Scarrow Simon: Brothers in Blood

There was a blank look in the man’s eyes and then recognition and a struggle to concentrate before he nodded, swallowed, and replied, ‘Yes.’

Narcissus smiled. ‘That’s better. Now then, this morning you set out from the palace at first light to visit a house on the Aventine.’

‘Was it only. . this morning?’

‘Yes,’ Narcissus replied patiently. ‘You were followed by Septimus here, who managed to stay with you without being spotted. This time.’ He glanced at his agent son and Septimus had the good grace to look embarrassed. ‘Although you took the usual precautions, changing pace, doubling back and so on, Septimus stayed with you and saw you enter the house of Senator Vespasian. Now, I know that the good senator has been spending the last few months at his villa at Stabiae. There are rumours that all is not well between him and his wife, sadly. So I assume that the reason for your visit was to see his wife Flavia, nay?’

Musa stared at him a moment and nodded.

‘Then please tell me that it isn’t because you’ve taken a leaf out of your master’s book and decided to screw someone above your social station.’

Ancus chuckled until the imperial secretary shot him an angry look and he fell silent and turned his attention to rinsing his instruments clean in a small bowl of stained water. Narcissus turned his attention back to the man lying on the table.

‘So what was your business with Flavia?’

‘A. . message, from Pallas.’

‘I see, and what was this message?’

‘My master asks her for her support. . when Nero comes to the throne.’

‘More if than when , my friend. Your master is fooling himself if he thinks he can draw on the support of Flavia and her circle of associates. Contrary to the face she so carefully presents to the public, the woman is a fervent republican. She’d sooner devour her children than support your scheming snake of a master. The lovely Flavia has been most useful in drawing traitors out of the shadows to join her conspiracy against the Emperor, never suspecting that I watch her every move.’ He paused and stroked his cheek. ‘Tell me, what did Pallas promise Flavia in return for her support?’

‘Preferment. . for her husband. When Nero comes to. . power.’

‘The poet emperor and the professional soldier. I doubt there would be much in the way of small talk there. Besides, Vespasian seems to make his own fortune in this world. An admirable man in many ways, but there’s more than a spark of ambition there as well. He will need to be watched, and I have just the agent for the job. There’s not a man born who can resist the charms of young Caenis. My dear Musa, I fear your visit to Vespasian’s house has been a waste of time. Your master, Pallas, has put you at great risk for nothing. He has caused you this torment on little more than a speculative whim. All that you have endured here today can be blamed on him. On his poor judgement. Surely you can see that?’

Narcissus scrutinised Musa’s expression, looking for any sign of the doubt he was trying to plant. The business with Flavia was no more than a ploy, the chink in his opponent’s armour that he wanted to prise open to reveal the secrets he was really after.

Musa’s expression suddenly screwed up and he clenched his teeth as he struggled to contain a fresh wave of agony. The imperial secretary indulged him, waiting patiently for the pain to subside before he pressed him again.

‘Musa, you are being used by Pallas. He regards you as nothing more than a worthless tool to be thrown away on the chance of securing the goodwill of Flavia. Think on that. How little regard he has for you. You are a good man, I can see that. Every bit as skilful as the best of my agents. There would be a place for you at my side, when you recover. I swear it. Serve me and you will be treated with respect and rewarded well.’ He cupped Musa’s cheek in his hand. ‘Do you understand?’

Musa stared up at him, and a tear rolled from the corner of one eye. He swallowed and nodded weakly.

‘There,’ Narcissus said soothingly. ‘I’m glad you’ve seen sense. It pains me to see what has been done to you. After we’ve spoken I’ll have you moved to a comfortable room in my house, and your wounds will be treated. When you’ve fully recovered we’ll talk about finding you a position in my organisation.’

Musa closed his eyes and nodded weakly.

‘There’s one other thing, before we leave this place,’ Narcissus continued. ‘I need to know what Pallas is up to in Britannia. Has he spoken of his plans for the new province?’

‘Yes. .’

‘I think you should tell me about it,’ Narcissus coaxed gently. ‘If you are to work for me there must be no secrets between us, my friend. Tell me.’

Musa was silent for a moment, steeling himself to control his pain before he spoke. He did not open his eyes as he spoke, breathing shallow breaths as he kept his body as still as possible in order to prevent the pain worsening.

‘Pallas wants the campaign to fail. . He wants Rome to withdraw from Britannia.’

‘Why?’ Septimus intervened.

‘Shhh!’ Narcissus silenced him. ‘Stay back and keep your mouth shut.’ He turned back to Musa. ‘Continue, my friend. Why would Pallas want us to leave the island?’

‘He seeks to undermine Claudius. . If the legions withdraw then it will embarrass the Emperor, and his legitimate son, Britannicus.’

‘And it will undermine me, of course.’

‘Yes.’

Narcissus smiled. That was the real reason for Pallas’s scheme. It had little to do with the Emperor, who was old and would die within a matter of years, if not months, in any case. It had everything to do with eliminating any rivals for the position of closest adviser to the Emperor when Nero took the throne. Since Narcissus had supported the invasion and worked hard to win round the senators who had doubted the wisdom of the conquest of Britannia, any withdrawal from the island would destroy his reputation and influence at the imperial court. It would also damage Prince Britannicus who had been named for the conquest of the island. Who would support the cause of an emperor named after an island that had effectively defied the will of Rome?

Narcissus drew a deep breath before he pressed on with his interrogation. ‘How does Pallas intend to achieve his aim?’

‘He has sent an agent. . to conspire with Caratacus. . and a powerful noble of the northern tribes. . If Caratacus can unite them. . then our legions cannot win. . The province must fall.’

‘The name of the agent? What is his name? Speak.’

Musa shook his head and winced. ‘I do not know. Pallas did not say.’

Narcissus hissed and stood up with an exasperated expression.

‘There’s more. . Something more you should know,’ Musa muttered.

‘What?’

‘The agent has another purpose. . To eliminate two of your men.’

‘My men?’ Narcissus cocked an eyebrow. ‘I have no agents in Britannia.’

‘Pallas thinks otherwise. . He means to kill two officers he knows are linked to you.’

‘Who?’

Musa struggled to concentrate before he spoke again. ‘Quintus Licinius Cato. . and Lucius Cornelius Macro.’

‘Those two?’ Narcissus could not repress a chuckle. ‘They don’t work for me. Not any more. Pallas is wasting his time if he thinks their deaths will harm me. Besides, I pity any of his agents that decide to cross swords with those two. Is that it? Is there anything else to tell me?’

Musa licked his lips and shook his head slightly. ‘No, that is all.’

‘You’ve done well, my friend.’ Narcissus patted his hand. ‘Now it’s time to rest. Time to recover.’

The corners of Musa’s lips twitched in a brief smile of relief and his body relaxed. Narcissus released his hand and moved away, over towards the door, and he gestured to Septimus to join him.