“I can guess,” Bassus answered.
“It’s a copy listing the conspirators. It must be the one stolen from Crixus.” She read aloud a few of the conspirators’ names.
The Emperor, who had turned to converse with the centurion in charge of the guards, came forward. He snatched the list from Macha’s hands and studied the names. Shaking his head, he stepped to the brazier a few paces away and held the list to the burning coals. The red-orange flames consumed the parchment in a hungry blaze.
Macha stared in disbelief as she watched the most incriminating of evidence disintegrate into ashes. “I don’t understand, Caesar,” she said a few seconds later. “Without the list it’s impossible to prove they plotted against you. And my son is still in great danger! He may be killed, if he hasn’t been already.” She pressed her lips together to keep back the tears.
Vespasian shook his head and grunted, “We are making every effort to find your son, Lady Carataca. To arrest the people on the list would bring down the government. Too many powerful families are involved. Most of them are honorable and support me. I’m certain they have been misguided."
Macha thought the Emperor was being too merciful. Then she remembered. This was the man who as general wouldn't hesitate to execute his soldiers for disobeying orders, but was reputed to be so merciful with civilians that he openly wept at the execution of common criminals.
“However," the Emperor continued, interrupting Macha's thoughts, "I will speak to the most powerful and warn them that I know of their intentions. I will protect myself and deal with any future treasonous acts with a vengeance. My spies will watch their every move. There is your justice, and here is mine,” He faced Macha and Titus. “I have dropped all charges against you, Tribune Titus Antonius. The properties of Julius Pedius and his deceased wife Pollia are hereby confiscated. For your troubles, I award you and your wife, Macha Carataca, as compensation their home here in Rome. The rest of their assets and holdings in the city and throughout the Empire will go to the state.”
“Thank you, Caesar,” Titus said, saluting, apparently astounded by the pronouncement. Pollia’s house was among the largest in Rome and worth a fortune.
“You are more than generous, Caesar,” Macha said.
“That’s not all,” he continued, “I am disbanding the First Italica Legion. Its men are to be scattered throughout the army. Those officers considered most dangerous are in the process of being arrested. Others under suspicion will be sent to the furthest outposts of the Empire where they can do no harm. We shall confiscate the list in the Temple of Vesta. This is my final word on the matter.”
Knowing it would be foolish to argue with Vespasian and that at least his men were still searching for their son, Macha turned to a subject close to her heart. “But Caesar, if Falco was on his way to kill Titus, how did you rescue him?”
“Your husband can answer that.”
After parting salutations, the Emperor left with his guards in tow, their hob-nailed sandled boots clattering on the mosaic floor. A detail of slaves followed behind and carried Pollia's body from the room.
Bassus remained behind, approached the couple and halted a couple of steps from them.
For the lapse of a few heartbeats, Macha stared past the Senator in the direction of the door and sighed. Is this nightmare truly over? she wondered. No, not yet. Turning back to Titus she asked, "Honestly, how did Falco die?"
“It’s very simple; I killed him,” Titus answered.
Bassus nodded.
“But how? You didn’t have any weapon.”
Titus grinned. "I had a stool."
"What! A stool?"
"Aye, but there is more. As soon as he came into my room, I accused Falco of being in league with the conspirators.”
“How did he get by the guards?”
“Pollia was right. They were in sympathy with the plot. Once he opened my door, they disappeared from their posts. I told Falco to get out. Instead he drew his sword.”
Macha touched his arm. “But, darling, what did you do?”
“I threw a stool, but he deflected it with his sword. We circled one another. I hurled a lamp followed by a straw mattress. Falco ducked the lamp and easily moved out of the mattress’s way. He turned his head long enough for me to sneak a handful of salt from a bowl on the table,” Titus continued. “I shoved the little table towards him as a diversion, and threw salt into his eyes, blinding him. He dropped his sword. I grabbed the weapon, and shoved it to the base of his throat. He begged for mercy.”
“You believed him?” Macha asked, shaking her head.
He exhaled. “That was stupidity on my part. I backed away and lowered the sword. Falco sprang to his feet and pulled a knife from inside his waistband. But he wasn’t quick enough. I jammed the sword through his ribs up into his heart.”
Macha trembled. Using long fingernails, she curled her hands and gouged her palms to stop the shaking.
“About that time," Titus continued, "Senator Bassus, Appius, and the Praetorians barged into the room. They saw me standing over Falco’s body. I was sure they were going to kill me.”
“I shouted, ‘Stand down,’” Bassus said, “‘Titus, the Emperor knows the truth. You're free.’” Bassus suppressed a yawned. He motioned for them to sit on stools near the dressing table. "This has been a long night."
Once Macha and Titus sat, Bassus stood before them and continued, “When Titus and I returned to the palace. I received the message you had escaped from my house. That’s when Titus and I hurried to Pollia’s room. On the way, we encountered the Emperor. I explained the situation, and what I suspected about you, Macha. He followed with a guard detail.
“We heard your voices as we approached the room, the Emperor told us to wait. He whispered he wanted to listen before entering in case Pollia said something incriminating.”
“We heard everything,” Titus said glancing to Macha.
“Thank Mother Goddess you arrived when you did,” Macha added. She touched her heart. “Why didn’t the Praetorians search Pollia before confining her to the room?”
“That puzzled Vespasian, too,” Bassus said. “It turns out the commanding tribune of their cohort was in league with the conspirators, and allowed Pollia to retain her dagger. He ordered she was not to be searched.”
“Has he been arrested?” Macha asked.
“Yes, along with a dozen other officers. We received the information from Phidias who confessed after he was arrested. He named General Valens, officers from Legion First Italica and the Praetorian Guard involved in the plot and admitted his own part. A detachment loyal to Vespasian has been dispatched to arrest General Valens.” Bassus paced about the room for a few moments before rejoining Macha and Titus. "Sorry, trying to stay awake."
“My brother-in-law, Cnidius Rufus, is not involved, is he?” Macha asked, concerned about his fate and that of Helena.
“No, like your husband, he is one of the few officers in the legion known to be loyal to the Emperor.”
“Thank the gods,” Macha said.
Bassus exhaled. “Remember when the Emperor said he was leaving to confer with the new governor of Egypt, and I went along?”
Macha nodded.
“That was a ruse. He and I conferred with officers loyal to the Emperor, those who had campaigned with him in Judea. We implemented plans to arrest the traitors. Then Pomponius Appius, a squad of loyal Praetorians and I hurried to the Barracks to rescue Titus. You know the rest. In any event, the Emperor is now guarded by officers and men whose true mettle is known to him.”
“Yes." Relieved, Macha turned and looked deeply into Titus' eyes and then back to the Senator. "But not everything is settled. We must still find our son."
Chapter 39
Betrayal at Home
For the first time since his arrest, Macha and Titus slept together. Sighing, a smile framed her lips at the memory of his vigorous yet tender lovemaking, as she awoke just before dawn. Although still tired from the gr
ueling events of the night before, she could no longer sleep. Pushing off the blanket, she sat up and placed her feet on the cold floor, rubbing her eyes, thinking about last night.
Macha groggily remembered being awakened as Titus stirred from bed. In the room's darkness, she barely perceived the outline of her husband's muscular body as he hurriedly threw on a tunic. He buckled a belt, holding a sword, around his waist. Or was she dreaming?
"You're leaving?" she asked.
"You were sleeping so soundly, I didn't want to disturb you," he answered. "A slave brought an important message."
"At this hour?"
"Aye. One of Bassus’ informants reported a boy, kidnapped from Mediolanum, has been hidden somewhere in the Trans-Tiber District across the river. It has to be our son."
"Are you sure?"
"I'll learn soon enough. I'm going there with a detachment of Praetorians. Don't fret, darling. We'll scour that festering area of tenements until he's found."
"Oh, gods, I hope you're right."
Titus stooped and kissed her on the cheek. "Go back to sleep," he said softly. "You're exhausted." He quietly left the room.
My poor son, Macha thought, her mind in a slumbering daze. Mother Goddess, I must do something.
* * * * *
At breakfast Macha thought over what Titus had said. I'm so thankful for his release, but I hope he does find our little boy, Macha thought. How much longer must I wait? She rose from the chair and prepared to send a letter to Helena.
Macha sat at a desk in the tablinum dictating a letter to Bassus’ household scribe. The message detailed the arrangements to bring her household from Mediolanum to Rome. They would journey south once Macha and Titus took possession of the home confiscated from Pollia and Pedius. The surprise of receiving Pollia’s sprawling domus from the Emperor was finally sinking in.
Macha was about to continue dictation when she heard footsteps. Senator Bassus, draped in his official toga, entered the room. Deep lines furrowed his forehead.
Has the worst happened to young Titus? Why has he returned from the Palatine at this early hour?
“I’ve just come from a meeting with the Emperor.” Bassus raised an eyebrow, signaling the scribe to leave. The Senator dropped onto the bench across from Macha. After the secretary had departed, Bassus said, “Your groom, Jason, has been arrested.”
Fear shot through Macha's body like an earthquake. A couple of seconds passed before she calmed herself. “But why? What has he done?” Her mind had been so focused on getting Titus released and finding her kidnapped son that she had forgotten about the womanizing slave and his possible aiding of the conspirators.
“He confessed to taking part in the plot against the Emperor.”
For a couple of heartbeats, Macha sat speechless, her jaw clenched, remembering her suspicions of Jason's involvement. "When did you learn about this?"
“I received the dispatch from your brother-in-law, Cnidius Rufus, this morning describing Jason's treachery.”
“Who denounced him?”
“Your own handmaiden, Edain,” Bassus answered, frowning.
Thank Mother Goddess that Edain followed my instructions, Macha thought. She told had Edain to notify Helena if she saw any activities out of the ordinary.
“Can you give me the details?” Macha asked.
Bassus explained that Jason had been arrested along with two Gallic merchants known to be involved in the conspiracy. He confessed under torture he had plotted with tribune Falco, the Gauls, and a half-dozen officers from the First Legion to frame Titus. The slave knew about the murders of Nicanor, Metrobius, and little Demetrios. Jason joined the others when Falco promised his freedom once Titus had been executed. He had heard that Nicanor had stolen a copy of the conspirator's list from Metrobius.
“When did this happen?” Macha studied Bassus' deep-set chestnut eyes.
“Within a few days after you arrived in Rome. Because of time and distance, we had no way of knowing until now.”
“It seems so ironic to receive this on the morning after Pollia’s death, and Titus’ release.” Macha shook her head.
“Under the circumstances, you were very brave and wise in taking steps to free Titus. If you hadn’t, he might have been dead before this arrived.”
Faithful Edain, Macha thought. I'm pleased she obeyed me.
"What else can you tell me?"
Bassus explained Edain had seen Falco in the courtyard at Macha's home speaking to Jason. He passed a small pouch to Jason, later discovered to have contained gold. Unfortunately, Edain had to wait a few hours before she could leave the home without arousing suspicion and report to Helena what she had seen. Helena immediately told her husband Cnidius Rufus who had suspected Falco’s involvement in the plot from the beginning. By this time, Falco was on his way to Rome, and Macha's son had been kidnapped.
“How could Jason do this, Senator?” Macha asked in a voice full of disgust. “I did my best to treat all my slaves fairly.”
He snorted. “Unfortunately, it happens all too often.”
“Thank Mother Goddess for Edain’s loyalty and friends like you and Helena,” Macha said. "So when did Rufus arrest Jason?"
"Tribune Rufus placed Jason under surveillance. He believed the young Greek knew where the Gauls were hiding. With a select group of loyal troopers, Rufus followed him to the shores of a small deserted lake where he ambushed and arrested Jason while he was conferring with the two Gauls. Before taking the prisoners to the garrison, where General Valens would have interfered with the interrogation, Rufus forced the three to confess to their participation in the conspiracy. The information corroborated with what he knew, and only what a conspirator would have known about the plot. They revealed General Valens involvement and his plans to assassinate Vespasian and become the next Emperor."
Bassus paused. "What do you think, Macha?"
"This is so bizarre," she answered. "To blame this all on Titus! How could they think it would work?"
The Senator continued, "Your slave, Jason, knew Metrobius had received a copy of the list but did not where it came from. He heard that Falco had poisoned him when he was held at the stockade to make sure he would not confess."
Macha leaned her head back until it touched the high back of the chair. She closed her eyes and groaned. "Why did Metrobius have to betray me?" She wrapped her hands around both her elbows and rocked her slender body back and forth for a couple of minutes.
Bassus sat quietly, no doubt sympathetic to her plight.
"Metrobius and Jason’s treachery has defiled my household," Macha rasped as she opened her eyes. "To viciously betray my husband and me out of petty jealousy and for money is unthinkable. But I’m grateful that both were exposed and arrested. Edain must be rewarded for her loyalty. Perhaps, even freedom. She has done as much as anyone else to save my husband’s life and that of the Emperor."
Macha reached across the table and briefly touched Bassus forearm. “Thank you, Senator, for letting me know. I’m not completely surprised by these revelations, but it’s still a shock. It’s so awful what Metrobius and Jason did. I need time to absorb this—to think this through. Do you mind leaving me alone for awhile?”
“I understand, my dear.” Bassus nodded and left the library.
She doubled over, putting her palms to her face and wept, shaking uncontrollably.
Later, when Macha had calmed herself, she reflected on what had occurred within the last twenty-four hours. Titus had been released and Pollia was dead. Jason had confessed to his and Metrobius' part in the plot. The conspirators were known, but Young Titus was still missing.
Chapter 40
A Present from Mother Vesta
At noon the following day, acting Virgo Maxima Antonia sent a message to Bassus' house. She would arrive soon to see Macha and Titus on an urgent matter.
They and Bassus waited for her in the atrium, its tiled roof open to the sunlit sky. Small paintings of theatrical scenes decorated large blue pa
nels on surrounding walls. Near the edge of the impluvium, in the middle of the room, Macha sat on a cushioned wicker chair. Runoff from the previous night's rain filled the shallow blue-veined marble pool.
She closed her eyes. Drifting down from the roof’s skylight, a cool breeze caressed her face, carrying the scent of roses. Why had Antonia called for this meeting today rather than yesterday? What matter was bringing her to Bassus' house so soon after being elevated to her new rank as Supreme Vestal Virgin? Could she have news of young Titus? The ache in her heart tightened. Please, let it be so.
Macha smiled as she recalled the evening meal the night before. Bassus had informed her and Titus that Antonia and he planned to marry once she retired the following month. This pleased Macha. It wasn’t the only revelation. To Macha’s delight, Bassus also announced he was freeing Shafer and Viriatus. The Spaniard would be reinstated as a soldier in the army and become the Senator’s chief retainer. To everyone’s surprise, including Shafer’s, Viriatus had immediately asked for her hand in marriage. Speechless, Shafer nevertheless nodded an enthusiastic yes.
This solves the problems of all those I hold dear, Macha thought, except little Titus. And nothing really mattered except finding him.
“What’s so important about Antonia’s message that I have to waste my time waiting here?” Titus asked, bringing Macha out of her thoughts. She opened her eyes. “I should be searching for our son.” Dressed in his uniform as a military tribune, he paced back and forth along the little pool, the sound of his hob-nail boots echoing through the atrium.
Macha straightened her back and spoke hoping to comfort him. “I feel the same way, darling. Now that Pollia and Falco are dead, I’m praying for the best.”
Titus halted, his sword and dagger slapped against his thigh. “All the more reason I ought to be out.” He motioned to the front entrance. “We made a good start this morning, before I received a message to return to Bassus' home. A detachment of Praetorian Guards and I were in the process of conducting a door-to-door search in the slum-ridden Trans-Tiber district.”
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