ship and stare at the horizon. Sit and don’t walk about. Don’t drink any wine, and eat as little as possible before you board. Sir, that’s it. Do you have any questions?”
“No I don’t, and thank you for an exceptionally well-prepared report. I will mention your name to the Chief. I’ll see you on the morning of the 27th. Thank you again.” When they left, Manius slumped in his chair. He hated travel by sea. He was well acquainted with what awaited him, and he dreaded it. He had travelled to Sicily as a young Legionary and was sick the entire time. He had been placed below deck, above the rowers, and smelled dirty bodies, vomit, and filthy water in the hold for the entire trip. Just thinking about it made him queasy.
*******
His last night at home was an experience he would treasure for the rest of his life. He went outside with Titus, and taught him how to hold and wield his new sword. He got a servant to help him dig in a thick pole leaving about five feet still above the ground. He showed Titus how to use the sword to chop the pole on the right and left sides to strengthen his wrist and arm. As Manius went back inside, Titus was chopping away, and the chips were flying.
During dinner, Flavia treated him as if he were her new best friend, Titus stayed very close, and Lucia was a perfectly loving and solicitous wife. Flavia had written a poem specifically for him to take on his trip. Lucia had a basket of food, and Titus asked him to bring back something fun from Sicily. The dinner was magnificent. Manius avoided the wine and didn’t overeat. After dinner, Lucia and Manius took a hot bath together.
*******
At 5:00 A.M. the reheda rolled up in front of Manius’ villa. He was standing outside and immediately boarded. The five men and their baggage were close to the 1,000 pound (330kg) limit. Four grinding and noisy hours later, they arrived at the port. Their baggage was loaded and the men boarded. Manius and the others had drained the ginger tea jug and eaten most of the roots. At 11:00 A.M. the ropes were cast off, and the rowers put their backs into it. The port slowly faded into the distance. Once clear of the breakwater, the ship began to roll, pitch, and yaw. Gently at first, but increased in intensity the farther out they went.
Manius and his two Greek clerks sat amid ship and stared at the horizon. So far so good. They all chewed ginger roots and sipped freshly made ginger tea, courtesy of Cassius. No one was sick, yet.
After about five hours, the Captain announced his plans to beach the ship. All passengers were warned to hold on to something. The rowers brought the ship around and aimed for the beach. Their pace increased to ramming speed; the ship ploughed through the breaking waves and slid gently onto the beach. Four horses were taken out of their stalls and fitted with slings that gently lifted them over the side of the ship. Troops, passengers, and rowers jumped the five feet down into the water. Ropes were uncoiled from inside the boat and tossed overboard to waiting hands. When they were pulled taut by the horses and men, the boat slid up the beach another 15 feet. Only the very stern still remained in the water. The Captain posted his Legionary guards inland, and crew members went to fetch water and gather fodder for the horses. Food was purchased from the local farmers.
Dinner was served at 6:00 P.M., and Manius actually felt like eating. He graciously accepted the Captain’s invitation to dine with him, but wisely declined the wine.
The second day was much like the first. After the horses were hoisted aboard and secured in their stalls, every able bodied man pushed the boat back into the water, and the rowers went to work. In no time, they cleared the breaking waves and were underway. Manius could tell the boat was riding a little higher in the water after the timbers had
“No I don’t, and thank you for an exceptionally well-prepared report. I will mention your name to the Chief. I’ll see you on the morning of the 27th. Thank you again.” When they left, Manius slumped in his chair. He hated travel by sea. He was well acquainted with what awaited him, and he dreaded it. He had travelled to Sicily as a young Legionary and was sick the entire time. He had been placed below deck, above the rowers, and smelled dirty bodies, vomit, and filthy water in the hold for the entire trip. Just thinking about it made him queasy.
*******
His last night at home was an experience he would treasure for the rest of his life. He went outside with Titus, and taught him how to hold and wield his new sword. He got a servant to help him dig in a thick pole leaving about five feet still above the ground. He showed Titus how to use the sword to chop the pole on the right and left sides to strengthen his wrist and arm. As Manius went back inside, Titus was chopping away, and the chips were flying.
During dinner, Flavia treated him as if he were her new best friend, Titus stayed very close, and Lucia was a perfectly loving and solicitous wife. Flavia had written a poem specifically for him to take on his trip. Lucia had a basket of food, and Titus asked him to bring back something fun from Sicily. The dinner was magnificent. Manius avoided the wine and didn’t overeat. After dinner, Lucia and Manius took a hot bath together.
*******
At 5:00 A.M. the reheda rolled up in front of Manius’ villa. He was standing outside and immediately boarded. The five men and their baggage were close to the 1,000 pound (330kg) limit. Four grinding and noisy hours later, they arrived at the port. Their baggage was loaded and the men boarded. Manius and the others had drained the ginger tea jug and eaten most of the roots. At 11:00 A.M. the ropes were cast off, and the rowers put their backs into it. The port slowly faded into the distance. Once clear of the breakwater, the ship began to roll, pitch, and yaw. Gently at first, but increased in intensity the farther out they went.
Manius and his two Greek clerks sat amid ship and stared at the horizon. So far so good. They all chewed ginger roots and sipped freshly made ginger tea, courtesy of Cassius. No one was sick, yet.
After about five hours, the Captain announced his plans to beach the ship. All passengers were warned to hold on to something. The rowers brought the ship around and aimed for the beach. Their pace increased to ramming speed; the ship ploughed through the breaking waves and slid gently onto the beach. Four horses were taken out of their stalls and fitted with slings that gently lifted them over the side of the ship. Troops, passengers, and rowers jumped the five feet down into the water. Ropes were uncoiled from inside the boat and tossed overboard to waiting hands. When they were pulled taut by the horses and men, the boat slid up the beach another 15 feet. Only the very stern still remained in the water. The Captain posted his Legionary guards inland, and crew members went to fetch water and gather fodder for the horses. Food was purchased from the local farmers.
Dinner was served at 6:00 P.M., and Manius actually felt like eating. He graciously accepted the Captain’s invitation to dine with him, but wisely declined the wine.
The second day was much like the first. After the horses were hoisted aboard and secured in their stalls, every able bodied man pushed the boat back into the water, and the rowers went to work. In no time, they cleared the breaking waves and were underway. Manius could tell the boat was riding a little higher in the water after the timbers had
Similar Books
![Training Their Mate [Pack Wars-Book 1]](https://fs.collectorofbookboyfriends.com/559068/thumbs/152x264/training-their-mate-pack-wars-book-1.jpg)
