by David Adkins
*
The next morning was frustrating. Domitian and Corelia did not emerge from her chamber and Tero tended to ignore me and his guardsmen followed suit. Hylas was training his guards in open combat and so I ended up as a spectator. After a hard training session Hylas came over to me.
“Do you want to join in?” he asked.
“I think not,” I retorted. “I am not a fighting man.”
He laughed. “It is always good to know how to defend yourself, particularly if you have enemies.” He was referring back to our conversation in the taverna. “And you look as if you have no job to do. I wonder why Domitian chose to bring a servant this time?”
“I do not know; particularly as he seems to be spending all his time in Corelia’s chamber and does not need a chamberlain.”
My words were not liked by Hylas and I saw the anger cross his features briefly. This man may claim to love his wife, Aria, but he was certainly jealous of Domitian and was unhappy that the Emperor was in Corelia’s bed. He obviously had strong feelings for Corelia and who could blame him, for I would also certainly like to be in her bed. “Catch this,” said Hylas and he threw a wooden practice sword to me. I caught it. “Come at me,” he encouraged.
I sized up my opponent who was of similar age and size to me and then I threw myself at him and aimed a blow at his side. He blocked it. “Does Corelia love Domitian?” I asked.
“She hates him,” he answered and struck me on the shoulder with his sword.
“That hurt,” I shouted. “Then why does she stay with him?”
I attacked again and once again he blocked. “He is the Emperor and so she has no choice.”
I moved away, lifting my sword in anticipation of his next attack. “Perhaps she wants more from him. She has already received this villa.” I gestured around me as his sword struck my leg.
“You must be more watchful. Now attack me. She has what she wants, this villa and a pension. She needs no more but as I said he is the Emperor and so she cannot refuse his advances.”
“Perhaps she is ambitious.” While he thought about my words I launched myself at him.
He parried the blow comfortably. “What do you mean, Parthenian?”
“Domitian has no time for his wife so perhaps she believes that she can be the next Empress.”
Hylas was laughing so much that I at last managed to land a blow. “Well done with the strike but you are way out with your theory. Corelia has no such ambition. You can be sure of that.”
“It was just a thought,” I said as I took one final blow on the arm. If Hylas was right then Corelia posed no threat to Domitia Longina.
“You are way out with your thoughts my friend.” He patted me on the back. “You did well for a first time. I will see you later and I suggest you just relax on a seat in our beautiful grounds until Domitian emerges.” He could not utter the word Domitian without a scowl. I felt sure that the head of security was in love with Corelia and Marcella did say that he adored her. He was certain that Corelia was not ambitious and I wondered if his conviction was justified. It did seem he knew her well.
I did not hear Domitian approach and so I was surprised when he suddenly sat next to me. “Have you ever made love to a gladiatrix?” he asked.
“I never have,” I replied.
“I recommend it but do not get designs on my Corelia or I will turn Casperius loose on you.”
“A woman with the beauty of Corelia is fit only for an Emperor,” I offered.
“Well said,” he muttered and leaned back enjoying the sunshine.
“Will you bring her to live in the palace?” I inquired.
He laughed. “She is a gladiatrix. I could not have a gladiatrix living among the royal family.”
“Unless she was made royal herself,” I suggested.
He looked at me and for one moment I thought that I had overstepped the mark but then he laughed again. “That thought has crossed my mind once or twice but it is impossible, for she has no aristocratic blood in her veins so despite her charms she would never be accepted by the senate or the people. That is quite impossible, chamberlain.”
“I suppose that is so,” I replied.
“Indeed it is, and now I will return to the villa and get some rest. She has quite tired me out.”
“Is there anything you wish me to do?” I inquired.
“There is nothing except to wipe from your memory every recollection regarding the deceased senator, Titus Flavius Sabinus.”
“That has already been done, your majesty,” I assured him.
He stood up and walked back to the villa. I felt that I had made progress on both my investigation into Hylas and also my investigation into Corelia. I sat back contentedly in the warm sunshine and continued to relax.
Chapter 5
I found the next few days rather tedious for Domitian was mostly in the company of his gladiatrix. He did have a few things that he wanted me to do but, in the main, the villa servants looked after him while Corelia fulfilled his other needs. I was mostly ignored by Tero and his guardsmen and it was only Hylas that occasionally engaged me in conversation. I got into the routine of watching the guards in their combat practice from a seat in the villa gardens.
I took my seat as had become my habit, and was approached by Tero. “We are joining Hylas and his guards for training today but after we have finished I would like to speak to you.”
“What is it about?” I inquired.
“Just about arrangements for when we leave the villa. Come to the barracks after the training.”
I nodded assent.
“Come and join in,” Hylas shouted.
“I will give it a miss this time,” I replied. I had no wish to involve myself and still had a few bruises from the last time.
Hylas laughed and the eight men started going through their elaborate fighting routines. I yawned for I was not very interested but it was, at least, something to watch. “Are you not interested in combat, Parthenian?”
I looked up and to my surprise it was Corelia. “I am not a fighting man, I am a lover.”
She laughed. “May I sit with you?”
“Of course, it would be an honour to be joined by such a beautiful lady.”
She sat down. “I see you have a smooth tongue, chamberlain.”
I looked at her face. Her blue eyes were captivating and her long blond hair framed her stunningly beautiful face. “I speak the truth,” I said.
“I am just a former gladiatrix,” she smiled.
“Hardly, you are the lover to a man that rules the world and a former champion gladiatrix.”
She sighed. “I am and it is not easy.”
“Will you become Empress?” I dared the question.
She looked totally amazed at my words, or perhaps she was a good actor. “I live here in this beautiful villa and I have no intention of becoming Empress or even a gladiatrix again. I yearn for a peaceful life without risks for I have taken so many risks in the past. You must know that I can never be Empress so what made you ask such a question?”
“Domitian is besotted with you and he has tired of his wife. Emperors can dispose of their wives if the incentive is great enough and I have observed in the last few days that your beauty is incentive enough. Men would die for you so perhaps the Emperor would consider making you his Empress.”
She laughed. “He will never do that. Would you die for me, Parthenian?”
“I think I might,” I grinned.
“You may well do so if I tell Domitian what you have just said.”
“Please do not do that. I confessed my feelings in confidence,” I pleaded with a smile.
“Then you will have to behave and do as you are told.” I was surprised that the Emperor’s lover was flirting with me.
“I am always at your disposal,” I flirted back.
“I like a fighting man so does that not make you want to join in the training session?”
“I am still bruised from the last time.”
�
��You would not be much good in the arena.”
“I would be no good at all,” I agreed.
“In that case if I ever have to enter the arena again I will choose you as my opponent.”
“It would be an honour to be defeated by the greatest gladiatrix.”
She laughed again. “I must go. I cannot spend my time chatting idly with you, chamberlain, for the Emperor may call for me at any time.” She stood up and walked towards the villa without once looking back. I watched her proud back and the provocative sway of her hips as she disappeared from sight. I felt a surge of desire but ridiculed myself on the folly of such an emotion.
I turned my attention back to the guards, but talking to Corelia and flirting with her had been such superior entertainment to watching these guards knock each other about. The training seemed to go on and on and I found myself yawning again. I thought about returning to my room but I remembered that Tero wished to speak with me after his training session. I would have to sit watching until the bitter end for Tero was not, it seemed to me, a man who should be kept waiting. At last the training session ended, or at least it did for Tero and his four guards. He looked across at me and then headed for the barracks followed by his guardsmen, while Hylas continued his combat exercises with his two colleagues. Tero had barely spoken to me since our arrival in Tibur and so I supposed that what he had to say was of some importance. I watched Hylas for a few more minutes and then stood up and made my own way towards the barracks.
When I entered the building the door was slammed shut behind me by one of the guards. It was then for the first time that I felt alarm. Tero was facing me and two guards took up position either side of me, but the other two guards looked surprised at the development. I started to feel extremely nervous for I knew now that something was very amiss.
“I know what you saw in the palace gardens,” began Tero and my alarm grew greater. “Casperius wants you dead.” I felt a dagger against my side. “Do not call out, chamberlain, or Mettelus will end your life right now.”
“You would have to explain my death to the Emperor.” My voice sounded very unsteady.
“We would tell him you had an accident. I doubt that he would be too bothered for he has better things to occupy his mind. You see, chamberlain, it would be detrimental to our Emperor’s image if he was suspected of murdering a former consul who was one of his own family, and the senate would be outraged. It would cause a lot of bother.”
“He has told Casperius that no harm was to come to me and I will say nothing.” I felt I was arguing for my life.
Tero stroked his chin. “You have made assurances but Casperius wonders if you have taken them seriously. It is true that you do have a protector and so we will not kill you but it is our job to merely give you a reminder.”
I was starting to panic, for I was aware of the form that reminder might take. “I do not need a reminder. I was not even in the garden. I did not see anything.”
Tero nodded to the guard standing to my left, the one he had called Mettelus. His fist exploded deep into my stomach. The pain was unbearable and I fell to the floor in agony. As I lay contorted in pain the other guard landed a kick on my back. “This is senseless,” I groaned, fighting against the pain. The guard took no notice and was about to kick me again when the door flew open.
“What is going on here?” yelled Hylas. I was so glad to see him.
“This is not your business,” retorted Tero. “Now leave and let us get on with what we are doing.”
“This is very much my business. I am Head of Security in this villa and these are my barracks in which you and your men are guests.” He stooped to help me up and I noticed that his two guards were with him. “I am taking Parthenian back to his room and I suggest it would be a mistake to try and stop me.”
Tero shrugged. “I think our business with the chamberlain was just about concluded. You may take him away.”
“I know I may,” countered Hylas.
Tero turned to me. “Chamberlain, you have received your reminder and we will be watching you very carefully.”
I wanted to tear out his heart but I said nothing. Hylas and the two guards almost carried me across the courtyard and into the villa. They took me to my room but by now I was almost walking myself. They then deposited me on my bed and Hylas looked down concerned. “Do you think they have done you much damage?” he asked.
“I think I am just bruised but if you had not come in when you did then it might have been much worse.”
“I was, in fact, looking for you to invite you to the taverna tonight. Do you think you will be well enough to come?”
I felt my sides and knew that I was already recovering from my ordeal. “I will come,” I said firmly.
“Good,” he smiled. “We will have an interesting conversation tonight.”
“Is one of Tero’s guards still going to attend?” I asked.
“Cyprian is coming and that will make it even more interesting, but do not worry as he was one of those standing back watching and I am sure that he did not know they intended to attack you, but we can ask him later.”
I remembered that two of the guards did look dumbfounded and did not seem to be involved. “In that case it will be interesting to talk with him.”
“I will let you have an afternoon’s rest and hopefully Domitian will not want you. I will call for you at dusk and if you still think that you are well enough then we will go to the taverna. If not we will have a talk in your chamber for I wish to know what is going on here. I will now leave you in peace.” He exited and closed the door behind him.
I felt much better. I had to admit to myself that it was fright as much as pain that had distressed me, though my sides were still tender. I had thought for one moment that they had intended to kill me. I now had the problem of explaining to Hylas what had been happening, though I obviously could not tell him the truth. Tero had said that I had a protector and I wondered who this could be. Was it the Emperor or even the Empress, or perhaps Marcella? But how could she protect me? With this comforting thought that, despite my troubles I at least had a protector, I fell fast asleep.
*
When I awoke I felt rejuvenated and as it was dusk I knew that Hylas would shortly be coming for me. I got off the bed and walked slowly around the room. It still hurt but I would have no trouble walking to the taverna as it was only a short distance. I was relieved that no greater damage had been done to me and I was aware, but for Hylas’s timely intervention, it might have been. I would be very wary of Tero in the future.
There was a knock at the door and it slowly opened. “I am pleased to see that you are up and walking around,” said Hylas.
“Not as pleased as I am,” I responded.
“Are you fit enough for a visit to the taverna?” he asked.
“I am indeed.”
We soon left my room and I noticed the guard, Cyprian, waiting in the corridor. We nodded nervously at one another. “It would perhaps be better if I did not come,” he offered.
“I want you both to come,” Hylas responded firmly.
It was dark when we left the palace and I am sure that Cyprian was relieved at that. He, perhaps, did not wish to be seen by his superior going to the taverna with the Emperor’s chamberlain. “Tero thinks that I am just going with Hylas who is an old friend and I thought he was going to protest at that but it was my first night off,” he explained. We quickly slipped out of the villa gate where one of Hylas’s guards was stationed, and made our way swiftly to the taverna.
It was a relief to me when I was sitting in an excluded corner eating a delicious meal and sipping watered-down wine in a convivial atmosphere. Cyprian looked equally happy to be away from the villa. I moved a little painfully on my chair as I adjusted my position to get more comfortable and Cyprian noticed. “Did they hurt you very badly?” he inquired.
“It was bad enough but I am much better now and I just have a little discomfort,” I replied.
“I had no i
dea what was going to happen when you entered the barracks and I was as surprised as you were,” he added.
“Tero is a thug and so is Casperius, or perhaps I should not say that in front of one of their guards.” I noticed that Hylas was simply observing us.
“You can say what you like for I also dislike them intensely,” Cyprian sympathised.
“I can imagine they are difficult to work for.”
“Casperius murdered my previous Prefect, Paulinus, and Tero is his animal. Paulinus I respected but not Casperius.” He spat out the words in disgust.
“Then why work for them?” I asked.
“I have no choice. I am a guardsman at the palace and I simply cannot walk out, for then I would be a criminal and a deserter, and believe me Casperius would hunt me down. I have to take orders and keep my head down.”
Hylas intervened. “You two seem to be getting on well but I have a question for each of you. I am Head of Security at the villa and therefore I would like to know what is going on here. I will start with you my good friend, Cyprian. Do you know why Tero attacked the chamberlain?”
“I have absolutely no idea. I sensed there was hostility towards Parthenian but I had no idea why. From the conversation at the barracks it seems the chamberlain saw something that he should not have seen.”
Hylas turned to me. “You are chamberlain in the royal household. That is, I believe, a sort of head servant. Why should Casperius be so interested in a servant? What did you see, Parthenian?”
I put my head in my hands. “My beating was a reminder that, on pain of my life, I should forget what I saw and tell no-one. Now you, Hylas, expect me to tell you in front of one of Casperius’s own guards and that I will not do. The Emperor has also warned me to say nothing.”
“I wonder why they simply did not kill you if they wanted to keep you quiet,” he mused.
“I have wondered that myself.”
“Did anyone else see what happened?”
“A woman saw it too,” I said and then thought that perhaps I should not have mentioned Marcella.
“Who was that woman, for she must also be in danger?”
“I do not know. She was just a woman in the palace gardens.”
