The Eagles Prophecy

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

For a moment the four Romans stood still as the shouting swelled in volume. Minucius was the first to break the spell and he crossed to the shuttered window, carefully slid the bolts back and eased the shutter open a fraction. Down below, the courtyard was swarming with men, some holding torches aloft. There was a grumble of wheels on cobbled stones and a moment later a narrow wagon lumbered through the gateway. The pirates made way for it as it circled the yard and stopped when it was pointing back towards the gateway. One of the torch-bearers shouted some orders and the pirates moved to the arch at the side of the gateway, threw back the doors and went inside. They reappeared shortly afterwards clutching javelins, bows and arrows, and Minucius realised that the pirates' arsenal must be under the courtyard walls. The weapons were deposited in the bed of the wagon and the pirates went back for more.

'What's happening?' Vitellius whispered.

'They're loading a wagon,' Minucius replied. 'Looks like they're getting ready to throw everything they've got at the marines when the assault goes in.'

'Damn…' Vitellius clenched his fist in nervous frustration. 'There's nothing for it. We'll have to wait until the courtyard's clear. Unless there's another way. Watch him!'

Minucius spun round and saw that Ajax was moving towards the door. At Vitellius' warning Trebius drew his sword and leaped towards the door, cutting Ajax off. For an instant the pirate's eyes narrowed as he calculated his chances against the bodyguard. The hesitation was long enough for Minucius to close on him from behind and kick his legs away. Ajax tumbled to the floor with a winded grunt.

'Don't try that again, sunshine,' the centurion growled. 'Don't want to have to cut your hamstrings if I can help it.'

As Ajax sat up painfully and eased himself against one of the treasure chests, Vitellius came over.'Is there another way out of here?'

Ajax shook his head. 'Only the archway. There are cliffs on the other sides.'

'Can we climb down?'

'No. It's a sheer drop. It would be madness to attempt it in the dark.'

'Well, it won't be dark for too much longer,' said Minucius. 'As soon as it's light the prefect is going to come looking for our prisoner. Then we're well and truly in the shit.'

'Thanks for that cogent summation of our predicament,' Vitellius responded icily. The bodyguards exchanged a puzzled look, which was not lost on their tribune. 'You two weren't hired for your conversation. Now watch him, while I think.'

Vitellius returned to the window and peered cautiously through the narrow gap. Down in the courtyard the pirates continued to load the wagon. At the present rate, the vehicle would be loaded soon and the courtyard would empty, leaving Vitellius and his men enough time to get out of the citadel and return to the trireme before dawn. He stood still and waited in silence, clutching the box of scrolls to his side. The other men in the room sat down close to Ajax and one of the bodyguards filled in time by cracking his knuckles in a rhythm that quickly irritated Minucius.

He poked the man in the chest. 'Stop that.'

'Why?'

Minucius stared at him in anger.'You stop it, because the fucking centurion is telling you to stop it, squaddie.'

'I ain't no squaddie.' Trebius' nostrils flared. 'And you ain't no centurion. At least you won't be once this is all over.'

Vitellius turned round hurriedly. 'Quiet! You two trying to get us killed?'

Minucius nodded towards the bodyguard. 'What did he mean, "once this is all over"?'

'Nothing. Ignore him. He's just playing the fool.'

'That's not what it sounded like to me.' Minucius rose cautiously to his feet and backed off a step, hand resting on the pommel of his sword. Before he could say another word there was a shout from the courtyard and, with a crack of a whip, the wheels of the wagon ground across the cobblestones.

'They're going!' Vitellius looked out of the window. Sure enough the rear of the wagon disappeared into the shadows under the gateway.The men in the courtyard did not follow it, but leaned against the courtyard walls and waited. Some of them immediately squatted under the light of one of the torches that had been placed in a bracket on the wall and began a dice game.

'What the hell are they waiting for?' Vitellius muttered. 'Move, you bastards…'

But they didn't move. They just waited, and time seemed to stretch out in an endless torment of frustration and a growing sense of peril for the Romans waiting in the tower room overlooking the courtyard.

Minucius thumped his fist into the palm of his other hand. 'We've got to do something, sir. We stay here and we're as good as dead.'

'One way or another…' Vitellius conceded.'Why don't they move?'

A slow rumbling of wheels announced the return of the wagon, and the men in the courtyard jumped up and approached the vehicle as soon as it entered the courtyard. The bed of the wagon was filled with wounded men, hastily bandaged, and they were unloaded and carried down into the cellars. As soon as the wounded had been moved the men in the courtyard began to load the wagon with more weapons carried up from under the watchtower. Vitellius looked up from the courtyard and felt his heart sink. A faint loom of lighter sky was defined by the inky black silhouette of the mountains on the opposite side of the bay.

'Oh, no…'

Minucius turned round. 'Sir? What is it?'

'We're about to run out of time. It'll be dawn soon.'

'Then we must do something, sir. Right now!'

'What do you suggest, Centurion?'

There was the briefest hesitation before Minucius continued more softly,'The cliffs. We'll have to chance them.'

'But you heard Ajax. It's impossible.'

'We have to try it. Send one of your men out the other side to have a look.'

'There's no point. Ajax said-'

'Ajax could be lying, sir. We can't afford to trust him. At least send your man to check.'

Vitellius frowned with irritation and glanced outside. The sky was definitely lighter now. There was no time to waste. He put the scroll box on the desk and faced his men. 'Very well. I'll go and see for myself.' He hesitated at the door and looked back over his shoulder. 'Trebius, you'd better come with me in case we run into anyone.'

'Yes, sir.'

Vitellius turned to Minucius. 'Keep the prisoner quiet and stay back from the window. We won't be long. We'll knock twice to let you know it's us.'

After the door had closed behind them, Minucius waited a moment until the faint sounds of their shuffling footsteps had faded away, then he turned to the other bodyguard and smiled.

'I'm curious about those scrolls. Aren't you?'

Silus shrugged. 'I suppose.'

Minucius stood to one side of the box and scratched his chin.'There's more to this than scrolls. Has to be. Something to do with the box, perhaps. Something else hidden in it.' He frowned as he leaned over the box and then pointed to a mark on the lid. 'What's this?'

The other man ambled over and looked where the centurion had indicated.

'I don't know. Just where it's been knocked or chipped.'

'No.' Minucius stepped aside and back to make room for the bodyguard. As Silus leaned forward, Minucius gripped his sword handle tightly. 'Look closer.'

'What? I don't see…' The bodyguard began to straighten up.

Minucius snatched his sword out, swung it wide and chopped viciously into the bodyguard's neck. The blow snapped his head to one side as it cut through flesh, muscle and spine. Minucius ripped his blade back and poised ready to strike again. Blood jetted out from the bodyguard's neck, and with one last look of surprise at the centurion, Silus crumpled to the floor and a pool of blood steadily widened around his head and chest. He twitched for a moment, and then his body was still.

The lad had been right, Vitellius reflected in despair, as he and Trebius crept back into the tower and quietly made their way up the stairs to Telemachus' quarters. They had edged round the base of the watchtower, peered over the edge of the cliff and heard the sea swirling round rocks far below. Even though it was still quite dark it was clear that there would be no escape in that direction. They had found only one place where the cliff seemed to tumble away in a steep slope, and Vitellius had sent Trebius down to see how far he could go. But after clambering a mere twenty feet down, the bodyguard came to a sheer drop and was forced to climb back up.

So they were trapped in the citadel, while the enemy remained in the courtyard. With the sky steadily growing lighter there was only the slimmest of chances of making it back to the fleet before Ajax was missed. It had always been a risky business, Vitellius conceded, but he was playing for high stakes and that meant being prepared to defy the odds. Only, now that he was trapped, Vitellius fervently wished he had never been made aware of the scrolls.

They reached the landing and walked softly towards the door. Vitellius raised his fist and tapped on the rough wooden surface with his knuckles. Then he lifted the latch, pushed the door back gently and entered the dimly lit chamber. Ajax was sitting at the desk once again and he looked up with a sardonic smile as the tribune entered the room, closely followed by Trebius. Wrapped in a tightening sense of despair Vitellius could not help a surge of anger at the young man's expression.

'What are you grinning at? Where's-'

There was a dull thud and Trebius gave an explosive gasp. Vitellius immediately turned and saw a look of intense surprise etched into the bodyguard's face. Both men glanced down at the bloody tip of a sword protruding a finger's length from his chest. Then Trebius convulsed as he was thrust from behind, and the blade disappeared, leaving a gaping tear in the front of his tunic. An instant later the material was drenched in dark blood. There was another convulsion, and Trebius slumped to his knees. Vitellius looked up and saw Centurion Minucius emerging from the shadow behind the door, bloodstained sword in hand. Trebius' head lolled back and to the side and he looked puzzled as his eyes fixed on Minucius. Then they glazed over and he toppled onto the floor.

Vitellius hesitated a moment too long before his hand shot to the sword hanging at his side, and Minucius stepped forward, and pointed his sword at the tribune's throat.

'Don't! Keep you fingers off that weapon.'

Ajax stood up and hurried over and Vitellius saw that he too carried a sword. There was no way he could fight his way out of the situation, and he lowered his hand to his side. He glared at Minucius.

'What is the meaning of this treachery?'

Minucius smiled.'Come now. Someone with a mind like yours must be able to figure this out.'

'What are you talking about? What-'

'Quiet, Tribune.' Minucius kept his eyes fixed on Vitellius as he addressed his remarks to Ajax.'Go and get some men. And send for your father.'

The pirate nodded to Minucius before he hurried from the chamber and then they heard his feet thudding quickly down the stairs.

Vitellius looked at the centurion with narrowed, calculating eyes. 'What did Ajax promise you? Money? A way out of here? You couldn't have fallen for that?'

'I didn't,' Minucius chuckled. 'In any case, I've already had more than enough money from his father…'

'His father?' Vitellius frowned, then the truth hit him like a slingshot to the head. His eyes widened as he raised a finger at the centurion. 'The traitor. The one that has been plaguing the fleet's every step… you?'

'Me.'

'But why?'

'You said it yourself. I'm coming up for my discharge. I've been dreading it for the last few years. My savings were going to be just enough to eke out my retirement in comfort. But who wants comfort when you could have luxury? So I cut a deal with Telemachus, and have been selling him information for the last year. I've got enough stashed away to live very well. Now you've provided me with a chance for a little extra. I imagine Telemachus is going to be grateful to the man who returned his son to him. And handed him a high-ranking hostage into the bargain.'

'You bastard…'

Minucius laughed and shook his head. 'Tribune, don't act so indignant. Why are you here in the first place? It doesn't exactly have much to do with integrity and loyal service to the Empire. Those scrolls over there, whatever they are, you were not going to use them for the benefit of the Emperor, were you?'

'Not the present Emperor, no.' Vitellius' lips flickered into a smile. 'So what's your price, Minucius?'

'Price?'

'To get me out of here.'

'We aren't going to get out of here. It's too late. It'll be light soon and there won't be any chance of making it back to the fleet. And if we're stuck here, then the pirates are going to find us soon enough. So I decided that it was time I left your employment.'

They heard Ajax's voice shouting orders down in the courtyard and Vitellius licked his lips nervously and took a step closer to the centurion. 'Look we can make a deal.'

Minucius stepped back and raised his sword. 'Keep your distance!'

'Listen to me! I can make you rich, far richer than you can imagine.'

The heavy sound of feet pounding up the staircase made both men glance towards the door, and Minucius shook his head.'Sorry, Tribune – no negotiations. You've just run out of time.'

The door burst open, and Ajax and several pirates swept into the room, swords drawn, ready to strike. Ajax thrust Vitellius back, steering him into the corner where he fell on to the bed. Then he barked an order and two of the pirates came over and stood guard.

Ajax turned to Minucius. 'I've sent a man for my father. He'll be here soon. In the meantime, drop your sword.'

'What?'

'Drop your sword and stand over there by the table, hands on your head where we can see them.'

'But I'm on your side. I told you.'

'We'll see. Now drop the sword.'

Minucius shook his head and Ajax stabbed a finger at him. 'Drop it! Or my men will drop you.'

Minucius' lips tightened into a bitter expression. Then he threw the sword down at Ajax's feet, brushed past one of the pirates and strode over to the desk where he turned and thrust his hands on his head.

'There! Satisfied? I don't think Telemachus is going to be, when he see's how you've treated me.'

'Leave my father to me,' Ajax said in a soft, menacing voice. 'And if you're lying then I'll see to it that you die painfully.'

There was a chuckle from the far corner of the room as Vitellius sat himself up and pressed his back into the corner of the chamber.'Seems like you're in the shit as much as me, Centurion.'

'I don't think so, Tribune. You'll see. Soon as Telemachus gets here.'

'Quiet!' Ajax shouted.'Both of you.'

They waited in silence, under the watchful gaze of the pirates, and outside the grey gleam of the coming dawn filtered through the open shutter. In the distance they could hear the regular crack and crash of the Roman onagers, while the sound of the wagon being loaded echoed up from the courtyard walls. By the time they heard the sound of someone climbing the stairs, the sky outside was washed with the rosy glow of the first rays of the sun. Footsteps approached along the corridor and then Telemachus strode through the open doorway, eyes glancing round the chamber and instantly fixing on Vitellius, and then Minucius. A look of surprise flashed across his face.

'Centurion? What are you doing here?'

'It couldn't be helped. Your boy was taken prisoner and the tribune there wanted to use him to get into the citadel. I was given the choice of helping him out or being killed. So I had to go along with them. Once we got here I set your son loose at the first chance and turned the tables on them.' He nodded towards the bodies of Trebius and Silus.

Telemachus gave the centurion a sceptical look and then glanced at his son with a raised eyebrow. Ajax nodded.

'I see… Well, you've not picked the best of times to end our little arrangement.'

'End the arrangement?' Minucius said anxiously. 'What do you mean?'

'You'd find it difficult to return to your side now without arousing any suspicions. And, as you will have noted, your fleet is about to storm this citadel. How do you think they will react if they find you here, amongst the enemy? You're no use to me as a spy now, Centurion. But, I will do you no harm. You can fight alongside my men, and perhaps win back some of the honour you have defiled by betraying your people.'

'There's no need for that!' Minucius started forward, but one of the pirates stepped menacingly towards him and the centurion raised a hand to show he meant no harm to the pirate chief.'Telemachus, there's a boat hidden at the base of the cliff. It's big enough to hold you, your son and two or three other men, or a few valuables.' He looked meaningfully at the chests lying about the table, their treasures gleaming inside them.'You can't see the boat from the sea, or from the top of the cliff. We can hide there, wait until dark and slip out of the bay, with some of your treasure. You can start again, somewhere else.'

Minucius sounded desperate and Telemachus looked at him with pity and disgust. 'It hasn't come to that yet. Meanwhile I'll fight your marines the moment the first one sticks his nose over whatever's left of our walls. This boat of yours will be my last resort. We'll go to it when the time comes, and take some of the loot with us.' Telemachus turned to the tribune. 'Is that what you've come for? My fortune?'

'He came for the scrolls,' Minucius interrupted, pointing at the chest on the table. 'In that box. That's all he wanted.'

'I'm sure it is,' Telemachus replied quietly as he looked at the tribune again.'So who are you working for? I've already met the agent sent by the Liberators. So is it the Emperor? Or yourself?'

Vitellius drew himself up stiffly. 'I serve Emperor Claudius! I am his most trusted agent. If anything happens to me, you can be sure the Emperor will hunt you down and have you killed like dogs!'

'I'm sure he would pay a pretty ransom for you,' mused Telemachus.

Desperation gleamed in the tribune's face. 'Count on it!'

'Then we might have some use for you…' Telemachus scratched his chin for a moment and was about to speak again when a horn blared across the citadel.

Minucius turned towards the sound, straining his ears as more notes sounded. But these were more distant and lighter, and with a thrill of fear he recognised the sound.'Those are Roman horns! They're starting the assault!'

Telemachus snapped some orders to his men. At once two of the pirates sheathed their weapons, closed in on Vitellius and began to tie him to the bed.

'What will you do to him, Father?' Ajax asked in Greek.

'I'm not sure. He might be useful.'

Ajax gripped his father's arm and continued, 'If we survive this attack, let me be the one to kill him.'

'Kill him? Kill a valuable hostage?'

'Father, he tortured me. He humiliated me. He made me tell him about those scrolls. I must have vengeance…' Ajax pleaded.

'Later. We must go to the walls. Come! You too, Minucius. If the Romans break into the city, we'll come back for some gold and make for this boat of yours.'

Telemachus hurried from the room. Ajax followed after him. Only Minucius remained, alone with the bodies of Vitellius' bodyguards. He took a last look at the treasure, shook his head sadly.'Oh, Portia…what the hell have I got myself into?'

Then with an angry growl Minucius snatched up his sword and set off after the pirates.

06 The Eagles Prophecy