Cato 03 - When the Eagle Hunts Read Online Free Page B

this?' asked Boudica.
    'Not always as nice as this.' Cato smiled. 'You should feel honoured.'
    Nessa missed the ironic tone and sniffed in disgust at the suggestion that any right-thinking person should deem it a privilege to be led to such a dive. The other two rolled their eyes.
    'How did you manage to get permission to be out?' Cato asked Boudica. 'I thought your uncle was going to burst a blood vessel that night we had to carry you back home.'
    'He nearly did. Poor chap's not been quite the same since and only agreed to letting us out to stay the night with some distant cousins provided we were escorted.'
    Cato frowned. 'So where's the escort?'
    'Don't know. We got separated in the crowd near the town gate.'
    'On purpose?'
    'Of course. What do you take me for?'
    'I wouldn't presume.'
    'Very wise.'
    'Prasutagus is probably peeing himself with worry!' Nessa giggled. 'You can bet he'll be searching every drinking hall he can think of.'
    'Which makes us quite safe, since my dear kinsman — another cousin incidentally — would never think of this place. I doubt he's ever even ventured into the alleys behind the quay. We'll be all right.'
    'If he does find us,' Nessa's eyes widened, 'he'll go mental! You remember what he did to that Atrebate lad who tried to chat us up. I thought Prasutagus was going to kill him!'
    'Probably would have if I hadn't hauled him off.'
    Cato shifted nervously. 'Big lad, this kinsman of yours?'
    'Huge!' Nessa laughed. 'Sa! Huge is the word all right.'
    'With a brain in inverse proportion to his physique,' Boudica added. 'So don't even think of trying to reason with him if he comes in here. Just run.'
    'I see.'
    Macro returned from the bar, arms raised to keep cups and jug above the throng. He set them down on the rough surface of the bench and politely filled each of the pottery mugs to the brim with red wine.
    'Wine!' Boudica exclaimed. 'You do know how to spoil a lady, Centurion.'
    'Beer's off,' explained Macro. 'This is all they have left, and it's not cheap either. So drink up and enjoy'
    'While we can, sir.'
    'Eh? What's the matter, lad?'
    'These ladies are only here because they slipped away from a rather large male relative who is probably looking for them right now, and not in the best of moods.'
    'Not surprising on a night like this.' Macro shrugged. 'Still, we're well out of it now. We've got a fire, drink and good company. What more could you ask for?'
    'A seat nearer the fire,' replied Boudica.
    'Now then, let's have a toast.' The centurion raised his mug. 'To us!' Macro raised his mug to his lips and downed the wine in one go then slammed the mug back down. 'Ahhhh! That hit the spot! Who's for more?'
    'Just a moment.' Boudica followed his lead and drained her cup.
    Cato knew his limitations with respect to wine, and just shook his head.
    'Suit yourself, lad, but wine's as good as a knock on the head for helping you forget your troubles.'
    'If you say so, sir.'
    'I do say so. Particularly if you have some bad news to break.' Macro looked across the table at Boudica.
    'What news?' she asked sharply.
    'The legion's being sent south.'
    'When?'
    'Three days' time.'
    'First I've heard of it,' said Cato. 'What's up?'
    'I'd guess the general wants to use the Second Legion to cut Caratacus off from any escape route south of the Tamesis. The other three legions can clear up on the north side of the river.'
    'The Tamesis?' Boudica frowned. 'That's a long way off. When is your legion coming back here?'
    Macro was about to give some glib and reassuring answer when he saw the pained expression on Boudica's face. He realised that honesty was the right course of action in this situation. Far better for Boudica to know the truth now than for her to resent him later.
    'I don't know. Maybe a few more campaign seasons, maybe never. All depends on how long Caratacus continues to fight on. If we can crush him quickly then the province can be settled straightaway. As it is, the wily bastard keeps raiding