Danger in the Wind (24 page)

A diplomatic illness, no doubt, and I couldn’t blame her. There were few enough women at the party, and we were all Romans. I could imagine how a Brigantian, only newly a citizen, might feel shy about attending.

“Thank you,” Quintus said. “We’d be delighted, as soon as your wife is well again.”

Brennus himself seemed relaxed now, and Quintus and I made sure he felt at ease. I told him all the news from Oak Bridges, such as it was, and we began asking him about life at Isurium, and congratulating him on the governor’s plans to make the town a tribal administration centre.

“It’s a great honour,” he said. “A responsibility too, of course. That’s why…” he lowered his voice and glanced at Eurytus, who was in close conversation with Chloe. “That’s why I’m so anxious that the next few days go well. If Lord Flavius Eurytus takes an unfavourable report back to Caesar…”

“I’m sure he won’t do that,” Quintus said. “It’s the tax revenues that interest him, not the status of individual towns.”

“I know, but we’ve had some problems with the collectors here. That’s one reason why he’s doing an inspection. I’ve tried to persuade the people they must stay calm, no protests, above all no violence. This business with young Venutius…But we shouldn’t talk about such heavy matters at a party.”

“I really don’t think you have anything to worry about, from what I know of Caesar.”

“You know Caesar? You’ve actually met him?”

“I have. I was in Rome last winter. And let me assure you, Eurytus isn’t the only one capable of guaranteeing that Caesar will read his reports, if there’s a need.”

Brennus looked deeply impressed. “Thank you, sir. That’s very reassuring.”

“If I were Caesar,” I put in, but very quietly, “I’d award you a laurel wreath in recognition of what you’re having to put up with just now.”

Brennus allowed himself a broad grin. “Commander Trebonius probably deserves one too. But I’ll do what I have to. And after all, tax auditing must be a very demanding job, don’t you think?”

“Undoubtedly,” Quintus said, and we all laughed.

Conversation moved on to lighter matters as the servants brought around the food and wine, which were excellent. Besides the roast pork and lamb, there were roast chickens and ducks, a selection of summer vegetables, and fresh bread still warm from the oven. Apricots stewed in wine followed, and a very sticky light pastry stuffed with nuts and coated with honey. Three different kinds of cheese made up the final course, with more warm bread. There was no break between the courses, as there would be with a long formal banquet, but we had music to accompany the meal, a girl who played the kithara and sang Greek songs in a sweet, high voice.

As the servants started clearing away dishes and plates, I leaned back, feeling content and pleasantly surprised. This had been an excellent celebration, with no hint of trouble either from the native rebels outside, or the quarrelsome family actually present. Even Jovina seemed to have thrown off her initial nervousness and to be really enjoying herself. “It’s gone well, hasn’t it?”

Quintus answered, “It has. But it’s not over yet.”

Brennus was startled. “Are you expecting some sort of trouble?”

“Not trouble exactly,” Quintus smiled. “But there’s something we still have to face, and there’s no escape.” He signalled to a slave to refill our beakers. “Don’t look so alarmed, we can survive if we put our minds to it.”

Brennus did indeed look worried. “Survive what?”

“The speeches, of course.”

Chapter XVII

Trebonius stood up, and his major-domo called for silence.

“Welcome, everyone, to this very special party. It’s to mark a very important milestone for my friend and deputy commander Marcus Mallius Melandrus and his family. We are here to celebrate the birthday of his dear wife Jovina.” He turned to her with a bow, and she blushed. “She’s warned me she’ll murder me if I reveal exactly
which
birthday it is.” We all laughed dutifully. “So I’ll simply say she must have discovered the Fountain of Youth here in Isurium, because I swear she looks younger every year. Let us all raise our beakers and drink a toast. To Jovina!”

We all cheered and drank the toast, and Jovina rose to her feet and said, “Thank you. Thank you all for coming, and thank you, Trebonius, for giving me this wonderful party. Please feel free to mingle and wander about as you will. I’m going to come around and thank you all individually.”

“I wish all speeches were as perfect as those two,” I said. “If I’d had to listen to any long rambling oration there’s a danger I’d have gone to sleep. I’m going to congratulate the birthday girl.”

Everyone was getting up and walking about. Jovina moved to the open space beyond the tables and began chatting to some of the officers from the fort. I looked round for Quintus, but he was already strolling off with Brennus. Eurytus, still seated on his couch, continued his conversation with Chloe as if they were the only two people in the world.

Statius soon put a stop to that. He came up and took Chloe by the hand with a proprietorial air that even the freedman couldn’t ignore. “Come, my dear, you mustn’t tire our guest with your girlish chatter.” When he raised her to her feet she had no choice but to go with him, back to his own couch.

Eurytus didn’t look best pleased. He took a long drink of wine, then walked over to where Mallius and Trebonius were chatting to Congrio. I could see even from a distance that Mallius was now quite drunk, but he seemed calm enough, and the four men stayed talking together. Philippus was still paying Vitellia close attention.

I realised I was one of only two people on their own, the other being the commander’s wife Fulvina. I joined her, and she smiled and said, “We owe you thanks, you and Antonius. For looking after Brennus. He has a lot to put up with just now, and the last thing we wanted was for him to be treated so rudely. But with a certain person here…anyway, your Antonius saved the situation nicely.”

“You’re very welcome. We found him good company, and very eager to please. You know, it takes me back to my childhood days, coming to Isurium. My father was a centurion and my brother and sister and I used to visit him at various military bases. So all forts remind me of my childhood. Happy memories.”

“Lucky you,” she said. “I mean if you only visited, not lived in a fort. Being cooped up in a place like this is no fun. Even the men get bored, and it’s far worse for us women. We ourselves have a house in the village, as your cousin does. But I still feel as if I’m in prison a lot of the time.”

“Can’t you get away sometimes?”

“It’s not so easy, now my husband is commander. And I never quite know what may go on when my back’s turned. I think it’s best if I stay here and keep an eye on things.” She glanced at her husband, who was talking to Jovina. It was clear enough what she meant.

“The other officers’ wives, you mean? I suppose you must feel responsible for them, being the senior ranking lady here. I’m sure they look up to you for an example.”

She laughed scornfully. “The forts your father served in must have been exceptionally well run, my dear. Or else you were too young to see what was really going on.”

Jovina came up, wearing a fixed smile that looked as if it was painful, but she spoke graciously. “Fulvina, thank you again so much for letting your chef provide such a wonderful meal today. It was a triumph.”

“It was,” I agreed. “Really excellent. And the wine too.”

“Well, we couldn’t let the occasion pass on a diet of army rations, could we? By the way, Jovina, I’ve been meaning to ask you. I don’t see Nikias here. Isn’t he coming?”

“He sent his apologies. Unfortunately he’ll be too busy. This outbreak of sickness among some of the men, and then Tribune Fabianus getting an arrow in the face on patrol yesterday. I understand his wound is quite inflamed, poor boy.”

“I’m sure Nikias will manage to cure him,” Fulvina said. “He has a very gentle touch, they tell me.”

“Really? I wouldn’t know.”

“But haven’t you just been ill yourself?”

“A little indisposed, but nothing worth bothering Nikias about. Women’s trouble, you know. There’s a healing-woman in the village. She found the herbs to put me right.”

“How useful. I’d hate to think you and Niki had fallen out.” There was an awkward silence, until she said brightly, “Well, well, I must mingle a little,” and moved off towards the river.

“Sour-faced cow,” Jovina said venomously. “It’s no wonder poor Trebonius…never mind, she’s gone now.” She beckoned one of the servants. “More wine here. I know—we’ll try out one of my birthday presents.” She gestured towards her table. “Fetch the two glass goblets from there, boy. We’ll drink a toast from those.”

“They’re beautiful.” I don’t possess any glass goblets myself, and when I’m lucky enough to drink from one, I love to swirl the wine round and admire the way the colour shows through. “A birthday present, you say? Who from?”

“You.”

“Me?”

“That’s what I told Marcus. They arrived last night, and I was determined to bring them today, only I had to think up a story that wouldn’t make him wildly jealous. Yours was the first name that came into my head. Actually they’re from someone else…someone who shouldn’t be giving me extravagant presents.”

“Now listen, Jovina, what you get up to is your own business, but I’d really rather you didn’t involve me.”

“Nonsense, you’re just helping an old friend tell a harmless white lie.” She raised her goblet. “To friendship, and to love.”

“Now there’s a toast I’m happy to drink.”

She took a long swallow. “You know, I wasn’t looking forward to today. But it’s not going too badly, all things considered.”

“It’s going fine,” I agreed. “They all seem to be enjoying themselves,
and
behaving themselves. I told you they would.”

“You were right. Will you do me another favour?”

“Of course. Unless you’re asking me to go and make small-talk to a certain Imperial freedman. Family loyalty only goes so far, you know.”

She smiled, a proper smile this time. “I think I may soon feel like a stroll in the woods, just to catch my breath, clear my head, get away from the crowd. If you notice I’m gone, don’t say anything, will you? And try to stop anyone else from looking for me. I shan’t be away long.”

“On your own?”

“What do you think?”

“Be careful, then. It’s going well. Don’t mess it up.”

“I shan’t. But some things are worth a little danger.”

That’s as maybe, I thought as she turned away to talk to other guests, but I’m not letting you go wandering off all by yourself. I’ll watch and I’ll follow.

And I could do with some help. I looked round for Quintus, but couldn’t see him anywhere. Jovina was still in plain view though, so I walked over to where Vitellia and Philippus stood with a couple of the young tribunes. As I came nearer, Vitellia called out, “Aurelia, come and join us. We’re going to watch the duck race.”

“A duck race? That’s a new sport to me.”

“It’s quite popular here,” Philippus said, as we headed for the river, “especially among those of us who like a flutter now and then. The results are always completely unpredictable.”

“Ah, but surely you have specially trained racers, super-athletes bred from generations of champions?”

Everyone laughed, recognising the most famous chariot-team slogan in Rome.

“But of course. And they’re destined for a glittering career. Today, the people’s darlings. Tomorrow, the people’s dinner.”

We stopped by the water and went to view the racers, six ducks of assorted colours and sizes quacking and pecking in a pen. Everyone crowded round and there was plenty of good-natured betting. Philippus joined in eagerly, and though I couldn’t tell exactly how much he wagered, I did notice that he was handing over silver coins, whereas everyone else was content with coppers.

I realised with a guilty start that in the brief time it had taken me to reach the water, Jovina had disappeared. She was off in the woods, presumably. Trebonius wasn’t to be seen either. So it could be the commander she’d sneaked off to meet. I’d assumed it was the doctor.

I silently cursed my carelessness, and began to walk upstream away from the people and the ducks. With a bit of luck I might spot her in the woods…

“Aurelia! You’re going the wrong way!” Philippus called out. “They’re racing downstream, not up. Have you put a bet on yet? They’ll be starting soon.”

“Do come and join in,” Vitellia said, and I remembered I was supposed to be keeping her and Philippus under my eye too. Oh, well, Jovina was a grown woman. She’d be able to look after herself. This child was far more vulnerable, and she was my responsibility. So there was really nothing else to do but turn and go back to the duck-pen.

Most of the other guests were here by now, even old Statius who was sitting on a folding stool and looking slightly less grumpy than usual. Mallius was near him, leaning against a tree-trunk for support. Fulvina was in conversation with Congrio. Brennus stood watching the proceedings with an air of bewilderment; clearly this wasn’t his idea of Roman sport. Eurytus wasn’t in evidence, and neither was Chloe. I hoped they were not together, and even found myself wishing that the silly child had taken advantage of her mother’s absence to steal off into the woods with her soldier-boy.