The courtyard garden in the palace was beautiful at night, but not as impressive as it was in sunlight, Marius decided. He walked into the moonlit garden ignoring the twinkling of the fountain and the heady scents of the night-flowering plants. He’d spent yet another day alone at the scrolls and maps that the Kin had kindly selected as relevant and had laid out for them, but he still couldn’t make head or tail of it.
They’d been guests of the Kin for three full days now but Marius was frustrated with his lack of progress with the charts and was now coming to the conclusion that they should resume their journey across the desert. Of course it would help if Junius joined him in the library, then they might be able to glean something from the information. But his commanding officer had gone native and embraced the nocturnal lifestyle of their hosts. He’d come to the library on their first full day there, but after that Marius had only ever seen him for a few hours after sundown, and he’d soon disappear with the young woman who had hurt herself on the night they’d arrived.
He’d been surprised that Junius had succumbed so readily to the opulent and easy lifestyle. It was out of character for the usually stoic Roman who had the temperament and mentality suited to life in the military. Junius’s only real indulgence was a fondness for his bed, which in comparison to some other officers’ weaknesses was a minor failing. He’d spoken to his friend about it, but Junius had justified his behaviour by admitting that there were members of the Roman aristocracy who had a similar lifestyle and that it would be ungracious not to partake of what was being offered. Marius had ignored the unspoken reprimand, and reasoned that if Junius was embracing the Kin’s lifestyle, then maybe they could forgive him for not doing so and they wouldn’t be too offended if he declined to accept the routine of life within the palace.
But his determination to stick to his soldier regime meant that he was left to rattle around alone in the darkened and silent palace with only the wary servants for company, and even they avoided him and scurried away whenever he tried to engage them in conversation.
The beautiful and beguiling Kin who came out at night were already in the gardens. They assured him that Junius wasn’t there, and followed him with their eyes as he walked away. Something about them made him uncomfortable; he couldn’t shake off the feeling that they were waiting, like patient, long-suffering adults for a truculent child to see the error of his ways. He’d said as much to Junius, who’d laughed, and told him not to be paranoid but had advised him again to accept what was on offer. That had been two days ago.
Eventually he tracked his friend down to the training ground beyond the palace. Junius and Isher–Dan were stripped to the waist and circling each other warily, both alert and ready for the slightest movement, be it ruse or genuine attack.
Marius studied the leader of the Kin, and couldn’t help but be impressed with the older man’s physique. He moved with the grace of a predatory cat and his actions seemed almost fluid in the moonlight, Marius decided that he was probably as dangerous as one as well. With a sudden feint to the side he lunged at Junius who somehow stepped aside just in time. It was a remarkable move and Isher-Dan was visibly impressed. So was Marius. Junius, like all Roman officers, trained with his men and was arguably one of the best fighters in the legion, but Marius had never seen him move that fast before.
Isher-Dan noticed him waiting and motioned him to speak.
Marius acknowledged the leader’s courtesy and spoke formally to his commanding officer, in the hope that it might provoke a greater reaction than the last time they’d spoken. “Tribune, when you have a moment. I would like to report on my progress so far.”
“A good time to stop, Junius, I need a break now and you have matters to discuss. Same time tomorrow?” Isher–Dan slipped the knife into the loose material he wore around his legs and with a small nod walked away.
Junius strolled over to a nearby table and poured himself a cup of watered-down wine. “Well, what have you discovered?”
Marius flopped down onto a low wall. “Nothing. I can’t read the maps or the language. We’ll need to take it back to Susa and find someone who can read it.”
Junius’s face fell. “But you can speak Aramaic. Why can’t you read it?”
Marius rubbed his face with his hands. “Because, it’s all in that different alphabet.” He sighed. “Junius, we’ve spoke about this before. Why don’t you remember?”
The younger man considered for a moment. “Yes, I do vaguely recall you saying something like that. Well, it doesn’t matter, they can translate it for us. All right, make a list of the information you want and I’ll ask Isher–Dan if we can take it back with us as well.”
“Do you think he’ll allow that?” Marius asked dubiously.
Junius smiled. “Yes, he wants to help. Thanks to the Kin we’ll have completed our mission and surpassed the General’s expectations. Their detailed knowledge of the country and terrain is exceptional and they’ll come back with us to give us first-hand information, as well as bringing the charts. Soon we’ll know everything they do.”
The prospect of travelling with the smiling residents of Persepolis didn’t appeal to Marius. “They’ll have to get used to the sun if they do come.”
“We’ll travel by night,” Junius told him, pouring more wine.
“You’ve already agreed to this?”
Junius seemed bemused by Marius’s annoyance. “Of course. The residents have waited a long time to join the Empire, so in return for their hospitality, we‘ll take some of them with us and introduce them to western culture. Romanise them; it’s what we do. ”
It was what they did with barbarians, when they joined the Empire, but Marius felt a chill down his spine, and for a moment he had an image of a plague spreading its tendrils and infecting the Empire.
“You didn’t think to ask what I felt about it,” he blurted out, aware that it wasn’t his place to question his commander.
Junius’s face darkened and he seemed about to remind Marius of his inferior rank when Belinda, the woman he was sharing his days and nights with, stepped into view and diverted his attention.
Marius sighed as it became clear that his friend only had eyes for the beautiful girl who he now drew into his embrace. His desire for her was obvious and she pushed herself against his body adding to the growing conflagration between them. Marius stood and shook his head. He wouldn’t get any more out of Junius tonight. Their conversations were getting briefer and briefer, it was almost as if his friend was avoiding him and then when they did speak they were always interrupted by the Kin. He pushed the uncomfortable thought from his mind and decided that tomorrow when everyone slept, he would begin preparations for their departure.