‘Perhaps it would be simpler if you explained what this is all about?’ Ferox knew how much sheer delight the chance to launch into a great speech gave to a well-bred Roman. Crispinus loved asking question after question about each thing that caught his attention. Yet he seemed to listen to the answers and remember a lot of what he heard, even if he could not quite come to think like someone who was not Roman. He was well into his second year in the province as tribune of the legion, and had grown a lot in that time, if not in stature then in strength and confidence.
Crispinus gave his great bray of a laugh, still surprising in someone so small and normally so poised in every movement. He was dressed in a bright white military tunic and boots, with a bronze cuirass heavily decorated with embossed sea creatures and nymphs and girded with the thick purple band that marked his rank. ‘Very well. And of course you are right, and I have plunged in without telling you of what will happen next month. Well, I should tell you that two kings are coming from Hibernia to visit us, one each from the Rhobogdioi and the Darinoi, although they claim to speak for other peoples as well. As far as we can tell they are seeking our friendship, presumably some form of recognition, and no doubt other things that shall become obvious. The noble Neratius Marcellus has placed me in charge of arranging this business, and has also decided that it should take place near the coast, at the time when much of the army in the north will be training and preparing for his inspection. The legate feels that a display of our might cannot do any harm. After all, Hibernians have sometimes come across the sea to raid us, have they not?’ Neratius Marcellus was the governor of Britannia and a shrewd man, as was his nephew Crispinus, for all his facade of languid charm.
‘Yes, my lord, sometimes. When I was a boy they came along our coast a couple of times – and we sent boats across to plunder them. I hear it is rare now, but a few years ago there were several landings up here on the west coast near Alauna and even Maia.’
‘We have garrisons in both, do we not? In fact, thinking about it, didn’t the cohort at Maia catch a couple of boatloads of raiders last summer? I was down south at the time, but I like to take an interest in what goes on in this part of the world and I remember reading of it in a report that came to the legate’s office in Londinium. Claudius Super wrote that the men they caught and executed were Hibernians.’
‘Yes, I know.’ Ferox did not add that Claudius Super was a halfwit who could not tell a Hibernian from a turnip. The man was the senior regional centurion, supervising a handful of other regionarii here in the north, including Ferox.
‘Then I take it from your tone that you do not agree.’
‘They were Novantae, my lord, with a couple of stray Selgovae tagging along, not Hibernians. The Novantae have been coming across the bay in their little boats for generations. They stopped for a while when we garrisoned their lands heavily, but since most of the posts were abandoned, they are growing confident again. I am guessing that the report did not mention a couple of other raids that got away with captives and plunder a few weeks later.’
‘It did not.’
‘Thought not. We managed to catch one lot out of three, and to be honest were lucky to do that. They’ll be back this summer and in much greater numbers.’
‘Why?’
‘Because they think they can get away with it.’
‘Well, given that a lot of troops will be on manoeuvres in the area, I suspect the legate may want to do something about that. For the moment, let us put that aside. As I explained, I need to arrange the reception for these visiting kings, and I shall need you by my side to help in the negotiations. Neratius Marcellus will conclude any agreement, but the details will be left to us.’
‘As I said, my lord, I only know a little about them.’
‘Such modesty is unbecoming, and might even be mistaken for a reluctance to be in my company, were such a thing possible to conceive. It does not matter. You know more than anyone else to hand, and you are a junior officer who will do what he is told!’
‘Sir.’
‘That’s better. As you have proved in the past, your suspicious and untrusting nature ideally suits you for diplomacy. Any ideas at the moment?’
‘Women, my lord.’
‘An admirable thought, and always welcome, yet I struggle to see the relevance.’
‘A lot of the peoples of Hibernia are ruled by queens as well as kings, and all revere them. Did the governor’s wife ever come to join him in Britannia?’
Crispinus gave a wry smile. ‘I fear my aunt lacks a robust constitution and, with great reluctance, decided that three or four years apart from her husband would be for the best. From all I can tell, neither of them regrets that decision. Still, I see what you mean and will think on it, for we might be able to find some suitable ladies to help host our guests. After all, we have a senator’s daughter here at Vindolanda. Have you seen the noble Sulpicia Lepidina lately? I know the two of you are good friends since our escapades back in the first tribunate of our lord and emperor.’
Ferox tried to spot any hint of irony, but saw nothing apart from the mischief and amusement that was the young aristocrat’s normal expression. ‘I have not, my lord.’
‘Well, this might be a problem with which she can assist. I must say motherhood suits her, for she is in even finer bloom than before, and that is saying something.’ The compliment was genuine and appeared innocuous. ‘A truly remarkable woman.’
‘It is not my place to judge such things, my lord,’ Ferox said, and regretted it instantly. It would have been far better to have said nothing.
Crispinus ran a hand through his almost white hair. He was not yet twenty-three and the old man’s hair was an odd contrast with a face still not formed into the rigid lines of adulthood. ‘Your idea of your proper place continues to baffle me, centurion.’ Ferox wondered whether the pause before the young aristocrat spoke had been unnaturally long, and tried to assure himself that he was imagining things.
‘Well, no matter,’ Crispinus resumed. ‘I think that is enough for the moment. You will hear more at the consilium to be held in two hours’ time. This is to be a busy summer, as you may already have guessed that there will be a lot for us all to do. Especially you, so all in all it is a relief to find that the rumours are not true and that you are not dead.’
Ferox could not think of anything witty to say, so contented himself with a simple ‘Sir’, which prompted another quizzical stare.
‘The little farm girl is safely reunited with her folk, I trust?’
The sudden change of topic caught Ferox off guard. ‘Yes, my lord.’
‘Aelius Brocchus is due to attend the consilium this afternoon so he will be able to take back his own property. He is a fine man, and from what I hear the horse was expensive, while the girl is a favourite of his wife. The girl is not too damaged I take it?’
‘Terrified, mauled about a bit. As far as I can tell they did not rape her, if that is what you are asking, my lord.’
‘Ah, the old quick anger. I thought you Silures were supposed to keep a stony reserve, immune to provocation?’ Ferox said nothing. ‘And I also suppose that that is the answer I deserve,’ the tribune added after a moment. ‘It is hard to imagine the life of a slave, and yet one would think the absolute lack of control over your own life helps to make them immune from fear when abducted. After all they have no freedom to lose. Still, perhaps it is different for a slave with kind owners and a comfortable life. Losing that must bring a pang.’
‘They butchered her lover in front of her,’ Ferox said.
‘Unpleasant, of course. Oh yes, I had forgotten one thing I wanted to ask. How did you hear about the taking of the horse and girl – Artemis, is that her name?’