Avenger of Rome

XXIX

Rome, September AD 66

An almighty crash filled the room as the golden table and its contents smashed to the marble floor. The palace slaves froze in position, careful not to let their eyes stray to where the Emperor Nero Claudius Germanicus Caesar stood, chest heaving, his entire body shaking. Even Tigellinus stepped back from the white heat of his master’s rage.

‘You mean he is still alive?’

‘We have yet to identify…’

‘How many Gauls of senatorial rank can there be? A dozen? A hundred? Put them all to the question. Find this upstart. How can I rule if I do not have authority? How can I have authority when some rustic pig farmer undermines me at every turn? I have seen the reports. Secret meetings attended by hundreds in the very heart of Lugdunum. I know what he calls me… M-m-m-m…’ Foam flecked Nero’s lips and Tigellinus thought he might have a seizure. ‘M-m-m-urd-d-derer. The spawn of H-h-hades says I debauched m-my own m-m-mother.’ Nero’s voice rose to a scream. ‘I want him found! I want him dead!’ The wild eyes flickered and in an instant the shaking subsided. A small boy’s voice emerged from his mouth. ‘I want him dead, Tigellinus. And the rest.’

‘The rest, Caesar?’ Tigellinus’s voice sounded as if the noose was already tightening on his neck.

‘I know you have been keeping it from me.’

The Praetorian prefect’s heart seemed to stop. How much did he know? ‘Caesar?’

Now the eyes were cold as a German winter and that was even more frightening than what had gone before.

‘You thought it was for the best.’

Tigellinus struggled to keep control of his bladder.

‘You wanted to protect me.’

‘Of course, Caesar.’

‘They are all in it. The German legions, Otho in Lusitania, Galba in Hispana, Maximus in Britannia…’

‘We cannot be sure, Caesar. The German governors certainly, but between them they hold sway over four legions. We must not act until they have been neutralized.’

‘You have a plan, Tigellinus? Of course, you have a plan.’

‘We must make them think they are safe. Believe they are being considered for high honour. Summon them to some place far from their strength. Seize their families while they are on the road. Then strike.’

‘Strike, yes.’ The small porcine eyes were unnaturally bright. ‘But where?’

Tigellinus pondered the question as if he had never considered it. ‘Greece,’ he said finally.

Nero’s plump features broke into a dreamy smile as they always did when they talked about the home of the gods. The visit had been arranged for months. In exchange for an announcement of perpetual freedom from tribute the Greeks had agreed to hold the Olympic Games two years in advance so that he could take part. ‘Of course, Greece. But can we wait so long?’

‘Their treason is in its infancy, Caesar,’ Tigellinus assured him. ‘Your hold on the army is strong. They dare not act without the collusion of the others and the others are fearful. I would not have agreed to your absence if I had doubts. Your popularity with the people has never been greater. Telesinus and Paulinus, who will share the consulship, are among your most loyal supporters in the Senate, and in any case their every word and deed will be monitored. At the first sign of treasonous behaviour my agents have orders to act.’

‘Vespasian is still our loyal servant?’

‘None more so, Caesar.’ Tigellinus was no longer so sure of that. Certain facts had come to his attention which cast doubt on the senator from Falacrinae. But the conversation had reached a point he had willed it to reach, and Vespasian could wait. He had other prey in mind.

For all Nero’s fears about his German legates and the governors of Lusitania, Hispania and Britannia, Tigellinus knew that only one man posed the ultimate threat. The others might send their little notes and hold their little meetings, but they would never act on their own. Only Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo had the stature, the determination and the military strength to supplant his Emperor. But did he have the will? Offonius Tigellinus was not certain, but he had long ago decided that, for the sake of the Empire, Corbulo must die. Little by little, he had undermined Nero’s steadfast faith in his most successful general. Now he heard the words he had hoped for.

‘And Corbulo?’

Tigellinus reached into the document case he always carried and retrieved a dispatch which had arrived by fast courier earlier in the day. He watched with satisfaction as Nero absorbed the details, his face growing paler and his hands beginning to shake. ‘I was keeping it for a more appropriate time, when I hoped to verify the detail. However, the broad outline seems indisputable.’

‘He is acting against my specific orders.’

‘I am sure he has his reasons, Caesar, but…’

‘No!’ The word emerged as a groan. ‘His imperium gives him power within the boundaries of the Empire. This is an invasion of a sovereign state. A direct violation of my command to act defensively and in concert with the governor of Judaea. He has exceeded his authority and usurped his Emperor’s. No. He is acting as if he is Emperor. You say you have an agent in place?’

Tigellinus nodded.

The broad nostrils flared and the pale eyes took on a reptilian look that sent a shiver through Tigellinus. Then something strange happened. The face seemed to collapse in upon itself, and tears streamed down the pink cheeks. ‘Not Corbulo.’

‘Yes.’ Tigellinus found he could barely breathe. ‘He has deceived and betrayed his Emperor.’

Nero looked up. ‘Not betrayed. Not yet. I must have more before I condemn Rome’s greatest general. I must have evidence of treason.’

Tigellinus bit back a scream of frustration. The final piece had been in place only for the game to be snatched away from him.

But Nero would have his evidence.

No matter what it cost.