Cogidubnus, no longer dripping quite somuch, addressed me, which Ivomagus translated, “My brother wants toinform you that while you and your officers will be feasting, hehas arranged for your men to have as much meat, bread, and mead asthey can consume. The food will be delivered shortly beforesundown.”
This was extraordinarily charitable,and I am afraid that my first reaction was to gape at him insurprise, but I found my voice to say, “Please thank your brotherfor me, Ivomagus. That is most generous, and I know my men willappreciate it greatly.” I hesitated, and the reason for my pausewas that I intended to ask that the drink being offered be changedto water, but what came out was only, “I do request that he notsupply the men with all the mead they can drink, because,” Igrinned at the two of them, “they can drink a lot of anything intoxicating. So, may I ask thathe supply only enough for two cups per man?”
Ivomagus translated, and Cogidubnus didchuckle, I presume at what he probably thought was a boast aboutthe capacity of my men but was really a statement of fact. Whatmattered was that Cogidubnus readily agreed, and to me, he lookedslightly relieved. King he may have been, but supplying the foodand drink for almost a hundred thirty men is not an inconsiderableexpense. I used this offer as an excuse to return to camp so that Icould inform the men that they would be able to gorge themselves,although I knew that most of them would be more interested in themead. I also was acutely aware that, while there are not that many,there are men who have no taste, or the head for intoxicatingdrink, and would use their ration to strike a bargain with one oftheir comrades who were inveterate debauchers. Usually, the barterinvolves some sort of unpleasant duty, and the reality is that theman who is offering up his ration has the upper hand; I have seenmen who offered up to six months of extra duties in exchange for asingle extra cup of wine. Once I entered the camp, I had Poplicolasound the call for assembly for both Centuries, which did not takelong, since most of the men had been outside their tents.
“We,” I wasted no time dispensing themost important news first, “are departing tomorrow. We’re…” BeforeI could get out “going home,” I was drowned out by the bellow ofjoy issued by every man present. I was smiling so much that itactually made my face hurt; watching their happiness and relief wasone of the more enjoyable moments I had experienced in some time. Ifinally got them to quiet down enough to inform them, “Also, KingCogidubnus is holding a feast tonight, and while only the officersare invited to the feast being held in the hall, the king hasordered that you will be supplied with the roast meat and breadthat will be served in his hall. And,” I’m making a huge mistake, Ithought ruefully, “he’s also supplying mead…”
I cannot say that the outburst was atthe same volume as the one heartbeats earlier, but it was close,and as they were carrying on, I decided that I would not mentionthat their consumption would be limited to two cups. I’ll let theirSergeants tell them, I thought, since they would be the onlyofficers left behind. I briefly considered leaving theTesseraurii, but Mus was acting asOptio, and I had not appointed someone to replace him in thatoffice, even temporarily. Nor did I feel right leaving Herenniusbehind, meaning that it would be up to the Sergeants to keep themen under control, and most importantly of all, inside the camp.Dismissing them, I went to my tent, stripping off my armor and mywet tunic, explaining to Alex what had taken place.
“You know that Acisculus did that onpurpose.” He laughed, and I glared at him.
“I’m glad you think it’s funny,” Igrowled, although by this point, I could see the humor aswell.
He turned serious and asked, “Are you allgoing to wear your armor to the feast?”
I had given this some thought, but I hadbeen unable to reach a decision, so I asked him, “What do youthink?”
“I think that you’re running a riskeither way,” he answered immediately, telling me he had beenthinking about it as well. “Naturally, if all of you show upwearing your armor, the king may take this as a sign that you don’ttrust him.”
“I don’t,” I replied, and I know thatthe warning from the copper-haired girl was in my mind, although Ialready had my suspicions.
“But the question is, how obvious doyou want to be about that distrust?” he asked, then before I couldsay anything, he went on, “And, let’s be honest. There are going tobe seven of you attending, and even if you’re all wearing yourarmor and carrying your gladii, if Cogidubnus has some sort of treacheryplanned, could you really
