The Dreams of Morpheus: A Crossroads Brotherhood Novella from the bestselling author of the VESPASIAN series (The Crossroads Brotherhood)

Have all of the lads assembled the following hours sooner than sunrise; wake me then. ’ * ‘Magnus, get up. ’ Magnus roused himself and opened a watch to determine Servius status over him, protecting a lamp. ‘Are the entire lads downstairs? ’ ‘No, there’re nonetheless a number of hours to head but. ’ ‘Why wake me then? ’ Servius indicated together with his head to the door. Magnus sat up in mattress and squinted, attempting to concentration. ‘Rufinus! What are you doing right here? ’ ‘Yesterday, after the pageant, I went to inform my middleman to forestall making inquiries approximately promoting the resin. ’ ‘Good. And? ’ ‘I couldn’t locate him. ’ ‘Shit! ’ ‘It’s worse than that; he was once discovered approximately an hour in the past. It was once all around the cohort in a short time as a result of the nation he used to be in. ’ ‘Go on. ’ ‘He’d been tortured ahead of they lower his throat. It used to be made to seem as though they desired to get the keys for the shops off him simply because a few stuff used to be lacking, yet now not sufficient for my part to warrant homicide. along with, i do know Aetius—’ ‘Aetius? after all, who greater to behave as an middleman; he should purchase or promote something. ’ ‘Could. yet he wouldn’t have risked his existence for a suite of keys. ’ ‘But he might have risked it to maintain his attractiveness for discretion. ’ ‘I’d requested him to procedure a number of medical professionals to work out whether or not they will be . ’ ‘And one was once the city Cohorts’? ’ ‘Exactly. ’ ‘Who went immediately to the city Prefect, who instantly had a bit chat with Aetius and, simply because he used to be killed having been tortured, we will think that he gave them what they sought after. ’ ‘Yes, Magnus; they understand my identify. ’ Rufinus passed his half-tablet of resin to Magnus. ‘This isn't any solid to me; i would like funds. I’m disappearing till all this dies down. ’ ‘Very clever, my pal. ’ Magnus took the half-tablet, calculating its intrinsic worthy, and knew that he may be very beneficiant in purchasing Rufinus’ silence. ‘Servius, supply the centurion twenty-five aurii. ’ Rufinus’ eyes widened on the similar of 2 and a part years’ pay for a typical legionary. ‘That’s stable of you, Magnus. ’ ‘I’ll consistently support a chum. There’ll be one other twenty-five for you when you haven’t pointed out my identify by the point the fuss dies down. Now get going. ’ ‘Thank you, Magnus. ’ Servius paused within the doorway as he Rufinus out. ‘There used to be a message from Antonia’s steward, Pallas. He’ll be on the river steps under the Temple of Asclepius part an hour earlier than sunrise. ’ ‘Are all of your males in place, grasp? ’ Pallas enquired as Magnus walked down the stairs from the Temple of Asclepius to the Tiber; the groans of rankings of ill slaves, left to die within the precinct of the god of drugs through masters refusing to pay for his or her remedy, mixed with the gurgling of the river. ‘They are, Pallas. ’ Magnus checked out the full-bearded Greek, acutely aware that he used to be a slave, yet in awe of the truth that with one query he had taken entire keep watch over of the operation; yet he used to be used to it. during his a number of contacts, in numerous capacities, with the girl Antonia’s steward, he had constructed a recognize for Pallas’ judgement and reticence; Magnus knew him to be greater than an insignificant slave.