Hannibal: Enemy of Rome

He gave an irritable nod. ‘Yes, because I can’t practise my sword play.’

Aurelia smiled impishly. ‘There might be a way around that.’

Quintus’ look was pitying. ‘Riding to Capua and back to train with Gaius each day isn’t an option. It would take far too long.’

‘That’s not what I’ve got in mind.’ Aurelia found herself hesitating. Say it! she thought. You’ve got nothing to lose. ‘I could be your sparring partner.’

‘Eh?’ His eyebrows rose in shock. ‘But you’ve never used a sword before.’

‘I learn fast,’ Aurelia shot back. ‘You said so yourself when you taught me to use a sling.’ She held her breath, praying that he would agree.

A slow grin spread across Quintus’ face. ‘We could go “for a walk” up to the woods, to the place where I train.’

‘That’s exactly what I was thinking,’ cried Aurelia delightedly. ‘Mother doesn’t mind what we do as long as all of our homework is done, and our duties are completed.’

A frown creased his brow. ‘What’s in it for you? You’ll never be able to do it again once you’re…’ He gave her a guilty look.

‘That’s precisely why,’ Aurelia said fervently. ‘I’ll be married off within the year, most likely. Then I’ll have to resign myself to childminding and running a household for the rest of my life. What an opportunity to forget that fate!’

‘Mother will kill you if she finds out,’ Quintus warned.

Aurelia’s eyes flashed. ‘I’ll face that day if, or when, it comes.’

Quintus saw his sister’s resolve, and nodded. In truth, he felt glad to be able to help her, even if it would only be a temporary affair. He wouldn’t want the future she’d painted. ‘Very well.’

Aurelia stepped in to kiss his cheek. ‘Thank you. It means a lot to me.’

The moment that their tasks were done the following day, they met up in the atrium. Quintus slung an old sack over his shoulder; within were two of the wooden gladii, as well as a few snares. The latter could be pulled out in the event of any awkward questions from their mother. ‘Ready?’ Aurelia whispered excitedly.

He nodded.

They had gone a dozen steps when Atia appeared from the tablinum, a roll of parchment in one hand. She threw them a curious glance. ‘Where are you two going?’

‘For a walk,’ Aurelia replied lightly. She lifted the wicker basket in her right hand. ‘I thought you might like some mushrooms.’

‘I need to set some traps as well,’ Quintus added. He tapped his bow. ‘This is in case I see a deer.’

‘Make sure you’re back well before dark.’ Atia had taken a few steps when she turned. ‘Actually, why don’t you take the new slave with you? Hanno, I think he’s called. While he’s working in the kitchen, he might as well learn about foraging and catching game.’

‘That’s a good idea,’ said Aurelia, her face lighting up. Despite the fact that Hanno now worked in the house, she had found there was still hardly ever a chance to speak to him.

‘Is it?’ asked Quintus, looking irritated. ‘He might run away.’

Atia laughed. ‘With the manacles he’s wearing? I don’t think so. Besides, you can both practise your Greek with him. You’ll all be learning something.’

‘Yes, Mother,’ Quintus muttered unenthusiastically.

With an absent smile, Atia left them to it.

Aurelia poked Quintus. ‘She didn’t suspect a thing!’

Quintus grimaced. ‘No, but we’ve got to take the Carthaginian with us.’

‘So what? He can carry the sack.’

‘I suppose,’ Quintus admitted. ‘Go and get him then. Let’s not hang around.’

A short time later, they were following one of the narrow tracks that led through the fields to the edge of the farm. Shuffling because of his manacles, a bemused Hanno took up the rear. Aurelia’s offer of a trip into the woods had come as a welcome surprise. Although his job in the kitchen kept him safe from Agesandros, Hanno had begun to miss being in the open air. He longed for the companionship of Galba, Cingetorix and the other Gauls too. Julius and the rest of the domestic slaves were pleasant, but they were soft, and did little but gossip with each other. He wouldn’t see the Gauls today, but Hanno liked the sound of picking mushrooms, an activity that was unknown in Carthage, and of hunting, something he enjoyed greatly. Today he would have no time to brood.

It was when the two young Romans stopped in a large clearing that Hanno started to feel suspicious. The mushrooms that Aurelia had shown him on the way up had grown in shady areas under fallen trees, and only a fool would lay a snare or try waiting for a deer in the middle of an open space.

Quintus stalked over. ‘Give me the sack,’ he ordered.

Hanno obeyed. A moment later, he was most surprised to see two wooden swords clattering on to the soft earth. Gods, but how long it had been since he’d held a weapon! He still hadn’t fully realised what was going on when Quintus tossed one of the gladii to Aurelia.

‘These hurt like Hades if you land a blow, but they’re not likely to spill your guts on the ground.’

Aurelia moved the blade to and fro once or twice. ‘It feels very unwieldy.’