The King of Rome

by Francis Mulhern

  “Has the time come for you to find someone to lord it over the patricians, to remove your debts and claim your rights? Dictatorships and consulships must be levelled to the ground for the plebeians to raise your heads and be equal citizens. You know this” he said as he turned to look into the eyes of the men in the room. “You must take your places in the forum and denounce the debts that crush you under the heel of the patricians, like ants in the street. I will stand with you, a plebeian like yourselves, all former rights as a patrician denounced. I pronounce myself the patron of the plebs, a title which my care and fidelity for you has surely deserved. A title for which I was imprisoned, but with your help returned a free man in the eyes of Jupiter himself” he added. “If you prefer to honour your designated leader with any other title or honour of command which you feel may make him a more powerful instrument for attaining your desires, then I will, humbly accept this as you wish.” As he finished a loud knock was heard at the door, all heads turning to see what the sudden commotion was.

  The door opened to a man who stood framed in the light, his face masked with fear. “Commander” he said urgently. Capitolinus turned abruptly, wishing he’d chosen a stronger phrase for the dramatic interruption, “the patricians are taking away our hero from Satricum, chaining him and removing his freedom. Help, lord, help our fellow plebeian. Remove him from his bonds” he pleaded.

  Capitolinus thundered towards the door, his chest swelling as he called “As I lead, will you follow me, my people? As your leader I will challenge these patricians, I will champion your cause against these despots. You will see that I have Jupiter’s strength and will not fail you.”

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  Chapter 38

  Cincinnatus waved the tablet containing the laws of the twelve tables above his head as he strode along behind the retinue of slaves and tax-collectors who forced Brevo along the street towards the Forum, his arms chained behind his back. One of the retinue called out the laws as he walked, his voice clearly stating which of the laws that Brevo had broken, berating him for his debts, for letting his family suffer by his poor leadership. He also called out to he crowd that his captor had every right, under the law, to treat him as a slave from this point forwards. Brevo stumbled as he walked, his hands tied to heavy chains which were dramatically wrapped across his shoulders, the rusty iron leaving red-brown stains on his shoulders as he was led towards his new life of slavery. According to the laws he had to be paraded to the Forum and declared bankrupt and confirm that he was allowing himself to be made a slave in reparation of his unpaid debts for the full power of the law to take hold. Cincinnatus grinned as he wandered along with the tablet held high above his head. Brevo stared at the floor, his breath rattling as tears fell from his eyes.

  People waved angry fists at Brevo, denouncing him for getting into such debt and calling him a fool to his face. He attempted to ignore them. As he stumbled over a slippery flagstone he glanced up and caught a glimpse of Crastinus in the crowd, the anger in the centurion’s face clear for all to see, as if he was a Volscan who’d been captured at Satricum. He hung his head in shame, all thoughts of blaming the centurion gone from his mind as he contemplated the life he was to live and the horrors he, and his family, would now be put through by that bastard Cincinnatus.

  “Wait” called a voice as he passed around the final corner towards the Forum, which lay along the inclined main road ahead of him, the Capitol Hill looming to his right. He looked up and saw a commotion ahead, figures pushing through the crowd as voices rose in anger, and then started to cheer. He frowned, not knowing what turn of events was coming next. Cincinnatus appeared from his left and shoved through to the place where the procession had been halted by a crowd of on-lookers who barred the road.

  “What is this?” shouted Cincinnatus, his anger rising as he saw the brown tunics of the men blocking the road. “Get out of my way, I am a Consular Tribune and I have here a man who has sold himself to me for his debts” he called with a wave at Brevo. The men in the front row of the crowd grinned back at him as if they thought his words were ridiculous and irrelevant. “Move them” he called to his own men, their faces turning toward him and showing some fear as the crowd facing them now numbered hundreds. “Now” he screamed, spit covering those closest to him as his eyes bulged.

  One of the guards turned and raised a club, his lips tight as a drum as he grunted for the crowd to move aside. A stone smashed into his face above his left eye, his club dropped as he fell to one knee. Instantly the crowd moved forward, men grabbing at the guards as Brevo looked up incredulously, his eyes searching the vast crowd. Who was saving him? Why?

  “Stop this” yelled Cincinnatus. “This is the law; this man owes me…” his words disappeared as the noise of the crowd drowned his voice.

  “Stop this, stop this at once” called another voice, louder and firmer than that of Cincinnatus. “I am your leader, I am the patron of the plebs” boomed the voice of Marcus Manlius Capitolinus as he strode through the crowd towards Brevo and Cincinnatus. “What is happening here?” he called as he pushed aside people who had gotten in his way, others moving quickly to avoid his ire.

  Cincinnatus stared with loathing at the new arrival, his face full of anger. “Move aside Manlius” he called as he ground his teeth and lowered his chin to stare at Capitolinus. “The law must be fulfilled; this man is now my slave” he called.

  Capitolinus came to a halt a foot in front of Cincinnatus and placed his hands on his hips, looking at Brevo in his chains. “Jupiter Optimus Maximus, and Queens Juno and Minerva, and all the gods and goddesses that dwell on the Capitol” he called as he looked up at Cincinnatus. The crowd grew silent, the wind suddenly whipping along the road and causing people to shiver as they stared at Capitolinus, the effect truly chilling. “Here is a man who you have given your blessing. A hero” he said as he stepped up to Brevo and looked him in the eye. “How has he come to this” he called loudly, his out-stretched hand silencing Brevo, who appeared to want to reply. “Because of the debts imposed by the patrician class, that is how” bellowed Capitolinus as Cincinnatus stepped in-between him and his new, chained, slave.

  “No” called Cincinnatus. “The laws the law, this man cannot repay his debts…”

  “Did this right-hand slay our attackers on the Capitol Hill to, now, see a true hero, like myself, suffer at the hands of his oppressors? This man is a true son of Rome, a hero. How many of you have heard of his selfless deeds at the gates of Satricum?”

  “That’s irrelevant, he has a debt in the law….” Started Cincinnatus, but shouts had already begun in the crowd, some cheering for Brevo’s deeds of selflessness at Satricum.

  Capitolinus moved across Cincinnatus and continued his speech, his face turning to the crowd who were shouting Brevo’s name. “How has Rome allowed our hero to be bound and chained” he pointed at Brevo, whose head slumped to his chest. “Treated like a dog because his debt was called-in whilst he was away fighting for your lives. You” he pointed at a scrawny man, his long nose twisted from some injury years before. “How have you let this happen?” The man’s head twisted as he stared at the crowd, then back to his accuser, his hands coming to his mouth as he struggled for words. “I’ll tell you how” shouted Capitolinus to immeasurable relief from the man who was cowering in front of him. “Because the patricians tell you it’s the law. What law allows a man who is fighting for his city, for his family, for your family” he said, now staring at the same man, who was nodding vigorously. “What law allows a man such as this to call-in a debt when a true Roman is fighting for his life against our true enemies. Who is the enemy here?” he shouted, turning back to a red-faced Cincinnatus. Regullus stepped forwards and bared his teeth at Capitolinus.

  “This man owes me a debt” shouted Cincinnatus, waving the wax tablet in the air and turning to face the scrawny man, who had started to yell that the debt was false and shouldn’t be allowed. The crowd joined him in berating the Tribune, who seemed lost for w
ords at the sudden change in events and the angry mob surrounding him.

  “What debt does this man owe?” Capitolinus called, his voice now firm but measured.

  Cincinnatus swallowed, his face frowning. “What?”

  “What debt does this soldier owe? It’s a simple question” replied Capitolinus firmly.

  “Three thousand As’s” came the reply as Brevo winced at the money he owed and the crowd collectively sucked in a breath at the size of the debt.

  Capitolinus turned to the crowd. “People of Rome” he said, his head lowered as he spoke. “It is a terrible day when our own freeborn soldiers, men who have given their blood for every man here today, are called to account for money. This poor man, a hero, has been kicked to the floor, bound in chains and crushed under the boots of debt.” He looked at Brevo, then back to the crowd, his right arm rising. “I know how that feels” he said with some feeling. “Chained.” He stared at his right hand as he brought it down to his chest. “Did I, your patron, stand on the Capitol Hill and fight the barbarians for this?” he waved at Brevo.

  “This is ridiculous” called Cincinnatus moving to shove Capitolinus out of the way.

  The plebeian leader side-stepped his arm with ease. “Here” he called as Sicinius appeared with a large leather bag. “I am your patron, people of Rome. I am you father. I saved you all on the Capitol Hill and I will save this individual as Jupiter has asked me to do.” He took the bag from Sicinius and turned to drop it to the floor at Cincinatus’ feet, the coins clunking as it hit the stone. “The law has not been completed and it is within this man’s right to call his friends to free him from his debts” he shouted, a smile coming to his lips. “There is your blood money, Senator” he said with disgust. “This hero is now freed, his debts paid. You no longer have any ownership over the man. As I saved the Capitol and saved Rome, I save this man from your greed.”

  “You can’t do this” shouted Cincinnatus, his eyes bulging as the crowd roared out a cheer, hands pushing forwards to grab at Brevo’s chains. Regullus was man-handled until he handed over the keys to the locks which bound the soldier.

  “The law is the law, Senator” shouted Capitolinus over the noise of the crowd. “You said it yourself. Until you have claimed the rights of the twelve tables in the Forum the man can still be freed. I have saved you from the power of the people who were blocking your path, and I have saved this man from his debts. Jupiter wished it to be so” he announced as the people around them began to chant Jupiter’s and Capitolinus’ names.

  “You can’t do this” shouted Cincinnatus in anger.

  “The laws the law” called Capitolinus as he placed a hand on the shoulder of Brevo, who had tears running down his cheeks. “This man and his lands are now returned to him and his family, he is a free man.” At this the crowd surged forwards and Regullus was pushed into Cincinnatus, knocking him to the floor and causing the senator to swear loudly.

  Capitolinus turned and placed an arm across Brevo’s shoulder. “Come, Brevo. It’s time to return you to the lands that are yours. Your family await” he said as he led the soldier away into the crowd who cheered even more vociferously as they moved away towards the Forum.

  “You won’t get away with this” shouted Cincinnatus, suddenly realising that the bag of bronze was now lying on the floor and several hands were pulling at it as two of Regullus’ men fought to hang on to the coins. He scrambled to his feet, pushing aside the crowd who loomed over him. “Regullus…” shouted Cincinnatus as he pointed at the fracas over the leather bag. The tax collector waded into the crowd and starting to land blows to any hands, arms and heads that were within his range.

  Brevo saw a blur whip past overhead, the unmistakable noise he’d heard so many times in battle. A noise that put a cold fear into the pit of his stomach and made him flinch, even though the blur was at the very edge of his vision and nowhere near him. He whipped his head around quickly to follow the direction of the black streak that had caused his sudden movement. He stared, his head turning this way and that, where, what? He heard a scream from somewhere behind in the crowd, a sudden guttural wrenching noise that he knew only too well. He rose to his tip-toes, grabbing the shoulder of the man next to him as he stretched his neck to see if his instincts were right. The crowd near Cincinnatus had suddenly stopped swirling, their faces all turned towards the senator. Brevo clenched his teeth, his eyes narrowing as he felt a blaze of joy run through his veins. Cincinnatus stood, mouth wide, his eyes staring at his own guts where both hands were circling a thin wooden arrow, a red mass of blood starting to grow on his white robes, seeping through his fingers. His mouth worked but no noise came to Brevo’s ears. As the screams of the crowd began to resonate off the walls of the building around them Brevo turned his head back to where the arrow had come from, half expecting to see the man whom he’d bargained with, but of course there was no sign of the assassin. He turned to Capitolinus and floods of tears ran down his face.

  Not understanding what had happened to Cincinnatus, Capitolinus hugged the man and whispered to him “You are free now, Brevo. I have repaid your debt and you are free. Jupiter and I will look after you, all you have to do is tell everyone how I have saved you and the gods will favour you.”

  As he spoke, Menenius looked back at the crowd behind as panic suddenly broke out and people began to scatter, men and women pushing and shoving to get away from something which had happened. He tried to move aside but struggled to find a way to release himself from the thrust of the crowd which carried him away from whatever had happened. He continued to be swept along by the tide of people as they followed Capitolinus, but he kept looking over his shoulder to see what was happening, fear rising in his mind as he eventually spotted Cincinnatus on the floor covered in blood.

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  Chapter 39

  “Find him” shouted Javenoli. “It’s his arrow, he must be found, now! I can’t have him killing my friends.” The men all turned and set off towards the door as Javenoli thumped the desk. “I want him alive” he shouted at the retreating forms of the men he’d called to his room and given the order to find Istros.

  “Why has he done this?” asked Pompeia, her deep blue dress wrapped tightly around her body, a thick blue shawl over her shoulders. “He seemed so loyal” she suggested.

  “Money” snapped Javenoli, his sudden anger abating as he looked back at her and his face softened. “Sorry, my love. I didn’t mean to snap” he offered as he took her hand and kissed it.

  “Still, though. Why?” she half-asked as she frowned.

  Javenoli didn’t reply, he simply sat on the end of the couch on which she reclined and sighed deeply. “Capitolinus has claimed no knowledge of the killing, and the senate have bought it. There’s no proof he had anything to do with it. As for why” he shrugged as he stared at the wall across the room, not really looking at anything. “I’ve lost a lot due to his death, half of his stores weren’t known to me and his sons are denying any knowledge of his business deals.” He sighed again. “When I find that turncoat…” he started to say but was cut off by a slave knocking at the door. “Come” he said loudly without looking up, his eyes now fixed on the floor.

  Pompeia put a hand on his shoulder and smiled at him. “Then we need to move quickly to follow the sons and check that they’re telling the truth” she said. “If they’re the same as their father they’ll run straight to the goods and either check that they are safe or try to move them.”

  Javenoli nodded, “Yes, I have some men watching them” he smiled. He turned to the door as a slave entered, his head bowed as he spoke.

  “Marcus Furius Camillus has called to speak to you, master.”

  Both Pompeia and Javenoli glanced to each other with surprised looks before Javenoli nodded to the slave and waved him to bring their guest to them.

  “Marcus” Javenoli said, with a forced smile as he entered the room.

  “Gaius, Pompeia” replied Marcus as he stepped forwards and shook h
ands, nodding to Pompeia.

  “I have some weaving to finish, gentlemen” said Pompeia quietly as she moved from the couch and started to leave.

  “Don’t leave on my account” Marcus said, his glance to Javenoli suggesting that was exactly what he had hoped for as soon as he had seen her with Javenoli, and that he wished to speak to the Pontiff alone.

  “You’re welcome to join me for a spot of weaving” she replied with a wry smile as she kissed Javenoli on the cheek and departed.

  Marcus chuckled as she left and raised his eyes to Javenoli. “A rare woman, and looking very well” he said, to which Javenoli inclined his head and motioned towards some seats which were facing the fire at the rear of the room, the flames sending out copious amounts of heat.

  “Drink?” The Pontiff took two silver cups from a cabinet and placed them on the table between two chairs. Marcus nodded and settled into one of the chairs, his eyes drawn to the fire.

  “This is an unexpected pleasure” Javenoli said as he poured two cups of red wine.

  Marcus linked his fingers and placed his elbows on his knees as he sat forwards. “I’ll come straight to the point, Gaius. There are a few of us who feel that Capitolinus and his followers are becoming a a bigger problem for the state than we expected. His release seems to have caused more people to flock to him, and now this death” he shook his head. “We think this is a problem that needs a quick solution. The more he speaks to the plebeians the more they cause trouble in the streets, at the forum and even in the temples.” Javenoli inclined his head again, this time suggesting Marcus continued. He handed across a cup, which was taken and sipped.