“Sir.” He acknowledged.
“At ease lad, at ease, take it easy.” Pilo said placing his vine cane under his arm, his badge of office. Varro sat back down again, a fine dust exploded into the air from his straw filled mattress, rubbing his eyes and covering his modesty, he looked up at Pilo. He was a typical senior centurion, thick set, muscular and had more scars than a Nubian snake wrestler. His grey hair was thinning on top but was cut short, so short that he almost looked bald. He wasn’t a man to mess around with as his reputation confirmed, and was known to be firm but fair.
“Sorry sir, me and the boys were training all day yesterday and then had a few jars of wine last night, I wasn’t drunk though.” He added quickly, “I must have gone out like a light, can’t even remember getting back. Still catching up after the siege I suppose.” He looked up at Pilo who raised an eyebrow.
“I’m not surprised after what you and your lads and of course Cammius’ lot went through down there, I’m not surprised at all Centurion, you deserved a rest.” He replied. Varro noted the words deserved a rest.
“So how would you like something to ease you back into the real world, get the blood flowing a bit now you’re all recovered eh?” Pilo asked.
“The sooner the better,” Varro replied lying, in truth he could have done with more time to relax and recuperate, “what have you got in mind sir?”
Pilo removed his helmet and took a seat next to the bed, “A few of the troops from the third cohort got into an altercation last night, specifically it was between the second and third centuries in one of the bars. Daft bastards decided to beat the living daylights out of each other which in itself wouldn’t have been too bad but,” he paused looking at Varro, “unfortunately one young Legionary called Frontus died of stab wounds. Seems like he was wounded a number of times to the stomach and chest, he was dead as a roast doormouse before the medicus could treat his wounds.” He paused again looking at his helmet plume as he rotated his head ware in his large hands. “Mind you I don’t think it would have made a scrap of difference looking at the holes in him, one was so deep it punctured the skin of his back.”
Varro frowned confused, “Where do I come in sir?”
“The provosts are away, or I should say all those that are worth a shit are anyway, some escort duty or something or other, the legate didn’t give me the details.” Varro felt his heart sink but Pilo went on, “So I thought it would be a nice easy duty for you and your optio to get back into the swing of things, you know, question those who were in the bar, find out who started it and more specifically who used their dagger to kill poor Frontus. What do you think?”
Varro tried to hide his anger, “Certainly sir, when do we start?”
Pilo smiled, “That’s the spirit eh lad? I’ve got the barman from the Boar, that’s the bar where it happened, waiting for you as we speak.” The senior centurion stood smiling, “I’d do it myself but I’ve got enough to be getting on with, I’ll be glad when we’re out in the field again personally. Let me know if you need anything, you know where to find me. Be assured the legate and I are right behind you and whoever was responsible will receive the sternest punishment.” He bent over and patted Varro’s shoulder, “Keep an eye on that wound and all, this shouldn’t be too rigorous anyway, so it’ll give you time to heal properly.” Without another word he left the room. Varro collapsed back onto the bed with his eyes closed, heart sinking and feeling awful, he grimaced as the injury was pulled taught. He had been involved in enquiries within legionaries before and had never enjoyed the experience, the provosts weren’t the most popular of personnel and those standing in for them were regarded with even less respect. No soldiers, especially those on active service, appreciated being questioned and hostility towards the provosts was common place.
“Wonderful.” He said. As he dragged himself off the bed he saw that his wound was starting to seep blood again. He quickly splashed water over his face and swilled his upper body from a water bowl and got dressed.
“You have got to be fucking joking sir, surely to gods, acting fucking provosts? What the fucks that all about then? Doesn’t that fat cunt Pilo know we’ve just spent days fighting for our fucking lives and defending the fucking empire down at that fucking shit hole Deventiasteno?” Optio Grattius was even less impressed than Varro with their new duty. Varro had bumped into him walking towards the baths with a towel draped over his shoulder, wearing just his loin cloth.
“Let’s make sure we don’t use all those fucks up before we get started eh Optio?” Varro said.
“Sorry sir.” Grattius said. “Well I can tell you this for fuck all, I ain't fucking happy and if any of those turd burgling bastards from the Third think they’re going to fuck us about they’ve got another fucking thing coming, mark my fucking words.” Grattius almost roared. “I’ll stick my blade up their fucking holes for ‘em if they start to mess us about.”
“Yes thank you Grattius, I think I’ve fucking got that. Now go and get into uniform, we’ve got the barman to see at the Boar.” Varro said.
Grattius’ face lit up, “The Boar eh, maybe things won’t be too bad after all.”
A short time later, Varro knocked on the thick wooden door that was the entrance to the drinking den known as the Boar. A picture of a rampaging wild pig adorned the wall outside, there was no reply. Varro moved closer and rattled the door with his fist.
“Centurion Varro and Optio Grattius, open the door.” He shouted. They heard movement inside.
“He’s probably just pulling his cock out of the wench that works in ‘ere I should imagine sir and we’ve disturbed ‘em, mid poke.” Grattius said grinning.
“Let me do the talking Optio, see where the land lies eh.” Varro said.
“In the fucking mortuary ain’t it sir? Dead as gutted pork?” Grattius looked at his commander who wasn’t grinning. “Sorry sir.”
Just then they heard the sound of a latch turning and the door creaked open, a fat red blemished face peered out at them. “Don’t open until the evening, you’ll have to come back then.” The door closed again.
Varro hit the wooden frame making the entire door shake. “Open the door now. We’re here to investigate the murder last night.” He turned to Grattius his frustration rising.
“Want me to throw a few fucks in now then sir? It may help open this bastard’s ears up a bit?” Grattius said.
“I’ll let you know when Grattius.” Varro replied his anger rising now as well as his frustration. The door opened again and the man could be seen in all his glory, he was about five foot tall, round and naked from the waist up, a putrid stench wafted out at the two soldiers. Varro saw that he had a wart the size of a man’s thumb in the middle of his chin, it was dark brown and far too big.
“Well, why didn’t you say that the first time then?” He said, “Come in then, although I don’t know what I can tell you if I’m honest.” He ushered them inside hobbling and it took a few seconds for their eyes to adjust to the gloom. The place stunk of stale ale and wine, a female looked up from cleaning a table with a grubby cloth as they entered and blushed. She was tall and attractive and quickly finished what she was doing, adjusted the upper part of her dress making sure her breasts were visible and walked to the back of the bar and left via another door.
“What did I tell you?” Grattius whispered as they were led to the serving area that consisted of a rough plank lying on top of barrels. “I’ll wager he was giving her a good seeing too.” Varro didn’t reply but gave his optio a look of disgust.
“Servius Verius Pubess at your service sirs,” the barman said taking his place behind the plank bar, “although like I said, I don’t think I can tell you much, everything seemed to happen so fast.” He looked from one soldier to the other. “Well if you lot weren’t trained so well maybe I could have done something, but a man in my condition ain’t fit enough to grapple with fit young fighters.” He jumped up onto a large stool. “So what can I tell you?” He leant forward on to the plank. “Want a drink before we start?” He asked.