The End of a Dynasty

by David Adkins

  “Domitian wanted his wife Julia and had Casperius murder him because Sabinus was proving obstructive and insulting about the arrangement. They knew I had seen and Casperius wished to silence me. Domitian, however, said that I would not say anything and decided that they had nothing to fear from me. Casperius had to reluctantly accept that but the beating by Tero was a further warning to keep quiet.”

  “I can see that Domitian would be worried if Rome got to hear that a former consul, senator and member of the royal family had been murdered by the Emperor in order to give him permanent access to his wife,” he mused. “You are very lucky that Domitian decided to trust his chamberlain.”

  “I know but it is still a dangerous situation to be in, Hylas.”

  “If you ever need help you can come to me, though I am not sure what I could do,” he offered.

  His words made me feel bad. “Thank you,” I sighed.

  “So Corelia is not enough for him,” said Hylas bitterly.

  “He looks for fun within his family and elsewhere,” I said. “Do you have feelings for Corelia?” I asked.

  He looked at me and smiled. “I did once but now I simply serve her. She has done much for me over the years and is now my friend and mistress. Her heart is with another.”

  “Who is that, surely not the Emperor?” I asked.

  “She has learnt to live with being Domitian’s concubine. She is never happy with the situation but she cannot do anything about it.”

  “I see. Then who does she love?”

  He smiled. “She loves Solanus Fuscus but he is married to a Dacian woman called Kotys whom he loves dearly. Corelia, despite her great fame and great beauty, is not a happy person and Aria and I are always looking for a way to free her from the Emperor’s clutches so she can once again live a normal life.”

  “You now love Aria.”

  “I do, but Corelia remains my dearest friend and we must find ways to help our friends.”

  I poured him another drink but I was feeling even worse now. “You are more generous than I am,” I said.

  “Is something wrong, Parthenian? You have gone quite pale. Is there something bothering you?”

  How right he was, for my mind was in turmoil and I was racked with guilt. “Hylas, will you do something for me without questioning me?”

  “It depends what it is,” he laughed but then he saw the seriousness behind my request. “What do you want me to do?”

  “Is there a back door to the taverna?” I asked.

  “It is over there,” he pointed.

  “Will you stay here until I return?” I pleaded. “Do not ask me why. You are safe here among all these people but do not leave the taverna until I return.”

  “This sounds mysterious.” He was perplexed.

  “Please just do as I say,” I said.

  “I will,” he nodded and I made for the back door of the taverna.

  I peered out of the rear exit from the taverna and could not make out any sign of life. It was imperative that I got back to the villa without being seen and that would be easier done alone, for Hylas might have unwisely wished to stand his ground. There were some trees and bushes opposite, and just a short distance away. I scurried out of the taverna and took refuge in the undergrowth. I could see the road back and I realized that I could make my way back to the villa among the trees that ran parallel to the road. I had to be silent for it was quite likely that Tero and his guardsman would be hiding in the trees, waiting for Hylas to emerge from the taverna with his betrayer.

  Then I saw them huddled together among the trees quite close to the taverna watching the main entrance. There were three of them and I could make them all out even in the bad light as I crouched noiselessly watching them. There was Tero and his fellow guard Otho and the female figure of Marcella or Glyca, as I knew she was now called. They did not see me and with relief I continued my short journey back to the villa. It was wise not to have brought Hylas with me for we would more likely have been seen and Hylas would probably have wanted to stand and fight.

  I rushed through the gate and nodded to the two villa guards as I passed. My intention was to seek out Corelia but in my haste I had forgotten that she would be with the Emperor, so it would probably have to be Aria. I rushed into the villa and passed a servant. “Where is Corelia?” I shouted and she cringed.

  “She is in her room,” she replied.

  “Where is the Emperor?”

  “He is in his room. I think they have had an argument,” she said sheepishly by way of explanation.

  That was good news. I banged on Corelia’s door but there was no answer. I knocked again and opened the door and burst in. Corelia was getting out of bed and she stared at me. I stared back in awe for she was naked. She turned around giving me a rear view to add to the frontal one, and picked up a robe with which she quickly covered her nudity. “What is the meaning of this, Parthenian?” she said haughtily.

  “Hylas is in great danger.” I quickly explained to her the plot in which I was involved. “They are waiting for him outside the taverna.”

  “They plan to ambush him but we will ambush them. Turn your back, Parthenian, and I will dress.” I turned my back but stole a look which she did not seem to notice. We then dashed down the corridor towards Aria’s room. “If any harm comes to Hylas as a result of your scheming I will kill you, Parthenian,” she warned.

  “He is safe as long as he does not leave the taverna,” I assured her.

  “I will get Aria and you recruit my two guards at the gate.” I did as she requested and told the guards to be ready with their weapons.

  Corelia and Aria quickly joined us and Aria gave me a hostile stare. Corelia then thrust a sword into my hands. “I do not know how to use this,” I protested.

  “Take it and give it to Hylas.” I looked around and there was no sign of Casperius and Datus, who must have been asleep in the barracks.

  Corelia saw me looking. “They are hopefully asleep or resting, as is our Emperor.”

  She led the way along the road for a short distance and then she joined the trees at the side of the road and we stopped. She turned to me. “Parthenian, go on alone and return to the taverna and give us half an hour before you exit the main door with Hylas. Make sure you are not seen. Explain to Hylas what is happening and remember to give him the sword. You will walk down the main road back to the villa and you will leave the rest to us. Tero is in for a nasty surprise.”

  I ran along by the trees back towards the taverna but as I drew close I slowed down. Silently I checked to see if Tero, Otho and Glyca were in the same place. They were and they were still waiting patiently for Hylas to emerge. I slipped in through the back door unseen and joined Hylas at his table.

  “I am most relieved to see that you are still here and did not attempt to return to the villa,” I said.

  “The wine is good and your words sounded very grave and so I am still here,” he responded. “Now tell me what this is all about.”

  “When you leave here you will be ambushed by Tero and his guards. They intend to murder you. Take this sword.”

  “I have a dagger,” he said incredulously.

  “Take this sword anyway,” I said and handed him the sword that Corelia had given me.

  “How do you know this, Parthenian?”

  “I was in on the conspiracy. Casperius has blackmailed me and I have led you here knowing what was intended.”

  “What do you mean blackmailed you?”

  “He said that if I did not help them they would kill Drucilla,” I sighed.

  “This Drucilla obviously means a lot to you. Why do they want to murder me?”

  “They are working for a woman called Glyca. She is doing this for Marcus Gracchus, plus a financial reward,” I replied.

  “So that is what Gracchus meant, for I have often pondered over his dying words.”

  “You did kill him then,” I said.

  “Yes I did, for it was him or me. When he died he threatened
, even in death, revenge on me through a woman. I might have guessed that woman was Glyca for we go back a long way.”

  “Tero, Otho and Glyca are outside waiting for you.”

  “Why did you just leave?” he asked.

  “I sneaked back to the villa unseen and I told Corelia everything. Now she and Aria and your two guards are outside too waiting to intervene. Tero thinks you are outnumbered but in truth it will be they who are outnumbered. I went back to the villa because I feared you might want to confront them on your own.”

  “You are right, Parthenian. I would probably have done just that, for it would only have been three against two,” he grinned.

  I knew what he was implying. “I am not a fighter.”

  “So you keep saying, but take my dagger and keep behind me. Why did you change your mind?”

  “I could not do it, Hylas; not even for Drucilla. You are a friend and in the end I could not betray you and lead you to your death.”

  “You realize that they would have probably killed you as well.”

  “I do not think so, for Glyca gave me her word that I would not be harmed.”

  “And you believed her,” he laughed mirthlessly.

  “Actually I do, but that is beside the point for I could not lead you into an ambush.”

  “Casperius will no doubt be untouchable in all this and so we will have to try and make sure Drucilla remains safe afterwards.”

  “That is my intention,” I said.

  “Let us go then.” He sounded grim and determined.

  “Wait a bit, for Corelia said to give her half an hour,” I advised.

  “She will be thorough, for she always is. Should I be angry with you, Parthenian? You could have come to me with your dilemma before it reached this stage.”

  “Corelia and Aria are angry with me and so you also have a right to be.”

  “Corelia and Aria saved my life once before when Gracchus had sent murderers after me. I am fortunate indeed,” he reminisced.

  “We need to leave by the main entrance, Hylas, and keep to the centre of the road. Not far from the taverna the ambush will take place.”

  “Stay behind me, Parthenian, for I may have to hold them at bay for a few seconds until we get help.”

  “You trust me then, Hylas, after what I have done?” I asked.

  “Of course I do, for Corelia has told me that I can.”

  “How did she do that?” I was puzzled.

  “She sent this sword knowing that I would immediately recognize it.” He fondled the distinctive handle. “It is her sword and so I know you have done what you said.”

  “She is clever,” I said with admiration.

  “She is many things. Now, Parthenian, let us go and settle this matter with Tero.”

  We walked out of the main door of the now almost empty Tibur taverna and into the warm night air. The stars sparkled like pearls in the black firmament and the world seemed strangely at peace. I looked around but in the darkness I saw nothing.

  Chapter 15

  We walked down the road for a short distance and I could hear the sound of my own heart beating like a drum. The night was silent and the road deserted for the hour was now very late. How did I get involved in this dangerous sort of situation I asked myself, as I held my dagger poised under my outer attire.

  Then I saw them casually walking towards us as if they too were going on a late night out at the taverna. Tero and Otho were marching towards us chatting amicably but there was no sign of Glyca or any threat. They waved in a friendly fashion and I grimaced for that was certainly not like the hostile Tero. Of course, they thought that Hylas was not suspicious of their intentions and they were just seeking to disarm him further. They drew closer and then in a flash they revealed their weapons and ran at us. Without knowledge of their intent and without help, Hylas would have been murdered easily before he even realized what was happening, but he did have knowledge.

  Hylas withdrew his sword to meet the attack when Corelia and her two guards broke cover and rushed to intercept. Hylas blocked a thrust from Tero but Tero and his companion were already backing off under the unexpected attack from the side. Otho realized quickly that they were outnumbered and, when Tero stumbled to the ground in his effort to avoid an attack from one of Corelia’s guards, he threw down his weapon and surrendered. “I was just following orders,” he yelled.

  Tero was now backing away before the combined threat of Corelia, Hylas and the two villa guards. He was cornered and he knew it so he decided to make a break for safety into the nearby woods. He decided stupidly that Corelia might be the weakest of the enemies facing him and he dashed straight at her hoping to sweep her aside. He had made a fatal miscalculation. He swung his sword at her head but she ducked nimbly under the blade and plunged her own sword deep into his stomach. Corelia withdrew her sword and watched as Tero took a step backward and dropped his weapon while staring disbelievingly at the gladiatrix. I watched in fascination as Tero wavered and then out of the corner of my eye I saw Aria leading Glyca towards us. Tero then staggered towards me and put his hands on my shoulders to steady himself.

  “You betrayed us, Parthenian,” he muttered through gritted teeth.

  “It looks as if you are not going to kill me after all, Tero,” I smiled.

  I watched as the blood bubbled out of the corner of his mouth while more blood seeped out of the fatal wound. He slumped to his knees and for a moment remained kneeling, and then with a groan he collapsed face down in the dirt at my feet.

  “I found this one trying to sneak off,” said Aria with immense satisfaction.

  Corelia, however, looked a little shocked. “How am I going to explain what happened here? This is the deputy Praetorian Prefect I have just killed.”

  I thought I had an answer. “Tero had a vendetta against me and Domitian knows it. He tried to murder me but my friend, Hylas saved me. Domitian will accept that.”

  “And what of Casperius?” she countered while Hylas nodded agreement.

  “He dare not admit to attacking the Emperor’s chamberlain and his beloved gladiatrix. He will say nothing if we do not incriminate him.”

  “Parthenian is right,” stated Hylas. “But what about our two prisoners?”

  Corelia answered his question. “We can let Casperius decide what he wants to do with them.”

  Aria protested. “He can do what he wants with Otho but Glyca remains our prisoner.”

  “On reflection I tend to agree with you, Aria. When we get back we will barter immediately with Casperius. Now let us get back to the villa but Caber, you had better dispose of the body,” she instructed her guardsman.

  We made our way back to the villa silently with our unarmed prisoners. The stars still sparkled above as if nothing of any note had happened down below. I kept stealing glances at Marcella but she did not return them and I could almost imagine that she was plotting some terrible revenge to inflict upon me. Otho was looking very subdued and the rest of us were shocked at what had happened. It seemed that we were back at the villa in no time and standing at the gate was the young guardsman, Datus, who looked at us all with astonishment. Then Casperius emerged from the barrack building. He was coming to see if Tero had completed his task but he was in for a shock.

  He approached closer until he could see the group walking towards him more clearly. I could see his mind frantically seeking to make sense of the unexpected faces he saw before him. It should have been just Tero, Otho and Glyca with news of their success.

  Corelia spoke first. “We need to go inside for we have things to discuss.”

  Casperius nodded as if in a dream. On the way we put our two prisoners in the only room in the barracks that could be used as a cell. After that we made our way to the large room at the rear of the barracks which was suitable for a discussion. The group was now Casperius, Corelia, Aria, Hylas and myself.

  “Where is Domitian?” asked Corelia.

  “He is still in his chamber and no doubt fast asl
eep,” replied Casperius.

  “Good. Now Casperius,” she said his name with distaste. “Parthenian would like to put a proposal to you. Remember when you answer how precarious your position is and how much influence with the Emperor I have. Indeed also how much influence his chamberlain has who, I might add, enjoys the ear of the Empress.” She looked at me. “Make your demands, Parthenian, and do not leave anything out.” I saw this as an invitation for me to guarantee my own safety and the safety of Drucilla.

  I enjoyed the fact that he was uncomfortable. “You are aware, as is the Emperor, that Tero was waging a vendetta against me. Tonight he tried to murder me as I was leaving the taverna and in the resulting scuffle Tero was killed.”

  “Tero is dead,” he gasped. “You lot of criminals have killed my second in command.”

  “We are not the criminals here. The criminal is the organiser of such a crime. As I said he tried to murder me and failed at the cost of his own life. Even Domitian is aware that your second in command was a thug and he will believe the versions presented to him by Corelia and me. Tero was killed trying to commit a crime and your version of events will collaborate our stories.”

  “If it does not?” he ventured.

  “Then you will be implicated and the outcome will be unpredictable, but I suggest that you are more likely to be the loser.”

  “So I had given Tero and Otho the chance to go to the taverna and on the way they met Parthenian and Hylas and tried to murder Parthenian, with Otho acting on the orders of Tero. I have lost a deputy but I can live with that.”

  “There are more conditions,” I said.

  “And they are?” he asked.

  “You may decide on what to do with Otho but we will decide what to do with Glyca.” Even I was unsure about Marcella, for if she remained a prisoner then I was safe but if she were released we might resume our delightful friendship but on the other hand, she might seek revenge.”

  “They should both be released,” he stated. “Neither will contradict what I tell the Emperor.”

  Aria looked at Corelia. “Glyca will not be released and that is my condition,” she stated firmly.