Games in Londinium by John Drake

Author:John Drake [Drake, John]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Endeavour Media
Published: 2018-05-23T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 18

‘Well done!’ said Africanus, addressing Morganus. ‘Your Greek has once again displayed the talent which persuaded us to conscript him into service.’ He waved a hand gracefully towards Morganus. ‘I commend you, First Javelin,’ he said, ‘for bringing this talent to our attention.’ Only then did he actually look at me. ‘So, Ikaros of Apollonis,’ he said, ‘is there any need for further briefing? Or have you already read and learned everything in my mind?’ He spoke with patronising condescension, as if asking a child, have you had enough to eat?

He irritated me. I knew very well that his attitude towards slaves was perfectly normal in a Roman nobleman, but still he irritated. So I retaliated.

‘I read only those thoughts that are in the front of your mind,Noble Sir,’ I said, ‘I can’t read anything buried in the back of it.’

‘Huh!’ he said. ‘Guard your tongue, Greek!’ But he said no more, and I think he believed my nonsense. He turned to Petros. ‘Tell them!’ he said. ‘Tell them everything.’

Petros bowed in his chair, then spoke.

‘There have been developments in the client kingdoms,’ he said. ‘I have already warned you that the druids fight among themselves.’

‘Yes,’ I said,

‘Yes,’ said Morganus.

‘Well,’ said Petros, ‘the latest fighting has ended with complete victory for Maligoterix.’

‘How can you know that?’ I said.

‘Don’t ask!’ said Petros, ‘and don’t look into my mind, because I have taken you at your word, and banished these thoughts to the back of my mind.’ He continued. ‘We further believe that the cause of this particular dispute was a plan for a general rising of the tribes against Rome. Other druids were reluctant to face the Roman army, but they’ve all been persuaded or killed.’ He sat back in his chair and looked at me, awaiting a response.

I was puzzled.

‘So you fear a rebellion,’ I said, ‘but isn’t this normal in Britannia?’ I turned to Africanus. ‘Isn’t that the reason, Noble Sir why you command three legions plus auxiliaries? If the tribes give battle, surely you’ll defeat them yet again?’

I saw the slightest hesitation in his face, and that was a surprise indeed.

‘We can defeat any major tribe if it rises alone,’ Africanus said, ‘and we can defeat several. But if they all rise together... in that case we might have to summon help from Rome.’

I understood at last.

‘And that would be a disaster, ‘ I said, at the time of the governor’s games?’

‘Yes,’ he said,. ‘with the province supposedly pacified. And there’s more. Tell them, Petros.’

‘With all respect, Noble Sir,’ said Petros, ‘we should first hear from Ikaros and Morganus.’

Africanus nodded. Petros bowed. ‘Ikaros,’ he said ‘We need full details of your investigations so far. Tell us what you know of the murders of Celsus and Gershom.’

‘I have kept you fully informed,’ I said, ‘I send regular reports to your office.’

‘Yes,’ he said, ‘we have the facts but we need your judgement, your insight.’

‘Indeed we do!’ said Africanus, speaking with surprising emphasis. He was actually paying me a compliment.

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