234

It was late in the afternoon when a herald rode into Ephyra, the clatter of hooves echoing through the narrow streets.

Julius stood on the balcony of a mansion — now repurposed as his temporary command post — overlooking the city square it was mostly due to the change in mood within the city as first they came in as conquerors but stayed as visitors paying their way but before long the people adopted them and offered up the empty building with grace to the visiting soldiers.

The messenger wore the blue and silver insignia of the Second Legion, his tunic dusted from days of hard riding.

"Word at last,"

Julius murmured, straightening.

Yuri, standing beside him, glanced up from a map she'd been scrutinizing.

"About time,"

she said, her tone carrying both relief and curiosity.

The herald dismounted swiftly, saluting sharply as he reached the steps leading to Julius's position.