The Eagles Prophecy

'That slum, on the other hand, is a chaos of poverty and depravity forever threatening to engulf and destroy the order we have created. The Subura is a daily reminder of what we might become if the Emperor and all who further his aims are swept away. The plebs are the barbarians within the gate. As long as they are fed and entertained we have them in our grasp. But let them get an inkling of their own power, or worse, let another person prey upon their baser motivations… and their superstitions,' Narcissus added with heavy emphasis, 'and they'll cut our throats.'

The Imperial Secretary turned back towards the two centurions with a weary expression. 'So, it is my task, my purpose in this life, to make sure that order is maintained and that Claudius remains in power. That means I have to identify and contain any and all possible threats to the Emperor. And it is your job, as soldiers sworn to obey his will, to aid me in any way I determine. Do I make myself clear?'

'Yes, sir,' Cato and Macro replied. Cato hadn't a clue what the Imperial Secretary was alluding to. But the hint that their services were needed, and no mention of execution, filled his heart with hope.

Narcissus nodded at their ready obedience, and leaned forward to rest his arms on his desk. 'Then listen closely. I have a task for you. Of course it's dangerous and entails great personal risk. But then you have nothing to lose. Isn't that right, Centurion Cato?'

'Sir?'

'Don't play me for a fool, young man. Your life is forfeit. I have but to raise my voice and call in the guards and have them put you to death on the spot. You, and even your friend here. And no one would even ask me the reason. As it happens, I have reason enough. See here.' He picked up a scroll on his desk.'This arrived yesterday. From Britain. You know who it's from?'

Cato's heart sank. 'General Plautius?'

'That's right. And you can guess what he says.' Narcissus smiled faintly. 'The death sentence is upheld. In addition, the general states that there is enough circumstantial evidence to warrant the execution of Centurion Macro on charges of mutiny and murder. You are both dead already.'

He let the words sink in, staring at the centurions intently with his dark brown eyes, sunk deep beneath his plucked brow. Cato stared back, angry and afraid, as he knew that he and Macro were being thrust into new perils by the Imperial Secretary. Cato swallowed nervously before he replied.

'Unless we do your bidding.'

'That's right.' Narcissus nodded. 'You'll do my bidding, or be fodder for the carrion before this day is done.'

Macro sneered at him. 'And what is it you'd have us do for you? An assassination? Make someone disappear? What?'

'Nothing so easy,' Narcissus laughed. 'I have plenty of men for such menial tasks. No, for what I have in mind, I need two resourceful officers. Ruthless men who are also desperate enough to succeed at all costs. Men who know their lives are forfeit unless they carry out their orders. In short, men like you two. I won't demean your intelligence by offering the job to you. You'll do it, or you'll die here and now. All that remains is to tell you the details. Understand me?'

'Oh, we understand all right… sir.'

'Very well.' Narcissus leaned back in his chair and drew his thoughts together. 'A month ago a merchant ship was captured not far from the coast, off Rave

'You want him back?' Cato asked. 'Is that it? Is that all?'

'Not quite all. My agent carried within his baggage some items of great value to the Emperor.'

'Treasure?' Macro frowned. 'You want to send us on a treasure hunt?'

'Treasure? Yes,' Narcissus replied.'But treasure that has far more worth than all the gold and jewels of Egypt.'

'Really?' Macro sniffed. 'I somehow doubt that.'

'What kind of treasure are we talking about?' Cato interrupted his friend.

'Scrolls.' Narcissus smiled. 'Three of them. The pirates want ten million sestertians for the return of the scrolls.'

'Ten million? Just for three scrolls?' Macro laughed and shook his head. 'You're not serious, sir.'

'I've never been more serious in my life.'

Macro's laughter died in his thoat as he beheld the intent expression on the Imperial Secretary's face. 'These scrolls – what's so special about them?'

Narcissus stared at him. 'You don't need to know. You will be told more, if the situation requires it. Suffice to say that if I gain possession of them then a great danger to the Emperor will be averted. For now, all that need concern you is your mission. You will find and recover the scrolls and bring them to me here. If you can manage it, I also want the rest of my agent returned. But if that should jeopardise the safety of the scrolls the agent must be regarded as expendable.'

'Who else knows about this?' asked Cato.

Narcissus thought for a moment. 'The Emperor. My clerk and one other.'

'Who is he, sir?'

Narcissus smiled and shook his head.'You don't need to know. For now. In the meantime I have arranged for you both to be posted to the naval base at Rave

The two centurions nodded.

'When do we leave?' Macro asked.

'You already have. The reinforcements left Rome at dawn. You'll have to catch up with them once I've finished with you.'

Cato's mind reeled. 'What about all the paperwork? Our orders?'

Narcissus waved away the questions. 'My clerk has it all in hand. He'll give you the required documents as soon as you leave my office. Now, if you don't want to get any u

'Just one thing, sir,' said Macro.

'Yes?'

'Money. We'll need some to cover our expenses as far as Rave

'I see. Very well. You can draw some petty cash from my clerk.'

'Thank you, sir.'

'That's all right.' Narcissus smiled. 'You can settle up, if you survive. Now, on your way.'

Narcissus leaned back and crossed his arms, clearly indicating that the meeting was over. Cato and Macro turned towards the doors. Before they could reach them the doors were swung open by a Praetorian on each side. Narcissus' clerk was waiting at his table, a wax tablet in each hand. As the centurions marched into the corridor, he held out the tablets. Cato took his and was busy tucking it into his knapsack when he glanced across the corridor and froze. Macro noticed his reaction and glanced round. Seated in the niche opposite was a heavily built man, ru

'Why, if I'm not mistaken,' he chuckled, 'it's my old comrades in arms, Centurion Macro and his little pet optio.' He paused as his eyes fell on the transverse crest of the helmet hanging from Cato's yoke.'Centurion Cato? I don't believe it.'