by Carol Ashby
Marcus frowned. “Maybe, but I can’t believe that would have been a better choice. It took almost an hour for the slaves to get back here, at least that long for us to get down there. Plenty of time for them to conceal her somewhere well away from where they seized her. Any low-class person can disappear in that part of Rome, and no one is going to tell an equestrian or senator where one of their own is hiding.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “Not without money changing hands, and anytime you pay someone, they’re as likely to lie as not just to get that money.”
Gallio’s shoulders sagged, and he rubbed his mouth. “But we’ve got to do something to find her and soon. What if they didn’t take her for ransom?”
Aulus’s breathing sped up, and he fought to slow it down.
Marcus’s lips tightened. “I suppose that’s possible, but they could never sell her for as much as they can get as ransom. It would be stupid to try. They must know she’s the daughter of a former consul. At least that litter slave did. Surely they expect they can get a small fortune from you to get her back. She’d never bring more than three or four thousand denarii as a slave, if even that.”
“Steward Gallio!” The rapid slaps of sandals echoed in the atrium before the door slave burst into the room. “A boy just delivered this.” He held out a hinged wax tablet.
Gallio snatched it from his hand and opened it. His eyebrows plunged as he read it.
Aulus rose and strode to his side. “What does it say?”
“It’s asking for 12,000 denarii for her safe return…with her escort.” Gallio’s mouth curved down. “How can they offer the safe return of a dead man?”
Aulus opened his mouth but closed it without speaking. Marcus had written the note and arranged its delivery before everything started going sideways.
The steward’s frown deepened. His eyes flipped between Aulus and the tablet as he scanned the rest. “It says you must bring the money alone, all in aurei and in two cloth sacks.”
Gallio drew a deep breath and blew it out slowly. “I have that much in the strong box.” His brow furrowed as he read on. “You’re to wear no toga or cloak so you can’t hide a weapon. It says to start from the Baths of Trajan in three hours and walk down the Clivus Suburanus. Keep walking toward the Forums. Somewhere along that route, someone will take the money. Then she and the escort will be released and sent back to us within two hours.”
The steward ran his fingers through his hair. “It says if anyone follows you or tries to interfere, they’ll slit her throat and toss her body in the Tiber.”
With tightened lips, Aulus nodded. “We’ll do exactly what it says. No amount of money is worth Julia dying, and I don’t care if we catch the kidnappers as long as we get her back safely.” He bit his lip. “So, that’s about 500 coins. That’s less than, what…ten or fifteen librae? I can carry that with no problem. We can have her home in no more than five hours.”
Gallio’s lips disappeared when he tightened them. “If they intend to keep their word after killing the escort.” One deep breath, and he forced it out through his nose. “But I don’t see that there’s any choice.”
Aulus’s throat tightened at those words. Marcus had planned to meet him somewhere along the route to get the ransom and take it back to his house. Then Marcus would meet the man he’d hired to pay the second 150 denarii and tell him to send her and the escort home. But with the old man dead and her not being at the empty rental house that belonged to Marcus’s father, where could she possibly be? Would the man still meet Marcus to get the second half of his payment and tell Marcus where she was so he could go get her?
His stomach twisted. What if the man didn’t appear at all and something terrible happened to her?
He focused his eyes on Gallio, hoping the steward didn’t see the guilt there. “Get the money ready.” He turned to Marcus. “Go with me as far as the baths. I know I must go the rest of the way alone, but until I start down into Subura…”
Marcus slapped his arm. “I know. Some things are best done with a friend.”
In almost no time, Gallio returned with the money divided into two plain cloth bags and a gladius.
Aulus took the money but held up his hand when Gallio offered the sword. “No. He might not approach me if he sees I’m armed.”
Gallio held out the gladius again. “It’s for Marcus so no one will rob you before you get to the baths.”
Marcus took the sword and slung the strap across his chest. “We can ride to my house, and I’ll walk you to the baths from there.”
Aulus squared his shoulders. “Let’s go.”
The two men strode to the stable. Marcus had left his stallion saddled and in the empty stall farthest from the gate because no stable slave had appeared when he arrived. Aulus saddled the gray mare himself since the stable slave was still absent.
Side by side, they trotted out the gate, heading for the Porta Esquilinas, the closest entrance through the city wall. As the gate closed behind them, Aulus’s heart rate ramped up. “What if he doesn’t meet you? What if he’s done something horrible to Julia already?”
Marcus shook his head. “He seemed like an honest man. He’s probably just moved her somewhere to get her away from that corpse. I’ll lock the money in the strongbox in my room. Then I’ll go to the agreed place right away and wait for him. There’s no reason to assume the worst.”
Aulus’s head snapped back. “No reason? The man you hired was willing to break Roman law by holding her hostage. He’s already killed her escort. Why do you think he won’t break his word to you and not show up?”
Marcus’s face turned grim. “I have to hope I’m right until we know otherwise.” His jaw clenched. “If I’m wrong…then we’ll hunt until we find her.”
“But where? We have no idea where he and that litter slave could be.”
“No, but I’ll figure it out.” He rested his hand on Aulus’s shoulder. “Somehow, we’ll get her back.”
Aulus rolled his eyes and took several deep breaths until he could respond calmly. “We’d better, Marcus. How can I live with myself if I’ve killed my sister?”
“I’m sure she’s alive. They wouldn’t have killed her. There’s no advantage to them in that.” He squeezed Aulus’s shoulder before lowering his arm. “And against the two of us, an old, retired soldier and a slave don’t have a chance.”
Aulus’s shoulders sagged. “I pray to the gods you’re right.”
Chapter 19: Still Her Protector
Servilia’s shop
The afternoon dragged by. With her arms wrapped around her legs and her cheek resting on her knees, Julia tried to doze. But every time sleep crept up on her, Dacius’s breath would catch, and the whispered groan as he released it awoke her.
A blade of light sliced into her eyes, and Julia turned her head away from the door. Servilia stepped inside and pushed the door mostly closed before coming to kneel beside Dacius.
The shopwoman rested a hand on his arm. “Dacius?” Her voice was a near-whisper.
His eyelids cracked open, and a slow smile appeared. “I haven’t tried to leave without asking you.”
She rested her palm on his forehead before running her fingers through his hair. “That’s good.” Her smile came quicker than his. “How are you feeling?”
Julia felt the tears trying to escape again. Her fingertip swept the corner of her eye before the moisture there could betray her.
But his eyes still swiveled from Servilia to her before he answered. “Maybe a little better.”
Servilia’s eyes turned on her as well. “Has Julia given you everything you need?”
His eyes started to drift shut, but he blinked a few times, and they stayed open. “Yes. Everything.”
Servilia stroked his cheek with her thumb. “It’s only a few more hours until Gaius comes, and a couple more after that until you’ll be at the farm. Marcella knows how to take care of wounded young men. You’ll feel much better afte
r you get to her.”
He drew a breath and blew it out through pursed lips. “Looking forward to that.”
She patted his arm. “Rest now. It won’t be long.”
One corner of his mouth turned up. “God’s kind hand is still upon me.” His eyes drifted closed.
Julia’s hand shot to her mouth, and her eyes asked Servilia the question she was afraid to speak aloud.
The shopwoman smiled and patted her arm as well before rising. Then, without a word, she left the room and closed the door.
The faint light coming through the small window faded to dusk. A low rumble came through the doors, punctuated by angry male voices. That drew Julia’s smile. The wagons were starting to move through Rome. Soon the farmer should come, and someone who knew how to care for his wounds would help Dacius.
The door opened half-way, and Servilia made several trips carrying stacks of folded rugs and blankets.
Finally, the shopwoman stood beside Julia. “I’m going to lock up the shop with you inside. Then I’ll go find Gaius. As soon as I can, I’ll bring him back here to get you.”
Her gaze settled on Dacius, and her smile dimmed. “No need to awaken him until it’s time to go.”
She rested her hand on Julia’s shoulder and squeezed. “It won’t be long now.
Julia glanced at Dacius. “I hope so. He needs help as soon as possible.”
After one more squeeze and a smile, Servilia left the room, leaving the door partly open behind her.
Dacius grew dimly aware of some motion around him. He heard the distant voice of Servilia as she told Julia where she was going. He was fully awake to hear the iron rods sliding into the rings of the shutters as Servilia closed her shop for the evening.
He turned his head to find the mistress watching him. He swept his left hand to encompass what lay around them.
“I beg pardon, mistress…for all this. I wanted to get you to a friend who’d protect you.” His hand fell back to his side.
“None of this is your fault. I don’t know what would have happened to me without you today. You’re the only one who came to help me.”
“I should protect you until your father returns.” He shook his head once. “I might not be able to.”
“Yes, you can. We’ll be at the farm soon, and we’ll be safe there. After you heal, you’ll protect me again.”
His ears caught the quaver in her voice.
He took a deep breath and released a deeper sigh. Even in the darkened room, everything looked...sparkly.
God, is this what it feels like to be dying? He focused on her frightened face. I’m ready to be with You, Jesus, but...what will happen to her when I die?
Julia’s heart raced. He should have said “yes, mistress” or something, like he always had before. His silence drove daggers of fear into her. His eyelids started to drift shut.
“Dacius.” His eyes focused on her again. “You will heal there, and you will keep taking care of me.” She tried to sound commanding, but the tremor in her voice ruined it.
“I’ll try, mistress.”
They were quiet words. Words like slaves say when they don’t want to upset the master. He didn’t look like he thought he could do what she told him.
“No. You’re not going to try. If I want it done, you’re going to do it.”
One corner of his mouth turned up. He still didn’t say “yes, mistress.”
His eyes closed. She swallowed hard. What was going to happen if he didn’t get better, if he couldn’t take care of her?
She wrapped her arms around herself. What would happen if he died?
Chapter 20: Not According to Plan
Subura
Once they passed through the city gate, Marcus and Aulus took the shortest route to the Baths of Trajan and past them to the Fagutal district on the western end of the Oppian Hill. When they rode through the gate into the Drusus stable yard, two slaves scurried over to take their horses.
Marcus swung his leg over his stallion’s neck and slid to the ground. He flipped his reins to the slave and waited for Aulus to dismount. “First a small matter in my room.”
Aulus followed him into the house. Marcus waved Aulus into his room ahead of him, then closed and latched the door. In the corner stood a cabinet carved with hunting scenes. He retrieved a key from a hidden ledge under his bedside table before opening the cabinet doors to reveal a small chest built into the bottom.
He knelt to unlock it and held out his hand for the money bags. He placed them inside, rearranged the contents so the lid would shut and lock, and returned the key to its hiding place.
“That part’s taken care of. Now we get Julia.”
Aulus shifted his weight from foot to foot. “But how do we do that? Nothing’s gone according to plan yet.”
“That’s not quite true. The ransom note was delivered, and Gallio gave us the money.”
Aulus threw his hands up. “But Julia’s gone! Where is she? How do we get her back? Not one part of what was supposed to happen to her has gone like we planned.”
“No, it hasn’t.” Marcus rubbed his forehead. “But that doesn’t mean it won’t work out. I told her kidnapper you’d come to fake a fight with him at the house. He’d pretend to run away and then come get his second payment from me. Maybe he’s still expecting that to happen.” He massaged his neck. “So, you need to go to the house, and I need to go to the taberna where we were to meet.”
Aulus’s breaths came fast. “But the escort wasn’t supposed to die, the litter slave wasn’t supposed to be in league with the man you hired, and he was supposed to keep her at the house.”
Marcus placed his hand on Aulus’s upper arm. “True. Maybe it would be better if I go with you. Julia won’t be surprised to see me helping you, and him running at the sight of two of us makes more sense.”
Aulus’s fast nods…those were all Marcus needed to see Aulus’s fear start to fade.
He slapped his friend’s arm as he took his hand away. “Let’s go get her.”
As they left the house and headed for the Clivus Pullius, the shortcut from the baths atop the hill to Subura in the valley below, Marcus kept his face optimistic. But inside, the serpent of doubt twined around his mind and tightened its coils.
Aulus kept them at quick-march down the hill and through the narrowing streets. As they reached the place where Julia’s litter had been abandoned, he gripped Marcus’s arm and froze. His own arm shot out, his finger pointing at a red splotch on the pavement.
“Was that there before?” He grabbed the back of his neck with both hands. “It looks like blood.”
“I didn’t see it.” Marcus knelt and drew his fingertip across the patch. He sniffed his finger and rubbed it with his thumb. “Whatever it is, it’s been here long enough to dry. Might be blood, but it might not.”
“What if it’s Julia’s?”
Tightened lips accompanied the shake of Marcus’s head. “It’s not. Her bearers said they carried the litter here after they found she’d disappeared.”
“That’s what they said, but how do we know they told the truth? Taurus didn’t think that was possible.”
“Why would they lie about it? I know slaves lie all the time, but usually it’s for a reason. Gallio’s not blaming them for what happened. They don’t gain anything by lying.”
Marcus stood. “Let’s go.”
Another couple of blocks and they entered the stable yard. Marcus’s hand gripped the hilt of his gladius as they entered the vestibulum. He crept forward to peek into the atrium. Then he stepped through the doorway, motioning Aulus to follow.
The body was gone, so the Urban Cohort must have already examined the scene and taken it. But had Julia and her captors returned?
“Let’s see if they’re back or if they left us a message about where she is.” Marcus’s voice was scarcely above a whisper.
They searched the peristyle garden and the rooms off it, then climb
ed the stairs to search the rooms off the atrium balcony. With each dust-coated and empty room, Aulus’s heart sank lower.
Back in the atrium, Aulus picked up a wadded-up cloth by the wall where Taurus had said something had swept away the dirt. “Julia would never use something this dirty. It must be his.” He crunched it in his hand and hurled it away from him. It landed in the scum-coated pool.
He held his head between his palms and pushed until his head hurt. “Oh, Marcus! What are we going to do?”
Marcus raised his palms. “Calm down, and let’s think about this. He would have taken her away from here, but probably not too far. No way for us to guess where that is, so no point in us looking right now. He has your slave to leave guarding her, so he can still meet me for payment.” Marcus squared his shoulders. “So, it’s time for me to get to the taberna and wait for him, and time for you to go home―”
“And do what?”
“Let me finish. Go home and tell Gallio someone met you to get the ransom and told you a message would come about where to get her back.”
Aulus rolled his eyes. “No message will come, and you know it. Maybe the Urban Cohort can find them if they know his name.”
Marcus’s lips tightened. “We didn’t exchange names. I thought it safer that way.” His hand gripped Aulus’s upper arm. “And we must not tell anyone we hired the man, or we’d be charged as kidnappers ourselves.”
“We are kidnappers now that she’s disappeared!” Aulus took several deep breaths. “But I can see you’re right. I’ve never seen him, and neither of us know his name. Nothing we could tell them would help.”
He closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead. “I trusted you to pick the right man.”
“I know, and I failed you. But we’ll figure this out, and we’ll get her back. Right now, I need to get to that taberna.” Marcus’s hand squeezed his arm. “It’s a shorter walk back to my house if you come along. It’s on the Vicus Sandaliarius, so you can take the short route past the Amphitheater and up the stairs to the baths.”