The Rhodok adventuring company had been reduced from nearly 200 men and women to barely above 100. And though there were far less than 70 Munifices, there were more than enough Immunes to fill in the gaps. Every Immunes was also a spearman, after all.
With the help of Deca.n.u.s Constantina and her scouts, Tycondrius oversaw the cleaning and gutting of two deer in less than a bell. The roasted meat was... unfortunately enough to feed the entire cohort.
It seemed Ferrutius couldn"t keep his mouth shut. It wasn"t often that he regretted not inflicting enough violence on someone.
During the meal, the red-headed Deca.n.u.s that Tycon had the misfortune of a.s.sociating himself with, regaled the archer Rena with the tale of how he was nearly condemned to a las.h.i.+ng.
Thankfully, she didn"t march off to try and find the Pilus Prior to complain... Tycon would have certainly had to intervene.
Instead, she tried to spit on the food portions given to the Munifices responsible.
Tycon stopped her. Professionals have standards.
The two Munifices were overtly thankful, apologizing profusely for their earlier transgressions. The shameless oafs could not resist a proper meal of fire-roasted meat.
...And so it came to pa.s.s that Duplicarius Zehr became Saint Zehr, Hero of the Rhodoks.
Tycon couldn"t help but lament that he was a tremendous failure at keeping a low profile.
He was incredibly tired of surviving off of cheap battlefield rations and small game. If he didn"t satisfy his base urges-- in this case, by gorging himself as a proper carnivore, he was worried he"d do something rash. Perhaps he"d beat Ferrutius to death for not keeping his mouth shut. Or he might have been tempted to ravage the young archer, Rena.
He did worry about his professional reputation, that much.
Maybe he"d consider scrounging up two silver pieces to purchase Modestus" services.
...Probably not, though. About three coin and some copper bits could buy him a loaf of bread.
Nine of ten of Tycon"s tent group had survived, a chance feat blessed by the "Eternal Flame", if the Rhodoks could be believed.
Tycon was not a religious person. However, with the loss of only one fool Deca.n.u.s, he could not dismiss the fact that good luck was involved.
Justus seemed like he had recovered mentally. He had heard Rena and Gianna were injured. Rena had regained her usual pep, overindulging on meat, despite her small frame. She showered Tycon"s cheeks with deer-fat soaked kisses until Justus could pull her off.
The young Deca.n.u.s was growing more reliable in Tycon"s heart.
s.h.i.+eld Maiden Gianna invited him for a short walk, after the meal, an invitation Tycon found no excuse to deny. Whatever peculiarities she had figured of him or would inquire-- he doubted it would change his plans to see the Rhodok"s mission through.
He also considered the possibility that she was going to challenge him to a grappling match-- though why she would make it a private ordeal was beyond his understanding.
The cool, nighttime air was a refres.h.i.+ng change of pace from the overbearing sun, beating through the canopy of trees. s.h.i.+eld Maiden Gianna walked with her full armor, her s.h.i.+eld strapped to her back-- a wise decision, considering they were still near hostile territory.
She did eschew her helmet, unbinding her blonde hair and allowing it to spill down her shoulders.
The pair had decided to explore the walled village of Montegarico. Tycon noticed that both Rena and Justus skulked behind, with the latter far worse at subterfuge than the headstrong archer. They would be useful, in the case of an attack or an otherwise troublesome incident.
"So, Duplicarius... congratulations on your promotion," Gianna gave him a soft smile.
It was a nice smile. The woman was of marriageable age, had an above average bust-size, and gave off a gentle, motherly aura. She was a perfect woman-- probably.
Tycon was admittedly not a good judge of human female attractiveness. He judged her using information he had surmised from the conversations of his peers. Large b.r.e.a.s.t.s, symmetrical features, wide birthing hips, and... the shapeliness of a woman"s b.u.t.tocks? --seemed to be the top 4 most desirable features.
"Thank you," He responded.
...He should probably say something. Should he compliment her symmetrical features? ...No, she had a tiny mole on her lips. She might be offended. Human females get offended by the strangest things.
Maybe compliment her bust size? No. Hm. He decided to go for the safe compliment.
"It pleases me that you are alive," Tycon curled up his lips, trying his best to convey his sincerity.
Gianna raised a hand to her lips, laughing reservedly, "I"m a.s.suming that was your best try at a compliment."
Tycon averted his gaze. The woman had seen through him completely. Not good.
"I love the way you speak, Zehr... But I noticed something."
Tycon turned back, an eyebrow raised.
...He figured he was supposed to respond in order to continue the conversation, "Yes?"
Hm. Was that too short of a response? Maybe he should say something about her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, after all.
"You always call Justus "young," like you"re several years older than he is..."
Tycon averted his gaze again, feeling sweat pour down his forehead.
s.h.i.+te.
He forgot that he looked about as young as Justus did. Dealing with his peers in Sol Invictus, this had never been an issue.
Tycon was a Maedar, claiming the physique and abilities of the Medusa bloodline, an adult of which was over 100 years of age. He needed to dodge the question, in order to avoid unwelcome suspicion. Outsider blood was not looked upon kindly in the Holy Country-- with the exception of the angelic-blooded Daeva.
It was definitely too late to compliment Gianna"s b.r.e.a.s.t.s.
Tycon coughed into a closed fist, "Well, yes. I am older than I look."
Gianna tilted her head to the side, allowing her hair to sway. Her long, full-bodied hair was well-cared for, again advertising the fact that she was in good health and was able to sp.a.w.n strong, equally healthy babies.
"How old... are you, Duplicarius Zehr?" She asked.
Tycon pursed his lips, "Older... than you."
"It"s fine, though." Gianna grinned playfully, "I like older men."