With some help from the other two, Indavara hauled himself through the opening. He then pulled them up after him.
‘Gods, that stench is coming from us,’ said Cassius. His clothes and satchel were wet through and every inch of him apart from his face was coated with the malodorous mud.
The trio found themselves at the corner of a small, quiet square. The only lights were coming from an apartment block close by. Cassius looked east and saw that the first rays of sunlight were colouring the clouds above the mountains.
‘Know where we are?’ asked Indavara.
‘Yes,’ answered Kallikres.
‘Back to the warehouse, then,’ said Cassius. ‘Quickly.’
‘But what about the villa?’
‘Listen, I – we – appreciate your late change of heart, believe me. But I have priorities other than your young friend. The sooner we get to the warehouse, the sooner we can get to that villa. Lead on.’
Like Kallikres, they set off at a run.
‘Shit on me,’ said Indavara. ‘What a night.’
The warehouse seemed to be the busiest place in the city. Even before they were let through the gate by Vespilo, Cassius could see Cosmas had done well. There were at least a dozen sergeants there and he found the diminutive Syrian standing in front of nine men lying on the ground, hands tied behind them.
‘Jupiter be praised,’ said Cosmas when he saw the filthy figures walking towards him. ‘It’s been hours. What happened?’
‘Long story – no time to tell it.’
Noting Cosmas’s curious glance at Kallikres, Cassius beckoned him forward and explained why he was with them. Cosmas made little attempt to hide his disdain for the traitor, who was looking warily around at his fellow sergeants.
‘Sure you got them all?’ asked Indavara, pointing at the men on the ground.
‘All that they brought along tonight,’ said Cosmas.
‘It’s all of them,’ said Cassius. ‘There were only eight named in the ledger plus the supervisor. Get anything out of them?’
‘Not yet,’ said Cosmas.
‘What about Bathyllos?’
‘I sent a pair of men to his house with orders to intercept him if he leaves or any message he sends out. I can have him brought in immediately.’
‘Do it. We’ll question him back at headquarters then head straight out to this villa – hopefully before they find out what’s gone on here.’
‘And this place?’ asked Cosmas, turning towards the factory.
‘Lock it up and leave as many men as you can to guard it. Did you find the strongbox?’
Cosmas nodded at the ground; the box was there next to one of the captive’s feet. The sergeant then doled out a series of orders to his men.
‘I also need a runner to go to the tower and fetch Simo.’
Cosmas called over one of the younger sergeants and Cassius gave him both instructions and directions.
‘This way,’ said Cosmas, heading off towards the side gate. ‘We can use their horses.’
Indavara gave Kallikres a shove and stayed behind him. He already had the sergeant’s knife tucked into his belt.
‘I’m guessing the tunnel came out there?’ said Cassius, pointing at the stables ahead of them.
‘Yes,’ replied Cosmas. ‘I’d only just pulled myself out when those hunters turned up.’
‘Hunters?’ said Indavara.
‘Looked like Itureans to me – from the mountain tribes. No one’s ever really been able to conquer that lot. Tough bastards, every one. What happened to them?’
Cassius aimed a thumb at Indavara. ‘He did. What about Diadromes?’
‘I sent him a message but he might not be able to get away – there was trouble at the forum last night.’
‘Gods, what is it this time?’
‘They flogged the youths that defaced the statue – did it late last night so no one was around. Only six lashes each but one of the younger lads collapsed after the first stroke and never came round. Even Nemetorius’ surgeon couldn’t revive him. Somehow word got out.’
‘Well, that’s not our concern. Apparently this villa’s about five miles east of the city. We’ll need plenty of men and plenty of horses. I want to be there no later than the second hour.’
As Cassius, Indavara and Kallikres followed Cosmas through the headquarters building, a squad of sergeants jogged past. Every man was equipped with helmet and shield, armed with club and sword. Apparently hundreds of protesters had now congregated outside the forum and the magistrate’s residence and every single man had been called in to help.
Gessius was waiting outside the interrogation room. He told them that Bathyllos appeared ready to give up everyone and everything in return for clemency; he was also desperate that his family not learn of his crimes.
Cassius would have preferred to have changed but – until Simo arrived – he was stuck with the filth and the smell.
‘Come on.’ He opened the door and the four of them filed in.
Bathyllos was sitting on a chair with his bound hands on the table. His hair was unkempt and he was wearing a sleeveless sleeping tunic. He looked away and shook his head when he recognised Cassius.
‘I’m going to make this quick. Have you contacted your employers?’
‘First you must tell me what I’ll recieive in return for cooperation.’
‘I will do what I can but only if you help me now. Time is critical. Have you contacted them? Warned them?’
‘But what guarantees-’
Cassius thumped a fist on the table. ‘Nothing. And any help you do receive is dependent on my goodwill, so I suggest you start talking.’
Bathyllos took his hands off the table. ‘No, I haven’t contacted them. I deal only with Skiron.’ He looked at Kallikres. ‘Him I’ve never seen before tonight.’
The sergeant had already disclosed that Skiron had called in at Bathyllos’ house and instructed him to send the work crew to the factory.
A knock on the door. Gessius entered and whispered to Cosmas then both the sergeants left.
Cassius turned back to Bathyllos. ‘If we hadn’t intervened how long would it have taken them – to clear out the workshop?’
‘Most of the night, I suppose.’
‘Kallikres, did they give any indication of how long? Or how they might get word back to the villa?’
‘Not that I heard. Sir, please, we must leave.’
Cassius ignored him. ‘Bathyllos, I will ask once more – you have not warned them? If I later find out otherwise you can expect the opposite of help from me.’
The Syrian threw up his hands. ‘I swear it, upon my wife and children. You must understand, I had no choice – they forced me into it.’
‘Sir,’ said Kallikres. ‘These people are not stupid, they were readying themselves to leave. If they suspect for a moment that something has gone wrong-’
‘Don’t worry,’ said Cassius. ‘We’re going.’
Outside he found Gessius alone.
‘Where’s Cosmas?’
‘He was called away, sir. As a senior sergeant he must take charge of his squad and lead them out to the governor’s residence.’
‘Now?’
‘Yes, sir. Only a few of us will remain here. He passed on his apologies. There is also a note from Deputy Magistrate Diadromes.’
Cassius took it from him as they set off towards the aid post, where they were to meet Simo.
‘Shit.’ Once he’d read it, Cassius rolled the scrap of paper into a ball and flung it aside.
‘What?’ asked Indavara.
‘The deputy magistrate also apologises but states that the forum and the residence are virtually surrounded. He informs me that I should use my authority and requisition some legionaries. He seems certain Nemetorius will be too busy dealing with the protesters to even notice.’
‘Why not just go alone?’ said Indavara as another squad of well-armed sergeants overtook them.
‘The gang may already have fled by the time we get there. Three of us? To check all the paths up in those hills and mountains? We need a dozen men at least. Kallikres, how far to the barracks?’