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the
hierarchy may be slightly more open to your suggestions. After all, doesn’t our
Pater fall under the protection of Saturn? As second-in-command, the
Heliodromus could attempt to grant you an audience, if the Pater accepts it.’
    ‘Thank you. I shall do that,’ replied Marcus. ‘I realise that
you act in my best interests here, Sir. You cannot bring pain or harm or
anything impure to bear at your grade. Which is why I requested your counsel in
the first place. I thank you once again.’ He inclined his head and moved away
from the Leo. He looked around the temple and caught sight of a Heliodromus. He
had no idea who these men were – so he would act in deference to them, as
befitted his status in the cult, and beg them for an audience from the
Pater.           
    Ten minutes later, Marcus found himself escorted to a
screened off portion of the temple. His heart was banging against his chest and
his palms were horribly sweaty. Which was ridiculous, because he obviously
worked with the man he was about to see. He just didn’t know who he was. And
here in the temple, normal day-to-day relationships in the fort did not count.
    ‘I have been advised that you wish to speak with me
privately?’ said the Pater.
    ‘Yes Sir,’ replied Marcus, kneeling before him. ‘I was hoping
you could advise me about something.’
    ‘Go ahead, Corax,’ said the Pater. ‘I am listening.’
    Marcus took a deep breath.
    ‘I have a good friend who wishes to join our worship of
Mithras,’ he said. ‘He would like to be considered for an initiation into the
cult.’
    ‘So he must go through the correct channels. As you did. Then
I shall discuss his case with my colleagues and add him to the waiting list. Is
that all?’ said the Pater, looking down at Marcus.
    ‘No – it’s…complicated. I don’t know if we have much…time to
do this. He was wondering…’ Marcus tailed off, suddenly deflated. It was
hopeless. He would have to tell Janus tomorrow he had been unsuccessful. It was
ridiculous to even think that he could have pushed his friend up the waiting
list, even if there was no threat of a Christian Commandant coming to
Carrawburgh. ‘I’m sorry. It was stupid of me. Forgive me,’ he said, bowing. ‘I
will advise him of the correct procedures and he shall have to adhere to them.’
    ‘Hmm,’ said the Pater. ‘You have me slightly intrigued now.
You say there is an urgency to this. Your friend is unwilling to wait for a
place, and is desperate to become part of us. Is that correct?’
    ‘Yes, Pater,’ replied Marcus.
    ‘I wonder – is he perhaps due a posting?’ said the Pater.
‘Good luck to him if he is. I sincerely hope he finds himself somewhere warmer
than here. Or could it be something else? I have heard a nasty rumour, Corax.
Regarding our new Commandant. Could it have something to do with him?’
    Marcus did not reply. He felt himself blush. Janus had sworn
him to secrecy, yet the rumour mills had already began to grind.
    ‘I cannot say, Sir,’ Marcus said finally. ‘All I can say, is
that, as far as I am aware, he is not due a posting elsewhere.’
    ‘Leave his name with my Heliodromus,’ said the Pater. ‘I
shall not promise anything, but I shall consider what you have told me. Or what
you have not told me. This is quite an interesting development. I hope it shall
not have a detrimental effect on our worship; both here and at the shrines
nearby. Thank you, Corax. I have enjoyed our little chat this evening.
Blessings of Mithras be upon you. I shall be curious to watch how this
develops.’
    ‘Thank you, Pater,’ murmured Marcus. ‘I appreciate all you
have done for me. If there is anything I can do…’
    The Pater raised his hand, silencing Marcus.
    ‘Thank you, Corax. I shall bear that in mind for the future.
For now, just live by the ethos of Mithras and fulfill your vow as one of his
worshippers.’
    ‘Your will and Mithras’ will shall be done,’ said Marcus. ‘I
now take