A Noble Captive by Michelle Styles

villagers would often gather round. Most stood silently with hostile faces. One, a young girl dressed in a ragged tunic, held out a jug of water, which Tullio and his men took with grateful thanks. She gave a shy smile and then ran away. Tullio watched her go. A small start, but still a start.
    After that, the faces appeared to be less hostile, the crowds not as large. The villagers were letting them get about their business. Not helping, but not hindering. With each passing hour, the faces grew watchful rather than suspicious.
    Tullio put the final stone on the second boundary wall they had rebuilt that morning.
    ‘You and your men work with admirable speed,’ Helena said behind him.
    Tullio wiped his hand on his tunic before he risked turning around and facing her. Who would he see this time? The woman or the administrator? He hated the way his blood jumped at the sound of her voice. He had to remember the stakes. Keep in mind his oath to Rome and his obligations. Quintus was correct. A dalliance could do more harm than good. But his breath quickened as he saw the way her gown hinted at her curves and the way her pearl-drop earrings drew attention to her long neck.
    ‘My men and I are unafraid of hard work.’
    ‘I can see that.’ She paused, started to say something, but changed her mind. There was speculation, even admiration in her eyes. The tension eased slightly in Tullio’s shoulders. It bothered him that he wanted her respect. ‘I hope you’ve hadlittle trouble from the villagers. They are not used to seeing Romans. Many have come with prayer requests for the sibyl, simply to get a better view of the legionaries.’
    ‘They have been most kind. One in particular—a girl with big brown eyes and a ragged dress—brought a jug of cool water. She has become quite a favourite with the men and me.’
    ‘When was this?’
    ‘Earlier.’ Tullio ran his hand through his hair. Was he now about be reprimanded for accepting a jug of water? ‘She held out the jug. It seemed churlish not to accept. She then refilled it twice from the well, but would not speak. The sun is quite fierce and, while not as refreshing as the vinegar we normally drink, the water was welcome. Hopefully you have not received any bad reports.’
    ‘No one has complained. I’ve heard nothing but praise.’
    ‘I’m glad to hear it.’ He leant forward slightly. ‘I should like to thank the girl. It was an unexpected kindness. My men were parched. But she vanished before I had a chance to say anything.’
    Helena’s teeth caught her bottom lip for a heartbeat. Then she shrugged. ‘Yes, that would be an idea. If you would follow me.’
    Tullio motioned for Quintus to keep the men working on rebuilding the wall. Quintus grimaced, but moved to obey the order.
    Helena led the way to a small pasture of rough grass where the young girl sat, stick in hand, tending geese. Catching sight of them, the girl gave a cry which sounded more birdlike than human. ‘Is that the girl?’
    ‘Yes, that is the girl. What is her name?’
    ‘Niobe.’ Helena made large gestures to the girl who started towards them. ‘She lost the power of speech. She was a happy baby, toddling about, chatting to everyone and everybody.Then she caught a fever and fell silent. The villagers whispered that demons had stolen her soul and left a changeling. In desperation, her mother came to the sibyl. The sibyl decreed Kybele had touched Niobe. Her speech will return when the goddess decides. Since then we have provided a home for her, doing what we can. Her brother is our goatherd, Pius.’
    The girl stopped, and stuck her thumb in her mouth. Her eyes grew round.
    Without waiting for Helena to make any more introductions, Tullio knelt down. He hoped he could reassure the child that he came in peace. Having seen the pirates in action, he knew they would not be kind to the child. He held out his hands and kept his voice gentle and that his lips clearly formed each