Hosker, G [Sword of Cartimandua 11] Roman Treachery Read Free Page B

legionaries stand and fight in lines with mighty weapons throwing stones and huge arrows.  The others do not and we can beat them!”
     
    The new Governor and his entourage finally arrived at Eboracum. His wife, Flavia was less than impressed with the frontier fortress.  Thanks to the Emperor’s Trajan and Hadrian it was stronger and had better accommodation than in the early years of its life but the wife of the Governor was used to a more luxurious lifestyle.  “And what of the slaves? Where do I acquire decent slaves who can converse with me and understand my needs?”
    Aulus Nepos sighed.  His wife always felt that he lived below their station in life.  He doubted that the slaves in this part of the province would meet her high standards. “Perhaps, rather than slaves, we should hire well brought up citizens from the area.They could be your companions.  There must be some intelligent young ladies who would like to enjoy the life style of the fort.”
    Flavia did not think for one moment that there would be any such citizens but, having seen and smelled the locals as they passed through the vicus, she knew that she did not want slaves. “I shall, of course, interview them and see if they meet my standard.”
    “Without a doubt my dear and now I shall set in motion the plans with the officials and officers of the fort.  If you would care to inspect the quarters and make a list of any deficiencies then I will have them remedied rapidly.” He knew that there would be many deficiencies but money was not a problem.  He was, after all, Governor of the province of Britannia which had more potential riches than any other.  The wheat alone, when controlled and managed effectively , would mean that they would not have to totally rely on the Egyptian harvest. “Appius!”
    “Sir?” Appius was never far from the Governor and he tried to anticipate his every wish.
    “We need some servants for my wife. Two should do for the moment.  They should be literate and well presented.  There should be some families hereabouts who would want their daughters to associate with the Governor of Britannia and his family.  See to it.  I will be with the senior officers to find out about the state of the construction of the wall and its attendant defences.”
    Appius knew that he had to make himself an invaluable asset if he were to succeed in his plan to gain power. Although finding servants was not the task he had anticipated it would enable him to gain power over someone close to the Governor’s wife and that was not a bad thing. He headed for the forum; it was not as vibrant and bustling as the ones in Rome, or even in the southern half of the province, it did, at least, provide a place for the well to do to gather, talk and impress each other with their latest acquisitions; bath house, tutor, the list was endless. There were already merchants and their families gathered.  Their Roman dress marked them out quite clearly as did the fact that the men, especially, looked uncomfortable in the newly acquired garb. He waited in the corner to observe them for a while. He identified at least four young women who looked as though they might be suitable; they certainly met the presentable category.  The literate side was one he would have to gauge through conversation. He also noted the men for these would be the ones with money and power in this frontier region; they too would be worthy of his attention.
    He took a deep breath and put on his most engaging smile. He stepped into the main area and was most pleased when the conversation dropped a little as they inspected this well dressed stranger.  The purple stripe on his toga told all but the most ignorant that this man had senatorial connections. Appius knew that he was good looking and was not surprised when both the matrons and the young ladies appraised him approvingly. He approached the family with the two most likely looking young ladies. “My apologies domina, for