Chapter 24

Garius walked up to the tower where he knew Octavius would be. It was noon and the sun was high, there was a hint of cloud far away in the horizon marking the nearness of the raining season. Octavius was leaning against the high wall of the tower without his robe, his knee length tunic blowing in the wind and the only accessory marking him as royalty was the gold band that circled his biceps. Garius walked closer until he was standing a few feet behind his prince.

“What are you doing here, Garius?” Octavius asked.

Garius marveled at his accuracy even when he hadn’t looked to see who it was. Were you expecting me then?”

“You smell like sweat and leather. Wasn't hard to know it was you.”

Garius laughed. “I’ll take that as a compliment, Your Highness”

Octavius looked back once. “It is. It means you are hardworking. Lazy men smell like women and food.”