Cincinnatus sat up at this news. “Really? I thought the man was mad, now I know he is totally deranged.” He sipped the wine again as Javenoli watched him. “How do you know this? Do you know which senators he is to move against?” he asked, a twitch in his eyebrow catching Javenoli’s sight.
“Everyone” said Javenoli as Cincinnatus jerked at the comment.
“Everyone?”
Javenoli nodded sombrely.
“And you want me to pay him to do it?” Cincinnatus moved his chair back and placed his hands on the table. “Maybe you are suffering from the same disease as Capitolinus.”
Javenoli remained unmoved by the comment as he said “I do not doubt that Capitolinus will cause problems Titus. What I want to know is whether we have a future together in these business deals or not. If Capitolinus withdraws, we will need to pay him off. Now, I can do that alone or with your help. These deals are worth more than that amount every six months. I am offering you the choice before I look for another option.”
“Don’t pay him an As” Cincinnatus laughed. “See what he does about it. I have enough support to deal with an idiot like him.”
Javenoli smiled. “You know he was behind the burning of Iulius’ barn’s recently?” Cincinnatus shrugged. “Did you also know that it was him who is causing trouble with the rent collections across the city?” Cincinnatus shrugged again. Javenoli smiled as he sat up in his chair and took his goblet. “Tomorrow you will also find that your missions to Tarquinii, Vitellia and Carsioli have all disappeared, probably killed by bandits, or so the reports will say” he added as Cincinnatus narrowed his eyes, his knuckles whitening as his grip on his goblet tightened.
“What? How?” he asked quietly from behind a cold stare.
Javenoli shrugged. “I have eyes and ears in many corners Titus, as I know you do. We should consider being open with each other, my friend” he said slowly as Cincinnatus took another small sip of the wine, licking his lips as he finished and replaced the goblet. “I have some information which will be useful to us both if we decide that we need to be more” he raised the goblet “ambitious in our business deals.”
Cincinnatus raised an eyebrow. “Tell me what you know of my business with these towns first” asked Cincinnatus “and how you know what I do not?”
Javenoli placed his goblet on the table and shrugged again. “I have already had many deals with all these towns, Titus.” He shifted forwards in his seat. “My men found a number of bodies dumped off the main road a few days ago and, as I had heard from a source that you had sent men to each town I sent riders out to make sure that they were all safe. Unfortunately, all three groups had been killed” he added. “From my report, every man had been stripped naked and every item that could be taken had been taken.”
Cincinnatus ground his teeth, anger beginning to build behind his eyes. Javenoli spoke again quickly. “My sources tell me that Capitolinus has men stationed on all the main roads and is looking to take control of the trade in and out of the city. His actions are now starting to impact on our business deals. This” he tapped the wax tablet “would remove one problem, but create another as you say. The man is clearly over stepping the mark.”
“So why pay him off? Let him try and reclaim his gold” came the cold reply as Javenoli creased his brows.
“I’ve considered the options Titus. As you know he understands all our business deals and has in depth knowledge of all those involved in every trade, scam and deal we have done. He has threatened to send letters to every senator detailing how we have tricked them if we do not comply with his wishes.” He took a small mouthful of his wine before exhaling, sitting back and steepling his fingers, resting them on his lower lip as he watched Cincinnatus closely. “And he has his copy of that” he nodded towards the wooden tablet. “So, we have few choices in my opinion.”
“There are always choices” growled Cincinnatus.
Javenoli smiled. “Indeed, there are, and how we progress will depend on what choices we make.”
Cincinnatus edged back on his seat and looked across at Javenoli. “You’ve clearly had time to think through options Gaius, so tell me what you’re thinking.”
“I considered paying an assassin to deal with him” he shrugged “but I think that his foolish plans could offer some opportunities for us” he added. Cincinnatus cocked his head with a questioning look. He continued. “I also considered paying him off and taking a larger share of the profits, but as you will know, once we pay him he is in the perfect position to blackmail us and continue to profit from our efforts. So, we have a dilemma.” Cincinnatus turned a pained expression towards Javenoli as if this was all too clear. “Killing him will put the Manlii clans against us, paying him will, potentially, lead to blackmail. We must also take note of these followers he has amassed, several hundred from what I hear.”
“So what? All plebeians, and all just as likely to follow whoever puts grain in their bellies” snapped Cincinnatus.
“But all ready to throw themselves against the state, and with our armies out in the field and only the old men guarding the gate?” he posed the question and watched Cincinnatus’ face closely for any sign. “Don’t forget, Titus, that most of those old men have served with Capitolinus, many of them frequent his house and think he is beloved of Jupiter, greatest and best of the gods. The people love him for saving the Capitol against the barbarians.” This made Cincinnatus bite his lip, and Javenoli noticed the change in his eyes at the words. “Yes, you know it as much as I do. These latest portents say that Jupiter is angry, that he wishes to see his laws followed by his special followers. Capitolinus is now using these predictions to make people fear him and to ensure that no harm comes to him. We must be careful how we tread, Titus.”
“So what do you suggest?” Cincinnatus asked as he looked into his empty wine goblet and replaced it on the table. “It seems that the gods truly do favour Capitolinus. He has men on the roads to kill any trade, he has fingers in our business deals and he seems to have hundreds of followers who would drop on their swords at the merest hint of his death” he scoffed.
Javenoli stood and poured a small measure of wine into the goblet, receiving a nod from his guest. Sitting, he turned his gaze back to Cincinnatus. “Do you remember the day that the Gauls attacked the Capitol?”
“I’ll never forget it” replied the senator as he tapped his right forearm three times and looked to the skies momentarily.
Javenoli suppressed a smile. “More happened that night than anyone has ever been told” he said as he now leant forwards and re-filled his own goblet. “Do you remember when the first attacks came?”
“Of course I do.”
“Then you will remember two men fighting those hordes of barbarians. Two men Titus, not one.” He sat back.
Cincinnatus frowned and looked puzzled for a moment. “You were one of the first there, Gaius. I didn’t see anyone else.” Javenoli smiled and allowed his head to dip in acknowledgement as Cincinnatus looked puzzled momentarily. “Are you saying that you were there with Capitolinus when they attacked?” His eyes darkened as he looked at Javenoli questioningly. “Then you…”
Javenoli smiled benevolently.
“Are you saying that” blustered Cincinnatus as he sat forwards in his chair, his eyes wide. “Are you saying” he repeated “that Jupiter could be smiling on you and not Capitolinus?” He reached forward and took a large mouthful of the wine as his eyes burrowed into Javenoli, who, in turn, sat back and turned his head with a knowing smile.
“On that night, Titus, I had a dream that the chariot of Jupiter himself had passed over the hill, the wheels rattling enough to wake me from my slumber. I felt compelled to go to the Tarpeian Rock. I saw the dogs asleep on their beds and I saw the guards huddled around their fires, I guessed they were awake” he looked up with watery eyes and his mouth tightened into a grimace at the thought of the sleeping guards. “Then I heard a noise. It was Capitolinus, walking the path with his head bowed low. You
know we had struck up a friendship. Of sorts” he added with a pained expression. “I took him across to sit on the low wall along the Rock, next to the altar” he nodded as Cincinnatus showed his understanding. “It was I, Titus. I had been awakened. I took Manlius Capitolinus to the Rock, and it was I that saw the first helmet of a Gaul appear over the rise. It was I that cast that first rock at them. I launched the first spear as Capitolinus, a younger man and more able than me” he raised his fleshy arms and looked sorrowfully at them as he spoke “set to launching any rocks he could grab at the attackers. I called for help. I stood toe to toe with Capitolinus as he fought them off, Titus. May Jupiter strike me down now if I lie” he added dramatically as Cincinnatus nervously held his breath in expectation of a sign from the gods. Javenoli bowed his head. “These latest portents from the gods have made me consider if it is truly Capitolinus on whom Jupiter is smiling” he added.
Cincinnatus stood, his eyes suddenly roving the room. “Why did you give him the name Capitolinus, why the sacred geese and the title? Why?” he asked.
“I… I’m not sure. The man convinced me, Titus. He convinced me that Jupiter was speaking through him. I believed him.” He looked up slowly. “He is persuasive Titus, that is why he has gained so many followers” he added quietly.
Cincinnatus stared at Javenoli for a moment. “But his luck? His advancement?” he asked with a shrug. “Surely it shows how the gods have smiled on him, how Jupiter has chosen him?”
Javenoli shook his head, his eyes became brighter as he leant forwards and placed his splayed fingers on the table, touching the waxed tablet he’d handed to Cincinnatus when he arrived. “Every deal that Capitolinus has done, he has done through me.” He let this information settle before he spoke again, fixing Cincinnatus with a smile. “I have risen to Pontifex. I have grown my business dealing ten-fold since the Gallic invasion. These recent auspices have been sent to me, not Capitolinus. His business dealings are suffering, his glory only grows where my influence sits beside his. Our business dealings grow, Titus. Our plans grow. Capitolinus hangs to the tails of my robes like a child. His star is no longer shining, Titus.” Javenoli started to smile. “Gods, I’ve even found a woman who loves me” he added with a laugh “surely that is the will of a god who loves me more than any other man.”
Cincinnatus sat awestruck, his mouth open.
“So, you see why I believe we should pay him off, Titus. If I am right his luck will diminish as he disconnects from our dealings. With time he will self-destruct, and all his followers will be ripe for the picking.” He sipped from his goblet and nodded towards the wax tablet. “If he threatens blackmail as his star dies” he shrugged “then he will be easier to dispose of when his followers no longer trust that Jupiter smiles on him.”
Cincinnatus looked across at Javenoli in silence for a moment before he spoke. “This latest information comes as a surprise, Gaius. A shock, even” he added as he twisted a jewelled ring on his little finger. “And you say we can profit from it?”
“Oh yes, we can profit from it very, very handsomely” he replied as he refilled Cincinnatus’ goblet.
************
Chapter 21
Pompeia gripped his hand tightly as Javenoli laughed again as he told her of Cincinnatus’ startled look when he had relayed his tale to him. Her hand brushed his eyebrows, searching for long, thick, hairs she could pluck. He gazed at her lovingly and stopped talking.
“Maybe it is true” he said slowly as he caressed her naked hip, feeling the soft skin and drinking in her beauty. “Maybe Jupiter has given me his blessing.”
She looked at him playfully before speaking. “Or maybe you were in the right place at the right time.”
“The luck of Fortuna that Camillus talks of?” smiled Javenoli. Her shoulders rose and fell in reply.
“His wife believes that the fortunes of men are bound to female gods. Her husband is devoted to his Fortuna and her sister gods. She talks of nothing else. If I’d spent any longer with her I’d have had to tie myself into a sack and throw myself in the river.” Javenoli laughed as he slapped her thigh.
“And what of Mars? The man is a warmonger if ever I met one and is devoted to the god of war.”
“Ah” she replied. “Mars is only counted when there are wars or when the seeds are sown. You know how it is with men, they only have one job at a time” she grinned as Javenoli lay back and laughed aloud. Rolling onto her stomach and moving close to him she asked, “and so is Cincinnatus now confirmed in our schemes with the local tribes?”
“Oh yes” replied Javenoli. “He’s sending fifty pounds of gold for Capitolinus’ payment as well as a hundred for our joint dealings. Of course, the fifty will give Capitolinus what he wanted originally” he shrugged “and the rest, well, we’ll add it to our own joint funds and see if we can triple it by the end of the year.”
Pompeia nodded at this, “then removing his envoys was a good move and putting the blame on Capitolinus has served us well” she said. “My men have been to Privernum and it would seem that they are also interested in further trade, meat and leather goods for the most part, but they are also interested in protecting their future.”
Javenoli nodded at her words. “Then we will truly have to defeat the Hernici to confirm that route.”
“You seemed confident that Camillus will do it.”
“I am” he replied. “Yet I fear that Capitolinus’ outburst has set wheels in motion to which I do not know the outcome. My plan was to develop fear in Camillus and steer him towards using his undoubted skills to remove all our local enemies in the name of the Republic so that I could buy out as much land as possible to sell for expansion. However, Capitolinus has changed things with his plan to develop his own political career.”
“And these Aetius brothers and their ships? Has Camillus some plan here which we do not understand?” she asked.
Javenoli pursed his lips. “The city grows. People need feeding and ships will be needed. I’ve discussed trade routes with the Aetii clan and done a small deal in timber with them” he shrugged. “I’ve also discussed options with Cincinnatus and Iulius on this and we all feel that this move is to support the populace and not advance his political power.”
“His son will reach manhood soon, it will be more votes for office for him.”
Javenoli smiled again. “You are a wily fox my love” he said with affection. “And you are correct. I’ve already sent young Lucius an invitation to look at roles in the palace, to see how he progresses, advise on his career” he smiled again.
Pompeia half-laughed. “You remain half a step ahead.” She bustled to her feet, grabbing a robe and wrapping it loosely around her shoulders. “I remain concerned about Capitolinus. He worries me. Well his plans worry me” she added with a deep furrow in her brows. “Vispania wishes to return, but I’ve sent her to my house to keep her away from him, it could get difficult if she is there every day and sees things changing between you and her husband.” She looked at him with sad eyes, “I don’t want her to get hurt in all this” she added.
“I understand. I fear her husband may cause us all manner of problems in the future. We will have to keep a close eye on him. I’ve sown the seed with Cincinnatus now and will await any further updates from him as well. If he does create an army of followers, then we will need to dismantle them, we cannot afford to have a hydra amongst us” he added. “Capitolinus will soon realise that breaking his alliance with me will cause him more trouble than he ever dreamed of.”
**********
“Capitolinus was wrong” Marcus said matter-of-factly as his officers stared at him from their positions on the far side of the campaign table upon which were set the maps for the coming day. Small blocks, cut into the shapes of horses or foot soldiers, were spaced across the crudely drawn map. “His informants, whoever they were, got it wrong. The readings were mixed at best and confusing at worst. You know how it is gentlemen, hindsight is a wonderful thing and in a month’s tim
e we will all look back and understand these messages from the gods for their true meaning.” Heads turned, and eyebrows rose.
“But the bad omens” Brevo answered fearfully.
“What bad omens?” Marcus said sharply, grinding his teeth. “Priests who do not know their rites and ceremonies? Foolish serving boys who’ve been taking too much wine with their water?” he added as he stood and let his eyes burrow into those of the men around him. “I’ve sent them home as you wanted” he turned an angry glare to Narcius. “There are no bad omens gentlemen” he said loudly with a final stare at Brevo.
“But the horses?” Brevo winced as he said it, but others nodded and mumbled agreement. The scouts had returned before dawn and told a tale of woe as three horses had broken their legs overnight, their carcasses left out in the fields.
“There are no bad omens” Marcus repeated slowly. “Here” he tapped the table “is where the gods support us, and here, gentlemen, is where we will prove to the men that our iron is stronger than their superstitions.” Officers shuffled their feet nervously but remained silent. “Now, back to the discussion” he snapped. The tent flap moved aside and Valerius stepped in, his face drawn and pinched.
“Apologies, Sir” he said formally. “I went to see the enemy lines as you asked” he started to say as a cup was thrust into his hand and he drank noisily.
“Good” replied Marcus as he motioned for Valerius to join him at the table. “Let us start by confirming that the devotions this morning have been completed accurately” he said as he turned to the small table at the rear when two candles burned slowly, and three small silver bowls sat in front of a small copper statue of Mars, his spear cast in iron and contrasting sharply with the polished copper figurine. He turned a grim face towards the centurionate, who again shuffled under his glare. “Everything is in order” he added. “Valerius, please report your findings” he said as he sat on his backless chair and folded his arms across his chest.
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