“Sertorius, by Jupiter’s Stone and on the masks of all my ancestors, I have no idea what you are talking about!”
I was perplexed. Could Marius have really made up such a tale to win my allegiance? Could Lucius? Regardless, I couldn’t imagine that Gnaeus would make such a vow if he was lying.
“He is telling the truth, Sertorius.” Suddenly, Caecilia appeared behind me. “I know because it was I who ordered the attack.”
“You harpy!” I shouted. “Is your son really so weak that his mother must use violence to ensure his election?”
“Mind your tongue, you impudent wretch!” Gnaeus spat and lurched toward me with clinched fists. Still, I thought I could see a look of disappointment in his eyes. At that moment, Quintus arrived in the doorway, catching only the tail end of our conversation.
“Sertorius, what business is it of yours what I do to be elected?” Quintus asked calmly. “You know nothing of politics and even less of Rome.”
“No, but I am receiving a quick education. Excuse me, patrons, but I believe my services will no longer be of any use to you.”
“Sertorius,” Quintus said firmly. “Do you know how the patron–client relationship came to be?” I glowered but didn’t reply. There was nothing left to be said, but he continued on: “When Rome was founded and foreigners began to flock to the city, they allied themselves with the established families to ensure that their rights were protected. If you betray your patrons now, after all that we have done for you …will your friend feed your city? Will your friend further your career? You will have no guarantee of your safety here.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“No, I am warning you.”
I paused for a moment, trying to collect myself. Gnaeus threw up his arms and strode from the garden.
“I have a new patron who will protect me. Of that I assure you. My time here is done.” I began to leave, too, of a mind to collect my things and escape immediately.
“Sertorius,” Quintus said again as I reached the doorway. “I’ve heard that your family is visiting Rome for the elections. It would be a tragedy if something were to happen to them, especially the little boy,” he said lightly. Apparently their growing appreciation of me hadn’t resulted in trust; they must have been reading my correspondence. I paused for a moment and then moved back to face him.
“You may threaten me all you like, but you will not threaten my family. You’ve made a grave mistake, Quintus Caepio. I will end you.”
In a swift, fluid motion, Quintus pulled a dagger from the folds of his toga and offered it to me. “Do it then! Do it, if you are so foolish!”
“I am not a murderer.” This time I was composed. “Unlike some in the house.” I shot Caecilia a poisonous look, which she returned. “And I don’t mean you.” I buried my finger in his chest. “A weak suckling babe like you will self-destruct in time. I have only to outlast you. No, I mean this house. Your family. Your connections. As long as I have breath in my lungs, I will make you regret your decision.”
“Be careful or you shall find that your lungs empty sooner than you might expect,” Quintus snarled. I met his glance, finally feeling under control. I believe I had him under my control, too. He was weak, his threatening persiflage proved that.
“Get out!” Cecilia yelled. “Get out!” She pointed to the door. I did an about-face and strode calmly from the garden, grabbing what little I needed. On my way to the door, I saw Junia and Marcus standing together in the atrium. I went to them and grabbed her hand.
“I may never see you again. But I will sacrifice to Jupiter that you are both safe in this foul place.” I kissed them on their cheeks and turned quickly, before the Caepiones could change their minds about letting me go. And I left that house forever.
I have at times been slandered for my decision to leave my patrons, but I feel no remorse. I was not enticed by Marius’s offerings, as some have said, but left of my own accord, not out of blind anger or lust for power. Who better for a two-named man to ally himself with than the Man with Two Names?
As I stepped out into the streets, an unfamiliar feeling of certainty greeted me. All the ambiguity surrounding my life for the past several months was gone. I felt decisive again.
It wasn’t until a few moments later that I became terribly, terribly afraid for my family’s safety.
IT’S difficult to remember how I really experienced things without the lens of hindsight. I never doubted my decision to break with the Caepiones; they had left me no other choice. But I’m sure you can imagine the immense fear I experienced as I hastened to the Field of Mars. Any security I’d previously known had now vanished. My most powerful friends were now my most powerful enemies. What if Marius redacted his former offer? What if Marius’s power wasn't strong enough to guarantee any kind of future in Rome?
As I arrived at Marius’s tent, I found a man standing before the general and the consul-elect Maximus standing behind him. Maximus had a crutch under one arm and a bandage concealing half of his previously well-oiled hair.
It took me a moment, but eventually I recognized the man from the wedding, Rutilius Rufus.
“If I had any more evidence, I would kill you where you stand.” Marius’s voice was commanding, livid.
“It could have been anyone, Marius. What about the Caesar brothers? Gaius Julius just married into that family!” the man pleaded.
“They’re my family. They would never betray me. But you—you have doubted my every move since we left Africa. It’s clear that you are discontented with my leadership.”
“Marius, I—”
“Do not speak another word. You are going back to Africa, where you’ll remain until I decide what to do with you.”
Rufus shook his head, mouth agape, trying to find something else to say.
“Get him out of here,” said Maximus. One of Marius’s slaves pulled Rufus away by his arm. But: “You know, it really could be Gaius Julius,” Maximus said reluctantly.
“I know. I know.” Marius bit his fingernail and looked down intently, still not noticing me. “We’ll have to keep an eye on him, but at least the others will know treachery will not be tolerated.” Then the general looked up. “Quintus Sertorius. Why are you here?”
“Consul, I have come to pledge my loyalty.”
A small grin creased his lips. “Mago, bring me parchment,” he said, then scribbled something hastily.
“Permission to ask what you are writing, sir?” I said anxiously.
“I’m writing a letter to the registrar, officially naming Quintus Sertorius a military tribune.” My words caught in my throat. “Tribunes are traditionally elected by the popular assembly, but things don’t really work like that anymore. Besides, I am the popular assembly.” Marius grinned. “Welcome to the Colors, Sertorius.” He stood to shake my hand, and Maximus hobbled over to do the same.
“I am honored, Consul.”
“You might not thank me once you’ve donned the colors. Military tribunes don’t see much action anymore, and they don’t have much responsibility. But at least it will further your career, and you’ll look nice in that shiny armor.” Marius winked at Maximus. “I’m assuming that you have broken your alliance with the Caepiones?”
“Yes, sir. It ended the moment I received Lucius Hirtuleius’s letter informing me of what happened.”
“Good. Then I assume you won’t mind if I now ask you to tell me what they are planning?”
“Unfortunately, sir, it seems that their trust in me had been waning for some time, and they didn’t inform me of all their maneuverings. Regardless, I do think they won’t hold back from further violence if Maximus continues to run. They threatened as much as I was leaving.”
Marius bit his lip and nodded his head. “Yes. We’ve been discussing whether or not it is a good idea. They have used this distraction to gain an advantage with the urban tribes, and our chances don’t look good. If we withdraw Maximus’s bid now, we can save face by citing his injuries, but if
we proceed and are defeated it will be a great dishonor for us all.”
“Wait, sir, why don’t you have the Caepiones arrested? They are clearly guilty—they even told me as much!” My fear grew. If Quintus Caepio and Metellus Pius were now elected, both of the most powerful men in Rome would be sworn enemies of my family and myself. That was a danger I was not prepared to face.
“Unfortunately, there were no assailants left alive to testify and we can’t obtain a legal confession without torture. We would have no hope of conviction, and it would be seen by the Senate and the people alike as a pathetic attempt to distract everyone from our failure to get Maximus elected.
“Regardless, sir, we cannot withdraw now. The Sertorii are now aligned with your cause, and the way we vote will persuade other Nursians, and how the Nursians vote will persuade other Sabines. That is a great loss for Caepio among the rural tribes and a great victory for Maximus. Let’s roll the dice and see this out.” Marius couldn’t conceal his grin. He looked over his shoulder at Maximus, who nodded. I said, “But to persuade them, I will need solid evidence that my people will be fed, sir.”
Marius lingered a moment and then snapped his fingers. “Mago, make arrangements for the grain to be delivered to Nursia and the surrounding villages immediately. Send two centuries of our best men to ensure it gets there safely.” Now it was my turn to fight back a smile. Whatever doubts still lingered about my decision vanished. “If we proceed, though, we’ll need a method of protecting Maximus from further attacks, and doubtless, we cannot be seen having soldiers running around the city. That would not bode well at all with the people—not to mention its illegality. Maximus has no lictors of his own, and I cannot allow mine to leave my side without a vote from the Senate, which would assuredly be blocked by our enemies.”
“I know just the men,” I said.
“Oh?” Marius cocked an eyebrow.
“Old soldiers. Tough and well weathered. They would be honored to ensure the legality of the proceedings.”
“And these friends of yours would do this out of the goodness of their hearts?”
“I have no doubt that they would, but let’s discuss terms and I’ll offer them to the men as soon as you permit me.”
I HASTENED TO THE FORUM. I am sure the people on the roads assumed I was running away from some great threat, and perhaps I was. I arrived shortly at the Temple of Asclepius, which Rabirius had dubbed his “home.” Just as I’d expected, he was there.
“Greetings, Quintus Sertorius!” He perked up as soon as he saw me. “Where is your young friend, Marcus?”
“Unfortunately, I don’t believe Marcus will be accompanying me any longer.” I could see the disappointment on the old soldier’s face. “But perhaps he will come to see you on his own.”
“Well, no matter. Have a seat! Tell me how you’ve been,” he said, wiping dirt off the steps.
“It’s been a hectic time, friend. And I’m afraid worse things lie ahead.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. In fact, I have a favor to ask of you, and an offer to make.”
“Anything for you.”
“We need your help, and the aid of your friends. There is a threat looming over one of the consul-elects, and I want you to help protect him. I want you to cut your hair, shave your mourning beard, and pick up your shield once more.”
He was greatly surprised. “I … I … well, I wasn’t expecting to hear that today!”
“I know. I understand the risk involved, and so I cannot force you to accept. But my offer is that if you do accept, you and those that join you will be enlisted into the newly formed evocati under General Gaius Marius. You yourself will be a prefect of centurion rank and wield the vine staff, if you accept.” His jaw dropped, and he couldn’t immediately reply.
“Mighty Mars, reenlist … I would like nothing more, but I’m not sure I’m fit for it. I might be able to fend off some urchins on the streets, but I don’t know that I …”
“You won’t have to fight. You would be there to train the men, keep the younger fellows in line, and to serve as a reserve cohort in case things get rough.”
His eyes glistened. “I’ll do it, then. And I know my men will follow me.”
“How many men can you muster by tomorrow?”
“Maybe twenty, depending.”
“That’s more than enough. Meet us at the Field of Mars tomorrow, and we will march together to the assembly. I will ask that three of your men be available to go to the Scarlet Inn on the Caelian Hill. My family is there, and they too are being threatened.”
“No harm will come to them.”
“You are a good friend, Rabirius,” I said and shook his hand.
“It will be a pleasure to serve alongside you, young master.”
I MADE at once for the Caelian Hill, with greater anxiety still. I tried to keep from my mind all the terrible images that appeared: of arriving at my mother’s room to find her, Volesa, and Gavius drowning in a pool of their own blood. But to my relief, there was no commotion at the inn, and I found my way up the stairs to the little room in which she had informed me they were staying—not unlike Lucius’s insula.
As soon as I entered, Gavius waddled to me and clutched at my leg. Volesa and Mother, however, both stared at me in shock.
“Quintus, what’s wrong?” Mothers can always discern when something is the matter with their child.
“Titus was right, Mother. The Caepiones are villains.”
“What has happened?” Volesa had fear in her eyes.
“They have resorted to treachery to ensure that Quintus Caepio and his ally Metellus Pius win the election. They attacked the candidate Mallius Maximus on the road a few nights ago. Lucius was with him and was beaten terribly. Their entire company was slaughtered save for Lucius and the consul-elect.”
“Bona dea!” they both gasped.
“Mother, have the heads of the Sabine tribes arrived in Rome?”
“Yes, yes.”
“Do you know where they are staying?”
“I do.”
“Thank the gods. You must write to them immediately and tell them to no longer vote for the patricians, but for Mallius Maximus.”
“I will do as you ask, but we have only a few hours of daylight left and the voting is to begin at dawn. I’m not sure if we can reach them all.”
“We must.” I leaned forward and took both her hands. “Everything depends upon it.”
“What about the grain the Caepiones promised Nursia? We need it desperately, Quintus,” said Volesa.
“Marius is sending grain to Nursia as we speak.” Their faces brightened, just a little. “I’m not sure the Caepiones ever intended to help us, and if they did, it certainly wasn’t a priority, so long as they had our votes.”
“I see.” Mother looked down.
“Mother, we must reach the other families in time. If both patricians win, we will have no protection—and there will be repercussions because I broke with them. If Maximus cannot win and continues to lend support to Marius’s proposals and our family, we are likely to see bloodshed. I will likely be killed. And they will stop at nothing to restrict support to Nursia.” Again they gasped.
“Quintus, why do they want to harm you so badly? You’ve been good to them until now.”
“Because there is nothing patricians take more seriously then their own dignitas, and they feel I’ve insulted them greatly … and, then, I also said I would destroy them.”
Volesa clapped her hands to her mouth and groaned. Mother only stared back blankly.
“Mother, after you send out the letters, you must not leave this room. And no one is to be admitted in. No one at this inn can be trusted. Bar the doors and remain here. Three men will be coming to guard the doors, but even they must not be allowed inside.
“Are we in danger?” Volesa cried, clutching Gavius.
“I am not sure.” I made no mention of Quintus’s threat. “But I would not put any violence past the Caepiones at this po
int.” I bent over and kissed Gavius’s head. He was smiling, oblivious to the commotion. I envied him. “I’m sorry but I must leave.”
“Why can’t you stay here with us?” Mother asked, reaching for my arm.
“I wish very much that I could. But I must return to the Field of Mars. Our new patron, Gaius Marius, has asked that Lucius and I join him there and stay with him so that we can begin planning for tomorrow—and whatever eventualities lie ahead.” I embraced my mother and kissed her forehead. My hands trembled and I couldn’t shake the thought that I might never return to her—or that she might not be there when I did. “Goodbye. I’ll return as soon as I am able.”
SCROLL XI
DECEMBER 29, 648 AB URBE CONDITA; DAY OF THE ELECTION.
That was one of the only entirely sleepless nights of my life. We stayed up the whole evening, drinking wine to the point where we were more dehydrated than intoxicated, and trying to make decisions that had never felt more important.
We waited anxiously for Marius’s allies to arrive, but after some time had passed, his friend Norbanus was the only one there.
“Where are the Caesar brothers?” Marius asked Mago, a hint of irritation in his voice.
“I just received word from Gaius Julius—he sent a letter. He says he won’t be coming. His remains with us, but he can’t be seen to oppose his new wife’s family so soon,” Maximus answered instead.
“What of Sextus?”
“No word.”
“No matter. We need to get moving.”
The long hours spent planning did nothing to assuage our concerns. And then, before we knew it, apricot clouds lined the horizon and the sun was upon us.
Rabirius and his men packed together just outside the tent, and we could hear them whispering anxiously.
“Are we ready to move?” Maximus asked. Marius hesitated. There was nothing left to do, nothing left unsaid, but he was reluctant to let us leave, knowing he couldn’t go with us into the city.
“If it wasn’t for the damn Senate enacting a measure to ensure the voting was done in the Forum, it could be done right here on the Field of Mars, where my soldiers could keep an eye on the proceedings.” Marius had said this several times already. “Yes, it’s time for you to go. Mago, go with them. If there is anything I need to know, return to me at once. Understood?”
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