In Siscia, Gaius Flaccus Norbanus had alsosettled into his role of Legate, matters developing into a routine,with first one Legion, then another spending time out at theoutposts on the frontier, each one rotating back after a period ofa couple of months. The reforms Octavian had instituted were stilltaking shape, and there was an element of hit and miss with some ofthem. All in all, things had become so that I could have performedmy duties in my sleep, with some days having a dreamlike quality tothem that made me wonder at times if I was awake at all.
That was why the day I was summoned to thePraetorium by Norbanus, not the father but his son, who bythis point was Proconsul of Asia, did not seem any different thanany other day and, making my way there, I imagined that it waslittle more than some routine matter.
“There’s a new governor in Macedonia,”Norbanus told me the instant I arrived, waving a scroll in mydirection.
I suppose I should take this time to explainthe organization of this part of the Republic during the period oftime of Augustus’ seventh and eighth Consulship, or more commonlyknown as the first years of his reign. Pannonia and Dalmatia werenot yet Senatorial provinces, meaning that they did not require thepost of Praetor, although Norbanus the younger, like all Legatesappointed by Octavian, was vested with Proconsular powers.Macedonia, to the south, was a Senatorial province and as suchrequired a Praetor. This was what Norbanus was referring to nowwith obvious disgust. At first, I did not understand why he was soupset, but when he went on to explain, it soon became clear.
“The new Praetor is Marcus Primus, and hewas given Proconsular authority,” Norbanus said.
Norbanus had no need to explain further thecause for his dismay; simply put, he was now outranked, since aPraetor armed with Proconsular authority is higher in our hierarchythan a Legate is, even if that Legate also had Proconsular powers.Despite understanding why Norbanus did not like it, I still did notsee why he was glaring at me from beneath his eyebrows, which werewiggling all over his forehead like two caterpillars. This was atrait that he had inherited from his father, and even though he wasyounger than I was by several years, it made him appear much older.Which, I suppose, was a good thing for his command presence.
“And he's just sent orders to me to send twoLegions to him immediately.”
This was a surprise and it explained whyNorbanus was upset, but I still did not see what it had to withme.
“It appears that he has some sort of planthat he says was approved by Augustus. What’s interesting is thathe asked for you. Actually, he ordered me to send you and yourfriend, the Evocatus. What’s his name?”
“Scribonius.”
“Yes, that’s it. Anyway, he didn't sayspecifically why he needs half of my army so desperately, but hedid say something quite mysterious.”
I did not see how things could be moremysterious than a peremptory order to send half of the Army ofPannonia out of its territory, but Norbanus turned out to becorrect.
“Primus says that you and your friend willunderstand why you've been summoned when you get there, and willthank him for it.”
“When do we leave? And where are we headedto in Macedonia?”
“Immediately of course.” Norbanus gave aharsh laugh. “When have you ever seen orders that say that you canleave at your leisure?”
Looking back down at the scroll, he foundthe relevant passage and grunted.
“You're to report at Philippi, of allplaces.”
Norbanus pierced me with his gaze, hiseyebrows beetling together.
“Do you have any idea what's going on,Prefect?”
I honestly did not, and I said as much,which did not please him. I am not altogether sure that he believedme, but at that moment, I was as mystified as he was about theseorders.
“Well, you better go make yourpreparations,” he said irritably, shooing me out of his office witha wave. “I have to decide which two Legions to send.”
“I suggest the 8th and the13th,” I offered, and he looked at me in somesurprise.
“The 8th? They’re my best Legion.I can see sending the 13th. They’re in better shape now,I'll grant you, but they’re still a mess. But why would I send mybest Legion along to serve at Primus’ whim?”
“Because according to that letter, it’s notcoming from Primus, but Augustus. And if that's true, and I don’tthink Primus would just make that up, do you want to be seensending your inferior Legions to help the man picked by Augustushimself to run Macedonia?”
Norbanus sat back, giving me a speculativelook, considering what I had said.
“I suppose you’re right,” he said slowly,drawing the words out like he was reluctant to acknowledge thesense in what I was saying.
What I told Norbanus was true enough, butwas not the reason behind wanting the 8th. Norbanusmuttered a soft curse.
“Very well, the 8th it will be,but I don’t like it. Not one tiny bit.”
“For what it’s worth, I don’t blame you,” Icommiserated with the man, for he was truly in a tough spot.
Both Pannonia and Dalmatia had beenrelatively quiet, yet there was a seething unrest among the nativesjust below the surface. I could easily imagine that when the newsthat half of the army was no longer in the region spread, therewould be more than enough mischief to keep the other half busy.However, I could not worry about Norbanus’ woes, because I had togo make my own preparations to move out.
“I think I know what this Marcus Primus isup to,” Scribonius said, just a few heartbeats after I told
