‘Half of what we find in the place, but with a guarantee of at least 225 denarii.’
Aelianus whistled softly. ‘A year’s pay for a common legionary. Well, the tunics, belts, boots and cloaks will be no problem — I can have those for you by this evening. The helmets, swords and scabbards are slightly harder because I’ll have to wait until all my staff have left for the day — but I could bring them round to you personally by the third hour of the night. When do you plan to do this thing?’
‘The day after tomorrow, an hour before dawn when there shouldn’t be any clients in the house; so tonight will be fine, you can bring it all then.’
‘Good. But as to the fire, that’s a different matter: I need to think that through very carefully.’
‘Well, don’t take too long about it, my friend. I need that warehouse doing its best imitation of a beacon an hour before dawn in two day’s time.’
‘Oh it will be, Magnus, don’t you worry.’
‘That’s why I’m paying you so well, Aelianus, to take away my worries.’
The ginger quartermaster grinned again. ‘If only you had more worries, I’d be a very wealthy man. I’ll see you later with the gear; can you send a few of your lads to escort me?’
‘Sure, they’ll be at your depot by the second hour of the night.’
‘Thanks, mate,’ Aelianus said turning to leave.
‘Before you go, Aelianus,’ Magnus said, stopping him. ‘There’s one more thing that I’ll need you to do when you come over tonight.’
‘It’s included in the price I suppose?’
‘Yes and it’s not negotiable.’
‘Go on.’
‘I need you to fuck one of my girls.’
Aelianus sighed melodramatically and shook his head slowly. ‘Magnus, you’re a hard taskmaster.’
The Forum Romanum was packed — three treason trials were being conducted simultaneously, part of a recent upsurge in the legal hounding of enemies of the emperor or the rivals of his praetorian prefect. To Magnus, how the equestrian or senatorial classes treated each other meant nothing, provided it did not affect the daily running of the city’s institutions that were close to his heart: the games and the grain dole.
Pushing his way through the mass of spectators, food vendors, beggars and jurists Magnus eventually came to the steps of the Curia, the Senate House. The doors were open and the senate was in session. Magnus peered into the gloomy interior and, once his eyes had adjusted to the light, soon made out the corpulent figure of Gaius Vespasius Pollo. Knowing that he had no right to enter the building he descended the steps, bought a grilled sausage and a hunk of bread from a street vendor and settled down to wait.
Prodded by a red-shoed foot, Magnus awoke to the booming voice of Gaius. ‘Sleeping on the senate house steps like some vagrant? Have your brethren finally kicked you out as you did your predecessor?’
‘Yeah, but less violently it would seem, seeing as I’m still alive.’ Magnus grinned and got to his feet, rubbing his numb behind. ‘Actually I was waiting for you, Senator.’
‘Is there a problem with our business? It’s meant to be done by tomorrow at the latest.’
‘Not as such. I have a question for you.’
‘Walk with me,’ Gaius requested, turning right along the front of the Curia, heading for the Quirinal.
Magnus fell in step and explained Servius’ plan.
‘I see,’ Gaius mused as they started to climb the hill. ‘That counsellor of yours is shrewd. Suspicious circumstances, very good.’
‘So what do you know about this Blandinus? What doesn’t he do?’
‘I’m afraid he does most things: goes to the games and the theatre, he drinks, he gambles, he goes whoring; in fact he frequents an establishment in your area, owned by Terentius.’
‘But that’s just boys; does he like women?’
‘I think so; he’s married and has children.’
Magnus looked disappointed. ‘There must be something that he wouldn’t be seen dead doing.’
Gaius’ flabby face, glistening with sweat from the exertion of the uphill walk, suddenly brightened. ‘Of course there is: men!’
‘Men?’
‘Yes, men. I can almost guarantee you that he has never even contemplated being buggered, let alone countenanced it.’
Magnus smiled. ‘Of course; so simple that it was too obvious. Thank you Senator, I’d best be going.’
‘Won’t you have some honeyed cakes and wine, we’re almost at my house?’
‘No time Senator, I’ve got a lot to organise; it seems that I can wash two tunics in one tub.’ He ran off leaving Gaius wondering just what he had been talking about.
‘BRING IT FORWARD to dawn tomorrow?’ Servius asked throwing a handful of kindling onto the small fire on the altar of the Crossroads’ lares next to the front door of the tavern.
Magnus sprinkled incense over the flame; it flared, giving off a pungent aroma. ‘Yes, provided Terentius, with the good help of our lares, can entice Blandinus to his place this evening. Send one of the lads to fetch him here immediately.’
The counsellor nodded and went over to Marius and a group of the brothers sitting playing dice on one of the tables outside the tavern. After a brief word from Servius one of them got up and left.
‘What about the gear?’ Servius asked returning to Magnus by the altar.
‘That’ll be here tonight but I want you to write a note to Aelianus telling him that I need his fire to happen one hour before dawn tomorrow, not the next day; ask him to acknowledge that in writing.’
‘I’ll do that now.’
‘What about Tigran, any luck?’
‘Yes, he’s waiting inside to see you; he’s very keen to repay the favour. He speaks a little Albanian but he’s brought his cousin, Vahram, who’s fluent.’
‘Thank you Brother,’ Magnus said looking up the Alta Semita towards the Porta Collina. A party of travellers caught his eye. ‘Marius, take one of the lads and do the honours with that lot,’ he said pointing at the group. ‘They look wealthy enough to be in need of our services.’
Marius grinned and got up from his game. ‘Right you are Magnus. Normal rate?’
‘Yeah, normal rate.’
Marius slapped his neighbour on the back. ‘Come on Lucio, let’s get busy.’
Magnus sat down at an empty table watching the two brothers waylay the travellers and offer their protection whilst mulling over the plan for the night in his head; he knew that it was risky bringing the raid on the Albanians forward but it was too good an opportunity to miss and he smiled to himself as he thought of how Blandinus was to be found. Poor bastard.