Free The Crossroads Brotherhood by Robert Fabbri Page A

future. Not one of those lavish affairs with scores of guests where one can never get a chance to speak privately to the hostess, just myself and a couple of close friends.’
    ‘A step closer to the consulship.’
    ‘Yes, and a chance to promote my nephews’ careers. They should be arriving any day now.’ Gaius took a self-congratulatory swig of wine and stood up to show that the interview was at an end. ‘Where would we be without patronage, eh Magnus?’
    ‘It makes you wonder, don’t it Senator,’ Magnus said getting up and heading towards the door.
    ‘Before you go, my friend,’ Gaius said, stopping Magnus as he opened it. ‘As I’m sure you’re aware, being a keen supporter of the Greens, there are races tomorrow. I’ll need you and some of your lads to be here soon after dawn to escort me and my clients down to the Circus Maximus.’
    ‘I’ll see you tomorrow then, Senator,’ Magnus said, stepping out into the atrium and closing the door behind him.
    ‘H AVING OUR VERY own tame senator so close to Antonia has to be a good thing surely?’ Servius said, shaking the dice cup vigorously.
    ‘I wouldn’t call him tame,’ Magnus replied, taking his eye off the street to watch the dice roll across the table. ‘Ah, two threes and a two. Eight. Double it, Brother.’ He slammed four sesterces down and scooped up the dice in his cup. ‘Like all rich men he just wants more power and more wealth.’
    ‘And poor men don’t?’
    Magnus grunted, acknowledging the point, as he made his cast. ‘Pluto’s balls, four, three, one. Eight again. And anyway, being in Antonia’s favour may be lucrative but along with that comes some high expectations. He’ll have to work hard to maintain his position with her and that will mean some rough jobs for us.’
    A raucous shout of satisfaction from the crowded table next to them indicated a large pot had been won. Lucio snapped his fingers under a glum-looking Cassandros’ nose and Sextus chortled, slapping his palm on the bench, as Jovita stepped out of the tavern carrying two plates of roasted pork and bread.
    ‘We can afford to take on a few new faces with what we got last night plus the extra income that’s sure to come from Terentius, that should help,’ Servius pointed out, taking his turn. ‘Twelve! Double it again.’
    Jovita placed the food on the table as Magnus matched the bet. ‘Festus has slipped back into unconsciousness again,’ she said wiping the grease off her hands onto her tunic, ‘and the wound’s started to ooze. There’s nothing more I can do.’
    ‘Call for a proper doctor, then,’ Magnus said, shaking the dice cup. ‘We owe it to him and it ain’t as if we can’t afford it.’
    Jovita nodded and walked off.
    Magnus slammed the cup upside down on the table, keeping the dice hidden. ‘What about Tigran and his cousin? They did well last night and they’ve got nothing, so they’d be loyal if we give them a chance.’
    ‘They ain’t citizens.’
    ‘We’ll give them less of a percentage then, like auxiliaries, if you take my meaning?’ Magnus lifted the cup slightly towards him, peered under and cracked it back down. ‘Shit! Fortuna spent the last of my luck last night.’
    Servius scraped his winnings towards him. ‘Then I can’t see a problem. I’ll send one of the lads to find them later.’
    ‘Marcus Salvius Magnus.’
    Magnus looked up to see Terentius standing at the end of the table, holding a purse.
    ‘I’ve come to thank you for looking after my interests,’ he said placing the purse in front of Magnus, ‘and to assure you that I won’t tell anyone what I know about the events of last night.’
    ‘That would be wise, for both our sakes, Terentius.’ Magnus pushed the purse back. ‘There’s no need to pay me, it was covered by your percentage.’
    ‘This isn’t a payment, Magnus. This was Blandinus’ purse that he brought to spend with me yesterday. It would be wrong for me to keep it. I’ve heard how he