Agent of Rome: The Far Shore

by Brown, Nick

  ‘You think it’s a lie?’

  ‘Either that or they’re braver men than me.’

  ‘Maybe they don’t have any choice.’

  Cassius stood up and handed the page to Simo. ‘You’re going to show me this ship,’ he told the clerk. ‘Akritos, I want you to spread the word. No seagoing vessel is to leave without my express permission. Understood?’

  Akritos put his cap back on. ‘Sir, you’ll need Magistrate Nariad’s authorisation for that.’

  ‘Consider it given.’

  A light rain began to fall as they strode along the coast road, now accompanied by a pair of legionaries Cassius had collared. The Scyros was moored some distance away, beyond the last of the warehouses, close to where the wharf became the northern breakwater.

  ‘Looks like this weather forecaster was wrong,’ Cassius said to the clerk.

  ‘Yes, sir. Just a cloudburst I think, though. The sailors really do listen to him. He makes more money than the augurs.’

  ‘Officer! Officer Corbulo!’

  Cassius turned to see a covered carriage approaching at speed. Next to the driver was the diminutive figure of Trogus, waving frantically. Cassius and the others moved off the road as the driver brought the horses to a stop.

  ‘Wonderful,’ muttered Cassius when he saw that sitting under the carriage’s fabric roof were young Mistress Annia and someone he presumed to be her maid – a sweet-looking girl of about the same age. The driver got down and steadied the horses.

  ‘Morning, sir.’

  ‘Trogus.’

  Annia had a little more colour about her than the previous day but was wrapped up in the same black cape. ‘Good day, Officer Corbulo.’

  ‘Good day, miss.’

  ‘How are things proceeding?’

  ‘Well at least they are proceeding now. I had a frank exchange of views with Magistrate Nariad and he is cooperating fully. His sergeants are assisting the legionaries to see if anyone recalls anything about the assassin. I am trying to establish the man’s movements.’

  ‘And?’

  ‘Nothing yet. But the day is young.’

  Annia looked past him at the others. ‘Where are you going now?’

  ‘Just making enquiries.’

  ‘Are you concerned with one ship in particular? You know my father had a lot of dealings in Africa, you might look for ships from there.’

  ‘Miss, I really must get on. Perhaps if you return to the villa – I shall ensure you’re kept abreast of any developments.’

  ‘No, no. I can’t wait around there all day.’

  ‘Perhaps a visit to the governor then, to make sure he also understands the gravity of the situation?’

  Cassius noticed Trogus wince but as long as the girl was out of his way, he didn’t care.

  ‘Perhaps,’ replied Annia. ‘Shall we arrange a meeting for later?’

  ‘I really don’t know where I’ll be. But don’t worry, I promise to keep you apprised.’

  Annia leant over the side of the carriage and ushered Cassius closer. ‘If you need money, please just ask,’ she said quietly. ‘Whatever is required.’

  In truth, this was one area where her help might prove useful. Cassius had only his own money with him, and there were no senior army administrators in the city from whom he could secure funds.

  ‘I shall, miss. Thank you.’

  ‘Please do your best for us.’

  Though the distinctly unladylike attitude remained, Cassius was relieved to note the improvement in her manner.

  ‘Of course.’

  The Scyros was a broad, high-sided vessel about seventy feet long. The yard had been raised and the brown mainsail hung beneath it, bunched up like a huge curtain. Close to the stern were four crewmen working on the ship’s tiller, talking in a language Cassius didn’t recognise. Aside from the fact that they were all dark-skinned, black-haired and wearing long, beltless tunics, Cassius could deduce little from the sailors’ appearance. Noticing the visitors, they looked up at the wharf.

  ‘We are coming aboard,’ he announced in Greek.

  The men said nothing but watched in mild surprise as Cassius ordered the soldiers on first. Between the ship and the wharf were large fenders made from sacks filled with dried bark. The soldiers negotiated these then dropped on to the deck. As Cassius and the others followed, one of the sailors spoke.

  ‘Gaulish?’ suggested the clerk.

  ‘No,’ said Simo.

  ‘Who’s in charge here?’ asked Cassius.

  The crewmen stared at him blankly.

  ‘Where – is – your – captain?’ Cassius asked, changing to Latin.

  He could make nothing out of the garbled reply.

  ‘I think he said he’s not here,’ suggested the clerk.

  ‘How can they sail to Rhodes and not speak a word of Greek or Latin? It’s damned odd.’

  One of the legionaries had wandered away to inspect the rest of the ship. ‘Sir, I think I heard something below.’

  Dragging his eyes from the shadowy main hatch, Cassius turned to the talkative sailor. ‘Is – someone – down – there?’

  The sailor shrugged, then gestured towards the hatch. The other three glanced anxiously at one another.

  ‘Draw swords, you two,’ Cassius told the legionaries. ‘If there’s someone below I want them brought up. Swiftly now.’

  ‘Yes, sir.’ The older of the two led the way down the steps, blade angled downwards.

  Cassius waved Indavara forward to keep watch on the sailors, then walked over to the hatch as the legionaries reached the bottom.

  ‘Bloody dark down here, sir.’

  ‘You see anything?’

  ‘Not much, just— Hey!’

  ‘What is it?’

  Cassius’s only answer was the sound of a struggle. He was halfway down the steps when the legionaries reappeared out of the gloom. They each had a hand on a short individual attired like the other sailors.

  ‘Got another one, sir.’

  ‘You speak Greek?’ demanded Cassius. ‘Latin?’

  The man’s response was to try to wrench his arms free, but he soon desisted when the older legionary waved his sword in his face. ‘Want some of that, short-arse?’

  ‘You keep looking,’ Cassius told the younger legionary.

  ‘Yes, sir.’

  ‘Bring him.’

  Cassius retreated up the steps. As soon as the fifth sailor cleared the hatch, he started babbling at his compatriots.

  ‘Quiet!’ Cassius shouted.

  The older legionary held the man by the collar and kept his sword close to his neck.

  ‘Centurion! Sir!’

  The ten men on the deck of the Scyros looked up at the wharf. Standing there with a coil of rope over his shoulder was a man of about forty. He looked rather shocked.

  ‘Might I ask what’s going on here? I am Nepius Ahala, master of this vessel.’

  ‘Just making enquiries,’ Cassius said calmly, keen to avoid letting another tense situation spiral out of control. ‘Come down here, would you?’

  Leaving the rope on the wharf, Ahala nimbly negotiated the fenders and strode over to Cassius. He was a striking man: broad-shouldered and handsome, with a light beard and thick, greying hair.

  ‘Surely there’s no need for blades here, sir,’ he said, continuing in Latin.

  ‘I’ll be the judge of that,’ replied Cassius. ‘Is there anyone else on board?’

  Ahala exchanged a few words with his men in the mysterious language. ‘No. I have six more crew but they’re fetching water.’

  ‘Why do none of them speak Latin or Greek?’

  ‘Why would they? I recruit them from my home town, not far from Barcino.’

  ‘Ah,’ said Cassius. ‘Spanish.’

  ‘Aquitanian, we call it.’

  ‘You were supposed to leave yesterday, correct?’

  ‘That’s right. Bit of rudder trouble. What’s all this about anyway?’

  ‘Where are you headed
?’

  Though Cassius kept the questions coming, Ahala showed no sign of unease.

  ‘To Demetrias in Macedonia. Quite a long trip.’

  ‘And dangerous at this time of year.’

  Ahala shrugged. ‘I’ve done it before. Basically a matter of hopping from one island to the other, then along the coast in stages.’

  ‘Why is your hold empty?’

  ‘We’re bound to meet some bad weather somewhere, so we’re better off without a big load.’

  ‘That’s horseshit, sir,’ interjected the older legionary. ‘These captains squeeze in everything they can to make a profit.’

  ‘Experienced seaman, are you, soldier?’ asked Ahala.

  ‘Watch your mouth,’ retorted the legionary.

  ‘I’ve already made my money on this trip,’ explained the captain. ‘Which won’t count for a lot if we’re sunk on the way home.’

  ‘Sir, I’ve got something!’ cried the other legionary, still down below. He stomped up the steps holding a heavy-looking sack tied at the top with twine. ‘Didn’t you say something about a sack, sir? Found this near where we found the man.’

  Cassius and the others all stared at the captain. He suddenly laughed.

  ‘Something amusing?’ Cassius asked.

  Ahala put a hand on the curved dagger at his belt. ‘May I?’

  ‘Sir,’ warned the older legionary.

  Cassius examined the captain’s face and made a swift decision. ‘Go ahead.’

  ‘You’ll find a hundred and forty-nine more of these if you keep looking.’

  Ahala jabbed the dagger into the sack, then pulled it out. Sand spilled from the hole on to the deck. The captain sheathed his dagger. ‘Ballast.’

  Cassius looked at the crew. ‘Where were your men on the night before last?’

  ‘Here. Sleeping.’

  ‘You’re sure of that?’

  ‘Absolutely. I bed down near the hatch so none of them can sneak into town for a drink.’

  ‘All right. One last thing. Line your men up.’

  As Ahala gave the orders, Cassius waved the legionaries up to the wharf. ‘Go. We’re done here.’

  The soldier who’d argued with Ahala shook his head. ‘You’re just going to leave it at that, sir?’

  ‘You don’t get paid enough to make decisions, legionary. Off the ship.’

  ‘Should I translate?’ asked Ahala, now standing with his men.

  ‘Yes,’ Cassius replied, pulling a coin from the money bag attached to his belt. ‘Tell them to catch this with one hand.’

  ‘As you wish,’ replied the bemused captain.

  Cassius went along the line. Four of the men caught the coin cleanly and the last one dropped it but they all had one thing in common.

  ‘Right-handed,’ said Indavara. ‘But what about the other sailors who aren’t here?’

  Cassius shook his head. ‘We’re wasting our time. My fault for jumping to flawed conclusions. Why would the killer masquerade as part of a crew? He wouldn’t even be able to decide when to make his escape. No, we’re looking for a man on his own. Come on.

  ‘Apologies for the intrusion,’ he said as they passed Ahala. He wouldn’t normally have bothered, but the captain had been exceptionally good-natured about the whole thing.

  ‘No harm done, Officer,’ said Ahala with a smile. ‘Always happy to assist imperial officials.’

  ‘I’m sure.’

  Cassius was last off the ship. As they marched back towards the town, the covered carriage reappeared on the road, overtaking a slow-moving wagon and speeding past the warehouses towards them.

  ‘Gods,’ said Cassius. ‘What is it now?’

  The two legionaries laughed when the carriage came to a stop – squeezed in between the two young ladies was the portly Optio Clemens.

  Annia waved at Cassius. ‘Officer, this man was looking for you so I thought we’d help out.’

  ‘Very thoughtful, miss,’ said the red-faced optio.

  ‘Ha ha! Lady Clemens out for a ride!’ cried the younger legionary. The older man was already guffawing.

  Cassius shoved the loudmouth in the shoulder, swiftly bringing him to his senses. ‘Shut your mouth, idiot,’ he snapped, before turning to Clemens. ‘What is it?’

  ‘One of the men has got a sighting from the day before yesterday. Sounds right. Short man, with the hood and the sack.’

  ‘Where?’

  ‘Coming out of a shipping agent’s office.’

  ‘Who saw him?’

  ‘Cobbler with a store opposite.’ Clemens grinned. ‘He noticed the boots.’

  VI

  A quarter of an hour later, a quite sizeable group of people were gathered outside the shipping agent’s office: Clemens and four legionaries, three city sergeants, the harbour master’s clerk, Mistress Annia and her entourage, and half a dozen curious passers-by.

  Cassius – waiting impatiently as the agent examined an array of waxed tablets – looked out through the doorway at Annia. Alone in the carriage, she stared out at the sea, seemingly unconcerned by the harsh wind lashing her face, or the errant strands of hair whipping about her neck.

  The agent was named Sudrenus; a wealthy-looking Greek who didn’t seem accustomed to clerical work. His two employees were both ill with some coughing sickness, so he was having to man the office himself. His family owned and managed a fleet of mid-size freighters that ran routes all across the eastern Mediterranean.

  He glanced at the street. ‘Must they all stand around like that? It’s not good for business.’

  ‘The quicker you are, the quicker they’ll be gone,’ said Cassius. ‘The witness did seem sure he saw the man leaving here two days ago.’

  ‘Yes, yes. I just have to find the right tablet.’

  Though it had cost him fifteen denarii (ten for the legionary, five for the cobbler), Cassius was fairly certain the sighting was genuine. The man had described a brand new pair of the hobnailed, front-laced boots worn by legionaries and officers across the Empire. ‘Just like yours, sir, only newer,’ he’d said. Such boots were expensive, and would indeed have looked out of place with the rest of the assassin’s garb. Unfortunately, the cobbler had been so entranced by the suspect’s footwear he couldn’t recall much else, though confirmed he was on the short side.

  ‘Here it is,’ said Sudrenus, tapping a tablet, ‘just the Lebadea in on that day. Arrived from Paphos in the morning and left bound for Halicarnassus in the afternoon.’

  ‘Go on.’

  Cassius was sitting on the other side of Sudrenus’s high, marble desk, at right angles to the door, with Simo and Indavara standing behind him. The only thing the well-appointed office had in common with the harbour master’s was the bronze plaques on the wall. The tiled floor was covered with thick, oriental rugs and there were two little statues – one of Zeus, one of Poseidon – mounted on miniature columns at the back of the room.

  ‘Er … the cargo was a load of red clay and … what’s that? Ah yes, grain. That cretin Herma – I can hardly read his writing.’

  ‘The load isn’t important,’ Cassius replied sharply. ‘Passengers.’

  ‘Yes. Three men gave payment.’ The Greek looked up. ‘I insist a record is kept, so that none of the captains take backhanders.’

  ‘And?’

  ‘First, one Carius Asina. Wife and family included. Paid and signed.’

  ‘You know the name?’ asked Cassius.

  ‘Can’t say I do.’

  Without turning round, Cassius pointed at the door. ‘Simo, go and repeat the name Carius Asina to that lot outside. Somebody might know it. Next, Sudrenus?’

  ‘No name. Just one initial – D. No signature.’

  Cassius leant forward over the desk and looked at the D.

  ‘That could be our man. Who did you say was manning the office that day?’

  ‘Herma.’

  ‘Where does he live?’

  ‘No idea.’

  ‘What? One of your employees?’


  Sudrenus shrugged. ‘What do I care where he lives?’

  ‘Excuse me, sir,’ said Simo from the door. Knowing the Gaul wouldn’t disturb him without good reason, Cassius got up and walked over. All eyes were on him as Optio Clemens came forward.

  ‘Sir, Carius Asina is a member of the Rhodes Assembly. From one of the old families. Has a lot of land around Hippoteia.’

  ‘Where’s that? Close?’

  ‘No, sir. Middle of the island.’

  Cassius heard a curse from inside the office.

  Sudrenus slapped the tablet. ‘Bloody Herma! Useless little worm!’

  ‘What’s the problem?’ asked Cassius, returning inside.

  ‘The third passenger was Drusus Viator. I expressly told my staff not to allow that man to set foot on one of our vessels.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘He was charged with theft and tax evasion by the municipal court earlier in the year.’

  Cassius was smiling as he hurried back to the door and waved the city sergeants forward. ‘Anyone know a man by the name of Drusus Viator? A thief, apparently.’

  Two of the men shook their heads. The third man spoke: ‘I was with the arrest party. We had to chase him halfway across the Great Harbour.’

  Annia had climbed down from the carriage and was now listening intently to the conversation. ‘This man,’ she said. ‘It was him?’

  ‘I don’t think so,’ replied Cassius. ‘But another man on the ship didn’t leave a name, and this Viator might have seen him. If he was on the ship with him all the way from Paphos he may even have spoken to him.’

  He turned to the sergeant. ‘Do you know where Viator lives?’

  ‘I do, sir. Little townhouse not far from Helios.’

  ‘Where’s that?’

  ‘He means the statue of Helios,’ said Annia impatiently.

  Cassius resisted the urge to order her back into the carriage.

  ‘Right,’ he told the sergeant. ‘You shall take us there at once. Clemens, I need you to find out what you can about this Asina fellow – he may not have returned home immediately. If he or any of his family are still around we need to speak to them at once. Tell the rest of your men to keep looking. Just because we have a lead here doesn’t mean there aren’t others. And we now know something else – our man might have gone by a name beginning with D. Also, I need two of your men.’