‘I bet that’s just what Pallas claims.’
‘Pallas has no interest in Rome,’ Septimus countered. ‘He wants power and wealth for himself.’
Cato intervened. ‘It hasn’t escaped my attention that Narcissus has done pretty well out of serving Rome. Rumour has it that he’s one of the wealthiest men in the city. In fact, I’ve heard that he has loaned considerable fortunes to some of the client kings here in Britannia. Is that true?’
Septimus looked down briefly and nodded. ‘It’s true. But then, so have many other wealthy men.’
‘Including Pallas?’
‘Not him. Not any more at least. He sold his loans to other parties at the end of last year. And there’s a good reason behind that decision.’ Septimus looked up at Cato. ‘He’s plotting against our interests here in Britannia. He’s committing treason.’
‘That’s a serious accusation. You’d better explain yourself.’
Septimus folded his hands together before he continued in a quiet, earnest tone. ‘You may have heard the story of how Claudius became Emperor. When his predecessor was butchered by Cassius Chaereas and his co-conspirators, that was supposed to be the end of the imperial line. Rome was to become a republic again. Only the Praetorian Guards realised that meant they would be out of a job. Without an emperor to protect they would be sent to join the legions. No more generous pay and perks. So they plucked Claudius out from the survivors of the imperial family and made him Emperor. And who were the Senate to argue with ten thousand Praetorians armed to the teeth? So he became Emperor Claudius.
‘But it was hardly a popular choice. He needed to prove himself worthy of the title. He needed a great victory to ram down the throats of the Senate and to show the people of Rome that he could give them a victory. That’s why he invaded Britannia. It gave legitimacy to his reign. Claudius had conquered the island that even Julius Caesar failed to humble. No one was going to argue with that. And that’s why he has poured men and resources into Britannia ever since. The conquest must be completed. Britannia must become a settled province of the empire. If we fail here, then Claudius’s regime is utterly discredited. His enemies will take heart and make ready to strike at him again. If they succeed, Rome will be plunged into strife again. Is that what you want?’
‘If I recall,’ said Cato, ‘Narcissus was one of those who encouraged Claudius to invade Britannia.’
‘So?’
‘So this is as much about the safety of your father’s position, and his finances, as it is about Claudius and the future of Rome.’
‘What of it? It comes to the same thing in the end.’
‘I’m glad we’ve established that. Saves you insulting us any further with appeals to our sense of duty,’ Cato said harshly. ‘What is it that you suspect Pallas is up to?’
Septimus took a deep breath and spoke calmly. ‘It is my father’s belief that Pallas wants nothing less than the collapse of this province. And he’s prepared to do whatever it takes to ensure that end. He has agents on the island who seek to conspire with Caratacus to unite the most powerful tribes against Rome. If there is an alliance between the mountain tribes and the Brigantians or the Iceni, they will be strong enough to overwhelm our forces. Our legions will be driven back into the sea. Our towns and settlements will be burned to the ground and their inhabitants slaughtered. Rome will be utterly humiliated. Claudius will be shamed, and broken. He will be deposed, one way or another, and even if Rome is fortunate enough to escape the disaster of a new civil war, then Pallas will place Nero on the throne, with Agrippina at his side, and Pallas pulling the strings from the shadows.’
‘Instead of Narcissus,’ Macro said pointedly. ‘A new emperor and a new imperial freedman running the show. That’s the only difference.’
‘You’re wrong, Centurion. Even at the height of his powers my father was part of a council of advisers influencing the Emperor. Under Pallas there will be only one man. And his route to power will be paved with the corpses of the army here in Britannia. You, and all your comrades, and all those others who will die defending the empire once our enemies are encouraged to take up arms following our defeat in Britannia. Those are high stakes. Whatever you may think of my father, you cannot deny that Rome will face disaster if Pallas wins the day.’
Macro stood in thought for a moment, weighing up the imperial agent’s explanation. Then he turned to his friend. ‘What do you think, lad?’
‘I think we have no choice.’ Cato smiled weakly. ‘Just for a change. It looks like Narcissus has manoeuvred us into another tight spot. Tell me, Septimus, and speak truthfully, did he know what he was sending us into when we were posted to Britannia? Was this part of his plan all along?’
‘No. You have my word. My father knew that his influence over the Emperor was starting to wane. He wanted you sent here for your own safety.’
‘That’s what I understood, but now you’ll have to forgive me if I am not as convinced as I was before. It’s all a little too coincidental.’
‘Damn right!’ Macro nodded.
‘Think what you like,’ Septimus responded. ‘It’s the truth.’
The tent fell silent as the three men considered the situation. After some time Cato stirred and folded his hands together. ‘The question is, what do we do now? You must have had a plan when you came here.’
‘Of sorts.’ Septimus sat back and ran his fingers through his hair. ‘I’ve bribed a Brigantian nobleman to keep an eye on Queen Cartimandua’s consort, Prince Venutius. He’s said to be the one who is putting pressure on the queen to throw her lot in with Caratacus. For now, she’s playing safe. She’s got an alliance with Rome that gives her a ready supply of silver, and the promise of military support if she ever needs it. At the same time she’s keeping the door open to Caratacus. A clever woman, but she’s in a weak position. If she turns on Caratacus then half of her people will go over to the enemy, along with Venutius. If she turns on us then Venutius will lead her people to war, and when it’s over, he’ll want power for himself. Either way, she loses. Everything depends on keeping things as they are. If we lose the Brigantians, we lose the province, and everything else. With luck, my spy at her court will warn me in enough time to alert General Ostorius to the danger.’
‘How do you know you can trust the general?’ asked Cato.
‘Ostorius is an old-fashioned type. He wants glory for the family name. His ambition is to win a great victory and return to Rome and hang up his sword. It’s some of the other officers I’m keeping an eye on.’
‘Oh? Who? Legate Quintatus, for example?’
‘Now you’re fishing, Prefect. Yes, Quintatus is one. His family are followers of Agrippina’s faction. Then there are a small number of senior officers who have arrived in Britannia recently. I know you’ve already met Tribune Otho and Prefect Horatius. What do you make of them?’
Cato considered his impressions of the two officers before he replied. ‘Horatius seems like a reliable officer. Promoted from the ranks, far away from Rome.’
‘Not far enough. He was a centurion in the Praetorian Guard at the time of Claudius’s accession. He was one of the few who backed the Senate’s call for a return to the Republic. Did he tell you that?’
‘No. Why should he?’
‘Then I guess you wouldn’t know that he was reassigned to the Eleventh Legion soon afterwards.’
‘Those arse-kissers?’ Macro sneered. ‘All ready to rise up against the new Emperor, until your father turns up with a hatful of gold and buys ’em off. What’s the new title he’s given them?’ He concentrated for a moment and then clicked his fingers. ‘Claudius’s Faithful and Patriotic Eleventh Legion. . Until they are paid off by the next man. Anyway, why send Horatius there if his loyalty is questionable?’