a parapet overlooking the bay. His father had boasted that it was the finest spot in Campania, and gazing out over the azure sea he agreed.
    There was a small stone wall around the parapet and he moved to its edge. The stones were overgrown by a layer of grey-green lichen, and he ran his fingers over them, feeling the delicate texture. The sea-breeze gusted, cooling his face. He remembered often coming to this spot as a boy with his father, who always commented that it was much cooler here by the sea than in Rome. His father had rarely visited the mother city, hating its venomous politics and stifling summer heat.
    He surveyed the bay, picking out scattered fishing boats and small trading ships. Off against the horizon the clouds were piling high into the sky, and where the sun cut through, it made the surface of