Semper Fidelis

Chapter 84

‘Valens?’

“You’re not going to ask if I’m dead again, are you?”

“No, but what are you doing here?”

Valens yawned and let the tent flap fall closed behind him, cutting out most of the light. “That was quite a ride. I don’t know how Hadrian does it at his age. I thought that little secretary chap was going to expire before we got here. Have you got something to sit on down there? I don’t want a damp backside.”

“On my left.” The chains rattled as Ruso patted the torn goatskin. Valens settled beside him with the weary grunt of a tired man whose muscles had begun to tighten up. “I’m sorry to see you still in this state. I was hoping they’d have sorted it out by now.”

Ruso said, “So was I.”

“I did my best with Tilla, you know.”

“That’s all any of us can do with Tilla. Have you seen her?”

“They said she’s over at the inn. I’ll go and find her in a minute.” Something else occurred to Ruso. “Aren’t you supposed to be with the procurator? Or is he here too?”

Valens yawned again. “The gout’s settled down. I’ve left him in good hands.”

“But aren’t you-”

“The truth is I’m not sure I really want to go to Rome.”

“What about the family?”

“The wife won’t like it,” Valens conceded. “But she’s marginally less frightening than a couple of people I might run into back there.”

“What sort of people?”

“You’d think they’d have more important things to worry about, wouldn’t you? I mean, look at you. Still stuck here in chains on some ridiculous murder charge. You’ve got a real problem.”

“Thank you.”

“Oh by the way, the tribune says he’ll do his best for you. I don’t know why he’s changed his mind, but he seems to be a sensible sort of chap after all.”

“Good.”

“Anyway, Rome: You know how you get chatting to people on a journey? It turns out one of Hadrian’s grooms has a cousin in the household of someone I used to know years back, and apparently I’m still mentioned.”

“Ah.”

“It’s hardly fair. Her father told me to clear off, and I did. It’s not my fault she’s gone and divorced some stuffy old politician because she’s still in love with me, is it?”

Ruso shifted to ease the stiffness in his back. The chains tumbled into a new position.

“Look, is there anything I can get you? Are they feeding you properly?”

Ruso, who had only been rearrested half an hour ago, had not had time to find out. “Go and find Tilla,” he said, “and tell her that I’ve got a plan. Tell her it depends on her staying out of it, whatever happens. Tie her up and gag her if you have to.”

“She won’t like that very much.”

Ruso managed a smile. “Get the scalpel out of her left boot first.”

“So what’s the plan?”

“I’m appealing to Hadrian.”

“Can you do that? You’re supposed to go before the legate.”

“Hadrian knows me. We were stationed together in Antioch. We worked together on the earthquake rescue.”

“Really? You never said.”

“My stepmother says I only have to ask him for a favor and he’ll grant it.” Valens said, “Your stepmother? Does she know him too?”

“Mm,” said Ruso. “Apparently.”