Semper Fidelis

Chapter 86

Ruso stood waiting to be assigned a horse from the lines, and running over his conversation with Hadrian with increasing unease. He had been offered the chance to heave himself out of the muddy rut that was Britannia, and he had turned it down. He had just demonstrated the depths of cowardice to which his family and his first wife had always known he could sink.

You’re hopeless at putting yourself forward, Gaius.

Think of other people and make an effort.

“Ruso! A word!”

Accius was striding toward him across the grass. “I got you released. Have the decency to tell me what’s going on.”

“I think there’ll be an announcement, sir.”

“There’s already been one. Geminus killed himself, the empress is going north with Hadrian, and Clarus and Tranquillus are being sent back to Rome in disgrace.”

Ruso stared at him. “Why?”

“For being overfamiliar with the empress, whatever that means. Anyway, it’s none of our business. What did the emperor say about me?”

“He said you’d told him I was innocent, sir. I’m grateful.”

“So you bloody should be. What else?”

“Nothing else, sir.”

“So what did he talk about?”

“I can’t tell you, sir.”

“Did he mention my family?”

“No, sir.”

“What did he say about the Twentieth?”

“Sir, I’m really sorry, but I can’t tell you what he said.”

“I see.” The tribune lowered his voice. “So, it seems the Praetorian Guard get away with murdering another of my relatives.”

Across the field, the mules had been hitched to the hospital wagons. Ruso could see Pera helping Victor up to keep Austalis company. Dexter, relieved of duties pending trial, was just visible behind one of the supply vehicles. The remaining junior officers were yelling at the recruits to get a bloody move on. Apparently they had never seen such a bunch of ham-fisted layabouts. Ruso said, “In Geminus’s position, sir, I believe taking his own life was the most honorable thing he could do.”

“But you and I both know …” Accius paused. “Yes. Yes, I suppose you’re right.”

A groom was approaching with two horses. “Someone also just passed on a curious rumor about your wife,” murmured Accius.

When Ruso did not respond he said, “You need to get that woman under control, man. She’s a menace.”

“I’ll see she keeps out of your way in future, sir.”

“The last thing she needs is to be honored with citizenship. I take it that’s one of your rewards for silence?”

“Silence, sir?”

“Oh, I give up!” Accius seized the reins, spurned the assistance of the groom, and vaulted into the saddle unaided. “I suppose you’re just glad to be alive.”

“Always, sir,” said Ruso, who wasn’t, but who was beginning to think he really should be, when he noticed another man approaching across the grass. He tried to hide his surprise.

Metellus waited until Accius had gone. He did not bother with a greeting. “It wasn’t my idea to have you arrested the second time.”

Ruso took the proffered reins of a bay mare from its groom. “Well, you can’t have all the good ideas.”

“I suppose you think you’ve won.”

Ruso teased the mare’s forelock out from beneath the brow band. “Frankly, I’m happier when I don’t think about you at all.”

“Then you’ll share my pleasure in the news that a promotion will be sending me to Rome in the next few days.”

Ruso paused with one hand on the girth. “You’re going a long way away? Very good.”

Metellus said, “I only did what I did out of duty, you know. It was never personal.”

“Wasn’t it?”

“You know damn well your wife was withholding information.”

“My wife has just been made a citizen of Rome by the emperor himself.” Ruso pulled the girth tighter. “What we know or don’t know doesn’t matter anymore.”

“Exactly.” Metellus gave one of his rare and unnerving smiles. He said, “I would offer to shake hands, Doctor, but that would give you the pleasure of refusing.”

Then he turned on his heel and strode away, leaving Ruso to wonder whether Rome was really a promotion, and glad he wasn’t going there too.