“Marcus, Marcus, over here,” a voice suddenly cried out. Catching sight of Aledus waving his hand, Marcus urged his horse towards the young man.
“Everything all right?” Marcus growled tensely as he slid from his horse.
“Alexandros is ready to sail the moment you are aboard,” Aledus said hastily. “His wife Cora is waiting over there with a lighter to take you out to the Hermes.”
“Good man,” Marcus said, placing his mutilated hand on Aledus’s shoulder. “Thank you Aledus,” he added in a quieter voice. “But I have another task for you,” Marcus said, as he pulled two small wooden tablets from his tunic pocket. “These are important letters. I need you to deliver them to Paulinus and Lady Claudia. The addresses are on the front.”
“I can do that Sir,” Aledus replied quickly.
Turning to Kyna and Indus, Marcus hastily gestured for them to dismount and start unloading the saddle bags. Then grasping hold of Aledus’s shoulder, he led the army veteran aside and turned to him with a grave look.
“I feel that I can trust you,” Marcus said carefully. “But when you are done here, there is one final thing that I must ask of you. It’s a big favour and I am sorry to have to ask this, but I have no one else to turn to.”
“What Sir?” Aledus said frowning.
“I need you to go to Syria and find Fergus,” Marcus said quietly. “Find Fergus and tell him everything what has happened. Tell him that his family are in trouble, that we’ve had to return to Vectis and that I need his help. Will you do this?”
Aledus blinked as he gazed back at Marcus in silence. Then at last he nodded.
“All right I will do it,” he said.
“I am going to leave our horses in your possession,” Marcus said quickly, as from the corner of his eye he saw Cora approaching. “Sell them or set them free, I don’t care. It’s up to you. And here - this should be enough to cover your expenses,” Marcus said, as he pressed a bag of coins into Aledus’s hand. “The last news we had from Fergus was that he’d been promoted to prefect of the Seventh Numidian Auxiliary ala and posted to the desert frontier, but that was some time ago now.” Marcus paused as he fixed his eyes on Aledus. “Find Fergus,” he said quietly. “Tell him that his family are in trouble and that we need his help. These are desperate times.”
Marcus was the last to scramble into the small lighter, and as he took his place at the oars, the little boat began to pull away from the waterfront. In the middle of the boat, beside the pile of saddle bags Cora, Kyna and her freedwoman were silent and in no mood to talk. All three women looked nervous. Casting a glance towards the harbour front as the lighter glided across the water, Marcus caught a last glimpse of Aledus as he led the four horses away into the crowd. Then twisting to look behind him, Marcus took a deep breath as he saw the welcome sight of the Hermes looming ahead.
“Hello old friend,” he muttered as he gazed up at the little ship.
Chapter Nineteen – A New Mission
Antioch – Province of Syria – February 115 AD
Fergus lay in bed watching Galena as she slept beside him. His wife’s eyes were closed, and her chest rose and fell with a gentle motion. Through the open window the night sky was fading into dawn and somewhere in the city a dog was barking. Galena was still beautiful, despite having given birth to five daughters he thought. Still as good looking as the first time he’d set eyes on her, in the Lucky Legionary tavern at Deva in Britannia, more than ten years ago now. A little mischievous smile appeared on his lips as he watched her. He loved this moment; the hour before dawn - one of the few precious moments, which were his; when all was quiet and peaceful, and no one was making demands on him. Slowly he reached out and ran his fingers across her naked breast and she stirred and muttered something to herself. Then, as he tickled her playfully under her chin, she woke and opened her eyes. And as she recognised him she smiled.
“I had a dream that you were back,” Galena muttered sleepily and happily as she turned onto her side. “But it wasn’t a dream.”
“Ssshhhh. Keep your voice down,” Fergus whispered, as he reached out to pull her closer. “Or you will wake our daughters. I think they are all still asleep.”
“I am not asleep,” a little girl’s voice said from across the room.
Fergus groaned and rolled his eyes as he let go of his wife and gazed up at the ceiling. His plan had been thwarted. In the bed Galena giggled, as she stared at him and guessed what he’d been thinking about. A week had passed since he’d returned to Antioch, and Hadrian had mercifully allowed him to spend some time with his family. There had been a lot to catch up on.
“How long do you think you will stay this time?” Galena whispered as she seemed to read his mind.
“I don’t know,” Fergus replied with a sigh, as he gazed up at the ceiling. “Hadrian says that Adalwolf has gotten himself into trouble, but he hasn’t told me what kind of trouble. He says that if I agree to this new mission, he will take Marcus, my father, off his death list.” Fergus paused. “I think we should make the best of the time that we are given,” he said at last, as a fond little smile appeared on his lips.
“Yes,” Galena nodded, as she ran her fingers along his eyebrows. “Yes, you are right. But when this war is done - when Trajan has enough of glory and conquest, I want to take the girls back home to Britannia, Fergus. None of them have seen the land of our ancestors. It’s time they did.”
“You want to go back to Britannia?” Fergus asked, as he glanced at Galena.
She nodded. “Yes, when this over I want to go home. I would like to see my father if he is still alive. I haven’t seen him in eight years. It’s time I did.”
Fergus remained silent as he stared up at the ceiling.
“What have you been doing whilst I was away,” he asked at last, as he turned to gaze at his wife. “I’m sorry. I never asked you.”
“Don’t worry husband,” Galena said with a little mischievous twinkle in her eye. “I haven’t been eying up Hadrian’s guardsmen. I too have made some important contacts whilst you were away. I am friends now with Plotina and Matidia, Trajan’s wife and niece. They are both living at the imperial palace here in Antioch, but we meet as often as we can. They are fun. They are powerful allies of Hadrian. They are confident that he is going to be next emperor of Rome.”
Fergus was about to reply, when there was a sharp knock on the door to their room.
“Sir,” Flavius, Hadrian’s German bodyguard called out from behind the door. “Hadrian wants to see you right now, in his study.”
***
Hadrian looked in fine physical and mental health, as he slowly paced up and down behind his desk with a thoughtful expression. His beard was neatly trimmed. He was wearing a fine white senator’s toga and he seemed highly motivated. A large pile of letters and documents lay strewn across the desk and, in his hand Hadrian was casually flipping and catching a small knife. The two of them were alone. Fergus had noticed the continued change in his boss’s physical appearance and attitude, which had started after the failed assassination attempt in Athens, some eighteen months ago. It was as if Hadrian was physically and mentally preparing himself for the imperial succession. Gone was the flabby, slightly overweight stomach and the lazy attitude. Gone were cups of stale wine left over from the drinking contests the night before. Gone were the embarrassing female and male sexual conquests, which had to be hidden from Vibia, Hadrian’s wife, and bundled out of the house. Instead Hadrian looked strong, calm and in complete command of himself. He looked like a leader in waiting.
“Fergus, I have a problem,” Hadrian growled at last, as he paused to face Fergus who was standing stiffly to attention in front of the desk.
“I will get straight to the point,” Hadrian said, fixing his eyes on Fergus. “I have an important job that needs the skills of a capable, experienced soldier like yourself. That’s why I recalled you from the frontier. This is a sensitive dangerous mission. There is no one else who I trust to do this job
. Attianus left for Rome a few days ago on important business. So that’s why you are going to do this task for me.” Hadrian paused as he carefully studied Fergus.
“You are probably wondering what the hell has happened to Adalwolf,” Hadrian snapped. “Well he has managed to get himself into a shit load of trouble.” Hadrian sighed as he looked down at the small knife in his hand. Then quickly he looked up at Fergus. “Last year whilst you were on the frontier, I despatched him to the city of Phasis in Colchis on the Black sea coast. Phasis, if you don’t know, is the terminus of our northern trade route to India and the land of the Chin beyond. The city is full of Indian and foreign traders and merchants. It’s a fucking merchant’s paradise. You can buy and order anything in Phasis.”
“I wanted to provide Trajan with a birthday gift like no other,” Hadrian exclaimed. “One hundred Indian tiger cubs. That’s what I wanted to give Trajan for his forthcoming birthday. One hundred live tiger cubs. It would cost a fortune but every one of those animals is well worth it. Properly managed, that number of animals would provide enough exotic beasts for the Coliseum in Rome for many years. So, I sent Adalwolf to Phasis to arrange the deal with the Indian merchants. However,” Hadrian said, as his tone turned scornful. “Adalwolf seems to have failed in his mission. A month or so ago I received a message from a Parthian prince called Sanatruces who is nephew to the King of King’s Osroes. This Parthian prince claims to have captured Adalwolf. He sent me Adalwolf’s signet ring as proof. He is demanding a ransom in gold for his release. If the gold is not paid by the end of summer, then the Parthians will execute Adalwolf. Sanatruces says he will wait for the gold at the Albanian city of Derbent on the coast of the Hyrcanian ocean.”
Hadrian flipped the small knife up and down in his hand.
“Adalwolf is an old friend,” he said at last, in a quieter voice. “He saved my life in Germania. He and I go way back. If he is in danger, then I want him back and I want him brought back home alive and in good health. I have jobs I need him for in the future.”
“He is a good man Sir; I know him well,” Fergus said hastily, as he stared into space.
“So,” Hadrian said sharply, as his eyes bored into Fergus. “I need you to go and negotiate with this Sanatruces. You are to bring Adalwolf back to me alive. I shall provide you with everything that you need, horses, money, supplies. So, as a start, go to Phasis and speak to the Indian merchants who Adalwolf was dealing with. Find out what they know. It may help you. I am going to provide you with a ransom in gold. The exact ransom that Sanatruces is demanding. Guard it well for Adalwolf’s life will depend on it,” Hadrian said as he smoothly pulled a sealed papyrus scroll from the folds of his toga and offered it to Fergus. “This letter is meant for your eyes only. You are only to open it once you reach Phasis. Is that understood? Only when you reach Phasis.”
“Yes Sir,” Fergus replied stiffly, as he took the scroll, glanced at the wax seal and then hastily slipped it into his tunic pocket.
“Do this for me,” Hadrian said, as he sternly gazed at Fergus. “And I promise that you shall have paid your father’s debt and that I shall take Marcus off my death list. But only if Adalwolf is returned alive and well. Clear?”
“Yes Sir,” Fergus added quickly. “I understand. But as you said this is an important mission. I would feel more comfortable if I could choose the men who will accompany me. With your permission I would like to take the men and woman from your close-protection-detail with me on this journey. I know them. They are the best Sir.”
“You would have me left unguarded?” Hadrian said as his eyes narrowed.
“You have plenty of guards Sir,” Fergus replied. “Please, this is going to be a difficult journey. I would be happier with my men around me.”
“All right Fergus,” Hadrian said, nodding solemnly. “You shall have your men. I will see that all the arrangements are made. You shall leave in a few days.”
From behind his desk, Hadrian had laid his small knife down on the desk and was staring at Fergus.
“Don’t fail me,” Hadrian said in a warning voice. “Adalwolf is an old friend of mine and I want him back alive and in one piece. He is precious. That will be all.”
Chapter Twenty – The City of Phasis
Phasis, Colchis, Roman province of Cappadocia - March 115 AD
As he reached the crest of the hill and caught sight of the city of Phasis, Fergus reined in his horse and gazed down at the settlement. It was late in the day, and to the west the sun was sinking into the Euxine Sea. The fresh, tangy sea breeze on his face suddenly reminded him of the beach on the Isle of Vectis and down in the green, pleasant valley he could hear the distant bleating of sheep. They’d made it at last, Fergus thought. Eighteen days after setting out from Antioch on horseback, they had finally reached the Black Sea port unscathed and unimpeded by nature or bandits. Ahead, the flat and wide, green river delta was teeming with flocks of birds and livestock, and the multitude of farms along the river looked well stocked and prosperous. Just beyond the wide and placid river, the stone walls of the city of Phasis rose around the strip of land at the river’s mouth, protected from the east by a large inland lake and to the west by the sea. The Greek colonists, who had founded the colony some eight hundred years ago, had chosen a good, easily defended site Fergus thought, as he studied the city. Turning to gaze out to sea, he could make out two ships heading for the port. Their sails were bulging in the wind and they seemed to be racing each other home. Hearing the thud of hooves coming towards him, Fergus twisted round on his horse and glanced back at his eight companions who were strung out along the path.
“So that’s it; that’s Phasis,” Flavius cried out in his Germanic accent as the big German ex-boxer sporting a blond moustache and long blond hair came to a halt beside Fergus and gazed at the city in disappointment. “It looks puny.”
Fergus did not reply as he turned his attention back to the city. Before he’d left Antioch, one of Hadrian’s Greek advisors had given him a briefing on the lands he would be travelling through. Colchis, the advisor had told him, had once been an independent kingdom until it had been brought into the Roman sphere of influence by Pompey the Great, some hundred and eighty years ago. The ancient port city of Phasis had always been a prosperous Greek city. Now garrisoned by four hundred Roman soldiers it was well placed to take advantage of Colchis’s abundant natural resources. Its future had been secured by exporting gold, iron, timber, hemp, linen, salt, honey and Sarmatian slaves from beyond the great mountain ranges to the north - to the resource-hungry cities in Greece. But what had truly catapulted Phasis into the premier league of important cities within the Roman empire and forced its attention upon the great trading houses of Rome, was the Roman discovery that the city was the terminus of the northern trade route to India and China.
“Shut your mouth Flavius,” Skula snapped, as he too reined in his horse at Fergus’s side and turned to gaze at the city. “You don’t know what you are talking about.” The bald Scythian with his flat nose had a huge axe strapped across his back and there was an uncharacteristic emotion in his voice.
“What is it Skula?” Fergus asked patiently, as he turned and reached down to check the locked iron box, that was strapped and secured to his horse’s back. The box was filled with the ransom gold that Hadrian had provided him with.
“I have been to Phasis before Sir,” the Scythian said in a tight voice, as he stared at the city. Raising his hand, Skula gestured towards the north. “My people’s homeland lies somewhere beyond the mountains to the north. We are close. Beyond the mountains there are grasslands that stretch to the horizon like nothing you have ever seen before. A sea of grass. It is ruled over by the great horse clans. It’s where I was born,” Skula declared in a grave voice. “And it is where I shall be buried.” Pausing, his bearded face hardened as he seemed to recall a memory. “I was fourteen Sir,” he said at last, “when I joined my father and brothers on my first and last raid on the southern lands. We crossed the mo
untains intent on plunder. We were after women and gold, but the gods did not smile on me, for I was taken prisoner and sold as a slave. My masters brought me here to Phasis and I thought I had died, for there were things in this city that I had never seen or witnessed before. It was like entering a new world.” Slowly Skula turned to look across at Fergus. “Phasis is where I left my youth behind and became a man. It is here, that as a slave, they forced me onto the ship that took me to Athens and eventually to you Sir.”
For a moment the three of them were silent as they gazed down at Phasis and the sea to the west, and waited for the rest of their companions to catch up.
“Well just don’t get any ideas about leaving us in the lurch and fucking off back to your own country,” Flavius growled. “I personally prefer having that great big axe of yours at my side.”
Skula’s hard face cracked into a sudden grin. “Fear not Flavius,” the Scythian replied in a changed voice. “My loyalty is to Fergus. If he had not picked me from that Athenian brothel, I would still be there working the door instead of enjoying the delights of your company. And besides I like getting out to see the world.”
Fergus remained silent as he heard the rest of his companions approaching. The thud of their horses’ hooves was accompanied by the jingle and creak of their weapons, equipment, and the snorting of the horses. Twisting round, he watched them approach. He had hand-picked them all and they were tough as nails. His companions had all served in Hadrian’s close protection team and he knew their strengths and weaknesses. He knew how far to push them. Arlyn, the shy and tall red-haired Hibernian who, in a melancholic mood, liked to sing his sad native Celtic songs. The two Italian brothers, ex legionaries and in their late forties, who delighted in practical jokes. Saadi, the youngest in the group, the small, former pickpocket and only woman in the party, and the two new boys, Numerius a former Praetorian guardsman kicked out of the guard for seducing his commander’s wife, and Barukh, the young idealistic Jew from Antioch, who claimed to have fought as a gladiator in the arena.
Rome and the Conquest of Mesopotamia (Book 8 of the Veteran of Rome Series) Page 18