Macro glanced at Cato and shrugged. 'Perhaps not.'

Florianus poured himself another cup of water, took a sip and considered his guests thoughtfully.

'You're wondering why we're here.' Cato smiled.

Florianus shrugged. 'It had crossed my mind. Since I doubt the Empire can spare the services of two centurions to nursemaid a column of recruits to their new postings. So, if you don't mind my being blunt, why are you here?'

'Not to replace you,' said Macro and smiled. 'Sorry, old son, but that's not in the orders.'

'Damn.'

Cato coughed. 'It seems that the imperial staff is not as ignorant of the situation in Judaea as you think.'

Florianus raised his eyebrows. 'Oh?'

'The Imperial Secretary has heard some worrying reports from his agents in this part of the Empire.'

'Really?' Florianus looked steadily at Cato, his face expressionless.

'More than enough to doubt the reports given out by the procurator. That's why he sent us here. Narcissus wants the situation assessed with fresh eyes.We've already spoken to the procurator, and I think you're right about him. He simply can't afford to see things as they are. His staff are well aware of what is going on, but know that Alexander isn't best pleased by any views that contradict his official line. That's why we needed to see you. As Narcissus' chief intelligence agent in the region, you would seem to be the best person to speak to.'

There was a brief, tense silence before Florianus nodded his head slightly. 'That's right. I assume that you made no mention of this to the procurator.'

'What do you take us for?' Macro said flatly.

'No disrespect, Centurion, but I have to guard my true role here very carefully. If the Judaean resistance movements got wind of it, I'd be food for the vultures before the day was out. Only after they'd tortured me to get hold of the names of my agents, of course. So you can see why I have to be sure that my secret is quite safe.'

'It's safe with us,' Cato reassured him. 'Quite safe. Otherwise Narcissus would never have told us.'

Florianus nodded. 'True…Very well then, what can I do for you?'

Now that the air had been cleared Cato could speak freely. 'Since much of the information Narcissus has gathered comes from your network you'll be familiar with his most obvious concerns. The most dangerous threat comes from Parthia.'

'And there's nothing new there,' Macro added. 'As long as Rome has had an interest in the east we've been facing those bastards.'

'Yes,' Cato continued, 'that's right. But the desert forms a natural obstacle between Parthia and Rome. It's allowed us to have some kind of peace along that frontier for nearly a hundred years now. However, the old rivalry remains, and now it seems that the Parthians are playing politics in Palmyra.'

'So I've heard.' Florianus scratched his cheek. 'I have a merchant on the payroll who runs a caravan to the city. He tells me that the Parthians are trying to stir up trouble between members of the royal household at Palmyra. It's rumoured they've promised the crown to Prince Artaxas if he agrees to become an ally of Parthia. He's denying it of course and the King dare not have him removed without hard evidence, in case he panics the other princes.'

'That's what Narcissus told us,' said Cato. 'And if Parthia should get its hands on Palmyra, then they'll be able to march their army right up to the boundaries of the province of Syria. At the moment there are three legions at Antioch. Arrangements are being made to send a fourth, but therein lies the other problem.'

They had reached the limit of Florianus' knowledge of the situation and now he stared at Cato intently. 'What's that?'

Cato instinctively lowered his voice. 'Cassius Longinus, the Governor of Syria.'

'What about him?'

'Narcissus doesn't trust him.'

Macro laughed.'Narcissus doesn't trust anybody. Mind you, nobody in their right mind would trust him.'

'Anyway,' Cato continued, 'it seems that Cassius Longinus has some contacts with those elements back in Rome who oppose the Emperor.'

Florianus glanced up. 'You mean those bastards who call themselves the Liberators?'

'Of course.' Cato smiled grimly.'One of their men fell into the hands of Narcissus earlier this year. He gave up a few names before he died, including that of Longinus.'

Florianus frowned.'I've heard nothing from my sources in Antioch about Longinus. Nothing to arouse suspicion. And I've met him a few times. Frankly he doesn't seem the type.Too cautious to strike out on his own.'

Macro smiled. 'Having three legions at your back has a wonderful way of stiffening a man's spine. Four legions even more so. To have that much power in your grasp must be quite inspiring to a man's ambition.'

'But not enough to turn him against the rest of the Empire,' Florianus countered.

Cato nodded. 'True, as things stand. But suppose the Emperor was compelled to reinforce the region with yet more legions? Not just to counter the Parthian threat, but to put down a rebellion here in Judaea.'

'But there isn't a rebellion here.'

'Not yet. But there's plenty of ill feeling brewing up, as you yourself have reported. It wouldn't take much to incite an open revolt. Look what happened when Caligula gave orders for a statue of him to be erected in Jerusalem. If he hadn't been murdered before work could begin then every man in the land would have risen up against Rome. How many legions would it have taken to put that down? Another three? Perhaps four? In addition to the Syrian legions, that's at least seven in all. With that kind of force at his disposal a man could easily make himself a contender for the purple. Mark my words.'

There was a long silence as Florianus considered Cato's proposition, and then he suddenly looked back at the young centurion. 'Are you suggesting that Longinus might actually provoke such a revolt? To get his hands on more legions?'

Cato shrugged. 'Maybe. Maybe not. I don't know yet. Let's just say it's a sufficiently worrying prospect for Narcissus to send us here to investigate it.'

'But it's preposterous. A revolt would lead to the deaths of thousands – tens of thousands of people. And if Longinus was intending to use the legions to force his way into the palace in Rome he would leave the eastern provinces defenceless.'

'The Parthians would be in here like a shot,' Macro quipped and then raised his hands apologetically as the other two turned to him with irritated expressions.

Cato cleared his throat. 'That's true. But then Longinus would be playing for the highest stakes of all. He would be prepared to sacrifice the eastern provinces if it meant becoming Emperor.'

'If that is his plan,' Florianus responded. 'Frankly, that's a very big if.'

'Yes,' Cato conceded. 'But still a possibility that has to be taken seriously. Narcissus certainly takes it seriously.'

'Forgive me, young man, but I've worked for Narcissus for many years. He is inclined to jump at shadows.'

Cato shrugged. 'Longinus is still a risk.'

'But how exactly do you think he is going to cause this revolt? That has to be the key to the situation. Unless there's a revolt he'll not have his legions, and without them he can do nothing.'

'So, then, he needs a revolt. And isn't he lucky to have someone here in Judaea who has sworn to provide one.'

'What are you talking about?'

'There's a man named Bannus the Canaanean. I assume you've heard of him.'

'Of course. He's a minor brigand. Lives in the range of hills to the east of the River Jordan. He's been preying on the villages and travellers in the valley, besides raiding a few of the wealthy estates and some of the caravans making for the Decapolis. But he's not a serious threat.'

'No?'

'He has a few hundred followers. Poorly armed hillsmen and those on the run from the authorities here in Jerusalem.'