‘Maseene?’
‘Local tribesmen. They’ve recently taken to attacking anyone they come across who doesn’t speak and look like them.’
‘The army has lost control of the area?’
‘Not Darnis and its immediate surroundings. But beyond that … let’s just say your short friend is unlikely to have set off for anywhere, unless he’s anxious to meet his end at the point of a javelin.’
‘I haven’t heard of any uprisings in this area.’
‘I’m fairly sure nobody on the other side of the Green Sea has heard anything from Darnis in a while.’ Eborius kicked a lump of rock into the wall. ‘Which is exactly how certain people want it to stay.’
‘If you’re so convinced he wouldn’t have left, then there’s all the more reason to think someone here will know something. Where do you suggest I start?’
‘Have you been listening to me? The situation here is complicated and you are a stranger. You could easily run into trouble blundering around unescorted. And Carnifex would soon hear of it.’
‘So? He is bound by law to assist me.’
Eborius almost laughed at this. ‘He is bound by nothing but his one and only interest: maintaining and protecting the profitable little empire he has carved out for himself here. I suggest you keep quiet about your true identity and leave in the morning.’
‘That’s not possible.’
‘What has he done anyway, this man you seek?’
‘He is an assassin.’
‘Who did he kill?’
Cassius wondered if he hadn’t already told Eborius too much. But the centurion had in turn revealed plenty himself, and it seemed unlikely he would cooperate unless he knew the true importance of the investigation.
‘The Deputy Commander of the Service. On Rhodes, a week ago. Now do you understand why I cannot just turn round and leave?’
Eborius considered this for a moment. ‘How many men do you have with you?’
Cassius gestured to Indavara and Simo.
‘Why so few? If you’re engaged in such an important mission.’
‘Let’s just say it was all rather rushed. In any case, if I’d arrived with a squad of men in tow, we’d never find Dio, would we? From what you’ve said I doubt this Carnifex will allow me to requisition his troops, so I appear to have only one source of help.’
Eborius’s face tightened and he scratched the back of his neck.
‘His name was Augustus Marius Memor,’ Cassius continued. ‘He was beheaded. In his study. He had a wife and two daughters. The oldest girl is on the ship.’
Eborius said nothing, but Cassius didn’t mind that. The centurion seemed to have accepted he was duty-bound to assist, and judging by his face, the emotive tugs had done their job.
‘What about your century — your men?’ asked Cassius.
‘If you followed me from the square you would have seen most of them. At the tavern.’
‘What?’
‘Long story.’
Eborius glanced at the elongated shadows on the cracked tiled floor of the temple. ‘We haven’t much light left. Let me make a few enquiries.’
‘And then?’
‘I’ll come down to the causeway at the third hour of night. Wait for me by the arch. Is there any other information on the man?’
Eborius actually seemed to have sobered up during the conversation, but Cassius repeated all the details he knew twice. He also told him about the cover story and the damage to the Fortuna.
‘Will the captain be able to make his repairs here?’
Eborius held up a hand. ‘One thing at a time. That can wait until tomorrow. Keep all the men on the ship for now.’
‘As you wish. Thank you for your help.’
‘My pleasure,’ said Eborius unconvincingly. ‘What was your name again?’
They arrived back at the Fortuna to find the ceremony of arrival had just concluded. The crew were gathered on the deck in good spirits, readying themselves for a night in Darnis. Cassius found Asdribar at the stern, gazing out to sea. One altar was still slick with blood from one of the cockerels, and feathers littered the deck. Smoke was rising from the galley and drifting out over the harbour.
‘Captain, you need to speak with your men. I’m afraid they can’t visit the town tonight.’
‘I hope that’s a joke.’
Asdribar only relented once Cassius told him what he’d seen and heard.
‘Gods,’ said the Carthaginian. ‘I’ll need another sacrifice to keep the boys happy — a barrel of the Rhodian stuff.’
‘Aside from the dangers of the town, it’s essential that our real purpose here not be revealed. I know you’ve briefed your men but we both know how drink can loosen tongues.’
‘We’ll have to go in at some point,’ said Asdribar. ‘We need timber for the new yard. This centurion — perhaps I might speak with him too?’
‘I don’t see why not.’
Asdribar sighed. ‘I’ll go and break the news then. If you hear a splash, grab a boathook — because they might just throw me over the side.’
In fact, the crew’s voluble protests lasted about as long as it took Asdribar to open the barrel of cinnamon wine. They swiftly relocated to the smoky warmth of the galley and were soon throwing insults at each other and bellowing songs.
‘By Jupiter,’ said Cassius as Simo draped his cloak over his shoulders, ‘I hope this doesn’t go on all night.’
‘Would you like me to come along to this meeting, sir?’
‘No, you can stay here.’
‘Me too?’ asked Indavara, leaning against the door frame.
‘Yes. I shan’t be long and Asdribar’s accompanying me.’
Korinth wove his way out of the galley with a jug in his hand. ‘There you are!’ he bawled. ‘Come and have a drink with the lads.’
Before Indavara could protest, Korinth had grabbed him and dragged him into the galley. For a moment Cassius thought Indavara might take exception to this but a cheer went up when the others saw him. Cassius walked into the passageway and looked on; Indavara was grinning as the sailors made space for him by the hearth.
Korinth turned round, eyes struggling to focus. ‘And you, sir?’
‘A tempting invitation but no thanks.’
Korinth turned his attentions to Simo. The Gaul tried to retreat into the cabin but the big sailor came after him too. ‘Come on, lad!’
‘No, thank you, I really would-’
Cassius laughed as Korinth hauled Simo out of the cabin by his belt, then pushed him into the galley.
‘Go on, Simo! It’ll do you good.’
Asdribar was waiting up on deck. He too had his cloak wrapped round him and was carrying a lantern. Cassius gestured towards the gangplank. As he followed the captain, the deckhouse door opened.
‘Officer Corbulo?’ said Annia with an appeasing smile.
‘Yes?’
Cassius had already given her a brief — and judiciously edited — report of the afternoon’s events.
‘You will let me know if you learn anything more?’
‘I said I would, miss.’
‘Thank you.’
Cassius looked for a glimpse of Clara, but Annia closed the door.
‘Bloody girl,’ Cassius muttered as he crossed the gangplank and joined Asdribar on the breakwater.
Apart from the fact that he had plenty else to occupy him, he had decided to forgo any further pursuit of Annia, and not only because of his new-found interest in Clara. He had simply reached the conclusion that she didn’t find him attractive. This didn’t happen often — and was initially rather frustrating — but he now found he hardly cared. Cassius had never understood those fellows who pursued unrequited interest. If a woman didn’t like him, he found he soon ceased to like her. Let Indavara try his hand if he wished. Good luck to him.
‘I’ve seen some shithole harbours in my time,’ said Asdribar, ‘but this one barely deserves the name.’
Even with the powerful lantern, negotiating the ageing breakwater in the dark was quite a challenge.
‘The rest of the town’s no better,’ replied Cassius. ‘Ruins and empty buildings everywhere. It seems the earthquake pretty much killed the place off but it looks like a long, slow death.’