Accustomed to the Senate aristocracy and their protectors, the bright atmosphere of the citizens was not dimmed by the presence of armed men. Any openings created through the crowds were immediately filled back by the busy populace as if they had never parted and in their wake, the trading and gossiping continued as before.
The street traffic thinned as they travelled closer to the Senate house. The upper districts nearest the citadel atop Septem Hill boasted the most lavish townhouses in the city. Its paved streets were spotless compared to the stained alleyways of the poorer, built-up sectors below.
As they journeyed further up, Corvinus found himself gazing at the grand properties, wondering which senator lived behind the stone walls and high wrought-iron gates lining the boulevards. Would they be friends or enemies in the days to come?
His gaze was often met by that of the house guards manning the gateways. Though it was obvious from their escort that they were dignified senators, the guards looked on attentively as they passed their properties. Politicians always had rivals and sometimes it paid to have a security presence in Monarx.
Even the real estate on Septem Hill was subject to the politics of the city. Anyone who was someone in Monarx lived there and the extravagance of each estate became a battleground as owners tried to outdo their neighbours. Those wealthy enough members of the aristocracy competed for the best position on the hill overlooking the entire metropolis. From the top they could enjoy the satisfaction of looking down on the other estates. It was a private joy to some and a game exclusive to the rich. Such was the pretentious nature of many of those in power.
The Valerii family estate however was not concerned in such petty rivalries. Unlike most senators, Corvinus’ father had earned his way into the ruling elite through his merits as a soldier and popularity with the commoners. As such, he often had little regard for luxury. Nevertheless, their estate still had the dignity and location to reflect his standing in office.
Corvinus had his own townhouse, situated lower down on Septem Hill – a generous wedding present from his father-in-law, an established senator by the name of Cornelius Aquila. It was small but comfortable and suited Corvinus and his wife well enough for the time being. With his father’s ambitious plans finally underway, Corvinus did not expect to be living there for long.
As they approached the crest of Septem Hill, Corvinus was awed by the towering structure of the inner citadel that rose up from the surrounding neighbourhood. Dominating the highest peak in the city, it was a dull stone fortification protecting the polished white marble heart of the Republic. Containing the Senate house and other offices of government along with the barracks of the Praetorian Guard, the citadel was a small city in itself and capable of withstanding a siege for months in the unthinkable event that the rest of the city should fall.
Its towers and ramparts loomed over the city, casting a great shadow on much of the surrounding neighbourhood. From its walls, sentries could view the entire city and its surroundings. From the mountains protecting the eastern approaches, to the grassy plains of the south-west or the Aestus River in the north, every potential line of advance for an enemy was covered. Not that any foe had ever been close enough to threaten Monarx in the last century. Nevertheless, the Praetorians took their jobs seriously and Corvinus noted the vigilance of those manning the battlements.
Passing through the immense gates of the citadel, Corvinus and his father entered Victory Square. This famous courtyard, though smaller than the Forum, was equally as impressive. The sheer sense of history could be felt here. Statues of long dead heroes of the Republic stood triumphant, immortalised in stone. One could not look on and not be inspired by this place.
Corvinus smiled at the thought of one day joining the ranks of such great men and having his own name inspire future generations to greatness. But then he realised that he could not truly be like these heroes, now he had been altered by the Spolia Opima to cheat a natural death.
That fact had not yet fully dawned on Corvinus and likely would not for some time given his youth. All men felt immortal in their prime and though for Corvinus this was justified, it often did not feel that different.
Finally reaching their destination at the marble steps of the Senate house, the escorting detachment of Praetorian Guard accompanying Corvinus and his father retired to their garrison in the citadel barracks where they would await the conclusion of the day’s session.
With the Praetorians dismissed, Corvinus paused before the Senate doors, making sure they were alone and out of hearing range from the other senators.
‘So tell me father, what has occurred in my absence?’
‘It seems Elder Liberius has particularly taken this matter to heart,’ said Gaius as he too looked around to ensure their privacy.
‘Was that not to be expected? The Spolia Opima was amongst his most primary duties after all.’
‘That is true enough but Liberius has made a personal vendetta to uncover those responsible. And I fear we may have underestimated the Elder’s... vigour.’
‘Vigour?’ asked Corvinus with a confused smile on his face. ‘I can scarcely imagine such an ancient thing moving any faster than a tortoise.’
‘They say he managed to run from the lower level catacombs to the surface to report the news of his discovery, all without the aid of his walking staff. How he covered such a distance is beyond me, but putting aside the Elder’s fitness, the man is undeniably thorough in his work and has made it all the more difficult for me to continue our plans.’
‘Do you think he knows?’ Corvinus said.
‘I should not think so. Even if he did, he has not the power to challenge my title without being able to provide extensive evidence – evidence he does not have so long as you can keep your secret hidden.’
‘I will not let us down father,’ he promised.
‘I have complete confidence in that,’ Gaius said. ‘I need not tell you to be on your guard, but I expect today’s assembly will be the first of many to come. Best we tolerate this inquiry like the rest of the aristocracy and let Liberius tire himself out. The upper houses grow increasingly restless and will in all likelihood vote an end to it before too many of their own family secrets are uncovered in the process.’
Gaius sighed and Corvinus could see the tiredness on his father’s greying features.
‘The Chronicles will remember the good of our actions,’ said Gaius. ‘Arcem needs a strong leader Corvinus, not a bickering Senate of old men. All we must do now is simply follow the plan as set and when ready, I shall seize power from the Senate.’
‘Father, forgive me for saying but you’re not a young man either,’ said Corvinus to his father, who feigned offense at this.
‘I know, but you are,’ Gaius said, a smirk already forming, ‘and I already sit on a consul’s chair.’
‘What do you mean?’ Corvinus asked, his mind imagining and already enjoying the implications of his father’s words.
‘Once my legion has humbled the Senate and firmly established our family’s rule, your political training will start in full. There will of course be some transitionary period for you to learn what is required but I intend to prepare you to succeed me in time. With the Spolia Opima and the people’s favour backing us, you will complete Romanus’ great dream for Arcem. The gods have ordained this much, for you have already done the hardest part – a surgery even Romanus himself failed to survive.’
‘Father, I... thank you,’ was all Corvinus managed, too caught up in the excitement of such a revelation.
Standing before the doors of the Senate house, Gaius Valerius gripped his son’s shoulder, looking him in the eye. ‘Are you ready for this?’ he asked with a youthful smile.
On the marble steps of the Senate house, at the peak of Septem Hill overlooking his beloved capital, raised from the ashes of destruction centuries before, it was the heart of the greatest nation on Tumultus.
‘I am,’ said Corvinus, returning the smile.
Opening the great doors of the Senate house they entered the centre of the civilised world.
The entrance led into a vast outer chamber. Immense columns of polished stone dotted its floor, supporting the soaring roof above.
Finally of age to be inducted into the government, this was the first time inside the Senate house for Corvinus. Anticipation pulsed through his body at the thought of being part of the assembly whose authority extended across Tumultus further than any other nation. From these gleaming chambers the lives of Arcem’s citizens and enemies were decided.
In the centre of the outer chamber stood a single statue of Arcem’s founder, Romanus the Great, immortalised as the glorious warrior aristocrat he was. Like that of Taranis in the Temple, it was a masterpiece of art and dominated all else in the room.
As the man who had first led the citizen-soldiers of early Arcem against their barbarian overlords, this ancient hero had earned his place in history forever. Corvinus still felt the same sense of admiration for the man as he did as a child and not for the first time that day did Corvinus allow his imagination to race in the presence of such legends.
The gilded inner doors of the Senate house opened into a large semi-circular room filled with the two-hundred other senators of the nobility. Some stood in grouped discussion in the centre whilst others sat in tiered seating along the perimeter, waiting for the day’s session to commence.
As Corvinus and his father entered, he noticed more than a few grey heads turn his way as senators tried to discretely glimpse the young statesman amid their conversations. Each of them would be privately sizing up the young heir of the Valerii.
Corvinus felt his heartbeat quicken as he crossed the floor, but he vowed he would not allow himself to be overwhelmed. He would not show weakness.
Some in the room would inevitably be enemies inherited from his father. Others might be simply because of the opportunity they saw in Corvinus’ inexperience. Lions would always strike the new blood first in the wild and this game, Corvinus had been warned, was just as dangerous.
Let them, Corvinus smiled. He would not give them any fault. Let their overconfidence be their downfall, he thought.
His father after all, had been new to this place once. Inexperienced and without a name for himself he had not only survived but risen to become consul, the highest office in Monarx.
Corvinus looked at the two consul’s chairs raised in the centre of the floor and promised himself that one day he too would be seated there.
Some senators parted before Corvinus and his father, many offering quick words of welcome to Corvinus. Many were supporters of his father and Corvinus struggled to keep up with all the names and faces as he was introduced. Some however, he had met before.
‘Son, you remember Tribune Fulvio?’ his father said as one particular senator approached them. The man’s close-cropped hair and gold-ringed fingers clearly distinguished him to be from the upper houses of the aristocracy. The red stripe on his toga displayed his rank as a military tribune, the second in command to a legion – his father’s legion.
The man’s patrician features creased with a grin as he drew near, revealing a perfect set of white teeth. He walked towards them with his head raised high, emitting an air of confidence that comes only from a man accustomed to getting everything he desired. Though Corvinus was taller, the tribune stood as if he were looking down on everyone. He was exactly as Corvinus remembered from his military service.
‘Consul Valerius,’ Fulvio said, shaking his father’s hand, ‘and Senator...?’
‘Corvinus,’ he said.
‘Salve Senator Corvinus,’ Fulvio said extending his hand in greeting. Corvinus took the proffered hand, making sure his grasp was firm.
‘Tribune, it is good to see you again.’
‘Indeed, I was just wondering if the Fourth Legion would ever have the honour of having two men of the Valerii serve under its banner again. I believe the men in my cohorts still speak highly of you,’ said Fulvio.
‘That is kind of them. But there are many good men in my father’s legion to take my place and I have been busy with the training of my own men.’
‘That’s right, I almost forgot you are trying to raise a legion of your own. Tell me how goes the recruitment? Have you got the full five thousand yet?’
‘We are still in the process of enlisting.’ Corvinus said, unsure of how much he should divulge to the man. ‘But I have every confidence of its good fortune.’
‘Well, with a legion behind you I bet you could do very well for yourself,’ Fulvio said with a conspiring wink. ‘Make sure you come to me if you ever need a purse to fund your ventures, I’ll always give a fair price to my friends.’
‘Gods beneath, you watch out for this one Corvinus,’ his father laughed. ‘He’ll have you sign in blood and will own you for life. I swear Fulvio you pulled the same line on me years ago and I’m still paying you back for my election campaigns.’
The tribune smirked a little at this.
‘Investing is a hobby of mine, one of the smaller pleasures from being the oldest family in Arcem,’ Fulvio said with a casual shrug.
The side doors to the Senate chamber opened and caught the attention of the group. Through the crowds, Corvinus glimpsed a hunched figure enter the room. Supported by a walking staff of polished dark wood, the man’s steps were slow but dignified. Cracked and weathered with age, his features were like rough leather and Corvinus recognised him instantly.
‘Speaking of investments,’ said Fulvio, inclining his head towards this new arrival. ‘Liberius’ meddling Praetorians are becoming bad for business to say the least. I’ve already had four of my estates searched this month. Scrutinised every splinter they did. You can imagine the impertinence of it all. I should think I speak for much of the nobility when I say we have had quite enough of having our good names tarnished by suspicion and our house gods perturbed so. Perhaps Consul Valerius, you might have a word with the Elder about these inquiries of his.’
‘I shall raise the topic with my co-consul before approaching the Elder but I fear Liberius will be just as hard to dissuade from his zeal as it would look poorly to forcibly retire the longest serving senator to date.’
As Elder Liberius approached the rostrum in the centre, the room began to settle and senators took their seats, ready to start.
‘I do not envy the dilemmas a man in your position faces, but you have my thanks Consul Valerius,’ said Fulvio before leaving to sit among his supporters. ‘Senator Corvinus, congratulations again on your name day.’
Elder Liberius beat his staff thrice against the marble floor. All around the conversations ceased.
As his father took his seat in the consul’s chair near the rostrum, Corvinus was left to find his own amongst the ranks of the other senators. He glanced around the room and spotted his father-in-law in the middle tiers. Senator Aquila nodded a brief greeting to Corvinus and he returned the gesture as he made his way over. As previously instructed by his father, Corvinus took a seat on the bench with Aquila.
None of the other senators around him left or begrudged the young politician’s choice of seat and Corvinus breathed out a sigh of relief as he felt a few hands pat him on the back. He had been accepted.
As all attention was directed to Elder Liberius in the centre, Corvinus took a moment to glance across the room. He sighted Fulvio, further down towards the right, surrounded by the other much older members of the upper houses.
Sitting next to his co-consul, Consul Gaius Valerius met the gaze of his son and winked. Corvinus smiled, feeling the power that resonated in the room. The words decreed here could shape the world and now, he was part of its sacred assembly.
Beside his father, Elder Liberius stood before the rostrum and spoke loudly. ‘Under the eyes of mighty Taranis and all the gods, this Senate meeting is hereby convened.’
II
‘To hide one's true ability is the greatest skill.’
Syphaxan Proverb
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nbsp; Consul Gaius Valerius stared at the silver great-helm of the Praetorian guarding the doorway and wondered who the man was beneath it. It was impossible to know, for that was precisely why they wore their helmets and were sworn to silence. Of course the consul knew that, but still it was a curious thought. Was the man beneath it staring back, judging him also? If so, what did he see? Was he privately smiling, honoured to stand before his consul? Or did he hide contempt behind that mask and see the consul’s guilt? Gaius felt so tainted when he thought of how much blood was on his hands already just to get to this stage. He had killed many men in his life as a soldier, but it was the lives of those few innocents that hung most heavily on his mind. All the while the world had stood blind to it, just like the Praetorian as he remained at his post, statue-still.
By his side, Elder Liberius fumbled for the key in the folds of his long robes, trying to balance his walking staff as he did so. Eventually he found it and smiled in triumph. He turned the key in the door and the mechanisms of the lock clicked open. Liberius strained against the heavy timbers of the door but it failed to open. He tried again, putting his scrawny shoulder behind the effort, but was again unsuccessful. Gaius pushed past the wheezing Senate Elder and struck the door with an open hand. With a solid thud, the door swung open.
Liberius turned and smiled his thanks, panting with exhaustion. Bracing himself against his staff, the ancient senator led the way.
The Hall of Reclamation was one of the most secure rooms in the inner citadel. Half shrine, half museum, it was home to some of Arcem’s greatest relics. Occupying an entire wing of the Senate house, it stored precious treasures from all across Tumultus, discovered and transported back to Monarx by its legions from conquered lands. It was a trove of ancient knowledge and sacred technologies – many from the civilisation that had existed on Tumultus before The Fall.
Much of the knowledge for his son’s surgery had come from this room, along with several of the smaller pieces of medical apparatus. Their theft had largely yet to be realised; overshadowed by the loss of the Spolia Opima and the larger, more revered artefacts, stored in the catacomb vaults beneath the citadel.
The Ultimate Spoils (Tumultus Chronicles Book 1) Page 3