AllFreeNovel
Share Us
‘Just one, Marius. Come, it’s a celebration. You can’t refuse a drink.’
‘Let him go if he wishes.’ Hermenia put a restraining hand on her husband’s arm, but he only shook his head more insistently.
‘No, he works too hard. Sit down, Centurion. That’s an order.’
‘As you wish, sir.’
Marius sat on the edge of the couch, swallowing another, more violent oath and regretting that he’d come anywhere near the villa. He ought to have known from experience that Nerva enjoyed his wine far too much to want to deal with official business in the evenings. He’d clearly drunk enough to forget his own advice from the previous day as well. If he’d been sober then he would never have asked him to sit in the same room as Scaevola.
‘Here.’ Nerva passed him a cup of wine before refilling and raising his own. ‘To Lucius and Livia. May their marriage be as long and happy as mine has been.’
Marius raised the cup to his mouth and then lowered it again untouched. Livia seemed reluctant to drink, too, he noticed, her cup barely skimming her lips, though Scaevola drained his in a few short gulps. Seated on adjacent couches, neither of them looked very happy about it. The bride’s spine was as straight as a javelin, while the groom was sprawled in an inelegant heap.
He narrowed his eyes suspiciously. If he wasn’t mistaken, the boy was even more intoxicated than Nerva.
‘So what have you discovered on your travels?’ The Legate leaned back against his couch, regarding him through half-closed eyelids. ‘Are we about to be invaded by Caledonian warriors?’
‘Preposterous!’ Lucius snorted. ‘They wouldn’t stand a chance!’
‘It’s no laughing matter.’ Hermenia admonished him. ‘They’ve overrun the wall before—recently, too. It’s best to be cautious.’
‘You’re right, of course.’ Nerva smiled indulgently. ‘But any further assaults on the wall are highly unlikely. The tribes took advantage of the Legion’s absence in Gaul, but now that we’re back they’d be fools to attack again.’
‘The wall’s still vulnerable in places, sir.’
‘But we have plenty of men to defend it. Besides, where’s your proof, Marius? Have you seen anything to support your theory?’
‘No, sir. Nothing. That’s the problem.’
‘You mean you’re worrying about nothing?’ Lucius laughed scornfully.
‘Yes.’ Marius didn’t bother to look at him. ‘Something just feels wrong.’
Nerva sighed sceptically. ‘Look, I know you’ve been here longer than the rest of us, but perhaps you’ve simply got used to fighting. Trust me, the rebellion’s over. It’s probably just quiet because the tribes have learned their lesson.’
‘Or perhaps they’re regrouping, sir. They know that once the wall is fully repaired they’ll have lost their advantage. If they’re planning an assault, it will be soon. Spring’s here and the weather’s already warming up.’
‘All right.’ Nerva pressed two fingers against the bridge of his nose and squeezed. ‘Supposing you’re right, what exactly do you suggest I do about it?’
‘As I said last night, sir, with your permission, I’d like to lead a patrol north to investigate.’
‘Isn’t that dangerous?’
The voice was oddly high-pitched—so different from her usual tone that for a moment he didn’t recognise it as Livia’s. It was the first time that she’d spoken since his arrival and all eyes turned towards her at once.
‘Only for most soldiers.’ Nerva chuckled. ‘Marius here is an exception.’
Scaevola gave another snort and the Legate’s eyebrows arched upwards interrogatively.
‘Unless you’d prefer to go, Lucius? Your father told me you needed military experience. This would be a perfect opportunity.’
‘Me?’
Marius bit back a smile, gratified to see the look of horror on the younger man’s face. It would serve him right if he were sent north, though not the men he commanded. They deserved better than an arrogant youth. Even the tribes deserved better. If there wasn’t a rebellion already, then there would be by the time Scaevola had finished.
Marius stole another furtive glance towards Livia, just in time to catch the flash of concern in her eyes before she dropped them again. Was she worried about him? The thought made him feel even closer to her and he looked away again. That was the last thing he needed.
‘I thought not.’ Nerva’s tone was mocking. ‘Besides, I wouldn’t do that to you on the eve of your wedding.’
