The Sign of the Eagle

by Jess Steven Hughes

  “Thank you, I’m most grateful.” Relief filled her whole being. The muscles in her legs and shoulders relaxed. The thought that Appius might have denied her request had troubled her more than she imagined.

  He nodded and started to rise when Macha asked, “Tribune Appius, could you do me one more favor?”

  He raised thick eyebrows and returned to his seat. “What is it?”

  From where she sat, Macha reached into a fold within her stola and pulled out a sealed parchment. “Can you send this letter to Tribune Cnidius Rufus, my brother-in-law, with the other dispatches to the garrison at Mediolanum?”

  “Why the army and not a private courier?”

  “The letter contains my concerns about the possible involvement of my groom, Jason, in the conspiracy. My hand maiden told me what she suspected.”

  Appius snorted. “And based on what a slave thinks you would waste Rufus’ time investigating this slave’s movements? By Mars, we’ll yank him off your property and torture him—he’ll confess soon enough if he’s involved.”

  “Must I remind you that anyone under torture will say anything—I saw what they did to Crixus.” Her chest tightened as the memory of that night.

  “It worked, didn’t it?”

  Macha glared. Afraid she would lose her temper she reached beneath the table and readjusted her skirt. This gave her enough time to bring her emotions under control. “It only worked because we already knew what he had done! I say it’s better to place Jason under surveillance and track his movements. It may lead to the conspirators.”

  “Waste of manpower,” he growled.

  “Rufus is already searching for my son—it wouldn’t take many men to keep a watch—in fact, the fewer the better.” She gestured with a hand as if it were obvious. “From what my husband has told me, stealth is much better in matters like this.”

  For a few seconds, Appius peered at the marble bust of Emperor Vespasian on a pedestal in one corner of the library. He exhaled and turned his gaze to Macha. “All right, I’ll send it. You’re in luck, the next courier leaves for Mediolanum this afternoon. It’s a long hard ride.”

  Macha was aware the rider would change horses at army way stations every twenty miles and ride well into the night before he stopped to rest. He would keep up the pace until he arrived at Mediolanum. Unless his passage was blocked by snow in the Apennines, he might reach the garrison in as little as three days. She prayed he wouldn’t be delayed.

  “What made you decide to allow the letter to be included?” Macha asked.

  “I have my own suspicions as to why Senator Bassus was sent to Misenum. It smells like rotten mullet. Your doubts about your Greek groom might tie in somehow.”

  “As the playwright, Aristophanes, once said, ‘Leave no stone unturned’,” Macha said.

  “Aye, it’s worth a try. Cnidius Rufus is a good soldier. He’ll see if there’s any truth to your doubts. And I’m conducting my own investigation on orders from the Senator.”

  “What does that involve?”

  “Can’t say.”

  She was a little annoyed that Appius refused to tell her about his inquiries for Senator Bassus. “But you will assist me if I hear of anything that relates to the investigation? You can go places I can’t.”

  “If it’s something I can use, yes. But you’re to stay away from any place where you can get into trouble. You’ve been nearly murdered twice.”

  Macha stood by the library entrance and watched Appius cross the atrium to the front door where he was let out by the gatekeeper. She pondered his warning and knew he was right. But again she considered the dilemma. Could she stand by and do nothing, while the Watch searched for her son, and her husband languished in prison? Mother Anu, allow Antonia to see me─and soon, Macha prayed. Something within told Macha the results of that meeting would determine her next move.

  Chapter 24

  Forbidden Trysts?

  Later that afternoon Shafer returned from the Forum of Julius Caesar with a message for Macha. Fearing they might be overheard, Macha led Shafer to the middle of the garden away from any concealing shrubs before she allowed her servant to speak.

  “My friend says,” Shafer explained, “you are to secretly meet Sister Antonia early tomorrow morning at a deserted quarry. It’s about two miles south of the city off the Ardeatina Way. She says let no one see you.”

  “Why the quarry?”

  “It’s away from the city and safer. She dare not be seen with you any longer.”

  “Is it because my husband has been accused of treason?”

  Shafer bowed her head. “Yes, Mistress.”

  * * * * *

  Three hours before dawn, the next morning, Macha and Shafer left Bassus’ house to rendezvous with Antonia. Tiptoeing on bare feet along the dark hallway, they managed to sneak out of the home without waking anyone, including the sleeping gatekeeper.

  Macha was dressed in a heavy woolen stola and mantle to protect herself from the icy air, and hidden beneath her long skirt were tartan breeches. She put woolen stockings and thick-soled sandals on after leaving the mansion. She carried a dagger tied to the waist of her trousers. Shafer wore a long homespun tunic and a cowled mantle.

  Shafer quickly led the way keeping to the shadows. They trekked through the Ardeatinian Gate and down the cobbled road past one of Rome’s huge smoking rubbish heaps and the dozens of mausoleums lining the highway.

  In the hazy mist she saw the outline of a low-lying hill gently sloping toward the Campanian Plain. A large rocky scar carved into its side loomed out of the fog like a jagged mythological monster. The quarry. A few paces further, they encountered a thick row of thorny bushes protecting the outer perimeter, but Shafer found the hidden entrance. On the other side of the brush a wide but shallow pit yawned, leading to the base of the gouged hill. Cautiously, they made their way down a narrow rocky pathway. The women skirted a small mountain of black tailings, material from the quarry, and passed a pile of rusting chisels and shattered hammers before arriving at the bottom of the trail.

  Antonia is taking a terrible chance traveling here by herself to see me, Macha thought. I know she has been forbidden to speak to me. If we are caught together, my friend will be severely punished! She closed her eyes. Please Mother Goddess Anu watch over us! I couldn’t bear the thought of anything terrible happening to Antonia. Macha took a deep breath, opened her eyes again and looked about.

  Gray-purple fog enshrouded everything in the pit. Danger seemed to lurk in every crevice and behind every corner. All was as quiet as the somber tombs. Even in the murkiness Shafer walked without stumbling over invisible pieces of tufa stone. Macha followed closely in Shafer’s steps.

  Beyond a set of rotting scaffolding at the far end, Macha strained her eyes to recognize the small figure of Antonia, shrouded in a dark mantle, hovering at the entryway to the underground vault. She was silhouetted by a lantern burning on the ground beside her.

  Macha and Shafer halted by the old gantry.

  “Shafer, wait here and keep a watch while I meet with Sister Antonia,” Macha said and walked away from her Moorish slave.

  After the usual greetings, Macha told Antonia in greater detail about young Titus’ kidnapping.

  “It was reading the message about your son’s kidnapping that changed my mind,” Antonia said. “Despite Licinia’s prohibition, I won’t stand by and see your son used as a pawn.”

  “Is it true Sister Licinia wouldn’t allow you to meet with me because I’m the wife of an accused traitor?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m grateful you did.” Macha suspected more, but decided to ask further questions later. She briefly discussed the admission of Clodia’s daughter, Silvia, to the Sacred Order. Antonia promised to use her power in admitting the girl to the Vestals.

  She related the news to Antonia about the murder of her slave and music teacher Nicanor and that it was witnessed by his son, Demetrios.

  “The poor little boy, it must have bee
n horrible for him to see his father die like that,” Antonia said.

  Macha sighed. "If that wasn't terrible enough, he was murdered at the same time my son was kidnapped."

  "Oh, no! Why did they kill him?"

  "I think someone knew he was in the hayloft when his father was killed. But there is more.”

  “Go on.”

  “My hand maiden, Edain, while preparing Nicanor for burial discovered a fragment of parchment on his body.”

  “What about it?”

  "She told me that Nicanor had stolen it. He wouldn't tell her from whom. I think it was the reason why he was murdered."

  "Why would they kill him for it?"

  “On it was drawn a picture of an eagle, similar to the one found on legionary standards. There were parts of three names I could not decipher, and the letters, VE. I believe there may be a possible connection between the letters, VE, and the Vestal Virgins,” Macha said.

  Antonia’s head snapped to one side as if she had been slapped in the face. A few seconds elapsed before she regained her composure. “Surely, you are mistaken, Macha. What else do you suspect?”

  Macha decided she was on the right path. “Senator Bassus is investigating the matter, but yesterday the Emperor sent him to Misenum—he’ll be away at least a week.”

  “Longer,” Antonia blurted. “It’s further than you think. But I hadn’t heard a word of his departure.”

  Macha's eyebrows shot up in surprise. “What’s wrong, Antonia? You look as if you’ve seen the Furies. It has something to do with Senator Bassus, doesn’t it?” Unconsciously, she tightened the shroud around her shoulders. Something wasn’t right.

  At first Antonia denied any connection.

  “You are retiring from the order in one month, are you not?” Macha persisted.

  “Yes, you know that.”

  Pausing, Macha glanced in Shafer’s direction and saw her tall dark outline by the scaffold, keeping guard. The silence of the quarry engulfed the women as Macha pondered her next question. “There is something more than just official business and formal greetings between you and Senator Bassus?”

  “What in the name of Holy Vesta are you talking about?” For a split second Antonia’s eyes seemed to focus on the ground between them.

  “I may be foolish in saying this, but are you in love with Senator Bassus?”

  “Now that’s a silly question.”

  Macha narrowed her eyes. “I’m asking this as a friend of both of you. It’s only a guess on my part, but I am good at keeping secrets.”

  “You realize, I don’t have to answer your questions.”

  “I know, but if you are in love, it’s nothing to be ashamed of. If anything, you should be happy. You have only a month before you retire. No longer will you be tied to such an unnatural commitment. You know what I mean.”

  Antonia sighed. “Is it so obvious?”

  “Only to another woman, perhaps,” Macha answered. “I saw it in your eyes when we met in the Forum. The mention of his name brought a brightness to them I hadn’t seen before. You barely suppressed your smile. Has he asked to marry you?”

  “No, he hasn’t.”

  “Bassus is an honorable man. I’m sure he will.”

  “With a man, you can never be certain of anything.”

  Macha shrugged. “I know what you mean. But still why the sad face?”

  “I fear for Bassus.”

  “Senator Bassus can take care of himself.”

  “I’m afraid of bringing disgrace upon him,” Antonia said in a voice barely above a whisper.

  “You? Impossible!”

  “Macha, you and I have not had the opportunity to see one another very often, but I consider you a good friend.”

  Macha smiled. “I’m flattered, Antonia, that you honor me with such a compliment.”

  “You may not think so after what I am about to tell you.”

  For a moment Macha studied Antonia in the murky dawn light. Even the darkness couldn’t hide the fear she sensed lay behind those amber eyes.

  “I know you’re Briton by birth,” Antonia continued, “and as a child you came to Rome in chains with your mother and rebel father.”

  “Yes,” Macha answered quietly, “that horrible time will be with me until my dying day.”

  Antonia stepped forward, her pale hand touching Macha’s shoulder. “You don’t put much stock in Roman gods, do you?”

  “I’ve noticed most Romans only give them lip service. Then again, I have doubts about my Briton gods, too.”

  The priestess nodded. “Then you may not be so shocked about what I’m going to say. Whatever you think, under no circumstances must you reveal a word.”

  “I promise.” Her hand touched her heart.

  Antonia cleared her throat. “It’s true I love Bassus, but I allowed my desire for him to overcome my sensibilities and duties to Mother Vesta. Instead of waiting until I retired from the Order, I broke the greatest vow of a Vestal and gave myself to Bassus.”

  A prickling sensation rippled through Macha’s body. She turned and peered in the direction of the quarry’s gloomy entrance seeking what she knew not. All she observed was the graceful silhouette of Shafer. Then she said, “My gods, you’ll suffer dreadfully should anyone learn about it.”

  Macha found the idea of being chaste so long absurd. She knew as part of a Vestal Virgin’s sacred oath, Antonia had to retain her chastity. She had heard the terrible stories of Vestals discovered in sexual trysts with men. They suffered public disgrace and death. A shiver raced down her arms and back when she thought about how the victims were walled in a room underground, near the Colline Gate, with little food and water to die of starvation. She wondered why Antonia was telling her this damning information. The knowledge was dangerous. More than that it was a key—a weapon—to bring them both down at will.

  “That’s why I fear for Bassus more than myself,” Antonia continued. “It would be a ghastly end for me, but death for him as well. He would be publicly flogged and hurled off the Tarpaen Rock on Capitoline Hill as a traitor. All his property seized by the state.”

  “Who else knows about your affair?”

  Antonia hesitated.

  “Please, Antonia, this is important, my husband’s life is at stake.”

  “I can't tell you, except that it is another woman.”

  Macha’s heart leaped in her chest. Who could it be? She and Antonia knew many of the same people.

  “Why can't you reveal the name?” She stammered a few seconds later.

  The priestess shook her head. “I don’t see that it’s necessary for you to know. Isn’t it enough that she has knowledge?”

  “Antonia, that’s not enough. Continue,” Macha urged.

  “Very well. It all began when I rejected her advances. The woman wanted me to be her lover.”

  “My gods, how disgusting."

  “Yes, and because I scorned her, she vowed revenge. She bribed a house slave of the Vestals to spy on me. The slave saw me with Bassus—where I don’t know—and told her. She threatened to inform on me if I didn’t perform certain favors.”

  “For instance?”

  “Deposit a list of names in our sacred vault, including those which you told me about.”

  “Why would a list be kept in the vault? Would that not jeopardize those involve in the conspiracy?”

  Antonia took a deep breath and gestured as if it were obvious. “It was deposited there because the temple of Vesta is sacrosanct. No one but the Vestals are allowed access, not even the Emperor. The idea was to use the list against any members of the conspiracy who might change their minds.”

  “Wouldn’t the list put all members in danger?”

  “No. The name of each conspirator was placed on a separate sheet and sealed in a separate box. It can be detached as if there were only one name.”

  “But she could still inform the Emperor.”

  “Nothing so direct. Her plan was more sinister. She would tell Licinia, t
he Chief Vestal. The woman dared not risk a direct link. But the real reason to use Licinia is because the woman is her new lover.”

  Macha was filled with a sense of revulsion. “Why did Licinia get involved?”

  “The Virgo Maxima hates the Emperor, but doesn’t know about the list yet. She knows this woman is involved with the conspiracy and has given her blessing.” Antonia added that Vespasian had cut back the Imperial Subsidy to The Sacred Order as part of his plan to refill the treasury. That infuriated Licinia.

  “If Sister Licinia doesn’t know about the list, why don’t you remove it from the vault and give it to the Emperor? It proves Titus’ innocence.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Why not?”

  “So long as the woman is alive, she can expose me and Bassus. Even if she were arrested, she would know who revealed her involvement. I’m sorry, Macha, you must find another way of incriminating her.”

  “But Titus and my son’s lives are in danger!”

  “So are Bassus’ and mine. That is why I’ve handed you the very key to destroy Bassus and me. I want to help, and maybe later I can remove the document, but not yet. You must trust Bassus completely. If you still doubt us, doubt him, then shout what you know from the highest temple top—it won’t matter. Only if we trust each other completely can we burn that witch for what she has done to us, and our loved ones.”

  In her heart Macha feared making a decision that could cost her husband and son their lives. Although risks were high and failure warranted death, success spelled freedom for her men.

  “Then it’s settled,” Macha concluded. “We must seek a way to bring down that horrid female without betraying you or Bassus. But how?”

  As Macha turned and strode toward Shafer, she thought, it isn't enough that my attempts to free Titus have endangered my life and that of our son, but now I must help Antonia and Senator Bassus. Will I put their lives in peril? Mother Goddess help me!

  Chapter 25

  Unexpected Visitors

  By mid-morning, after returning to Bassus' home from the secret meeting with Antonia, and no longer able to keep her eyes open, Macha lay down, but awoke several times experiencing terrible nightmares. She failed to block the horrible images from her memory. Over and over she dreamed of her son being tortured and killed.