11

Decimus glanced round the tent, barely registering Marcus’s presence before he turned his attention to Caesar. He bowed his head and held out a small roll of parchment secured with a seal.

‘A letter of introduction from Crassus, sir.’

Caesar took it, broke the seal and unwound the message before scanning the contents. ‘Publius Decimus?’

Marcus was watching him closely to see if Caesar recognized the name, but the proconsul’s expression did not waver for an instant.

‘Yes, sir.’ Decimus smiled. ‘At your service.’

‘Apparently not. You are here acting for Crassus.’

‘Indeed, yes.’

‘This letter requests that I permit you to accompany my forces in the fight against the rebels. For sundry commercial purposes ... That’s more than a bit vague.’ Caesar frowned. ‘Care to elaborate?’

‘That would be a pleasure, sir. I am to act as the agent of Crassus in the purchase of any prisoners taken by our soldiers. I am authorized to pay your men directly, and of course you will receive a fifth commission on the value of each purchase, sir. A most generous share, as befits the close ally of my patron.’

‘I see.’ Caesar rolled the letter up and tapped the end against his chin as he stared at Decimus. At the side of the tent Marcus struggled against the urge to dash across the tent and hurl himself upon the man who was the cause of all his suffering. It took all his self-control to keep himself still as he resolved to remind Caesar who the man was.

The proconsul handed the letter back to Decimus. ‘Your patron’s terms are most generous. I accept them. I will make arrangements for you to march with the baggage train. I imagine that you have brought some staff with you to assist with the processing of the prisoners and to escort them to a suitable holding depot?’

‘Yes, sir. My men arc with the wagons outside.’

‘Then you can rejoin them. Have one of my clerks direct you to the baggage train and wait for your instructions there, Decimus. I wish there were time to offer you more hospitality but there is much I have to organize before we leave camp tomorrow.’

‘Of course, sir. I understand.’ Decimus bowed again and turned to leave the tent. The instant that Marcus judged the man was out of earshot he brushed back the hood of his cloak and rushed across to Caesar.

‘Sir! I know that man. He’s —’

‘I know exactly who he is,’ Caesar interrupted with a frown. ‘I recalled the name at once. The question is, what on earth is Crassus up to this time? I can accept that he would send a man to buy prisoners. There’s a good profit to be made when they are sold on in the slave market in Rome. That’s bound to appeal to Crassus. But why send Decimus? He knows that I suspect him of being behind the attempt on my life last year.’

‘Does it matter, sir?’ Marcus asked excitedly. ‘He’s in your hands now. Arrest him. Have him questioned. You can also find out what he knows about that plot against you.’ He paused. ‘And find out where he has hidden my mother ... before he dies.’