Brothers in Blood by Simon Scarrow

Author:Simon Scarrow
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Headline
Published: 2014-09-02T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINETEEN

‘I thought we were supposed to be having a quiet word with Septimus,’ said Macro as he took the chair opposite Cato’s desk. Darkness had fallen outside the modest headquarters of the escort detachment’s fort and the prefect’s office was lit by two stands of oil lamps. Already a small cloud of insects swirled about the glow of the flames. ‘Where is he?’

Cat shrugged. ‘The first hour’s only just sounded. Give the man a chance, Macro.’

Macro grumbled under his breath as he leaned back against the wall and folded his arms. ‘What’s the news on Ostorius?’

A day had passed since the general collapsed at the briefing. No official announcement had been made but rumours had rippled through the army, according to which the general had suffered everything from an over-indulgence of drinking to a sudden death brought on by poison administered by an agent of Caratacus. Cato had discovered the truth for himself by the simple expedient of visiting the general’s headquarters and asking for information.

‘He’s alive. According to the camp prefect the surgeon says he’s had some kind of a fit. He’s lost control of the left side of his body and is rambling.’

‘Is he going to recover?’

‘The surgeon doesn’t know. He’s made Ostorius comfortable with some concoction from the east, and he’s sacrificed a cockerel to Asclepius. Whatever good that will do.’

Macro frowned, never quite happy when his friend cast any doubt on the workings of the gods. It was a dangerous game to play, Macro thought. Even though he had never seen a god for himself, he considered it safer to pay the gods their dues, just in case. He cleared his throat softly.

‘Do you think the old boy is going to get over it?’

‘Like you say, Macro, he’s old. That’s the one ailment you can guarantee never recovering from.’ Cato folded his hands together and stared at the door. ‘This campaign has worn him out. He’s been waging war against Caratacus and his allies from the moment he became governor five years ago. This was supposed to be his last post before retiring from public service. I think the prospect of Caratacus re-opening the war on a new front broke him. Even if he recovers, I doubt he will be in a fit state to command the army for another campaign season.’

‘What then? Who will take over?’

‘The senior legate is Quintatus. He’ll be in command until the general recovers.’

‘Quintatus. You told me you thought he’s the one behind our posting to Bruccium, and that you think he did that to try and get rid of us.’

Cato nodded. Even though Quintatus had said he would not harm them Cato did not trust him.

‘Shit. Now he’s going to have a free hand to try that on again.’

‘Quite. We’ll have to try and keep out of his way. Give him no excuse to find fault with us. Speaking of which, how are the new men coming on?’

‘I might have been a bit hasty in my judgement of them. They’re learning fast.

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