The optio glanced at him suspiciously and then shouted the order for his men to assemble. Most had already armed themselves and quickly fell into line, javelin in one hand and shield in the other. Their eyes fixed on the opening in the trees where the track emerged from the shadows and headed across the grassy plain towards the camp. A stillness fell over them as they waited for the horsemen to appear. But there was nothing. No sound of hoof-beats, no war cries, nothing. The oak trees stood still and silent and not a breath of life issued from the track that led into the wood. As the legionaries and the three others stood in tense expectation a pigeon made its throaty warble from the branch of a nearby tree.

The optio waited a moment before turning to the three strangers who had ruined his peaceful break from the rigours of woodcutting.

‘Well?’

Narcissus tore his gaze away from the track, and shrugged. ‘They must have withdrawn the moment they knew we were safe.’

‘Assuming they were ever there in the first place.’ The optio raised an eyebrow. ‘Now then, would you please tell me what the hell is going on here?’

05 The Eagles Prey

CHAPTER THREE

‘ don’t think the beard suits you.’ ‘I Narcissus shrugged. ‘It serves its purpose.’

‘How was the journey?’ General Plautius enquired politely.

‘What? Aside from having to spend every night of the last month holed up in some flea-bitten inn. Aside from having to eat the indescribably awful slop that seems to be accepted as “food” amongst the poorer travelling classes. Aside from being hunted down by a gang of hired killers on your very doorstep …’

‘Yes. Aside from all that,’ the general smiled. ‘How was the journey?’

‘Quick.’ Narcissus shrugged and took another sip of citron-scented water. The Imperial Secretary and the general were sitting under an awning that had been erected on top of a small knoll to one side of the sprawl of tents that made up army headquarters. A small marble-topped table squatted between their two chairs, and an ornate jug of the water and two glasses had been quietly set out by a slave by way of refreshment. Narcissus had shed his sweat-drenched riding clothes and sat in a light linen tunic. Perspiration pricked out of the skin of both men and the breathless air hung heavy as the late afternoon sun burned brilliantly in the clear sky.