Chapter 15
"Can you really do that?" asked Lex.
"Do want?" responded Chloe.
"You know, that whole catching arrows trick." Of course, Lex, being a typical guy, really wanted to ask about Chloe's relationship with Gwen. She was just an endless stream of surprises.
"Yes, I really can, if I see it coming from far enough away. I mean my arm can't move much faster than everyone else's. My 'bots just optimize my timing. Arrows are relatively easy. Crossbow bolts are much smaller and faster, right at the edge of my abilities. But catching bullets, way out of my league." This last was said with a quick glance at Clark. Lex wondered why catching bullets warranted a look towards Clark. Ever since Clark and Chloe had been alone in that massage room at the baths there had been several cryptic comments and odd glances. And they didn't strike Lex as being related to love or sex. No, either Chloe had confided some additional secrets with Clark she chose not to share with Lex and Lana or Clark had confided some secret with her. The more Lex thought about it, the more likely the second option seemed. Ever since the accident at the bridge, when Lex first met Clark, he had suspected Clark was concealing something. Perhaps if he keep a close eye on the interplay between the two, he might learn a critical clue.
"Of course," Chloe continued. "Having perfect timing means I can always get a job with the circus."
Lex gave her a surprised look at this non sequitur.
"I am a world class juggler. Nine balls in the air at one time. However I do draw the line at juggling chainsaws."
Everyone had a quick laugh.
They had been walking towards the center of Narbo looking for Nicholas when suddenly he came running up to them out of breathe.
"LCoelia," he panted. "LA large group of Carius' men must have followed us from Tolosa. They reached town a short while ago and are busy searching for Lex and Clark."
"LHow many?" Chloe asked as she started to herd everyone towards a side street so they would be less visible.
"LAbout thirty. They started searching the taverns and inns at the center of town. They are working their way in this direction and I expect they will be here in 15-20 minutes," answered Nicholas.
"LWere you able to arrange a coach for tomorrow?"
"LYes, the stable up on the main road has several available."
"LCan you get us there, now, without running into any of Carius' men? I think we need to move up our schedule and head to Arelate this evening, rather than in the morning," stated Chloe.
Nicholas thought for a moment. "LYes, however it is rare for coaches to leave at this time of day. If his men see us, they will have no trouble overtaking us on horseback."
Hmm, thought Chloe, looks like we are going to need a diversion.
Chloe turned to Clark and Lana and explained the situation to them. "So, let's make for the stable while I think about a diversion. Nicholas will lead the way. Clark, keep an eye out behind us so we aren't surprised."
Clark got the message and immediately took a quick scan of the area with his x-ray vision.
As they started down the side street Lana leaned close into Chloe and whisper, "No one may have said it in all of the excitement, but I was really enjoying your story and hope you can continue it soon. Your life is just so exciting."
Chloe whispered back. "Don't let the past couple of days or my story fool you. Most of my life has been ordinary, just like life in Smallville, well pre-meteor rock freakiness Smallville, if you understand what I mean. And that's the way I prefer it. I am just as anxious to get back home as everyone else."
The late afternoon sun moved behind some heavy clouds rolling in from the west. The beautiful, clear skies they had enjoyed since their arrival in ancient Gaul were departing. Unconsciously, Chloe had been noticing the subtle signs all afternoon. Now she just hoped the storm she felt brewing would hold off until they reached Arelate and its relative safety.
The gathering gloom matched the group's mood. They thought they were clear of Carius' men after leaving Tolosa, at least until they caught up to the man himself.
Hurrying down side streets they steered well clear of the center of town. Narbo had been a major port in the western Mediterranean for the Roman Empire for many years. The Romans had founded it about 150 years earlier.
Like many towns founded by the Romans in the provinces, it was originally a 'veterans' town. The Roman pattern was to establish a new army with a core of experienced officers, but filling the ranks with young, raw recruits. These armies trained and worked as a team with very few transfers between armies except at the highest levels. After twenty years the army was retired as a group. Generally, the former army was given an area in one of the provinces to take over and was given help in setting up a city. This method had several benefits for Rome. It gave them a core of trained, experienced, loyal men in the early years to ensure the Romanization of the area. It also kept the large groups, who had spent most of their adult lives fighting in the distant reaches of the empire, from returning to Rome and Italy to cause problems.
The leaders of Rome, both during the Republican era and under the current emperors, had long feared the overthrow of the government by some general and his army, which had served him for so many years. In fact, the leaders were so fearful of this event that Roman armies had been banned from entering Rome for many years, leaving the Praetorian Guard as the only significant armed force in Rome.
Narbo had long since outgrown both its status as a 'veterans' town and the original walls that protected the port area and the center of town. By skirting these original walls, the group hoped to avoid detection as they made their way to the stables up on the main road.
The stables were a very large complex since Narbo, as well as being a major port, was one of the key junctions for the Roman road system in southern Gaul with major roads headed east to Arelate, southwest towards Spain, and northwest to Tolosa. The stables had facilities to handle eight hundred horses plus several hundred draft oxen, therefore even this close to evening they had a fair amount of activity.
Nicholas led them into the administrative office where several clerks were working. Fortunately, the clerk he had dealt with several hours earlier was still on duty. When he explained their need to leave now and their willingness to pay a premium the clerk was happy to make the arrangements. After the clerk related it would be ready in 30 minutes, Chloe jumped in and stated they would need a couple of saddle horses as well. When the clerk nodded and left to make the arrangements both Nicholas and Lex looked expectantly at her.
Chloe held up a finger to Nicholas telling him to wait and then turned to the others and spoke in English. "We need a diversion so these guys don't follow us any further. I have an idea in mind and need Clark's help. When the coach is ready, Lex and Lana, you should set off with Nicholas in the coach and we will catch up on horseback."
Clark shook his head. "Are you certain splitting up is a good idea? Plus you said last night that Nicholas used to work for Carius. Are you certain we can trust him?"
Lex nodded. "Somehow the word 'diversion' just sounds risky. I think I should help you instead of Clark."
Chloe answered. "After creating the diversion we will need to move fast which is why the group needs to kept small and the coach needs a head start. I don't like it anymore than you do, but it seems like we have to break into two teams briefly. Since you and I are the only ones who speak Latin, Lex, we need to be on separate teams. To create the diversion I need to take either Clark or Lana. Therefore Clark and I will create the diversion and Lex and Lana will set off in the coach with Nicholas."
Chloe turned to Clark. "I think we can trust Nicholas. To him, Professor Carey is just some Roman nobleman who happens to have some business interests in Tolosa. However with my connection to the Governor, he knows that if he double-crosses us, he will never be able to set foot in Gaul again."
None of the others looked too happy with Chloe's plan, but since none of them had a better option eventually they all nodded their agreement.
Chloe turned back to Nicholas. "LI need you to keep the Princess safe. When the coach is ready, you, Lex, and Lana set off towards Arelate while Clark and I create a diversion to keep Carius' men from following. We will catch up with you on horseback. Hmm . . . remember the deep river gorge the road crosses about 5 miles east of here and then the clearing about a mile past there?" Nicholas nodded. "LWait for us in the clearing. We shouldn't be more than a few minutes behind you."
As Chloe turned to leave the room, Lana ran up and gave her a hug.
"Be careful and watch over Clark" Lana whispered.
Chloe whispered back. "Careful is my middle name. How else do you think I made it this long?"
After stepping back from Chloe, Lana turned to Clark and gave him a hug, a quick kiss on the cheek, and the same message to be careful.
Clark just nodded and walked over to Lex. Clark pulled off his backpack, set it on floor, leaned over to Lex and murmured. "Hold on to the gold, in case we get separated. If necessary, I am certain Chloe can improvise something for us."
Lex nodded and then Clark turned and headed towards the door. With a wave he said, "We will see you soon."
As soon as they were out of earshot of the others Clark turned to Chloe. "I really don't like this whole splitting up plan. Particularly since it feels like we are leaving the others totally defenseless."
"I agree, Clark. However I needed us free to act without giving away your secrets. Plus, I plan for us to stick close by the others until they are well clear of the town. There is a deep river gorge about five miles east of here. The Romans built one of their famous, arched stone bridges, about sixty feet long, to cross it. I told Nicholas to wait for us in a clearing about a mile past the bridge. Do you think you can make the bridge impassable? If the bridge is out, it will take any pursuers 5-6 hours to bypass the bridge, which will give us plenty of time to reach Arelate first."
Clark felt this large wave of relief. "I feel much better knowing we are going to stick close by the others. I thought you were going to have us go into town to confront these guys."
"That was my first thought until I remembered the bridge. But I prefer to avoid confrontation as much as possible." As they exited the building, Chloe headed them towards a small group of trees across the main road from the entrance to the stable complex.
As soon as they were under cover Chloe continued. "If I was leading Carius' men, I would assume we might try to make a break for it and would have stationed at least a couple of men to cover these stables. Can you see anything, Clark?"
Clark scanned the stable complex with his x-ray vision and described what he saw to Chloe. Finally, he said. "Wait, down at the very eastern end of the complex I can see two men armed with swords crouching behind the last building and there are a couple of horses hobbled right behind them."
Chloe nodded. "I'd bet money they are part of Carius' men. Clark can you knock one out and bring the other back so I can ask him a few questions."
Clark smiled. "Count to five and I will be back."
Before the last word was barely out of his mouth, he blurred and was gone.
Just for the hell of it, Chloe started to count out loud. "One . . . Two . . . Three . . . Four." And that's all the further she got when a blindfolded man suddenly appeared, laying on the ground in front of her. Clark was kneeling astride him with a sword point at the man's throat.
Chloe felt a really strong urge to giggle, but forced it down. Instead she said. "Thanks, Clark. Keep an eye on Lex and Lana while I have a chat with this gentleman."
Clark nodded, but kept the sword point pressed against the man's throat.
Chloe pulled up the blindfold. "LAre you one of Carius' men?"
The man did not respond, however she could see the fear and confusion in his eyes.
Chloe tried again. "LIf you tell me the truth, I will let you live. If not, I will have my friend press a little harder with that sword and then we will see if your companion is more interested in living." Chloe hated to have to revert to these kinds of methods, but she needed to work fast. She was just glad Clark didn't have the Latin skills yet to follow the conversation. She hoped they could get through this adventure with Clark's idealistic views of good and evil intact.
At this point the man Clark was holding down decided that he wasn't getting paid enough to die and started to talk. "LYes, I work for Carius."
"LHow many men are watching the stables?"
"LThere were four of us, but when we saw your group enter the stables two went to round up the others."
"Damn," said Chloe. Clark, who had been watching the room Lex and Lana were in with his x-ray vision, glanced over to her. Chloe continued. "We were spotted arriving here and the Professor's other men have been sent for. If the coach isn't ready soon, we may have to do a real diversion."
Clark nodded and Chloe turned back to their prisoner. "LHow many men do you have here in Narbo?"
"L Thirty seven. Three squads of twelve plus Gaius commanding."
"LI want you to give Gaius a message for me. If he can contact Carius, tell him that Lex has some very powerful allies here. If he returns the item we need, things will go easy for him. If we have to track him down and take it, he will wish he had never heard of the Roman Empire."
With that Chloe pulled the blindfold back down and turned to Clark. "How are things with Lex and Lana?"
"They are still in that room and I can see the carriage starting to move towards the front of the complex."
"Good, can you gag and bind this guy and return him where you found him? I gave him a message to pass along to his superiors."
"Sure, I'll be right back." Then Clark and the prisoner disappear as quickly as they had appeared. Chloe marveled at how much easier things could be handled when you had Clark's abilities at your disposal.
In a few seconds Clark was back, crouched down beside her. As he checked in on Lex and Lana again, he asked something that had been bothering him since they had to separate from Lex and Lana, "Do you think I should tell the others about my abilities? It would make all this sneaking around less necessary."
Chloe thought about it for a minute before responding. "Sure, Clark, it would make some things easier. I mean, I ask you if you see any of Carius' men around and 'Boom' fifteen seconds later you have spotted them hiding behind a building over 200 yards away. Then I ask you to take care of those guys and 'Boom' it's done. If I didn't know about your abilities I wouldn't know about these options.
"Clark, you and I both have some pretty unique abilities. And by sharing our knowledge we are more than the sum of our parts. So, yes there are definite advantages."
Chloe continued, "But being open and honest can be pretty scary, too. If we hadn't run into Marcus and if he hadn't blown my cover, I don't think I would have divulged my past, even though letting out my secret has made the past couple of days easier for all of us."
Chloe reached her hand over and caress the back of Clark's neck. "It is not an easy decision, but it has to be your decision to make. I will support whatever you decide."
Clark just nodded. He had always been afraid of his friend's reaction if he ever told his secret, but Lex and Lana appeared to accept Chloe without any problems. And Chloe was almost more alien than he was. Forever 16, instant healing, over 17,000 years old, computer enhanced brain. If they could accept Chloe, they could probably accept him too.
If they were stranded back here permanently, there was no question that he would share his secret with the others, but there were still implications to consider, if, no, when they got back home. Perhaps just sharing his secret with Chloe was sufficient to get them back home safely.
As these thoughts were going round and round in his head the coach pulled up in front of the administrative building and Lex, Lana, and Nicholas climbed aboard. Time to postpone the decision until later and focus on the current situation.
As soon as the coach had pulled out on to the main road and turned east towards Arelate, Chloe and Clark darted out of the sheltering trees and ran back to the administrative office of the stable. While Clark kept watch out front, Chloe hurried to inquire about their saddle horses. Using her most commanding tone, acquired over millennia spent in charge of a variety of estates, provinces, kingdoms, and empires, Chloe quickly had a number of clerks and groomsmen scurrying about to get her speedily on her way and out of their lives. In less than five minutes two beautiful horses were saddled and run out to where Clark waited.
"Come on," said Chloe as she jumped into her saddle. "Let's getting going before the carriage opens up too large of a lead."
Clark grabbed his reins from the groom and handed them to Chloe. "You lead my horse until it's time to join the others. I would rather just run."
Chloe just nodded and kicked her horse into a gallop. The two grooms standing there turned curiously towards Clark. He returned their look, then feigning a surprised looked he pointed abruptly back past them. As they turned to see what he had pointed at, he blurred and was gone.
It was a matter of a couple of seconds to catch and pass Chloe. Clark continued on at superspeed until he could see the carriage rounding a bend and passing out of sight a half-mile ahead. Pausing to let Chloe catch up, Clark did a quick 360-degree scan of the surrounding area. From the small rise where he had stopped he could see all of the way down to the center of Narbo. Just as Chloe pulled up he spotted the large group of men on horseback headed their way.
As Clark continued to stare towards town, Chloe asked. "What is it?"
"There are 25 to 30 men on horseback headed in this general direction from town," Clark began. Sighing and shaking his head, he continued. "They just bypassed the turn to the stables and are headed on a diagonal to meet the road a mile or two east of here. They must have spotted the carriage."
By now Chloe had spotted them also. "I don't think the carriage is going to make the bridge ahead of them, let alone the clearing beyond and leave us time to destroy the bridge. It looks like a more interactive diversion is going to be required."
Clark nodded as Chloe turned her horse onto an intercept course with the oncoming horsemen.
Running along side her mount, Clark suggested, "Maybe a demonstration of our mystical powers will scare them away. Plus if word of it gets back to the Professor along with the other message you left with that guy back at the stable, well . . . perhaps we can shake his confidence a little."
Chloe glanced down towards Clark realizing it was usually he looking down towards her. "What mystical powers?" she asked.
Clark looked up, grinned, and started to explain his idea.
End of Chapter 15
"Can you really do that?" asked Lex.
"Do want?" responded Chloe.
"You know, that whole catching arrows trick." Of course, Lex, being a typical guy, really wanted to ask about Chloe's relationship with Gwen. She was just an endless stream of surprises.
"Yes, I really can, if I see it coming from far enough away. I mean my arm can't move much faster than everyone else's. My 'bots just optimize my timing. Arrows are relatively easy. Crossbow bolts are much smaller and faster, right at the edge of my abilities. But catching bullets, way out of my league." This last was said with a quick glance at Clark. Lex wondered why catching bullets warranted a look towards Clark. Ever since Clark and Chloe had been alone in that massage room at the baths there had been several cryptic comments and odd glances. And they didn't strike Lex as being related to love or sex. No, either Chloe had confided some additional secrets with Clark she chose not to share with Lex and Lana or Clark had confided some secret with her. The more Lex thought about it, the more likely the second option seemed. Ever since the accident at the bridge, when Lex first met Clark, he had suspected Clark was concealing something. Perhaps if he keep a close eye on the interplay between the two, he might learn a critical clue.
"Of course," Chloe continued. "Having perfect timing means I can always get a job with the circus."
Lex gave her a surprised look at this non sequitur.
"I am a world class juggler. Nine balls in the air at one time. However I do draw the line at juggling chainsaws."
Everyone had a quick laugh.
They had been walking towards the center of Narbo looking for Nicholas when suddenly he came running up to them out of breathe.
"LCoelia," he panted. "LA large group of Carius' men must have followed us from Tolosa. They reached town a short while ago and are busy searching for Lex and Clark."
"LHow many?" Chloe asked as she started to herd everyone towards a side street so they would be less visible.
"LAbout thirty. They started searching the taverns and inns at the center of town. They are working their way in this direction and I expect they will be here in 15-20 minutes," answered Nicholas.
"LWere you able to arrange a coach for tomorrow?"
"LYes, the stable up on the main road has several available."
"LCan you get us there, now, without running into any of Carius' men? I think we need to move up our schedule and head to Arelate this evening, rather than in the morning," stated Chloe.
Nicholas thought for a moment. "LYes, however it is rare for coaches to leave at this time of day. If his men see us, they will have no trouble overtaking us on horseback."
Hmm, thought Chloe, looks like we are going to need a diversion.
Chloe turned to Clark and Lana and explained the situation to them. "So, let's make for the stable while I think about a diversion. Nicholas will lead the way. Clark, keep an eye out behind us so we aren't surprised."
Clark got the message and immediately took a quick scan of the area with his x-ray vision.
As they started down the side street Lana leaned close into Chloe and whisper, "No one may have said it in all of the excitement, but I was really enjoying your story and hope you can continue it soon. Your life is just so exciting."
Chloe whispered back. "Don't let the past couple of days or my story fool you. Most of my life has been ordinary, just like life in Smallville, well pre-meteor rock freakiness Smallville, if you understand what I mean. And that's the way I prefer it. I am just as anxious to get back home as everyone else."
The late afternoon sun moved behind some heavy clouds rolling in from the west. The beautiful, clear skies they had enjoyed since their arrival in ancient Gaul were departing. Unconsciously, Chloe had been noticing the subtle signs all afternoon. Now she just hoped the storm she felt brewing would hold off until they reached Arelate and its relative safety.
The gathering gloom matched the group's mood. They thought they were clear of Carius' men after leaving Tolosa, at least until they caught up to the man himself.
Hurrying down side streets they steered well clear of the center of town. Narbo had been a major port in the western Mediterranean for the Roman Empire for many years. The Romans had founded it about 150 years earlier.
Like many towns founded by the Romans in the provinces, it was originally a 'veterans' town. The Roman pattern was to establish a new army with a core of experienced officers, but filling the ranks with young, raw recruits. These armies trained and worked as a team with very few transfers between armies except at the highest levels. After twenty years the army was retired as a group. Generally, the former army was given an area in one of the provinces to take over and was given help in setting up a city. This method had several benefits for Rome. It gave them a core of trained, experienced, loyal men in the early years to ensure the Romanization of the area. It also kept the large groups, who had spent most of their adult lives fighting in the distant reaches of the empire, from returning to Rome and Italy to cause problems.
The leaders of Rome, both during the Republican era and under the current emperors, had long feared the overthrow of the government by some general and his army, which had served him for so many years. In fact, the leaders were so fearful of this event that Roman armies had been banned from entering Rome for many years, leaving the Praetorian Guard as the only significant armed force in Rome.
Narbo had long since outgrown both its status as a 'veterans' town and the original walls that protected the port area and the center of town. By skirting these original walls, the group hoped to avoid detection as they made their way to the stables up on the main road.
The stables were a very large complex since Narbo, as well as being a major port, was one of the key junctions for the Roman road system in southern Gaul with major roads headed east to Arelate, southwest towards Spain, and northwest to Tolosa. The stables had facilities to handle eight hundred horses plus several hundred draft oxen, therefore even this close to evening they had a fair amount of activity.
Nicholas led them into the administrative office where several clerks were working. Fortunately, the clerk he had dealt with several hours earlier was still on duty. When he explained their need to leave now and their willingness to pay a premium the clerk was happy to make the arrangements. After the clerk related it would be ready in 30 minutes, Chloe jumped in and stated they would need a couple of saddle horses as well. When the clerk nodded and left to make the arrangements both Nicholas and Lex looked expectantly at her.
Chloe held up a finger to Nicholas telling him to wait and then turned to the others and spoke in English. "We need a diversion so these guys don't follow us any further. I have an idea in mind and need Clark's help. When the coach is ready, Lex and Lana, you should set off with Nicholas in the coach and we will catch up on horseback."
Clark shook his head. "Are you certain splitting up is a good idea? Plus you said last night that Nicholas used to work for Carius. Are you certain we can trust him?"
Lex nodded. "Somehow the word 'diversion' just sounds risky. I think I should help you instead of Clark."
Chloe answered. "After creating the diversion we will need to move fast which is why the group needs to kept small and the coach needs a head start. I don't like it anymore than you do, but it seems like we have to break into two teams briefly. Since you and I are the only ones who speak Latin, Lex, we need to be on separate teams. To create the diversion I need to take either Clark or Lana. Therefore Clark and I will create the diversion and Lex and Lana will set off in the coach with Nicholas."
Chloe turned to Clark. "I think we can trust Nicholas. To him, Professor Carey is just some Roman nobleman who happens to have some business interests in Tolosa. However with my connection to the Governor, he knows that if he double-crosses us, he will never be able to set foot in Gaul again."
None of the others looked too happy with Chloe's plan, but since none of them had a better option eventually they all nodded their agreement.
Chloe turned back to Nicholas. "LI need you to keep the Princess safe. When the coach is ready, you, Lex, and Lana set off towards Arelate while Clark and I create a diversion to keep Carius' men from following. We will catch up with you on horseback. Hmm . . . remember the deep river gorge the road crosses about 5 miles east of here and then the clearing about a mile past there?" Nicholas nodded. "LWait for us in the clearing. We shouldn't be more than a few minutes behind you."
As Chloe turned to leave the room, Lana ran up and gave her a hug.
"Be careful and watch over Clark" Lana whispered.
Chloe whispered back. "Careful is my middle name. How else do you think I made it this long?"
After stepping back from Chloe, Lana turned to Clark and gave him a hug, a quick kiss on the cheek, and the same message to be careful.
Clark just nodded and walked over to Lex. Clark pulled off his backpack, set it on floor, leaned over to Lex and murmured. "Hold on to the gold, in case we get separated. If necessary, I am certain Chloe can improvise something for us."
Lex nodded and then Clark turned and headed towards the door. With a wave he said, "We will see you soon."
As soon as they were out of earshot of the others Clark turned to Chloe. "I really don't like this whole splitting up plan. Particularly since it feels like we are leaving the others totally defenseless."
"I agree, Clark. However I needed us free to act without giving away your secrets. Plus, I plan for us to stick close by the others until they are well clear of the town. There is a deep river gorge about five miles east of here. The Romans built one of their famous, arched stone bridges, about sixty feet long, to cross it. I told Nicholas to wait for us in a clearing about a mile past the bridge. Do you think you can make the bridge impassable? If the bridge is out, it will take any pursuers 5-6 hours to bypass the bridge, which will give us plenty of time to reach Arelate first."
Clark felt this large wave of relief. "I feel much better knowing we are going to stick close by the others. I thought you were going to have us go into town to confront these guys."
"That was my first thought until I remembered the bridge. But I prefer to avoid confrontation as much as possible." As they exited the building, Chloe headed them towards a small group of trees across the main road from the entrance to the stable complex.
As soon as they were under cover Chloe continued. "If I was leading Carius' men, I would assume we might try to make a break for it and would have stationed at least a couple of men to cover these stables. Can you see anything, Clark?"
Clark scanned the stable complex with his x-ray vision and described what he saw to Chloe. Finally, he said. "Wait, down at the very eastern end of the complex I can see two men armed with swords crouching behind the last building and there are a couple of horses hobbled right behind them."
Chloe nodded. "I'd bet money they are part of Carius' men. Clark can you knock one out and bring the other back so I can ask him a few questions."
Clark smiled. "Count to five and I will be back."
Before the last word was barely out of his mouth, he blurred and was gone.
Just for the hell of it, Chloe started to count out loud. "One . . . Two . . . Three . . . Four." And that's all the further she got when a blindfolded man suddenly appeared, laying on the ground in front of her. Clark was kneeling astride him with a sword point at the man's throat.
Chloe felt a really strong urge to giggle, but forced it down. Instead she said. "Thanks, Clark. Keep an eye on Lex and Lana while I have a chat with this gentleman."
Clark nodded, but kept the sword point pressed against the man's throat.
Chloe pulled up the blindfold. "LAre you one of Carius' men?"
The man did not respond, however she could see the fear and confusion in his eyes.
Chloe tried again. "LIf you tell me the truth, I will let you live. If not, I will have my friend press a little harder with that sword and then we will see if your companion is more interested in living." Chloe hated to have to revert to these kinds of methods, but she needed to work fast. She was just glad Clark didn't have the Latin skills yet to follow the conversation. She hoped they could get through this adventure with Clark's idealistic views of good and evil intact.
At this point the man Clark was holding down decided that he wasn't getting paid enough to die and started to talk. "LYes, I work for Carius."
"LHow many men are watching the stables?"
"LThere were four of us, but when we saw your group enter the stables two went to round up the others."
"Damn," said Chloe. Clark, who had been watching the room Lex and Lana were in with his x-ray vision, glanced over to her. Chloe continued. "We were spotted arriving here and the Professor's other men have been sent for. If the coach isn't ready soon, we may have to do a real diversion."
Clark nodded and Chloe turned back to their prisoner. "LHow many men do you have here in Narbo?"
"L Thirty seven. Three squads of twelve plus Gaius commanding."
"LI want you to give Gaius a message for me. If he can contact Carius, tell him that Lex has some very powerful allies here. If he returns the item we need, things will go easy for him. If we have to track him down and take it, he will wish he had never heard of the Roman Empire."
With that Chloe pulled the blindfold back down and turned to Clark. "How are things with Lex and Lana?"
"They are still in that room and I can see the carriage starting to move towards the front of the complex."
"Good, can you gag and bind this guy and return him where you found him? I gave him a message to pass along to his superiors."
"Sure, I'll be right back." Then Clark and the prisoner disappear as quickly as they had appeared. Chloe marveled at how much easier things could be handled when you had Clark's abilities at your disposal.
In a few seconds Clark was back, crouched down beside her. As he checked in on Lex and Lana again, he asked something that had been bothering him since they had to separate from Lex and Lana, "Do you think I should tell the others about my abilities? It would make all this sneaking around less necessary."
Chloe thought about it for a minute before responding. "Sure, Clark, it would make some things easier. I mean, I ask you if you see any of Carius' men around and 'Boom' fifteen seconds later you have spotted them hiding behind a building over 200 yards away. Then I ask you to take care of those guys and 'Boom' it's done. If I didn't know about your abilities I wouldn't know about these options.
"Clark, you and I both have some pretty unique abilities. And by sharing our knowledge we are more than the sum of our parts. So, yes there are definite advantages."
Chloe continued, "But being open and honest can be pretty scary, too. If we hadn't run into Marcus and if he hadn't blown my cover, I don't think I would have divulged my past, even though letting out my secret has made the past couple of days easier for all of us."
Chloe reached her hand over and caress the back of Clark's neck. "It is not an easy decision, but it has to be your decision to make. I will support whatever you decide."
Clark just nodded. He had always been afraid of his friend's reaction if he ever told his secret, but Lex and Lana appeared to accept Chloe without any problems. And Chloe was almost more alien than he was. Forever 16, instant healing, over 17,000 years old, computer enhanced brain. If they could accept Chloe, they could probably accept him too.
If they were stranded back here permanently, there was no question that he would share his secret with the others, but there were still implications to consider, if, no, when they got back home. Perhaps just sharing his secret with Chloe was sufficient to get them back home safely.
As these thoughts were going round and round in his head the coach pulled up in front of the administrative building and Lex, Lana, and Nicholas climbed aboard. Time to postpone the decision until later and focus on the current situation.
As soon as the coach had pulled out on to the main road and turned east towards Arelate, Chloe and Clark darted out of the sheltering trees and ran back to the administrative office of the stable. While Clark kept watch out front, Chloe hurried to inquire about their saddle horses. Using her most commanding tone, acquired over millennia spent in charge of a variety of estates, provinces, kingdoms, and empires, Chloe quickly had a number of clerks and groomsmen scurrying about to get her speedily on her way and out of their lives. In less than five minutes two beautiful horses were saddled and run out to where Clark waited.
"Come on," said Chloe as she jumped into her saddle. "Let's getting going before the carriage opens up too large of a lead."
Clark grabbed his reins from the groom and handed them to Chloe. "You lead my horse until it's time to join the others. I would rather just run."
Chloe just nodded and kicked her horse into a gallop. The two grooms standing there turned curiously towards Clark. He returned their look, then feigning a surprised looked he pointed abruptly back past them. As they turned to see what he had pointed at, he blurred and was gone.
It was a matter of a couple of seconds to catch and pass Chloe. Clark continued on at superspeed until he could see the carriage rounding a bend and passing out of sight a half-mile ahead. Pausing to let Chloe catch up, Clark did a quick 360-degree scan of the surrounding area. From the small rise where he had stopped he could see all of the way down to the center of Narbo. Just as Chloe pulled up he spotted the large group of men on horseback headed their way.
As Clark continued to stare towards town, Chloe asked. "What is it?"
"There are 25 to 30 men on horseback headed in this general direction from town," Clark began. Sighing and shaking his head, he continued. "They just bypassed the turn to the stables and are headed on a diagonal to meet the road a mile or two east of here. They must have spotted the carriage."
By now Chloe had spotted them also. "I don't think the carriage is going to make the bridge ahead of them, let alone the clearing beyond and leave us time to destroy the bridge. It looks like a more interactive diversion is going to be required."
Clark nodded as Chloe turned her horse onto an intercept course with the oncoming horsemen.
Running along side her mount, Clark suggested, "Maybe a demonstration of our mystical powers will scare them away. Plus if word of it gets back to the Professor along with the other message you left with that guy back at the stable, well . . . perhaps we can shake his confidence a little."
Chloe glanced down towards Clark realizing it was usually he looking down towards her. "What mystical powers?" she asked.
Clark looked up, grinned, and started to explain his idea.
End of Chapter 15