Chapter Twenty-Four
The day after I met with Erebus was my next day of training with Hirtus and the one I had been anticipating.
Hirtus had set up a series of targets, and I was to turn and fire at each, dealing with the constant shift of wind and direction.
Once I had found a rhythm there, he changed tactics, calling out the targets at random.
When I had fired all the arrows, I was to run and collect them, ideally without breaking stride, then start the task again.
If my stamina and strength had grown since I began training, the difference was too small to appreciate.
From the second I began running, I was panting, fighting both a stitch that gripped my side and the searing pain in the muscles of my forearm.
The skin, at least, remained protected by my new leather vambrace.
I had fired dozens of arrows when Hirtus spoke words I was not ready to hear.
“We stop for the day now,” he said. “You must rest.”
We had met early, leaving the tannery at dawn, and had set up only a short walk away. The sun was still well below its apex.
“Then I shall head to the compound and work,” I replied. I was already receiving preferential treatment; I could hardly end my day early and expect the same pay. Besides, I could not go home without facing an interrogation.
“You are too tired,” Hirtus replied. “You will be more of a danger than a help to the women. And do not worry about your husband. You can go to our home,” he added as if he had read my thoughts. “Phile is already expecting you. Then we will go out together at dusk.”
“Dusk?”
“Yes, to hunt.”
Elation wanted to rise within me, but instead, a deep dismay took hold.
“I cannot go out at dusk, Hirtus. Morsimus will be expecting me.”
“We will send a messenger to tell him that you have work here, and we will pay you extra. That will please him, will it not?”
My absence, combined with extra coin, was likely the best thing Morsimus could hope for, but doubt still shrouded me. If he ever found out what I was doing, he would kill me. Once again, Hirtus knew my thoughts.
“You will be safe. Phile and I will see to it.”
As Hirtus met my gaze, I felt a deep wave of envy for Phile. What must it be like to love a man you can trust? A man who is good? It was something I believed I would never be blessed with.
“Then I will see you at dusk,” I said, unable to stop the smile that spread across my face.