by Nick Brown
‘What’s your name?’ asked Cassius.
‘Fundanus.’
‘Open up, Master Fundanus. Swiftly now.’
As he did so, the Syrian cast anxious glances at the street.
Once they were inside, Cassius gestured to the door.
Fundanus stopped just before reaching it. ‘I do not appreciate being threatened.’
‘Not many people do.’
‘What is your name?’
‘You don’t need to know that. Let’s hurry this along.’
They halted inside the atrium, which was tidy and clean, if rather bare. Below the skylight was a circular basin devoid of water.
‘Who was that at the …’ The mistress of the house walked in. Considering her behaviour and the fact that her husband was so exceptionally unexceptional, Cassius had been expecting some sharp-faced bitch, but the wife was actually rather pretty. She frowned at him.
‘This man wishes to buy Mahalie,’ said Fundanus.
Coins chinked as Simo lowered the saddlebags to the floor.
‘How much?’ said Cassius.
‘Why do you want her?’ asked the woman.
‘Remember the man on the street?’ said Fundanus as he went to stand by his wife. ‘The officer’s bodyguard. He wants to buy her.’
She absorbed this, then looked at the bags. ‘Two thousand.’
‘Let’s be realistic,’ said Cassius. ‘I had my man here check the prices at the market this morning. Unless she’s literate one thousand two hundred is a fair sum.’
‘Two,’ said Fundanus.
‘One and a half,’ said Cassius. The charade would be more convincing if he conducted a proper negotiation.
The wife said, ‘One and three-quarters and you can take her right now.’
‘Oh, she’s coming now, don’t worry about that. One thousand six hundred is my final offer. You must also pass on the correct documentation.’ He offered his hand to Fundanus, who waited until he got a nod from his wife before shaking it.
‘Start counting it out, Simo. Now, where is she?’
The wife walked out of the atrium. Cassius watched Simo retrieve the money bags and place them on a table in rows.
Fundanus said quietly, ‘If he wants her for his whore he’ll be disappointed. She’s no fun at all, that one.’
‘Actually I believe he just wants to get her away from you two. You cut her, is that right?’
Fundanus shrugged. ‘She is ours.’
‘Was.’
The Syrian turned his attention to Simo. ‘How much in each bag?’
‘One hundred,’ said the attendant.
The wife returned, pushing Mahalie ahead of her, one hand on her neck. The girl had a rather plain face and looked very thin but Cassius could see why Indavara found her appealing. She seemed the sort who would never wish harm upon another, who needed protection. They had made a real mess of her hair, and Cassius noted that her tunic was done up to the top, despite the heat.
‘Hello, Mahalie,’ he said. ‘I am a friend of Indavara’s. I have just purchased you but I have no intention of keeping you as a slave. It will take a few days to process the appropriate paperwork but you are now, to all intents and purposes, a freedwoman.’
Mahalie stared at him, then her master, then her mistress.
‘She’s a dopey cow,’ said the wife. ‘I’m glad to be rid of her.’ She shoved Mahalie forward and the girl just stood there, hands resting on the water basin.
Having finished counting out the money, Simo walked over to her. ‘What my master says is true. Would you like to get your things?’
‘Go on, then,’ yelled the wife.
Mahalie ran over to what Cassius assumed to be a cupboard in one corner of the atrium. She pulled back the curtain and he saw that it was in fact a tiny room, complete with a bedroll and a few belongings. She crawled inside and began collecting her things together, then stopped suddenly and began sobbing. Simo hurried over and helped her gather her possessions in a blanket.
‘Thank the gods she’s leaving,’ said the wife. ‘I’ll never have to listen to that bloody noise again.’
Her husband had been counting the bags. ‘It’s all there.’
Cassius caught Simo’s eye and jutted his jaw towards the door. Mahalie was shaking so much that she couldn’t tie the bundle. Simo did it for her and coaxed her out of the atrium.
Fundanus leered at the money bags.
Cassius wished he would be around for the moment when the sergeants arrived. Diadromes had been happy to cooperate. He would wait for Cassius to leave then dispatch Cosmas to the house, acting on a ‘tip-off’ about counterfeit currency. At a later date Fundanus would be informed that no progress had been made with tracing the man who had posed as an army officer. The confiscated coins would of course have to be melted down.
The husband and wife exchanged a gleeful smile.
‘Happy?’ said Cassius.
‘We visited the temple last night,’ said Fundanus. ‘We asked for good fortune. I did not expect it to arrive so swiftly.’
‘I wouldn’t ascribe this to the intervention of the gods,’ replied Cassius. ‘They seldom heed the good and the noble, so I doubt very much if they would listen to the likes of you.’
‘You should leave,’ said the wife.
‘Fear not, I have no wish to remain in your company a moment longer.’
They found a decent tavern several streets away and a well-shaded bench in the courtyard. Corbulo ordered a jug of half and half and Simo poured each of them a mug. Mahalie’s belongings were placed on a nearby chair; she seemed unable to take her eyes off them. Indavara had tried to get her to talk but neither he nor Corbulo had made any progress. When the maid came out to take orders, Simo asked what Mahalie wanted and she at least managed to nod when he suggested soup.
Indavara would have liked to reach across and take her hand, tell her everything would be all right, but he had no idea what she would do. It was hard to tell if she was even happy.
‘Well,’ said Corbulo. ‘I suppose we should discuss the future. What would you like to do now, Mahalie?’
She looked at him and chewed her bottom lip.
‘You have a sister in Antioch?’ said Indavara. ‘Isn’t that right?’
‘Well, that’s something,’ said Corbulo. ‘Although I don’t suppose we’ll have time to take you up there ourselves.’
Indavara still held out hope for a few weeks in Berytus but he knew that would just make it harder to leave.
‘My father could help – perhaps come and get her,’ offered Simo.
‘Good idea,’ said Corbulo. He drank from his mug. ‘Mmm. Not bad. Really not bad.’
The bitter wine and water seemed only to make Indavara’s throat even drier.
Mahalie looked down at the table; at the holed, grimy timbers.
‘Is this a dream?’
Now Indavara was the one who couldn’t speak. He remembered his first day of freedom; wandering the streets of Pietas Julia wearing only his torn, bloodied tunic. Eventually he’d had to hide from the curious people, most of whom had just witnessed his triumphant escape from the arena. At nightfall he took himself down to the river to clean his wounds then fell asleep under a tree. When he awoke there, he thought he was dreaming. Except that he could see the very place from which he had escaped. And he could touch the soft grass beneath his fingers and hear water flowing close by. It was real.
Simo put a hand on the girl’s arm. ‘No, Mahalie. This is no dream. You are free.’
She said the word as if it was the first she had ever spoken. ‘Free.’
‘I wonder where they are now.’ Cassius was sitting at the table, resting his head on his hands, watching Simo cook dinner.
‘Indavara and Mahalie, sir?’
‘No, this brother and sister.’
Having left Indavara to find Mahalie somewhere to stay, Cassius and Simo had called in at headquarters, where Cosmas had reported the results of his initial interviews with
the villa staff. Cassius knew he should have conducted them himself but he’d found the prospect too depressing.
‘The man was named Alexon, the woman Amathea, the old bastard who Kallikres killed – Skiron. The others were all hired here in Antioch and, despite having lived with them for several months, seem to know precious little about them. I shall pass on the details to Abascantius and the treasury but I don’t hold out much hope. And they still have the dies. Marcellinus will not be impressed.’
‘Don’t be too hard on yourself, sir. You stopped their operation here in Berytus and I’m sure they’d think twice about trying it again.’
‘Hopefully. Gods, if Indavara hadn’t taken his trip to that dump, I’d still be flailing around in the dark.’
‘That letter you were given, sir, was it from Master Quentin?’
‘Yes. He’ll be here in the morning. Has his own reports to compile, I suppose.’
Cassius looked at Simo’s broad back as the attendant tipped some spices into the pot and stirred them into the beef stew. It was one of Cassius’s favourites, a Gaulish family recipe with leeks and mushrooms. Simo wasn’t humming as he usually did when he cooked; he had been quiet since the morning.
‘Quite a moment, wasn’t it?’
‘Sir?’
‘When the poor girl understood that it was really happening.’
‘It was, sir.’
‘Two years, I pledge it. We will both be free.’
‘I do not long for it, sir. My only wish is to lead a good life, whether I am a slave or not.’
‘That will be easier if you are free. We both know that.’
Simo smiled then took some more herbs from a little basket and chopped them on a block.
‘Do you know I swear I can still smell that settling basin?’
‘You smell fine, sir. But perhaps a trip to the baths tomorrow?’
‘Oh, certainly.’ Cassius put a finger up his nose. Increasingly painful scabs had formed in both nostrils. ‘I’ve definitely caught something. You’ll have to find me a treatment, Simo.’
‘I will look into it first thing tomorrow, sir.’
‘Indavara is fine, of course. Tell me, have you ever known him to be ill? The man has not only the strength of an ox but the constitution.’
‘He does seem blessed with good health, sir.’
‘I wonder if we’ll hear anything from the Service man in Siscia – I would be fascinated to know where Indavara came from. He must have been a warrior, we can assume that at least.’
Simo threw the rest of the herbs into the pot and turned around. ‘The woman he remembered after hearing the song, sir – it could have been his mother. He might have an entire family waiting for him somewhere.’
‘When the time comes we shall do all we can to help him get home. Agreed?’
‘Yes, sir, I think—’
‘Gods!’
The knock on the door startled Cassius, even though there had already been two earlier that evening – canvassers wanting to know who the inhabitants would be voting for in the upcoming election. Both visitors had been supporting Diadromes.
‘Get rid of them, would you, Simo.’
The Gaul took the spoon out of the stew and laid it beside the griddle.
‘But check the spyhole before you open up.’
‘Yes, sir.’
Indavara and Mahalie walked out of the inn and on to the street.
He looked back at the place. It was small but orderly and clean, with hanging baskets outside and nice balconies for the rooms. He had rented Mahalie’s for a week and paid in advance. It was on the first floor and close to the owner’s quarters. They were a middle-aged couple; Indavara wanted a place with a woman and it had taken a while to find one.
‘Will you be all right here?’
‘It seems very nice.’
He had watched Mahalie place her blanket of belongings on the bed then leave it untouched. Assuming that she didn’t want to unpack in front of him, he’d suggested a walk before he left. Corbulo was right; he had to keep his distance. They would be leaving soon.
‘Down to the sea?’
‘Yes.’
They were less than a hundred yards away and had only to follow the smell of fish and the squawking gulls. This area was west of the main harbour and contained many inns and taverns. Indavara hoped he could find his way back to the tower; it was at least a mile away.
They walked past women lighting lanterns and men returning from work. At the end of the street was a quay where fishermen were unloading their catch. They went to look at the contents of the baskets and saw fish, crabs and lobsters, only a few of which were still moving.
Indavara doubted if Mahalie had said more than ten things all day. He couldn’t think of much more to say himself so was almost relieved when a lad carrying a tray of cakes came past. For once he wasn’t hungry but he bought two and they ate them sitting on an upturned rowing boat.
‘Why did you help me?’ she asked when they had finished.
‘Just … I don’t know … because I could.’
Because no one helped me.
She wiped crumbs off her mouth. ‘You said you were a slave.’
‘A fighter. For six years. I won my freedom.’
‘I cannot repay you.’
‘Seeing you happy will be enough.’
And so she gave him a smile.
‘What about before?’ she asked. ‘Before you were a fighter? Where are you from?’
‘The sun is almost down. I must go. May I come and see you tomorrow?’
‘Of course,’ she said. ‘Please. I don’t know anyone else.’ She pushed her hair out of her eyes and looked out at the sea.
Thank you, my Fortuna. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Cassius got up and walked over to the door. ‘What do you mean, there’s no one there?’
Simo moved aside so he could look through the spyhole. Cassius couldn’t see much because of the fading light but there indeed seemed to be no one outside the door. He stepped back and exchanged a blank look with Simo.
Then came another knock.
‘Who is it?’
‘You are there, sir.’
Cassius checked the spyhole again. He could see two city sergeants armed with clubs and swords. They were standing too far back for him to see much of their faces.
‘Yes. Who are you?’
‘We were sent by Master Diadromes, sir. There has been an attack on the barracks – nothing too serious but he wanted to post us here just in case.’
Cassius reached for the top bolt, then hesitated. He looked through the spyhole again. ‘Have I met you two?’
‘You’ve met me, sir,’ said the second man. ‘It’s Vespilo.’
Cassius glanced at Simo then let out a sigh of relief. He unbolted the top, Simo did the bottom.
‘So what happened at the barracks?’
‘Some arrows were shot over the wall. No casualties.’ When Vespilo came forward, Cassius recognised his face.
‘Good. Any other problems?’
‘No, sir. It seems Deputy Diadromes is on top of things. Is your bodyguard around?’
‘No, but he’ll be back soon. Simo here will bring you out some stew when it’s done, how does that sound?’
‘Certainly smells good,’ said the other sergeant.
‘Tastes even better, I assure you.’
Vespilo gave a nod and the pair set off back down the path.
Cassius shut the door behind them.
He had no idea what time it was when he awoke. Inside and outside all was dark.
Simo was calling his name. He rolled out of bed and ambled to the top of the stairs. The Gaul was standing by the front door, holding a lamp.
‘What is it?’
‘Master Cosmas is outside, sir.’
‘Well, let him in.’
Clad only in his sleeping tunic, Cassius held on to the wall as he descended the stairs. By the time he reached the bottom, the sergeant was inside
.
Cosmas turned and looked back through the doorway. ‘Come inside, please. Come on!’
Cassius stood beside Simo as Cosmas pulled Mahalie in, then shut the door behind her.
‘What’s going on? Where’s Indavara?’
Mahalie reached out to Simo and clutched his hand.
‘One of our patrols found her wandering the streets.’ Cosmas put a hand on her shoulder. ‘Come on, girl. You must tell him what you told me.’
‘They … they took him.’
Cassius felt his entire body shiver. ‘What?’
‘We were walking back to the inn. They came out of nowhere. Six or seven at least. He fought them, told me to run. By the time I reached the inn and looked back they were gone. He was gone.’
‘She said they were all in black,’ added Cosmas. ‘Hoods. Not one of them said a word.’
Mahalie threw herself into Simo’s arms.
‘What will I do now?’ she wailed. ‘What will I do?’
The Gaul just stood there, comforting the girl, staring at his master.
‘Sir,’ said Cosmas, ‘I’ve got a squad out there now. I’ve alerted all the sentries at the gates, we will do everything we …’
Cassius heard nothing more. He walked away and sat down on the stairs.
They were never after me.
They were after him.
Historical Note
As usual, I thought it appropriate to mention a few of the historical issues featured within the story.
It was indeed the case that after defeating the Palmyrans for a second time in 273 AD, Aurelian turned his attention to his enemies in Egypt. It is thought that the leader of the revolt there was a wealthy merchant named Firmus. The precise nature of the rebellion remains unclear, though we do know that widespread damage was caused in Alexandria and elsewhere. Aurelian dealt with the unrest swiftly before returning to Rome.
Readers of The Imperial Banner will recall the first appearance of Marshal Marcellinus. Aurelian did entrust the command of the East to a man of this name, though we know almost nothing about him.
The background to the Emperor’s issue of coins was one of debasement and rampant inflation. Although the information about the XX mark is historically accurate (the majority view being that this signified a five per cent silver content), the code actually featured on the antoninianus – a coin worth two denarii. These had been in circulation for some time but I used the denarii for the sake of clarity and series consistency.
