I gather your landlord, Privatus, is top of the guild? Is that why he is so willing to be hospitable?" I tried to sound non-judgmental, though it seemed an awkward situation. Brunnus poured himself another silver winecup of Privatus" elegant table liquor. We don't necessarily want to cuddle up."
Problems?" I asked.
The guild can be a bit pushy," Brunnus admitted. From what I had seen of their street behaviour, that was an under statement. How powerful is this guild?"
Too powerful!" growled Petronius.
Look, Ostia is packed with craft guilds and associations," Brunnus told me. They do no harm; we tolerate them. You know how it works, the leading lights in a trade meet for dinner parties; they club together for burial funds; they raise civic statues. The wine merchants have their own forum; when I want to spend a happy afternoon, I descend to check their licences. The shipwrights are traditionally the bigges mob, but the builders are coming up fast due to all the public works contracts in and around the harbour." I could see that. Our absent host Privatus was rolling in money. This dining room opened on to a small interior garden, which was frescoed in ocean scenes. At the far end stood a grotto made from intricately patterned seashells. Floating lamps drifted among waterlilies on a long pool between the couches. I had a horrible feeling our dinner would come served on pure gold model ships.
I can see Privatus is raking it in."
Privatus hasn't even started," moaned Petronius. He wants to redevelop the whole bloody town. So tell us, Falco, was there any unacceptable pushing and shoving at this fire you witnessed?" I guessed he and Brunnus would like to collect evidence of bad behaviour to pressurise the vigiles management into ditching the builders as fire-fighters.
Now Lucius, old pal, if you're so keen to jump out of bed with Privatus, why did you ever agree to be put up here in his house?"
Rubella." Rubella was the tribune of the Fourth Cohort, Petro's chief. Rubella knew that Petronius Longus was a damn good officer, but suspected him of subtle insubordination. Rubella would not usually provide letters of introduction.
Rubella's a joke to you!" Petronius pretended to have a nervous tic, brought on by stress due to mention of his senior officer. But then he said, Have to admit, he fixed me up very nicely."
What's he up to?"
Official initiative to improve relations with the builders. Rubella asked me to fraternise."
So where have you been fixed up to socialise?" I asked, turning to Brunnus.
We're not that fraternal. I have to rough it at the station house." There was a pause, during which we all fraternised mentally with the wealthy Privatus by swigging more of his fine wine. Go on, Falco what upset you about the bastards on fire duty?"
Well, be fair; they were rough lads and it was an emergency situation."
Being rough was justified?"
All they really did was jostle the donkey Gaius was riding." Petro and Brunnus looked at one another and laughed. Jointly they decided that this was acceptable. to find Gaius Baebius in your way counted as provocation. The vigiles would probably have shoved his donkey backwards all the way to the Marine Gate," scoffed Petro.
With Gaius Baebius tied upside down under it," elaborated Brunnus. Petronius had gone quiet, watching me. You think we need to watch those builders, Falco?"
I do." We let the subject drop. r
The naval man was older than I expected, a white-haired, fussily dressed type, with a meticulous way of speaking. He looked like a freedman who had previously worked as the Emperor's wardrobe master. when the Emperor was not the old soldier Vespasian, but one of the dissipated young divinities, Nero or Caligula, who liked incest and murder. The marine came laden with hostess-gifts to beg forgiveness for his late arrival; he carried in a whole armful of garlands for our womenfolk, who were unimpressed.
Charming," I murmured to Petro, who grumbled back under his breath. Caninus was the sea biscuit's name. We were not surprised that a contact recommended by Brunnus turned out to be a liability. Caninus obviously arrived hours late everywhere he went and believed a few blossoms would absolve him. Maia was barely polite as she passed the floral gifts straight to a slave; Junia sneezed loudly; Helena had a defiant glint. Only the children fell screaming with excitement on the long streamers of roses, which would be torn apart in moments. At last we could eat.
I hope the cook can find you something that's still warm," Maia called after us sarcastically.
Your sister's a dour piece!" observed Caninus, too loudly.
Bit of a drink habit," Petronius lied, in a more cautious undertone.
