Talbot Mundy

“ The Jews' door slammed behind them, and the procession at once became perfectly regular. Conops understood the game now. He walked in front, just close enough for Chloe to call directions to him, his long knife tapping on the scabbard as a warning to all and sundry to keep their distance. The two Numidians brought up the rear, striding as if they were owned by Balbus himself. Being slaves of a slave, they were much more harmless than they looked. ”

“ Chloe tossed the knife into the air and caught it, noticing that both men wondered at her skill. She said something in Greek, too swift and subtle for Conops' marlin-spike intelligence—more dull than usual just then from the effect of honied wine and an emotion stirred by dancing girls—then frowned, her mind searching for phrases in Gaulish.
"YOU CAN use weapons," she said, her gesture including both men. "I, too. The Armenian who trained me meant me for a female gladiator. But the ædile [1] to whom I was offered said it would be bad for Roman morals, so I was sold to Pkauchios. ”

“ Developments seemed more mysterious than ever. Chloe went on talking:
"Pkauchios may try to scare you with his magic, but remember what I tell you: his magic is all humbug. He gets most of his secret information from us girls."
"Us girls" did not sound like the words a princess would have used. Orwic's wits were returning.
"Who are you?" he asked, looking down at her, pulling aside a corner of the blanket so as to see her face. It was very dark; he had to bend his head, and at a street corner a drunken Roman stopped his litter to laugh raucously. ”

“ He gestured to Conops to follow, and strode for the door with his left hand on his sword-hilt.
Chloe slammed the door shut and stood defiant with her back against it.
"Prince of Britain!" she said, laughing, but her laugh was challenging and confident. "Be wise! All Gades would like Chloe for a friend! All Gades fears the name of Pkauchios! You are safe here. I have promised the Lord Tros no harm shall happen to you, and he holds my pledge."
Orwic sat down on the gilded couch to disarm her alertness. ”

“ CHAPTER VII THE COTTAGE IN PKAUCHIOS' GARDEN. ORWIC and Conops lay flat on a tiled floor with leather thongs biting their wrists and ankles. Somebody had put the light out. The only sound was the quiet breathing of the Jews who squatted with their backs against the wall. Thought was tense, speculative, almost audible, but Conops was the first to speak in a whisper to Orwic:
"Roll toward me. I can move my fingers. ”

“ But what could a cynical seaman do or say, though he knew all ports and had been tangled in many snares of siren women, to convince a nobleman of Britain that a gesture and a glance were possibly play acting and not proof of honesty? ”