return of the Republic? We’re on a wild-goose chase, Cato my lad.’
At the mention of his name, Cato growled. ‘Careful!’
‘We’re alone. What does it matter?’
‘It matters because you said it without thinking.’
‘Just like you did back at the inn, eh?’
Cato flushed with shame. ‘Exactly. We can’t afford to make another mistake until this is all over.’
‘Come the day,’ Macro said wearily.
They were interrupted by footsteps and then Fuscius and Tigellinus entered the room and began to remove their kit.
‘Still skiving, Capito?’ asked Tigellinus.
‘Am I ever, Optio?’ Cato forced a grin as he stretched out on his bed. ‘This is the life for me. Resting up while you lot tramp up and down those shit-filled streets of the Subura.’
‘Ain’t that fun?’ Tigellinus put his hands behind his back and rubbed the bottom of his spine. ‘It doesn’t help that the centurion is a bag of nerves. He thinks everyone he sees on the streets has got it in for us. He’s stopped and searched almost every man we’ve run into, and given them a good slapping into the bargain at the slightest excuse. The mad bastard is going to end up causing another riot if he’s not careful.’ He paused. ‘He should never have been appointed to the Guard. Classic case of the stupidity of direct commissions to the centurionate. A centurion needs experience. And guts. You get that the hard way. It ain’t right that he’s our centurion. Should be someone else.’
‘Like you?’ Cato suggested.
‘Why not? I’ve paid my dues.’ The optio gave Cato a cold look. ‘You’re in my good books, Capito. Don’t ruin the moment.’
‘Why am I in favour?’
‘For what you did to save the boy. I saw you throw yourself in the way of that sword. That’s good soldiering. It’s what Praetorians are for. You’re all right by me. And you’ve won yourself some favour with the Empress and her boy.’ He smiled. ‘That may serve you very well indeed some day.’
‘Oh?’
‘Of course. Think it over. Claudius ain’t going to live forever. Looks to me like young Nero has a good chance of succeeding him, and he owes you. Play your part and you’ll come out of it all smelling of roses. In the meantime, remind me to buy you a drink sometime. Now, I’ve got a report to write for that useless bastard Lurco.’
Tigellinus left the room and they listened to the sound of his boots receding. Fuscius looked at Cato and raised his eyebrows. ‘That’s the first time I ever heard him offer someone a drink. Maybe old Tigellinus has a heart after all.’
‘Then he’ll never make a good centurion,’ said Macro.
‘Really?’ Cato struggled to suppress a smile. ‘And what would you know about that, Calidus?’
‘Trust me, I’ve seen plenty of them come and go in the legions. The best of them are as hard as nails and there’s not a grain of pity in their souls. Of course, there are others.’
‘Like Lurco?’ Fuscius suggested quietly.
Macro nodded. ‘One or two. But they never last. They die quickly. That or they get bucked up to prefect to keep ‘em out of trouble. Has Lurco got influence that you know of?’
The young guardsman looked anxiously towards the door, as if the centurion might be eavesdropping. He leant closer to his comrades and whispered, ‘I heard him boast that the Empress has taken a fancy to him.’
‘Why not? He’s a pretty boy.’ Macro gave Cato a knowing look. ‘In any case, she’s got form and almost everyone knows it.’
‘But not since she married Claudius. She doesn’t want to end up like Messallina.’ Fuscius drew his finger across his throat. ‘If she’s being unfaithful, then she has to be very careful.’
An image of the Empress in the arms of Pallas flitted through Macro’s mind. Agrippina took her risks, but how careful she was in covering her tracks remained to be seen. Macro’s helmet had obscured his face when he had escorted her through the riot and neither she nor Pallas had given any indication that they had recognised him. For the moment he appeared to be safe.
There was a light knock on the door frame as one of the headquarters clerks looked in. ‘You got Guardsman Capito in here?’
‘That’s me.’ Cato raised his hand.
‘Centurion Sinius wants to see you.’
‘Now?’
The clerk pursed his lips. ‘When an officer doesn’t say when it’s generally because he means right now. I’d move my arse if I were you.’
‘Thanks.’ Cato stood up and hurriedly put on his boots and military belt. It had started to rain outside so he picked up his cloak and trotted out of the barracks to catch up with the clerk.
‘Did Sinius say what he wanted?’
‘No. And before you ask, I didn’t.’
Cato glanced at the clerk, an overweight soldier with a round, pudding-like face. ‘Are they all as helpful as you at headquarters?’
‘Oh no,’ the man answered in a sour tone. ‘Most of them are complete bastards.’
‘Lucky for me they sent you then.’
The clerk glanced at Cato and shrugged. ‘Sorry, mate. I’m just a bit pissed off that we’re going on half rations.’
‘I can understand that,’ Cato responded with a quick glance at the man’s gut. ‘Someone’s messed up and it’s the rankers who pay the price, eh?’
‘You said it, brother. The Emperor’s been losing his grip these last months. Spending too much time fondling that niece of his. That ain’t right or decent and no good will come of it. Pity that boy of hers isn’t a bit older. Nero’s got promise, if you ask me. And he favours the Praetorian Guard. Give him a few more years and he’ll do fine as the new Emperor.’
‘Assuming the job doesn’t go to Britannicus.’
The clerk snorted with derision. ‘Claudius will be in his grave long before Britannicus is old enough to take the reins.’
‘Then it might be useful if someone encouraged the process along, I’d say.’
The clerk looked at him. ‘I might agree with you, brother, and there are plenty in the camp who would too, but I wouldn’t go and shout it about the place, eh?’
‘Just thinking aloud.’
‘And that’s all very fine now, but words have a way of prompting actions.’ The clerk winked at him. ‘But no more of it.’
They continued to headquarters in silence and the clerk showed him to Centurion Sinius’s door before returning to his duties. Cato had no idea why he had been summoned and thought it might have something to do with his shielding Nero from harm a few days earlier. Perhaps some kind of reward. He stepped up to the door, paused a moment and then knocked.
‘Come!’
Cato lifted the latch and entered. Sinius was sitting on a stool beside the small brazier that warmed his office. He looked at Cato and then gestured towards the door. ‘Close that and come over here.’
‘Yes, sir.’ Cato did as he was told and then crossed the room to stand at ease in front of the centurion. There was a pause before Cato cleared his throat. ‘You sent for me, sir.’
‘Yes, I did.’ Sinius regarded him silently for a moment. ‘You’re an interesting man, Capito. Centurion Lurco’s report of the other day’s events makes for interesting reading. Apart from saving the Emperor’s stepson, it was you who took the initiative in abandoning the litters, I understand. He gives you credit for that at least, the rest he claims for himself. But I have already spoken to your optio and discounted most of Lurco’s boasting. You and Calidus are quite a pair. Very cool headed under pressure, it would appear.’
‘We’ve had our share of skirmishes and battles in the legions, sir.’
‘So I imagine. Your actions got the Emperor and his party out of a very dangerous situation. How very loyal
