by Nhys Glover
‘No… no, of course not. I went outside the inn where we were staying to find some fresh air. I… wandered off and became lost. My husband will pay you anything you want to have me returned unharmed.’
‘Anything I want? Now that could be a pretty denarii, I have to say. What is your husband’s name? I may have heard of him.’
‘He’s… he’s Marcus Livius Nexus. And you won’t know him as we’re only new to the city.’
‘Nexus? Not a Roman name… a freedman’s name, I’m thinking. What would a Roman patrician be doing wed to a liberti? Your lies are catching you out already, little lady. Get the pouch, Jahl.’
Before Galeria had the chance to grip the pouch again, the big man had ripped it from her hands and yanked it. The leather cut into her flesh as it was pulled tight against her neck and then snapped. She cried out in pain and reached for her neck. Her hand came away bloody.
Neither man seemed to notice nor care about her pain as Jahl handed the pouch over to his master. Like a child opening a present, the master emptied the pouch into his colourful lap. In it were gold aureii, several silver denarrii, a few pieces of her mother’s best jewellery and the tightly folded parchment that identified her.
‘So this says you’re Galeria, daughter of Appius Galerius Donicus. No mention of Nexus. This husband, who is a liberti is no husband at all I’m thinking.’
She tried the think of the best way to go from here. He was no fool this man, and she would need all her wits to outsmart him, or at least get him to cooperate.
‘All right, I’m not married to Nexus. He’s my bodyguard, travelling with me to my home in Rhodos. As you can see from my wealth, I didn’t lie about what you’ll receive for my safe return. I carry only a small portion of our funds on me. Nexus has the rest. He’ll give you whatever you want if you safely return me to him.’
The man’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. ‘You don’t sound like a gently reared noblewoman. You speak like a man. But though you are no beauty, you’re definitely no man. I’m curious, Galeria. I’m curious about why a gently reared young woman would be wandering the streets of Antiochia so far from home. No father would allow such a thing.’
‘My father is… is dead. He was murdered. I’m returning to my brother who is now the head of my paterfamilias. Nexus offered to take me…’
‘Where was your father murdered girl?’ The master’s words were like a snake striking. They disorientated her already scattered mind and she jerked back, bumping into the big man behind her.
‘In Rhodos!’ she said before she could think of a suitable lie. Why hadn’t she planned her tale more carefully? But then, she hadn’t expected that her story of a husband would be challenged. She’d forgotten about her identification papers. More mistakes!
‘He was murdered in Rhodos and yet you are going to Rhodos? You make no sense. Stop lying to me or I’ll have you beaten. I haven’t got time for your games.’
‘All right. All right. My father was murdered by the emperor’s men who took my mother captive. They were bringing her here to sell her into slavery outside the empire. Well, that’s what we think was their plan. We came to rescue her. The men arrived last night and we thought they were planning to murder more people… I didn’t want that to happen, so while Nexus went to negotiate my mother’s release I went to warn the Stoic, but your man intercepted me. None of this negates my claim that you’ll be well paid for my safe return.’
Galeria stopped talking and looked the short man in the eye. It was a relief to tell the truth, finally. She’d never had much experience lying, and this interrogation proved she wasn’t very good at it.
For a moment, the man’s beady little eyes stared at her unblinking. Then, as if he’d finished assessing her words, he looked away with a grunt.
‘So the truth at last. Your servant was remiss in allowing you to do this thing.’
‘Nexus is not my servant. He’s… simply helping me, and he didn’t know what I was going to do. I didn’t know what I was going to do until I did it. I’m not usually this stupidly impulsive. I have to hope it’s simply my lack of sleep and the accumulation of worries that have me behaving so rashly. I’m usually very sensible…’ Why she said this she had no idea. It was the ramblings of a mad woman and she knew it.
‘Sensible? You would be the first woman I’ve ever known who could be called sensible if that were true.’ He smirked at her in a superior, male way that put her teeth on edge. ‘The problem for me is this, Galeria: Your protector will want me dead for taking you. Obviously, I’m averse to that happening. I accept that there would be money enough if I were to return you, but what good is money if I’m dead?’
‘I’ll make sure Nexus doesn’t take his revenge on you. I’ll tell him you saved me from… from this brute,’ she looked over her shoulder at the huge man who had been her captor. ‘Which is the truth, if you return me. You’ll have our gratitude and recompense.’
‘Now, you see, although that sounds sensible I think it’s unlikely. Protectors don’t take kindly to others stealing what they protect. It doesn’t sit well with them. He wouldn’t be a man if he listened to you. Are you this man’s lover?’
‘No! Of course not. I’m a maiden. What has that to do with his revenge? Do you think he’d more likely revenge me if I were his lover? He won’t because I’m not.’
‘Still an innocent? Most women your age have several children at their skirts by now. Is it your looks that turn them away or is it your manliness?’
Galeria flinched from the insult. It was not the first insult he’d given her, but it was the one that hit home the hardest. In the past, she’d seen being likened to a man as a good thing. Now she felt belittled by the comparison. This man didn’t see her as a man, nor did he see her value as a woman. She was something caught between and, therefore, worthless and unattractive.
The urge to defend herself had her opening her mouth before she considered what would come out of it. ‘It was the man who wanted to marry me who orchestrated my father’s death. I wouldn’t have him and my father wouldn’t force me to, so he had my father murdered. So don’t make it sound like it’s a good thing to draw the attention of men. It has caused me nothing but heartache.’ She felt the tears welling up behind her eyes and she fought them back. Why was she telling this foul little man all her secrets? Why couldn’t he just believe her and let her go back to Nexus and her mother?
‘Ah, now who would this man be that has the power to direct Caesar himself?’
‘The Proconsul of Asia’s son.’
‘And why would such a man want you?’
‘I don’t know! Why does any man want a woman? He was obsessed with me. I didn’t encourage him. Why he felt as he did I cannot fathom. To do this terrible thing just to get me… is… madness!’
‘Hmm. The Proconsul of Asia is Gnaeus Arrius Antoninus.’
‘Yes. His son goes by the same name.’
‘I imagine a man who is that wealthy, well connected and obsessed with you… would pay a Satrap’s fortune to have you…’ The man’s voice was contemplative and Galeria felt her blood run cold. She’d played right into his hands. He was seeking the most financially beneficial use of her and now she’d given it to him, but Antoninus was not independently wealthy. All he owned came from his father who held the purse strings very tight, if the pitiful little villa on Rhodos was any indication.
‘He has no wealth of his own. The easiest and most lucrative outcome for you is to give me back to Nexus.’
The little man shook his head. ‘I’m loath to take that path. I believe this protector of yours would see me dead… and though I have plenty of protection, I don’t wish to be looking over my shoulder in the next years waiting for his knife in my back. No, this other man strikes me as someone who will give me what I want and be grateful for it. And a man who is obsessed with a woman will do anything to get her. He’ll make sure his father gives him what I ask. I can assure you of that. Or he’ll find some other way to get the
small fortune I’ll require for your safe return.’
‘You’re a fool. You have to find Antoninus, convince him you have me, wait for him to find the money and then transport me there… too many things could go wrong at any stage in your plan.’
The little man laughed hilariously. ‘You should have been a man, Galeria. You have the mind of a man. Do you prefer women? I’ve known women like you before. They want so much to be a man that they even desire women like a man.’
‘No, I don’t prefer women, and yes, I think like a man. I’ve been trained to think that way. My father was a brilliant and educated Stoic. So a sensible man like you should take notice of my logic.’
‘Hmm… well, although I see much merit in your logical argument, I think I prefer my plan. I will send you with Jahl and a few of his men to Ephesus. It is just a week or so away. He can carry out the negotiation and hand you over. I will have my money in no more than three weeks.’
‘What if his father has your man arrested for kidnapping?’
‘Then he would have to explain why his son is involved in all this in the first place… No, I think the son will keep this matter private. Sons don’t like to embarrass their fathers, especially powerful, influential fathers like the Proconsul of Asia.’
He bit his thin lip contemplatively for a moment and her heart sank a little more. The only good thing in all this was that she wasn’t going to be sold as a bed-slave outside the empire. Not that she was sure she’d get to Antoninus unharmed if Jahl took the man from last night with him.
‘I think we might need to… incapacitate you for the journey. I know of just the right elixir for that. You will be amenable to my men and will feel no concerns. Before you know it, you will be in the arms of your beloved.’
‘What if your men use me for their pleasure while I am so… incapacitated? Antoninus will not want me as used goods.’ It was the only card she had left to play. The idea that one of these animals would use her mouth or any other part of her for his pleasure while she was drugged and defenceless was beyond bearing.
‘A valid point, Galeria. Thank you. Jahl, it will be up to you to keep your men in line. She is correct. No Roman patrician of worth will want the leftovers after you and your men have finished with her. Can you assure me of her safety?’
‘I can, Master. I be watchful and keep her as safe as my own daughter from the men I take with me. I be well rewarded?’ His face lit up with avarice.
‘Of course. When have I not rewarded you for your good work? Here,’ he tossed Jahl one of the gold aureii from Galeria’s purse. ‘That is only the beginning. Now I want her cleaned up, fed and prepared for travel. You’ll need to take her papers to show this Antoninus. I’ll send ahead and have one of my ships ready for your arrival this evening.’
Jahl smiled broadly. ‘Your personal vessel, Master?’
‘Yes. The one I use for… my most precious cargo. I think this girl qualifies. Now where is Leelha? That girl can get this one ready while I send for the physic. This is turning out to be a fine day’s work. I am grateful to you, Galeria. Little did I know when Jahl informed me of his find that it would turn out to be so precious.’ The little man, who she still didn’t know by name, gave another mirthless and cruel laugh as a young slave girl appeared to lead her away.
Nexus was beside himself with worry. It had been thirty hours since Galeria went missing. Even in his most anxious moments with Livia, he couldn’t remember feeling this out of control, this at a loss. Back then he’d still had confidence in himself; still believed he was capable of saving his little mistress. But now, after everything that had happened in the last year, he no longer trusted his abilities. He was a hollowed out man and this was clear indication of that fact.
But, the little voice in his head nagged at him; maybe it wasn’t his own lack of confidence that was the issue, but rather his fear for the sweet Galeria that was the root of his anxiety. Maybe it was his feelings for her, which had been sneaking up on him ever since that first night, that were turning him into a panicking mess.
He’d never felt this way for Livia. She’d been his goddess, his precious ward. Even when she’d come to him as a woman in the gladiator’s ludus and given herself to him, it had been almost a sacred act for him. Not the love of a man for a woman, but the love of a priest for his divinity. And later, though he’d been desperate to find her, it was not for himself. Never for himself.
But getting Galeria back was for him. He needed her back beside him. His sanity depended on her. His desire for her safe return was not a selfless quest. What drove him was his own need. And not even getting Niobe safely out of Pompeii when Vesuvius erupted had this level of desperation attached to it. He’d loved Niobe but he hadn’t needed her. Not like this. Galeria didn’t ground him as Niobe had. She lifted him, made him feel like a man of worth again. Her simple faith in him let him see himself as a man again. Without her…
But it was more than that. She didn’t just lift him up, she drove him forward. Her intelligent, sensible mind challenged him to be the best he could be, and he liked who he was when he was with her.
It wasn’t always easy being with Galeria but it was always stimulating. Like that heated exchange that had ended so badly… was that only two nights ago? He enjoyed crossing verbal swords with her, and he didn’t mind losing to her. She was a worthy opponent. And in that last argument, if he was honest, he didn’t so much lose or give in as get what he really wanted. Her. He’d wanted an argument that would give him leave to take her, and she’d given him one. But then she’d retracted her offer… for him. So he didn’t feel more guilt than he already did. What a selfless, amazing woman she was.
He smiled as he remembered her fiery, storm-cloud eyes and the way her dark hair framed her face in wild waves. So beautiful. So precious.
And now she was lost to him, and it was driving him insane. And all the while he had to play act that nothing was wrong with Papia, so the woman wouldn’t go back into that madness from which he’d been able to draw her. Because of Galeria. Only the thought of Galeria had drawn her from that place.
He’d sent the woman food and water, and promised to return to her soon when he had time. But instead, he’d just kept away from her, searching the streets, awaiting word from his eyes and ears around the city. And though the network was more like a beehive of activity now, it was coming up with nothing except the possible sighting of a woman with two men in the early hours of that first morning. That could have been any woman of the night. It might not have anything to do with Galeria, but it was all he had. That and the direction they were heading: off into the underbelly of the city, the most unsavoury part of the metropolis.
He hoped it wasn’t Galeria. He hoped that his eyes would turn up something that had her going to a better area of town. He hoped… oh, by the gods, he was fed up with hoping. He needed to be doing something. Slamming his fist into the inn wall, he appreciated the agony. For a few minutes it drove the pain from his chest… replaced it… but, once the agony eased to a dull throb, his chest began to ache again in earnest.
Nexus took off toward the underbelly of the city once again. If he had to tear the place apart, brick by brick, he would find Galeria. He would find her!
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
On sunset Nexus was still no closer to finding Galeria, and he was so exhausted that he moved more like the drunkard he used to be than the protector he was meant to be. Every lowlife in the bowels of the city now knew his face. The crazy Nubian they were calling him. And that was what he was. Crazy with grief and fear. The longer Galeria was missing, the more likely something dire had happened to her.
His greatest fear was that one of his eyes would discover her broken and violated body in a midden-heap somewhere. Drunken men prowling the streets for prey could carry their fun too far. They could kill, even if they may not have intended to. A virgin violated could bleed out from her wounds. Galeria could be dead, even as he tore the streets apart looking for her.
It was time to go back to Papia. He knew that. His silence and the passing of time were preying on her. The last time he sent word back with more food, the boy said she barely registered his assurances. It was up to him to break the news to the mother now. It was long past time she knew of her daughter’s situation.
What if she died of grief at the loss of her child? What if he was to blame for yet another death? He fought down the panic that arose with those questions.
Nexus wove his sleep-deprived way back to the inn and climbed the stairs just as the evening shadows began to gather around the corners of the lanes. The nightlife, in all its degenerate squalor would be out soon. He needed to be out there, too, in case any of those on the streets hadn’t been questioned yet.
But first, Papia.
He had just asked for admittance, the bar removed and the door opened, when the lad called Hassim, looking almost as exhausted as he was, came scampering up the stairs and into the hallway. Nexus turned in his direction, his emotions torn between expectation and dread.
Papia’s head appeared through the doorway but he paid her no heed.
‘Men belonging to the Sabaean slave master, Karibilu, have been seen leaving the city for the coast. They are riding horses and one bears a sick or drugged youth or woman in front of him. It may be her, sir.’ The lad’s face was alight with excitement, even as the heavy lines of fatigue fought for dominion.
Nexus’ mind was suddenly alive again. It was her. He knew it was her. But why would they be taking her back into the empire? Surely they would have identified that she was Roman, and not a low-ranking Roman. A slaver couldn’t expect to sell her within the empire, surely.
‘Would she have told them her story?’ Papia asked unsteadily.
Nexus looked at the woman for the first time. Her middle-aged face was haggard but the grey eyes were intent. She was fully with him in this moment.
‘She might to negotiate a better position for herself. She’d be worth more to her family than she would to a slaver as a slave,’ Nexus answered.