Free The Emperor's Silver: Agent of Rome 5 by Nick Brown

a compliment,’ said Indavara.
    Cassius reflected on how their relationship had changed. Initially, Simo had insisted on calling Indavara ‘sir’ but neither Cassius nor the bodyguard had liked that. They now spent so much time together that they behaved very much like equals, even though one was a freedman, one a slave.
    ‘What’s better in life than food?’ said Indavara, wiping his mouth with his hand.
    Cassius picked up a napkin and threw it at him.
    Indavara ignored it. ‘Well, maybe one thing.’
    Simo looked away. He disliked vulgar talk and Indavara usually didn’t mention such things around him, but he was on to his third mug of wine. It was a continual source of amusement to Cassius that the teak-tough bodyguard could consume so much food yet remained a lightweight drinker. He was an amusing drunk, at least.
    ‘See the maids?’ said Cassius, nodding towards the inn. ‘Sisters, you know.’
    ‘Yes. Pretty, eh? Simo, you’re thirty-three this year, aren’t you?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘Ever think about getting married?’
    Cassius had often wondered about that. ‘What’s the Church’s view?’
    Though visibly squirming, Simo answered. ‘The Church puts great value on marriage and a stable family.’
    ‘More members for the Faith,’ said Cassius.
    ‘So you want a wife?’ asked Indavara.
    ‘Perhaps. I am mainly concerned with my studies for now.’
    ‘You do like women, though?’ said the bodyguard. ‘It’s just I never hear you—’
    ‘Simo likes women,’ said Cassius. ‘Though he hides it far better than you or I. He likes larger women.’
    Indavara cupped his hands in front of his chest. ‘You mean—’
    Cassius sniggered. ‘Exactly, though he’s hardly alone in that.’
    The Gaul started piling up their plates.
    ‘Sorry, Simo,’ said Cassius. ‘We don’t mean any harm. Indavara, it’s the Christians’ way to deny themselves the baser pleasures of life. They believe a greater happiness awaits. The likes of you and I and most right-thinking people know we need to grab what we can from the here and now. Speaking of which.’
    One of the maids came on to the terrace, sandals slapping on the stone. ‘All done here, gentlemen?’
    She was a tall girl with a mass of curly black hair tied up high. Her summer tunic was cut above the knee, showing a pair of strong but shapely legs. And though the tunic had a high collar, there was no hiding the impressive dimensions of her breasts.
    The girl thanked Simo as he passed her the plates. When she leant over to take the bread basket, Indavara pinched her bottom.
    She gave a little squeal then waved the basket at him. ‘Cheeky.’
    ‘You’re drunker than I thought,’ said Cassius.
    ‘Just grabbing what I can from the here and now.’
    Simo sighed.
    ‘Any more customers in there?’ Cassius asked.
    ‘No, sir,’ said the maid.
    ‘And the other girl’s your sister, correct?’
    ‘Yes, sir.’
    ‘Why don’t the two of you come and join us for a drink later?’
    ‘Master Neokles wouldn’t like that, sir.’
    ‘Is he still here?’
    ‘No, sir. He’s gone to his friend’s house for the evening.’
    ‘So he wouldn’t know?’
    ‘We’ve still got to tidy the kitchen, sir.’
    ‘But you could come along after?’
    The girl was biting her lip.
    ‘What’s your name?’
    ‘Kitra, sir.’
    ‘You don’t have to call me sir. I’m Cassius. Kitra – that’s Aramaic. If I’m not mistaken it means crown.’ He looked her up and down. ‘And by Jupiter, you are worthy of one.’
    Even in the dim lamplight, the blush was obvious.
    ‘You and your sister will join us, won’t you? I hate to go to bed disappointed.’
    Kitra smiled coyly then hurried away, almost dropping the plates on her way up the steps.
    Cassius looked at Indavara and winked.
    ‘Every bloody time. I don’t know how you do it.’
    ‘A lifetime of practice. Listen, most serving girls are local – take a bit of time to learn the meanings of the names and off you