Read Online The Iron Hand of Mars by Lindsey Davis - Free Book Online

ruthless military power.”
    â€œWhat do you think?”
    â€œI think lugging it across Europe will ruin my back.”
    *   *   *
    I slumped on the bench. I wondered who had helped this frail blossom carry his basket upstairs. “Well, you’ve brought it. What are you waiting for?”
    The dubious Palace messenger looked coy. “Something I wanted to ask you.”
    â€œCough up.”
    â€œCan I come with you to Germany?”
    This fitted my conviction that Titus had him lined up to do me some mischief. I wasn’t even surprised. “I don’t think I heard that correctly.”
    He was absolutely brazen. “I have my savings—I’ve already applied to buy my freedom. I’d love to travel before I settle down—”
    â€œJupiter!” I growled into the neck of my tunic. “It’s bad enough having your chin snicked while some inane fellow demands whether sir intends visiting his Campanian villa this summer, without having one of the bastards wanting to join you on holiday!”
    Xanthus said nothing.
    â€œXanthus, I’m an imperial agent visiting the barbarians. So what, my friend, is supposed to be the point of a barber sharing my misery?”
    Xanthus replied morosely, “Somebody in Germany might need a decent shave!”
    â€œDon’t look at me!” I rubbed my palm across my chin; the stubble was fierce.
    â€œNo,” he agreed, insultingly. Nothing stopped him once he got an idea beneath that well-trimmed thatch. “No one will miss me here. Titus wants to be rid of me.” I could believe that. Titus wanted his private knife-man firmly attached to me. All the better if I took Xanthus somewhere remote before he pulled his blade.
    â€œTitus can spread your travel pass with fish pickle and eat it under water—I journey alone. If Titus wants to retire you from official duties, let him give you a bounty so you can set up in a booth at some bathhouse—”
    â€œI won’t be a nuisance!”
    â€œThe qualification for a career in scissors must be being born with your ears missing!”
    I closed my eyes to close him out, though I knew he was still there.
    I was reaching a decision. I was now convinced that Titus had decided this piece of scented buffoonery could usefully strop his razor on my throat. If I went along with it—or appeared to—at least I knew whose dagger hand to watch. Turn down this chance, and I would be forced to make myself suspicious of everyone.
    I looked up. The barber must have been stretching his mental capacity too, because he suddenly asked, “People hire you, I gather?”
    â€œFoolish ones do.”
    â€œHow much does it cost?”
    â€œDepends how much I dislike what they commission me to do.”
    â€œGive me a clue, Falco!” I obliged, with a show of distaste. “I can find that sort of money,” he snivelled. I was not surprised. Any imperial slave is well placed to garner heavy tips. Besides, I reckoned Xanthus had a banker standing him his European tour. “I’ll hire you to escort me on the same trip as you.”
    â€œThe lure of adventure!” I scoffed. “So do I get a bonus every time I can arrange for you to be cudgelled and robbed? Double rates if you catch a nasty rash from a cheap continental prostitute? Triple if you drown at sea?”
    He said stiffly, “You will be there to advise me how to avoid the perils of the road.”
    â€œWell my first advice is, don’t take this road at all.”
    My world-weariness appeared to strike him as a romantic pose. Nothing was going to put him off; he must have been ordered to come with me by persons whose orders are obeyed. “Falco, I like your attitude. I reckon we could rub along together successfully.”
    â€œAll right.” I pretended I was too tired to argue. “I was always a soft option for clients who enjoy being insulted twenty times an