The city was at peace and we walked through the open gates without a question. Nik knew his way and led us to the affluent part of the city.
We came to a halt in front of an enormous villa. It was a veritable fortress in its own right. Nik used the hilt of his sword to knock against the iron reinforced gates.
We waited a few heartbeats. The gate opened and two burly guards appeared with a heavy set man in tow.
“What is your business at the house of senator Crispinus?” Nik dismounted and replied: “Tell your master that the Olympian is here to see him.”
The man had the typical look of someone on the verge of complaining or denying the request, but Nik, being a patrician, had a certain way about him which cannot be taught. Fortunately the servant recognized this immediately and said: “I will do as you request, sir.”
We waited for a while until the man reappeared with his master in tow. The master was clearly too young to be the old senator that Nik referred to. He walked up to Nik and said: “I am Rutilius Pudens Crispinus, what is the purpose of your visit?” Nik’s eyes were cast downward and he asked: “Is your father still on this side of the Styx?”
Crispinus said: “He has not been for many years, sir.”
Nik replied: “Then I bid you farewell.”
As Nik turned around to leave, Crispinus said: “Did you say that the Olympian is here?”
Nik said: “My close friends used to call me the Olympian.”
Crispinus’s eyes drifted over us and he said: “Please, allow me to show you some hospitality, while we talk.”
The gates opened and our whole party was admitted. Servants took the horses and Nik gestured to the Roxolani to remain behind to guard our possessions. The rest of us were led into the atrium. Crispinus whispered to his servant. Soon slaves appeared carrying trays of fruit juice blended with ice.
He turned towards Nik and said: “Please follow me.”
Nik placed his hand on my arm and replied: “I request that my son joins us.”
Crispinus nodded and we followed him along a hallway to the study.
Like the rest of the villa, the study was spacious. Hundreds of pigeon holes filled with scrolls lined the walls. Crispinus pointed to couches and said: “Please take a seat.”
He walked to a desk in the corner of the room and fumbled inside a drawer, eventually producing a small scroll. Crispinus held the scroll aloft and said: “The lawyer who held my father’s will gave this to me after the reading. I had nearly forgotten about this, until today.” He sat down on the couch opposite and proceeded reading the scroll aloud.
My Son
As you know by now, you are the sole beneficiary of my sizeable estate and many assets. You also know that there are no amounts owed to anyone, no debts at all.
However, that is not entirely the truth.
There is a single debt owed by me. It is not a monetary debt quantifiable in coin. The debt, however, is real and may be called in at any time. It is a debt of honour.
Allow me to explain.
Many years ago, before the year of your birth, our family stood on the edge of a precipice. Other powerful men were in the same predicament. None possessed the power to remedy the situation.
There was one man who had the means to set things right. He did, at great cost to himself. He lost all. His family, his assets and nearly his life.
To his friends, he is simply referred to as ‘the Olympian’. Should he ever appear on your doorstep, repay the debt to restore the honour of our family. Provide him freely with all that he asks of you, even if it amounts to half our wealth. It is a small price to pay.
How will you know this man? You will know in your heart when he mentions his name. If you are still uncertain, you will notice that he always carries a bow in a leather bag tied to the saddle of his horse.
Rutilius Pudens Crispinus the Elder
He rolled the scroll back up and placed it back in the drawer.
He sat down again and said: “I will not ask of you to explain to me how the debt originated. I am sure that if I knew the truth, it would just place me in some kind of danger. The only thing I ask is how I may repay this debt. What is it that you require?”
Nik cleared his throat and said: “My son and his friend were both officers of the Legio IV Italica. As you know the fourth is stationed at Sirmium and forms part of the army of Pannonia.”
At the mention of the army of Pannonia, I could see a ghost of a frown appearing on his face.
Nik continued: “They both fell out of favour with the emperor, Maximinus Thrax. Officially they were pardoned, but discharged from the legion. They still fear for their lives, as they have affronted the most powerful man in Rome. A man with very little capacity for forgiveness, as you know. We have left our farm in Sirmium under the care of the manager. We need sanctuary for a while. Maybe a month or three. We have coin and we will gladly pay our way.”
Crispinus sighed a breath of relief and said: “You ask very little of me in repayment of such a large debt. You will stay with me here in Aquileia. You will not pay one obol, on that I insist and it is final. The servants will ready the guest wing for you and I will assign you a cook and the necessary help. Your horses and guards will be looked after. It is the least I can do.”
Nik nodded his thanks and said: “There is one other thing I ask.”
“Anything.”
“I need a supply of the best red wine in Aquileia. You will know better than most, as you own farms and trade in wine.”
He smiled for the first time and said: “I can see why you were friends with my father. Do not be concerned. I will personally select the wine that will be made available to you. Most are from my own farms.”
Chapter 29 – Rest
It was awkward at best, initially at least, to live the life of a wealthy patrician. I had spent my time with the eastern nomads, followed by two years in the legions.
In Aquileia we lived in luxury, as guests in the home of the wealthiest man in the city. We enjoyed the best food and drank the best wine available in the Empire. The residence even had its own baths and a hypocaust system to keep the villa warm in the winter.
Segelinde and I decided to postpone our wedding until we were safely back on the farm. We spent every day in each other’s company, visiting the races, the market and the forum. Her Latin was improving daily and I could at least follow the thread of the conversation when she spoke her native tongue.
Marcus and I sparred every day after training in the gymnasium. We ran races in the vast vineyards surrounding the city to improve our fitness and I practised my archery. Cai trained with me in private, his oath not allowing him to impart his skill to Marcus.
I dined with my friends and my father every evening, falling into a habit of enjoying a little too much red wine while talking late into the night. Life was good. And my uneasiness was growing by the day.
Every now and again Crispinus would invite us to dine with him. He lived alone in the house and I think that he actually enjoyed our company.
On a particular evening in early December, we were sipping another spicy, yet fruity red with a dark purple colour. Crispinus said: “I had news from Rome today. Trouble has been brewing in Africa for some time now, but it has taken an interesting turn. The Africans have proclaimed the old senator Gordian as the new emperor. I don’t know about that, heh? He has governed many provinces and he has a good track record, but he is older than eighty years. But most importantly, he has no army to back him. I am sure that the Thracian will crush this revolt and nothing will come of it.”
Nik sipped on his wine and said: “I believe that it is a good idea to start repairing the walls of the city and improve the battlements?”
Crispinus frowned and said: “Aquileia is a peaceful city. We will not choose sides should there be strife between the senate and the emperor.”
Nik replied: “I will sketch you a scenario how I see this unfolding. Tension has been building ever since Thrax had been
declared emperor. He hates Rome and the senate. They hate him. I have even heard rumours that the praetorian prefect, Vitalianus, is terrorising Rome in the name of the emperor.”
Crispinus said: “Go on. I agree with all you have said.”
Nik continued: “At some time in the future the strife between the emperor and the senate will boil over. In all likelihood, Thrax will march on Rome to assert his authority. You do realise that Aquileia will be on his path?”
Crispinus nodded.
Nik drank deeply from the cup and said: “The senate would surely request that you oppose Thrax and withhold supplies from his legions. If that is the case, you would have a choice to either side with Thrax or with the senate. Should your walls be in disrepair, you would have no choice. You would have to welcome Thrax with open arms and trust that he emerges victorious. If he does not, the new emperor supported by the senate will take away all from the elders of this city in reprisal of their support of Thrax.”
Crispinus did not reply. He drank from his cup until he had to refill it. After a long, uncomfortable silence, he said: “Your logic cannot be faulted.”
“I will meet with the other senator of consular rank who resides in the city. Tullus Menophilus is an intelligent and streetwise man. I would hear his opinion.”
Nearly a month passed until we would see Crispinus again. We spent our time enjoying life and improving our martial prowess.
On one particularly cold evening, early in January 238, our presence was requested in the study of Crispinus.
As was the norm, he handed us cups filled with some rare vintage of red wine.
Crispinus brought us up to date: “When you raised your concerns at our last get together, I met with Menophilus the following day. We agreed on a course of action. Ever since that day, we have been transporting the necessary stone and building material into the building yards of the city. We have also been stockpiling food and firewood. We have done all this without creating panic or suspicion. We have cited the reason for the building material as a planned extension to the arena and stockpiling of the food as preparation for a feast and games. Only Menophilus and I know the real reasons for our actions.”
He was interrupted by a knock on the door. A servant appeared and said: “A messenger has arrived. I have provided him with refreshments in the atrium, sir.”
Crispinus excused himself, closing the door behind him to afford us privacy. Nik said: “Cai keeps rambling on about the gathering storm. I tend to think that these are the first signs, but it may well be years before the storm erupts.”
Of course, Nik was completely wrong. The storm was there already and we were about to find out.
Crispinus appeared moments later, his complexion ashen.
He looked at us in turn and said: “A messenger from the senate delivered this.” He waved the scroll about. “Gordian the elder sent his quaestor from Africa to assassinate Thrax’s henchman, Vitalianus, the praetorian prefect in Rome. Thereafter, anarchy erupted in Rome. Maximinus’s supporters were killed on a grand scale and general anarchy reigns. The senate has ratified the appointment of old senator Gordian and his son as joint emperors.” He held up the scroll and said: “This is a request from the senate to revolt against Thrax and support their actions. Every major city and province in the Empire have been sent such a letter. Maximinus Thrax will know of this in days, if he doesn’t already.”
Like every other evening our small party dined together. Nik and I shared the information with Cai, Segelinde and Marcus.
Cai said: “Fortunate thing is that Thrax too busy fighting with senate to chase after you and Marcus. He now has bigger fish to fry.”
He was right of course, but it did nothing to improve our predicament or that of Aquileia.
Slowly, by way of messengers, gossip, informants as well as word of mouth, news of the happenings trickled into a generally nervous city.
Meanwhile labourers, slaves and volunteers feverishly worked side by side to repair the walls and build additional towers to better the defences. Marcus and I volunteered to labour for free and we worked from dawn to dusk. Many times we returned home with bleeding hands or a variety of cuts and bruises.
The next significant piece of news was that Maximinus Thrax had marched from Sirmium. He was gathering the legions stationed on the Danube and congregating in Siscia, which had opened their gates and declared in support of Maximinus. He sent his Pannonian legions ahead to prepare the way for the main force.
It was early February when we received the news that the two Gordians had both been killed in Africa by one of the Thracian’s loyal governors in charge of Numidia. The senate did not sit on their laurels, but immediately appointed two of their own as replacements. Balbinus and Papienus were appointed as joint emperors and as an added twist, the mob insisted that the young grandson of Gordian be elevated to the status of ‘heir apparent’ by being given the title ‘Caesar’.
By late March, the wall had been repaired and the additional towers were completed.
It was at this time that Crispinus summoned Marcus and me. We were shown into the study where the senator was reading from a scroll. He immediately abandoned his reading and stood to welcome us.
“The people tell me that you have done well in assisting the Aquileians in repairing the wall. They say that you each did the work of three men.” He leaned towards us and said in a conspiratorial tone: “It improves my standing with the populace, as they know you are guests in my house.”
He handed us both the customary cup of wine, took a swallow from his, and gestured for us to take a seat. “The elders of the town met this morning as a result of the happening, which you are acutely aware of. We decided to obey the senate and defy Maximinus Thrax. It is a risky move for sure, but the die is cast. We have sent missives to the senate to confirm our decision.”
I knew where this was heading and said: “Please tell me how we may be of assistance, sir.”
Crispinus replied: “Nik tells me that you are both accomplished soldiers, yes?”
Marcus said: “I have accompanied Thrax on his campaign into Germania and Scythia, so yes I have seen some action.” He smiled and continued: “But I would like to warn you, sir, Lucius is as close as a man can get to being the god of war himself.”
Crispinus said: “I need capable men to show the civilians the basics of fighting. Else there is no way we will be able to defend the wall. I suggest you accompany me to the circus, the racing arena. We will use that for the purpose of training our people.”
“Do you have your own bow?” he asked. I replied: “I do sir, but I am a bit rusty.”
Crispinus wished to see our martial ability with his own eyes. I understood. The destiny of all in the city depended upon our success.
We arrived at the entrance of the circus, where two guards flanked the entrance. The senator nodded and the guards parted to let us in.
Inside the arena, servants had set up stakes and straw targets. It was similar to the training area of a typical Roman legion.
I said: “I am impressed.”
Crispinus replied: “Thank you, Lucius. I used to be a tribune in the legions. Long ago.”
He pointed to a straw target one hundred and fifty paces away. “Show me”, he said.
I took my Hunnic bow from its leather case and strung it. He stared at the weapon with undisguised curiosity and said: “I have seen a Scythian bow, but that I have never laid eyes on. Where did you come by such a weapon?”
“Sir, far to the east of the Scythians there are a people most skilful and ferocious. They are people of the horse and fight with a bow. I lived with them for a time before I joined the legions.”
Crispinus raised his eyebrows and held out his hand. I handed him the bow and he studied it.
“Traditionally, the bow is a favoured weapon of the Aquileians.” It was my turn to raise my eyebrows: “That is good news. It might just make the difference.”
While we talked I retrieved my quiver and pla
ced five arrows in my draw hand.
He pointed in the general direction of a target and I took the strung bow from him. In less than the same amount of heartbeats I had hit the target five times. The arrows were grouped within the space of a hand.
“Are you as good with a sword?” he asked.
“Much, much better”, I replied.
Marcus escaped being tested.
Chapter 30 – Master of weapons (Feb 238 AD)
Marcus was an excellent swordsman and a useful bowman, measured in terms of Roman standards.
What I was about to learn was that Marcus’s organizing skills were far superior to mine.
It was early in the morning and thousands of men queued in front of the gates of the Circus.
During the last days, we had spent time with Crispinus and collected a motley bunch of army veterans who knew their business. These twenty selected men stood behind us in the arena. They had been briefed by Marcus.
The purpose of the veterans was to divide the men into three groups. The first group being skilled men, the second being men with some skill or commitment and the third group being the useless rabble.
Within six days we managed to assess more than fifty thousand men. We ended up with three thousand skilled men and twenty thousand committed men who had some skill. The rest were practically worthless.
Most of the skilled men possessed some kind of armour. Either from serving in the legions, or having a relative who served in the legions.
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