Morban turned to face her, putting a hand out to hold hers.
‘He’ll have fifty parents in the Ninth. I swear he’ll come to no harm.’
She thought for a long moment, and then nodded with resignation.
Marcus looked her in the eyes, feeling tears of his own distorting his vision.
‘If there’s one thing I understand, ma’am, it’s how that youngster’s feeling right now. I’ll be his big brother for as long as he needs me. After what these people have done for me, it’s my chance to repay some of my debt.’
He bent to the boy, putting a hand out while the other wiped his eyes dry.
‘Come on, then, wolf cub, let’s be about our business. We’ve got a century to get into shape.’
The pair walked out of the door hand in hand, turning up the street towards the main gate, drawing surprised glances from a pair of passing soldiers. They turned to make a ribald comment from the security of the shadows, saw the look on Morban’s face as he emerged behind them, and immediately thought better of it. The standard-bearer watched his officer and his grandson from the doorway as they progressed up the hill, losing sight of them as they passed the soldiers on guard. He turned to follow them up the road, muttering quietly under his breath to himself with a determination he hadn’t felt for many days.
‘Don’t you worry, Centurion, my lads are going to follow you any fucking place you command. Or I’ll know the reason why.’