The Eagle In the Sand - Scarrow Simon (читать книги без .txt) 📗

'Just a figure of speech. Be serious, Macro.' Cato concentrated again before continuing. 'The thing is, I'm not sure that Longinus is fully aware of what he is unleashing. It seems that Bannus has also been in contact with the Parthians. So far I imagine they've promised him some weapons for his men. Of course, they'd never own up to it. Anything they can do to undermine Roman power in the east is all part of the great game as far as they are concerned. However, if they got wind of an arrangement between Bannus and Longinus then they'd instantly see the chance to settle the score with Rome once and for all.The moment Longinus leaves Syria with the eastern legions at his back, Parthia would have a free hand in the region. If they moved quickly enough they could overrun Syria, Armenia, Judaea, Nabataea, and maybe even Egypt.' Cato's eyes widened as the implications of what he had said hit home. 'Egypt! If they took that then they'd have a stranglehold on the grain that feeds Rome.They could force peace on Rome on almost any terms they wanted.'

'Hold on there!' Macro raised his hand. 'You're jumping at shadows. Remember, Cato, you're just outlining possibilities.' He smiled. 'There's still a long way to go before the situation represents any serious threat to Rome.'

Cato couldn't help smiling at the way his thoughts had run away with him. Nevertheless, there was a great deal at stake, and not much time to try to do something about it. Until confirmation of Macro's command of the Second Illyrian came through there was little action that the two officers could take except observing events as they unfolded. 'All right then, I'll keep my mind focused on the here and now.'

'For the moment, that would be best.'

Cato nodded, and then reached for a spare linen tunic and pulled it over his head. 'What about you? How did your patrol go with Postumus?'

'Aside from a bit of a punch-up with some desert raiders, I was let in on the little arrangement that Scrofa and most of his officers are operating with the caravans from Nabataea. It's a protection racket, pure and simple. They blackmail the caravan owners into making a payment or let the desert raiders carve them up and make off with their goods. Seems that almost everyone out here is doing business with the enemy. Postumus was kind enough to offer to cut me into the deal. Needless to say I politely declined, tempting as it was.'

'I bet.'

'Anyway, I've had an idea about how we can put an end to their arrangement. But I have to take command here first, and I'll need to get in touch with some people in Petra.'

Cato looked at him curiously.'Hardly been here a few days and you're already in with the locals. I'm impressed.'

'So you should be.' Macro looked pleased with himself. 'Best idea I've had in ages, and I can't wait to see the raiders' faces when they try it on with the next caravan to pass through our turf.'

Macro carried on smiling and Cato finally gave in.'All right. I'm intrigued. Now would you care to explain your brilliant plan?'

There was a loud knock at the door, and Cato shook his head in frustration as he called out, 'Come in!'

The door swung open and one of Scrofa's clerks stepped inside, stiffened his back and saluted.'The prefect sends his compliments, and requires you at headquarters immediately.'

Cato and Macro exchanged a look before the latter responded. 'All right. We're coming. Soon as Centurion Cato has finished dressing.'

'Sir?' The clerk frowned. 'I was only instructed to summon you.'

'Well now you have. And I'll deal with it from here. Now go.'

'Yes, sir.'The clerk saluted and turned to leave.

Cato turned to Macro. 'What's up?'

'I imagine Scrofa wants to resolve a confrontation I had with Centurion Postumus while we were out on patrol.'

Cato did not hide his exasperation. 'Oh, fine. Another fight?'

'Kind of. Postumus was pretty keen to even the score once we got back to the fort. Looks like he's trying to do it through official channels. Anyway, I want you there as a witness.'

Prefect Scrofa was not alone when Macro and Cato were shown into his office in the headquarters building. Postumus was standing behind and to one side of his commanding officer.They turned to look at the new arrivals.

'Not before time,' Scrofa said harshly. 'And what is Centurion Cato doing here? I didn't send for him.'

'He's here on my say-so,' Macro responded. 'And we came as soon as we got your message.'

Scrofa stared at him for a moment. 'While I am prefect of the Second Illyrian, I am the senior officer in this fort. Therefore you will defer to me, Centurion Macro.'

'Fair enough, sir.' Macro bowed his head. 'While you are the prefect, that is.'

Scrofa clamped his lips together for a moment to bite back on the flash of rage Macro's reply had prompted. Then he drew a deep breath and continued. 'Very well. I think we understand each other well enough. But I wouldn't feel too smug about replacing me if I were you. Not for a while yet.'

Centurion Postumus coughed. 'Sir, I am sure Centurion Macro is perfectly aware of the correct protocol in this situation. If we might move on to more important issues?'

'What?' Scrofa turned irritably to look up at his subordinate. 'Oh, very well then.' He turned back to Macro and composed himself before continuing in a more formal tone. 'Centurion Postumus has filed an official complaint about your conduct in relation to an event which occurred while you were on patrol.'

Macro could not help smiling briefly at the prefect's pompous manner and ponderous choice of words.

'What's so amusing, Centurion?'

'Nothing, sir.'

'Well, then, it seems that you struck Centurion Postumus in front of his men, and then seized control of his auxiliaries and ordered them to attack some Arabs who were obstructing the progress of a caravan.'

'Obstructing the progress…' Macro had to laugh. 'That's a fine use of words, Centurion Postumus. If you mean that I took command of your men to rescue the caravan from desert raiders, because you refused to, then yes I agree with your allegation.'

Postumus tilted his chin up as he replied. 'Whatever the words, the fact of the matter is that I was the lawful commander of those men, and therefore you illegally usurped my authority.'

'Because you were failing in your lawful duty.' Macro stabbed a finger at him. 'You would have sat on your arse and let those raiders completely destroy the caravan.'

'That is immaterial to the charge I'm bringing against you.'

'Immaterial?' Macro scoffed. 'It is the reason why I was forced to take command.'

'What about striking a fellow officer?' Scrofa interrupted, leaning forward across his desk. 'What about that, eh? Do you deny it?'

'No. And I'd do the same again,' Macro snapped back. 'And with good cause. Now, if you really want to try to make something of this, I will be happy to submit to a proper military tribunal, back in Rome. It's my right to insist on that, as you well know. So then, Prefect, do you wish to continue with this foolishness?'

Scrofa glared back at him for a moment and then eased himself back into his chair and forced a smile. 'I don't think it is really necessary, Centurion Macro. I merely wanted you to be aware of the disciplinary charges that could be brought against you. Rightly or wrongly, you have committed a serious breach of the military code and it is within my powers to bring you before a military tribunal. I could, if I wanted, carry that out in a summary manner, here in this fort.'

'You could,' Macro conceded. 'But I could equally insist on my right to appeal to the Emperor for a hearing back in Rome. And I think we both know how that might turn out, given the way you are running things here.'

It was an impasse, and all the men in the office knew it. For a while no one spoke, until Scrofa continued in the same placating manner.