“You see Vispania” Capitolinus said quietly, but firmly, as he glanced around the red painted walls. “The Pontifex is not spending all his money on fancy furniture and gaudy scenes of heroic deeds” he said, his expression and voice suggesting that many long hours had been spent explaining such a fact to his wife without her believing a word he said.
Vispania tightened her mouth into a tight line and was silent as her husband remained standing and looked impatiently around the room. Capitolinus noted the disappointment in his wife’s face at not finding the Pontifex’s house painted with scenes of nymphs and the heroic battle scenes of Hector and Achilles strewn across all the walls. She had insisted on visiting Javenoli with him tonight as she begged her husband to use some of his money to better their own house on the Capitol Hill. He knew that she was now disappointed that she could not use this example to claim that their house should be at least as grand as Javenoli’s.
“If he had a woman in the house it would look much grander” Vispania hissed through clenched teeth.
Capitolinus allowed a long grin to crawl across his face as he heard the words. As he turned towards a noise at his rear he smiled more openly as the Pontifex Maximus, Gaius Javenoli, stepped into the room, his face tired looking but nevertheless with a warm smile splitting his features.
“Gaius” Capitolinus said, his arms opening wide as Javenoli’s face creased in confusion at the pleasantries before he noted Vispania rising from the small chair to his right.
Javenoli gave a perfunctory hug to his friend and turned quickly to Vispania, kissing her on the cheek as she thanked him for allowing them to visit.
“To what do I owe the honour of such a visit, Capitolinus?” he asked as he waved both of his guests to sit and nodded to Andronius to pour more wine as the small boy appeared with water in a blue cup and handed it to Vispania.
Capitolinus nodded towards his wife, noting the flash of anger in her eyes as she looked at him momentarily. “Vispania has something to ask of you, old friend.”
Javenoli smiled as his eyes turned to Capitolinus’ wife. He noted her pale features, high cheekbones in a thin face with hair twisted tightly into curls which sat behind her head held in place with three long iron pins with blue enamel tops. Her dark eyes glanced to her husband as a slight flush rose quickly on her neck, moving into her cheeks before she caught her breath and spoke.
“My dear Gaius” she said. They had known each other for many years and whilst not unfamiliar with the Senator turned Pontifex, she still felt slightly uncomfortable in his presence as she knew he was both ruthless and kind in both measures. She had thought him mad as he had given his food to dying women and boys on the Capitol, and considered his acts must be some scheme as he was not openly used to giving charity. But she could not fault the support he had given to her husband since that fateful day when the Gaul’s had tried to breach the walls of the Capitol. The day her husband’s life, and her own, had changed forever. She looked up at the face of Javenoli, his eyes widening as he waited to hear what she had to say.
“Out with it Vispania, you have prattled about nothing but this moment for weeks” Capitolinus said with a measure of anger in his voice as his wife’s brows creased and she shot him an angry frown.
“Gaius” she said again. “You know my niece Alurrica has turned four years this summer” she said as she saw Javenoli’s eyes narrow slightly as his mind was rushing through what she might say next. She tried to discern his thoughts by his body language or eye movements, but he sat impassively and so she continued. “Marcus and I” she glanced quickly to Capitolinus, who smiled at her words, “have been considering her future with her parents” she said. Javenoli allowed his eyes to move slowly to Capitolinus before they fell back on her own, his shoulders appearing to tense as she spoke. “And we wondered if there was the slightest possibility that she might enter the service of the Vestals?” She rushed the last words as her dark brown eyes bore more intently into Javenoli’s. The Pontifex let out a rush of air.
“By the gods” he said, a great beam of a smile spreading across his face as he turned to Capitolinus. Vispania’s jaw dropped as she suddenly felt that Javenoli was going to laugh in her face. “I thought you were going to suggest a wedding between me and the infant” he said as he stood and pressed his palms to his cheeks, his gaze suddenly falling back on that of Vispania as his eyes caught hers and he sighed again, his face suddenly seeming very old and tired. “Of course” he said loudly, his eyes flashing as Capitolinus stood and slapped his shoulder. “The Vestals would be delighted to have a Manlius Capitolinus amongst their numbers.” Javenoli was shaking his head and grinning as he looked at Capitolinus. “You rogue” he said to Capitolinus with a growl, who was simply grinning at how uncomfortable Javenoli had looked as his wife had spoken. “You had me going there for a moment” he said as he shook his head again. “I’ll have a word with the Domina tomorrow and we will sort the details” he said. “I know she is looking for good candidates and will not be disappointed with Alurrica” he said.
“Come” he waved a hand at the seats. “Let us have something to eat. Vispania” Javenoli glanced quickly to his right at Capitolinus as he sat opposite her. “Tell me” he said as he looked up at the walls of the room. “Do you think I should have some new frescos painted in this room?” He pursed his lips. “I was thinking of a scene from the death of Patroclus would work well in the light there” he nodded towards a large space away to the left of the room. As Vispania allowed her features to spread into a large smile as she turned her head, Javenoli glanced to Capitolinus, who was now shaking his head as he stared angrily at the Pontifex. Out-manoeuvred again, thought Capitolinus as he listened to his wife suggest several colour schemes and scenes, all of which she had previously suggested for their own house. Javenoli simply smiled his winning smile and Capitolinus shook his head slowly.
Two hours later, and with a tired yawn, Javenoli waved goodbye to his guests. He’d managed to secrete the bag of gold and comments regarding new appointments that would be made by the senate the following day with Capitolinus as the small group had moved animatedly around the different rooms of the Pontifex’s palace, a sprawling series of rooms each in various stages of repair following the Gallic siege. Capitolinus had patted the documents and winked his thanks as they had left and Javenoli let his shoulders drop as he counted the cost of the evening. He would have to pay something to the Vestals to accept Aulus Manlius’ daughter Alurrica as well as allowing the rooms to be painted under the supervision of Vispania. He had also, unwittingly, accepted an invitation to dinner at Capitolinus’ house in a few days’ time. He looked to Andronius, who smiled back at him knowingly.
“Your bath is prepared” Andronius said as he slipped the iron bolt across the front door and locked the key with a loud thud, handing the key to a thin teenage boy who sat in a small alcove by the door, his dark features nodding as he took control of the doorway for the night. “And this came from Cincinnatus” said the slave as he handed across a heavy pouch. Javenoli took out three slates, covered in small, neat, writing from the pouch and nodded at each of them with a wry grin.
“At least the Gallic women are making money in the whorehouse” he said slowly as he stuffed the slates back into the pouch and handed it to Andronius. “Put these with the rest” he ordered as he moved slowly towards the back of the house. “Take a message to Hernicus” Javenoli said as he stopped and looked back at Andronius. “I’m worried about Cincinnatus” he said as the slave’s brows creased, causing deep furrows to spread across his long forehead. “I want him watched.” He pursed his lips “more closely” he added. Andronicus acknowledged his understanding with a curt nod of the head.
“And remind me to send my apologies to Vispania regarding her garden party in two days’ time” came the tired voice as he disappeared through the archway.
***********
Chapter 4
The sound of men breathing harshly as they climbed up the steep f
ace of the short climb rose rapidly into the air as the legionaries came bursting through the tree line and jogged in a neat line towards the crest of the hill. Jangling armour clashed with wooden shields as the men tried to remain in a tight group, each sub-section of eight men trying desperately to catch the eye of their watching centurion. The din grew greater as more men emerged from the muffled silence of the thick forest and shuffled in hard labouring steps up the slope. A modicum of dry-earthed dust rose to knee height as the men struggled past the observing officers.
The men began to form up in four straight lines, shoulders heaving from the exertion of the run as they took gulps of air and dragged their aching limbs into position. Eyes stared out from under shining helmets and spears were held rigidly aloft as the remaining men finally cleared the undergrowth and closed on the last line of the forming cohort. A few words of encouragement were hushed into silence as the final few men came to a smart stop and adjusted their feet to stare at the centurion at their front.
Narcius walked slowly around the lines of men, stopping to check the distance between each line and each soldier, frowning at some and nodding to others as his tight lipped features surveyed the scene in front of him with a critical eye. The man on the furthest right of each line was, nominally, the focal point for each group and he made a fuss of standing next to each man and spending a moment to look along the line of men as he swished his vine cane on the side of his thigh and grunted with feigned anger, but nodded at how smart the lines were. Finding little to fault he moved to the front and stood in silence in front of his men with his balled fists on his hips. His bronze phalera glinted in the early morning sun as he stared at his soldiers and allowed a small smile to creep across his face.
“As the first century of the mighty Roman Eagles it is your job to be the best” he called as he started to walk along the front of the legionaries. He noted several flashes of white teeth, the older soldiers knowing that if he had found anything worth complaining about they would have had an earful of his ire already. He stopped and stared at one legionary, his smile suddenly disappearing into a tight grimace as he stared ahead avoiding eye contact with his centurion. Narcius continued his walk. “Every day must be as good as today” he said as he caught a smirk on one man’s face and turned to stare at him. “Don’t let me down legionary Piso” he said as he faced the, now serious, face of the previously smirking Piso. “It was good, but you can do better” he called as he moved forwards, Piso making no noise lest he be singled out for any sort of punishment.
“Optio” Narcius said as a man stepped forwards from where he had tracked his centurions walk. Eyes flashed to the Optio, a short man with a stubbled chin and a harsh, scowling, face.
“Back to the city at double time” Narcius said as he heard a few groans from the men. “And any grumbling and we will do a circuit of the hills when we return” he snapped as he saw the men stiffen and a few accusatory glances move between the men. “Rome needs good soldiers now more than ever” he called as he stared out over the men. “You have the privilege of being the first cohort, Camillus’ chosen men. Chosen for your bravery and skill” he pointed his cane at several legionaries as he continued to speak. “Valco, Settus, Aritius, Rufus, Bettarius” his cane moved as he pointed out the men. “Decorated men with several years of experience. Men I would trust to stand beside me in battle and cover my back when needed.” He stood stock still and let his gaze fall across the men. “Men who have proven their courage more than once and men who have profited from it many times. Aspire to be like them and bring glory to your century, to your Legion, to your family and to Rome.” As he finished he turned to move back to the front and took a moment to allow a small smile to cross his features.
“Well done legionnaires of the first century” he called. “Keep up this standard of work and you won’t feel the weight on my cane on your back ever again.” He saw a few wry smiles appear in the ranks of men once again. “Optio. I’m in a good mood today” Narcius said as he looked to the shorter man, a smile now spreading across his features. “We’ll take a slow march back to the city” he said as a few small cheers came from the assembled soldiers, shoulders visibly relaxing as he said the words.
The Optio called the order and the men began to march back to the city in a column four men wide and a few hundred yards long. Narcius brought up the rear with his Optio at his shoulder.
“The men did well today Vulpus” he said as he noted the men closest turn their heads slightly at his words.
“Best soldiers in the legion” Vulpus replied loudly with a wink.
“They need to be. We need to show the rest how good we are, how hard we work and what a true soldier can do. I hear Crastinus is sending his men on ten mile runs every other day.”
“I heard that too” came Vulpus’ reply. “But I think that’s an exaggeration looking at the belly fat on some of his men.” A few nods and grumbles of agreement came from the soldiers in front of them and both officers grinned, a little healthy competition was a good thing.
“What of the third?” Narcius asked.
“Centurion Verus is soft on them, sir” Vulpus said as he flicked his foot to dislodge a stone that had stuck in his sandal. Narcius raised an eyebrow to suggest Vulpus continue. “Spends a lot of time in sword training and formation but the men don’t do much marching. Ten minutes in a fight and they will be blowing like the bellows at the blacksmiths” he half laughed in reply.
Narcius nodded. “I’ll have a word with him” he replied as Vulpus smiled animatedly.
“Horse” came the sharp call from the front of the file of men, the shout repeated down the line until Narcius and Vulpus stepped to the side and squinted into the distance to see a trail of dust rising along the path to their front. Vulpus called a halt to the leisurely march and he and Narcius jogged forwards as the men craned their necks to see who was approaching. As the officers reached the front of the column Narcius called the order for the men to relax and drink and stood with his thumbs hitched into his sword belt as the cloud of dust started to form into the shapes of two messengers riding at a good speed.
“Looks important.”
“Hmm” replied Narcius as he took a long pull on his water skin and handed it across to the Optio. “Smarten the men up when they get closer. No point dropping standards just because we’re out in the fields” he said as Vulpus nodded and stalked back to the men, his growling voice relaying the order back down the ranks. Narcius watched the horses move closer. Two messengers instead of one meant that whatever message they carried must be important. If the two men had not found the soldiers on the main roads they would have split and followed two different directions. A lone rider would carry a less serious message which didn’t require a rapid response.
A few minutes later the messengers reined in and both men jumped from their mounts and saluted smartly; two legionaries stepped forward to take their reins and lead the horses to the side of the road whilst the messengers delivered their message.
“Centurion Narcius” the lead messenger said as he held out a sealed tablet. “Urgent message from the Senate, sir.”
Narcius tore the ribbon and snapped open the wax seal, scanning the words briefly before taking a moment to let the words sink in.
“Do we know when this happened?” he asked the messenger, eyes and ears from behind Narcius all straining to catch the reply as the men nearest feigned ignorance but eavesdropped on every word.
“The latest information is that the merchants set out from Etruria four days ago and the army was massing when they left. Latins, Hernici and Aequians is what we heard this morning, sir” the messenger replied smartly.
Vulpus came and stood next to Narcius as the centurion turned to him. “An uprising, four days ago” he said as he looked to the messenger. “It seems that the Latins, Hernici and Aequians met at the shrine of Voltumna and agreed to march on Rome, angry at the continued taxation and food requests” he said as he passed the tablet to Vulpus.
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“Fools” Vulpus replied as he scanned the tablet.
“A lot of fools” Narcius said slowly as he motioned to the tablet. “Thank you messenger” Narcius replied, his voice now firm and business-like. “Inform the Senate that we will be at the city walls within two hours” he said as he turned to Vulpus and nodded to his grim-faced Optio.
The messengers both saluted and took the reins of their horses before jumping on their backs and kicking their mounts away towards the low hill from which they had arrived.
“Looks like we might be busy again soon gentlemen” Narcius grinned as he turned back to the lines of soldiers behind him.
************
A few hours after Narcius had arrived back at the city, the leading men of Rome had convened to discuss the latest news of the uprising. The Senate sat in hushed silence as the senior politicians ran through the discussions with regard to what defences were needed for the city and who should lead the forces of Rome against the uprising by the local tribes. Men waved their hands to get a moment to stand and speak, others sat and watched, eyes like vultures awaiting a moment to strike a political blow at their enemies.
“Marcus Manlius Capitolinus” called the speaker as loud groans split the air of the room in the Curia, where they sat, followed swiftly by a series of cheers from his supporters.
Capitolinus stood and placed his right hand across his chest, gripping the thick folds of his toga by the shoulder. He let his eyes circle the room until the hubbub of noise quietened. “Rome needs a strong defence” he said loudly as he stared at the faces looking towards him. “Ten thousand Latins, Hernici and Aequians fully armed and prepared to strike at our very heart will not be easy to defeat. But I” he shouted the last words “am prepared to stand as dictator.” Men jumped from their seats and called in protest as he continued to shout over their voices. “Yes, I, with the grace of Jupiter and my strong, god-given, right arm will, once again, defend the Capitol where the gods sit in judgement over Rome” he called as the noise levels grew louder from both angered and agreeing senators. “The city needs strong leadership and I will provide it” he called as the speaker banged a thick cane on a wooden desk to call for silence. Capitolinus continued after a moment in which he scanned the room and landed his gaze on Javenoli.
The King of Rome Page 4
