The Black Stone by Nick Brown Read Free Book Online

three a year,’ added Nerva.
    ‘Four last year,’ said Cassius. ‘The other three were investigated by local legionaries and brought to a conclusion – all disgruntled taxpayers as I recall. The Aila murder wasn’t solved. Then, last October, a legionary patrol was ambushed outside Humeima.’
    ‘Palmyran irregulars, wasn’t it?’ said Nerva.
    ‘That’s what Verecundus wrote it up as,’ replied Cassius. ‘But I checked the original report from the optio down there. There was no evidence of Palmryan involvement. There was no evidence at all. Verecundus just wanted a neat conclusion to his investigation. Then there was the robbery of the wage cart at Udruh in January. Six men killed this time, several thousand sesterces taken. Verecundus made no progress identifying those responsible. All three incidents were roughly the same time apart, all struck directly at symbolic Roman targets and all were carried out with a high degree of professionalism.’
    ‘And you chose not to mention this before?’ asked Pontius.
    ‘I did mention it,’ Cassius replied quickly. ‘It was in the preliminary report I prepared for the governor. Your office should have received a copy.’
    Pontius turned to Nerva, who nodded.
    ‘Bloody useless clerks,’ said the tribune, reddening.
    ‘Now this attack,’ said Cassius, tapping the letter. ‘Again, a few months after the last incident and, judging from what we know so far, again carried out efficiently.’
    ‘Do you have a theory about who might be responsible?’ asked Calvinus.
    ‘No, sir. Frankly, I don’t know enough about the province. All I can say is that there seems to be a guiding hand at work. Someone who is becoming more brazen, more confident.’
    ‘Governor,’ said Nerva. ‘You know the chiefs better than any of us. Are they really capable of this?’
    ‘Knowing so little of their present state of mind, it’s difficult to say. But a few were certainly more reluctant allies than others, and some still cling to the hope of a return to the old days.’ Calvinus flicked his head upward. ‘When old King Rabbel lived under this roof and the desert folk came and went as they pleased.’
    ‘This person is an opportunist,’ said Cassius. ‘They might have waited for years, even fought alongside the legions.’
    ‘We have always been so vulnerable here,’ said Calvinus. ‘Thousands of miles of ungovernable territory to our south and east; and always dependent on the Saracens to provide information and security.’
    ‘Well, sir?’ said Pontius, still anxious to regain some ground. ‘I could have that column on the move within days, down to Humeima in a couple of weeks.’
    ‘Show our faces,’ added Nerva. ‘Discourage a further escalation.’
    Calvinus didn’t seem convinced. ‘I will not risk such a move yet. Not until I know more. If the Tanukh
are
involved, retaliation may make things worse and the chiefs can each count on at least a thousand swords; if they turn against us we are outnumbered five to one. I shall look into this Ruwaffa incident myself. Pontius, I want that deployment report – use what information you have. Nerva, keep a close eye on those centuries with a large intake of new recruits – we may need them sooner rather than later. Corbulo, your priority must be these informers. One way or another, we must find out what the chiefs are up to.’
    ‘Yes, sir.’
    Calvinus continued: ‘Also, I have instructed the magistrate to pay special attention to any disruptive elements within the city; anyone even mentioning the word revolt will find themselves up on a charge. Talk of the attack will get out eventually – it always does – but for now keep it to yourselves. Oh, and as of today, all leave is cancelled.’
    Cassius stood. Pontius and Nerva were already on their way out. Calvinus moved his chair away from the table and ran his fingers through his silvery curls. ‘Corbulo, wait.’
    Cassius turned towards him, hands clasped behind his