<div style="color:black;font: 10pt arial;"> <div><font size="5">Here is the next part!</font></div> <div><font size="5"><br> </font></div> <div><font size="5">Chris</font></div> <div><font size="5">The Lurking Fox<br> </font></div> <div><font size="5"><br> </font></div> <div><font size="5">********************<br> </font></div> <div><font size="5"><br> </font></div> <div><br> </div> <div><br> </div> <div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The Cursus Publicus is an often-under-rated institution in our modern world. We take for granted being able to send a package across the world in a mere few days. But the Cursus Publicus was the first public, postal network. It allowed regular communication over vast distances. When the empire collapsed that network was literally the first to go. It would not be matched in our modern world for a thousand years. And yet Bitt seems to have taken it for granted.</i></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The package arrived at the legion three years after Bitt had. It was given directly to the fox by a tall, lanky, weary mare.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The gray furred equine handed it to Bitt personally. It was actually a small wooden keg and a very carefully wrapped square object.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Removing the cloth covering the square revealed a metal box that was cold to the touch. With it was a carefully folded piece of parchment. He gently opened the box to reveal a fine, cake. It was a round thing with several layers and made from the finest flour and nuts, fruit and imported spices. It looked as fresh as the day it had been baked.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“How can it still be fresh?” The hyena asked.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“The box is magic and kept it cool and fresh,” Bitt explained.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Keep the box!” Grattius suggested. “Be great for keeping wine cool on the really hot marches.”</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Great idea!” Kegan added.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Who sent it?” The hound asked. “Who sent the cake and wine?”</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Bitt unfolded the page that had come with the box and slowly read it.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“It’s from Kaeso Hesychius,” Bitt said in a confused tone.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Who?” Tossius asked. “Family?”</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The fox slowly shook his head. “He’s from another clan. A Long Ear. We,” Bitt hesitated. “We tried to kill each other.”</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“What?” Vinius stopped cleaning the helmet he was holding.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“We fought a duel,” Bitt explained. “I honestly don’t remember over what but it seemed really important then. It was a pretty wild duel.”</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“You were truly trying to kill each other?” the hound asked.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Bitt shrugged. “Not really. It would have caused too much trouble if one of us died. We were supposed to fight till one of us yielded or passed out from blood loss. But once we started fighting our blood was up and it got nasty.”</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“The Governor was really upset that we wanted to duel,” Bitt added. “The rabbit thinks they are a senseless waste. So he decided to be sure it was fast. So I found myself stripped to the waist and my only weapons were my two seax.”</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“No armor?” the hyena asked. Surprised.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Bitt shook his head.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“That must have been real bloody,” Grattius commented.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“I ended up with fifteen different cuts and wounds,” Bitt explained and pointed to various parts of his arms and chest. He winced a little as his finger passed a particularly deep scar.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Dueling is common enough that we have a place devoted to it. <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">Réimse na Lanna - Field of Blades,” Bitt explained. “It’s a small field on the edge of the city.”</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“The duel itself saw a lot of slashing, stabbing, dodging, twisting and swinging,” the fox explained. “Lots of wounds but I gave as good as I took. The finale came when I lunged at him with both blades. He jumped backward but seemed to slip and fell backwards to the ground.”</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“I foolishly rushed forward to finish him off,” the fox explained. “Then he hit me with both of his legs. All I remember is seeing those paws of his coming up at me and POW! It felt like I’d been hit by a battering ram. He kicked me twenty feet across the field. My Great Grandmother<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"> </b>thought I was dead.”</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“I woke up in the hospital half a day later with six broken ribs and a concussion. I spent a month there healing,” Bitt rubbed his left side. “He got it worse. He hit me so hard that he actually broke his leg and his knee.”</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The fox stopped and shook his head. “He had kicked me so hard he shattered his knee. It just never healed right. Left him with a bad limp.”</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“You broke his leg and crippled him and he is THANKING you?” Vinius asked. Confused.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Bitt simply nodded in response.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“No wonder you are confused,” the lion said with a shake of the head. “Why is he thanking you?”</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Bitt shrugged. “I don’t know.” He continued to read the message. He held up his hand to silence the rest. “While recuperating in the hospital I met the most beautiful doe in the world!”</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Oh!” came the collective response from the group.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“She has changed my life forever,” the fox said, reading from the scroll.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Some people have all the best luck!” Eteiwi commented.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“And I have you to thank for it,” Bitt said, finishing the message.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Cups were taken down from a shelf as Bitt removed the cork from the keg. He poured a small amount into each cup.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Soon everyone in the <a name="_Hlk24498636"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">Contubernium</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> had a cup in hand.</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Bitt took a small sip of the wine. “Wow. This is really fine wine.”</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The hyena filled a cup and tried some. “Potent too!”</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The fox held up his cup. “To the happy couple!” He toasted.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal">*************</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The next morning the entire Contubernium was late falling in for dawn formation. Quite late.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Bitt was only standing up by leaning on Tossius who was leaning on Bitt. The two supporting each other like two, old trees in a forest.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Philippus was there only because Kegan and Sabinus were on either side holding him up. Grattius was standing erect but wobbling about until Decebolus reached forward with one hand and steadied him.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“And what excuse do you have?” the wolf snarled.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“None sir,” Vinius answered.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“That was some really potent wine,” Tossius added.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“We saved you some,” Bitt whispered. Wishing that centurion Feriolius would speak just as quietly.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“We ate all the cake.” The hyena commented. “That was good too. Even if it didn’t have any meat in it. Made with real sugar.”</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“What did you expect from a long ear?” Bitt commented.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“I believe Kaeso got his revenge,” Decebalus muttered.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><br> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><br> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><font size="2">*******************************</font></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal">*****************</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><b><i>Not only is revenge sweet. Sometimes it’s also white or red.</i></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The official name was tower XXIV. It was located on a small rise made up of stone that jutted up our of the hillside. Tower XXIV was hardly a formidable fortress. It was a stone tower some three stories tall. Surrounded by a palisade with a ditch on the outside. It was the home of a single contubernium who ate and slept on the second, floor, stood guard on the third and stored supplies on the ground floor. The only entrance was via a ladder leading to a door on the second floor.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>To its south was tower XXV. To the north was tower XXIII. They were part of a Limes – or defense line. The Limes Mauratania was never intended to stop an invading army. It was meant to give advanced warning of raiders or an invasion. In case of such an invasion the tower would likely be destroyed and everyone in it killed. This was a fact they just accepted as being a Legionnaire. But all hoped it would never happen.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>On a psychological level the Limes represented the end of the empire and the edge of the known world. Beyond that was the wild unknown, filled with monsters and barbarians. As a child Bitt had seen a map of the empire that literally stopped at the borders. Beyond that was blank with the words ‘Wild lands’ and nothing else. As if all of creation ended at the border. Now as a Legionnaire he was defending one of those long borders against the blank beyond. For a long time his homeland had been one of the Wild Lands before being conquered. Many people still didn’t know it was part of the empire.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was not exactly difficult or exciting. The eight-person contubernium was divided into four shifts of six hours each. Two legionnaires were on sentry duty at the top of the tower at all times. The rest of the time was spent in resting or various chores. </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The hardest part was the boredom and isolation. There was only so many chores to do and it left them with a lot of free time to do nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They were on a hilltop a long way from anyone. The nearest farm or village was a good distance down slope. Their only contact with the rest of the legion was a messenger who rode through every day, bringing mail and any orders. Once a week a wagon came though bearing supplies for the next seven days. Also it brought several new people to talk to since the wagon driver never traveled alone. He always had a small cavalry escort. The wagon filled with food and drink was a tempting target for Parthian raiders (or raiders of any sort) or bandits.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They did have a sort of contact with the other towers. At the top of the tower they have a powerful, handheld lantern. There was a system of codes worked out. Flash the lantern three times meant everything was normal. Flash it five times and it meant raiders spotted.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But the Parthians never did come. No one attacked or even threatened to.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This was their punishment for the next month for getting so drunk. It would have been two months but centurion Feriolius had sampled the wine too and had a bad time the next morning.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Their tour there was thankfully peaceful but boring. Really boring.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal">**************</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Bitt took the piece of wood and held it in the flame of the candle. He kept it there till the surface was charred black and the writing illegible.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“What are you doing?” <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">Tossius </span>asked.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“A personal message,” the fox explained and dropped the wood back into the cylinder.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">********************</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"></div> </div> </div>