intrigue and they used them with the same deadly subtlety with which Cupido wielded his long sword. Chaerea might believe he was their equal, but Rufus sensed the Praetorian commander was out of his depth. He was too blunt an instrument to challenge the rapier intellects arrayed against him. Rufus now realized that his arrest was a measure of the veteran soldier's desperation in the wake of the failed assassination attempt.
But he was still dangerous.
'I should kill him,' Cupido said reasonably.
They were sitting in a small annex to the guard quarters Cupido shared with his comrades. The young German had produced a flagon of rough wine and Rufus was enjoying the unfamiliar warmth of it in his belly.
'Yes, you probably should… if you don't care whether you live or die. And Aemila, of course. Chaerea's friends would never leave her alive.'
'You think Chaerea's Scorpions could best me? I'd squash them flat and take pleasure in doing it.'
'Not the Scorpions, the Emperor. Caligula believes Chaerea has served him well. It wouldn't look good if he allowed some rogue gladiator to slaughter the commander of his Praetorians. When you are dead, Aemilia will have no one to protect her.'
'But he is a traitor and I have the Emperor's favour.'
'True, but the only evidence you have against him is my testimony of what was said at the Castra Praetorium, and if you kill Chaerea I will be dead before I can give it. Do not concern yourself too much, though. The Emperor will no doubt show his favour by allowing you to flavour your wine with a little hemlock.'
Cupido's handsome face creased in a frown. 'So Chaerea lives, for the moment. Do you have any other clever suggestions?'
Rufus thought for a second. 'You can't confront Chaerea for the same reasons you can't kill him. I am the only leverage you have and my life wouldn't be worth a bent sesterce if Chaerea discovered that. I don't know what else we can do.'
'Kill Caligula.'
Rufus choked on his wine at the words, which came from the corner of the room.
'Well, do I have no say in this because I am a mere woman, even though I am the only one this… this piece of vermin has actually threatened?' Aemilia demanded. 'Am I to sit here awaiting my fate while you dither over a decision which is already made for you?'
Cupido took the outburst with remarkably good grace. He had sent for Aemilia as soon as he heard of Chaerea's threat, and she had been sitting quietly and listening. Now her eyes were lit with righteous outrage, and Rufus realized for the first time that any man who shared his life with this woman would not have everything his own way. Perhaps it might help if Cupido could be persuaded to take a stick to her.
'If the decision is so simple, what should it be?' Cupido asked his sister.
'Do nothing. What can you do but wait? If Chaerea is going to act it cannot be soon. Callistus is now responsible for the Emperor's security and you are agreed it is tighter than ever. Only the Wolves who fought for him when Drusilla was deified are assigned to him for any period of time. All the other Praetorian units can be rotated at short notice. Chaerea cannot afford to strike until he is certain of success.'
The gladiator looked thoughtfully at Rufus. 'What she says is true.' He winked. 'Even if she is a mere woman.' He ducked as a leather cushion narrowly missed his head. 'But we cannot wait for ever.'
'No. But time is on your side. Wait, and who knows what might happen? The Emperor's investigators have an endless supply of victims. It is not unlikely that one of the names they hear will be Chaerea's, in which case he would be wise to fall on his own sword. Also, we know Chaerea and his fellow plotters are not the only people seeking change. Others have more subtle methods. Remember Drusilla.'
Rufus grimaced. 'Drusilla died from some sort of sickness. The only person who thinks she was poisoned is her brother.'
Aemilia snorted. 'Believe what you like, Rufus, but Agrippina thought her sister was murdered, and who should know better than she, who understands more about the properties of mushrooms than she needs for the kitchen.'
'You think she had something to do with Drusilla's death?'
'No, but perhaps you should look to your own friends.'
'What do you mean?'
'Only that you keep strange company. It is well known in the palace that Narcissus is Claudius's spy. Why would a slave spend so much time with him, unless it was because he was a spy in his turn? Tell me,' she said sweetly, 'will you report our conversation to your Greek master?'
Rufus leapt to his feet. 'You — '
Cupido put a hand on his chest. 'Enough. We did not come here to quarrel. Aemilia, Rufus is my friend and yours. He risked his life to warn us. We are in his debt. You should apologize.' He waited for a reaction, but Aemilia only stared all the harder at Rufus. 'In any case, there may come a time when it is to our profit to keep Narcissus informed. We will see,' he said thoughtfully.
'And now?' Aemilia demanded.
'Now we do as you suggest. We wait. But first we let Cassius Chaerea believe I am considering his offer. He will accept the lie at face value because it suits him to do so. At the very least it will keep you safe, Rufus. And you, Aemilia.'
'I don't need any protection from Chaerea or anyone else,' she said contemptuously. 'The royal household is more secure than any other in Rome. Look to yourself, brother, and you, elephant boy.'
Rufus ignored the insult. 'Don't underestimate Chaerea. He may be a brute, but he is not stupid and he has a soldier's eye for an opportunity. If he strikes, it will be when you least expect it.'
Her eyes caught fire. 'I am a princess of the Tungri, and I can protect myself.' Suddenly her mood changed, her face and her posture softened and she laughed and moved close to Rufus, so he could smell the scent of her body. 'Forgive my harsh words, Rufus,' she whispered. 'But know this: if Chaerea strikes he should look to himself, for I too am not to be underestimated.' He felt a slight prick at his throat and looked down to see a jewelled dagger she had produced from the folds of her dress.
Cupido laughed. 'You look a little pale, Rufus. It appears my sister's company does not agree with you?'
Rufus swallowed. 'It is just that I am not used to dealing with naughty children. Do you know of a crazy old man who wanders the palace grounds talking of the River Styx?'
The change of subject caught Cupido by surprise. 'Only one old man walks the palace grounds talking to himself and that is Senator Claudius.'
'No, not Claudius.' Rufus explained how Livia had discovered the old man by the Palatine wall. He tried to describe him. 'Very thin, with long white hair. He wore this on a piece of leather round his neck. Do you know what it could be?' He produced the strange piece of metal. Cupido looked at it for a few moments.
'Yes, I have him. I don't know his name and from your description he has changed since I saw him last, but I believe he has a room in the Domus Augustus. He's certainly a little strange. He walks the grounds with his head down as if he is forever looking for something. The guards call him the Scavenger, but I think he has something to do with the water supply.' He took the metal T from Rufus and studied it. 'I have never seen anything like it, but he has had it specially made. Look, you can see the smith's mark just below the crosspiece.'
'Could you visit his quarters and find out if there is anyone who can come for him? His ravings are beginning to frighten Livia.'
'Do I look as if I have nothing better to do? I will provide you with a pass to get you to his rooms. Why don't you go with him, Aemilia? But leave your little sword behind — you might hurt someone with it.' He left the room and returned a few minutes later. 'Take this,' he said to Rufus. 'It gives you authority to enter and asks the guard to show you where you wish to go. Do not lose it.'
XXXIV
The Domus Augustus lay on the far side of the Palatine, and their route took them through covered walkways and little parks, past shrines and fountains. Aemilia was wearing a long red dress, in a style fashionable among the ladies of the court, and Rufus wondered if she had been given it because Milonia had tired of it. The Emperor's wife
