Magnus smiled. ‘Of course; so simple that it was too obvious. Thank you Senator, I’d best be going.’
‘Won’t you have some honeyed cakes and wine, we’re almost at my house?’
‘No time Senator, I’ve got a lot to organise; it seems that I can wash two tunics in one tub.’ He ran off leaving Gaius wondering just what he had been talking about.
‘BRING IT FORWARD to dawn tomorrow?’ Servius asked throwing a handful of kindling onto the small fire on the altar of the Crossroads’ lares next to the front door of the tavern.
Magnus sprinkled incense over the flame; it flared, giving off a pungent aroma. ‘Yes, provided Terentius, with the good help of our lares, can entice Blandinus to his place this evening. Send one of the lads to fetch him here immediately.’
The counsellor nodded and went over to Marius and a group of the brothers sitting playing dice on one of the tables outside the tavern. After a brief word from Servius one of them got up and left.
‘What about the gear?’ Servius asked returning to Magnus by the altar.
‘That’ll be here tonight but I want you to write a note to Aelianus telling him that I need his fire to happen one hour before dawn tomorrow, not the next day; ask him to acknowledge that in writing.’
‘I’ll do that now.’
‘What about Tigran, any luck?’
‘Yes, he’s waiting inside to see you; he’s very keen to repay the favour. He speaks a little Albanian but he’s brought his cousin, Vahram, who’s fluent.’
‘Thank you Brother,’ Magnus said looking up the Alta Semita towards the Porta Collina. A party of travellers caught his eye. ‘Marius, take one of the lads and do the honours with that lot,’ he said pointing at the group. ‘They look wealthy enough to be in need of our services.’
Marius grinned and got up from his game. ‘Right you are Magnus. Normal rate?’
‘Yeah, normal rate.’
Marius slapped his neighbour on the back. ‘Come on Lucio, let’s get busy.’
Magnus sat down at an empty table watching the two brothers waylay the travellers and offer their protection whilst mulling over the plan for the night in his head; he knew that it was risky bringing the raid on the Albanians forward but it was too good an opportunity to miss and he smiled to himself as he thought of how Blandinus was to be found. Poor bastard.
Eventually a cough brought him out of his reverie; he looked up. ‘Ah, Terentius; sit down my friend. How’s that boy?’
‘Still passing blood, so I’ve had to put him on lighter duties,’ the whore-boy master replied, elegantly placing himself on the bench opposite Magnus. Out in the street money was changing hands.
‘I’m sorry to hear it. Do you know the Praetorian Tribune Blandinus?’
‘Of course, he’s one of my regulars.’
‘Does he ever, how shall I put it, take his turn around?’
‘No never; some of our clients ask for that but never Blandinus. He only gives and he gives very well; I can personally vouch for that.’ A misty-look came into Terentius’ eyes that Magnus found disconcerting.
‘I’m pleased to hear it. Will he be coming this evening?’
‘I don’t know, he comes most evenings. Why?’
‘I need you to ensure that he comes this evening.’
‘I suppose I could send him a note saying that I’ve got a new boy that may be to his taste.’
‘And do you?’
‘Yes, I’ve had to replace the ones that were cut up.’
‘Then do that and when he comes I need you to drug him; can you do that too?’
Terentius looked uneasy and hesitated. ‘Of course,’ he answered after a few moments.
‘You seem reluctant?’
‘No Magnus, I’ll do it.’
‘Good. Send me a message when it’s done and keep him sedated until I pick him up.’
‘What’s this for?’
‘Terentius my friend, it’s part of something that will make you very happy.’
Out in the street Marius and a group of brothers led the now very well protected travellers off.
Night had fallen and the tavern was packed. Magnus sat in a corner watching Aquilina and her fellow whores plying their trade. Tigran and his cousin looked to be enjoying their wait for the night’s mission.
Servius slipped onto the bench next to Magnus. ‘The lads have left for the Cohort’s depot.’
‘They should be back in an hour then. Any news from Terentius?’
‘Nothing yet, but Aelianus sent a message saying that he can do the fire tonight.’
Magnus nodded. ‘Well that’s something. I suppose if Terentius fucks up then we could postpone it until tomorrow night, although the Senator won’t be happy about it.’
‘What are you going to do about her?’ Servius asked as Aquilina led another customer outside. The ever watchful Jovita made a mark in her ledger.
‘Use her to deliver a message and then… well we’ll see.’
‘I assume this message is for Sempronius.’
‘Exactly Brother. When my mate Aelianus comes with the gear tonight I’m going to make a big fuss about him and offer him a girl and the use of my room. He’s going to let a piece of pillow-talk drop.’
Servius smiled coldly. ‘And she’ll run straight to Sempronius with this titbit.’
Magnus grinned and watched a young slave come through the door. The boy would have been pretty, had it not been for an ugly, badly-stitched wound running from left corner of his mouth to his ear. He walked over to Jovita and after a brief conversation was directed over to Magnus’ corner.
‘Magnus?’ the youth asked, speaking with some difficulty. He held out a wax tablet.
Magnus inclined his head.
‘My master, Terentius, sent this.’
Magnus took the tablet and gave it to Servius to read.
The counsellor glanced at it briefly. ‘Our tribune is sleeping peacefully.’
A look of relief spread over Magnus’ face. ‘Excellent. Tell your master we’ll be along in three hours.’
The slave bowed and slipped out of the room.
‘Make sure all the lads are here within the hour, Brother,’ Magnus said getting to his feet.
‘They will be.’
‘And the first delivery?’
‘Already here.’
‘Pile them up over there in the corner, next to the ladders,’ Magnus ordered as Aelianus and four brothers pushed a couple of laden handcarts off the street and through the double doors of the storeroom at the very rear of the tavern.
Within moments the doors were shut and a pile of twenty Urban Cohort uniforms, minus the armour and shields, lay in a heap on the floor.
‘Right lads, sort it all out into twenty sets,’ Magnus said, putting his arm around Aelianus’ shoulders. ‘You, my friend, are coming with me to fuck the best-looking girl we have working here, and all for free.’
‘What’s the catch, mate?’
‘No catch, I just want you to tell her what the Cohort are planning to do in three nights’ time.’
‘I don’t know what we’re planning in three nights’ time.’
‘Of course you don’t, quite rightly you take no interest in the doings of your unit, but I shall enlighten you as we walk.’
‘Aquilina, come and meet my very good friend and one-time comrade, Aelianus,’ Magnus shouted as he led the quartermaster through the door into the fug of the tavern.
Aquilina disengaged herself from a disgruntled old man and walked through the crowded room. A plumper colleague took her place.
‘Aelianus has just done me a huge favour,’ Magnus informed her as she came up to them, smiling sweetly, ‘and I want you to be very, very nice to him. I’m paying so anything he wants, if you take my meaning?’
‘Oh I do Magnus,’ Aquilina ran her hand up the inside of Aelianus’ thigh. ‘Anything he likes, for as long as he likes.’ Aelinaus’ mouth fell open as he gawped at her with undisguised lust. ‘But there’s no need to pay me Magnus
