by Nick Brown
‘I checked the area. The only marker was an arch. I could find it again.’
‘That’s something,’ said Yablus.
‘They could have been setting a false trail,’ said Cassius. ‘You’re both sure they didn’t see you?’
‘I am,’ said Kammath. Yablus admitted he could not be certain.
When Kabir returned, it took him a moment to compose himself. He was so tired and soaked with sweat that he instantly began to shiver. Kammath put a blanket over his father’s shoulders.
Cassius squatted in front of him. ‘Well?’
‘They split up. I stuck with one – I think it was the leader, who spoke to you. He kept taking turns and doubling back. I stayed with him as long as I could but I lost him in an area of narrow streets and alleys. It was like a maze. I tried to mark the location. The only place of note was a high wall and when I had a closer look I realised there were legionaries guarding a gate. It was a fort. While I was watching it, he arrived. He must have taken another detour. The guards saluted when they let him in.’
‘Well done, Kabir. Could you find it again?’
‘Yes. Yes, I think I could.’
XXVI
The sense that not a moment could be wasted was inescapable. Cassius somehow slept for an hour or two then lay awake, looking up through the window at a sky packed with white-blue stars.
They had come so far – and might now be so close that he could think of nothing else. The Syrians lying on the floor seemed restless too. Cassius decided that they had to act immediately. Rousing Kabir (who was the only one sleeping soundly) he asked the chief to take him back to the fortress. They would need to be there when the sun rose.
Cassius strode up to the main entrance of what they now knew to be one of three fortresses within Byzantium’s walls. The local store owner they’d consulted had also disclosed that it housed two centuries of the local garrison, which was charged with the defence of the city and the Thracian peninsula.
Nipping ahead of a pair of cavalrymen, Cassius hailed the two night-time sentries just as they walked away from the gate towards the parade ground. Their replacements were already in place, having arrived with the dawn.
‘Yes?’
‘My name is Cyrillus. I’d like to talk to you.’
‘We’ve just finished the night shift, sir.’
He was glad to hear the soldier address him so. He had dressed in his best tunic and adorned himself with most of the jewellery.
‘It won’t take long; and I promise to make it worth your while.’
Despite their obvious weariness, the soldiers asked their compatriots to open the gate.
‘Excellent. Thank you,’ said Cassius. ‘There’s a quiet spot just down there.’ The helpful store owner was more than happy to earn a denarius for the hire of his courtyard.
As they crossed the street, the second man spoke up. ‘Sir, what’s all this about?’
‘You shall find out presently.’
The owner – who seemed to specialise in household utensils – guided the four of them through a packed storeroom and then into the courtyard, which was dank, chilly and dark. Simo was armed with one of the Syrian’s swords. As instructed by Cassius, he was to stand at his shoulder and try to look like a bodyguard.
‘Allow me to explain – I am in Byzantium investigating a criminal matter for a private client. As I said, my name is Cyrillus. And yours?’
‘Legionary Apius Mucius, third century under Centurion Octavius.’
Mucius was the younger of the two.
‘Legionary Gaius Helva, third under Octavius also.’ Helva seemed less impressed by Cassius; and more suspicious.
‘All I need from you is some information. And if I get what I ask for, you will be very well rewarded.’
Though both made some effort to conceal their enthusiasm, neither was successful. Cassius knew just how avaricious the average soldier was; pay was usually doled out quarterly and they were always on the lookout for money-making opportunities.
‘I happen to know that one of your officers returned to the fortress late last night. His name?’
‘This reward you speak of,’ said Helva. ‘Let’s see it.’
Cassius held up his hand, which was adorned with two identical rings; both silver, both worth at least forty denarii.
‘I don’t like carrying a lot of coins. Will these do?’
‘Let’s have a proper look,’ said Helva.
Cassius held up his hand as the legionary inspected the metal.
‘Not bad.’
‘The name, then?’
‘Optio Barba,’ said Mucius.
Cassius turned to Helva. ‘That right?’
‘Yes.’
Somewhere in the buildings around them, a woman was shrieking at her children to get up.
‘And when did he return?’
‘Just after the seventh hour,’ said Mucius.
‘I do not want you to feel that you are going against your own. There is currently no evidence of wrongdoing by this man. It is a case of eliminating him – and many others – from my enquiries. To which century does he belong? Yours?’
Cassius had purposefully addressed Helva, to force him to contribute.
‘No. The fourth.’
‘His reputation?’
Mucius shrugged.
‘Good,’ said Helva. ‘Tough but fair.’
‘How long has he been stationed in the city?’
‘Longer than me,’ said Mucius, ‘and that’s six years. The third and the fourth centuries almost never leave the city.’
‘Likes to gamble, does he? Drink?’
‘No more than anyone else,’ said Helva. Cassius got the impression he was offering up the minimal amount of information possible, which was entirely understandable.
‘Gets on well with his centurion? Other officers?’
‘Wouldn’t really know, sir,’ said Mucius.
It was Helva’s turn to shrug.
‘Women? Is he married?’
Mucius nodded. ‘Wife lives out in the sticks somewhere, I think.’
‘Hearth girl?’
‘Think so,’ said Mucius. ‘Can’t remember the name but she hangs out at Natta’s a lot.’
‘Which is?’
‘Eatery. Not far away.’
‘I really need the name.’
Mucius scratched his face. ‘Er … might start with a “C” …’
Helva was looking down at the ground.
Cassius fingered one of the rings. ‘It would be unfortunate if I couldn’t give you one of these each but – as it stands – the contribution has hardly been equal, has it?’
‘I don’t mind, sir,’ said Mucius.
‘I do,’ said Cassius.
‘All right,’ said Helva, ‘I get the point. Her name’s Sousanna.’
Natta’s was three streets away. Cassius spent a few coins and had her address within ten minutes. Aware that every such step he took risked exposure and the attention of his foes, he pressed on regardless. He would not stop until he found The Earthly Gods, and he reckoned he could do so before nightfall.
Having reunited with the Syrians, he led them into the three-storey apartment block where Sousanna lived. It was a comparatively spacious but grimy place; malodourous and noisy. A pair of boys directed him to the woman’s door. Instructing the Syrians to stay back, he knocked.
She opened the door only an inch.
Cassius deployed his most respectable voice. ‘Hello. You are Sousanna, a … friend of Optio Barba?’
‘Who’s asking?’
‘May I come in? I’m afraid I have some bad news.’
Her hand went to her mouth and she backed away. Cassius pushed the door open and he and Simo entered.
‘What is it? What’s happened?’
Cassius gestured to one of the stools beside a circular table and waited for her to sit down.
‘Kabir.’
The four Syrians rushed in and shut the door behind them.
Sousanna – a statuesque woman of about thirty wearing a pale red tunic and huge earrings – looked at them then back at Cassius. ‘What—’
‘You needn’t be alarmed,’ he said. ‘I’m afraid I don’t actually know where Barba is but I need to see him immediately. Rest assured that if you cooperate, neither you nor he will get hurt. Now, Sousanna, can you write?’
‘A little.’
‘Do you ever send him messages?’
‘Sometimes.’
‘Excellent.’
It took the optio an hour to arrive, and when he did he was not happy. They had left the door slightly ajar and he burst in, already berating Sousanna.
‘What are you playing at, woman? This better be a matter of life or death! What could—’
Idan – who was stationed behind the door – cracked him between the shoulder blades with his elbow. Barba went down on his knees. As Yablus shut and locked the door, Kabir and Kammath flanked the Roman, both with their long knives against his throat.
Cassius – who had been behind the door with the others – walked over and sat beside Sousanna. He had warned her what would happen; and how much worse it would be if she screamed. There was only one window in the apartment: it had no curtain so they had covered it with a blanket. She had assured them that she was not expecting any visitors.
Barba shook his head and sucked in some deep breaths. He was a muscular man, barrel-chested and thick-necked. His hairless head was oval, the jaw covered by a light beard. He looked up at Cassius, eyes raging. This would not be an easy man to break.
‘You – from last night.’
‘Yes.’
‘You picked the wrong man to mess with.’
‘Actually you did. I need to know everything you do about The Earthly Gods.’
‘I told you what I know last night. That’s all anyone knows.’
Cassius reached across and held Sousanna’s clammy, trembling hand.
‘Seems a nice girl.’ Cassius pointed at Kammath and Kabir. ‘Those two are the father and brother of another nice girl who was purchased by your friends. We have come a long way to get her back and we will wait no longer. Either you tell me what you know or I’ll give Sousanna to them in return. Perhaps they’ll take her back to the desert.’
‘I’m not a slave,’ said the woman.
‘Neither was she,’ replied Cassius.
Barba grinned. ‘Take her. I have three – and she’s bottom of the pile.’
‘You son of a bitch,’ cried Sousanna.
Cassius held the optio’s stare for a moment, then stood up, dragging Sousanna with him. He walked her to the door and unlocked it.
‘Simo, Yablus.’ He turned to Sousanna. ‘These two are going to take you for a walk. Don’t give them any trouble. When you come back we’ll be gone.’ He told the men: ‘One hour.’
Yablus hesitated. Cassius felt he was the obvious choice to accompany Simo. There wasn’t so much at stake for him; he might not act with the zeal Cassius required.
‘Go on,’ said Kabir, one hand on Barba’s shoulder, the other still holding the knife to his neck.
‘Somewhere quiet,’ Cassius added.
Once the trio had left, he locked the door again. He looked down at Barba’s bald head. He made himself think of the three girls; taken and exploited without a thought for them or their families. By the men this bastard worked for.
Still, he was a soldier: a low-ranking officer, in fact. Attacking him was dangerous.
‘One last chance, optio. We can still do this the easy way. Who are The Earthly Gods and where can I find them?’
‘I told you, lad. They don’t exist any more. Someone’s playing games with you.’
Cassius lashed his boot into the base of his back.
As Barba’s head shot up, he swung his right fist into his ear, sending him sprawling on to the ground.
‘Uhhhh.’ The grunt came from between gritted teeth. ‘You skinny little shit! I’ll tear you apart.’
Cassius booted him in the back again. As with the men he had hurt in the village, there was simply nothing in his mind to stop him. Two years ago – perhaps only one – he could not and would not have done this. He had changed. He did not consider that an entirely bad thing.
If this thug wanted to stay faithful to his employers, he would pay for it.
‘Where are they?’ demanded Cassius. ‘We don’t have workman’s pliers but we can still do plenty of damage.’
Barba was on his back now, face twisted by pain. ‘There ain’t no Earthly Gods.’
Kabir and Kammath looked down at him, knives at the ready. Cassius spoke to Kammath, whose face was set in a resolute stare. ‘This man knows where your sister is. Let’s try it without the knives first.’
The youth needed no encouragement. He kicked out, striking the captive on his legs and backside and sending the optio crawling into a corner. Barba held his hands up to his head but Kammath simply walked around him and carefully selected the location for the next blow. After one sharp kick to the groin, Cassius almost had to look away. But he could not. He had started this; he made himself watch it.
Kabir said something to his son then darted forward, grabbed Barba’s tunic and dragged him backwards until he was propped up against the wall. The optio was struggling to breathe.
‘Tell us. Who are they?’
Barba spat in his face.
Kabir wiped it off then back-handed him across the jaw. Now it was his turn to rain kicks down on the man. Barba continued to vainly try and defend himself but then Kammath joined in again.
Idan said something under his breath. Cassius got the impression that he did not approve of his methods.
When Kammath caught Barba on the nose, he rolled on to his back. As he put his hand up to check his face, Kabir thudded a boot into his side. A rib cracked.
Now Cassius did turn away. He wasn’t sure how much of the nausea he felt was down to what he was witnessing or the fact that he had caused it.
Then Idan joined in. Cassius wondered if it was simply out of loyalty; because he felt he had to be complicit in his friend’s actions. But he soon realised it was because the warrior was intent on bringing the attack to a swift close.
Idan dropped to the floor, one knee on Barba’s throat.
He spoke to Kabir and Kammath, who each held down one of the optio’s hands.
Idan pushed his knee downwards. Despite the damage he had taken, Barba struggled on; and his big frame caused them some difficulty until Kabir and Kammath pinned his arms close to the shoulder. Idan took the weight off.
‘Speak quickly – the truth. Or your life will end here and now.’
When the optio did nothing but grind his teeth and glare at Cassius, Idan put the weight on, the knee pressing down on Barba’s windpipe.
Cassius felt almost paralysed, as if he could not affect what was happening.
Barba’s eyes were bulging and bloodshot. His mouth trembled.
Idan took the weight off. Barba’s head dropped back. The Syrian slapped him.
‘Who are they?’ hissed Kabir, his silvery hair covering his face.
Barba managed to hold up a hand. ‘House of Screams.’
‘What?’
‘House of Screams. South of the city. You’ll find them there.’
‘Who are they?’ asked Cassius, now standing over him. ‘Who are The Earthly Gods?’
‘Just men. Rich men.’
‘Names,’ said Cassius.
‘I’ve told you all I know. I’ve never even been there.’
‘Who’s your contact? Who sent you to find me last night?’
Idan spoke into his ear. ‘Tell him everything.’
‘You bloody barbarian. I’ll have you all for this. Every one of you.’
‘Names!’ repeated Cassius.
‘You … you can’t tell them it was me. They’ll have me out of the army in a week.’
‘Why would we? Just tell us and this is over.’
‘T
here are three: Centurion Octavius, Tribune Phaedrus and a deputy magistrate – Nereus. They run it.’
Octavius – the centurion of the other unit based at the fortress.
‘Very good.’
The three Syrians moved away.
Barba lay still for a moment, face contorting with every breath.
Cassius tried to help him up but the optio waved him away.
‘You snapped a rib. I can feel the bloody bone sticking in.’
Cassius tried not to think about that. ‘I suggest you remain here. Assuming she’s the forgiving sort, Sousanna might help you. If anyone asks, you were attacked by robbers in the street. Understand?’
Barba wiped blood off his nose.
‘They keep the women there?’ asked Cassius.
The optio nodded.
‘All the time?’
‘Yes.’ Barba spat a wad of pink spittle on to the floor.
‘Have you seen three Syrian girls? Young?’
‘They don’t invite the likes of me! I just do as I’m told – to keep people away. It was just for a bit of extra money.’
Cassius had what he needed. He unlocked the door and gestured outside. As the Syrians walked into the corridor, a door opposite opened to reveal a middle-aged couple.
‘Close it,’ instructed Cassius.
The couple did so immediately.
As he reached the door, Barba spoke up again. ‘You won’t tell them?’
Cassius turned round. ‘You should have cooperated when you had the chance. But I give you my word. We won’t tell them.’
‘How do we know he won’t go straight to his superiors?’ asked Kammath as they hurried down the last set of steps and out of the apartment building.
‘We don’t,’ conceded Cassius. ‘But you shouldn’t underestimate what the possibility of being dismissed from the army means to a career soldier.’
‘We should have killed him,’ said Idan.
‘Logically, yes,’ said Cassius as they continued along a dank, arched corridor towards the street. ‘But I did not want that and I don’t believe you do either. Clearly an unpleasant man but it’s his employers we’re interested in.’
‘But to just leave him?’ said Kammath.
‘What else could we have done? Post two of our number to guard him for the next few days? Where? How? No, we just have to do as we’ve been doing all along: move quickly and hit hard before our enemies have a chance to react. Let’s find the others, then find out what we can about this House of Screams.’