Masters of Rome: VESPASIAN V (Vespasian 5)

by Robert Fabbri

  ‘But Plautius will; as will the Senate.’

  Narcissus slowly hunched his shoulders and opened his arms, half closing his eyes. ‘And how do you think I consider that?’

  ‘As an irrelevance barely worth mentioning, imperial secretary?’

  ‘Please, we’re all old friends here, Vespasian; you may be familiar.’

  ‘That’s good of you, Narcissus, I’m honoured.’

  Narcissus acknowledged the compliment with a dismissive wave. ‘That is most gratifying but hardly of concern to me at the moment. So, gentlemen, to business.’ He picked up a scroll from the desk and turned it over in his hands. ‘How do I counter Sosibius’ sworn claim that Asiaticus boasted of being the unidentified man who took part in Caligula’s murder without revealing the truth and condemning Sabinus in his place?’

  ‘Do you need to counter it?’ Gaius asked, wiping a bead of nervous sweat from his brow.

  ‘A very good question, Gaius, but one that shouldn’t be asked in isolation.’

  Vespasian’s heart sank as he realised what Narcissus was driving at: as he had foreseen he was, once again, being drawn into the tangled world of imperial politics. ‘Do you need to counter it, and if you don’t what can we do to help you?’

  Narcissus steepled his hands and pressed them to his lips whilst regarding Vespasian with ice-blue eyes. ‘What indeed?’

  Narcissus let the question hang and Vespasian knew that this master of Rome’s politics already knew the answer; he waited with a quickening pulse to hear it. An abrupt knock at the door almost made him jump.

  ‘Ah! At last,’ Narcissus exclaimed as if he had been awaiting the interruption. ‘Enter!’

  Pallas arrived, followed by Sabinus. Convenient, Vespasian thought: Narcissus must indeed have been expecting them. A slave followed them in with two chairs.

  ‘Good evening, secretary to the Treasury,’ Narcissus enthused with hollow enthusiasm, ‘and our consul-designate, Titus Flavius Sabinus, the man behind the mask. We all know each other so let’s dispense with the formalities; please be seated.’

  As the slave placed the chairs for the new arrivals and then retreated, Vespasian tried to read Pallas’ face, but, as always, it was expressionless, if somewhat more lined than when he had last seen it four years previously. His wavy black hair and full beard were now flecked with grey in accordance with his forty-seven years but his bearing was still that of a younger man. His dark eyes betrayed no weariness, in fact they betrayed nothing at all; whereas Sabinus’ eyes darted around the occupants of the room with barely concealed unease.

  ‘I take it by Sabinus’ demeanour that you have apprised him of the delicacy of his present situation, esteemed colleague?’ Narcissus asked, unnecessarily in Vespasian’s opinion.

  Pallas inclined his head a fraction. ‘Indeed, Narcissus.’

  ‘But we had a deal!’ Sabinus exploded.

  Narcissus raised a warning hand. ‘Hush, my friend; the operative word in that sentence was “had”. We had a deal but now what we have is a difficult issue to resolve, and if we are to stay with that deal the terms of it may need to be strengthened on your part.’

  Vespasian kept his expression as neutral as possible as he once again found himself disappointed but unsurprised by the ruthlessness of those with power. But then was he any better? Was he not willing to let an innocent man take the place of his brother? That was what he was here to negotiate after all. ‘We’re in no position to bargain, Sabinus; we should just sit and listen.’

  Narcissus watched Sabinus gather himself and, once satisfied that he was paying attention, continued: ‘To put it bluntly, I have two things to balance here: Asiaticus’ usefulness compared to that of your family’s in my struggle with the Empress and then, more importantly, once that is decided, how it affects mine and my esteemed colleague Pallas’ standing with the Emperor.

  ‘Asiaticus is to appear before Claudius in the morning to face the accusations that we all know are false. Messalina has persuaded her husband that she too should attend to help shoulder the burden of judgement of a man who was hitherto a friend of his. Unfortunately for Asiaticus, I was not there when she made the request, so naturally Claudius has agreed, believing that Messalina is just being a considerate wife. Lucius Vitellius, who as you know is Claudius’ other great friend, will appear for Asiaticus against Suillius and Sosibius.

  ‘Now, I have two choices: firstly to tear the case against Asiaticus apart by naming Sabinus and thereby admitting that I knew this all along and kept it from my patron; not a happy admission, I think you’ll agree. Or I could go the other way and save my face by making the case against Asiaticus irrefutable.’ He paused and looked meaningfully at Sabinus.

  ‘How do you mean, “irrefutable”?’ Sabinus asked, looking justifiably nervous.

  ‘By having you testify that when you served in Britannia with Asiaticus you too heard him boast that he was the man behind the mask.’

  There was silence in the room, a long silence, as the enormity of the lie was contemplated. Sabinus opened his mouth and closed it a couple of times before realising that there was nothing he could say: to argue against it was to argue for death.

  ‘I see you understand, Sabinus,’ Narcissus said with a hint of a smile and an even colder glint in his ice eyes. He turned to Vespasian. ‘You would naturally be on hand to corroborate your brother’s statement by saying that he told you of this; you will also beg forgiveness for not having brought the matter to my attention to pass on to the Emperor and I will support you in that.’

  Vespasian nodded dumbly, wondering if Narcissus would really stick his neck out that far for them; but he could see no option but to take that risk.

  ‘This course of action has, obviously, one possible disastrous side effect: Asiaticus may well denounce the Emperor and us for the murder of Poppaeus.’

  Vespasian’s blood chilled; was that dishonourable deed always going to come back and haunt him? But then, would this equally as unworthy act also prove to be the cause of years of unease and guilt? Or would he be able to reconcile himself to it as the only option to protect his brother as well as the whole family?

  ‘But surely if he is condemned and despatched quickly he won’t be able to make the accusation,’ Gaius pointed out.

  ‘Not so. If I were Asiaticus I would be writing a new will tonight and depositing it with the Vestals.’

  ‘Ah!’

  ‘Ah, indeed. I could get access to that will before it was read but I’m sure that Asiaticus will have thought of that and will have ensured that another copy exists to be read by persons unknown at a time unknown. The Emperor will naturally deny he had any part in the affair and place the blame solely on us.’ He paused to contemplate the problem and then turned to Pallas. ‘Do you have any observations on the matter, dear colleague?’

  ‘Only this: as I’m sure that these gentlemen have noticed, our third colleague, Callistus, is not present: and I’m sure they’ve worked out why.’

  Vespasian realised that an explanation was required. ‘Because you no longer trust him after he revealed where he stood by rejecting Corbulo’s case against Corvinus?’

  ‘Exactly. So, imperial secretary, we have also got to balance which of these two courses of action will also do the most harm to our former trusted associate.’

  ‘How right you are, secretary to the Treasury. Obviously, as secretary of Justice and the Law Courts, Callistus will wish to be present at tomorrow’s hearing; how he acts will be an added factor in making my decision.’

  Vespasian realised the truth of the matter. ‘There’s nothing that we can do or say to persuade you, is there, Narcissus? You’re not going to make up your mind until tomorrow during the case, are you?’

  ‘Of course not; would you? How can I make a decision without all the relevant information? And that won’t be apparent until I see what the Emperor and, more importantly, Messalina and Asiaticus have to say. I’m a cautious man, as all politicians should be; only once I know w
hat position everyone else is taking will I commit myself to either course of action. Therefore I expect all three of you back here at the second hour of the morning.’

  ‘Why me?’ Gaius asked. ‘What use do you have for me?’

  ‘That may become apparent tomorrow, senator. In the meantime, if you’ll take my advice, have a good night’s sleep.’

  CHAPTER XIII

  ‘IT’S OUT OF my hands,’ Pallas repeated in a voice barely audible above the clatter of four sets of footsteps reverberating off the corridor’s marble walls. ‘Whatever debt of gratitude I might owe you all as a family, I cannot influence Narcissus on this matter.’ He stopped suddenly and turned to face Vespasian, Sabinus and Gaius, halting them too, and continued in a whisper: ‘Believe me, gentlemen, if there was any argument that I could put forward to keep you out of this, I would have made it this afternoon whilst Narcissus and I were discussing what to do after Messalina persuaded Claudius to order Asiaticus’ arrest.’

  Gaius was outraged. ‘You planned this with Narcissus!’

  ‘Keep your voice down,’ Pallas hissed, looking up and down the corridor, ‘Narcissus has ears everywhere. Of course I did; our positions with the Emperor are at stake. We’re nothing without him and if we lose his trust then Messalina would have us dead within a matter of hours. And what then, senator? Would you place the governance of Rome in the hands of that harpy?’

  Sabinus thrust his face close to Pallas. ‘But forcing me to accuse an innocent man of a crime that I’ve committed is—’

  ‘Is what’s going to keep you safe, Sabinus; that was my idea and it was the only way that I’ve been able to help you.’

  ‘Help me?’

  ‘Yes!’ Pallas snapped. He paused to gather himself, having raised his voice, albeit in a forced whisper, for only the third time in Vespasian’s recollection. He turned and continued down the corridor so that their conversation would again be masked by their footsteps. ‘Who do you think is behind all this?’

  ‘Messalina, of course,’ Sabinus hissed dismissively.

  ‘Think, Sabinus. Yes, she wants Asiaticus dead because she covets his gardens and was preparing smaller false charges against him; but how did she manage to come up with just the right charge that would not only finish Asiaticus but also compromise Narcissus and me?’

  Vespasian suddenly understood. ‘Callistus!’

  ‘Exactly. It must have been him who suggested to Messalina that she accuse Asiaticus of being the man behind the mask because he’s the only other person who knows who it really was. He’s sure that neither Narcissus nor I will try and save Asiaticus by naming Sabinus – for obvious reasons.’ He paused as they went by a couple of slaves tending to the oil lamps; the slaves bowed as the group passed. ‘Then, once Claudius has been manoeuvred into executing or forcing his old friend to suicide, Callistus will go to the Emperor and tell him that he’s found out that Asiaticus was innocent after all and both Narcissus and I knew it was Sabinus but said nothing. Claudius’ remorse will then be our downfall.’

  Gaius panted as he struggled to keep up with the pace of their walk and the conversation. ‘But surely you’ll tell Claudius that Callistus was in on the cover-up too.’

  ‘He’s gambling, and correctly too in my opinion, that Claudius will just think that we’re trying to take Callistus down with us out of spite. After all, why would Callistus endanger himself by admitting such a thing to Claudius if he was a part of it?’

  ‘Then how can Callistus claim to have found this out?’

  ‘Does it matter? He can say anything he likes: that he overheard us talking about it or one of his agents did; even that he dreamt it. Before things got really bad between them, Narcissus and Messalina got rid of a mutual enemy by going to Claudius at different times saying that they had had a dream that this man was plotting to stab Claudius; the unfortunate man was executed the same day. Claudius sees conspiracies all around him and is always willing to believe whoever comes to him with news of treachery; witness his old friend Asiaticus fighting for his life tomorrow on trumped-up charges.’

  ‘So how will Narcissus forcing me to testify against Asiaticus make me safe?’ Sabinus asked as they reached the more populated, grand atrium of the palace.

  Vespasian gave a weary sigh. ‘Because, brother, if Narcissus brings you forward as a witness to corroborate Messalina’s accusation then Callistus can’t successfully claim after the fact that you were really the guilty man; if he tries to then he’d be walking into a trap. Narcissus can say to Claudius that if Callistus knew that you were guilty all along then why didn’t he expose you at Asiaticus’ hearing? He’ll then remind Claudius privately that he had nothing to gain by seeing Asiaticus condemned; in fact, quite the reverse as he put himself in danger of Asiaticus exposing Poppaeus’ murder, which is something that Callistus knows nothing about. Claudius will believe that reasoning and Callistus will be exposed as a liar even though for once he’ll be telling the truth. It’s perfect; but Narcissus will only take that course if, during the hearing, he sees that Claudius believes Suillius’ accusations and thinks Asiaticus is guilty.

  ‘If, on the other hand, Claudius is sceptical then Narcissus will expose you; but he was lying when he said that would put him in danger, and Pallas was being disingenuous, to say the least, for not refuting that claim.’ He cast a sidelong glance at the Greek; a brief flicker in his eye told him that he had hit the mark. ‘Narcissus will say that Gaius came to him with the information; when he heard that Asiaticus was being falsely accused he couldn’t stand by and let him be found guilty for Sabinus’ crime that has brought shame on the family.’

  Gaius looked at his nephew in alarm. ‘He can’t make me say that.’

  ‘Of course he can and you know it; it’ll be that or a trumped-up charge that will force your suicide. And you, Sabinus, will have no option but to admit to it.’

  ‘Bollocks I will.’

  ‘You will, brother, because you’ll be given the choice between committing suicide and your family keeping your property if you admit to the deed; or, if you deny it, execution and Clementina and the children becoming destitute. You know which one you’ll choose; you’ll have to admit to it and Messalina will have some explaining to do to her husband for bringing false charges against his old friend. So whatever happens, Narcissus is going to score a victory against one of his enemies. You almost have to admire him.’

  Pallas gave a rare half-smile. ‘I can see you understand well how things are, Vespasian.’

  ‘I’m afraid that I’ve seen enough of your lives to know how sordid they really are, old friend.’

  ‘We have no choice now that we’ve risen so far and attracted so much envy; it’s that or death.’

  ‘If it comes to me facing death, Pallas,’ Sabinus muttered, ‘then I could still tell Claudius about the deal I had with you and your colleagues.’

  Pallas shook his head. ‘I don’t think that you’ll want to do that.’

  ‘What would I have to lose?’

  ‘Nothing more than you would already, but Clementina and the children would also be joining you in the afterlife.’

  Sabinus rounded on Pallas, grabbing the neck of his tunic. ‘You wouldn’t do that.’

  Pallas gripped Sabinus’ fist and pulled it away. ‘I might not, Sabinus, but then again I might. However, you can be sure that Narcissus would without a thought, given the choice between his life and theirs.’

  ‘You scheming little cunts!’

  Gaius pulled his nephew back. ‘That is not helpful, Sabinus.’

  ‘Helpful? I could be dead this time tomorrow.’

  ‘But you might not be and if you’re still breathing then Narcissus will never be able to hold Caligula’s assassination over you again; you’ll be free of it.’

  Sabinus rubbed his temples, breathing deeply. ‘This is no way to live.’

  ‘Then leave Rome and go back to the estates.’

  ‘And do what, Uncle, wait and see whether next year’s wine is
better than this year’s? No, I have to be in Rome.’

  ‘Then this is how you live. Come, I’ll walk you home to the Aventine. Vespasian, I assume that you’ll stay here.’

  ‘I will, Uncle; nothing that Flavia can do or say could be worse than the last half an hour.’

  ‘I think you’re right. Goodnight, Pallas; we appreciate your suggestion of the second course of action.’

  Pallas inclined his head a fraction. ‘I’m truly sorry that it’s got so out of hand, Gaius, for old friendship’s sake.’

  ‘But has it really? I can’t remember a time that wasn’t fraught with danger.’ Gaius led Sabinus off across the atrium with his hand on his shoulder.

  ‘Could you show me to Flavia’s apartment, Pallas?’ Vespasian requested, watching them go. ‘I’ve no idea where it is.’

  Pallas remained silent for a few moments, lost in his own thoughts, before turning away. ‘That will be one of the more pleasant tasks that I’ve performed today.’

  Vespasian was alarmed to see two Praetorian Guardsmen on duty outside the door that Pallas led him to on the first floor of the palace. ‘What are they doing here?’

  ‘There’s no need to be concerned,’ Pallas assured him, switching to Greek; he signalled the guards to move aside. ‘They’re to keep intruders out, not to imprison people within.’ He knocked on the lacquered door, black with rectangular golden inlays.

  Vespasian frowned, eying the two men suspiciously as they stared, unblinking, over his shoulders. A viewing slot opened and Pallas gave a quick order; the door opened.

  ‘I’ll leave you, my friend.’ Pallas held out his arm; Vespasian grasped it. ‘I’ll do whatever I can to ensure a good outcome for your family tomorrow. If it looks as if I’m doing otherwise just trust me because, as you are well aware, things are seldom as they seem.’

  Vespasian released his grip, shaking his head; a rueful half-smile bent his lips as he held Pallas’ eye. ‘I don’t know how you keep up with all these machinations.’