Grayboe

By Scott Risch

Graybo is a boy like every other boy in the Roman Empire.

His skills in the hunt as an archer make him especially desirable to the Roman army. He excels above the other archers in this army.

An arrow through his bicep confronts him with a concept he hasn't heard before. Luke the physician introduces and confronts Graybo wi

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mouse Gate
• Release date: Nov 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781648831652

Scott Risch

Scott Risch grew up and currently resides in South East Texas. He enjoyed the artistic side of school. Scott, enjoys lounging in the back yard and writing about the adventuress critters he observes. Scott and his wife Karyn, currently reside in Pearland, Texas. Karyn, a pre-Kindergarten teacher is an excellent source of encouragement and kid knowledge.

Book preview

Chapter One:

The Boy’s Introduction

T

he boy moved slowly through the brush, taking great care with every step toward his prey. The rabbit in his view froze in its tracks. The arrow on his bow glided back as his face drew close to the shank.

A distant barking came closer. He shot his face toward the barking. When his eyes returned, he saw nothing but the white tail of the rabbit fading in the distance. Cursing slipped through his pursed lips as the barking came closer. He quickly flicked the arrow at the barking to silence his irritation.

He slowly stepped toward his new prey and examined the outcome of his action. This dog was taken care of. This was someone’s pet, he thought. He couldn’t bother with this right now. He had to get away from here. His feet carried him away while unseen eyes watched his movement.

*****

Marcus observed the young ones going through their training rituals. He heard their captains barking at them. The sound of clanging swords and the muffled thud of weapons against mannequins was nothing new to him. He was looking for one young man. His eyes focused as that young man entered the arena.

Francis. He motioned as he called.

The young man scowled as he approached. Call me ‘Grayboe’.

Since when does a ‘pup’ like you give orders to his superior. Marcus shot back. He then pulled in close to the boy. I saw your hunt yesterday. Don’t you think you should’ve at least buried the dog?"

I left it for the wolves. It’ll keep them from coming in to the village. The boy reasoned. Besides. It ruined my hunt! I could’ve had rabbit for my dinner! He said defiantly.

And if a human had interrupted your hunt, would the arrow have left your bow? Marcus asked calmly.

Grayboe took a deep breath. I am a Roman soldier. Why should I worry about a mongrel dog out of the village? Don’t you remember the ‘speech’ that we were all given? His defiance was still in control.

Yes. And the other part of that ‘speech’ is ‘your life is Caesar’s’. As one of the officers in Caesar’s Army, I’m giving you an order. Any free time you have will be spent taking care of Caesar’s prize horses. You will start tomorrow. You are dismissed.

Bu….

Dismissed!! Marcus stifled the objection.

*****

Grayboe didn’t know why he was being punished because of a stupid, little beast. His hunt wasn’t anyone’s business but his own. Why was Marcus there? Now he believed what they’d said. Caesar’s eyes are everywhere. No one can be trusted.

Chapter Two

Grayboe’s First Test

G

rayboe’s eyes popped open with a barking officer throwing water on sleepy boys. His legs jolted his torso up and out of bed before the officer got there.

The boys started clustering on the center aisle, but the barker quickly kept them moving out the door. When Grayboe asked, he was told that two kids from the village had a fight.

Who were the boys? Grayboe asked.

One kid was ‘Kallow’ I think, The kid in front of Grayboe said. But the other was Brutus, a boy twice his size. I don’t know what happened, but this Kallow was the one still standing.

Grayboe’s interest was piqued at the mention of Tallow. His name is ‘Tallow’. I heard that he walloped about five or six of the boys in defense of a mongrel dog. Brutus was the leader of those boys. I guess that he didn’t get enough from Tallow.

The boy chuckled. How do you know all this?

Tallow grew up in my village. Caesar is not the only one with ears everywhere. Grayboe said as he walked past the door and away from the boy.

*****

Grayboe and the rest