The Emperor Series Books 1-4. Conn Iggulden

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ around his uncle, a few shaking his hand in open congratulation. Marius pulled Gaius to him with one hand and reached out with the other to take the shoulder of a scrawny man, who smiled at them both.

      ‘Crassus, this is my nephew, Gaius. You would not believe it to look at him, but Crassus here is probably the richest man in Rome.’

      The man had a long, thin neck and his head bobbed at the end of it, with warm brown eyes twinkling in a mass of tiny wrinkles.

      ‘I have been blessed by the gods, it is true. I also have two beautiful daughters.’

      Marius chuckled. ‘One is tolerably attractive, Crassus, but the other takes after her father.’

      Internally, Gaius winced at this, but Crassus didn't seem to mind at all. He laughed ruefully.

      ‘That is true, she is a little bony. I will have to give her a large dowry to tempt the young men of Rome.’ He faced Gaius and put out his hand. ‘It is a pleasure to meet you, young man. Will you be a general like your uncle?’

      ‘I will,’ Gaius said seriously.

      Crassus smiled. ‘Then you will need money. Come to me when you need a backer?’

      Gaius took the offered hand, gripping it briefly before Crassus moved away into the crowd.

      Marius leaned over to him and muttered in his ear, ‘Well done. He has been a loyal friend to me and he has incredible wealth. I will arrange for you to visit his estate, it is astonishing in its opulence. Now, there is one other I want you to meet. Come with me.’

      Gaius followed him through the knots of senators as they talked over the events of the day and Sulla's humiliation. Gaius noted that Marius shook hands with every man who met his eye, saying a few words of congratulation, asking after families and absent friends. He left each group smiling.

      Across the other side of the Senate hall, a group of three men were talking quietly, stopping as soon as Marius and Gaius approached.

      ‘This is the man, Gaius,’ Marius said cheerfully. ‘Gnaeus Pompey, who is described by his supporters as the best field general Rome has at present – when I am ill, or out of the country.’

      Pompey shook hands with them both, smiling affably. Unlike the spare Crassus, he was a little overweight, but he was as tall as Marius and carried it well, creating an impression of solid bulk. Gaius guessed him to be no more than thirty, which made his military status very impressive.

      ‘There is no possibility about it, Marius,’ Pompey replied. ‘Truly I am wondrous in the field of battle. Strong men weep at the beauty of my manoeuvres.’

      Marius laughed and clapped him on the shoulder.

      Pompey looked Gaius up and down. ‘A younger version of you, old fox?’ he said to Marius.

      ‘What else could he be, with my blood in his veins?’

      Pompey clasped his hands behind his back.

      ‘Your uncle has taken a terrible risk today, by pushing Sulla out of Rome. What did you think of it?’

      Marius began to reply, but Pompey held up a hand.

      ‘Let him speak, old fox. Let me see if he has anything to him.’

      Gaius answered without hesitation, the words coming surprisingly easily.

      ‘It is a dangerous move to offend Sulla, but my uncle enjoys gambles of this kind. Sulla is the servant of the city and will fight well against this foreign king. When he returns, he will have to make an accommodation with my uncle. Perhaps we can extend the barracks so that both legions can protect the city.’

      Pompey blinked and turned to Marius. ‘Is he a fool?’

      Marius chuckled. ‘No. He just doesn't know if I trust you or not. I suspect he has already guessed my plans.’

      ‘What will your uncle do when Sulla returns?’ Pompey whispered, close to Gaius' ear.

      Gaius looked around, but there was no one close enough to overhear, except for the three Marius obviously trusted.

      ‘He will close the gates. If Sulla tries to force an entry, the Senate will have to declare him an enemy of Rome. He will have to either begin a siege or retreat. I suspect he will put himself at Marius’ command, as any general in the field might do to the consul of Rome.'

      Pompey agreed, unblinking. ‘A dangerous path, Marius, as I said. I cannot support you openly, but I will do my best for you in private. Congratulations on your triumphal march. You looked splendid.’ He gestured to the two with him and they walked away.

      Gaius began to speak again, but Marius shook his head.

      ‘Let us go outside, the air is thick with intrigue in here.’ They moved towards the doors and, outside, Marius put a finger to his lips to stop Gaius' questions. ‘Not here. There are too many listeners.’

      Gaius glanced around and saw that some of Sulla's senators were close, staring over with undisguised hostility. He followed Marius out into the forum, taking a seat on the stone steps away from where they could be overheard. Nearby, the First-Born still stood to attention, looking invincible in their shining armour. It was a peculiar feeling to be in the presence of thousands and yet to sit relaxed with his uncle on the very steps of the Senate.

      Gaius could not hold it in any longer.

      ‘How did you swing the vote against Sulla?’

      Marius began to laugh and wiped his forehead free of sudden perspiration.

      ‘Planning, my lad. I knew of the landing of Mithridates almost as soon as it happened, days before Sulla heard. I used the oldest lever in the world to persuade the waverers in the Senate to vote for me and, even then, it was closer than I would have liked. It cost me a fortune, but from tomorrow morning I have control of Rome.’

      ‘He will be back, though,’ Gaius warned.

      Marius snorted. ‘In six months or longer, perhaps. He could be killed on the battlefield, he could even lose to Mithridates; I have heard he is a canny general.

      Even if Sulla beats him in double time and finds fair sea winds to Greece and back, I will have months to prepare. He will leave as easily as he likes, but I tell you now, he won't get back in without a fight.’

      Gaius shook his head in disbelief at this confirmation of his thoughts.

      ‘What happens now? Do we go back to your house?’

      Marius smiled a little sadly in response. ‘No. I had to sell it for the bribes – Sulla was already bribing them, you see, and I had to double his offers in most cases. It took everything I own, except my horse, my sword and my armour. I may be the first penniless general Rome has ever had.’ He laughed quietly.

      ‘If you had lost the vote, you would have lost everything!’ Gaius whispered, shocked by the stakes.

      ‘But I did not lose! I have Rome and my legion stands in front of us.’

      ‘What would you have done if you had lost, СКАЧАТЬ