As Sure as the Dawn(49)

“Atretes, for the love of God . . .”

He gave her a hard shove out the gate.

They walked down the road past the terebinth tree. No one was there. They continued on, rounding the bend in the road out of sight of the villa. “Stop here,” Atretes commanded Gallus. “Go on ahead, Rizpah.”

“Atretes.”

“Go!”

Gallus looked uneasy. “Shall I accompany her, my lord?”

“No.” Atretes grabbed her arm, yanked her around to face the road, and shoved her hard. Atretes watched her walk away. She paused once and glanced back. She knew what he was going to do. Better that she didn’t see the deed done. He swore at her. “Do as I commanded you!” Bowing her head, she clutched Caleb to her bosom and hurried her steps.

“I thought you were going with her, my lord.”

Atretes waited until she rounded the curve before turning to answer. “Is that what you told Gaius?”

Gallus’ eyes changed. “My lord, I swear I—”

Atretes hit him in the throat, crushing his windpipe. “Gaius is dead.” Gallus sank to his knees, choking and gasping. Atretes yanked the guard’s helmet off and gripped his hair. Drawing Gallus’ head back, he glared into the man’s terrified eyes. “Join your friend in Hades.” He drove the heel of his hand into Gallus’ nose, snapping the cartilage and sending it like a spear into his brain. Gallus fell back, convulsed once in the throes of death, then went limp.

Atretes glanced up and saw Rizpah standing frozen in the curve of the road. As he stepped over Gallus’ body, she turned from him and ran.





11


Atretes caught up with Rizpah easily. When he took hold of her arm, she cried out and tried to escape him. “O God!” she cried out. “God! God!”

He jerked her around and caught hold of her flaying hands. “I told you to go on ahead.”

“You murdered him. You—”

Atretes clamped his hand over her mouth. She struggled wildly, waking Caleb in his securely knotted pouch against her breasts. Horses were coming, and Atretes had no time for gentleness. He hit her. As she sagged, he caught her up in his arms and strode quickly into the shadows well off the road. She was stunned only briefly and within moments began struggling again. “Shut up unless you want to get us all killed,” he hissed in her ear. She made no sound after that and Caleb quieted with her—but Atretes could feel her trembling.

A company of Roman soldiers rode by. Atretes swore under his breath as he watched. He had forgotten Romans patrolled the road. They would come upon Gallus’ body within minutes.

“We must go now,” he said, pulling Rizpah up. She was shaking violently, but didn’t resist him. He kept hold of her arm, half supporting, half shackling her to his side as he strode along the road. He wanted to put as much distance between himself and the soldiers as possible.

Rizpah stumbled, and he realized the pace he set was too difficult for her. Two of her steps barely matched one of his.

Gritting his teeth, he slowed enough to let her catch her breath.

“They’re coming back,” she gasped, the sound of horses coming from behind them.

“If they stop, say nothing. I’ll do the talking.”

“Please. Don’t kill any . . .”

His fingers dug into her arm. “What would you have had me do? Let him warn Sertes of my leaving Ephesus? What do you think would’ve happened then? I killed two men tonight. How many more do you think I’d have to kill to be free again?” She lifted her head and he saw the bright sheen of tears. “Keep your head down so they don’t see your face.”

He started walking again, forcing himself to a more leisurely pace this time. His heart beat harder and faster as he heard horses coming up behind him. He touched the hilt of his dagger and was satisfied it was handy, then turned slightly, showing the proper amount of respect and curiosity.

When they came closer, Atretes moved to the side of the road and waited. Only two. The others were nowhere in sight.

“Atretes, please don’t. . . .” He looked at her, and her mouth went dry.

“It’s late to be on the road,”one of the soldiers said as he came toward them.

Atretes looked up at him. “We’ve been walking since morning. We hoped to make it before dark, but . . .”

Caleb began to cry softly.

The soldier’s horse sidestepped and pranced nervously. “Traveling with a baby tends to slow one down,” the soldier said. “Any trouble along your way?”

“We’ve not been troubled, but there was a man lying dead in the road about a mile back.”

“Yes, we know.”