Princes 15 - Scipio's Spy
Part 3
Bloody rifles, Corporal Ancus Silo muttered.
His comment came on the tail end of the other Riflemens grumblings about their billet, a somewhat derelict warehouse near Mycenians port district. The roof leaked, rats scurried across the floor, and the place reeked of sulphur and potash and other goods that once had been stored there. What any of the complaints had to do with their weapons was unclear to an uninformed observer, but among the men of Romes 14th Legion, the comment prompted the usual response: appreciative chuckles from the other men, and a heavy sigh from Private Li Wei.
If only, Wei told himself, hed had the sense to keep to himself the fact that he was the son of the man who had developed the Li rifle, which was standard issue in their unit. As soon as the other riflemen had found out, hed spent the entirety of an evening listening to a litany of complaints about the weapon. Most of the problems were a result of manufacturers defects, poor maintenance, or simply the heavy use the weapons endured during warfare, but Wei became the
de facto sounding board for every little issue with the rifles.
And then it got worse. Before long, whenever
anything went wrong, the men blamed it on the rifles. Especially if Wei was within earshot, the implication being that his father and by extension he himself was somehow to blame if their biscuit was too hard, the weather too cold, or the officers were in a foul mood. Something would go wrong, a man would mutter bloody rifles, and all eyes would stray to Wei. And theyd laugh.
The young private felt a hand on his shoulder. You shouldnt take it so hard, my young friend, Private Lallena told him. Its just a little good-natured ribbing, the Spaniard insisted.
Weis lips pressed together. Its a slight on my familys honour, he muttered.
No it isnt! Lallena said with a laugh. Its a joke, and you should regard it as such. Its even a sign of acceptance and dare I say affection. Though frankly, that heavy sigh you give each time the rifles get blamed for something is a cherished part of the routine, so by all means keep it up.
Wei rolled his eyes, which only made his Spanish friend laugh yet again. Then he shrugged and laughed. Perhaps Miguel had a point, he thought
Weis ruminations were interrupted by the sound of the warehouse door slamming open, followed by several heavy, rapid footfalls. The men fell silent. Lieutenant Scipio had returned from his audience with the General, and he was in a foul mood, that much was obvious.
Sergeant Necalli followed Scipio as he stormed into the warehouse. The Lieutenant stomped past his men and went straight into the former shipping/receiving office, now his makeshift quarters. He slammed the door behind him.
I take it that our esteemed Lieutenants meeting with
el General did not go well? Lallena said to Necalli.
The big Sergeant shrugged his broad shoulders. He wouldnt say, but its a safe bet, he commented.
Whats all this about, anyway? Wei asked.
Necalli told the young private as much as he knew: that he and Scipio had met a Mongolian woman who was, in fact, some sort of Roman agent. Shed given Scipio a message for General Lepidus, then shed run off and gotten captured by some local ruffiansprobably resistance fighters, or worse. Wei shuddered a little upon hearing the story; he could well imagine how a perceived traitor would be treated. The fact that she was a woman would make her punishment all the more sordid and gruesome.
A few minutes went by, and the mens interest in the Lieutenants business with the General quickly waned. Necalli pulled out a deck of cards, and Silo, Wei, and Lallena joined him, sitting upon barrels around a wooden crate to play a hand or two of whist, a game imported from England that had become very popular in all of Romes territories. Theyd just dealt the first hand when Scipio opened the door to his quarters and stepped out. The tall lieutenants eyes roamed about the warehouse for a moment, then came to rest on the four riflemen playing cards.
Necalli sighed. So much for our game, lads. Here it comes
he muttered.
Scipio walked up to the group of four riflemen. Im going for a walk, he announced. They looked up at him expectantly. I think it would be a good idea to mingle with the locals. Make their acquaintance and such. Chat them up. You never know what interesting things they might have to say to you, once you persuade them to loosen their tongues.
Necalli knew where this was heading. The General said there would be no rescue effort, he reminded his officer.
He said he wouldnt launch one, thats true, Scipio said. But he didnt order me not to attempt such a thing myself. Besides, who said anything about a rescue? Im just going for a walk.
In an enemy city we just captured yesterday? Silo said. The Corporal was a sly man in early middle age, a poacher from Capua. His profession explained why he was in the army, as well as how he had become a crack shot.
Well, Scipio said, if some of my men want to accompany me on my little strollto valiantly protect their officer, or just for companyI can hardly object. Not that Im asking. Let alone ordering. Understand? The riflemen glanced at one another, then nodded.
Arent we awaiting orders or something? Wei ventured.
Scipio looked at the young Private sharply. That we are. In the meantime, our time is our own. Word is that Lepidus is deploying our guerrilla troops on the hills east of the city in anticipation of a counter-attack. The 14th is specialized in city raiding; that leaves us with some time on our hands, doesnt it, Private Li? So. You can sit around in this musty, rat-infested warehouse. Or you can come with me for a walk in the fresh air.
And attempt to rescue a woman, he didnt say, but every man heard it. And attempt to rescue a female Roman spy from the men whove captured her and may be torturing her as we speak
As one, the four riflemen rose to their feet.
Nice evening for a walk, Silo commented.
Night air is good for the constitution, Lallena agreed cheerfully.
I had my fill of whist on the trip over anyway, Necalli muttered. And besides, the Spaniard cheats.
Lallenas mouth dropped open. I damned well do not, you big
mentula! he shouted in indignation.
Necalli cast an amused sideways glance at him. And why exactly did you join the army, anyway? he asked with a knowing grin.
I dont cheat
anymore
Lallena muttered as he shuffled his feet.
We should grab our bloody rifles, shouldnt we? Wei commented with a wry grin.
That we should, lad, Silo said with a smile, that we should. Bayonets too, and several rounds of ammunition. Youd be surprised what sort of game you can find, even in the midst of a city.
A few minutes later, the five riflemen left their makeshift barracks and walked out into the streets of the captured Mongolian city. The sun was setting in the west, visible as a burning orange orb across the Bay of Mycenian. Above it, the scattered clouds were the colour of blood.
