"I assume there's a problem?"
"There is," Petronius nodded, "and it may require a bit of thought, and frankly I think you're as good a choice as anyone to deal with it. So, get going and may the Gods be with you."
"Sir? One more thing?"
"Yes?" a puzzled Petronius said.
"Just in case there could be any action, bearing in mind the attention the Legatus has shown, the legion, and my cohort, may need a temporary Tribunus Laticlavius."
"And?" Petronius now seemed almost amused that his subordinate was offering advice.
"With respect, Governor, I believe Lucius Vibius would do that job as well as anyone."
"You do, do you?" Petronius stared, then added, "I thought you two didn't get on that well?"
"I believe he's the best man for the job if you need someone in a hurry," Gaius said. "Bearing in mind my appointment is only temporary, it's unlikely the Princeps is concerned about this detail, and. ."
"I see," Petronius interrupted. "All right, then. I agree, and why don't you convey the news to him?"
* * *
Vibius stared at Gaius, and finally asked, "Why does Petronius want to find a temporary replacement for you?"
"There could be action soon," Gaius shrugged, "and you know what our Legate is like."
"But why me?" Vibius asked, and then added, "and why send you to tell me?"
"Petronius' choice," Gaius shrugged, then added, "I did put in a good word for you, and the Governor agreed."
"Why? I'm already a Tribune, and I've got my own cohort."
"Read up all you can about strategy," Gaius advised. "If you get any action, and make a fist of it, fighting as Tribunus Laticlavius is the route to your own legion."
"What I meant," Vibius said more deliberately, and almost suspiciously, "is why did you recommend me. You don't owe me."
"I'm just hoping I can do a favour," Gaius shrugged. "If all goes well, maybe one day you can do one for me. In the meantime, please look after my cohort, and I wish you all the best of luck."
"Then I hope you get to keep your temporary position," Vibius smiled. "There's a bit of self-interest there, I suppose but. ."
"I hope you get your legion," Gaius said, "and I mean that."
"Then may the Gods go with you, and if I can offer something one day, it's yours for the asking."
Chapter 35
Bostra, part of the Nabatean kingdom, had been described as an inland desert provincial centre. It was in what Gaius considered to be near desert, a centre that existed because water was present, and also because it was on an inland trade route. There was green in places, albeit usually covered with a yellowish-brown film of dust. Away from the city, green gave way to the light grey-brown of the desert, broken by the occasional shrub. The dust from this near desert was everywhere. Yet the centre of Bostra itself was quite magnificent, and far from what would be expected of a small provincial city. The city was entered with a street lined by impressive colonnades that stopped as the visitor came closer to the city centre. The main street leading to the administrative centre was extremely narrow, and paved with the expected stone slabs. This street ran between two rows of buildings three floors high, thus making the street seem like a monstrous canyon, which was not without purpose. The narrowness of the street meant that the sun seldom beat on the lower reaches, and accordingly the air was cooler, and the cooler air also flowed into the open spaces of the city square.
The most important building as seen by officials, which Gaius assumed would be used by the King when he was resident in the town, was entered through a magnificent colonnade, yet the building itself was so huge that the colonnade seemed almost as a clip-on, something put there because it was thought to be necessary.
Bostra was at a fork in the roads, one branch leading to the ancient trading route to Jawf. Caravans on this route were being subjected to attack, allegedly by Saracens or Parthians. Nabatea was a client kingdom, a useful buffer on the eastern flank, and the legion was there to show that Rome cared. Unfortunately, not all the Nabateans were so keen on this Roman alliance, many feeling that they might be better off siding with the much closer Parthians. The legion was a show of strength, albeit temporary, to show that Rome was the real power in the region. As a demonstration, the legion was to punish those attacking the caravans. That begged the question, who? And why?
It was the why that the legion was there. Attacking caravans might mean simply robbery, and robbery hardly warranted a legion. It might also be the prelude to a general attack, perhaps to goad the Nabateans into a retaliatory attack, which could lead to war. A general attack by the Parthians would definitely require a legion even to hold the situation behind defensive fortifications until further legions could arrive. Which was an interesting problem for a temporary legate. If he was careless, or deliberately provocative, he could initiate a war and nobody would blame him! Worse than that, he did not actually have a full legion; a small part of the legion had been sent to help Caesar with the supply aspects of his invasion of Britain. So he had better not start a general war.
Gaius' first task was to present himself to the Nabatean king, who had come from Petra and was taking a keen interest in what this legion was doing. Gaius found the meeting quite unsatisfactory. He could understand one part of the king's concern. If the legion was ill disciplined, that would antagonize the population, and this king could find himself in difficulties. Accordingly, Gaius' first job was to assure the king that the legion would be seen as a benefit to the law-abiding. However, the king also wanted to use the legion to raise his own standing. He wished to punish variously the Parthians and the Saracens, he could not do it himself, but if he could use the legion. . He was both greedy and frightened, a dangerous mixture, Gaius thought. Gaius promised he would do something about these raids, although he was unsure as to what. A small cavalry escort could end up being inadequate for the task, but to send sufficient force to repel any attacker was outside the valid use of legionary force.
Gaius' first task was to inspect the legion. It was in good fighting order, with good experienced men. More experienced than he was, he reflected wryly. They should be inspecting him! In fact, they probably were.
Over the next few days Gaius tried to find out what he could about these attacks. At first sight the Saracens were the obvious choice, except that Saracen caravans had also been struck. In fact slightly more Saracen caravans than Nabatean ones had been robbed. He needed more information, and he had a way of getting it. He had sent Timothy, whose relationship with Gaius was unknown to the Nabateans, ahead. He must now meet with Timothy to obtain a report.
As Timothy had noted, his usefulness, and possibly his life, would end if he became suspected of collaborating with Romans. Gaius had to come in disguise. When Gaius mentioned his plan to a Tribune, the Tribune was horrified. After considerable argument, during which he tried quite unsuccessfully to talk Gaius out of this plan, he finally obtained Gaius' consent to at least take a couple of trustworthy auxiliaries as guards and guides.
Accordingly, as evening approached, Gaius met the two auxiliaries. One, an experienced speculatore, immediately shook his head.
"What's wrong?" Gaius snapped.
"You look like a wealthy Roman, trying to be in disguise."
"So what's wrong?" This time Gaius was less assertive.
"To start with, a nice clean linen cloak, and sandals that are obviously Roman."