by L. M. Roth
Lucius listened gravely and nodded his head. The Cornelius family was well known and respected in Lycenium. He was not personally acquainted with the family, but surely his grandmother would know. If anyone knew the history of this man, it would be her. And she could perhaps shed some light on his motivation in coming to Valerium and stirring up strife.
And then they could determine a course of action to right the terrible injustice that had been done to the Alexandrians.
“Yes, yes, of course, I know all about the Cornelius family,” Drusilla crowed. “His mother is one of the leading ladies in Lycenium society, and so refined and elegant! She is a sight to behold in her splendid robes, which are the most luxurious to be found in Lycenium, considering that the cloth is brought in from the finest producers of textiles in all the world! Why the cost of them is so exorbitant…”
“Mother, please!” Tullia implored. “We do not need to know the history of his mother as much as we need to know the history of Iacomus. He is said to have died many years ago, yet he came to Valerium, and the result was catastrophic. Can you not shed some light on his history; do you know where the rumor that he died originated, and whether it was proved to be fact? Or is he merely assumed dead, yet lives on to wreak havoc where he wills?”
Drusilla did not take offense, but puckered her wrinkled lips and frowned in an effort of concentration.
“Hmmm, let me think,” she murmured. “I heard of him when he was a lad, and how wild he was. Indeed, he was something of a legend in Lycenium, where his bad example was feared as something that would influence other youth to follow in his footsteps. But where did I hear this from? Let me think a moment; it will come to me.”
She bowed her head for a moment and placed the fingertips of both hands to her lips. Suddenly she snapped her fingers in triumph.
“I have it!” she exulted. “I heard all of this many years ago, when you and I lived in Lycenium when your father was stationed here. And the person who related it to me was Quintina Hadrianus. And she should know the veracity of his history because Iacomus was the best friend of her son, Decimus Hadrianus.”
Chapter XIII
A Most Unlikely Friendship
“Decimus Hadrianus!” Marcus exclaimed in accents of horror. “Now it begins to make sense; the pieces of the puzzle are coming together!”
“But Father,” Lucius hastened to assure him, “it is alright. Decimus Hadrianus is the father of Antonius, my closest friend in Lycenium.”
To Marcus the room seemed to swirl around him as his mind reeled. The son of Decimus had befriended his son: the fiend! Not with any motives of disinterest he would warrant!
Marcus whirled around to face his son.
“And just what, pray tell,” he uttered through clenched jaw in a voice steely in its command, “did you tell your ‘friend’ regarding the beliefs of the Alexandrians? What did you reveal to him that he related to his father, who passed it on to this viper who came slithering in among a cote of innocent doves to destroy it?”
Lucius thought back to his meeting with Antonius. They had met in the Hall of Knowledge, the great building that housed the classrooms where those who wished to extend their learning beyond that of their private tutors met. It had seemed completely innocent in the eyes of Lucius.
Antonius was a gentle young man, and rather idealistic in his view of life. Lucius would have dismissed him as a dreamer and had nothing to do with him, but Antonius also possessed a joy in life that was irresistible to one of a kindred spirit such as he. For was not life to be enjoyed, and laughter indulged in on every occasion?
They quickly bonded, and spent much time together. Antonius, however, did not frequent the gaming halls nor visit the actresses of the amphitheater. He professed himself interested when Lucius spoke of his family’s faith in Dominio, and how he found it difficult to remain as devout as his parents. He had questioned him at length, and Lucius, thinking it nothing more than curiosity on the part of his new friend, held back nothing regarding the beliefs of the Alexandrians.
He told his father the history of his friendship with Antonius, withering under the piercing stare of Marcus’ gray eyes.
“And every word you told him, he carried back to Decimus, who conveyed it to Iacomus, who hastened to Valerium to bring our doom,” Marcus intoned like the voice of a bearer of bad news.
“No, Father! It could not be like that! There is nothing devious in Antonius; for he is the gentlest soul I have ever met. There is no deceit or malice to be found in him whatsoever.”
“Yet, everything you shared with him found its way back to his father, I will swear to it!” Marcus exclaimed in tones of disgust.
Tullia had said nothing during this recital, but paled an ashen shade and swayed slightly on her couch so badly that Lucius was afraid she would faint. He looked in puzzlement from his mother to his father.
“But,” he fumbled, “I do not understand. Why do you think that Decimus or Iacomus would wish to harm you or the Alexandrians? What malice could either of them possibly bear you?”
Marcus pondered long before addressing his son’s question. He could share nothing unless it was agreeable to Tullia, who after all, had suffered the greatest at the hands of Decimus. Long had it rankled in his soul, how lightly Decimus was punished for his crimes against Tullia. And against Felix…
A public rebuke, and handed over to the custody of his father Gerontius. That was all the punishment that was deemed necessary for the son of the Governor of Lycenium. Yet even in the marketplaces of Lycenium and Potentus it had been whispered that the young Hadrianus had gotten away with murder and abduction, and so virulent was the talk against him that Gerontius had been forced to resign as Governor the following spring. He and his family left Lycenium for two years to live down the disgrace, and Gerontius retired completely from public office.
When they returned to Lycenium, Decimus was accompanied by a bride; a young and innocent girl who was completely ignorant of the reputation of her husband, and the foul deeds he had committed against others. Marcus wondered if he would have ever been able to marry in Lycenium or Potentus, where his scandalous behavior was far too well-known. Indeed, the bride he brought back from the provinces was not quite of the same social class that Decimus was accustomed to wooing, but that he found any wife at all was a marvel to Marcus, considering his history of debauchery and violence.
And now, of all the ironies of which life could deal, his own son had been befriended by the son of this villain who had already caused so much grief to the Maximus family. But, did he have a right to tell Lucius what Decimus had done to his own mother? Not without the consent of Tullia; for she had been deeply humiliated by the abduction of Decimus, and had it not been for her marriage to Marcus it was doubtful she would have had another offer of marriage. For always there would have been the question of whether Decimus had had his way with her, and her reputation would have been irrevocably stained.
Marcus glanced over at her: Tullia now appeared recovered from her momentary shock and appeared perfectly composed. He caught her eye and raised an eyebrow. She sighed somewhat ruefully, and slowly nodded her head. Marcus knew now what he must do…
The three of them talked in an emotional discussion that grew heated at times in its exchange. Drusilla had removed herself from the room as she sensed the storm that was coming, exhibiting a rare tact on her part for which Marcus was grateful. For Lucius had never heard any of this history and was reluctant to believe it.
Why, Decimus was a fine man! He would never harm anyone; how was this possible that he had abducted a maiden and killed a man? Only a scoundrel would be capable of such wickedness, and he had not even been punished for it! Was it therefore possible that his parents were mistaken at the depths of his evil?
Marcus could not believe the obstinacy of his son. How could they be mistaken, eyewitnesses as they were to the evil deeds of Decimus? Did Lucius mean to call his own mother a liar? Did he believe that she had not been taken a
nd held captive against her will?
And what of Felix? Marcus was there when Decimus stabbed him. His target had actually been Tullia and Felix intervened. What of that? Did Lucius mean to say that his father was blind in addition to calling his mother a liar?
At last Tullia intervened.
“Please, Lucius! I realize this is too much for you to comprehend, but please, my son, believe me, when I tell you that it all happened. And Decimus was publicly denounced for it and his father had to resign as Governor in disgrace. Ask any citizen of Lycenium who was here at the time. Ask your own grandmother: they will confirm everything your father has told you.”
Lucius was pale with shock and the need for sleep, having stayed up so late the night before. And now here was his father and mother relating a history that he was unaware of and implying that his new friend was merely a tool in the hands of his father and not to be trusted.
At last he could bear no more.
“Father, Mother, I beg of you, let us stop this discussion. I am weary and can not believe what you have told me. I do not say that you lie, yet how can I believe this of one who has invited me into his home and treated me with all of the courtesy due a companion of his son? I have never been treated with anything but kindness by both Decimus and his wife. This account contradicts my own experience and is incredible to my ears.”
He groaned and rubbed his eyes. Tullia looked at her son with eyes misty with tears, while Marcus waited with patience for him to continue. After all, he recalled with some rue, had he not once spoken to his own father that way when he shared his past with the Empress Aurora before meeting his wife Honoria? He, too, had found the tale hard to believe…
“Allow me to do this,” Lucius spoke at last, “Permit me to invite Antonius to dine with us tomorrow evening, and you will meet him for yourself. Then tell me whether you do not consider him the gentlest soul in the world.”
Chapter XIV
An Old Enmity Revisited
To the dismay of Marcus and Tullia, Antonius did not come alone. When they received the news that their dinner guest had arrived, they walked into the dining room to discover that young Hadrianus had been accompanied by his parents.
Marcus swallowed his anger with difficulty and contented himself with a glare at Decimus, who had the impudence to look amused. He noted that Decimus had not lost his handsome looks, although now he was slightly heavier and his face a little florid from being over fond of wine. Decimus bestowed a mocking bow upon Tullia, whose face froze into harsh rigidity, transforming her exquisitely chiseled features into a mask of stone.
Decimus then remembered the presence of his wife whom he introduced with a casual indifference. Paulina was a shy and mousy looking woman with sandy hair, pale blue eyes, and a mouth with lips too narrow and a weak chin that quivered when she spoke. She had none of the beauty or elegance of the maidens Decimus had pursued in his youth, but then, maidens of that class of society would have naught to do with him after his treatment of Tullia; probably Paulina was one of the few options left to him in his search for a wife.
Tullia remembered her manners and extended a hand of welcome to Paulina, who accepted it with eager gratitude. She appeared to Marcus to be a creature who desired to please, and to belong in the class to which she now was elevated upon her marriage. Yet her lack of polish was soon evident, as she made one social blunder after the other throughout the evening.
Marcus noticed that Paulina had difficulty making the small talk so necessary at the dinner tables of the elite. After her first greeting she quickly lapsed into silence and when spoken to, answered with brief sentences that revealed her lack of poise.
“How did your garden fare after so dry a summer?” Tullia asked her politely.
“Oh, oh, it fared. I mean, it was fine, I suppose. I do not know really, we have slaves who take care of all of that. Several in fact; we have six gardeners and I leave all of it to them. We do not need to concern ourselves with such mundane matters when there are others to do it for us,” Paulina fumbled in reply with an ingratiating smile.
She noted the frozen look on Tullia’s face. Everyone had slaves, except the Maximus family who had freed all of theirs and paid them wages. But it was considered vulgar to mention slaves and the services they rendered, a fact of which Paulina seemed unaware.
She did no better once the meal was served. Paulina had apparently not been taught that it was rude to speak with one’s mouth full, and she slurped her soup in a manner that was shocking to one of Tullia’s social status, if Marcus could judge by the way her eyes widened and looked away from her guest. Marcus risked a glance at Decimus and was surprised to see him redden and drop his eyes to his plate and clamp his mouth tightly while shaking his head slightly.
So, Marcus thought, Paulina is an embarrassment to him. And for the first time he felt sorry for his old rival. But after all, it was Decimus himself who had ruined his chances to take a lady for his wife.
Antonius did indeed appear to be as gentle as Lucius claimed, with soft brown eyes that held all of the innocent wonderment of a child continually delighted with life’s daily adventures of exploration, and an endearing manner of meekness surprising in the son of Decimus Hadrianus. He greeted Marcus and Tullia with a warmth and lack of guile that soon convinced Marcus of his innocence in relaying the secrets of the Alexandrians to his father. In fact, Marcus was about to be besieged in the young man’s questions regarding the sect, much to the amusement of Decimus as he noted Marcus’ discomfort.
“Oh, please sir, do tell me more about the Alexandrians! For Lucius has told me some of their beliefs and I long to know more. He says that no one knows as much about Alexandros as you,” Antonius implored, as he hung on every word of Marcus’ throughout the meal.
Decimus allowed himself a snicker, which was quickly subdued by a glance at Tullia, who returned it with a look of cool contempt. Decimus scowled and took a hasty slug from his glass of wine, which Marcus noted, was his third of the meal. Paulina looked with puzzlement from her husband to her host, then flushed in confusion and gave full attention to her food.
Marcus turned back to his young guest.
“It is true that I have been a believer for many years, Antonius,” he replied. “Yet there are others who know far more about Alexandros than me.”
“Is it true that anyone can believe? Do you not have to earn favor with Alexandros? The gods of Lycenium must be placated with vows and sacrifices: is it not the same with Alexandros?”
Marcus smiled at the eagerness of the young man. How could Decimus have had such a son? Surely Antonius must have taken after his mother!
“Yes, it is true that anyone can believe, Antonius. And one does not have to earn favor with Alexandros, because Alexandros paid a price so that we may have favor with His Father, Dominio, the One true God.”
Marcus was on the brink of relating the story of Alexandros in its entirety to Antonius when he caught himself sharply. With Decimus in the room listening to every word that he said, how could he? Not only would he mock and ridicule, who knew what tale he would send back to the Emperor! It was true enough that they were safe for the moment in Lycenium, but Iacomus was still in Valerium as were some of the Alexandrians who had remained behind. Marcus could not endanger them…
He was spared an excuse by the intrusive remarks of his mother-in-law. Drusilla had never understood the fascination of her daughter and son-in-law with a God whom she could not see, hear, or touch, and with barely suppressed impatience she barged in and turned the conversation into a different stream. Marcus never thought that he would be grateful to his mother-in-law.
“But Decimus, you must tell us how your mother and father fare! For I have not seen them in so long. Are they well? The last I heard of Quintina she was still very lovely. Have you any news of them?”
With reluctance Decimus turned from the discomfiture of Marcus to satisfy the curiosity of the woman whom he would have had for his mother-in-law had her daughter been
willing to co-operate. That he still admired Tullia was obvious to Marcus: he had not missed the wistful glances he had surprised on the face of Decimus throughout the meal. That each look of yearning was followed with a tightening of the lips and a flash of fire in his green eyes did not bode well; clearly Decimus was still angry at her refusal of his wooing, and that anger made Marcus suddenly fear for the safety of his wife. If Decimus dared to lay a hand on her…
The rest of the meal was spent in desultory conversation, natural and easy on the part of the two young men and Drusilla; strained to the point of breaking on the part of the others. Paulina had caught the undercurrents between her husband and their hosts, and she appeared in a hurry to finish the meal and leave at the earliest opportunity.
“My, how the time has flown by! Antonius, do you not have an early appointment tomorrow with your tutors and an exam? It would be best for you to get a good night of sleep so you are refreshed and able to think clearly. Come, eat up your meal and we should be on our way.”
Decimus shed a sneering glance on his wife, but his eyes softened when they rested on his son. Even he, Marcus thought to himself, had some semblance of finer feeling, and that he doted on his son was evident.
“Yes, Antonius,” Decimus drawled as though he had nothing but time on his hands, “you must do as your mother says. For even a boy as bright as you must rest before undergoing such an ordeal!”
He laughed in genuine amusement with no hint of mockery and smiled indulgently at Antonius. On this note of civility and ease it was possible to end the dinner with good will and see their guests to the door in a hospitable manner.
