by Griff Hosker
They both toasted each other and Livius swallowed the whole beaker. “Marcus’ Horse no longer exists Julius. It was disbanded when the numbers fell.”
“I know. I follow events in Britannia as best I can. I know that you and the remnants of the ala did well in the last rebellion.” He paused to sip at his wine and watch Livius’ face for a reaction. “The one led by your brother and Fainch’s daughter.” Livius’ face and body stiffened at the memory and the disgrace and he nodded. “Where have you been since then? That was a couple of years ago. Since then I have heard nothing of you or our men. I heard that the Ninth had a problem in the land of the Selgovae but other than that…”
Livius ordered two more beakers and then told Julius of the events of the past year culminating in the death of Decius. “And when I reached Eboracum I was summoned by the Emperor to Rome to be rewarded.”
Julius suddenly became serious. “I see and the Emperor is not here. Where are you staying? In the palace?”
Livius shook his head. “I was supposed to be staying in the Praetorian barracks but the Praetorian Optio had found accommodation for me at an inn.”
Julius pulled Livius to one side, his eyes darting from side to side. “You must come and stay with me. I like this not. The Emperor is not a well man and there are senators in Rome just waiting to take power. Someone who is important to the Emperor could be considered a threat.”
“I am just a Decurion Julius. I am not important.” Livius thought that Julius was over reacting. He was not a threat to anyone any more; he was a crippled old soldier.
“Do not deceive yourself. You are important to someone.” He snapped his fingers and Furax, who had appeared to be asleep raced over and stood with eager palm outstretched.
“Sir?”
He turned to Livius. “What is the name of the inn?”
“It is the sign of the Grapes, just past the Castra Praetoria.”
Julius looked at the boy. “Do you know where it is?” The boy nodded his head eagerly. Julius gave him five coins. “Here is more money that you would see in a week. Go to the inn and tell the inn keeper that you are this officer’s servant and you are going to look after his horse. Tell him that he is staying in Rome with a relative. You will collect his belongings from his room and put them in the stable with the horse. You can sleep there tonight and tomorrow bring the horse and the belongings to my home.” He looked curiously at the young boy who had overcome his terror and now looked quite confident. “Do you know where I live? “ The boy shook his head, “Casa Demetrius?”
“Oh yes sir. It is the largest house in the Viminal.”
“Good boy. Then tomorrow you can bring the horse and his belongings to my house where I will reward you with another five coins.”
The boy’s face lit up. “Oh yes sir!”
“Off you go then.” They watched the urchin dance his way through the crowds and Julius led Livius towards the Viminal.
“Well that is ten coins, my horse and my traps that we will never see again.” Julius shook his head, a smile on his face. The boy would return, he knew that. The smile suddenly left his face and Livius was suddenly aware that Julius was gripping his arm and looked nervous. “What is it Julius. This isn’t like you?”
“Keep your hand on your sword for these are dangerous times. You were watched in the Forum. I saw at least two men, and they are still following us.” Livius looked quickly around, annoyed that he had missed them. “You won’t be able to see them but they are professionals. Someone is very interested in you young man and I shall do all in my power to protect you.”
By the time they were in the bath in Julius’ magnificent house Livius was exhausted. His legs were hurting and he felt hungry. His last meal had been aboard the trireme and it was now becoming dark. At least it was cooler now. He felt his face and it seemed to be on fire. Julius looked over and saw the distress on his face as the pain in his legs suddenly coursed through his body. The Senator waved to the servants to dismiss them. “We will send for them when we are ready for a massage. And fear not Livius I have ordered food for us but we eat later in the city because of the heat.”
“Do not worry about me Julius. I am an old soldier remember. As an Explorate I sometimes went days without eating. Will your wife be joining us?”
Julius’ face darkened. “She died last year. The doctors said it was something she ate but…”
“But you think otherwise. Why?”
“You are as quick as ever Livius. Yes I think she was poisoned but I think it was intended for me. As I told you politics in Rome is a dangerous business. I am too honest for many and cannot be bought. In Rome you buy your support and achieve what you may. I do not play that game.” He saw Livius look behind him. “I have sent my men out to discourage those who followed you.” He shrugged, “they may be replaced and if so it will tell us just how important they think you are.”
Livius climbed out of the hot bath and plunged himself into the ice pool. He took a towel and lay on one of the marble slabs looking up at the corrugated concrete ceiling. “That’s better. I cannot think when I am hot. Why do you think I was followed Julius?”
“Have you heard of someone called Senator Lucius Quietus ?”
“I can’t say I have. I met someone called Hadrian and someone else called Attianus when I was sent on my mission but they are the only Romans I have met. Apart from the two Praetorians, of course.”
“Ah then you have it all. Attianus is a mentor to Hadrian who is Trajan’s right hand man.” He paused and then confided, “In my view a good man and a sound leader. Then you have Lucius Quietus who is the Emperor’s left hand man, if you will.” He smiled at his own joke. The left hand was always considered suspicious, indeed sinister. “Hadrian and Quietus hate each other. “If the Emperor’s life were to come to an early end, and from the reports I have, he is a little unwell at the moment, then these two would engage in a power struggle. It could even mean war.”
“But where do I come in? Surely I am not important.”
“I would not have thought so until you told me your story. Let us look at it. You met Hadrian but not Quietus. You successfully killed an enemy of the state. You recovered a vast amount of gold. Added to which your name may well be known to Quietus as one of the Frumentarii. “
“But that was just a cover!”
“Lucius does not know that. He will have bribed the clerk and discovered that you received the letter from Trajan himself. As you told me, your mission was only known to the Governor of Britannia, who by the way was murdered last year, Hadrian and the Emperor. As far as Senator Lucius Quietus is concerned you are the most dangerous man in Rome now that Hadrian is with the Emperor in the east.”
“Suddenly being a scout behind the enemy lines doesn’t seem such a bad place to be.”
Chapter 2
Livius felt refreshed when he awoke in the cool bedroom of Julius’ magnificent house. He opened his eyes to a brightly painted mural depicting Roman auxiliaries fighting barbarians. Livius smiled as he stood and stretched. His former commander’s heart was, as his, with Marcus’ Horse and the bonds they had formed which continued long after the events were but a memory. He found fresh clothes at the foot of his bed and noticed that they were more senatorial than utilitarian. Julius had been kind enough to ignore the rough dress which Livius had worn the previous day. As he dressed he realised that at one time he too would have worn the finest clothes and disdained those who did not. The days of life at his uncle’s court now seemed a lifetime away and he had become accustomed to dressing for action. His time in the ala had changed him irrevocably. Feeling somewhat awkward in his clean bright clothes he made his way to the dining room wondering what action he might actually have now. He hoped that Julius was exaggerating the danger he was really in but, as he wandered down beautifully intricate mosaic lined corridors, he realised that the stakes that this Quietus was playing for were so high that any obstacle, no matter how insignificant, would have to be removed.
He was just such an obstacle; a miniscule object but one which would have to be eliminated.
Julius was already eating when Livius entered. “I hope you don’t mind but I started…”
Livius dismissed the apology with a wave of his hand. “I am just grateful that you have given me sanctuary.”
As Livius began to take fruits and cheeses Julius looked at his young friend. The years had filled out the callow youth who had so nearly lost his life on the cross. The intrigues and plots of his uncle and brother had almost taken an innocent life. He was now an assured and confident leader of men. Over the years Julius had received reports of the heroics of Livius and the others in the ala. He sadly reflected that most of those he knew, Marcus, Decius, Gaelwyn and Macro were now dead but their memory lived on and as long as the deeds of Livius and his men continued, so would that memory. “I sent a servant to inform the Praetorians of your new lodgings. When that boy reappears…”
“If he reappears.”
“I think you misjudge him Livius. He will return and not just because he has five more coins coming. There are many such orphans living in Rome. The fact that he lives near the Lupanar tells me much. He was probably the liaison between a customer and a whore. Who knows, the father may even have been a soldier on leave. How many times did our men pay for a prostitute and then never think of any consequences?”
“We normally got nowhere near civilisation if memory serves.”
Julius laughed. “I am amazed that you call some of the places we visited civilisation but I wonder how many offspring of the ala are now eking out a living on the frontier? So do not judge Furax too harshly. Who knows, he may come of good stock.”
When they had finished eating Livius stood and stretched. “Well Julius, what is the plan?”
“Plan?”
“Yes what will we do now and,” he added ominously, “and in the future. From what you said last night, and, by the way, thank you for giving me the nightmares of knives and poisons in the night.”
“I am sorry Livius but I had to let you know the danger you were in. When I took over from my father I had to learn that there was little honour in the Senate. I was used to dealing with barbarians who seemed like paragons of virtue when compared with the Senate.” He led Livius out into a quadrangle lined with fragrant olive and lemon trees surrounding a tinkling fountain in the centre. “We will sit here it is cool and calming. I find I can think here.” They reclined on the couches placed there. “Let us look at your problem. Here you are safe. When you need to leave the house, I will send two of my servants to accompany and safeguard you.” Livius looked up sceptically. “Oh do not worry about my men. I employ ex-soldiers who have retired but do not wish to take up a ploughshare. You will be safe. I have sent a letter to Hadrian informing him of your arrival. He knows me and, I believe trusts me. He will advise the Emperor. As they are only in Cilicia then the letter should reach him by next week. Until then you rest,” he nodded at Livius’ damaged legs, “and I will get my masseur to work on your legs. Soon you will be as fit as you ever were.”
They were disturbed by a sudden noise from the entrance of the house. Livius looked in concern at Julius who shook his head. “My doormen can stop any who wish to do you harm.”
They heard shouts of,”Stop!” and heard the sound of caligae pounding down the mosaic corridors. Suddenly Furax burst into the room with the doormen in hot attendance.
“Sorry Dominus. We tried to stop him. He said some nonsense about working for you.”
Smiling Julius held up his hand. “Thank you Cato but in a way he does sort of work for me. You may leave us.” Furax’s body was heaving with exertion and emotion. Julius noticed that the boy’s face was bleeding. His face hardening he asked, “Did my men do this?”
“No dominus. It was at the inn.”
“The innkeeper?” Furax shook his head, his whole body convulsed with sobs and shock.
Livius came over. “Let him have a drink Julius and sit and compose himself. I think there is more here than meets the eye.”
Julius nodded and brought over a beaker of wine which he heavily watered. “Drink this boy and, when you are ready then you can tell us your story.”
They watched as the boy swallowed the whole beaker and then he looked from one face to the other. At last he took a deep sigh and launched into his explanation. “I did as you asked. The innkeeper was suspicious at first but when he found I only wished to sleep in the stable he allowed me to do so. I groomed your horse, had the food I had bought and then I slept. I was awoken in the night by the sounds of men fighting and people shouting and screaming. When I looked out of the stable I could see that there were armed men and they were questioning the innkeeper. There were bleeding bodies on the floor. I saw him point at the stables and then they killed him. As soon as I saw them come towards the stables then I knew that they sought me.” His tearful face turned towards Livius. “I am sorry sir. I thought only of myself. I left your belongings in the stable with your horse and I ran.”
Livius went over and put his arms around the boy’s shoulders. “The horse was not mine and there was nothing of value in the inn.” He looked over and nodded at Julius. “You were the only thing of value and you escaped. Continue.”
“They tried to get hold of me but I kicked them and bit them. One of them tried to stab me with his dagger,” he held his hand up to his injured face, “they did this.”
Julius noticed, for the first time, the wound. He called for a servant.”Clean up this boy’s wound and tell Cato to be on his guard. We may be in danger. Carry on Furax.”
“There is little more to tell sir. I ran through the streets. I wanted to come here straight away, to tell you, but I knew that the gates would be closed and…” he paused, almost afraid to continue.
“Carry on Furax. Remember what I said yesterday, the truth cannot hurt you,” Livius’ words seemed to reassure the terrified boy.
“I think that they were soldiers sir. The ones who killed the innkeeper and tried to get me, I mean they didn’t have helmets or shields but they had gladii and pugeos and their caligae, well sir I have seen enough soldiers at the Lupanar to know those when I see them.” They both smiled and nodded at the boy to continue. “Well sir I hid near to the Esquilina gate and when they opened it I came in with a party of merchants and then, well sir, I am here.”
The two ex-soldiers looked at each other. Livius smiled approvingly at Furax. “You have done well and you will stay with us where you will be safe.” Livius smiled at the look of relief on the boy’s face. “Go with Atticus here, he is a Greek and the best doctor I know. He will tend to your wound and feed you.” The bald physician took Furax by the elbow and led him from the room. “He is a good and kind man Livius, he will heal the boy both inside and out. Our little thief did well.”
Livius looked at the door which had seemed so safe and secure and now seemed so dangerous. “I have put you in enough danger Julius. And now I have endangered the life of a child. I will leave and go back to Britannia.”
Julius dismissed the concept with an irritated wave of his hand. “You will do no such things. Firstly you are a friend and a comrade; we did not fight together side by side for me to desert you at the first sign of trouble. Secondly they will look for ships to Britannia. Quietus must think you are more important than you actually are and thirdly this is bigger than you Livius. This concerns the Emperor and the safety of the Empire. If Quietus wins then my life would be forfeit anyway. He likes me not. No Livius Britannia is not safe have for you at the moment. Here, although there is danger, is safer for you, and the boy.”
Livius studied the mural on the wall before him. It was a battle scene. “So we have something of a dilemma then.” Now that it was a military problem Livius’ mind began to work more effectively. “If they are soldiers then I assume they are Praetorians. “ Suddenly the words of the Praetorian Centurion came back to him. “It is not all of the Praetorians. I think it is a group of them; I met one Praeto
rian who warned me of the danger I might be in.”
Julius jumped up. “You are right and that makes sense. Quietus would have bought some of them. He would only need a century or two and he is a rich man; he could easily afford them. The question is where next? This is not a fortress and we certainly couldn’t hold it against a century of Praetorians. I will send another message to Hadrian. He needs to know of the treachery and intrigue here. He will inform the Emperor. The message will take time to reach him which means that we need to hide out for at least two more weeks.” He led Livius to his study where he took out a wax tablet.
“If that is intercepted won’t it alert Quietus?”
“Hadrian and I use a code. Rome is not a safe place and wise men use discretion. We will go to Surrentum. I have just purchased a villa there although I have never visited it. It will take Quietus some time to discover where we have gone. The Emperor has a villa at Capreae just across the bay and that might prove useful to us all.” He added enigmatically.
“Isn’t that where Tiberius lived, where he ran the Empire?”
“It is. Not far from Neapolis. “
“But won’t they be able to follow us there?”
“That is the beauty of the plan. We will go by sea and, hopefully, Quietus will assume we have gone to Britannia. Remember the boy merely told the innkeeper that you had sent him and you were staying with a relative. He will discover it is me but by then we will have left. We need to move quickly. Cato!”
By the time that Cato had completed his master’s instructions it was noon and the streets were emptying as people fled the heat of the day. One of Julius’ men had already left to secure a ship at Ostia while Cato had organised the horses and guards. Julius had made it clear that they did not wish to attract attention and his men had begun to head for the port singly and in pairs to wait along the route and provide protection. “The problem is Livius you and the boy. The Praetorians will be looking for you.” He had smiled when he addressed Furax and Livius. “We will dress you as women, with a veil and you will be carried in a closed carriage carried by two slaves.”