‘Most fortuitous, Princeps,’ Vespasian lied through gritted teeth. ‘What should I aim to achieve on this embassy?’
‘Pallas is waiting to brief you at the palace.’
Vespasian was admitted without question to the freedman’s apartments on the first floor of the section of the palace built by Augustus. Pallas was waiting for him in his formal reception room: a spacious chamber decorated with statues and frescoes of Greek mythology and furnished in a plain style with much use of polished wood and a marked absence of lavish upholstery. The sun, westering over the Circus Maximus and Aventine beyond, bathed the room with thin, winter-evening light.
‘Things have moved much faster than I anticipated,’ Pallas said, surprising Vespasian by getting to his feet as the steward showed him into the room. ‘Caenis’ report this morning caused me some concern; however, the timing is most convenient. Narcissus can ask you to stop in Macedonia and speak to your brother on the way out to Armenia. No doubt he will do as soon as you leave these rooms; I imagine that he has a messenger stationed outside to fetch you to him. I was careful to let him find out that you’re here being briefed for your mission to the East.’
They grasped forearms as equals although one was a consul of Rome and the other a mere freedman. Vespasian put the thought to one side knowing that there was nothing ‘mere’ about Pallas. ‘You have no idea what Agrippina has done?’
Pallas waved his steward away. ‘If, indeed, she’s done anything. It may be just Narcissus’ wishful thinking or a calculated lie contrived to seed mistrust between the Empress and me.’
Vespasian took the seat indicated by Pallas next to an already filled cup. ‘If that’s so then I’d say it’s working.’
‘Yes, well, Caenis’ analysis was correct: I can’t confront Agrippina with it so you have to find out for me; an admission or denial from her would put a strain on our relationship without doubt. However, if there is truth in the accusation and Narcissus is right and it does have something to do with the Parthian embassy, then I can make a shrewd guess as to what she has done.’
‘She’s the money behind Radamistus.’
Pallas’ face twitched, betraying surprise. ‘How did you get to that?’
Vespasian took a sip of his wine and closed his eyes as he savoured it; it was exquisite. ‘It’s the timing. The Parthian embassy arrived towards the beginning of September, stayed for a few days and then headed home, evading Sabinus on the way. According to Narcissus, the embassy went through the port of Phasis at the end of September. Also in September, Radamistus took his army from Iberia into Armenia and, in a very short campaign, deposed Mithridates by the beginning of October. Narcissus is certain that the embassy travelled to and from Parthia via Iberia. Now, one of Agrippina’s agents murdered the man who informed Sabinus about the embassy; Agrippina not only ordered his death but also the timing of it so she evidently wanted Sabinus to know about the embassy. But how was Agrippina aware of the embassy in the first place in order to make that decision? I find it very hard to believe in coincidences.’
‘Yes, as do I. If Narcissus is right and she is somehow connected to that embassy then that is the logical conclusion. And if that is the case, I can perfectly understand why she hasn’t taken me into her confidence. But what concerns me more is why my agents knew nothing of this. I’ve been well aware of the events in Armenia for a couple of months now, but this embassy being the possible instigator of Mithridates’ deposal is news to me. Agrippina evidently knew and Narcissus found out by intercepting Agrippina’s messages; but being closer to her than he is I can normally get access to all the correspondence that arrives at the palace; but not in this case. When it comes to messages about the Parthian embassy only his people intercepted them, not mine. It’s as if I’ve been purposely kept in the dark or, more worryingly, as if Narcissus has been purposely enlightened.’
‘But now you do know, what do you think the objective of the embassy was?’
‘Instability along the Danuvius to keep our eye off Armenia.’
‘Has there been any?’
‘No more than usual.’
Vespasian thought for a few moments, savouring his wine; somewhere in the gardens below a dove started cooing. ‘What does Agrippina have to gain by deposing our client in Armenia and replacing him with someone loyal to Parthia?’
‘I don’t believe that he is completely loyal to Parthia; these slimy eastern Kings don’t have any loyalty other than to themselves and their family – those family members that they allow to live, of course. Radamistus is Tryphaena’s nephew, she was the—’