The Gates of Rome [antikvár]

CHAPTERONE The track in the woods was a wide causeway to the two boys strolling down it. Both were so dirty with thick, black mud as to be almost unrecognisable as human. The taller of the two had blue eyes that seemed unnaturally bright against the cracking, itching mud that plastered him. 'We're going to be killed for this, Marcus,' he said, grinning. In his hand, a sling spun lazily, held taut with the weight of a smooth river pebble. 'Your fault, Gaius, for pushing me in. I told you the river bed wasn't dry all the way.' As he spoke, the shorter boy laughed and shoved his 10