The King of Rome

by Francis Mulhern

  After a moment of silence Brevo spoke quietly again. “Who do you work for?”

  Istros smiled as he considered lying. “Ah, I do various jobs for various people. At present I am working for myself in my spare time” he laughed. He felt Brevo relax slightly as his jest.

  “Have you worked for Cincinnatus?”

  Thinking it was better not to lie he answered truthfully. “Yes, him and several other rich families. I do whatever work is required, some unpleasant, some pleasant” he cocked his head, as the blade relaxed against his throat. “Does Cincinnatus own that brothel?”

  Brevo seemed to wait an age before answering, his blade now moving away from Istros’ throat, but the blade at his ribs pressing tighter. “I owed him a debt which he called-in whilst I was fighting the Volscans. The bastard took my brothers’ wife. She’s a tough girl, I think she’ll be aright” he added with some feeling. Istros felt Brevo shaking his head as he continued in a more relaxed tone. “I guess if you were coming for me you’d have already taken those three idiots on the way here. I saw you following all the way back from the brothel and kept an eye out for you returning” he said as Istros laughed at his words, knowing now why Brevo had appeared at the doorway so often during the night.

  “Ah, my weaknesses have been exposed by a true soldier. My days in Rome have made me soft” he chided himself.

  “Ha. Don’t be too harsh on yourself little man” joked Brevo as he moved backwards and groaned slightly at his aching wounds. “I fear for them all” he said quietly as he looked out at the men by the brazier. “Cincinnatus is a bastard, he’ll wait a day or two, then he’ll be back for payment.”

  “I could help you” said Istros with a grin. “That’s my trade. Remove the problem” he added.

  Brevo was, again, silent for a moment, before his hand squeezed Istros’ shoulder. “If I was a gambling man I’d bet you’d do it as well.”

  “If you’re not a gambling man, I guess you wouldn’t be in debt to Cincinnatus” came the quick reply, at which Brevo laughed, drawing the attention of one of the men at the brazier, who turned and called out a warning, bringing four other men to the door.

  “I better get back to my sick-bed” said Brevo as he took out a pouch. “I only have this left” he said as he took a misshapen gold lump from the small purse. In the half-darkness of the night a small bulls head could be seen stamped into the soft yellow metal. “If this buys the job, then it’s a deal I think I must take.”

  Istros took the gold and turned it in his fingers before looking down at the men who were now looking up and down the road to see where the noise had come from. “I think it is a deal I can make too” he smiled before looking up and adding, “though it may take slightly longer than my usual jobs as it is particularly busy at the moment. But once taken, I will not back down from completing the task.” He looked again at the golden lump and cocked his head at the quality of the object before he turned to Brevo and said, “would this gold buy a chunk of that meat and some bread, I’m starving?” He handed back the gold, to which Brevo gazed quizzically before he let his head fall back and he laughed so hard he nearly fell out of the tree in which both men were sat.

  ********

  Chapter 34

  Narcius stormed from the house, his red cloak flying in the wind behind him like the flame of the anger that burned within him.

  “Come back” called Marcus, his own anger hardly curtailed.

  “I’m going to have it out with him. If he killed Mella…”

  “There is no proof. Javenoli said as much, only the words of his spy. We cannot trust this information one hundred percent” came the answer.

  Narcius stopped in his tracks, his hand coming to his face as he wiped away the sudden tiredness which had grown behind his eyes. “We need to know, Marcus. I want to know what happened to him.”

  Marcus came up to his friend and they stood in silence for a moment. “I know, as do I. But we cannot go charging into his house and accusing him of things to which we have no proof. He would accuse you of slander and…” he shrugged, the legal point not lost on Narcius.

  “Then how do we prove it? How do we find out what happened on that night? You didn’t see his body. I did” said the first spear as he turned to stare at Marcus with a haunted look on his face.

  “I asked you here tonight to tell you what I’d heard, my friend. I know how much he meant to you, and to all the lads” he added quietly. “I’ll speak to Javenoli in the morning and find out more, get to speak to his spy in person and quiz him in more detail. I’ll find out” he said as he placed a hand on Narcius’ shoulder. “Believe me, I’ll find out.”

  ********

  It took days for the senate to meet. Two days in which continued street fights and fires in the depths of the nights caused chaos across the city. Cossus had returned from the army and heard the debate at first hand in the senate. As dictator he held the supreme vote and remained passive as the Manlii clan argued that the accusations against one of the family were unfounded. Quirinus took up the case against the accused, his arguments strong-willed and well placed. The discussion had raged for over three hours. The thunderous noise of voices in the meeting hall died to an instant silence as Cossus stood and addressed the audience of senators after several minutes of hushed discussions with his advisors, amongst them Marcus and Javenoli.

  “It is without doubt that the reasons for recalling me from the army were correct.” He looked to Iulius. “Capitolinus must face the senate and answer to these accusations. If he has wantonly called the good name of any senator into disrepute, without proof, he must be bound over as the law requires. I am convinced, from your arguments, that the majority of the people do not favour Capitolinus or his ways, and so I ask the guards to go, now, to his house and bring him to the forum. I will take the curule chair and await him in the Comitium where we will speak to him and ask him to face these charges in full view of the people and the gods. In this way his accusations will, I am sure, be proven to be false and we will rid ourselves of the cause of much that is troubling the city.”

  At this a trumpet sounded and the doors opened, several men striding out to do the will of the dictator. The senate moved slowly, like a three-legged ox pulling a cart load of amphorae, as people headed for the doors, many unwrapping their heavy woollen toga’s as they headed for the outside heat.

  “Capitolinus must surely know that I am summoned here today to discuss this issue” stated Cossus as Marcus, Javenoli and Fussus joined him in his walk towards the double-doored exit. Two acolytes carrying the curved wooden chair with ivory arms rushed past to get the chair into position for his arrival.

  “I am sure he is fully aware that there was a meeting today to discuss the war effort and the issue of security in the city. His spies will no doubt have been informed that there was to be a discussion regarding his own behaviour” replied Iulius flatly.

  “I expect he’ll be ready with his arguments” smiled Cossus as they exited into the bright sunshine of the late summer. Blue sky, the yellowing leaves of the trees and the heavy smell of fruit being sold in the forum assaulted their senses as they walked towards the rostra, where the curule chair was now being settled. “A beautiful day for it” Cossus added. Marcus frowned at the statement, wondering if Cossus knew the importance of the situation. To be accused of kingly desire and found guilty meant death, but not an ordinary death. Death by being thrown from the Tarpeian Rock like a traitor or common thief. It also meant sanctions and punishment for the clan of the guilty member, a plight to which his friend Aulus might now be subjected if Capitolinus was found guilty. As these thoughts went through his head he saw the crowds begin to gather, senators behind the curule chair and the people thronging to the scene in their thousands as news spread that Capitolinus was to be accused in public.

  After some time, in which Marcus had to call for cooled water as the heat began to grow uncomfortable, a small ripple in the crowd announced the arrival of the accused. Thi
s small ripple set off a rumble of noise as people began to speak, muttering became, in some places, cheers, as Capitolinus moved through the crowd. Marcus turned to Iulius. “It would appear that he has quite a few followers”, his irony not lost on Cossus who scowled at hearing his words.

  “If the people are with him, this could be difficult” he said, concern showing on his face. “Is the mood worse that you stated Iulius?” chided the dictator.

  “No. There are sections who support his speeches, but many of the strong plebeian families do not listen to his stories of hidden gold and debts.” He replied calmly. “They know where their loyalties lie.”

  Cossus looked to Marcus and said, “Just like being on campaign, but without the swords, eh.”

  Marcus smiled back at the dictator, but inside he began to wonder if Cossus would be able to deal with the people if they did support Capitolinus. His worry continued as Capitolinus appeared, waving to the people in the forum as he passed them, some cheering and some waving flowers at him as a measure of support. Then Marcus caught sight of something that sent a small shiver through his spine. Capitolinus advanced through the crowd with an enormous following of plebeians. Both plebeian tribunes walked behind him, at least a hundred other men were marching in military precision in lines four deep. It was a spectacle that brought most of the senators to their feet, the march against the senate not lost on them or many of the crowd who had fallen silent at the approach of Capitolinus.

  “He’s brought a damned army” said Fussus. “Arrest the man now, Cossus. Look at how brazen he is, bringing an army against the senate.”

  Cossus looked over his shoulder, nonplussed. “He’s brought his slaves by the look of it, or those that owe him money from what I’ve heard” he said with a laugh at his own joke. “Don’t worry, Fussus. I have the measure of the man.”

  ********

  Brevo jumped at the sudden thumping on the door, his sleep-filled eyes blinking at the light from the window by his side. Despite a few more days of recovering he continued to find himself falling asleep in the middle of the day. His wife said it was simply his body resting when it needed to, and he knew that his long nights of lack of sleep waiting for Cincinnatus’ men also made him tired. He got to his feet, unsteadily, as the voices from whoever was at the door sounded urgent.

  “Brevo, come quickly!”

  As he entered the room three men in military cloaks looked toward him, two he knew, one he didn’t. His eyes screwed into a question, but as they caught sight of him, all three men reached into their tunics and pulled out a wooden eagle. He instantly knew what it meant.

  “Where?”

  “Forum as soon as you can. Want us to wait?”

  Brevo nodded, his mouth dry. “Yes, yes, wait. I’ll be quick.”

  ********

  Capitolinus stopped at the foot of the Comitium and turned to smile at the crowd, who had now fallen to a hushed silence. Behind him he saw his followers, each man wearing the barley that they carried as the sign of a follower of both Jupiter and Capitolinus. Each man stood stiff, ready for action, warily watching the crowd for signs of movement. Capitolinus felt his heart beat faster as he considered their position, the senate on one side, the people, and his followers, on the other. It made him smile as he turned back to face Cossus. Glancing to Sicinius he whispered, “the struggle is at hand, my friend.”

  In front of him, Cossus moved to the chair and sat, his meaning clear. The curule chair had been the seat of power since the fall of the kings. It was the seat of the dictator, a symbol of Rome’s highest position. “Marcus Manlius Capitolinus” called the voice of Cossus, causing the silence to become somehow, deeper. “You are brought here today in sight of the people to hear the claims that you have brought against the senate, so that the people can hear and see that such accusations are false. Marcus Manlius Capitolinus, I understand that you have informed the people that un-named patricians have taken the gallic treasure for their own personal use, and that the senate is concealing this. Further” his voice now rose in tone, the deep resonance showing that he knew he had the full authority of the position of dictator. “You have, I believe, also informed the people that the gallic gold will be used to free them of debt, without injury to credit, when these senators return this money to the state.” He paused again as Manlius’ lips curled into a smile and his eyes searched along the platform, fixing on Javenoli who was stood next to Marcus. “I call on you now, Capitolinus” at which Fussus hissed Manlius in a hoarse whisper, “to put these people out of their misery. Tell us all, here in sight of the gods themselves, who these senators are that you believe have stolen the treasure from the temple. Accuse them now, and let us discuss how these charges will be brought against them. Tell us now, Capitolinus, who it is that you believe steals the public treasure? Tell us now, for if you do not I will order you into custody such that you can no longer make accusations against good citizens and sway the minds of people who may feel aggrieved by injustices that do not exist. You must free these people from the thoughts that their leaders are cheating them of the treasures which pay for the defence and rebuilding of our city. And you come with men, marching in ranks like an army against your own leaders, Capitolinus. Such things do not go un-noticed by the senate.”

  Capitolinus felt every eye move to look at him and turned his head as if considering the crowd and mass of followers behind him. After a moment he spoke. “I believe, dictator Cossus” at which he paused and lifted his chin as if considering his words carefully. “That today you have decided to postpone the debate regarding further war against the Volscan enemy, the treachery of the Hernici and the Latins who appear endless in their number. I understand that the senate has chosen to focus instead on calling me, a simple Roman and a supporter of these people, to accuse the population, and myself, of the crime of free speech in support of the common man.” At this he allowed an expansive arm to slowly circle towards the crowd. “These people have come to listen, to understand, why the all-powerful senate have decided to postpone their debate regarding the expansion of the state into new territories in order to question me on matters to which I have already stated my position. The expansion, another ploy by those who will benefit the most from attaining new lands, to grow richer. These new lands, like the last land-grants, will not be given to these people.” At this a rumble of agreement shot through the crowd, causing Capitolinus to narrow his eyes and raise his voice. “Did Jupiter give me this right arm, with his strength and power, to sit idly by as his own chosen people suffered under the usury of debt? Does it offend you, senators, that I prevent the enslavement of others by rescuing them from their debt?” He shook his head as his face adopted an expression of pain and sorrow. “These people know that they paid their debts on the Capitol Hill. I was there, with Jupiter at my side” he raised his right arm and the people waved their barley stalks and whispered the name of the god in unison. Marcus looked to Cossus, who was turning red with rage as Capitolinus continued. “Yet their gold and silver has gone, taken by the senate and used to re-build the houses of the rich while those of the poor, who paid their debts, remain as stones and rubble on the ground. Prices have risen” again the crowd grumbled, heads nodded, and people turned angry faces to the dictator. “Risen to the point at which an honest freeborn man has to stand at the door of a patron and beg for subsidy. Is this the Republic our fathers built?” He turned to the crowd, careful not to fully turn his back on Cossus, an act of disrespect which may have caused more anger from the senate. “But I ask you, senators” and at this he turned to face Marcus directly, his eyes staring hard at him “why do I ask you to spend your own money? All I ask is that you return the money that these people loaned the senate to repay the Gallic invaders. Give them back the coin that you took, repay them, at the same interest rate you charge them yourselves, and free them from debt. Do this and my retinue, these men you claim march like an army but in truth are no more than concerned citizens, will disappear like leaves in the wind.” Cos
sus made a move to speak, but Capitolinus’ voice rose in fervour and cut him off.

  “You may ask why I am the only man to be concerned for my fellow citizen. I can no more answer that than I can answer why I was the only one to save the Capitol and Citadel. I can no more answer that than I can say why Jupiter guides this right hand to do his will.” Again, sections of the assembled crowd started to chant the name of the god. “I help the people because I believe that is now my role, god-given. Jupiter would help every individual, and so must I. I say only what the god himself bids me to say” he added as the crowd now turned heads and whispered unidentified words, all of which made Capitolinus swell his chest with pride. “You ask me to unmask men who have taken the gold from the temples and used it to tax and enslave the people of Rome.” He shrugged, theatrically. “I, with the right hand of Jupiter, ask those men to look into their hearts and see the wrong that they are doing to their own people. These people deserve help to feed their children, to build their houses.” This time he turned and looked directly at Marcus. “I ask now, as I am accused, for those men who have used the money given freely by these people to further their own profits, to shake out their purses in the sight of Jupiter himself who bids me to ask for it to be returned to the people. I cannot name men, they should look to their gods and do what is right for Rome. And so, it is not that I must be asked to tell you of your plunder, but more so that you must be compelled by your own beliefs and love of Rome to give it up.” As he finished he half-turned again, his right arm rising to strike his chest. “This right hand that stood on the Capitol and saved us all, asks only for reparation of what was agreed at that time. There are no further demands made by these people. Jupiter asks every man to look into his heart and pay back that which has been taken. Let the public purse fill with enough gold to free debtors and give the people back the lives that have been stolen from them. That is all I ask Cossus. That is all that you accuse me of. Nothing more, nothing less.”