Chapter 17:
The company of warriors followed the ancient Roman road north of Trieste. Rather than dash ahead into the unknown, the cautious Flavio sent out a scout to search for the group. Alone, the man moved quickly from sight as the horse trotted off. The sound of the hoofs hitting the stone reached Thad’s ears long after the rider moved around a slight bend in the road.
There was no sound about to hide the fact Thaddeus gritted his teeth. His heart raced, the thought of the chase overtaking his more logical thinking. He so wanted to rush ahead and devour anyone who stood before him. Only deep, steady breathing kept him from urging the horse into a gallop.
Void the sound of the horse, the woods remained peaceful, if deadly silent. The wildlife that normally filled these trees had tak
