The Eagles Prey

CHAPTER NINETEEN

The Imperial Secretary left the army just after dawn, accom-panied by his two bodyguards and four full squadrons of auxiliary cavalry. After the earlier attempt on his life Narcissus was not prepared to take any more chances. He had delivered the Emperor's motivational threat to the general and would be the bearer of some good news on the way home. Caratacus' army had been smashed and all that remained was to mop up the survivors. The commander of the native forces had used up the goodwill of the lowland tribes and would find little sympathy for any further struggle from that quarter. A generation of young warriors had been sacrificed for the cause, and across the land families wept bitter tears for their sons, lying dead and buried in fields far from home. It was only a matter of time, Narcissus comforted himself, before Caratacus was killed or captured. Barring a few druid troublemakers, peddling their bizarre philosophies and religious practices from the safety of obscure sanctuaries, the province was as good as conquered. That should keep the Emperor's critics quiet for a while.

The column of horses splashed across the ford, shattering the calm surface of the river. On either side a thin milky white mist rose up along the river and spilled over on to the banks. The horsemen emerged from the crossing and climbed the track that led towards Calleva. The Atrebatan capital would be a safe place to spend the night now that the tribe had been incorporated into the kingdom of the Regenses, ruled by the sycophantically loyal Cogidubnus.

Narcissus smiled. There would never be any trouble from Cogidubnus. That man had been bought body and soul, and aped the ways of his Roman masters with a rare enthusiasm. All it had taken was some vague promise of building him a palace as soon as funds allowed.

As Narcissus rode past the side of the Second Legion's marching camp, he saw, a short way off, hundreds of men labouring to erect a stockade. That would be the Third Cohort, he mused with a faint smile of satisfaction. The harsh judgement meted out to those men would act as a fine example to their comrades in the four legions gathered about the crossing. Better still, it would satisfy the armchair generals of the senate back in Rome, who would be pleased to know that the legions still cleaved to the harsh and hardening traditions that had won them an empire that stretched around the limits of the known world.

A small party of men sat to one side, under guard, hands tied behind them. They looked up as the horsemen trotted by. Narcissus realised they were the condemned men, due to be beaten to death by the men of their cohort the following day. Most looked vacant; some were sullen. Then Narcissus started as he found himself looking into a face he had once known well back in the halls and corridors of the imperial palace. He flicked his reins and steered his horse off the track, waving at his escort to keep moving. The bodyguards, silently fell into position on either side and slightly behind the Imperial Secretary.

'Cato…' Narcissus began to smile, but the young centurion just glared back at him, eyes filled with a pitiless fury.'You're to be executed?'

Cato was still for a moment before he nodded, once. Narcissus, so used to deciding the fates of men who were rarely ever more than names or numbers on a writing tablet, was uncomfortable to be confronted with this man he had watched grow from an infant into a gangly youth. The son of a man he had once called friend. Now Cato would die in order to maintain belief in the uncompromising discipline of the legions. In that respect, Narcissus consoled himself, the lad would be dying a martyr's death. Most unfortunate, but necessary.

Narcissus felt he must say something, some kind of valediction that would comfort the young man so that he would understand. But all that came to mind were empty platitudes that would demean both of them.

'I'm sorry, Cato. It had to be done.'

'Why?' Cato replied through clenched teeth. 'We did our duty. You must tell the general. Tell him to change his mind.'

Narcissus shook his head. 'No. That's impossible. I'm sorry, my hands are tied.'

Cato stared at him a moment, then laughed bitterly as he raised his hands to reveal the rope that bound his wrists. Narcissus coloured but could not think of anything further to say. Nothing to comfort this youth, nor to justify the need for his death. Greater destinies than his were at stake, and much as Narcissus had once been genuinely fond of the boy, nothing must come between the Imperial Secretary and his duty to protect and further the Emperor's interests. So Cato must die. Narcissus clicked his tongue and firmly tugged on the reins. The horse snorted and turned back towards the track.

Cato watched him go, a twisted expression of distaste curling his lips. He had hated to beg for a reprieve in front of the others. But it was for them that he made the attempt, he tried to convince himself. Narcissus represented the last chance of an appeal over the general's head. Now he was gone, already lost from sight in the column of horsemen that trotted up the track towards Calleva, kicking up a haze of dust in their wake.

When they were out of sight Cato slumped to the ground and stared at the grass between his bare feet. This time tomorrow, he and the forty other men condemned to death would be led into a loose circle of their comrades and friends from the Third Cohort. They would be carrying heavy wooden clubs, and when the signal was given they would close in and beat the prisoners to death, one by one. Cursed with a vivid imagination, Cato projected the scene inside his head, clear in every terrible detail. The blur of clubs sweeping down, the dull thud and crack of wood on flesh and bone, and the winded gasps and cries of bound men, curled into balls on the blood-drenched ground. Some of the men would soil themselves, to the jeers of their executioners, and when Cato's time came he would have to kneel amid their blood, piss and excrement while he waited for his death to come.

It was shaming, humiliating, and Cato hoped that he would have the strength of spirit to die without a whimper, silently staring his defiance back at his killers. But he knew it would not be like that. He would be dragged, shivering and filthy to the killing ground. He might not beg for mercy, but he would cry out at the first blow, and scream at the rest. Cato prayed that a badly aimed blow struck him on the head early on, so that he was unconscious when his beaten, broken body eventually released his spirit.

That was wishful thinking, he sneered at himself. The executioners would be carefully briefed to make sure that his arms and legs were shattered before they were permitted to break his ribs. Only then would they be allowed to take their clubs to his skull, and end the torment. He felt sick, and bile simmered uneasily in his stomach, so that he was glad that he had not eaten since early the previous day. Memory of the food cooked by Maximius' slave caused him to retch and Cato raised his bound hands to cover his mouth until the impulse to vomit passed.

A hand rested gently on his shoulder. 'You all right, lad?' Cato quickly swallowed the bitter fluid in his mouth and looked round to see Macro looming over him with an uncertain smile on his creased face. A quick glance showed that the rest of the condemned men were too preoccupied to spare him any curious attention. He quickly shook his head.

'Not surprised.' Macro's fingers squeezed his shoulder as the older centurion squatted down beside Cato.'It's a bad business. We've been well and truly shafted. You and this lot most of all… Look here, Cato. I don't know what to say about this. It stinks. I wish there was something I could do to change it. I really do. But…'

'But there's nothing that can be done. I know.' Cato forced himself to smile.'We're here because we're here. Isn't that what the old hands say?'

Macro nodded. 'That's right. But it only applies when the situation's out of our control. This could've been prevented – should have been. Bloody general's screwed up and he wants someone else to carry the blame. Bastard.'

'Yes,' Cato replied softly.'He's a real bastard, all right… You ever seen a decimation carried out before?'

'Twice. Both units deserved it,' Macro recalled. 'Ran, and left the rest of us in the shit. Nothing like this.'

'Don't suppose a decimation has ever been cancelled?' Cato looked up, trying to keep his face expressionless. 'I mean, have you ever heard of one being called off?'

For a moment Macro was tempted to lie. Any shred of comfort he could offer Cato might make the time he had left more bearable. But Macro knew he was a bad liar; he didn't have the skill for such deception. Besides, he owed Cato the truth. That burden was what made friendships count. 'No. Never.'

'I see.' Cato looked down. 'You might have lied to me.'

Macro laughed, and patted Cato on the back. 'Not to you, Cato. Not to you. Ask me for anything else, but not that.'

'All right, then. Get me out of here.'

'I can't.' Macro looked away, towards the river. 'Sorry. Want me to find you some decent food? Wine?'

'I'm not hungry.'

'Eat something. It'll settle your guts.'

'I'm not fucking hungry!' Cato snapped and regretted it at once, knowing that Macro had only meant to offer him some comfort before the next dawn. It wasn't Macro's fault, and in a moment of intuitive understanding he realised that Macro would have had to screw up his moral courage to come and speak to his condemned friend. It was never going to be an easy discussion. Cato looked up. 'Could use a flask of good wine, though.'

'That's the spirit!' Macro clapped him on the back, and rose wearily to his feet. 'I'll see what I can do.'

Macro started to stride away from the condemned men.

'Macro!' Cato called after him, and the veteran looked back over his shoulder. Cato stared at him briefly, his tormented mind churning with dreadful fears. 'Thanks.'

Macro frowned and then nodded before he turned away and marched off. Cato watched him for a moment and then cast his eyes around, taking in the change of guards at the entrance to the Second Legion's camp. The daily routine of army life continued as before, a routine that had locked him in its harsh embrace for nearly two years now and made him a man. Now that same army had cast him out and, at dawn tomorrow, it would kill him. The sentries changed over and the watch-keeping slate was passed to the centurion coming on duty. Cato envied them the endless routine that would keep them occupied throughout the day, while he simply sat on the ground, a prisoner to his thoughts, waiting for it all to end.

The guards on the gate suddenly snapped to attention as a mounted figure emerged from inside the camp. As the horseman came into the bright orange glow of the rising sun, Cato saw that it was the legate. He rode down the side of the camp towards the men of the Third Cohort, who were toiling to excavate their defences. Vespasian glanced at them as he passed by. Then, as he reached the huddled forms of the condemned men, under the guard of two legionaries, the legate fixed his gaze straight ahead and spurred his horse into a trot. A few of the condemned men propped themselves up to watch their commander. They were no longer bound by military discipline now that the legion had disowned them. Yesterday they would have jumped to their feet and stood to attention, saluting as he passed. Today they were criminals, as good as dead, and any display of respect towards the legate would simply be insulting to him.

That's the difference a day makes, Cato thought wryly. For the condemned men at least. Vespasian was free to live his privileged life out to the end, and a few days from now no doubt would have forgotten that Cato and his companions had ever existed. For a moment Cato indulged himself in a wave of bitter contempt for Vespasian, a man he had served loyally and come to admire. So this was how his good service was rewarded. Vespasian, it seemed, was not so very different from the rest of the self-serving class of artistocrats who led the legions. After a show of opposition to Plautius last night he had caved in at the merest hint of a threat to himself, and meekly gone along with the decimation of his men.

Sickened by the sight of the man, Cato spat on the ground. He stared hard at the back of the legate as he rode down the track towards the crossing, heading towards the camp of the general on the far side of the Tamesis.

'Well, Legate, what can I do for you?' Aulus Plautius looked up from his desk and greeted him with a smile. With Narcissus no longer shadowing him the general felt a burden had been lifted from his shoulders. He was free to continue with the campaign, and in a few more months these lands and their unruly tribesmen would be under his control. The army could then take time to consolidate the territory wrested from Caratacus and his dwindling band of allies. The legions could rest and re-equip over the winter, and be ready for a much easier expansion of the province in the following campaign season. The future looked bright for the first time in weeks, and it was going to be a sunny day with a light, cooling breeze. What more could a man ask for? As a result, the general was feeling well disposed towards the world, and the smile stayed on his face as Vespasian saluted then eased himself down into the proffered seat on the other side of the general's desk.

'Can we talk in private, sir?'

The smile quickly faded from Plautius' lips. 'Is it important?'

'I think so.'

'Very well.' Plautius clicked his fingers, and the clerks working at small tables to one side of the tent looked round. The general nodded towards the entrance. 'Leave us. I'll send for you when I've finished with the legate.'

As soon as the last of the clerks had left the tent, Plautius leaned back in his chair and rested his chin on the knuckles of one hand. 'Well? What do you want?'

Vespasian had not been able to sleep the previous night and feared that his mind might be too dull for what lay ahead. He rubbed his chin as he quickly collected his thoughts.

'Sir, we can't execute those men.'

'Why not?'

'It isn't right. You know that as well as I do. They're not the only ones who didn't perform as well as they might during the battle.'

'You're implying what, exactly?'

'It didn't work out as you planned. Caratacus got away from you, and me. We were damn lucky to catch up with him before he could get the rest of his army over the river. Some people might say that we should be thanking my men for stalling them long enough to make that possible.'

'Really?' Plautius replied coolly.'Some men might say that I let them off too lightly after they failed to hold their ground. Some might say that such a narrow front as they had to defend could have been held by a handful of men, provided they had the guts to do it.'

'My men aren't cowards,' Vespasian replied quietly.

'That's not what Maximius said.'

Vespasian paused. He had to be careful now. Maximius was a senior centurion, a man with a long service record, much of which he had spent in the Praetorian Guard. Such men were bound to have powerful friends and patrons in Rome, who would bear a grudge on his behalf. But whatever the risk for his future career, Vespasian felt compelled to act on his principles.

'Maximius may have exaggerated their lack of grit.'

'And why would he do that?'

'For the same reason that we want to go along with his version of events.'

'The reason being?'

'Self-preservation.' Vespasian mentally braced himself for a sharp retort, but the general remained still and silent, waiting for Vespasian to continue. 'Maximius was responsible for the failure of his cohort to reach the crossing in time to defend it properly. We both know that, sir.'

'Yes. And that's why he shares in their punishment. He could just as easily have been selected for decimation as any of his men.'

'True,' Vespasian acknowledged.'But why should they share the blame for his mistake? If anyone has to be disciplined, let it be him alone. We can't let his men be punished for his failings. What kind of example does that set?'

'The kind of example that reminds the rest of the rabble that failure will not be tolerated in the legions under my command.' Plautius spoke with a quiet intensity.'Whenever it is encountered I will act in a swift and merciless manner. You know the saying: "Let them hate, so long as they fear." In some ways, the fact that innocent men are going to their deaths makes the disciplinary lesson even more effective, don't you think?'

Vespasian stared back, feeling contempt well up inside. The general's attitude disgusted him. What had happened to Plautius? A year ago, Vespasian's appeal on moral grounds would have had its effect. Plautius had been hard, but had played fair with his officers and men. But now…?

'This is insupportable, and you know it,' Vespasian said firmly. 'Those men are being used as scapegoats.'

'Amongst other things, yes.'

'And you're prepared to use them in that way? To let them die to save your reputation?' Another line of argument suddenly occurred to Vespasian. 'One of the condemned men is Centurion Cato. Do you realise that?'

'I know,' the General nodded.'I know that well enough. But it doesn't make any difference.'

'Doesn't make any difference?' Vespasian could not hide his astonishment, or his anger. 'You know his record well enough. We can't afford to throw away men of his calibre.'

'Then what would you have me do?' Plautius looked up. 'What if I spared him now? What if he was allowed to live while his men were executed? Just think how that would look to the rest. One rule for them, another for centurions. We've had a mutiny in this army already. How many officers lost their lives in that one? Do you really think we'd survive another? If the rankers die, then Cato must die with them.'

'So spare them all!'

'And look like a squeamish weakling?' Plautius shook his head. 'I think not, Vespasian. You must see that. If I condemn men one day and pardon them the next it'll be the first step down the road to completely losing our authority over our soldiers. And not just them – the plebs as well. Fear is what holds them all in check, and what better way of focusing their minds on blind obedience than fear of punishment, even if they are quite blameless? That's how it works, Vespasian. That's how it has always worked. That's why our class rules Rome… But I forgot,' Plautius smiled. 'You're one of the new men. You and your brother. In time, when you've grown used to wearing the broad stripe, you'll fully understand what I mean.'

'I understand it well enough right now,' Vespasian replied, 'and it disgusts me.'

'It goes with the rank. Get used to it.'

'Rank?' Vespasian chuckled bitterly. 'Oh, it's rank all right.'

He felt a weariness that went beyond tired muscles, a weariness that sapped his very soul. He had been raised by a father for whom Rome and everything it stood for represented the best of all worlds. It was his father's legacy to inspire the same devotion to duty and service to Rome in his two sons. Ever since Vespasian had embarked on a political career, little by little that faith had been chipped away, as a sculptor strikes away shards of stone. But what remained was no proud monument, merely a shrine to selfishness, steeped in the blood of those who were sacrificed, not for the greater good, but for the narrow self-interest of a select circle of cynical cold-blooded aristocrats.

'Enough!' Plautius slapped a hand down on the desk, making the slates jump and rattle. 'You forget yourself, Legate! Now hear me.'

For an instant both men stared across the table at each other with an implacable sense of estrangement, and Vespasian knew he had lost. Not only the attempt to save the lives of his men, but also any admission to the higher reaches of society in Rome. He lacked the necessary ruthlessness. The general's brow creased with anger as he addressed his subordinate.

'Hear me. There will be no pardon. The men will die, and by their deaths they will serve as an example to their comrades. That is an end to it. I will not tolerate any further discussion of the matter. Never mention this to me again. Do I make myself clear?'

'Yes, sir.'

'Then the execution will take place at dawn tomorrow. In front of the First Cohorts of all four legions. Find out who amongst your men are the closest friends and companions of the condemned. They will be the executioners. If any one of them demurs or protests in any way then they will be crucified, the moment the executions have concluded.' Plautius eased himself back and took a deep breath through his nose. 'Now, you have your orders, Legate. You are dismissed.'

Vespasian rose stiffly to his feet and saluted. Before he turned away from the general, he was tempted to try one last time – one final appeal to justice and reason, despite everything that had been said. Then he saw the deathly cold glint of iron resolve in Plautius' eyes and he knew that, worse than a waste of time, it would be positively dangerous to breathe another word.

So he turned and marched out of the tent, into the fresh air, as fast as the decorum of his ill-fitting rank allowed.

05 The Eagles Prey