Danger in the Wind (30 page)

“Unless Mallius sticks to his confession once he’s sober. That will make our lives a lot easier.”

“I don’t believe he will stick to it. Do you?”

He shook his head. “I think we’ve established that it was either Nikias or Trebonius. All we have to do,” he added with a grin, “is prove which.”

The guard on the gate had been doubled, and there was a centurion in charge today. He was one of the officers we’d met at the party, so I gave him a smile and called, “’Morning, Ennius.” He waved us through and smiled back.

Gambax was waiting for us in our office, and he’d even arranged breakfast there for us. “There’s a cookshop been set up near the food stores, for all the people that are coming into the fort for shelter today,” he explained. “You can go there for grub whenever you like.”

Quintus and I contented ourselves with some wine, but Titch helped himself enthusiastically to bread and cheese. “Great. I’m no good for anything on an empty stomach.”

“I don’t know where you put it all,” Quintus smiled. “If I ate that much, I’d be so fat I couldn’t find a horse strong enough to carry me.”

“I reckon it’s down to hard work and a virtuous life,” Titch answered.

The joking stopped when we began to make our plans for the day. Everyone knew, and nobody admitted, that we had far too much to do, and far too few people to do it.

Quintus and Gambax began compiling a list of the people we needed to interview, some of those at yesterday’s party and the soldiers who’d been guarding it. Titch went to check discreetly on Philippus’ whereabouts. We didn’t intend to talk to him immediately, but Quintus wanted to keep track of his movements.

My first job was to visit the hospital to see how Mallius was, and if he was still unconscious, make sure they let us know when he woke.

Before I could set off, Titch came back to report that Philippus had left the fort at first light, telling the gate-guard he had orders to ride to Cataractonium.

“He’ll surely be back here in time for his mother’s funeral,” I said. “That’s going to be late this afternoon, I believe. One of Trebonius’ aides is organising it.”

“I wonder if he’s really gone to Cataractonium,” Quintus mused. “It seems odd Trebonius should send him up there, if they’re desperate for every available man here.”

“Wherever he’s gone, I must confess I’m relieved he isn’t in the fort. I’m frightened of him, now I know what he’s capable of.”

“But he doesn’t know that you know, don’t forget,” Quintus said. “And you’re safe enough in the fort, anyway.”

“Safer if he’s not here, certainly. But I’d like to see the man arrested.”

“Soon he will be, or at least that’s what I’m hoping. If he’s run off or gone to make contact with the rebels, it may take us longer. We must try to find him if he’s still in Isurium. I want to know where he goes today, who he sees.”

“Hadn’t we better check with Trebonius whether he really has been sent out on some sort of mission?” I suggested. “While we’re at it, we ought to find out about Eurytus’ plans for the day.”

Quintus nodded. “I’ll go and see Trebonius now. Titch, could you have a word with the stable-master, make sure that if we need horses later we can get them without any hold-up or fuss.”

He grinned. “Already done last night. The horse-master here has been in the cavalry since Romulus was a lad. I discovered he used to know me dad in his army days. His name’s Septimus, and he says if we ask him personally, he’ll make sure we have any mounts we need, whatever else is going on.”

“Good. Then you can help Gambax with this list of people to interview. I’ll go and see the commander, and Aurelia will visit the hospital. Meet back here as soon as possible.”

The waiting-room in the medical block was deserted, but I heard sounds of activity coming from the office-cum-store. I knocked and entered, and found Nikias standing with his back to the door, pounding away with a pestle at a large mortar that gave off an unpleasant smell. I preferred not to speculate what it was, knowing the weird and horrible things that go into some medicines.

Nikias turned as I came in, and I realised it wasn’t Nikias but Pythis. They were similar in appearance from behind, the same build and the same brown hair, but I hadn’t realised that last night because their faces were different. This boy was pleasant-looking, whereas Nikias was decidedly handsome.

“Good morning, Mistress,” he said politely. “The doctor has gone to get some rest, it was quite a disturbed night for us. Fabianus was delirious and had convulsions, and then of course the deputy commander gave us a fright.”

“Mallius? What’s happened to him?”

“I’m afraid he tried to take his life,” the lad said. “Opened a vein in his wrist. But we found him in time and he hasn’t gone to the Underworld yet. He’s in a deep sleep, as still as a dead man, but the master says he’ll pull through.”

“Gods, as if that family hasn’t suffered enough. Does Philippus know?”

“I couldn’t say, Mistress, but I doubt it. He hasn’t been here since he visited his father last night, and we haven’t told anyone except Commander Trebonius.”

“May I see Mallius now?”

Pythis shook his head. “I’m sorry. The master said he wasn’t to have any visitors just yet. Of course, as it’s you…but I don’t like to go against his direct orders. Could you wait until he comes? I’m expecting him later this morning. And there really is nothing to see, just a poor wounded man who needs his rest. He’ll be all right eventually. We found him in time,” Pythis repeated the reassurance and I had to be satisfied with that.

I said a quick prayer for Mallius at the little shrine to Apollo outside the medical block’s entrance, and went back to report the disturbing news to Quintus and Titch. “Chloe hasn’t arrived, I suppose? She ought to know about this. Philippus too.”

“No, Chloe’s not here yet. I’ve asked the lads at the gate to send us a message when she turns up.” Quintus was staring thoughtfully out of the small window. “You know, the fact that Mallius has tried to commit suicide ought to confirm that he murdered Jovina. But it doesn’t, to me. It makes his behaviour even more incomprehensible, that’s all.”

“I agree. I don’t see how he could possibly have followed Jovina through the woods during the party in the state he was in. But he could have intended to. Suppose he’d poisoned her food or wine at the party with something to make her drowsy, meaning to kill her later on, but then was drunk and couldn’t do it? And someone else attacked her…no, that’s too far-fetched.”

“Did she seem sleepy when you spoke to her? She didn’t look it.”

“No, you’re right. When I talked to her after the meal she seemed bright and alert, and excited about the idea of disappearing into the woods.”

I stopped because there was a loud, familiar voice outside, calling out to somebody further away. “Is this Antonius’ office? Good.” There followed a peremptory knock at the door.

My heart sank inside me as Quintus called “Come in,” and my brother stepped into the room.

“Lucius, welcome,” Quintus said, rising and moving forward to shake his hand. “This is wonderful. I’m very pleased to see you. We’ve got too much work and not enough workers, as usual.”

“Quintus, I’m glad you’re here. I’ve just heard about yesterday, about Jovina….
Aurelia!
”

“Good morning, Lucius. This is a pleasant surprise.”

“What in the name of all the gods are you doing here?”

“I told you I planned to come and visit my cousin. I was right, she did need me here.”

“But I gave you strict orders to stay at home.”

“Which I managed to get around, because it was important. I travelled here without any co-operation from the staff at the Oak Tree. Albia helped me. She agreed with me you were being ridiculous. And I do have other friends, you know, who will rally round when I need them.”

“Other friends? You mean Quintus!” he almost shouted, whirling round to face him. “Did you have a hand in this?”

“No. The first I knew of it was when I met Aurelia in Eburacum and she told me about her cousin’s letter and what had happened since. By then she’d made all her arrangements, and not least, she’d made up her mind. I’m sorry you’re angry, Lucius, but as things have turned out, I’m very glad she came. She’s been a great help in my investigations.”

“Really? She doesn’t seem to have helped Jovina much.”

It was a cruel comment, but I couldn’t deny it. “I don’t think anyone could have done, Lucius. I intend to help now though, to avenge her and bring whoever’s killed her to justice. You were right about one thing. There’s something seriously wrong here at the fort. I don’t know yet how deeply Jovina and her family are involved.”

“We shall find out. That’s Quintus and Titch and I. Not you. I’m taking you home today myself. I don’t feel I can even trust you to go on your own under escort. We can stay at Albia’s tonight, and get to the Oak Tree tomorrow. Presumably Vitellia is still there?”

“Of course not. Do you think I’d leave her all alone at Oak Bridges? She’s here at Isurium. She wanted to come with me, in the hope of seeing you. The gods know why.”

“
Here!
You brought Vitellia here, into danger, against my express wishes…by the gods, Aurelia, that’s unforgivable.”

There followed a long, fierce row, with Lucius ranting and me defending myself as best I could. I’ve had many arguments with Lucius—what brother and sister haven’t quarrelled, even when they are as close as we are?—but never one as brutal as this. I didn’t notice when Quintus and Titch slipped out of the office, but they obviously thought we were best left to sort out our differences in private.

It went on for ages. We are both stubborn, and we were both angry and convinced we were in the right.

We might be arguing there still, if Quintus hadn’t come back and said without preamble, “All right, you two. I’m going to have to interrupt your family council. Something bad’s happened, and I need your help. If you can’t or won’t give it, I need you to get out of my office so Titch and I can deal with it.”

We both stared at him. Lucius said, “What is it? Not Vitellia…”

Quintus shook his head. “Eurytus has been murdered in the village. The commander is threatening to take punitive action. The natives know about it, and the whole place looks fit to explode like another Vesuvius.”

The silence was so absolute that I clearly heard marching feet somewhere outside, punctuated by sharp words of command.

Eventually Lucius asked, “Where and how?”

“The body was found on the road just outside Brennus’ house, which is on the edge of the village. He was stabbed with a silver-handled knife which was left beside him. The commander has sent men to arrest Brennus and he’s ordering all Roman civilians inside the fort.”

“So Achilles has killed his Hector,” I said. “Will the next act in the drama be the Fall of Troy?”

“I don’t know. Let’s hope we can find out who played Achilles before it’s too late.”

“Vitellia and Chloe,” Lucius said, “are they here yet?”

“No. They should be soon though. They were supposed to be following us here. No doubt they’re just not aware of the urgency. I’ll send Titch over for them with a couple of men.”

“Vitellia should never have been brought to Isurium,” Lucius snapped. “Aurelia, if anything happens to her, I’ll never forgive you. If you’d done as I told you…”

“How many more times? I will
not
do as you tell me, when what you tell me to do is unreasonable. You can’t order me about…”

“That’s enough!” Quintus shouted. He rarely shouts, and the effect was frightening. “
I
can order both of you to do as you’re told, if I choose. And if all you’re going to do is squabble like children, then I order you to get out of my office and out of this fort. I’ve two major crimes to investigate, one of them so serious that if I don’t come up with an answer the whole of this village will be torn to pieces and none of us may survive, anyway. Curse you, you idiots, can’t you see I need your help? But I’ll do without it sooner than put up with your nonsense. So work with me and each other sensibly, or go.
NOW.
”

There was another long silence, which I broke.

“I’m sorry, Quintus.” I turned to Lucius. “Shall we call a truce, brother? We’re all on the same side, here to do the same job. Isn’t it better if we work together till the job’s done?”

He hesitated for a few heartbeats, then answered gruffly. “Yes, it is. A truce…All right. I’m sorry too, Quintus. Tell us what you want us to do.”

“Thank you. Lucius, I suggest you and Titch go to Mallius’ house and fetch Vitellia, Chloe, old Statius, and the servants. Leave only a couple of the male slaves there to watch over the house. On your way, Titch will tell you the details of what’s been happening. I’ll go to Brennus’ house and try to find out how Eurytus met his death. If I haven’t returned to the fort by the time you’ve brought everyone safely in, come and join me there.”

“I will. The house is fairly close, isn’t it? I shouldn’t be long. Anything else?”

“Not yet. We’ll have to plan on the hoof as the day develops. And make sure you keep Aurelia informed about what’s happening, your progress and your plans. I’ll be doing the same. She’ll be staying here as our contact point. We’ve no choice but to split up, and it’s important there’s someone here who has all the information we’re collecting.” He turned to me. “All right, Aurelia? You’ll be holding the fort here, more or less literally by the looks of things.”