The Last Legion by Valerio Massimo Manfredi

remember him for some time: he sliced his face from side to side. I know you want revenge, but I cannot help you. Even if you cut me to pieces, you will learn nothing more than what I have already told you.’
    He spoke with such calm and self-assurance that Odoacer was impressed: a man like that could be very useful to him, a man with the wit and wisdom to guide him through the maze of politics and court intrigue that he was about to be drawn into. However, the tone he’d used in saying the words ‘my lady, the empress’ left no doubts concerning his convictions and his loyalty.
    ‘What will you do with the boy?’ Ambrosinus asked him.
    ‘It’s no affair of yours,’ replied Odoacer.
    ‘Spare him. He cannot harm you in any way. I don’t know why that man attempted to liberate him, but he’s no worry for you in any case. He acted alone: if this had been a plot, the choice of the time and place would have been different, wouldn’t you say? A greater number of men, accomplices along the way, an escape route: do you know that I had to suggest a way to escape myself?’
    Odoacer was surprised by the old man’s spontaneous admission, and struck by the logic of his words. ‘How did he manage to find your apartments, then?’
    ‘I don’t know, but I can imagine.’
    ‘Well?’
    ‘That man knows your language.’
    ‘How can you be certain?’
    ‘Because I heard him speaking with your soldiers,’ replied Ambrosinus.
    ‘And how did they get out?’ insisted Odoacer. Neither he nor his men had managed to explain how Romulus and Aurelius had been found outside the palace when all the escape routes were closed off.
    ‘This I do not know because we were separated by your men’s raid, but the child was wet and smelled terrible. One of the sewers, I’d say. But what difference does it make? You can’t be afraid of a boy of not even thirteen. What I’m telling you is that that man acted alone. And he was badly wounded. He may even be dead by now. Spare the boy, I beg of you. He’s little more than a child: what harm could come of it?’
    Odoacer stared into his eyes and felt suddenly dizzy, pervaded by an inexplicable feeling of uncertainty. He lowered his gaze in the pretence of weighing his words, then said: ‘Go now. You will not wait long for my decision. Do not entertain any hope that last night’s episode will be repeated.’
    ‘How could it possibly?’ replied Ambrosinus. ‘Our every move is being watched by dozens of warriors . . . an old man and a boy! But if you’ll accept my advice . . .’
    Odoacer did not want to humiliate himself by asking, but he was curious to hear what this man, who was capable of unsettling him with a mere glance, would say next. Ambrosinus understood and continued speaking: ‘If . . . if you eliminate the child, it would be seen as a serious abuse of your power – by the Emperor of the East, for instance, who has many supporters here in Italy, many spies, and a great number of soldiers. He would never recognize your authority under such circumstances. You see, a Roman can take the life of another Roman, but . . .’ he hesitated an instant before pronouncing the word: ‘a barbarian cannot. Even the great Ricimerus, your predecessor, in order to govern was forced to hide behind insubstantial imperial figures. If you spare the boy, you will be seen as magnanimous and generous. You will gain the sympathy of the Christian clergy, which is very powerful, and the Emperor of the East will have to act as though nothing has happened. He doesn’t really care who is in command in the West, because it changes nothing for him, but he is very concerned with . . . the way things look. Remember what I’m saying: if you keep up appearances, you will be able to stay in control of this country for as long as you live.’
    ‘Keep up appearances?’ repeated Odoacer.
    ‘Listen. Twenty-five years ago Attila imposed a tax on Emperor Valentinian the third, who had no choice but to pay. But do