Legatus Legionis: Book Two in the Gaius Claudius Scaevola Trilogy by Ian Miller Read Free Book Online Page A

weak commander?"
    "No, I don't, and it is also desirable," Gaius acknowledged ruefully, "that the Princeps hears of missions accomplished rather than complaints about inactivity."
    "But not missions failed."
    "It may not be desirable to return from an abject failure," Gaius nodded, then with a grin, added, "so your comfortable future may be a little further off than you wish."
    "My men won't fail so you'd better not. And remember, you'll have to clear it with Governor Plautius first," the ex-Legate warned.
    "Any advice you can offer on that would be welcomed." Gaius began to realize that those on the other side of the Danube might not be his only problem.
    "He's a very cautious man," the ex-Legate said, after a moment's pause, "not that I would want that spread about."
    "Any advice stays between the two of us," Gaius assured him.
    "It may be hard to persuade him to show aggression," the ex-Legate offered. "On the other hand, if you can get on the right side of him, he's very well connected. One of his ancestors' cousins was a friend of the delightful Livia, and said cousin was the mother of Plautia Urgulanilla . . ."
    "Which gets you rather close to the Imperial family," Gaius nodded, as he suddenly realized the significance of the 'Plautia'.
    "Exactly, and there's more. His wife, Pomponia Graecina, comes from a very illustrious family, which includes Vipsania Agrippina . . ."
    "Tiberius' wife?" Gaius asked.
    "The same."
    "I see," Gaius said slowly. A cautious man who could break him, and a Princeps who wanted things to happen. Not exactly a good mix. "Nevertheless, at the very least I need to be able to advise Governor Plautius that at least I know how to carry out a raid. Have we got boats?"
    "We'll have those that brought that lot over, and you can get more."
    "I shall inform the Tribunes I'm planning a retaliatory attack and I'll want all logistics information at their fingertips. Then I'll have to work out a way to get to meet Governor Plautius."
    "Then tune up your social graces," the ex-Legate smiled. "You've got a dinner invitation for tonight. One of the more influential Roman families."
    "I look forward to it," Gaius said formally, if not entirely truthfully.
    "I suspected as much," the ex-Legate said with a condescending smile. "Governor Plautius will be there, and I'm sure he will be interested to meet his new military firebrand!"
    * * *
    The cart was soon found, and Gaius was pleased to see that all his valuables were still present. With nothing much else to do for the afternoon, he set about enquiring about smiths: who was available, who was skilled, and where were they? There was a choice of two, so he selected the one he felt was most suitable and introduced himself and Timothy to him. A good number of sesterces had the man's interest, and he assured Gaius that he would be able to cast something out of bronze that would follow Gaius' diagrams.
    * * *
    Gaius nodded at the doorman, and stepped forward. Formal dress was not his strong suit. The toga was an item of clothing that could either look highly formal and convey great wisdom and dignity, or look like a long sheet of cloth that had been thrown over the body. Somehow, it always seemed to look like the latter on him. He also had to overcome the feeling that he should adjust it from time to time. Somehow, it never felt right. On the other hand, other men were not continually fiddling with their togas, probably because they had the knack of wearing them properly.
    He had to forget about this wretched toga. There was the host, and accompanied by a very beautiful woman. The woman from the bridge. Young enough to be the host's daughter, and from the facial likeness, she probably was.
    "Gaius Claudius Scaevola," he introduced himself.
    "The Princeps mentioned you," the man nodded. "I am Publius Valerius Messala."
    "You get on well with the Princeps ?" Gaius asked politely.
    The man stared at him, then laughed bitterly and said, "You survive with Little Boots, as I