Hosker, G [Sword of Cartimandua 08] The Last Frontie Read online

  “And still no news from Hadrian?”

  “I would not have expected a response so swiftly. You of all people should understand the vagaries of the sea. Cato and his men are prepared. There will be two men at the gate each night and two more in the entrance. I believed it will be during the night they will make their attempt. During the day they would attract too much attention from the town.”

  Livius mentally agreed. Since his arrival Julius had gone out of his way to make friends and spread his largesse amongst the townspeople. He had feted the senior citizens of Surrentum and the senior officers of the vigiles; any incursion would be greeted with aggression from the citizens of Surrentum. Surrentum had not had such patronage since the days of Augustus and they were keen to maintain the benefits.

  Livius found himself hoping that he could stay, here, in this most beautiful part of Italy. It was no surprise that first Augustus and then Tiberius had chosen this as a summer retreat. Although still hot, the cool sea breeze made the climate far more palatable. The blue ocean was a marked contrast from the grey chill seas around Britannia. The purples, greens, oranges and yellows of the olives, lemons, oranges and bougainvillea made the lands of Britannia seem drab and dour by comparison. His body had responded well to the excellent food, exercise and the sun’s rays. His skin, at first reddened by the sun, had now bronzed making him look more like a Roman. He also enjoyed the company of Furax. It was as though he had never been a thief on the streets of the Lupanar. He was intelligent and interested in all that he saw. Atticus in particular took great delight in imparting knowledge to the sponge that was the young boy’s brain. Once again Livius wondered at the Allfather’s machinations which had caused the boy to try to steal from Livius and brought Julius to them both. He knew that but for that hand of fate he would now be lying gutted in an inn in Rome.

  * * * * *

  Lucius Quietus was not a happy senator. His confederates, the three senators and the Praetorian Prefect had already felt the sharp edge of his tongue and the lash of his words. The insignificant creature that was Livius Lucullus Sallustius had grown out of all proportion into a giant Hydra which seemed capable of destroying them! The fact that he had been secreted away by one of Hadrian’s staunchest allies had created the idea that he was somehow pivotal in the rise of Hadrian which would culminate in his becoming Emperor. Lucius had no intention of letting that happen. Were it not for the wasteful war on the east, the ulcer that was Parthia, then the Emperor would have been in Rome and the powerful senator in a better position to consolidate his power.

  “How stands the guard?”

  The Praetorian Prefect shuffled uneasily from foot to foot, like a naughty boy in front of a schoolmaster. “We have five hundred on whom we can count, they are totally loyal and there are another thousand who will watch and wait to see what happens. As for the rest…”

  Lucius exploded with rage. “What of the monies I have put your way? Has that been wasted? Did you not use it as I told you to buy the senior officers?”

  “We did. But some who were bought were taken by the Emperor to the east and others have had a change of mind.”

  “Well change it back then!” He softened slightly. “It is certain that they are now in Surrentum?”

  “Yes before he died the agent confirmed that Julius Demetrius had bought a villa on the cliffs overlooking Surrentum.”

  “And have you hired the mercenaries who will rid us of this troublesome pair?”

  “I have fifty thugs hired from the Lupanar and they are making their way there even as we speak. By tomorrow night the threat will be eliminated.”

  “Good. Then we can prepare Rome. Have your men watch the names I gave you last week. They are the supporters of Hadrian and must be the first to die when we are certain that your killers have succeeded, this time.” The last words were spat out, almost as a threat.

  The Prefect coughed and then interjected, “His mentor Attianus, he has disappeared. He cannot be found.”

  “Another loose end. Fortunately he is an old man and should not pose a problem. But find him! And quickly.”

  * * * * * *

  The following morning was unusual in that Livius saw two clouds. He wondered if this was an omen. Cato came along the sea wall to speak to him. “The master would like to see you at the dock.”

  Livius peered over the sea wall and saw that ‘The Swan’ was tied to the jetty and there was activity. He wondered what had occurred. As he swiftly made his way through the villa he crossed the small garden Atticus used to teach Furax. Furax saw him and shouted, ”Livius! Is something happening? Can I come with you?” The haste with which Livius was crossing through showed the bright young boy that something was amiss.

  Livius saw the minute shake of the Greek’s head and smiled. Obviously this was a mathematics session and he knew how Furax hated that. “I will not be long and I promise to keep you informed.” He saw the shoulders slump and remembered when he too had tried to get out of learning Latin in his uncle’s home. How glad he as that he had been forced to endure what he had deemed a punishment. Perhaps Furax would view his mathematics lessons in the same light when he was older.

  Julius was engaged in a serious looking conversation with Hercules when he arrived, slightly out of breath at the dock. When he emerged from the cool of the passage into the heat of the day it was like walking into a wall of lava. The smoking top of Vesuvius across the bay was a constant reminder of the parlous and precarious nature of their existence on this little piece of paradise.

  “Ah Livius. Good of you to be so quick. Hercules here tells me that he saw an Imperial Trireme pull into Capreae last night.”

  “The Emperor?”

  “Could be. Equally it could be Praetorians.”

  Livius peered across the water to the saddle backed island. “There is only one way to find out Julius. Let us go and make a visit.”

  Hercules stroked his beard with a gnarled hand. “If they are Praetorians we can’t out run them. They have oars on their ship and the wind is as light as a woman’s touch today.”

  “So it is out of the question?”

  “Possibly not. Hercules, just near the Sirens you said there was a rock called Tiberius’ Leap and that you could see the villa from it?”

  “Aye.” Livius looked puzzled and Hercules pointed to the island. “You see those three rocks. Well they are supposed to be the sirens who called Ulysses to the rocks.” Looking back at Julius he said. “Yes you can see the villa, or part of it at any rate. How does that help you?”

  “If we sail there and anchor at the nearest rock to the island then we will be seen from the villa. I can wear my senatorial robes. If it is the Emperor then he will contact us. The winds do blow towards south from here do they not?”

  “Aye you generally have a northerly at this time of year but how does that help us?”

  “The Trireme is anchored on the north side of the island. We would have a head start if they pursued us and the wind would help being at our backs. Now that you have taken the weed from the ship ‘The Swan’ should fly should she not?”

  Hercules puffed himself up, “Oh she’ll fly all right, like a true swan!”

  “Without raining on your idea Julius, if it is the Praetorians then they will pursue us as we pass their mooring. They will see us.”

  “Good point and convinces me that we are right. If they pursue us we will know that they are the enemy and we will sail straight to Britannia, for we still have the … what do you call it Hercules, the weather gauge?.” He shrugged at the shocked look on Hercules’ face .

  “That means leaving Furax here alone.”

  “Not alone Livius for he will have Atticus and with us gone he should be much safer. Come let us go. Time is wasting.”

  The voyage across the bay seemed to take an age as they were in the lee of the mountains and Vesuvius. It seemed to add exponentially to the tension. It was taking forever to get to their destination but when they reached it their end might be
imminent. The Trireme looked menacing, its beak facing out to sea, ready for a swift departure or was it to head off intruders such as ‘The Swan’? Livius could feel the tension from all on board; From Hercules with his hand grasped tightly around the tiller, through Cato who was nervously slipping his sword in and out of his scabbard through to Julius who was trying to affect indifference by pretending to watch Vesuvius but his drumming fingers belied his calm. Livius felt he was the calmest of them all for no matter what the outcome it would mark an end to the uncertainty. It might also lead, possibly his death, if it were their enemies and if not then a solution to their problem. Either way he was looking forward to the anchorage beneath the deadly drop.

  Once they were half way across the bay their speed increased as the wind caught their sails. Suddenly one of the lookouts shouted something to Hercules. Julius and Livius didn’t catch the man’s heavily accented words and they looked at Hercules for a translation. “He said there is activity on the trireme. They have seen us.” They watched as flags were suddenly raised from the Imperial ship. “That’ll be a signal to the shore.”

  “About?”

  Hercules shrugged. “Could be getting the crew back on board to chase us, could be a message to say they have seen us or, “he added ominously, “it could be signalling a ship from the south side of the island to cut us off.”

  Livius look accusingly at Julius. “Which was not one of the possibilities we considered eh Julius?”

  “Don’t listen to him Livius. I have come to learn that Hercules regards the bottle as half empty when in fact it is half full.”

  Hercules spat contemptuously over the side. “It I had a bottle now it would be totally empty because I would drain it.” Their laughter eased the tension and it was with some relief that they slipped around the headland and headed for the Sirens.

  As they edged their way gingerly around the cape under reduced sail every eye was on the stretch of water beyond the Sirens. A collective sigh of relief was breathed when they saw an empty sea. “Lower the sail!” As the sail was lowered Hercules pushed the tiller hard over. “Drop anchor!” As the anchor was dropped Hercules signalled his first mate to stand by with an axe. If they needed to leave quickly he would lose the anchor and the rope.

  The stone anchor dropped through the bluey green sea. Livius was amazed that he could see it clearly on the bottom some forty feet below. The seas around Britannia were so murky and grey that it would have been impossible to see. He turned to see that Julius was staring intently at the tip of the building which loomed some three hundred feet above their heads. “That is some drop Julius.”

  “The Emperor Tiberius thought himself a scientist and had his guards throw slaves from the top to see the effect. Me I just think he was a cruel bastard.”

  “And now we wait.”

  “And now we wait. Hopefully it will not be too long.”

  “For good or ill you mean? There is no happy medium with this wait. Either we end in a cell or a palace. Life in Rome is a little more precarious than on the battlefield Julius. There at least you control some of your own destiny. Here we are at the whim of the gods.”

  The air was still and the pennant on the masthead hung limp and slack. “We couldn’t move now even if ewe wanted to, “observed Hercules.

  “Half empty again Hercules.”

  “I’ve told you before just give me the bottle and I will empty it.”

  Their banter was ended by the masthead lookout who yelled. “Ships coming around the headland!”

  Suddenly, propelled by banks of oars two small galleys hurtled around the headland. They were so small and swift that Hercules knew they could never escape in time and he shook his head at the first mate. Their fate was no longer in their own hands. One of them stopped across their bows whilst the other their stern. “I’m with Hercules on this one Julius. Definitely half empty.”

  A voice from the boat at the stern called up. “You are invited to the villa gentlemen please join us.”

  Shrugging Livius and Julius nodded their farewells to Hercules and began to climb aboard the galley. The officer in command, a marine optio shouted out cheerfully, “Come along Captain. You too are invited!”

  Mentally cursing his decision to join this ill advised venture Hercules climbed down to join the other prisoners. “Look after her Gaius!”

  The optio smiled a joyless smile. “Do not worry captain. My companion will remain with your ship until a decision has been made about your fate.”

  Chapter 5

  The harbour was dominated by the huge Imperial Trireme but there were still many other ships hidden in the harbour. They could now see that the guard boats, like the one in which they were interned, had been hidden by the huge ship will seemed to fill the entrance to the harbour. A century of Praetorian Guards awaited them along the jetty with a small covered cart. The marine optio grinned cruelly at them as they were led off by the Praetorian Centurion. He took them to the cart and said, “Get in! You get a ride to the palace.” The captain waited until the other two had mounted and made to follow. “No old man. You wait here. We just wanted to make sure you didn’t try to slip away in the night.”

  Hercules sniffed his indignation but wisely remain silent. This was, potentially, the base of all their enemies. “Take care Hercules.”

  “You too master.”

  Their mule was led and Livius faced Julius in the cart as the column began to plod its way up the steep and twisted track which led to Tiberius’ palace. “I half expected Lucius Quietus to be waiting for us at the dock, gloating.”

  “No Livius. He would wait in the cool of the palace to add to our discomfort.” He glanced across the water to the hazy cliffs of Surrentum. “I hope Atticus and Furax are safe. Perhaps I should have left Cato with them?”

  “I do not think that old soldier would have traded his role as a bodyguard to that of a babysitter. I am sure that the two of them have enough wits to survive. Do not forget Furax survived on the street.”

  “True but then his only danger comprised whores, murderers and thieves. A traitorous senator is a totally different proposition, far more dangerous.”

  The journey up the steep slope seemed to take forever and Livius was glad that he did not have to walk it as his legs were not quite ready for such a stern test. The villa, when they reached it, had all the appearance of a fortress with small towers, ditches and heavily armed sentries. Should anyone have been foolish enough to try to assault the refuge they would have needed an enormous force. A different Centurion greeted them and gestured for them to follow him. Julius noticed that their guards were all fully armed and that they were surrounded completely as they made their way from the searing heat of the hill into the cool of the atrium. The Centurion halted and turned to them. “Wait here.”

  Leaving four men to guard them he left. A few minutes he returned and took the guards with him. Livius looked at Julius. “What does this mean?”

  “I am not sure. Perhaps no witnesses to our end. Don’t forget Tiberius’ Leap. We may yet get to swim! Keep your wits about you my young friend and look for a way out.”

  “I wouldn’t do that my old friend or you would miss an excellent dinner.” Hadrian’s voice preceded him into the room in which they waited. “And good to see you too, Livius Sallustius. The Emperor’s thanks for a job well done last year.” Livius had expected to die and now he was being greeted by the Emperor’s right hand man. He couldn’t quite take it in. “Come let us bathe and then eat. We can talk more privately there.”

  Once they were in the bath and the sweat and dirt of the day began to ooze from their bodies Hadrian ordered his servants and slaves to leave. “I am sorry about the pretence but I am afraid that your message has made me suspect my own guards. I brought with me those that I can trust but there are some on the island whom I suspect are in the pay of our friend, the treacherous Quietus. Now I am sure, young Decurion, that you have questions. The senator and I know and understand each other well but you, we
ll...”

  Embarrassed at being the focus of attention and being in the presence of such an august personage he was not sure where to start and then he remembered Marcus Maximunius and his advice. ‘Just say what you believe and all will be well.’ “All I need to know sir is what you want of me? My friend here seems to think you have a role for me in Britannia.”

  Hadrian roared with laughter. “Excellent! An honest question from an honest man. How refreshing and how so unlike Rome. Are there many like you in Britannia?”

  Julius answered for him. “Many sir. Many. I know for I was honoured to serve with them.”

  “Good then I shall have to visit this island which terrifies so many of our leaders. The land at the edge of the world! To get to business then. The Emperor is not a well man but he still has plans for Britannia. He intended to build a solid frontier in the north of the country; across the land in which you and the senator did such fine work for the Empire. We need someone we can trust. Someone who can watch everyone including the Governor.” Livius and Julius exchanged looks of amazement- he was being asked to spy on the Governor! “This is not that we do not trust the Governor but we need a non-political eye. We also know that you know and understand the people. There is unrest there and your views would be most useful. Could you perform thatfunction?”

  “Well yes but, if I am to be completely honest, wouldn’t the Governor be suspicious of an old crippled soldier wandering around the country?”

  Excellent! Intelligent too. You are quite right. No we have another role for you. We have sent over some Pannonian Horsemen. I believe you were in Marcus’ Horse which had been Pannonian?” Livius and Julius nodded. “It is under strength and we would have you bring it up to strength and do what you did before and patrol the North of Britannia.”

  “But sir my legs. I am not as mobile as I was.”

  “Livius you are getting better and remember the Decurion Princeps does not have to ride as much as a Decurion.” Julius knew his young friend could do the job easily, he was made for it; a born leader and a natural spy.