Rebellion by Simon Scarrow

Author:Simon Scarrow [Scarrow, Simon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-11-08T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

As dawn broke over Londinium, the acrid smell of burning hung in the air. There were several fires still raging, and columns of smoke plumed into the pale sky, adding to the thin brown haze that hung over the town. Cato had snatched some sleep after he and his men had finally managed to put out the blaze at the inn. However, all the storerooms and their contents had been lost, and their blackened remains surrounded the yard. There was also damage to one end of the inn itself.

The five men Tubero had left behind to guard the Dog and Deer were slumped against the wall inside the gate, asleep. Emerging from within, Cato was tempted to bawl them out, but instead jabbed his toe at the nearest auxiliary to wake him.

‘On your feet. You keep watch. If there’s any sign of trouble, wake the others.’

The soldier scrambled up and saluted wearily. ‘Yes, sir.’

‘If you fall asleep again, I’ll have you on latrines for the next six months,’ Cato warned him, before going over to the trough and leaning down to dip his head in the cold water. It was fortunate that Portia had installed a pipe that fed off one of the streams that ran through Londinium. The water, used for horses and to flush out the inn’s toilet and other spoil, had saved most of the building. Cato turned his face from side to side to refresh himself before standing up with a shake of his head. His skin was streaked with grime and his clothes still stank of smoke, and he would have liked nothing better than to spend the morning at one of the bathhouses to cleanse himself and get a massage for his stiff limbs. But there was no time for that. The town had experienced the worst night of lawlessness and chaos since Decianus had lost control of the streets, and Cato would be needed at headquarters.

The thought of that drew him on to a consideration of the wider situation. Anticipation of the arrival of Boudica and her host would only worsen the disorder as looters sought to make off with as much as they could carry before the town fell to the rebels. Clearly it was not safe to let the women and Lucius remain at the inn while he made arrangements to evacuate them. There were still many ships moored in the river. Finding berths should not be difficult, even if he had to pay a premium. As the situation became more desperate, it would be more difficult to escape, and he resolved to speak to one of the ships’ captains as soon as possible. First, though, he must report to the governor.

He adjusted his scale armour and sword belt before reaching down for his padded skullcap and helmet.

‘When will you be back?’

He turned and saw Claudia emerging from the scorched rear door of the inn, barefoot. Her eyes looked puffy from lack of sleep and she regarded him with an anxious expression.

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