Quintus was being jostled, pushed, poked and berated as he descended the steep flight of rutted, granite steps. You are a traitor: You are a patrician pig: Our minister for misjudgment: Coward: Liar: Thief. Yelled insults were becoming more and more inflammatory. Faces distorted into snarls of hatred, arms raised menacingly, fists clenching wooden clubs, threatening, disgusting gestures. Leviticus, once a city where violence was rarely seen, appeared to be changing minute by minute into a bear pit, reminiscent of the worst excesses of ancient Rome!
‘Ignore them,’ cautioned Obadiah, ‘This is but a manifestation of Ezra’s cunning, to stir the populace into action on his behalf. Do not fall into the trap. Say nothing, do nothing.’
Obadiah pressed on, carefully negotiating each stair, while still moving aside those attempting to lay hands on Quintus. They reached the Via Sacra, shaken but unharmed, and turned left towards the Via Flaminia; the road that leads directly to the Palantine Hill where Quintus resides in a modest apartment with his parents, his wife and their two children. Gradually the rabble that had surrounded them dissipated, leaving only a few die hards who, sensing their insults and threats were not having the desired effect, finally turned around, frustrated, and headed back towards the way they had come.
‘Thank you Obadiah,’ said Quintus, distressed at what was obviously a carefully staged demonstration. ‘But for you I would have reacted badly.’
Obadiah nodded. ‘In your position I, too, would have reacted. But, say no more...’
He looked ahead along the street and pointed towards The Atrium Trattoria in the near distance.
‘Quintus, I want to talk to you, in private; before you rejoin your family that is. Will you accompany me for a selection of the Atrium’s delicious cheeses and a glass of something exotic to drink?’
Quintus managed a smile, the first since his arrest.
‘Delicious cheeses and an exotic drink are exactly what I need right now,’ he said, still smiling. ‘But I trust you are not thinking of trying to persuade me to drop my antipathy towards Ezra because, if so, you will find me totally and completely intractable!’
***
A day has passed since the aborted trial of Quintus. Ezra’s deep depression is now replaced by a feeling of sanctimonious triumph. By the tactical use of a single action he had managed to outwit his enemies and begin the regeneration of his dwindling authority; and all due to his acceptance of highly contentious advice given to him by the most junior of his nineteen ministers!
Prior to the preparation of the speech which caused such widespread astonishment at its conciliatory content, he had been approached, with a great deal of nervous trepidation, by Publius Gratius Balbus who requested an audience to present a proposal which was so audacious and controversial that it was initially rejected with righteous anger. However, after an hour’s discussion during which Ezra’s temper flared and subsided in direct relation to the height of the controversial elements of Publius’s proposal, he finally agreed to the drafting of a speech which contained an unequivocal statement of reconciliation and appeasement.
The first, second and third drafts were revised until Ezra, although still harbouring massive doubts, expressed grudging satisfaction. The head of his Secretariat was then ordered to prepare the speech for his final review and approval.
The main thrust of Publius’s proposal was to concentrate first on the weakest in Terra Novan society, for he argued they are the most receptive to economic and political stimuli. Secondly he proposed the best way to tempt those of Patrician class back into the fold, was to propose the repeal of the law which affected and discriminated against their class in particular, namely Proscription. Finally, and the most contentious proposal, was to promise an end to Immaculation, the terminal punishment introduced by Ezra soon after the commencement of his third term of office. Publius successfully argued all these measures would be greeted far and wide, throughout all strands of society, with unbounded gratitude and would, as a consequence, re-establish Ezra into a position of unchallengeable authority, but this time with massive support from the populace.
Now that the speech had been delivered, the immediate task for Ezra was to carry out the pledges made at the trial of Quintus, while ensuring his omnipresent style of governance was not in any way compromised. A calculated balancing act comparable to those carried out by the most heinous of Roman Emperors!
Chapter Forty Seven
Richard Moss was feeling more lonely and depressed than at any time since his arrival on Terra Nova. Esther had left the safe house in tears two days ago and, despite feeling comforted as a result of the strengthening of her relationship with Richard, she was tearful, fearful even, about inescapable assignations with Ezra. Richard knew Esther was resident once again in one of Ezra’s many official houses, awaiting the dreaded call from the man who cared nothing for her except as one of many young women serving as an outlet for his sexual desires. She had expressed her horror at past encounters with Ezra, but was careful to leave aside the detail so as not to add to Richard’s increasing anger and despair. Richard had promised that he would ensure she would not be subjected to further humiliations, although how he intended to fulfill this promise he was at a loss to enunciate. Which then added yet more layers to his mounting frustration. Noah and his brother Joshua had not yet returned from their meeting with Amos and, consequently, Richard was unaware of the sensational outcome of the trial of Quintus. Holed up in a house where there was absolutely nothing to take his mind off his predicament, was proving to be a psychological impediment to the restoration of his tormented mind. He constantly mulled, over and over, the horrendous period of his imprisonment. The litany of broken promises, the unexpected setbacks, the seemingly unachievable goal of returning to Earth and, now, the futility of the attraction he was feeling towards the beautiful Esther. He was aroused from this confusion of thoughts by the scratching sound of a key being inserted into the lock on the front door of the safe house. He rose nervously from the chair, hands shaking, in the same room where he and Esther had recently confessed to mutual feelings of attraction. He was uncertain who had arrived, unsure what to do and, frustratingly, he was unable to see who was about to enter the house.
‘Richard, it’s me,’ whispered a voice from the direction of the now open door, a voice Richard immediately recognized as Noah’s. ‘I’m with Joshua. We have some unbelievable news for you!’
Noah and Joshua approached down the long, dark corridor and could see Richard’s head peeking uncertainly around the door at its close.
‘That is you, isn’t it?’ enquired Noah, screwing his eyes into slits in an effort to confirm whether the shadowy outline was indeed that of Richard. “Show yourself, please!’
‘Of course it’s me,’ answered Richard, now standing in full view out in the corridor. ‘I thought you’d forgotten about me, especially since I haven’t seen or heard from you for almost three days! Where the Hell have you been?’
Noah could sense Richard’s anger was close to the point of explosion. He refrained from replying with any hint of belligerence but, instead, offered quiet words of conciliation.
‘Forgive me, we had to wait, for the outcome of Quintus’s trial that is. It would have been pointless to return until we knew what was to become of him. We have been thinking of you Richard, please believe that. But we knew Esther was here and hoped her presence would sustain you until we were able to return. It is now obvious that we were mistaken. But listen well Richard for we have news which I am certain will more than compensate for our enforced absence.’
Noah glanced at his brother who nodded slightly, indicating he should proceed.
‘Ezra has dropped all charges against Quintus,’ continued Noah, high excitement permeating his voice. ‘And he has rescinded the laws of Proscription and Immaculation, and has also appealed to the populace to allow him to complete his present term in office, during w
hich he promised a new regime based on reconciliation and understanding.’
He paused and laid a hand on Richard’s shoulder.
‘Do you understand what I am telling you Richard? This means our plan to introduce you to the Magus and to benefit from their teachings can now proceed, as can our plan to return you to Earth as its saviour - these pronouncements from Ezra were so unexpected, so outside the bounds of anyone’s imagination, but nevertheless it is true Richard, the way has opened up for your training to begin.’
He looked from Richard to his brother.
‘Go on,’ he said. ‘Ask Joshua for confirmation if you doubt me!’
Richard bore a look of skepticism on his lined, grey face.
‘And you believe all this nonsense? You honestly, really, truly, believe that Ezra, the man who has been responsible for more deaths and misery than anyone else in the history of Terra Nova, has changed his damned spots? Are you completely mad or is it just another example of your innocent naivety? And you Joshua, you of all people, are you also taken in by this inane nonsense?’
Joshua appeared nonplussed, not only because he was torn between supporting his brother and not fully convinced that Ezra’s apparent conversion was to be trusted, but also he had no idea what Richard meant by “changed his damned spots”. I don’t didn’t recall Ezra having any spots, he thought. I must ask Richard to explain what he meant later!
‘You must remember Richard,’ he said, still thinking. ‘That we and our ancestors before us have been raised to believe what others have to say to us, unless there is clear cause to think otherwise. It is part of our upbringing and something we cherish most dearly, or was so until we were confronted with a Great Leader who inexplicably and diametrically changed course from the tried and trusted style of government that has served Terra Nova so admirably over the millennia. Noah and I have argued vociferously over the past two days about Ezra’s apparent determination to introduce a change of direction. As a co-founder of LEP I admit to harbouring grave doubts as to the veracity of the actions and statements emanating from Ezra’s pre-trial speech. I have witnessed, on too many occasions, the misery wrought during Ezra’s current term in office to simply accept what he has to say without a large degree of uncertainty arising within me. Noah and I, brothers it is true, have had our differences over the years, and this latest controversy underlines some of those differences with a broad, red stripe of caution. Ezra is undoubtedly a megalomaniac - a man totally consumed by the aphrodisiac effects of omnipotent power. But... ’
Joshua paused to gauge the effect his words were having.
‘...is there a possibility, the merest flicker of likelihood, that he may have come to realise how tenuous is his position and, consequently, the only way to repair the damage done is to seek forgiveness and offer a new way forward? Or is it all a deception, a ruse designed so that dissidents reveal themselves and thereby he can destroy the opposition represented by LEP and all it stands for? Those, Richard and Noah, are the two difficult questions we have to answer before committing ourselves one way or the other.’
Chapter Forty Eight
Ezra’s triumphant parade through the streets of Leviticus was a crass example of over-exaggerated splendour. Days after delivering his reconciliatory speech he met with his advisers and decided to resurrect the long abandoned, but much revered, vir triumphalis which, in ancient Rome, acknowledged a truly exceptional military achievement meriting the highest possible honours. The rituals of the Triumph supposedly connected the person being celebrated via the vir triumphalis to the greatness of the mythical and semi-mythical Roman past. From the time of Scipio Africanus any honoured participant was linked to both Alexander and to the demi-god Hercules, who were said to have had laboured selflessly for the benefit of all mankind. Ezra believed such a connection would be an immense benefit in persuading Terra Nova’s plebeians that he was a reformed character, determined to lead his people back to those glorious days as epitomised by previous Great Leaders.
He was wearing a richly embroidered purple and gold toga picta; embracing his head was a sumptuous laurel crown, while knee-length red boots could occasionally be seen beneath his toga whenever the wind whipped around the chariot. Standing tall, upright, chest thrust forward, wedged between two burly guards, one of whom was grasping several strands of reins while the other was studying the crowd for signs of trouble, Ezra looked to be the personification of an imperial Roman emperor. Drawn by three magnificent white horses, the chariot trundled past Trajan’s column where a silent crowd was gathered; an occasional shouted greeting arose, albeit grudgingly. It was unnerving. Even the praetorian guards lining the streets, used as they were to dealing with noisy malcontents, were edgy and nervous. There was a general feeling of apathy abroad, as if Ezra’s attempt at appealing to the masses was falling flat and achieving absolutely nothing. The first in the procession of chariots following Ezra’s was the one carrying Esther, who was standing, nervous and shaking, next to Marcus Annius Verus, City Prefect and Minister for State Security. She was unsmiling, although occasionally she waved towards the crowd when urged to do so by Marcus’s prods and nodded commands. Then came more chariots carrying a selection of his ministers, a smattering of dignitaries, several favoured sycophants and the pick of his most beautiful mistresses. Noah and Richard, having slipped surreptitiously out of the safe house in Trastevere after learning of Ezra’s planned parade, were at the rear of the crowd encircling Trajan’s Column, stretching their necks, trying their utmost to view the passing chariots but, at the same time, being aware that, as wanted fugitives, they had to be careful not to reveal their identities. Consequently both had their heads covered by the voluminous hoods surmounted on the ankle length, dark grey cloaks they were wearing. Without meaning to, they gave the impression of destitute monks seeking alms - which they apparently managed to do successfully because on three occasions they were offered scraps of bread, cheese and fruit from altruistic spectators. Noah whispered to Richard that the offers should be accepted with grace; in Richard’s case without a word of thanks, just a simple nod of the head and a slight bow would suffice.
They were each munching away at a piece of cheese when Richard saw the chariot carrying Esther and Marcus emerge into sight. He unwittingly dropped the cheese and gasped in shocked surprise.
‘What the Hell is she doing...’ A potentially incriminating outburst was cut short by one of Noah’s hands being placed over Richard’s gaping mouth.
‘Don‘t utter another word,’ hissed Noah, looking around, smiling unctuously. Several eyes were now upon them, drawn by the sound of Richard’s words, the sight of his covered mouth and the lump of cheese nestled between his feet. Noah made twirling motions with his index finger around his temple.
‘My cousin, he’s a trifle mental,’ he said, with a haughty lift of his nose. ‘He also has an allergy to certain types of cheese! How thoughtless of me to have let him eat cheese. Come on cousin let’s get you home before that nasty allergic rash you get starts to redden your face!’
Puzzlement was still evident on the faces of those who had witnessed the altercation. Many eyes followed Noah and Richard as they threaded their way towards the back of the crowd. Richard was holding his silence but inwardly he was fuming. When they reached the comparative quiet of a side street he couldn’t contain himself any longer.
‘That’s the second time you’ve told people I’m mad,’ he said aggressively. ‘And now I’m suddenly allergic to cheese! What next Noah? He suffers from a severe form of leprosy so, if you value your health, keep your bloody distance?’
Noah was about to speak but was halted by the angry look on Richard’s face. Instead he bit his lower lip, screwed his eyes tight, and then to Richard’s amazement, burst into laughter.
‘You are so amusing Richard,’ he said, slapping him on the back. ‘Your sense of humour is a blessing for me; someone who had forgotten how to laugh
until you arrived. I promise, faithfully, I will not tell anyone you are mad, even if it means we’ll end up in serious trouble. And I will most certainly not invent allergies as an excuse for your behaviour.’
Richard almost managed a smile.
‘Didn’t you see Esther in that chariot?’ he said. ‘Couldn’t you see how embarrassed she was? If I’d had my way I would have run out there and carried her off and to Hell with the consequences. And you Noah, my pretend cousin, think it’s funny! At times I wish you hadn’t acquired a damn sense of humour because you laugh now at the most idiotic things. And stop grinning you oaf -now’s not the time or the place for it.’
Noah looked slightly embarrassed. He shook his head apologetically.
‘I’m very sorry Richard. Please excuse what is merely a blanket to cover my extreme nervousness. Standing back there in the crowd and seeing Ezra looking and acting like an emperor, while his people are cowed into submissiveness, makes me extremely apprehensive for the future of Terra Nova. Despite his conciliatory words I am almost convinced, thanks to that we have just witnessed, added to my brother’s cautionary words, that Ezra’s speech was nothing more than, how you say on Earth, a bubble of hot air? I think, seeing what we have just seen, we were prudent not to reveal ourselves before we are assured as to Ezra’s real intentions.’
Richard’s mouth dropped open after hearing Noah’s unexpected about turn.
‘Hooray! Hoo bloody ray,’ he exclaimed, with just a hint of a smile lurking on his lips. ‘At long last the truth is finally sinking into that juvenile brain of yours. C’mon lets go and have a word with Joshua and then we’ll see what your mates at LEP have to say about all of this.’
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