Cato did as he was instructed and the guardsman expertly frisked his cloak, tunic and ran his fingers around the inside of Cato's belt before he stood back. 'That's it, sir.'
Cato advanced and climbed the stairs to the waiting optio, who led him through a marble portico into the atrium of the villa. The space was dominated by a large shallow pool with a tessellated image of Neptune and shoals of fish decorating the bottom. On the far side a short colonnaded hall led out on to a terrace. Through large doors to the right, Cato could hear voices, laughing and talking light-heartedly. There was a smaller opening to the left, leading down to the quarters of the slaves and lesser officials.
'This way, sir.' The optio gestured to Cato, who followed him across the atrium and down the corridor on to the terrace. A wide expanse of pink-hued marble stretched out before them and ended abruptly fifty paces away. Potted plants and trellised walkways surrounded the terrace, which afforded spectacular views across the sea towards the mainland. Cato could understand why the island had been the favourite playground of the imperial family for so many years.
There was only one other man on the terrace and he sat on a bench with his back to Cato.
'There you are, sir.' The optio halted and indicated the seated figure. 'I'll see you back at the gate, sir. To log you out.' The optio saluted and turned and marched into the villa. Cato continued across the terrace. Narcissus's thin frame was wrapped in a plain red cloak and his dark hair was threaded with grey. He glanced back as he heard Cato's footsteps and offered a smile that lacked any real warmth.
'Cato, it is good to see you again, my boy. Sit down.' He gestured towards another bench, set at an angle to the one he was seated on. A small table stood in front of the benches and a thin wisp of vapour rose from a goblet of heated wine. There was only one cup, Cato noted. This was typical of Narcissus, Cato thought, a small trick to remind him of his subordination, and put him in his place.
Cato eased himself down on to the seat indicated and Narcissus looked him over for a moment before he spoke. 'You've been wounded recently. That's quite a scar.'
Cato shrugged.
'It's been a while since we have spoken,' Narcissus continued.
'Over two years. When you sent Macro and me to spy on the governor of Syria.'
'And you both made a good job of that, as well as playing a leading role in saving Palmyra from the Parthians. Since then, you've done sterling work in Crete, and Sempronius informed me that he had sent you to find the slave rebel, Ajax.' Narcissus reached inside his cloak and pulled out a scroll. 'And now the governor of Egypt, our good friend Petronius, reports that you have resolved the matter. Well done. However, he takes you to task for letting the Nubian Prince go.' Narcissus watched Cato closely. 'Would you care to explain why you did so?'
'It was my judgement that the gladiator presented the greater threat, taking the wider picture into consideration,' Cato said firmly.
'The wider picture.' Narcissus smiled faintly. 'It seems I was right about you. You have the brains to consider the strategic situation in making your decisions.' He tossed the report on the table dismissively. 'Petronius is a fool. Your judgement was sound, young man, though you have made an enemy of Petronius, and there will be plenty in Rome who will not appreciate the nuances of your dilemma. Be that as it may, rest assured I accept what you did as the appropriate course of action, though I will not say so in public, nor will there be any official recognition of your achievement in hunting down that infernal gladiator.' Narcissus smiled apologetically before he continued. 'Then there is the difficult matter of Senator Sempronius's decision to appoint you to the rank of prefect. He did so in the name of the Emperor, I understand. However, he exceeded his authority. Of course there was something of an emergency to deal with and both the Emperor and I approve of the actions Sempronius undertook to put an end to the slave revolt in Crete and send you and Macro to hunt down the ringleaders.' Narcissus gestured towards the report. 'Now the crisis has passed and the danger is over. You have my thanks. You and your comrade, Macro.'
Cato bowed his head slightly in acknowledgement.
'However,' Narcissus continued, 'such a rapid progression through the ranks is bound to raise a few eyebrows and ruffle a few feathers, eh? Emperor Claudius is always mindful of the need not to upset those in the military, some of whom are not as loyal as they should be. The murder of his predecessor is eloquent proof of that. Which means that you present him with something of a difficulty.'
'What do you mean?'
Narcissus stared at him for a moment, and smiled. 'You're an intelligent fellow, Cato. I know I don't need to spell it out for you, but since you would derive some satisfaction from forcing me to be blunt then I will be.'
'That would be appreciated.'
'It would not be wise to confirm your promotion at present, particularly since it is your intention to return to Rome to wed that lovely daughter of Sempronius. Your presence in the capital would cause jealousy. There are plenty of other senators with proteges they are seeking to advance.'
Cato listened with an increasing sense of bitterness. This was his reward for the sacrifices made in the service of the Emperor and Rome. An expression of gratitude and, no doubt, demotion to the rank of centurion. With that would disappear his automatic elevation to the equestrian class. He could well imagine how reluctant Sempronius would be to permit his daughter to marry so far beneath her. It was true that the senator had offered some encouragement to their relationship after the siege of Palmyra, but that was a very different setting to the cut and thrust of Roman social and political life. Cato's demotion would be seen as a mark of official disfavour, even if he had the private gratitude of Narcissus and Emperor Claudius. All the plans that Cato had made for his future with Julia began to crumble in his mind. Cato cleared his throat.
'Have these proteges served Rome as well as I?'
'No, they haven't, but then Sempronius is not nearly as influential as the other senators. You see my difficulty. Trust me, I don't want to stand in the way of your promotion, and your future happiness.' He winked. 'But there are political realities that need to be addressed. That is the nature of my job. I would not be serving the Emperor well if I acted without regard for the wider picture.'
'So you will not be confirming my promotion.'
'Not for the present. Perhaps when you are a safe distance from Rome, and far from the public eye.'
'You mean that I cannot remain in Rome and take the promotion.'
Narcissus was silent for a moment, then nodded.
Cato let out a long, weary sigh. 'Very well, find me a posting, somewhere I won't embarrass you, and not so far from Rome, nor so uncomfortable, that Julia will not wish to come with me.'
Narcissus had arched his eyebrows as Cato spoke and now responded in a cold tone. 'You do not make demands of me, young man. Be clear about that. Were it not for your fine record I would punish you for speaking so bluntly. Now listen. I will confirm your promotion before the year is out, whether you are in Rome or stationed elsewhere in the Empire. I give you my word on that. And here is the reason.' Narcissus paused and looked round, as if to make sure they were not being overheard. Cato saw through the pretence at once. The security at the villa was so tight that no spy could possibly penetrate the ring of steel the Praetorian Guard formed round the Emperor's residence.
Even so, Narcissus lowered his voice.
'I have need of you and Macro. Urgent need. You recall the dealings we have had with that nest of traitors who call themselves the Liberators?'
Cato remembered them well. A shadowy conspiracy of aristocrats and their followers who wanted to do away with the line of emperors and return Rome to the days of the Republic when the senate exercised supreme power. He nodded to Narcissus.