Reluctant Siege

by J. Clifton Slater

  “Don’t let the decorations fool you,” Thomasious assured him. “It’s an Historia Fae forged blade. Kellerian said it’ll cut from dawn to dust and still have edge enough to behead a barbarian chief.”

  “I’m just going to observe the Senate,” Alerio assured him. “The blade could be wrought iron and soft as cheese for all the use it’ll get.”

  “It completes the uniform,” Thomasious boasted. “You look like the perfect Legionary NCO.”

  “Do you still do your gossip scrolls in the afternoon?” inquired Alerio.

  “Yes. Once the Clay Ear hears from his little spies,” Thomasious replied.

  “You’ll have to wait til much later in the day to record this. But, the Republic will be sending another Legion to Volsinii,” stated Alerio. “Senator Gurges was killed during the assault and his Legion is trapped.”

  “That’s why you were interested in the Republic’s finances?” Thomasious asked.

  “No sir. I’m a simple Legionary and that would be above my pay grade,” Alerio assured the innkeeper. “Thank you for the loan of the gladius. Now, I’m going to play Legionary statue at the Senate.”

  “Let me know who does the nomination first,” instructed Thomasious.

  “I don’t know what you’re asking,” pleaded Alerio.

  “Pay attention and let me know,” Thomasious repeated as he selected a piece of ham and placed a fat piece of cheese on it. He took a bite and declared, “Delicious. Run along now, you don’t want to be late for the Senate of the Republic.”

  Act 4

  Chapter 21 – The Senators and Guests Arrive

  Vendor carts occupied areas on the streets bordering the grounds of the Capitol building. Some offered cooked meats, their aromas competing with baked good carts a few yards away. Alerio joined a crowd moving in the predawn threading their way between the lanterns of a beverage seller and a lamb cart.

  As they neared the Capitol building, the dark gave way to lights flooding the granite steps, porch, and the doors leading to the Senate’s auditorium. The throng slowed as it joined other citizens. Some people were visible at the edge of the light but, most were back in the dark. Alerio pushed his way forward and approached a Sergeant standing under a torch at the edge of the light.

  “Sergeant. I’m Lance Corporal Alerio Sisera. I am under the orders of Senator Spurius Carvilius Maximus to make myself available to the Senate,” he explained.

  “See the Centurion at the bottom of the stairs,” the NCO advised while pointing across the lighted but mostly empty grassy expanse.

  Alerio marched to a set of blazing braziers where a Centurion stood scanning the illuminated front ranks of the crowd.

  “Centurion. I’m Lance Corporal Alerio Sisera,” Alerio stated with a salute. “I am under the orders of Senator Spurius Carvilius Maximus to make myself available to the Senate.”

  The officer glanced at the Legionary’s uniform, nodded approvingly, and ordered, “See the Tribune at the top of the stairs.”

  As Alerio climbed the steps, he glanced back to see other NCOs spread out along the length of the lighted area. Citizens spoke with the Sergeants and some were allowed forward to speak with the officers at the bottom of the steps. In turn, a few were sent up to speak with the staff officers.

  Most of those allowed on the porch by the Tribunes clustered around in small groups talking. Men, who seemed to know what they were doing, quick walked between the groups. They selected individuals or pairs of Citizens and these were escorted through the doors.

  At the top of the stairs, Alerio saluted a staff officer.

  “Tribune. I’m Lance Corporal Alerio Sisera,” Alerio repeated the speech. “I am under the orders of Senator Spurius Carvilius Maximus to make myself available to the Senate.”

  The Tribune inspected the Legionary before turning his face and calling out, “Belen! I’ve got one of yours.”

  “Be there shortly,” Maximus' secretary replied from behind a crowd.

  He pulled three people away from a group and held the door so they could enter the Capitol building. Then Belen pointed at Alerio and motioned him to a space between two doors.

  “Wait there until I collect you,” the Senator’s secretary ordered. He spun away and rushed to greet a pair of men climbing the steps. Both wore togas with gold trim. Belen bowed and motioned them to proceed directly into the building.

  Out on the Capitol grounds, several lantern-lit processions snaked through the dark. As their lights converged with the steps’ torches, a tall thin man emerged from the building. He stepped out on the speaker platform that divided the staircase.

  “Senators of the Republic are arriving,” he announced.

  From the dark, Alerio heard cheers, although a few boos could be heard in the crowd’s response. The processions materialized out of the dark revealing about a hundred older and middle-aged men. As the Senators climbed the steps, their secretaries jockeyed for positions so they would be in the proper place to greet their masters.

  Alerio observed Belen chatter into Senator Maximus’ ear as they crossed the porch. The Senator scowled and his lips moved rapidly before he vanished through the doorway. Belen fast walked to a Tribune and they exchanged words. The Tribune descended the steps and spoke to a Centurion who crossed the grass to speak with a Sergeant. After a quick exchange, the Centurion and the Sergeant raced off into the dark.

  ***

  The number of people seeking to climb the steps increased once the Senators had arrived. Many made it to a Tribune but only a few were allowed into the Capitol building. The rest were dismissed by a Senator’s secretary despite the gold rings, ornate sandals, quality togas, and other trappings of wealthy men. The criteria for who entered and who was rejected was beyond Alerio’s frame of reference. However, he had sense enough to recognize someone using exclusion and limited access to a Senator as a lever of power.

  The porch cleared and all the secretaries vanished. Even the Tribunes relaxed and gathered to chat. Only the Centurions, Sergeants and Alerio stood in their posted positions.

  Another procession of lanterns crossed the grounds from the north. As before, the crowd parted, the lights bounced and headed towards the Capitol building. When it neared, a middle-aged man, sneering and muttering, surged ahead and jogged up the steps to the gathering of Tribunes.

  “What is the meaning of this?” he yelled. “My son is ill. He should be allowed to rest. Instead, he’s ordered from his sick bed and summoned by the Senate.”

  “Please wait here, Master Peregrinus,” a Tribune suggested before marching to a door and entering the Capitol building. Moments later, the Tribune reappeared followed by Belen.

  “Belen! I knew Spurius Maximus was behind this,” he accused. “Only a miserable old man would drag a sick lad from his mother’s arms.”

  Belen ignored the raging father and peered down at the procession. A sedan chair carried by four slaves appeared at the bottom of the stairs. Beside the enclosed coach stood Photius, the bald old man from Villa Peregrinus. The same administrator who had locked Alerio out. A squad of City Guardsmen, the Sergeant and the Centurion surrounded the coach.

  “Bring the sedan chair up to the porch,” Belen shouted with a wave of his arms. “Hurry up. The Senator wants him in place before the voting begins.”

  The slaves carefully carried the sedan chair up the steps and gently set it down on the porch. Tribune Armenius Peregrinus climbed out with the help of the old administrator. He was dressed in a white tunic with bronze trim and, although standing on his own, seemed unsteady.

  “Right this way,” Belen informed him and the three headed for a center doorway. Seeing the elder Peregrinus following, Belen stopped the group. He pointed further down the porch and directed, “Master Peregrinus, kindly take the end door. Senator Maximus has granted you access to the public gallery.”

  With a huff and more mumbling, Armenius’ father shuffled towards the door. Inside, no doubt, he would be guided to a place where invited
citizens could stand and watch the Senate.

  Chapter – 22 The Senate In Session

  No more solicitors arrived at the stairs or on the porch. Alerio decided, he either had been forgotten or his presence deemed unnecessary but, no one decided to tell him. In both cases, it meant the same thing. He stood watching as weak, defused light from the rising sun revealed the masses of citizens. Lounging around in clusters, people filled the Capitol grounds waiting for announcements from the Senate.

  A door opened and very young man marched towards him.

  “Lance Corporal Sisera, follow me,” he directed.

  They entered a center door, crossed the corridor outside the senate chamber, and stepped into a huge room filled with loud voices speaking to be overheard by other loud voices. The Senate of the Republic was in full volume debating issues that would affect all the citizens.

  On the flooring by the doors and across the chamber, people stood. Some left and ran to a Senator who beckoned them. Alerio spied Belen on the far side of the chamber.

  Alerio expected to be taken to the public gallery behind the sitting Senators. Instead, the lad guided him down the curved walkway in the opposite direction. Legionaries stood guard on this end of the chamber. The lad nodded at the guard and walked Alerio by him.

  He ended up in a small gallery, high up but behind the speaker’s podium. Alerio had a view of the tiered rows of extra wide seats that wrapped part way around the chamber. Unlike those in the public gallery, he could see the faces of the Senators. Also, in the private gallery were a cavalry officer in full armor standing off to the side, several older and obviously important men, Armenius Peregrinus, and the Peregrinus’ household administrator Photius.

  Alerio marched to Armenius and whispered, “How are you feeling, Tribune?”

  “They administered a drug and I can’t remember the last three days,” admitted Armenius.

  “You will not speak to young Master Peregrinus,” ordered Photius.

  “The Tribune and I fought our way through patrols of murderous barbarians,” Alerio growled.

  “We did?” inquired Armenius.

  “Yes sir, we did. You were captured and tortured. After I freed you, you ran on painful legs like a veteran,” Alerio stated while glaring at the household administrator. “Despite all the obstacles, we completed our mission.”

  “We did?” asked Armenius.

  “Yes sir, we did. And because we shivered, bled and sweated together,” Alerio spoke to the old man. “No one can prevent me from speaking to my Tribune.”

  “You had a mission?” demanded Photius. “What mission?”

  Before Alerio could explain, a tall man at the podium pounded a gavel and shouted for silence.

  ***

  “The next order of business before the Senate of the Republic is the elections of Consuls,” the man announced. “Who will nominate first?”

  All the Senators looked in the direction of one Senator. Spurius Maximus sat relaxed and appeared bored. With a dismissive gesture of a hand, the chamber erupted. The man at the podium searched for another Senator willing to propose a candidate for Consul.

  One jumped to his feet and shouted, “I nominate Senator Appease Clodus Codex for Consul of the Republic!” The Senator sat and another stood and raised his arms.

  Senators around Maximus appeared confused while those around the Senator with his arms in the air pounded their armrests and yelled in delight.

  “I accept the heavy responsibility of the office bestowed on me by the Senate of the Republic,” Consul Codex boomed. “My duty to expand our Capital will continue until we are the envy of the world.”

  He was interrupted by outbursts from Senators on his side of the chamber. Only a few on Maximus’ side joined in the jubilation. When the Senators settled, Codex continued.

  “We have budgeted for community services and public utilities for the new growth,” he boasted. “When we sell the available lots, our coffers will fill and our hearts will swell with pride.”

  Another round of cheering broke out. Again, those around Codex were the loudest. Across the chamber, only a few joined in. Codex smiled and glanced around at his supporters.

  “From my own funds, I declare a city-wide holiday in two days to show my pleasure at being elevated to the office of Consul of the Republic,” he announced.

  His supporters, vocal as before, shouted out their pleasure. Even those in the public gallery raised their arms and shouted their delight at the proposed festival. This time more of the Senators around Maximus added their cheers.

  With bows to both side of the Senate, Consul Appease Clodus Codex sat down.

  ***

  The man at the podium tilted his head in question and looked in Spurius Maximus’ direction. After a dramatic pause to allow everyone to cease their celebration, the Senator rose from his seat.

  “I nominate Senator Marcus Fulvius Flaccus for Consul of the Republic!” Maximus stated with authority. Then he sat and Marcus Flaccus stood.

  “I accept the heavy responsibility of the office bestowed upon me by the Senate of the Republic,” Consul Flaccus exclaimed. “While I appreciate my Co-Consuls ambition to improve our Capital, there are more pressing issues.”

  Instead of the cheering that greeted Appease Codex’s speech, Flaccus’ elicited murmurs of confusion. With no need to wait, Consul Marcus Flaccus resumed.

  “Late yesterday evening, dispatches from our Legion at Volsinii reached me,” Flaccus explained. “With a heavy heart, I tell you that General Quintus Fabius Gurges was wounded in the attack and has died.”

  Now, the entire Senate erupted in calls for avenging their fellow Senator. Especially loud were the Senators around Consul Codex.

  “Our response will be swift, terrible and total,” Flaccus promised.

  The Senate chamber filled with angry voices. Their emotions running wild and their hearts pleading for revenge. Flaccus’ words hit the right cord and he had the backing of the entire Senate.

  “While I gather the heavy infantry for Flaccus Legion, I took the liberty of calling up units to support our Legion trapped at Volsinii,” Consul Marcus Flaccus exclaimed. “Is it the will of the Senate?”

  Every senator shouted his agreement with the plan.

  “Tribune of the Horse!” called out Flaccus. “Are you and your Legionaries prepared?”

  The armored cavalry officer, who stood off to the side of the private gallery, marched forward.

  “We are ready to obey the orders of General Marcus Fulvius Flaccus,” the cavalryman replied.

  “You and your five hundred mounted Legionaries will ride north to support our Legion at Volsinii,” directed Flaccus. “These are your orders from your General.”

  The Tribune slammed his fist into his chest armor. It rang around the Senate chamber.

  “Yes, General Flaccus!” replied the Tribune.

  Then he marched out of the private gallery. However, he didn’t exit at the first door. As if on parade, he extended his march past each door so everyone could hear the slap and click of his hobnailed boots. At the last door, he left the chamber but the echo of his boots lingered.

  “Senators and citizens of the Republic, I regret that these events preclude me from attending my Co-Consul’s holiday and festival,” Marcus Flaccus explained. “I will be heading north to enforce our laws and to protect the integrity of our Republic.”

  Over one hundred voices, and as many pounding on the wood of their armrests, sent an almost physical force swirling around the chamber. In the noise and chaos, Consul Flaccus bowed to his supporters and sat down.

  The man at the podium pounded for quiet and cried out for silence. After long sessions of pounding and pleading, the volume in the Senate chamber fell to a manageable level.

  “Let it be known throughout the Republic,” the man announced. “The Senate has declared this the year of Consul Appease Clodus Codex and Consul Marcus Fulvius Flaccus. May the Gods watch over and assist them in their endeavors.”


  ***

  Senator Maximus stood and held out his arms for attention.

  “The Consuls will sacrifice to Jupiter this afternoon on the Capitol grounds. All citizens are welcome,” he announced. “We have committee business for the rest of the day. However, before we break up, there is someone I’d like to recognize.”

  He pointed at the private gallery. Lance Corporal Alerio Sisera proudly slammed his fist into his chest. Regrettably, he wore only cloth so his salute lacked the thunder of the cavalryman’s salute.

  “Three days ago, Tribune Armenius Peregrinus and this single Legionary slipped out of our besieged Legion camp in Volsinii. They swam the freezing waters of the Tiber and evaded barbarian patrols. Although ill with fever, Tribune Armenius Peregrinus delivered the news of the stricken Legion to the Capital,” Maximus stated. “Before venturing forth on this dangerous mission, Tribune Peregrinus organized the Legion camp when the command staff was decimated in the fighting. To honor Armenius Peregrinus, I propose he receive an accommodation for bravery, fifty gold coins, and an appointment as Assistant Governor to our eastern province at Crotone. Can I get a yes vote on this resolution?”

  The full Senate shouted their agreement. How could they not for a hero of the Republic?

  Chapter -23 Reassignment

  Alerio stood and watched as the Senators clustered around secretaries obviously discussing elements of state business. The public galley emptied and the visitors gathered around the exit doors. With no escape available, he stared at the Senate chamber and marveled at the political maneuvering he’d just witnessed. While the rewards were beyond his experience, he was smart enough to recognize a well-played game and the winners.

  One of the winners, who had not been a player, was Armenius Peregrinus. The old administrator took the young man by the elbow and guided him towards the edge of the private galley. Before they reached the Legionary stations at the entrance, Armenius’ father came stomping down the walkway.