Free Buried Too Deep by Jane Finnis

like to, sir, because the Liburian’s captain said it wasn’t to be touched.”
    “Fair enough. Anything else I need to know?”
    “Tertius says to tell you he’s moving our camp over to the north side of the Headland, to keep the wreck under continuous observation.”
    “That’s right, don’t leave that boat unguarded at any time. Now go and get something to eat, then ride back there as fast as you can. I’ll be with you by dark at the latest. I’ve an important errand to do on the way, but I won’t take longer than I have to. Off you go now. And Ollius…”
    “Sir?”
    “Guard that cargo well. There’ll be a very handsome reward for everyone involved in recovering it.”
    Ollius grinned, saluted, and left. My brother began pacing round the room, as excited as a schoolboy going to his first gladiator show.
    “This is the most amazing piece of luck, Relia. The Sea Horse wrecked, just when I’m here to deal with it.”
    “A shipwreck doesn’t sound like good luck to me.”
    “No, but I mean if it had to be wrecked, it’s lucky that I got to hear about it. I’m one of the few people who knows how important that box is.” His green eyes sparkled. “Now, Sis, there’s no time to lose. We must leave as soon as we can, and I’ll fill in the details on the way. Oh, wait though—I’ll need your help.”
    “What sort of help? I’m not getting onto any boat…”
    “Nothing like that. This cargo’s in a very large wooden box, too big for a horse to carry. I’ll need transport to bring it back. So can you lend me an ox-wagon, please, and a couple of men? With food and bedding for them, in case they have to camp by the sea tonight. We may have to wait till tomorrow morning before the tide’s gone out far enough…Don’t worry, I’ll requisition it all officially, with paperwork and everything. So you’ll even get paid for the use of it.”
    “If I live long enough.” But his excitement was irresistable. “Of course I’ll lend you a wagon. But it’s on one condition.”
    “Which is?”
    “That I can come down to the coast with you and see this wreck for myself.”
    “Excellent!” He slapped me on the shoulder. “Then let’s get moving.”

Chapter VI
    We were on the road within the hour. Lucius and I rode ahead, followed by the carriage, with its bodywork polished and its two mules smartly groomed, fit to carry Belinus home. Then came the wagon, drawn by a stout pair of oxen, with an experienced farm lad driving it, and Taurus riding alongside. Lucius had found a leather cover that could be put over it if need be at night, and Margarita and I had packed it with enough food, water and wine to feed a cohort, along with cooking pots and bedding. Taurus had brought a selection of his tools, some rope, and flint and steel for kindling a fire. By the time we’d finished, it looked as if we were on expedition to the wildest waste of Thule for at least a month.
    To begin with we kept together, plodding up the Long Hill at the lumbering pace of the ox-wagon. Once we were safely at the top of the stiff mile-long climb, with the wide open spaces of the wolds ahead of us, the convoy split up. The raeda didn’t need to travel at the wagon’s tortoise pace, and neither did Lucius and I. We rode on ahead till we were well out of earshot of the carriage, but there was no point travelling so fast that we’d arrive far ahead of it and have to wait.
    I like riding on horseback, though I know people say it isn’t very seemly for a woman, especially as the only really suitable clothing for it is cavalry breeches and tunic. Well, let the great ladies of Rome or Londinium trundle around in carriages, or travel shoulder-high through the streets in litters. Give me a lively horse and pleasant countryside, and I’m content. Even today, though our visit to Belinus’ family would be sad, it felt good to be on the road on a fine spring morning.
    It was about twenty miles to Belinus’ farm, but easy riding on a