The Governor's Man by Jacquie Rogers (best beach reads TXT) 📕

hand into a cup. They sat down, passing the cup between them and taking gulps.

Tiro sat down, wincing as he rubbed the tender spot on his head and calling himself every name under the sun. Stuck. In a bloody country shed. What a fool he’d been, making himself so easy to catch. He winced at the sarcasm the frumentarius would fling his way.

But it was highly likely the Imperial Investigator would never know what had happened to him. Best guess? Tiro would end up a crumpled body at the bottom of a disused mining shaft. Unmissed, even by Britta. Why would she care? But if he did ever get back to Aquae Sulis, he’d call on her, casual, on his way home to Londinium. If only he could get out of this stinking hut, get rid of the two men outside… Hang on. With Caesulanus gone and the mad boy too, there might be a way after all. They thought him unarmed and helpless. What if they were wrong? He began to grin.

There’s only two of them left now. Just need to attract their attention. So here’s something that’ll get them moving!

He’d already checked the back wall of the shed, which was too tough to break down without being noticed. Tiro set to, kicking the back wall and making as much noise as he could. Hopefully enough to get them charging in through the door.

It worked.

‘Come on!’ called one. ‘Let’s smash that noisy bastard into next week. Teach him a lesson. In together!’

Both of them at once. How thick can you get?

The bolt was dragged back, and there they stood in the doorway, both with raised hammers. Tiro was ready for them, and much, much quicker. He swung the heavy silver ingot low and hard into the hip of the first man. The man gasped and fell back onto his mate.  The second man staggered, but made a recovery and came on. His reward was to get a nasty London headbutt, faster than lightning. A sickening crunch and he sagged like a sack, spark out. Tiro stepped over him to reach the first man, who was yelping with pain and trying vainly to get up. Tiro shrugged, picked up the man’s dropped hammer and dealt a neat sideways blow to the man’s temple. He wasn’t aiming to kill, and he didn’t think he had killed either of them. He hesitated a moment, then left them. They weren’t going anywhere in a hurry.

Tiro was in a hurry, though. He needed to get to Bo Gwelt after that boy with the silver. But first, he needed to find out where Bo Gwelt was.

‘Hey, mister! You got them men sorted. I’m glad. They were nasty to me once, when they caught me watching here. ’

Tiro swung round. A child in very muddy clothes was sitting on the ground, hidden by a gorse bush on the edge of the clearing. How long had he been there?

‘Can you help me, little boy?’

‘I’m a girl, not a stupid boy!’

‘Of course you’re a girl. What’s your name?’

‘Narina.’

The young voice was a blend of suspicion and intrigue.

‘All right, Narina. Can you tell me where I am?’

‘By the coiners’ hut, silly. ‘

Yes, silly. He tried again.

‘Is there a town near here? Any soldiers? Or a magistrate?’

The suspicion on the little face deepened.

‘Why should I tell you? Who are you?’

Tiro took a deep breath, and squatted down to look directly at the girl.

‘My name is Tiro and I need to sort out some other nasty men, the ones these men work for. Will you help me?’

The girl pondered. Tiro hoped he looked trustworthy.

She seemed to think so.

’Yes, there’s a magistrate. Dominus Marcus Aurelianus, he’s a magistrate in Lindinis. Lindinis isn’t really near here, though.’

‘Oh.’ Tiro resisted the urge to wail. Dear Jupiter, where in all this rural mud and muck could he get help, quickly?

‘But his house is right near here, just down the road. You’re already on his land, Bo Gwelt. I live here too, on Home Farm, cos my dad works for the dominus. Mum helps out at Bo Gwelt villa, and my dad looks after the estate.’ A giggle. ‘Nobody knows what those men you whacked do here, it’s a secret. But I know. They’re from the village. I’ve followed them before and hidden and watched. Other people from the mines bring stuff here in a big wagon, and the village men make coins with the stuff. For some posh gentlemen. And Master Lucius from Iscalis. I’ve seen him too, he visits a lot. Quite often he takes some of the money and puts it in his saddle bags when no-one’s looking. But I’m looking, so I know.’

Narina tilted her head, considering. ‘Is he one of the bad men you’re trying to stop?’

‘Yes,’ said Tiro quickly. ‘I think he’s stealing that money. Narina, what else have you seen Lucius do?’

‘He just comes to Bo Gwelt a lot to see Domina Claudia. Lady Aurelia runs away when he comes, and hides in the stable. I seen that Lucius sneaking round the house, though.

‘And—‘ she paused to make sure Tiro was paying attention, ‘—and some other posh men come here, Master Bulbo an’ that, to check the coins. And one on a big fancy horse.  He talked to Master Lucius about taking money to show in Londinium. Master Bulbo said he doesn’t like going south of the river. Dunno what river that is. I heard him say he wouldn’t cross the bridge without a guard, and Lucius said they could stay in the city once they’d done the business. Fancy Master Bulbo being scared of footpads! He’s so big. I wish I could have an adventure in Londinium. Are those men sleeping now? They’re having such a long lie down…’

Tiro’s head