The Eagle and the Wolves

'Our boy Verica doesn't seem to be taking any risks.' Macro had to raise his voice above the noisy chatter and loud drunken laughter of the native guests.

'Can't blame him,' Cato answered. 'He's old and nervous and wants to die peacefully in his bed, I imagine.'

Macro, who was looking around for something to drink, was not listening. 'Oh shit!'

'What's the matter?'

'There's only that crap beer again. Bloody barbarians.'

Cato was suddenly aware of a looming presence at his shoulder and turned quickly. A huge warrior with flowing blond hair and a broad face regarded the two Romans curiously. He had narrow eyes that glinted in slits of reflected firelight.

'Can I help you?'

'You Romans?' The accent was thick, but comprehensible. 'Romans who lead the king's men?'

'That's us,' Macro beamed. 'Centurions Lucius Cornelius Macro and Quintus Licinius Cato, at your service.'

The Briton frowned. 'Lucelius…'

'Never mind, old son. Let's keep it simple – Macro and Cato will do for now.'

'Ah! Those are the names I need. Come.' Without waiting for any reply to the abrupt summons the Briton turned and strode off towards the throne at the end of the hall where his king was seated, drinking goblet in hand, surveying the scene as he chewed on a leg of roast lamb. At the sight of Cato and Macro he tossed it to one side and sat up smiling. A brace of huge hunting dogs pounced on the half-eaten leg and wrestled for its possession.

'There you are!' Verica called out to the approaching soldiers. 'My guests of honour.'

'My lord.' Cato bowed his head. 'You praise us too much.'

'Nonsense. I was afraid you would be too busy with your paperwork to join us. I know, from all my years in exile, that you Romans are sticklers for making reports,' Verica smiled. 'But now Cadminius has found you. You are most welcome. There are two seats for you at the high table when the food is served. If it's ever served.' He turned towards Cadminius and made some sharp remarks that clearly stung the captain of the bodyguard. At his master's bidding he trotted off towards a small door at the rear of the hall. Through the small opening Macro could glimpse bodies stripped to the waist, glistening as they laboured over suckling pigs slowly roasting over cooking fires. The prospect of some juicy roast pork after several days of field rations made Macro's mouth water.

'Tell me, Centurion Macro, what are your plans for my cohorts now?' asked Verica.

'Plans?' Macro frowned. 'I suppose we keep training them. They're, er, they're still a bit rough around the edges.'

'Rough?' Verica looked a little unhappy.

'Nothing that a bit of hard drilling won't improve,' Macro rushed on. 'Ain't that right, Cato?'

'Yes, sir. A man can never have enough drilling.'

Macro shot him a warning look; this was no time for irony. 'Lads can't ever have enough drilling. Keeps them honed and ready to fight the enemy at any moment. You'll see the benefit of it soon enough, my lord.'

'Centurion, I want soldiers – not martinets. I want soldiers for the sole reason of killing my enemies… wherever they may be found.' With the lightest wave of his slender hands Verica indicated the figures crowding his great hall.

Cato felt a chill tingle the length of his spine at the king's words. He glanced quickly at the nearest faces amongst the guests, wondering how many amongst them harboured treachery towards their leader. Verica had noticed the change in the young officer's expression and laughed softly.

'Relax, Centurion! I doubt I'm in much danger, for tonight at least, thanks to your victory over the Durotrigans and their allies. We must enjoy the interlude for as long as it lasts. I merely wished to discover what plans you two have for taking the campaign to the Durotrigans.'

'Campaign?' Macro was startled. 'There's no campaign, my lord. The ambush was a one-off – a lucky chance we seized and made the most of. That's all there is to it. The cohorts, your cohorts, were only raised to protect Calleva and the supply convoys, my lord.'

'And yet they've proved their worth in the field. Why not make the most of the opportunity? Why not lead them against the enemy directly? Why not?'

'My lord, it's not as simple as that.'

'Simple?' Verica's smile abruptly disappeared.

Cato swallowed nervously and interceded to save Macro any further discomfort.

'What Centurion Macro means to say is that the cohorts need to be trained to prepare for a more demanding role. This victory is only the first of many, and when the Wolves and the Boars next march to war you can be assured they will crush your foes and extend the limits of your glory.'

Macro looked at him open-mouthed, but Verica was smiling again, and seemed to be satisfied at the prospect the young centurion held up to him.

'Very well then, gentlemen! Later, perhaps, I'll propose a toast to the continuing success of the partnership between my people and Rome. But here's Cadminius coming back. The food must be ready – it had better be. Would you two be kind enough to take a place at the table there? I'll join you in a moment.'

The two centurions bowed their heads and made their way over to the head table.

'What the fuck was that all about?' Macro hissed. 'What are you thinking of? Those two cohorts are for garrison duty, and convoy protection. And that's bloody well it. They'll not win him an empire, let alone a proper battle.'

'Of course not,' replied Cato. 'What kind of a fool do you take me for?'

'But you said-'

'I said what he wanted to hear, that's all. He'll change his mind soon enough, the moment his people start grumbling again. That's when he'll want his cohorts as close to him as possible.'

Macro glanced at his young companion. 'I hope you're right. I hope you haven't planted any stupid ideas in his head.'

Cato smiled. 'Who in their right mind would listen to the advice of someone barely old enough to be considered a man?'

'Who indeed?' grumbled Macro.

04 The Eagle and the Wolves

Chapter Fifteen

The kitchen slaves eventually arrived with the food, straining under the weight of the glistening spitted pigs. Cadminius' shoulders slumped with relief now that his master had stopped tapping his foot and eagerly eyed the steaming hunk of meat and crackling being carved for him. Verica had quit his throne and lay on a couch, Roman style, overlooking the hall, and his most privileged guests were arranged round the remaining three sides. The head table was on a raised platform so that the king and his party would have the best view of the entertainments. Macro and Cato had been given the place of honour to Verica's right, and the remaining places were taken up by Atrebatan nobles, and a plump Greek merchant with heavily oiled and scented hair. Close to Cato sat Artax, with Cadminius at his side. Their eyes briefly met, and Cato saw the same sullen arrogance in them that Artax had displayed at their first encounter in the depot. Tincommius, relieved from his duties at the entrance, had joined them and sat with the two centurions.

Cato gently nudged him as they waited for Verica to start eating. 'Any idea what the entertainment will be after the banquet?'

'None. The old boy's been playing it close to his chest. I think Cadminius is in on it. That's why he's been so nervous all afternoon – wants to make sure the big surprise is a real treat for the audience.'

'Doubt I'll last until then if I have to wait for my food a moment longer…'

There was a palpable tension in the great hall as the king's guests waited silently for their host to take his first mouthful. Only then could they eat from the heaped plates in front of them. With theatrical grace the aged king lifted a sliver of pork to his lips and nibbled a corner. Behind him a bodyguard raised the royal standard, paused and let it slip back down so that it rapped sharply on the flagstone. At once the guests burst into renewed conversation and began to cram their mouths with food and beer. Cato lifted his drinking horn and peered into the brew: a dark honey colour with a light froth around the edges. Cato felt sick at the sweet malty smell that filled his nostrils. How could these people drink this stuff?