The Third Nero by Lindsey Davis

Author:Lindsey Davis [Lindsey Davis]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton
Published: 2017-03-06T05:00:00+00:00

29

Since I was by the Palatine, I went to tell Trebianus what Ilia had said, then see what he wanted me to do.

I reached the palace via a new covered ramp that Domitian had built. This sliproad up the Palatine enabled the imperial family to come and go unseen, but was also available for visitors, at least when the Emperor was absent. You entered through a massive arch. Rising against the side of the hill, tall covered corridors turned around tight hairpin bends as they climbed in seven steep sections. The passageway was wide enough and high enough to ride on horseback, or even to drive, though the ramp was primarily designed for ceremonial entry in a carried litter.

Inside, it was cool and dark, muffling out the noisy bustle of the Forum as I climbed towards the palace above. The interior flights were sometimes dimly lit with flares, though there were high-up openings to admit natural light. Towards the top, small steps were beside the roadway, which was easier on the legs.

If Domitian had been at home, I would have run the gauntlet of guards, but he had taken the best Praetorians abroad with him. Those who remained were either past their best or too new to ask proper questions. I even persuaded these second-raters to let me use their welfare facilities, halfway up. It was only a bucket in a cubbyhole, but better than leaving them to make their own arrangements. Anyone could guess what that would mean.

One of my new friends agreed to help me find the Parthia-watcher’s office. I could have asked Philippus, but I was unsure whether Trebianus wanted Philippus to know of our new work arrangement.

Yes, I had plunged myself into the dung-heap of palace politics. Among the maggoty secretariats, it was all intrigue, jealousy and backstabbing. My position was increasingly awkward. I could never be sure I trusted either Philippus or Trebianus. I was sure they did not fully trust one another. At its simplest, I was not included in their networks so they would hold back information from me.

I still knew that the traitor in government could be either of them. If so, purporting to seek a defector must be a ruse. For all I knew, Philippus had had the False Nero killed, with the poisoner, Paternus, working for him. Or maybe the collaborator was Trebianus; did his field agent, Ritellius, disappear because he had learned his own handler was in bed with Parthia?

The Praetorian and I emerged from the last ramp onto a high terrace with breath-taking views. I was escorted inside the palace via a private entrance. Pleased with himself, the inexperienced guard asked an usher the way and found the right office for me. I slipped him a thank-you coin, which he took with far too obvious gushing. He needed the Princeps Peregrinorum to lick him into shape. Titus would know how to palm bribes unnoticed.

I found Trebianus with four slaves serving him a full-table banquet. It appeared to be his normal early-afternoon activity.

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