The Eagle In The Sand Read Online Free PDF Page B

cover for your real mission.You and Macro will be assigned to a frontier unit in the province. Since you belong to the select few who know about the prophecies you are the most obvious choice for the job.’ He shrugged. ‘In a way, you are victims of your own success, as the saying goes. Come now, Cato. It’s not as if I’m asking you to risk your lives. I just want you to assess the situation.’
    ‘And resolve it.’
    ‘Yes, and resolve it.’
    ‘By what means?’
    ‘You will be acting with the full authority of the Emperor. I have prepared a document to that effect. It’s waiting in another office, together with Centurion Macro’s letter of appointment, the report from Caesarea and all the other material I felt it was relevant for you to see. I’d like you to read through it tonight.’
    ‘All of it?’
    ‘Yes, I think that would be wise, since you will be leaving Rome at dawn tomorrow.’

    Centurion Florianus shook his head as Cato finished relating the details of the meeting. ‘That’s tough. The Imperial Secretary seems determined to make you boys earn every sestertian of your pay.’
    Macro rolled his eyes. ‘You can’t imagine.’
    ‘Of course,’ Cato said quietly, ‘you are never to speak to anyone else about the scrolls. Narcissus instructed me to inform you alone. Only a handful of people are aware of their existence, and we are the only three in all of the eastern provinces in the know. That’s how Narcissus wants it to stay. Is that understood?’
    Florianus nodded.
    ‘Very well,’ Cato continued. ‘I won’t insult you by asking you to swear to secrecy. Knowing the Imperial Secretary as we all do, it’s enough to imagine what he might do to us if we ever revealed the secret.’
    ‘Don’t worry,’ Florianus replied casually. ‘I know what becomes of those who fall foul of Narcissus. Before I came here, I was one of his interrogators.’
    ‘Ah . . .’ Macro made to speak, thought better of it, closed his mouth and impulsively thrust his cup towards Florianus. ‘I think I need some more of your wine.’
    As Macro took a hefty gulp from his replenished cup Florianus continued, ‘So what is your plan?
    ‘We’ll start with Prefect Scrofa and Bannus,’ said Cato. ‘If we can sort them out then we might be able to prevent an uprising. Without that Longinus will have no reason to call for reinforcements. He won’t be strong enough to march on Rome. If he’s forced to hold his position, then, with luck, the Parthians will not dare to push their ambitions too far.’
    ‘That’s two ifs too many for my taste,’ Macro muttered.
    Cato shrugged. ‘There’s nothing we can do about it. At least until we reach the fort at Bushir.’
    ‘When will you go?’ asked Florianus.
    ‘A fine host you are!’ Macro laughed, and Florianus tried to stop himself blushing as he replied.
    ‘I’m not trying to get rid of you. It’s just that since you killed some of the sicarians in that skirmish down in the temple, their friends will be looking out for you. I’d advise you to look to your safety until you reach Bushir. Don’t go anywhere alone. Always keep armed men close to you and watch your backs.’
    ‘We always do,’ Macro told him.
    ‘Glad to hear it. Now, I imagine you’ll want a guide. Someone who knows the route, as well as the lie of the land around Bushir.’
    ‘That would be helpful,’ said Cato. ‘Do you know anyone we can trust?’
    ‘None of the local people, that’s for sure. But there’s a man who should serve your needs. He usually works as a guide on the caravan routes to Arabia so he knows the land and the people well. Symeon’s not exactly a friend of the Empire, but he’s smart enough to know that nothing good will come out of any attempt to defy Rome.You can trust him that far at least.’
    ‘Sounds useful.’ Macro smiled. ‘My enemy’s enemy is my friend.’
    Florianus nodded. ‘Thus it ever was. Don’t knock it, Macro.The adage works well enough. Now