The man closest had his back to them as they entered, but now as he turned to face them Melissa got the shock of her life. The man standing in front of her was her Anthony, or was similar enough to him to be his double. This explained why Rebecca thought he was here. In the dim light of the tent, the resemblance was uncanny.
Curio spoke. “Hail, Caesar! These are the women we intercepted at the river. This is the one who says she must speak with Antony.” He pushed Melissa forward and released his grip on her arm. She stood motionless on the spot where he had left her. “She says they are from a land beyond our known world and I will admit their language is foreign to me, though some words do seem to bear a similarity to ours. I believe her Latin is excellent because she understands far more than she admits to.” Curio had spotted Melissa’s earlier reaction. She was annoyed at herself for letting slip that fact so soon and resolved to be more careful.
Curio continued talking, his attentions now on Rebecca whom he had pushed to stand next to Melissa. She stood shaking, staring at the floor. “This younger one does not seem to speak any Latin and appears to annoy her companion.” Damn him, Melissa thought, he really is too observant. “She does have some redeeming attributes, though.” As Curio made his last statement he reached forward and raised Rebecca’s chin, allowing the other men to see her face.
Rebecca began to look around her and as her eyes found Mark Antony, she relaxed. “Anthony! Thank God,” she gasped and hurriedly stepped forward. Curio reached out to stop her and found another hand already on Rebecca’s wrist. Melissa had beaten him to it. She glared at Rebecca as she pulled her backwards. “Stay still and keep quiet, you stupid fool,” Melissa hissed. “That’s not who you think it is! That is the real Mark Antony and he’ll more likely rape you than help us.”
At the first mention of his name, Antony had moved towards them. He now stood in front of Rebecca, looking at her. The girl was close to tears, and Melissa pulled on her arm viciously to stop her collapsing against him. The last thing she needed was for Rebecca to give this Antony any hint that she would welcome any advances he might make. Antony’s hand rose to Rebecca’s cheek and stroked it gently before raising her chin again to look at her. The girl closed her eyes at his touch, making him smile. His hand moved down to her throat and then onto her t-shirt which fascinated him. He had never seen a garment like it before. The material was soft and felt unlike anything he had ever touched. Rebecca gasped slightly as his hand moved across her breasts and Melissa rolled her eyes in disgust. She had to stop this before it got out of hand.
Melissa turned to face Rebecca and pushed the girl forcefully backwards into Curio. He reacted spontaneously, gripping her arms and holding her fast against him. Melissa glared at Rebecca and then turned her eyes on Curio, who looked a little bewildered at this unexpected turn of events.
Melissa took a deep breath and spoke in perfect Latin with an air of authority she certainly did not feel. “There are private matters of great importance that I must discuss with General Caesar. We have travelled many years to meet him here at this important crossroads in his career, but it appears my companion is somewhat awed by the sheer presence of his handsome officer. I fear she will only be an unnecessary distraction to the proceedings. I would appreciate your assistance, either to restrain her, or, preferably, to remove her from his presence entirely until the negotiations are complete.”
Curio glanced towards Antony, who had turned his full attention to Melissa. Both men had met a number of strong-willed Roman women, Curio’s wife Fulvia for one, but Antony was intrigued that a foreign prisoner would be so bold in her manner. He walked round behind Melissa, surveying her closely. He had definitely never seen such clothing before and from the earlier display of anger from this woman, he concurred with Curio’s assessment that they had never heard such a language. These women had to be from a land they had no knowledge of.
He moved closer to Melissa so that she could feel his breath on her ear. He spoke softly, but with a hint of menace. “You have no authority here, woman − I decide who comes and goes.”
Melissa turned her head to face Antony. They were only inches apart and his proximity was unnerving her, making her feel very vulnerable. She did her very best to continue the act. “I beg to differ, sir. You may give the order, but the decision belongs to Caesar.” She stared into Antony’s eyes, determined not to blink first. Close up she realised that he indeed bore an eerie resemblance to her Anthony, particularly around the eyes which, despite the seriousness of his demeanour, seemed to be twinkling with mischief. As close as she was, she could see his face was more weather-beaten than her Anthony’s, most likely from years of hard campaigning at Caesar’s side. She could see two small scars – one on his cheek and one on his chin, both partially hidden by the stubble on his face. They seemed fairly recent, but had begun to heal. Her Anthony had no such marks. Antony lifted his hand to Melissa’s face and repeated the same actions as he had with Rebecca. He was expecting some reaction from her, but Melissa was not going to provide one either way.
Rebecca had been struggling against Curio. She screamed at Melissa, “What are you saying to him? Stop trying to steal him away again.”
Melissa reluctantly turned her head, breaking her eye contact with Antony. Rebecca was becoming a liability and even though the men could not understand what was being said, she had to be silenced. In one move, Melissa pushed Antony’s hand away and then proceeded to slap Rebecca around the face for the second time that day.
“SHUT UP!” she shouted in English at Rebecca, who was so shocked to have been struck again that she complied. Melissa continued speaking in a more normal voice, but was still determined to shock Rebecca into submission. “If you want me to let him rip your clothes off you right here then just keep going. Otherwise put a sock in it! Believe me, it won’t just be him you get, it’ll be all of them − one after the other.” Rebecca looked around Melissa at Caesar and the other two men at the table. The thought of them touching her repulsed her and she looked at the ground, quivering in fear.
Melissa spun round to face Antony again, regaining as much of her composure as possible whilst doing so. Antony was smiling smugly, pleased that he had triumphed in their mini battle of wills: she had looked away first.
“A fiery little thing,” he observed glancing briefly at Rebecca. “Tell me, what did you say to her?”
Melissa needed to regain some air of authority and the upper hand. She decided to play it safe. “Please accept my apologies for the behaviour of my companion. She is young and frightened because she cannot understand our conversation. I have told her that you will not harm her, but that her behaviour has disrespected the very man we were sent to honour. I have punished her for her insolence and she will cause no more trouble, but I advise her removal – if it pleases you, of course.”
Antony turned to face Caesar who gave the slightest nod. He looked back at Melissa. “It does not please me, but I agree that she is a distraction. Curio, take her back to your tent for now. We can deal with her later, together.” Antony winked at Curio and casually waved towards the tent entrance. Curio released one of Rebecca’s arms in order to salute Caesar and then left, dragging Rebecca behind him.
Antony’s attention returned to Melissa. “Now, woman, tell me what it is you want from me.”
“Sir, I beg your forgiveness, but it is Caesar I wish to see.” Melissa was not wasting time with Mark Antony if Julius Caesar was there. “I knew I would not be granted an audience directly, but equally I knew you would be with him and so used your name to achieve my objective, as your reputation for welcoming a pretty face goes before you. I have important news for Caesar. I apologise to you in advance for my apparent rudeness, but do tell me, why should I deal with the staff when the master himself is present?”
Antony looked at Caesar and laughed. “Can you believe the nerve of this one?” he said to his senior officer. “I shall beat her for her sheer arrogance!” Antony turned round looking for somethi
ng with which to subdue Melissa, but, as he did so, Caesar spoke for the first time.
“No, Antony. Her guile has got her this far. I may as well hear her words directly, rather than have you re-tell her story later.”
Antony motioned to Melissa to accompany him towards the table. She did so, remaining one step behind him and stopped short so as to appear subservient. He seemed content that she at least knew her place in the room. Melissa asked politely, “Please, may I now speak?” Antony nodded and she drew breath to begin, addressing Caesar directly.
“Gracious Caesar, I am honoured to be granted an audience. My name is Melissa and I have come to you from a land far beyond the reach of the arms of Rome. My people have witnessed your many deeds and wish to be friends with the conquerors of the known world. I have been sent to offer terms for trade between our people.” She paused. Caesar did not reply, but motioned for her to continue with his hand.
“Many of the women of my race are blessed with foresight. I am one of these women. I have seen a day in the future when all will fall to the might of Rome. The elders have sent me as a gift to you in good faith to demonstrate our commitment to a relationship as allies.”
Caesar sighed. “Do you have any idea how many soothsayers line the streets of Rome? If I wish to hear wild stories I can get them for free any day I walk through the Forum. You offer nothing of interest to me.” He looked down at the papers on the table.
“I do not speak of vague mumblings that are designed to confuse, or of wailings delivered in a semi-catatonic state. I speak of direct facts, given freely and willingly. For example, when your lieutenant here intercepted me at the river he was returning with unfortunate news.” Melissa raised her hand slightly indicating she was referring to Antony. “He has been ejected from the Senate for using his tribune’s veto. He, Curio and their companion had to leave dressed as slaves, as their lives may well have been in danger. The actions of the Senate leave you with little choice but to cross the Rubicon, march on Rome and wage war. The die is cast, Caesar.” Caesar looked up. Melissa had gambled that he had already formulated the famous phrase she had read in so many books and it appeared she was right.
She continued quickly. “Pompey has no desire to face you in open conflict. He has only two legions, neither of which has seen action for many years. He knows that to face you and the battle-ready troops of the Thirteenth would be suicide when your reinforcements are so close at hand in Gaul.” Caesar had more legions only a few days’ march away. “He will still honour the wishes of the Senate to take up arms against you, but is making plans for a tactical withdrawal to the south as we speak. You will be able to take Rome and most of the towns in between with little or no bloodshed.”
“So far you have told me nothing that I could not have bought from a good spy in Pompey’s camp. You will have to do better than that to convince me,” Caesar said, glancing again at the map on the table.
Fine, Melissa thought. She muttered under her breath in English, “Let’s see how you like this!” She stepped forward to the table and took a look at the map. She pointed at it and reverted back to Latin. “You intend to split your forces, sending Antony here to Arretium. You will send more men here, here and here ...” she pointed at more towns “... whilst you remain in Ariminum to coordinate your operations. Iguvium will hold for a time, but not for long once news of Curio’s advance reaches them, since only the commander supports the Senate and the town favours you. You will then move down the coast, turning inland to regroup with Antony and Curio at Corfinium. It will be the first town to give you any real resistance. Ahenobarbus will make a stand there and you know that he will not lay down his command to you willingly. He is a stubborn fool and will ignore Pompey’s pleas to leave with his troops before your arrival.”
Caesar eyed Melissa with suspicion, but her specific mention of Corfinium had registered an interest in his mind. The news that the town was held under the control of a man who had been his opponent for many years was new information to Caesar. Stranger still, it was odd for a foreign woman to be so aware of Roman politics and, more importantly, of his battle plans. Every move she had suggested was already in the plans that he had been considering long before her arrival, but had dismissed once he had decided against open war. She could not have known any of this from his officers, as he had not yet discussed his ideas with them. He thought back to his walk beside the Rubicon just a few days earlier. Had the gods sent him a messenger after all?
Melissa looked around the group assembled at the table. Antony had moved away again and she had lost sight of him, but she could not afford to worry about his whereabouts just yet. Her next move was risky, but it was her last shot at convincing Caesar she was worth listening to. “If Caesar will dismiss his officers I will speak to him of a matter that will prove my ability beyond doubt. I speak of a specific issue close to Caesar. A certain condition that gives him cause for concern ...” Melissa left the words hanging in the air as Caesar stared at her in disbelief. For a moment he seemed truly shocked, but then his expression began to change to one of rage.
“OUT!” Caesar barked the order so fiercely it took Melissa by surprise. She jumped, stepping backwards and collided with Antony, who had been standing behind her. He gripped her around the waist, tightly pulling her against his body. As she tried to pull away he whispered in her ear. “Not you, he means them. You are a clever girl, but I believe you may have gone too far. I can but hope!” Melissa did not like his tone. She could feel his excitement growing as she struggled against him and she had the most horrible feeling she had misjudged the situation. Victor had told her that her observation of the behaviour of others would help her, but she seriously doubted it at that moment.
Caesar sat down in a chair positioned on Melissa’s side of the table. Antony held her still until the other officers had left, then threw her to the floor so that she landed on her hands and knees at Caesar’s feet. She did not rise, deciding to remain where she was until given permission to do otherwise. Perhaps if she showed some humility, Caesar might be forgiving.
Caesar waited for some time before speaking. “What do you know of my condition?” he asked, finally.
Melissa pushed herself up to a kneeling position, sitting back on her heels. She kept her eyes focused on Caesar’s feet as she replied. “I know that you suffer from spasms that require you to bite down on a strap to prevent you biting through your own tongue. You are unable to communicate and suffer disorientation and drooling. These events are followed by periods of great fatigue, when you are forced to rest. The spasms weaken you when they occur and they come more frequently as you age. These spasms are associated by some people with madness, but I assure Caesar that he is not mad. You fear they will be seen as a weakness and so only the members of your household and your most trusted officer are aware of them, and now I, too.”
Caesar bent low in his chair and tried to gauge the expression on Melissa’s half-hidden face, with little luck. He spoke quietly. “I could have you killed for simply knowing of this. You realise it and yet you still speak of it so freely?”
“Yes, Caesar,” Melissa replied. “I am aware of the danger, but I have little choice. I need you to have faith in me and my ability to see your future.”
“Then enlighten me. What will I do with you?” Caesar’s tone was heavy with sarcasm. He sat back on the chair, examining his fingernails, as if totally disinterested.
Melissa took a deep breath. “You doubt me and are wise to do so, but your secret is safe. I offer my knowledge freely, but it will be withdrawn if I am not treated well. The potential of having such knowledge is tempting and I sincerely hope you will not harm me until you are certain I am of no value. Caesar, I can offer you so much more information: Pompey’s escape routes, where you will face him, who will be victorious, even information on your own death when the time approaches.”
“What do you mean when the time approaches?” Caesar had noted her last remark, despite his apparent disinterest.
Melissa raised her head to look at Caesar and smiled coyly. “I cannot see that far ahead, Caesar. No one can.”
Caesar could not help but smile at this attempt to flatter him, but he quickly composed himself. “And what of the other girl?” Caesar was now openly interrogating Melissa.
Melissa looked thoughtful for a moment. She could say what she wanted as Rebecca could not contradict her, but it had to be believable. If she were clever, she might be able to keep both herself and Rebecca away from Antony, which would be a good thing: she doubted he would need to try very hard to persuade Rebecca to succumb to his advances. “She is my apprentice. Her abilities are not fully developed, but they will come to her soon if she can resist all temptations put in her way.” Melissa moved her head slightly towards Antony as she said the last few words. Even though the move was subtle, Caesar caught sight of it and nodded briefly in acknowledgment.
Melissa pressed on. “I must warn Caesar, my ability is not subject to his whims. Visions come when they choose and they may not always be favourable. I am sure Caesar is wise enough to appreciate that a man should only open Pandora’s Box if he is prepared to allow all that is inside to escape, whether it be good or bad.”
“Indeed I do. Tell me, how many of your people are blessed with this gift?” Caesar had pulled one of his papers off the table, feigning further disinterest, but Melissa was recognising his tactics to make her drop her guard. She was starting to run thin on ideas, but she had no intention of being caught out that easily.
“All of the women are so blessed, whilst they remain untouched. My gifts are lost along with my virtue, which should happen at a time of my choosing, but I am prepared to surrender this decision to Caesar also if he so wishes it. I will agree to serve you faithfully until you decide I have outlived my usefulness or I am taken by force.” Melissa deliberately moved her head to stare at Antony, and then looked back at Caesar. “However the event should happen, the outcome will be the same.”
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