Nick Brown - The Emperor's silver

She said the word as if it was the first she had ever spoken. ‘Free.’

‘I wonder where they are now.’ Cassius was sitting at the table, resting his head on his hands, watching Simo cook dinner.

‘Indavara and Mahalie, sir?’

‘No, this brother and sister.’

Having left Indavara to find Mahalie somewhere to stay, Cassius and Simo had called in at headquarters, where Cosmas had reported the results of his initial interviews with the villa staff. Cassius knew he should have conducted them himself but he’d found the prospect too depressing.

‘The man was named Alexon, the woman Amathea, the old bastard who Kallikres killed – Skiron. The others were all hired here in Antioch and, despite having lived with them for several months, seem to know precious little about them. I shall pass on the details to Abascantius and the treasury but I don’t hold out much hope. And they still have the dies. Marcellinus will not be impressed.’

‘Don’t be too hard on yourself, sir. You stopped their operation here in Berytus and I’m sure they’d think twice about trying it again.’

‘Hopefully. Gods, if Indavara hadn’t taken his trip to that dump, I’d still be flailing around in the dark.’

‘That letter you were given, sir, was it from Master Quentin?’

‘Yes. He’ll be here in the morning. Has his own reports to compile, I suppose.’

Cassius looked at Simo’s broad back as the attendant tipped some spices into the pot and stirred them into the beef stew. It was one of Cassius’s favourites, a Gaulish family recipe with leeks and mushrooms. Simo wasn’t humming as he usually did when he cooked; he had been quiet since the morning.

‘Quite a moment, wasn’t it?’

‘Sir?’

‘When the poor girl understood that it was really happening.’

‘It was, sir.’

‘Two years, I pledge it. We will both be free.’

‘I do not long for it, sir. My only wish is to lead a good life, whether I am a slave or not.’

‘That will be easier if you are free. We both know that.’

Simo smiled then took some more herbs from a little basket and chopped them on a block.

‘Do you know I swear I can still smell that settling basin?’

‘You smell fine, sir. But perhaps a trip to the baths tomorrow?’

‘Oh, certainly.’ Cassius put a finger up his nose. Increasingly painful scabs had formed in both nostrils. ‘I’ve definitely caught something. You’ll have to find me a treatment, Simo.’

‘I will look into it first thing tomorrow, sir.’

‘Indavara is fine, of course. Tell me, have you ever known him to be ill? The man has not only the strength of an ox but the constitution.’

‘He does seem blessed with good health, sir.’

‘I wonder if we’ll hear anything from the Service man in Siscia – I would be fascinated to know where Indavara came from. He must have been a warrior, we can assume that at least.’

Simo threw the rest of the herbs into the pot and turned around. ‘The woman he remembered after hearing the song, sir – it could have been his mother. He might have an entire family waiting for him somewhere.’

‘When the time comes we shall do all we can to help him get home. Agreed?’

‘Yes, sir, I think-’

‘Gods!’

The knock on the door startled Cassius, even though there had already been two earlier that evening – canvassers wanting to know who the inhabitants would be voting for in the upcoming election. Both visitors had been supporting Diadromes.

‘Get rid of them, would you, Simo.’

The Gaul took the spoon out of the stew and laid it beside the griddle.

‘But check the spyhole before you open up.’

‘Yes, sir.’

Indavara and Mahalie walked out of the inn and on to the street.

He looked back at the place. It was small but orderly and clean, with hanging baskets outside and nice balconies for the rooms. He had rented Mahalie’s for a week and paid in advance. It was on the first floor and close to the owner’s quarters. They were a middle-aged couple; Indavara wanted a place with a woman and it had taken a while to find one.

‘Will you be all right here?’

‘It seems very nice.’

He had watched Mahalie place her blanket of belongings on the bed then leave it untouched. Assuming that she didn’t want to unpack in front of him, he’d suggested a walk before he left. Corbulo was right; he had to keep his distance. They would be leaving soon.

‘Down to the sea?’

‘Yes.’

They were less than a hundred yards away and had only to follow the smell of fish and the squawking gulls. This area was west of the main harbour and contained many inns and taverns. Indavara hoped he could find his way back to the tower; it was at least a mile away.

They walked past women lighting lanterns and men returning from work. At the end of the street was a quay where fishermen were unloading their catch. They went to look at the contents of the baskets and saw fish, crabs and lobsters, only a few of which were still moving.

Indavara doubted if Mahalie had said more than ten things all day. He couldn’t think of much more to say himself so was almost relieved when a lad carrying a tray of cakes came past. For once he wasn’t hungry but he bought two and they ate them sitting on an upturned rowing boat.

‘Why did you help me?’ she asked when they had finished.

‘Just … I don’t know … because I could.’

Because no one helped me.

She wiped crumbs off her mouth. ‘You said you were a slave.’

‘A fighter. For six years. I won my freedom.’

‘I cannot repay you.’

‘Seeing you happy will be enough.’

And so she gave him a smile.

‘What about before?’ she asked. ‘Before you were a fighter? Where are you from?’

‘The sun is almost down. I must go. May I come and see you tomorrow?’

‘Of course,’ she said. ‘Please. I don’t know anyone else.’ She pushed her hair out of her eyes and looked out at the sea.

Thank you, my Fortuna. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Cassius got up and walked over to the door. ‘What do you mean, there’s no one there?’

Simo moved aside so he could look through the spyhole. Cassius couldn’t see much because of the fading light but there indeed seemed to be no one outside the door. He stepped back and exchanged a blank look with Simo.

Then came another knock.

‘Who is it?’

‘You are there, sir.’

Cassius checked the spyhole again. He could see two city sergeants armed with clubs and swords. They were standing too far back for him to see much of their faces.

‘Yes. Who are you?’

‘We were sent by Master Diadromes, sir. There has been an attack on the barracks – nothing too serious but he wanted to post us here just in case.’

Cassius reached for the top bolt, then hesitated. He looked through the spyhole again. ‘Have I met you two?’

‘You’ve met me, sir,’ said the second man. ‘It’s Vespilo.’

Cassius glanced at Simo then let out a sigh of relief. He unbolted the top, Simo did the bottom.

‘So what happened at the barracks?’

‘Some arrows were shot over the wall. No casualties.’ When Vespilo came forward, Cassius recognised his face.

‘Good. Any other problems?’

‘No, sir. It seems Deputy Diadromes is on top of things. Is your bodyguard around?’

‘No, but he’ll be back soon. Simo here will bring you out some stew when it’s done, how does that sound?’

‘Certainly smells good,’ said the other sergeant.

‘Tastes even better, I assure you.’

Vespilo gave a nod and the pair set off back down the path.

Cassius shut the door behind them.

He had no idea what time it was when he awoke. Inside and outside all was dark.