Talbot Mundy

“ A dozen Spaniards and a dozen Northmen lolled about the deck, trying to make conversation in a bastard Gaulish that was strange to all of them, but all the speech they had in common. Theirs was the air of seamen, to whom nothing on the sea was unexpected except idleness, and idleness the only luxury they knew. But they were well clothed in wool and leather, well fed and as plainly well pleased with their lot as they were capable and fierce. No stranger would have chosen them to pick a quarrel with just for the fun of asserting himself. ”

“ I will prove the world is round. I will sail around it."
"Let that be at your own risk," the Druid answered. "We have trusted you. In Britain you have built your ship with Britons' aid, of British oak and sheathed with British tin. Her sails and her ropes are of British flax. Your slaves, more than half of her crew, are all Britons whom the King Caswallon gave to you."
"The Lord Tros earned them," said Caswallon, gesturing with a blue-stained, white, enormous hand.
It irritated him especially just then to hear his friend Tros lectured, but Tros smiled and their eyes met. ”

“ Tros answered, leaning back against the table, squeezing the edge of it in both hands until knuckles and muscles stood out in knots. A sort of thrifty look was in his eyes now. "A man can not keep such a ship as mine on nothing. Wind blows us, but the men eat meat. There is more wear and tear to pay for than a landsman thinks. I will make a profit, but I will not forget to serve you in the making."
"Not if you turn aside to prove what you have no business to know," the Druid answered. ”

“ Truth I will tell to those who will believe it. I will lie, and craftily, to them who deal in lies. Fairly I will deal with honest men. So the gods shall aid me. But believe ye in your own star as well as in my friendship."
"Good-by!" Fflur said, choking, and embraced him.
Orwic turned away and strode out through the open door. He hated scenes, and his eyes were wet, which would not do at all. He was a British gentleman. Caswallon, muttering, "Ludd's blood!" swung Tros toward him by the arms and smote him on the breast a time or two. ”

“ In Rome, as I have told you half a hundred times, are Cæsar's enemies, his friends and all the riff-raff who will take whichever side is uppermost. One way or another I will break the spokes of Cæsar's wheel before I set forth on my own adventure. And if I fail in Rome, I will come back to Britain and help you."
Fflur shook her head.
"You will never return," she remarked. "That is why I wish Orwic were not sailing with you."
Orwic laughed. He was Caswallon's nephew.
"Tros is like the northeast wind. I love him. I will go around the world with him," he said. ”