Pello Island: Cassia

by Jambor, A. L.

  “I’m sorry, Cassia. You shouldn’t have seen me, well, that way. Come.”

  They walked to the atrium and sat down side by side on the couch facing the fountain. Novia was trying to decide where to begin her story. She sat back and made herself as comfortable as she could, and Cassia did the same.

  “When I was thirteen, I was in love with a boy from our village. He was eighteen, tall and good-looking. We would look at each other as we passed in the street and he would smile. His name was Leo, and I asked my father if he would invite him to eat with us and my father agreed. The night he came, I was so excited. We sat across from one another and he smiled so many times I thought my heart would burst with joy. By the end of the meal, I knew he would ask my father for my hand.

  “We were betrothed and the wedding was set for after the harvest. My father’s farm wasn’t very prosperous, but we always managed to make enough to pull us through to the next year. This year, however, he had to borrow from the moneylender for seed, and he didn’t make enough to pay him back. When the man came to collect, my father had nothing to give him, nothing but me.”

  Cassia’s eyes widened as she understood. She didn’t speak, hoping Novia would continue her story.

  “I begged my father, pleaded with him to let me go to my betrothed, to ask him for help. But my father’s pride ran too deep, and he handed me over to the man who grabbed my arm and took me away that night. He quickly sold me to a slaver. Many months passed as I rode in the slaver’s wagon from town to town. He was growing impatient with me as no one would purchase me. I guess I wasn’t pretty enough.

  “One day we came into a town close to my village. The wagon had bars, but I could see outside well enough. I was dirty, and my hair unclean. I sat in the corner of the wagon, trying to avoid the others trapped inside with me, and that’s when I saw Leo. He was walking with a girl. He was carrying a baby, and he had his arm around the girl’s shoulders.

  “I tried to stop the tears, but they came anyway. That’s when I knew it didn’t matter, that being in a crowd of strangers was the same as being alone, and love meant nothing. I wept openly until one of the men slapped me and told me to stop. By then Leo was gone and the wagon was set to move on.

  “Several weeks later, I was put up for sale in the middle of a small city. A beautiful lady approached me and asked if I could take care of children. Of course I nodded and said yes. She bought me, and that’s when I noticed she was with child. After she gave birth to your mother, I raised her, as I raised you.

  “Agatha was a very pretty baby. She didn’t like being left unattended, though, and would howl if I left her alone for a second. I got used to carrying her everywhere we went.

  “One day, when she had just turned twelve, her mother called me in and told me that Agatha would be getting married, and that I was to accompany her to her new home. Her husband-to-be was a wealthy merchant by the name of Quintus. I found out later that your father had paid the mistress’s debts and in return she gave him Agatha.

  “For three days we traveled to Rome. Quintus’ house was much smaller than this one, and the first night I slept on the floor outside their room. Agatha was young and afraid, but Quintus would have none of it. She protested violently until he beat her. I could hear her sobbing as he took her. The next morning, after he left the room, I went in to help her. She was black and blue, bloody from head to foot. Her arm was broken, and she was very quiet. I mended her the best I could, and I gave her some wine.

  “From that day forward, whenever Quintus would want her, Agatha would have some wine. It wasn’t so hard to be with him then. She could pretend it didn’t bother her.

  “I talked to Flavius about what was happening, but he was in no position to help. He felt beholden to Quintus, and he wouldn’t come between a man and his wife. They have no rights, you see, women. They have to do what their husbands say, right or wrong.”

  Novia fell silent. All the life seemed to have drained out of her as she recalled her past. Cassia thought of Agatha sprawled drunk on the floor and her empathy toward her grew.

  “So, that’s why you’ve given up on love?” Cassia asked.

  “I guess I just don’t believe in it anymore. Men can say what they want when the mood is right, but they can just as easily say it to another.”

  “But surely there are some men worth loving, Novia.”

  “I’ve agreed to marry Flavius because he is a good man and I want a life of my own, but I don’t believe for a second that he loves me. He may harbor some affection for me, but love, no. I am content to be with him because he doesn’t love me.”

  Cassia still couldn’t understand how any woman could live without being loved. Even if you didn’t love your husband, at least you would have children who loved you.

  “Can you still have children, Novia?”

  “No, not at my age. Cassia, I know it’s hard for you to believe, but there will come a time in your life when it’s enough to sit and enjoy the breeze as it blows through your hair. Flavius and I will have a good life together because we like each other.”

  Cassia sighed. “I guess that’s not so bad, Novia.” She thought for a minute. “Novia, I know how you feel about love, but I think I love Darius.”

  “You think I don’t know that? It’s been written all over your face since the first moment you met him.” Novia smiled. “You will have to make your own mistakes. A merchant’s daughter in love with an aristocrat is headed for…well, don’t be too disappointed if things don’t work out.”

  “He’s going to marry me, Novia. He’s agreed, and a nobleman wouldn’t go back on his word.”

  Her innocence warmed Novia’s heart. To be that young and trusting again; no, it was too hard the first time.

  “Noblemen have been known to lie, Cassia. But you keep your dreams. I’m sorry if I’ve been a little harsh lately. With all that’s happening, it just stirred up too much of the past. It made me feel so sad for your mother.”

  Cassia put her head on Novia’s shoulder and held her hand. They stayed together that way until the sun went down and Quintus arrived, looking for his evening meal.

  Anthony Lends a Hand

  Darius looked into the water. He had come to the river early that morning, seeking its counsel. He had seen Cassia three times that week, each time with the intention of telling Quintus the truth - that he couldn’t marry Cassia, but then he would see her and his resolve, would evaporate.

  Maybe if he hadn’t touched her hand, or stolen a kiss in the courtyard, or watched her walk away and imagined the soft curves of her naked body pressed against him, he would be able to let her go. But Darius was completely enamored of her and it was hopeless. His crazy scheme to ruin her and blackmail Quintus seemed ridiculous now.

  Darius knew that a marriage was impossible. His father would never agree to it, and Darius was too comfortable in his life to give up everything he had. The longer he sat staring at the water, the more the pressure grew inside of him to do something, to resolve this dilemma. He felt his stomach tighten, and his head began to throb. In the midst of his physical turmoil, Darius stood up and left the riverbank, heading for home. He had to speak to his father, at least try, before giving up Cassia completely.

  Darius’ father had been at the Curia Hostilia, until late in the evening. He was tired and wished to enjoy a quiet meal followed by a bath. He was just finishing his dinner when Darius came home. He approached his father and asked to speak with him. Pius could see from the look on Darius’ face that this wouldn’t be an easy conversation. He steeled himself before acknowledging Darius’ presence.

  His father indicated the couch and Darius sat down. Pius looked at his son while he ate and noticed that Darius was looking at the table, seemingly to avoid his eyes.

  “Well, what did you want to speak to me about, Darius?” Pius sounded impatient, and Darius began to think he should wait before bringing up Cassia. “Darius, speak!”

  Darius looked at his father. He could see the
impatience in Pius’ eyes, so he took a deep breath and told him about his wish to marry the daughter of a merchant.

  “I know I would have to renounce my title to Anthony, Father, but I’m ready to do whatever I have to do to be with her...”

  Pius slammed his hand onto the tabletop, startling Darius.

  “What on earth has possessed you?” Pius said, his tone menacing. “Have you entirely lost your senses? How dare you come to me with this outrageous proposition? A man’s name is everything in this world, and I’ve worked my whole life to protect mine. You’ve brought disgrace on this house with your disgusting habits, and I’ve contained the rumors about you time and time again.”

  Pius paused. He was seething with anger. “I don’t care how good this girl is in bed; you will not bring disgrace upon this family by marrying the little slut.”

  “Cassia’s not a slut Father, she is a good, clean girl, and I love her.”

  Pius stood up and towered over Darius. His face was red and the veins on his neck stood out. “Love, ha! No Roman marries for love. Any man who does is a fool. Marriage is a means of consolidating wealth. But you wouldn’t understand that. You’re weak and stupid, always have been. That’s why I kept you out of the army. I couldn’t bear you mucking up the glorious Roman army with your ineptitude, bringing shame to this house.

  Darius was shaking, trying not to hit his father. He wanted the older man to shut up, to let it go, but Pius had been waiting a long time to chastise his son for the many times Cletus had shown his face at their door. He was going to use this opportunity to degrade Darius.

  “I will gladly give Anthony your inheritance, Darius, but I will never agree to this stupidity. You marry her and I will not only remove you from my household, I’ll have you banished from Rome!”

  Darius stood up and pushed his father hard, knocking him to the ground. He walked over and was about to punch Pius when Anthony, who’d been listening to the confrontation from the atrium, ran over and grabbed Darius’ arms. He pulled Darius out of the dining hall and into the courtyard, where he threw him on the ground. In the moonlight, Anthony could see the anger on Darius face.

  “He’s not worth a five-year sentence on Pello Island, Darius. I couldn’t let you hurt him.”

  “I wanted to kill him,” Darius said.

  “Yes, I gathered that.” Anthony sat down next to Darius and wrapped his arms around his knees. “I’m going to join our uncle in Germania.” Darius looked over at Anthony. “I leave in two days’ time.”

  “Already? I hadn’t realized it.” Darius would truly miss seeing him every day.

  “So, you’ve met a girl?” Anthony said.

  “I want to marry her, but…”

  “She’s middle class, so set her up in a nice house. Father may even give you the money,” Anthony said with a smirk.

  “She’s no concubine, Anthony. She’s a sweet, innocent girl.”

  “Oh, dear brother, is this girl a witch? I can’t imagine you feeling that way about anybody.”

  “But this isn’t my only problem, Anthony. I owe a great deal to the moneylender, and father refuses to pay him any longer. The girl’s father wants an aristocratic son-in-law and is offering a huge dowry. I told him my father had no objection to the marriage before I met the girl. I thought I could ruin her and be paid off to keep it quiet. But then I met her and…”

  “Gods, Darius, you contemplated adding blackmail to your retinue of imperfections? You’re that desperate?”

  “Leonides means to kill me. He wants to set an example.”

  “Maybe we can kill him first. I would be off to Germania anyway.”

  “Are you insane, talking about killing a man? And what if you were caught, then what? One miscreant in the family is enough.”

  “You’re right, I couldn’t murder a man in cold blood,” Anthony said and looked up at the stars. “I could pay him off, though.”

  Darius looked at his brother to see if he were joking. Anthony’s allowance and military pay would hardly cover what he owed Leonides.

  “You have no money, Anthony. Don’t jest with me right now.”

  “I do have the money, dear brother; our beatific mother has loosed my inheritance, at least her part of it. I’m awash with denarii. I guess she thinks I’ll die over there and gave it to me to ease her conscience. Whatever the reason, I have more than enough to satisfy your debt.”

  “Bitch, she knew I was drowning, why didn’t she give me mine?”

  “You’ve already spent yours. What do you think they used to pay that cretin who kept coming around here collecting on your debts?”

  “I’ve squandered it all?” Darius asked in disbelief.

  Anthony nodded his head. “Just take the money Darius, but give it to the man and don’t gamble it away. I couldn’t bear the disappointment if you did.”

  “But what do I do about Cassia?”

  “Bollocks, Darius. She’s a woman, no better than the whores we’ve been seeing since we were thirteen.”

  “But Cassia’s not like that,” Darius said.

  “Of course she is, Darius. Women are commerce – chattel to their fathers and breeders to their husbands. That’s all they are or ever will be. And you have to cut this one off now. You have to give up this fantasy of a life with her. Darius, you would never survive in sackcloth. Love’s not worth it, brother. Love your whores and concubines if you must, but dear gods stay away from the middle class.”

  Darius weighed the wisdom in his brother’s words. He knew Anthony was right, or at least in agreement with what most aristocrats believed. But Cassia had touched something inside Darius, and the pain he felt when they were apart controlled him, just like his need for the dice. The cure for the pain was her presence, and the cure for the dice was money.

  “Gods help me, I need her, Anthony,” Darius said softly.

  Anthony sighed.

  “I won’t give you this money unless you agree to cut her off. Come on Darius, you have to grow up. I’m five years younger than you and even I can see this will never work.”

  Anthony grabbed Darius’ shoulders and shook him.

  “Darius, you see the poor men in the streets covered in their own feces. You see men beaten down, standing behind those sad little carts in the Forum. You have no skills, you can’t work - you’ll never survive without money, Darius. I believe Father when he says he will banish you. He has the power to do it. Can you imagine living in the provinces? Darius, wake up!”

  No, he couldn’t see himself with a rake or hoe in his hands. “Come with me, Anthony, to pay Leonides. Please, I really don’t trust myself.”

  “And you agree to cut the girl off?” Darius nodded. “Well, brother, I’m off to the brothel. Come with me, Darius, I’ll pay. One more night of celebration before I’m off to tame the barbarian hordes.”

  “What if the barbarian hordes refuse to be tamed, brother?” Darius said with a smile. Anthony made a fist and landed a light punch on Darius’ chin.

  “Well, will you join me?” Anthony asked again.

  Darius thought for a minute and agreed. He wanted to spend as much time with Anthony as he could before he left for Germania. The two brothers headed for the city, laughing and joking the way they had when they were boys. Tonight they would celebrate, and Darius would try to kill his love for Cassia with wine and the soft, welcoming bodies at the bagnio.

  A Broken Betrothal

  “You still want to do this, Anthony?” Darius looked at his younger brother’s eyes.

  “What am I going to do with all that money in Germania? Besides, I’ll inherit from father one day. You I can’t replace.”

  They had arrived home just before dawn and were having a meal before heading out to find Leonides. Darius looked at Anthony. He was a handsome boy, and Darius hoped he would grow into a handsome man someday.

  “Germania is a hard place, Anthony. Many men have died there.”

  “But our uncle has survived it, Darius! Don’t worry about me, b
rother. I’ll have the glorious Roman army with me, the greatest army in the world. I’ll return triumphant one day, and the streets of Rome will be filled with my adoring throngs!”

  Darius laughed despite himself. Anthony always had a twinkle in his eye, and now he was grinning from ear to ear. Anthony had elected to wear his full military uniform, and he looked quite intimidating.

  “We better get going, Anthony. Leonides always visits the same café. He’s there early, so if we want to catch him…”

  The two men stood up and left the house. The streets were just beginning to come to life as they walked toward the center of the city. Anthony would wink at every female he passed, no matter what her age. He loved to see their reactions. Darius kept walking ahead of him. He wanted to be done with Leonides once and for all.

  When they arrived at the little café, they could see Leonides sitting at a table with a plate of food in front of him. They walked up to his table and waited for Leonides to notice them. Leonides was a tall man who dressed well and bathed every day. He kept his hair cut short and by the red marks on his face, had recently been shaved. He was neat; not so much as a crumb could be found on him. His association with Cletus boggled the mind. He felt the young men’s presence before he saw them and he looked up.

  “Darius, how good to see you.” He smiled, showing perfectly white teeth. “Won’t you and your friend join me?”

  Leonides was always polite. He left the vulgarities of life to Cletus. Anthony removed his helmet as he and Darius sat down.

  “Would you care for something to eat?” Leonides asked.

  “No, we’ve already eaten.” Darius felt his stomach tighten. He hated having to take Anthony’s money, but his younger brother was right. This would solve his problems, for now. “We’ve come to settle with you, Leonides. My brother will pay you what I owe.”

  “Ah, you are Darius’ brother Anthony. I hear you’re off to Germania.”

  Anthony was taken aback. He was surprised the moneylender knew where he was going. Some of his friends still didn’t know.