The Legion by Simon Scarrow Read Free Book Online Page B

their crews for information and then killing almost everyone on board before you move on.’

    Macro and Cato exchanged a quick look.

    ‘Oh, don’t deny it!’ the governor raged. ‘I have reports naming you. And a handful of witnesses that you have been kind enough to spare. More than enough evidence to have you nailed to a cross before the day is out. So,’ he forced himself to control his temper before he continued, ‘I ask you again, what do you think you have been playing at? According to the last despatch I had from Crete, you had been sent to track down a renegade slave. Not to foment yet another rebellion here in Egypt. I’m not sure who poses the greatest threat to peace in the Empire, a renegade gladiator, or the two moronic thugs sent to track him down. To add insult to injury you are using my men, and my ships, to carry out your dirty work. Don’t think that has escaped the notice of the mob either. One of my patrols was stoned as it passed through the streets yesterday. I lost an optio and one of the men. All thanks to you two and the heavy-handed way you have gone about hunting down this character, Ajax.’

    ‘But we’ve done nothing, sir,’ Macro protested. ‘None of it’s true.’

    ‘Tell that to the witnesses.’

    ‘Then they’re lying. Someone’s put them up to it.’

    ‘We shall see. My prosecutors have been taking statements, gathering evidence. I shall take every possible step to put you two on trial as soon as I can. Then, a public execution. That might just be enough to satisfy the mob and calm things down here in Egypt.’

    Macro snorted with derision. ‘You’re having me on! It’s utter shit, all of it.’

    ‘Trust me, Centurion, that’s exactly what is going to happen. What’s more, the Emperor, and that snake of his, the imperial secretary, Narcissus, will approve my action without a moment’s hesitation.’

    Cato had been listening to the heated exchange in silence. Now, as understanding dawned, he smiled without humour.

    ‘What in Hades are you grinning at?’ asked the governor. ‘I see no cause for amusement.’

    ‘It’s Ajax, sir. He’s responsible for all of this.’

    ‘Ajax?’

    ‘Of course. He’s been covering his tracks. Better than that, he’s been stirring up the locals in his wake.’

    ‘What do you mean?’

    ‘We came across a ship, adrift, a few days back. All the crew dead, save one who told us that it was the work of Centurion Macro.’

    Macro snorted. ‘Which came as something of a bloody surprise to me, as you can imagine.’

    ‘It also explains why those villagers fled when we landed on the coast the day before,’ Cato continued. ‘He’s been a busy lad, our gladiator.’

    ‘I assume you can prove this?’ said the governor. ‘Can this survivor of yours testify that the man who attacked his ship was not Macro?’

    ‘Unfortunately not, sir. He died soon afterwards.’

    ‘How convenient.’

    ‘Not for us, it seems. Nonetheless, you produce your other witnesses and see if they can identify either of us as their attackers. That should prove our innocence.’

    The governor was silent for a moment and then nodded. ‘Very well. You have a point.’ He paced to the door and clicked his fingers at one of the guards standing outside. ‘You, go and fetch that temple priest, Hamedes. He’s being held over at the palace barracks. I want him brought here at once. Don’t tell him anything about these two officers. Understand?’

    The guard saluted and turned to stride off down the corridor. Petronius returned to Macro and Cato. ‘I’ll know soon enough if you’re telling me the truth. One of the temples on the delta was raided ten days ago. The priests were killed and the temple’s strongbox was taken. Only one person was spared. He turned up at the gates of the city yesterday, babbling about the Roman soldiers who had attacked the temple. He was taken into custody to have his wounds dressed and to be fed and rested before