The Blood of Gods A Novel of Rome - By Conn Iggulden Page 0,174
grandson has not been treated harshly. You are dismissed, Naevius. I will want to speak to you before I leave.’
‘Yes, Princeps,’ Naevius said, saluting and turning on his heel. Octavian waved off his personal guards as they too began to enter.
‘Out, all of you. I will be alone.’ His men vanished without a sound and Octavian took Naevius’ seat, looking down at the Latrunculi board. He studied the pieces briefly and then moved one of the stones. Marcus smiled.
‘It’s good to see you again, grandfather.’
He too moved a piece, this time without any of the hesitation Naevius had seen. The game in progress would have been a struggle to win for anyone but the most gifted player, but Marcus was in no doubt about his own abilities. Unfortunately, he knew Octavian was renowned for his skill.
‘You did not stand when I entered, Marcus,’ Octavian said softly. ‘Why was that?’
Marcus replied without taking his eyes off the board.
‘Because I know there is a chance that you are not here to take me back to Rome. It is possible that you are simply checking on my captivity and your galleys will leave once again. If I am to be left behind, I wanted Naevius to see I was not in awe of you. It raised me, raised my status, at no cost to you. I thought it a bargain, simply for remaining in a seat.’
Octavian nodded.
‘I see. Though it was an insult, of course. One I could decide to punish.’ The moves they made took place at a different tempo to the conversation, hands snapping out and collecting captured pieces almost as if two other men played while they spoke.
Marcus shrugged, turning the full strength of his charm into his grin.
‘I know you are not a petty man, grandfather. If you were, I would have risen.’
He had left Octavian with no option but to grunt and let it go. The old man moved another piece, forcing a pin in two moves. He watched as Marcus accepted the lesser of the two, playing for position over numbers.
‘You have not asked about the charges against you,’ Octavian noted.
‘I cannot change the outcome, not from here. The case will be argued, or not. Unless you are here to tell me the result?’ Marcus stared into Octavian’s eyes for a moment, intent. ‘No, I don’t think it has gone against me.’
‘The witnesses have vanished, or so I’ve been told. There is no case to answer any longer.’
Marcus sat up straighter, his hand still moving out to capture a stray piece.
‘But you came yourself, where you could have sent any man at all to give me such news, to set me free. What should I make of that?’ For the first time, a line of worry appeared between his eyes. He looked again at his grandfather, ignoring the board. He saw how Octavian’s hands trembled and saw afresh the white hair and stick-thin arms.
Marcus sat back suddenly, his eyes widening.
‘It is your move, I believe,’ Octavian said softly, staring back at him. Marcus shook his head slightly, hiding his conclusions as he looked down once more at the board. His face showed nothing then, but he saw the hard position had become nearly impossible. Discarding three poor choices, he made the best move possible.
Octavian grunted.
‘Easier for you if we had started a fresh game, I think.’
‘I have found life is full of such choices, grandfather,’ Marcus replied lightly. ‘I chose to play with what I was given, as did you. I do not regret it.’
‘There is no point, even if you did,’ Octavian replied, his voice hardening. ‘Your choices are made and cannot be undone.’
Marcus nodded, keeping his head bowed as if concentrating on the board, while thinking furiously. Their hands continued to strike and capture. By then, the board was almost empty of pieces, with both kings herded into corners and vulnerable to a fatal pin.
Octavian played well, exchanging pieces when he had a slight advantage in numbers, so that the difference became crucial. For a time, they made the stones dance across the board, each man concentrating to the exclusion of all else.
The end was quick, when it came. Octavian had brought up his last few stones, risking a sudden loss for the chance to win. He closed down the corner of the board and try as he might, Marcus could not save his king in the end. He shook his head, seeing it coming three moves before it happened.