Dark Omens

by Rosemary Rowe

  Lucius barked with laughter. ‘Pleased enough to let you keep the one he’d lent to you – until this search is over, anyway.’ He jerked his head at Adonisius and said, addressing me, ‘Of course, there is no risk. This slave is a considerable horseman, citizen. Genialis used him as a mounted page.’ He raised a brow at me. ‘Among other things, I understand.’

  I ignored the innuendo. ‘And yet Genialis set off riding on his own, when he left the villa? That was a little strange?’

  Adonisius gave a courtly little bow. ‘I was surprised myself. I was making ready to accompany him, in fact, but he said that he had private matters to attend to and he wished to go alone.’

  ‘As others in the household could no doubt testify?’ I softened the implied insult with a smile.

  He did not take offence. ‘I am sure they would. It was remarkable. Generally he liked me to accompany him.’

  ‘And you have no inkling where he went and why? Clearly it was not what he’d originally planned.’

  ‘Unfortunately, citizen, I cannot help you there. He was not a man to confide in anyone. One did not ask questions; one was simply expected to obey. He was getting restless, I was aware of that. Increasingly restless as the days went by. And irritable too. To be honest, citizen, we were glad to see him leave.’

  ‘But you have no idea why he decided to? There was no messenger or anything like that?’

  He shook his handsome head. ‘Not until after he had left the house. It may have been something that he thought of suddenly. My mistress thought he might have gone to make a scene about the Janus sacrifice – he was offended because he could not donate the ram. But he did not say as much. Simply that there was a pressing matter he must deal with straight away. So important that he must leave at once but he hoped to see my mistress in Glevum on Agonalia day.’

  I frowned. ‘Which was a change of plan, of course? Up to then he had been intending to take his bride to Dorn.’

  Adonisius and Lucius exchanged a glance at this, but again it was the Syrian who spoke. ‘Exactly so. I think that everybody was surprised. However, I did wonder at the time …’ He tailed off and glanced at Lucius again, as if requesting permission to say more.

  Lucius nodded. ‘His master was a gambler, citizen, as perhaps you knew – though Adonisius is too loyal to say so openly. The thing is, citizen, when I heard of this, I assumed that he was worried about some creditor who was threatening and the day was due for repayment of a debt – which, of course, Genialis could not pay. He had expected to have married Silvia by that time, I expect, which would have given him control of all she owned – but the weather had prevented him from getting back to Dorn. Perhaps he wanted to see the man and sue for a delay. He would not want Adonisius to witness such an interview.’

  ‘Though he owned him?’ I was incredulous.

  ‘Perhaps because he meant to offer me as payment,’ the slave said, ruefully. ‘Or, more likely, he would simply ask for time, promising to pay as soon as he was wed. But the lady would contest the marriage if that promise could be proved. Frittering away her dowry in advance – without her formal assent in front of witnesses – would give her legal grounds to challenge in the courts and I’m sure my master was aware of that. Perhaps that’s why he didn’t want me there.’

  ‘Because he thought that you would tell her? But a slave cannot inform against his owner!’ I exclaimed.

  He coloured a little. ‘That’s quite true, citizen, in a general way. Of course I can’t speak out against my master lawfully, but I could have reported events to someone else – Lucius for instance – who would have the status to investigate and take it to the courts. I doubt I would have, when it came to it – though I was very sorry for the lady Silvia – but my master may have feared to take me with him, all the same.’

  ‘I don’t believe that for a moment,’ Lucius said. ‘Your reputation for discretion was what he valued most.’

  The slave boy looked flattered. ‘I expect you’re right. All this is speculation anyway, but I’m still inclined to guess that he went out to some secret meeting of that kind and died as a result. Perhaps the messenger who missed him could have averted this – if, for instance he was bringing gold from Dorn?’

  I pursed my lips at him. ‘You think that your master was murdered by this supposed creditor?’

  Adonisius shook his head. ‘I did not say that, citizen,’ he said, reproachfully. ‘I suppose it’s possible. Abducted him perhaps – why would a creditor want to kill a man who is likely soon to have the means to pay his debts? But in that case we would certainly have had demands by now.’ He shook his head. ‘It’s far more likely that in the snow my master missed the path and a branch or something pulled him from his horse. He was too good a horseman to have fallen otherwise …’ He paused and wrinkled that perfect olive brow. ‘Unless perhaps he was overtaken by the cold. Either way, I’m sure he’s lying in a pile of snow somewhere. But we have searched a half a mile on each side of the road, and we have not found him yet. If there’s still no sign tomorrow we shall move out nearer Dorn. No doubt he had enemies in that direction too.’

  ‘And have you told the other searchers what you think?’

  He shook his head. ‘Of course not, citizen. It’s not my place to voice opinions of that kind – but I think that Lucius agrees with me. He’d come to much the same conclusion for himself.’

  I glanced at Lucius, who gave his braying laugh. ‘There is some truth in that – though I had not thought the matter out so lucidly. You see, citizen, why I value this Syrian so much that I have put the search into his hands …’ He broke off as the door behind us opened quietly and the aged steward from the warehouse shuffled in.

  ‘Your pardon, master, but I think that Alfredus Allius is here. I was about to shut the warehouse when I saw a litter come.’

  ‘Earlier than I expected him!’ Lucius shot an anguished look at me. ‘Very well, Vesperion, go back to your place. And Adonisius, go and greet our guest and escort him in to me. But take your time about it – show him round the warehouse on the way: point out the samian plates or something as you pass and try to impress him with the copper goods in store. I want a private word with this good citizen.’

  SIXTEEN

  When the servants had departed, Lucius turned to me.

  ‘This hardly leaves time,’ I said, ‘for much discussion now. But what was it that you wanted to talk to me about?’

  ‘It’s your advice I’m after. It won’t take very long. The thing is, citizen –’ Lucius tossed back his mane of tawny hair and for a moment I almost imagined that he blushed – ‘I wish to be a suitor for the lady Silvia. I suspect that Bernadus would secretly like to offer for her, too, but that would mean divorcing his present wife, who brought a substantial dowry with her, which he can ill-afford to let her take away again. So do you think your patron would countenance my suit? Or perhaps you would even put in a word for me?’ He caught my eye and added sheepishly, ‘If Genialis is not found alive, I mean, of course.’

  ‘I think that Marcus might be persuaded to consider it,’ I said, attempting to put on a doubtful face. Then, fearing that this sounded a bit too confident, I added, ‘I mean, if no better offer can be found. He will be anxious to ensure that she’s well provided for, but since she’s not a virgin to be bargained for, he may consult her wishes in any marriage arrangement he makes. Which would favour you, I think. Though you realize what that would mean for Silvia?’

  ‘You mean because I’m not a citizen?’ He sounded anxious now. ‘If I’d been born inside the walls of Glevum, instead of half a mile outside, I would have qualified! As it is I don’t know what to do. I don’t suppose there’s any chance that His Excellence would sponsor me for my citizenship diploma, while he is in Rome? I know that he intends to see the Emperor, who is a friend of his.’

  I nodded, trying to judge how much I should disclose. At last I hazarded, ‘It might be that Marcus would condescend to put in a word for you, if you could find some way
to make it worth his while.’ I glimpsed an opportunity and grasped it with both hands. ‘Meanwhile you must convince him that you can keep a wife – that your business enterprise is sound, and your contacts, for instance, are honourable men. Or that you and your associates are not prone to gambling …’ I broke off, realizing I hadn’t put this very tactfully. I’d managed to raise all Marcus’s questions, but listed in that way they sounded arrogant – almost as if I were a praetor questioning in court. I glanced up nervously to see if I’d given Lucius offence.

  But not at all, it seemed. He had risen to his feet and was smiling eagerly. ‘Of course. That would be easy, citizen. I can show the record scrolls. That would tell him everything he wants to know. Apart from the usual records – of profits, cost and loss – Ulpius used to keep a note of all the suppliers and importers that we used: where they traded from and what they traded in and how reliable they’d proved to be. He used to put a little mark beside the ones he did not trust, whether because of gambling or otherwise, and a cross to indicate the ones that we should never do business with again. And the same with customers.’ He shot a glance at me. ‘If I gave you that information, could you contrive to pass it on?’

  ‘Give me the records and I’ll see what I can do,’ I promised silkily, though inwardly I heaved a happy sigh. I stood up too, as courtesy demands.

  I thought he was about to go and get the records then and there, but we were interrupted by the spotty slave, bringing – at last – the promised tray of fruit and mead for me and a handsome-looking jug of wine for Lucius. However, Lucius waved him impatiently away.

  ‘Not now! At the moment it is inconvenient. Take it away and wait until I call for you. And when you do come bring another goblet and some different wine – I’d forgotten that we still had this in the house. It’s the rubbish that Genilias gave to Ulpius once. It isn’t fit to drink. Go and get rid of it at once – and throw the jug away. Bring us something else. There is some of the best Rhenish in that amphora still, I think. And don’t be so long about producing it, next time. Our other dinner guest is an important man.’

  The servant sighed. ‘I’m sorry, Master, for the long delay, but we had to wait to use the fire so we could heat the mead.’ He padded off again.

  Lucius turned to me. ‘The disadvantage of shared kitchens, I’m afraid. Fortunately our meal is in the clay-oven, and has been for hours, so there will be no problem over that. However – to conclude the matter we were talking of just now, you will speak to your patron in support of me?’

  I nodded and he came across to slap me on the back.

  ‘I thank you, citizen. Silvia thought you would. And you believe that there is hope?’

  It was time to backtrack slightly. I pursed my lips and said judiciously, ‘I think there is a chance. Not immediately, of course, but in a year or so.’

  Lucius looked startled. ‘Why not sooner if Marcus will consent? She is Ulpius’s widow, not Genialis’s – and there is no need to wait the customary full ten moons from now. I’m aware that it is usual, in case the lady is with child, but Genialis was prepared to marry her at once, and I would be more than glad to do the same. If there is to be a child, then Ulpius fathered it, and I am happy to acknowledge that and rear it as my own. In any case it’s most unlikely – there would be signs by now.’

  I shook my head. ‘All the same, there would have to be a decent interval – especially if Genialis’s body is not found. In the absence of a corpse, there is no proof that her former guardian is dead and it may take some time for Marcus to make a formal application to the court – especially since he plans to go to Rome within the moon. But he will need the legal sanction, if he’s to take charge of her affairs and have the right to find another husband for his ward. And, incidentally, to deal with Genialis’s estate. I know the man had debts, but there was the house in Dorn. Presumably, since he was a councillor out there, his residence is of a certain size. Who will that go to?’

  Lucius shrugged. ‘I’ve no idea at all. I hadn’t thought about it. No doubt – being in public life – he’s made a proper will, with seven witnesses and all that sort of thing. If not, I suppose the state will benefit.’

  I raised a brow at him. ‘Or Silvia, as his nearest relative? Would she not have a claim? He was her guardian and she was married to his brother, after all.’

  He nodded doubtfully. ‘Though Silvia says that he was heavily in debt – what with his gambling and his financing of public works in Dorn, to secure his election – so I doubt there’ll be a lot left over, anyway.’ He ran his fingers through his tawny hair. ‘Would that make a difference to your patron’s attitude …?’ He broke off as there was a tapping on the door that led out to the warehouse. ‘Enter!’ he called and Adonisius came into the room on silent feet.

  ‘Alfredus Allius, masters!’ he announced, standing back to let the visitor come through.

  Of course I’d seen Alfredus several times before: not only in the snow when he was witnessing my contract for the pavement and at the ill-fated Janus sacrifice, but also at a distance at the basilica in his capacity as a minor councillor. However, he was not a man who stood out in a crowd. I had always found him instantly forgettable, and even here, in a humble freeman’s house – where he was clearly the most distinguished guest, wearing a toga and a curial one at that – he somehow contrived to lack presence and prestige.

  Partly this was the product of his looks. There was nothing about him that distinguished him: he was of middle-age, of average height, and neither fat nor slim. His hair, which was of medium length, was nondescript and brown, and though he was not ugly he was hardly beautiful – his regular features were resolutely plain. Even his toga was only moderately white. All the same, it bore a very narrow purple stripe, an indication that he was a councillor-magistrate, though of the lowest rank.

  I gave a little bow in salutation, very conscious of my own improper dress and preparing to frame an explanation and apology for it. Even a narrow-striper demands a certain deference.

  However, having exchanged the proper greetings with his host, he was already blinking short-sightedly at me and saying, in his strangely flat and nasal voice, ‘Ah, the pavement-maker! I remember you. I witnessed a contract for you, I believe.’

  ‘For Genialis,’ I corrected as courteously as I could. ‘Though you were never called upon to see it was fulfilled. However, the work was duly witnessed by a magistrate, and I have been paid.’

  The grey eyes looked dispassionately at me. ‘Then you’re a lucky man! Not many of his creditors can say as much.’

  There was an awkward moment, then Lucius clapped his hands, and at once the pimply servant sidled in, bearing the tray of refreshments as his master had required. He set it down and was about to serve the wine, but his owner shook his head.

  ‘Adonisius will serve us. You go and find an extra seat for us – the folding stool from my bedroom will suffice. And when you have done that, you may tell the kitchen we will dine as soon as possible.’

  The boy dashed off to do as he was told, and a moment later I was sipping mead while my companions drank the Rhenish, which was clearly excellent.

  ‘Just as well the captain of the vessel had some sense,’ Lucius was saying, holding his fine glass goblet to the light. ‘He had to jettison some cargo in a storm, to save the ship – with of course a total loss to the owner of the goods – but he had the wit to save this wine at least.’

  ‘And what happens if it goes overboard and is actually retrieved, but is damaged by salt water when it gets to shore? I suppose the shipper bears the losses in a case like that?’ Alfredus was asking questions eagerly. Obviously his experience with Genialis had made him cautious about lending capital.

  ‘That depends on what contract he has made. In any case, it’s generally worth the risk. There is good money to be made from wine.’ Lucius, in his enthusiastic way, began to discourse on the various types of wine, and where they could most profitably be traded to and from. ‘There is a ship
tomorrow loading up for Gaul, and I’m going to bargain with the captain to bring me back a few amphorae from the vineyards there. Would you care to come and watch, and see the arrangements that are made and how these things are done?’

  I think they had forgotten that I was there at all – which wasn’t very courteous to me, but in fact I did not mind. It was all information I could give to Marcus afterwards. So I was content to sit and listen and savour my warm mead, which was the best I’d ever tasted – delicately warmed and flavoured with sweet spice. I would have been ready to finish the whole jug.

  However, it was not very long before the slave came back, saying that dinner was ready if we wished and Lucius led us through into another room. It was fairly Spartan, the floor and walls completely unadorned. The three small dining-couches around the table took almost all the space and the brazier in the corner gave off little heat – unless, like Alfredus, you were reclining next to it. However, we were provided with the usual courtesies – linen napkins, and the spotty slave to wash our hands and feet. He even offered us a spoon and dining knife, in case we were not carrying our own, and there was a small libation to the household Lars, brought in for the purpose in a little travelling box.

  The meal was not by any means a feast, only two dishes other than the meat, and everything was very plainly served: though this, in fact, was rather to my taste. I was glad to see that garum – that fish sauce that Romans like to put on everything – was offered in a jug and not put on the serving-plate itself. Alfredus, I noticed, poured a lot on his.

  As the senior guest, he was naturally on Lucius’s right, while I was on the left, so I had little opportunity to join the talk – and in fact for a long time, nothing much was said. But when we had moved on to dried berries, fruits and nuts, and the slaves had retired to clean the dinner-ware, Alfredus cleared his throat. ‘Lucius, there was something that I wanted to discuss, but perhaps …’ He jerked his head at me. ‘A little later, possibly, when your other guest has gone?’