Free Danger in the Wind by Jane Finnis

compliment. “Brennus and his friends would do an admirable job as town councillors at Isurium. The last thing they want is for a group of hot-headed young fools to cause the governor to change his mind.” He sighed and sipped his wine. “I’m afraid there are still some benighted folk here who—ah—haven’t fully accepted the finality of being a part of our great Empire.”
    “Actually, it isn’t just Venutius that my brother is concerned about. It’s this wretched tax auditor from Rome, Eurytus, who seems to be going round upsetting everybody. He’s due in Isurium soon. Has your kinsman mentioned him at all?”
    “Not by name, but his most recent letter said something about corrupt tax collectors in his district, and I’ve heard from elsewhere the gossip about Eurytus’ very—ah—abrasive manner.”
    “He’s downright unpleasant, everybody says so,” Clarilla put in. “Rude and arrogant, and yet he’s only a freedman.”
    “An Imperial freedman, don’t forget,” Clarus amended quickly, “and I realise he has a job to do. We must all pay our taxes, but he does seem to have the knack of causing friction, rather than smoothing it away.”
    “I suppose it’s inevitable,” I said. “Nobody likes taxmen.”
    “It’s more than that, I gather.” Clarus refilled our glasses. “As you say, he’ll visit Isurium sooner or later, and there have been problems there caused by some—ah—overzealousness on the part of the local tax officials.”
    “Corruption, in plain Latin. Well, we all know there are some parts of the province where the tax collecting system is as bent as a catapult-spring. Isn’t that what people like Eurytus are supposed to put right when they do their auditing?”
    “Perhaps. But Caesar is interested mainly in gathering the right amount of taxes into his treasury. He’s less concerned about exactly how that is done.”
    “Let’s not depress poor Aurelia just as she’s about to visit the place,” Clarilla said. “You’ll be fine if the army are looking after you. Now, you mentioned a favour. To do with your holiday?”
    “Well…I’m only asking on the strict understanding that you’ll say no if it isn’t convenient. The problem is, our carriages are all on the elderly side, and a bit scruffy. I wondered if I might borrow a raeda from you for the journey.”
    “Of course, my dear, we’d be delighted. In fact you must take two. A big one for yourself, and a smaller one for baggage and servants.”
    “That would be excellent, if you’re sure you can spare them.”
    She smiled indulgently. “Clarus buys far too many carriages. We could never use them all, if we travelled the Empire all summer long.”
    “And perhaps we can help set your brother’s mind at rest about your journey too,” Clarus said. ”Would you like Brutus to escort you?”
    “Clarus, that would be wonderful.” Brutus, an ex-soldier, was one of Silvanius Clarus’ best retainers, a kind of chief bodyguard, reliable and brave. “I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have accompanying us. But can you manage without him? You or Clarilla might need him yourselves, if you’re thinking of travelling anywhere.”
    Clarilla assured me that they had no journeys planned themselves till the middle of July. “And you’ll be back in Oak Bridges long before that, won’t you, Aurelia?”
    “Yes, I will. And in any case I wouldn’t dream of keeping him or the carriages there for my whole visit, only for the journey itself. They could return here straight away. Jovina’s husband will provide vehicles and an escort when I travel home again.”
    “Then it’s settled,” Clarus said. “When do you leave?”
    “The day after tomorrow.”
    Clarilla exclaimed in surprise. “However will you be ready at such short notice? I need at least half a month to prepare for a holiday.”
    “At least,” Clarus smiled. “Now if you’ll forgive me, I must get back to work, so I’ll leave you to your women’s