by Ken Farmer
Further down the port road, he pointed and said to Ngozi. "There is a taverna with goodly view of the street. Let us take a cup and wait." Shortly, both were seated at a table under the alcove, giving sight of the street and passing citizenry, but with the views not easily seen under the shadows by such in passing. Their cups had not yet been filled, when he said, "It would appear that Eukles is giving good haste to our needs." They could see the Conciliator hurrying from his doorway down the street to disappear into the crowds. "But, it would seem that in his busy thoughts, he has neglected to notice that his feet take him into the opposite direction of the Judgment offices."
Both just relaxed in the cool shade, enjoying the goodsome wine, watching working citizens along the street and patrons come and go in the taverna. After a while, Julius rose at need, turning to walk to the latrine in the back of the building. There, he emptied his wine-water into the trough, along with two other men, standing beside him. Finally, as one of the patrons of the cubicle gained his relief and departed, the other turned and said, "You were on the mark, Capitaneus." Judoc grinned, continuing, "But not as to the shaft that was launched." The crewman looked again to see if any were in hearing, then said, "Your shadow is another urchin." A nod to Julius at the widened eyes, then, "Aye. It would seem that more than one can play your game of bones."
Indeed. Such was no doubt common in all cities around the Great Sea. It took no vast intellect to understand the use of small boys, invisible and unseen, for gaining knowledge without the notice of the surveilled. The house of Clavius had no monopoly on cleverness. "We cannot slay a mere boy for his need to exist." Julius was merely thinking aloud.
"I could give a sound thrashing in discouragement," said Judoc "Not such as to give harm, but he would scamper back to his lair."
"And be replaced by another before the next hour gong sounds." A quick thought, then, "Go. Maintain your follow at distance. Mayhap the urchin is not the only eyes that are fixed on us. We will return to the Petrel and wait for any results of our discussions with the Conciliator."
Their return was not as expected, arriving at the wharf to see both the shoreline and dock as a busy day in the Forum, with a huge lectica sitting surrounded by overgarbed attendants, and those ringed by armed guards. "By the swollen testiculi of Jupiter," he muttered under his breath to Ngozi. "What is this circus procession?"
"Aye," replied Ngozi. "It is some wonderment that the wharf does not founder from the weight of such display of gaudery."
As he walked through the crowd to the boarding plank, one of the nobly garbed men - obviously one of the passengers of the carrying chair - called, "Kapetánios Clavius?"
"Aye."
"I am come in representation of some importance."
Julius looked over the... mob of attendants. "If your reason is the requirement of berths to another port, know that my ship is engaged in other needs at the present..."
"Might we board for converse, Kapetánios?"
"Not the entire of your procession. We would ground on the bottom before half crossed the plank." He pointed. "Yourself and your comrades."
The man turned and waved to two others, and all strode across the plank to the waist of the ship. Julius pointed to Flavius, then to the stack of wicker chairs stacked by the mast. The man brought several, and the new guests were gestured to sit.
Waving to the Sage to join the converse, he said to the visitors, "It is obvious that your need is of haulage, either of persons or cargo."
The man nodded. "Aye, but firstly, let me give my commission. I am Timotheus, Conservator to his Majesty, King Antiochus." Julius kept his face in an inert poise, although his inner being was in total surprise. This was the furthest happening from any expectations... What possible need of use brought them to the attention of a King? That the Royal needed to flee the oncoming forces of the real ruler of the land, Tigranes, mayhap... "His Majesty is in need of hasty consult with the Senate of Rome, and these..." He gestured to his two comrades. "...are the ambassadors selected for the appointment."
"You have taken me in surprise, Kurio... Steward. Indeed, I..."
"Your ship is known as taut and fast, and the family of Capua honorable in their completion of any commission. We are prepared to offer much payment for service. In addition to the coffer of gold for the voyage, there can even be appointment as favored traders in the realm of his Majesty."
Julius thought on the surprising statement, then said, "I will not ask of the reason of your need of converse, but does the Senate have knowledge of your desire for such?"
"Nay, but his Majesty has made goodly treat with Rome in the past. I have little doubt that the ambassadors will be received in goodsome manner." He looked into the city, then continued, "But, our haste is great, and you have no doubt heard of the death of the King. With such uncertainty, my principals will move from Antioch until the situation... becomes clearer."
"As it happens, Steward. We were about to stand out even on the morrow for points west. But, your needs come as a surprise." He waved to Flavius, pointing to the basket of cups, then said, "Be so kind as to enjoy our wine for the nonce as I consult my navigator and maps for the voyage." Standing and bowing to his... guests, he nodded for Patroclus to follow him below, but then stopped, looking at the wharf and the shoreside area. "I would that you dismiss your troupe of retainers. They are as obvious as an ox in the public baths, and their assembly may garner far too much attention from... others. My crew are fair bladesmen - you need not fear any miscreants while on my vessel."
In the privacy of his cabin, barely large enough for both to sit, and even then with the Captain needing use of his sleeping mat as chair. "This voyage is becoming as a farce on the acting boards of the Forum." He thought for a moment, then said, "King Tigranes I know of - who does not? But, tell me of Antiochus."
Patroclus nodded, leaning back to give assemble to his thoughts. Finally, "That King is the..." he counted on his fingers for a moment. "...the eighth of his line, but the real power behind him is his Mother, Selene. They claim rule of these entire lands, and even those of Egypt, but as the ants might pretend to suzerainty over the den of the lion. In actuality, they control only the cities of Erdemli, Bebli, Limonlu and others along the southern coast, and those only until either Rome or King Tigranes decide to make possession." Reaching across the tiny scribing table, he picked up the small parchment with a general map of the Great Sea. Tapping a location, he said, "Indeed, were the Consul Cosconius not engaged in the reduction of the Dalmatian revolt, in the unfortunate city of our last stop, he might already be on trodding feet to these lands."
Julius nodded absently. "Aye. The appetite of Rome seems to grow with each mouthful." Now he asked, "What think you of the reason for our passengers to take ship to Rome?"
"I am in wonder of that myself. My only thought is that they wish to give offer of assist in taking control of these lands from Tigranes." He gave a frown, then, "I would give that it is a fool's errand. Such would be an immense campaign and in need of equally large commitment from the Senate. If Rome has such aggrandizement in plans, what need of assist from a minor kingdom that is doomed to extinction in any case?" He paused, then, "As you have not sent the party away at the first meet, might you be thinking of taking their commission?"
Julius was still in furious thought. Finally, he said, "It was my thought to point the ship to Rhodes, to put my scroll on any family vessel moving west, but for a coffer of gold, as the man has said, a course back to Latium would be profitable."
Back on deck, he saw that the huge procession had been sent away - mostly. Remaining were a few guards, or at least men looking as such, no doubt to give escort to the noble on leaving. Walking to the waist, where the two ambassadors were waiting with... what had he called himself? A Conservator, aye, whatever that might be. Timotheus by name. But, it was with some surprise he saw Melglos in jovial talk with the Steward. The tongue was that of Armenia, and unknown to Julius, but without doubt the converse was not as
man to inferior.
Seeing the Captain appear, the Steward turned and said - in Greek - "Melglos and I have been reliving some past times in Damascus." That statement in itself was incredible. The big Thracian was not of the noble class, Julius was sure, and the idea of a member of a royal court giving converse with a mere wanderer from a northern Greek clime, as if friends gabbing in a taburna, was... "He has told you, no doubt, but he was a Tundar... an armed shielder for a close friend of mine, the Maldar Ahmadi. One evening, a group of malefactors set upon the son of the Maldar, and mine, in the streets, seeking purses and without worry about harm to their victims. The good Melglos was in walk nearby and intervened to the extent that the city watch had only to follow the trail of red to track the miscreants to their lair..."
"The good Timotheus is assigned to hold presence in the palace of the city, in the absence of the royal Persons, now in Damascus." Julius assumed Melglos to mean that the man was the caretaker of the palace in the city proper.
The talk went on for a short time, the two previous acquaintances giving their farewells to each other, then, quickly a commission was agreed to, the man giving call to his remaining dockside servants to carry a chest on board. A final bow, and the Steward left with his now-smaller entourage, leaving the two ambassadors behind.
For the nonce, Julius walked around the ship, inspecting all for the long voyage ahead. As usual, there was little to find, as Flavius was a Carpenter with unusual skill and earnestness - had he not been such, he would not be on board as crew. There was some discussion of careening the ship for the annual cleaning of the hull, but such would have to wait until they reached the shipyard in Capua. "...I have waded the hull, and the green growths are minimal. The little rat did a goodly job." Julius nodded at the words from Flavius, then turned to a call from Kaeso. The man was pointing into the city, along the port road to the north. For the moment, all he saw was citizenry and laborers in their continual movement to task, then...
A small figure was running, seen now and again in the gaps of men as he turned and dodged in his approach. "This is unlikely to be goodsome news of melons and honey from Egypt," muttered Julius.
Hurrying across the boarding plank, he arrived at the beginning of the wharf as Pontiki appeared from the crowds. However, the importance of any missive was delayed as the youngster bent forward to fill his breathing-sacs again and again until a modicum of air might be used for voice. Finally, the boy said, in gasps, "Many men... from the house of 'Phanes... are in march to your ship..."
Julius looked along the port road, but saw nothing as yet. To the boy he asked, "How know you they come here?"
Still gasping for his air, the urchin managed, "I heard the leader... giving your name. Clavius, is it not? And words about taxes..."
Aye, that was entirely possible, that the guild leader might use some fabricated issue of port tax to seize the ship and all on board. All cities on the Great Sea levied some fee for the use of their wharves, ostensibly to allow for maintain of the facilities. The Petrel had paid the pair of Drachmae required when they first stood in, the port official meeting them even as the ropes were looped around the bollards. The amount was usually minimal, although when the tax farmers of any port gave need of more funds, the requirement could be raised considerably. Such was usually countered by ship-masters avoiding the harbor, giving notice to their fellow Captains of the rapaciousness of that city. Seeing their wharves growing more empty by the day, the taxing magistrates would usually quickly rescind their fee.
But... It was not unknown, although rare, for a port magistrate to seize a ship on pretense of non-payment, or remittal in debased coin, and usually at the auspices of a ruler who was lacking in sufficient gold for his pleasure at the time. On this occasion, Julius had little doubt that his shaking of the apple tree was the cause of the action. Dionysophanes was no doubt taking advantage of the emptiness of governing, in the death of the King Phillip, to remove a minor irritation to his enterprise.
Kaeso had followed Julius onto the wharf, also hearing the tale from the boy. As the Captain stood in furious thought, the mate asked, "Shall I ready the men for repulse?"
Julius shook his head violently. "Nay. Make ready to stand out immediately!" They could not feather the city guards as they approached - not if the family of Clavius wished to use the port ever again. This was not the doomed city of Salona, about to be destroyed by an assaulting army, where the attempt of seizure by a fleeing noble could be given check without concern.
As Kaeso shouted to the men to undock, he turned to his Captain and asked, "What of Densus and the Thracian? They have not returned."
"Aye. That is the crux of our problem." He pointed. "Take the ship and wait off the point. Look for us to approach in a fisher, or raft. Or a floating log." He turned to see the boy still standing on the dock. "I will find our men and join you tonight. Or the next."
The man nodded. "Aye, Capitaneus. We will be there. Do not disappoint us by failing to appear."
Julius clapped his man on the shoulder. "Now, go. And with haste." To the boy, he said, "Follow me."
He could not yet see the approaching guards, or merely guild toughs - whatever the unit that would be brought to give power behind the magistrate that would arrive. It was of necessity that they did not realize that the master of the ship had remained behind, else the city would be combed in search. Thusly, he turned his path away, to the south for a sufficient distance to put more of the citizenry and dock laborers between them as a shield.
Finally, he turned aside into a narrow alleyway, then stopped, turning to speak to the boy. "You are the master of this city and streets. I need a place to observe the dock of our ship, and the road leading from the Agora, but without being seen by any at the wharf."
The urchin grinned, no doubt thinking of this as a great adventure in his placid life. "Aye, Kurios. Follow me."
Twisting and turning between the kiosks and houses, they moved back further to the north than even the wharf itself but, shortly, they were crouched in a narrow space formed by a tall fence and the leaning side of a... some merchantry, he guessed. From here they could see the Petrel, already poled away from the dock and turned to point out of the harbor. The sail was bellowed full, in the light wind, and the ship was moving at a walking pace, safe enough now from any magistrates wishing to discuss taxes.
Chapter 8
"How came you to know of the order to accost my ship?" Julius and the boy were still squatting in the small space that gave them cover but also a view of the intersection of the port road and the main via leading to the Agora. His missing men would have to use one or the other to return to their ship - which was now only a white spot on the horizon. Had the day been ordinary, he would have walked the street, looking at each vending kiosk until Densus and Melglos were found, but this day he could not risk missing the meeting, and having both of his men returning to the wharf in their innocence, to be taken by the magistrates as crew of a miscreant ship.
The boy, Pontiki, was enjoying the day immensely. It was obviously a far distance from his usual days, each the same even from his birth, in which he roamed the streets in search of the day's sustenance. "I was in watch of the holdery of 'Phanes, waiting for the wood-slave of the kitchens. His name is Perma and is a goodly man, sometimes hiding a fruit in his basket for a boy who can walk with him to the kindling yard and give tales of happening in the city. He is also willing to give what he knows of the merchantry, for a copper." He paused, apparently trying to remember something, then, "He was... had been a scribber, but his master was taken for some crime and all in the office were sold."
A scribe, thought Julius, correcting the broken word of the boy. Such might have been interesting at another time, but... "The men sent to my ship," he prodded.
"Aye. A man ran from the compound to return a while later with a gang of men." He held up the fingers of both hands, then continued, "More than this, and again. A man of authority came out and gave that they were to 'prehend
the ship of Clavius and take all to the cells of the Discastus."
Again, Julius stopped to give meaning to the fractured term. The boy must mean the Dikastés, the Roman equivalent of the Vigilis, the men who kept order in the city. Such would mean that Dionysophanes now had effective control of Antioch. Such was very significant, if correct, but he had other matters to consider. Now, with some time for reasoned thought, Julius realized that the boy could be used to run the road in search of his men. "Do you remember my men, Densus and the big Greek, Melglos?"
