Danger in the Wind (17 page)

“I see.” He sipped his wine with a thoughtful air. “As you say, it happens. I’ll miss him.”

“Actually, I’m surprised the news hasn’t reached here already. Another soldier, Portius, was at the mansio enquiring after Terentius, the day after he was killed. I assumed he was coming straight here to report what had happened.”

“Portius? We’ve nobody called Portius in the unit. Wait, I think I vaguely remember Terentius mentioning a friend called Portius, but he was based down south somewhere. That’s right. When Terentius was seconded to Londinium, he said something about meeting up with an old friend there.”

“That explains it then.”

“May I ask, what’s happening to his body? Will there be a funeral? And his things…he had a long-term girlfriend here, I expect he’d want her to have them. ”

“We sent them to Eburacum with his body. I assume the headquarters people there will have arranged for them to be returned to his own base.”

He nodded. “Of course. What with being away for a few days, I’m obviously not up to date with the latest news.”

“They’re auxiliaries at Cataractonium, I assume?”

He nodded. “Batavians. Like they are here. Good lads, and most of the officers are all right too. The trouble is, being in charge of a tannery is hardly a plum posting. It’s a sort of punishment really. If I’m a good boy there for a few months, I’ll be allowed back here, which is where I belong. It can’t come soon enough for me.”

Now, I thought, maybe I’ll find out what he’s done to deserve what is in effect a demotion. But just then Brutus came in with Baca and the drivers and guards.

I waved to him and he strolled over to our table. “Horses and carriages all settled in, Aurelia, and we’ve all got somewhere to sleep. I’m off over to the fort for a beer or two with a couple of old friends there. They’re putting me up for the night. The others can eat their meal here. Now, are you sure you’re happy about me going back home tomorrow? I can easily stay an extra day or two.”

“Thanks, Brutus. I’d appreciate it if you could wait till we see how my cousin is in the morning. If she’s still poorly and she isn’t up to receiving visitors, it looks as if the party will be cancelled. I might just call in on her very briefly, and then head for home again. Disappointing, but there it is.” I turned to Philippus. “Could you send someone here with a message first thing, to let us know how Jovina is? After a night’s sleep, especially if she’s seen the doctor, she might be much better, but if not…”

“Of course. I’ll come myself and tell you how things are.”

“Fine,” Brutus said. “I’ll find you after breakfast, Aurelia, but we’ll not get ready to leave till we’ve had the latest news. See you tomorrow.”

“Enjoy yourself.”

“I wish I could be more positive,” Philippus said. “I know Mother’s longing to see you, Aurelia, but we really must be careful not to over-tax her strength. I think I should be on my way back to her now.”

“Well then, give her my love, tell her I’m longing to see her, too. And let’s hope for better news in the morning.”

“I’ll drink to that. Ah, now here’s Gambax. I wonder what he wants, as if I didn’t know?”

A good-looking soldier was making his way over to our table. Lean, sunburned, fair-haired, almost as handsome as Philippus, but younger and with a certain hesitancy about his manner. And presumably junior, because he saluted as he approached.

Philippus acknowledged the salute. “Well, Gambax, what can I do for you?”

The boy frowned. “I was hoping you’d have a message for me.”

“Really? Who from, I wonder? Not my mother, she’s too ill. Not Father, he’s resting. Not one of these lovely ladies, surely?”

“You know who. Hasn’t she written? She promised.”

“Girls’ promises, Gambax, are as reliable as wax javelins.”

“Oh, well, I expect she’s been busy. Never mind. Could you take a message to her from me then, please?” He produced a note-tablet from his pouch and passed it over to Philippus. “It’s to tell her I’ve got myself assigned to the work detail that’s preparing everything for your mother’s birthday party, and I’m on guard duty during the party itself. So I ought to be able to see her then. Isn’t that good?”

“My, my, love’s a wonderful thing. Yes, leave it to me, I’ll see she gets it.” Suddenly he smiled. “And now I think about it, there is a message for you. Not a note, but she says she’ll be at the usual spot at the usual time tomorrow. All right?”

“Wonderful! Thank you. Tell her I’ll be there too.”

“And the usual messenger’s fee?”

“Of course. Your jug of Felernian’s waiting at the bar.”

He hurried off, and Philippus went to the bar and brought back a wine-jug. “Try this, ladies, it’s good stuff. Brought to us courtesy of my sister’s latest lover-boy. There’s a lot to be said for acting as a go-between. So here’s a health to all young lovers. On one condition though: not a word of any of this to the parents, all right?”

“Our lips are sealed. Except for drinking of course.” I sipped the Falernian, and found it considerably better than what we’d had already.

Philippus drank with relish. “I really must get home, so you ladies enjoy the rest of the jug. It’s the most drinkable wine in this place, and I’ve developed quite a taste for it. Long may their romance continue.” He set down his beaker. “I’ll say good-night then. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.”

I pretended not to notice this last remark was addressed to Vitellia. But the young lady herself noticed all right, and gazed after Philippus with interest.

“Isn’t he nice? You didn’t tell me your cousin had such a good-looking son.”

“Didn’t I? It’s ages since I saw him, I was still thinking of him as a boy. I suppose he is quite handsome now. A bit of a lad, though, I’d say, wouldn’t you? ”

“Perhaps. But definitely fanciable.” That made me smile. “Fanciable” used to be a favourite word of Albia’s, in the days before she was married, when she seemed to be forever in and out of love. She’d been susceptible to a charming smile or flattering male attention, until she met Candidus and decided he was the one she really wanted. Perhaps Lucius wasn’t, after all, going to be Vitellia’s one-and-only love? Being surrounded by admiring soldiers might make her realise that.

Our meal was adequate, a thick stew supposed to have pork in it but in fact consisting mainly of onions and turnips, and insipid gravy that could have done with more pepper. It was followed with some raisin cakes. The Falernian helped to wash it down. All in all, it could have been a lot worse, but I kept thinking that if we’d been at the Oak Tree it would have been a lot better.

“Aurelia!” I looked up at the sound of my name, and saw Quintus striding to our table. He bowed formally to us, but I caught the look in his eyes, and it made me glad.

“What a pleasant surprise to find you here, Aurelia. I thought you’d be at your cousin’s house.”

“We should be, but she’s unwell, so her son managed to get us accommodation here.”

“It looks busy. I hope they’ve room for me and Titch.”

“If you haven’t got a room booked, you may be sleeping in the stables. Most of Eurytus’ retinue are here.”

He shrugged. “I’m sure the innkeeper can find us somewhere for tonight. After that we’ll be staying in the fort I expect. I’ll have a word with him, and then bring some more wine. What are you drinking?”

“The Felernian’s not bad.”

“Praise from an innkeeper! It must be the nectar of the gods.” He walked over to the bar, and I watched him talking to Nonius. I couldn’t hear what they said above the customers’ chatter, but the course of the conversation was clear enough. Nonius shook his head several times, but Quintus persisted, until Nonius began to show signs of impatience.

Then Quintus produced a small piece of papyrus from his belt-pouch, and I whispered to Vitellia, “He’s showing his travel pass from the Emperor. It’s a very high-powered one, it’ll get him in all right. Yes, look, Nonius has just remembered he has a spare room after all.”

Sure enough, the innkeeper was nodding now. I almost felt sorry for the poor fellow: he already had an inundation of Eurytus’ entourage, and now here was another Imperial officer whom he dared not refuse.

Quintus laid a couple of silver pieces on the bar, glancing towards our table, and Nonius nodded again and led him out of the room. He came back almost immediately and brought a jug of wine over to us himself.

“You found our friend a room, then?” I asked.

“He’s having my youngest sons’ room for tonight, the boys can bed down on the floor somewhere.” He spread his hands. “I don’t see many travel passes like that one. He’s got friends in high places, hasn’t he?”

“He has,” I agreed. “But don’t worry, he’s cast in a different mould from…from other Imperial visitors in this part of the province.”

“I’m glad to hear it. Ah, here he is. Everything satisfactory, sir?”

“Very, thanks, Nonius.” He pulled up a stool. “Now, I hear good things of this Falernian.”

We drank and chatted for a while. Quintus took trouble to make himself agreeable to Vitellia, and she answered politely, but I noticed she was tired, and in the end she gave way to a huge yawn.

“I’m sleepy,” she announced. “Please forgive me, Quintus Antonius. I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m tired after all the travelling and excitement.”

“We’ve had a busy time these last few days,” I said. “Don’t stand on ceremony, we’ll excuse you if you feel like an early night.”

“Thank you, I think I do. Will you be coming soon?”

Quintus smiled at her. “I’m afraid I’m going to keep Aurelia talking a bit longer. As you gathered yesterday, we haven’t seen one another for a long time.”

I summoned Baca from the corner table where the servants had finished their meal, and wished Vitellia good-night.

“I shan’t wait up,” she answered, with her dazzling smile.

“That child is developing a sense of humour,” I said as she disappeared.

“Perhaps she was being serious. Lucius must have told her about you and me. She seems a nice enough girl, and she’s quite a looker. Lucius always goes for the very pretty empty-headed ones, doesn’t he?”

“Does he? I never get to meet his girl-friends.”

“She’s a typical example, and he must be really hooked, to be offering to marry her. He presumably thinks an alliance with her father will help his career, and he’s right. I know him slightly, he’s quite influential in the governor’s circle, and very rich—his estates cover about half the countryside between Londinium and the south coast.”

I didn’t get the chance to suggest what he could do with his estates, because a servant came hurrying between the tables and stopped at ours. “Mistress Aurelia Marcella?”

“Yes, I’m Aurelia Marcella.”

“I’ve brought a message for you. From my mistress, Jovina Lepida.”

“Ah, good. Is she feeling better now?”

“A little, I think. She asked me to say welcome to Isurium, and to give you this.” She held out a note-tablet. “And she told me to wait for your answer, if you please.”

This is odd, I thought as I untied the cord. Why has she written to me when she’s already sent Philippus to look after us?

The note gave me the answer.

“Aurelia from Jovina, greetings. Please come to visit me tomorrow. They are trying to stop me seeing you.”

I managed to keep my face impassive as I looked up at the girl. She returned my gaze, and I saw the anxiety in her face.

“What’s your name?”

“I’m Selena, the mistress’ confidential maid.”

There was a very slight emphasis on the word “confidential”. I decided that if Jovina trusted this servant, then I could too.

“You know what’s in the message, Selena?”

She nodded.

“Who does she mean?”

“Someone close to her. Someone she should be able to trust. He’s being far too protective, and it’s making her worse, not better.”

“I’m not going to make her ill if I visit her?”

“Gods, no, Mistress, quite the opposite. She wants to see you very much.”

“Then tell her the answer is yes. Come what may, I’ll be there.”

“That’s good.” She smiled, looking relieved. “Thank you. I’ll see you tomorrow then. Good-night now.”

When she’d gone, Quintus stood up. “Why don’t we take our drinks into the garden? Where it’s cooler.”

And a little more private. “Why not? It’s a lovely night.”

It was pleasant to be away from the noisy, stuffy barroom, in the fading light with the first stars showing. We found a secluded bench near a laurel hedge, with nobody in earshot. I showed him Jovina’s note. “I’ll go and see her tomorrow first thing. I’ve got to find out what’s wrong there. I suppose if she’s really ill, her party will be cancelled, and we’ll have to go home again. But it sounds as if she’s better than we’ve been told.”

“I hope so. I’m relying on you to get firmly established in her house.”

“I haven’t done too badly so far. I’ve seen two members of her family already. Mallius at the fort, and Philippus here.”

“Good. Your first impressions?”

”Mallius was very drunk and probably won’t even remember the meeting. From the way the men reacted, it wasn’t unusual to see him like that. Philippus is charming, entertaining, in fact a likeable young man, though a scamp. He’s based at Cataractonium, but he’s staying in Isurium till after the party.”