The journey to Deva would certainly be less dangerous than our way from Burtigala to Septimania down the wide Garuma Valley, for we would be among our own people, people who had good reason to wish Lord Artos’s project to succeed. That, I was sure, did not quite keep Bericus from worrying about those who would like to acquire such fine animals for their own.
“Now, I will assign you your mount and your lead for the first day. We may shuffle these assignments about”- and here he grinned-“as we discover each other’s capabilities. The mares with foals afoot are to be led, and so is that black demon of a stallion Lord Artos is so fond of.” Bericus’s grin broadened. He shot an amused glance at those who had been favored by the stallion’s fractious manners. Only Canyd had been able to do much with him. Now Bericus turned to me. “Galwyn, you’ll lead Cornix from your pony, for I’ve seen him trot as placid as a mare in Spadix’s company.”
Once again, and without meaning to, Bericus had made me the butt of envy-though, at that moment, I could feel my chest swell with pride to be given such a position of trust. I glanced at Iswy, whose black look made me shudder. There were murmurs of surprise. Difficult as the stallion was, it was still considered an honor to attend the beast.
“Galwyn led him often enough on our journey from Septimania when the Comes did not ride him,” Bericus went on by way of explanation.
“And what if the beast smells a mare in season on the road?” Decius Gallicanus asked. “Is the boy strong enough to hold him?”
Bericus grinned back. “No man is strong enough to hold that fellow when he wants to do otherwise. Even Comes Artos had his hands full.”
“I’ve a bit he will respect,” said Canyd Bawn, in his reedy voice. “Not that any man would object to having his mare served by such like,” he added with an amused snort. He winked at me. “Lad, I’ll show you how a yank or two will change the mind of that diabolus about pulling away from you.”
I was more than grateful for such consideration, and heaved a sigh. Leading the black stallion would be hazardous, but with Spadix’s calming influence, I was reasonably confident I could manage him.
I only half listened to the other assignments. “We pull out at dawn,” Bericus said in conclusion, and dismissed us to our duties.
AT DAWN, A CHILLY AUTUMNAL rain began, which augured ill for the journey and made me doubly grateful for the oiled cloth cloak. I could also have used one of the broad hats that Prince Cador’s men had, to prevent the ram from trickling down the collar and my neck. The rain had a dampening effect on Cornix, who plodded along beside Spadix as meek as a sheep. I had no need to use the heavy metal bit that Canyd had managed to set between his jaws. It was a wicked-looking thing to my eyes, with a jaw-breaking gag and a port that would bear up against the roof of his mouth-if I jerked hard enough on the lead rope-to give him something painful to think about. I got so I hated to force that atrocity into his mouth.
We proceeded at a pace that even Victor could manage. Our passage churned the eastern road out of Isca into a thick mud that forced us to go at a slow walk. We’d not cover many stadia in such treacherous going at that pace. I was thoroughly miserable, and my thighs were rubbed raw by the wet pad on Spadix’s back.
“Perhaps the going will get better,” Nestor remarked when we paused for Bericus to pry clay and stones out of the off-front foot of the stallion he was riding. ‘”Specially when we reach the old paved road.” He paused. “I doubt we’ll get there tomorrow. It’s some eighteen mille passus beyond Isca. After that, it’s north toward Lindinis, and we’ll have good road all the way from Lindinis to Aqua Sulis.”
I’d heard of Aqua Sulis, a big fortified town, from the traders who stopped at my father’s villa. It had been a Legion fortress and was supposed still to have hot baths, which the Romans had deemed essential to a proper lifestyle. There had been many fine villas nearby. I wondered if we’d be lucky enough to pass a night at one. And if, considering how I would be taunted by Iswy, I’d have the courage to take a hot bath, were one offered.