Heir to the Dragon Helm

Dragon Helm by Klaus Wittmann

‘Did anyone see Herennius come through the gate?’ Gauis's voice ricocheted off the tower’s ancient walls. The young man tossed his half-helm to the floor and slammed his fists on the table. ‘Did anyone see my brother?’

‘Gaius,’ Hostilian said. He was staring at his mud and blood covered boots.

‘You saw him?’ Gaius grabbed his brother by the shoulder.

Hostilian’s expression soured as he looked to Tiberius, their father’s imperator. The old general ground his teeth, ‘You tell him.’

‘He’s dead, Gaius. Along with father,’ Hostilian said.

The words made it real. ‘What? No. His praetorians would have… We have to save him,’ Gaius clung to Hostilian’s arm.

‘Gaius,’ Tiberius said, his voice like gravel. ‘The King’s dead. The Heir’s dead. The enemy is sieging this fort. There’ll be time to grieve after we make it out of here.’

‘What about Julian?’ Gaius searched the room. Tiberius stood at one end, his armour pitted and soiled, surrounded by a dozen commanders. Silvanus, t…