Dark Omens

by Rosemary Rowe

  I seized the moment. ‘Then, before you go, perhaps you could tell me where I can find two officials of the curia: Alfredus Allius and Bernadus?’ I explained the circumstance. ‘I have fulfilled the contract, but Genialis isn’t here and they would be the obvious ones to witness that the work’s been done. If you are able to tell me where they live, I can go and find them and request that they should come – supposing that they find it possible today.’

  Marcus surprised me. ‘I’ll do more than that. I will come and see the work myself – I don’t suppose your Genialis is going to question my word on the affair?’ He saw that I was ready to protest, and added with a smile, ‘There’s an hour or two to fill before the feast begins and though I shall have to pay for the sacrificial beasts, I can’t do that until the garrison has found me some appropriate animals. That will take a little time. I don’t want to be drawn into local politics meanwhile.’

  Of course, my patron’s word was better than a raft of councillors. I stammered out my thanks. ‘But if you’re going abroad in half a moon or so …’ I ventured. ‘Perhaps, if Genialis is delayed by snow, you will not be able to tell him what you’ve seen?’

  Once Marcus had decided on a scheme, he was not easy to dissuade. ‘Oh, I’m sure he’ll be here in a day or two. If not, I’ll report my findings to the market police,’ he said. ‘Under my seal, should the need arise. I trust that will suffice? Now, my slaves will be here with that litter very soon. Where exactly is this pavement?’

  I gave him directions. ‘I will meet you there. I have my son and servants with me,’ I said, before he could suggest that I should take a litter too (which I could ill afford) or – worse – expect me to accompany his own. I am far too old to run along, keeping up with bearers and his fit young slaves, so I added hastily, ‘There is a doorkeeper in residence; he’ll let you in and show you where the pavement is, I’m sure. I won’t be long behind you.’

  ‘Ulpius’s house! I think I know the place.’ His slaves had found a litter by this time (not difficult when you represent His Excellence) and the bearers were already waiting at his side. He climbed on to the cushions and drew the curtains closed, and I saw the carriers hoist him shoulder-high and go loping off with him, his scarlet-suited servants trotting after them.

  I struggled through the crowd again, rounded up my little party and we set off ourselves. Away from the forum the streets were very quiet – everyone was at the basilica by now – and now that the worst of the snow had slightly thawed, it did not take us long to reach the house. So I was astonished to discover a brace of slaves outside of it, each of them holding a handsome horse. There was no sign of any litter and these were not my patron’s slaves – though they seemed to be guarding the entrance to the house.

  They looked up as we approached. ‘Do you have business here?’ The sulky one with acne was quite belligerent.

  ‘I was expecting to find Marcus Septimus Aurelius,’ I said.

  ‘Why, it’s the pavement-maker, isn’t it?’ The younger slave flashed a languid smile at me, and I recognized him as the handsome Syrian I had seen attending Genialis when he called on me.

  ‘Ah, Adonisius, I see that it is you!’ That rather altered things. ‘Has your master managed to return himself?’ That would be even better for my purposes, of course, though Marcus would be irritated by a wasted trip.

  The slave was flattered that I’d called him by his name. ‘So you remember me? But you’ll be disappointed, citizen, I fear. We presumed that my master had returned to town – he set off with that intention several days ago – and we came in to meet him as arranged. But it seems he isn’t here.’ He saw me glance towards the horses and explained, ‘These are the animals that we two used ourselves. Bernadus lent them to us.’

  ‘You two?’ I nodded at the other waiting slave, surprised to find mere servants charged with such splendid mounts.

  He shook his head and laughed. ‘Of course not, citizen. Myself and my new mistress: that is what I meant. This slave, Pistis, and his master came over here on foot.’

  I was hardly listening. ‘You mean the lady Silvia has come?’ I was even more surprised. It is not unknown for well-born females to learn to ride, but since they do so sideways it is not usual for them to venture very far. Yet it seemed that plucky Silvia had been brave enough to ride a dozen miles, on roads still difficult with snow – and with only her guardian’s slave attending her. ‘It’s a long way for a lady of her rank to ride, especially with so little bodyguard. Though I suppose there was no real alternative. I remember Genialis telling me that he had sold off all her slaves when they were setting off for Dorn.’

  Adonisius made a little face. ‘I am officially assigned to her while my master is away, and we did have extra escort in Bernadus and his page. He came out to the villa the day after New Year – I think he felt obliged to, since we were staying there – but he always intended coming here today.’

  ‘To attend the Janus festival! Of course!’ I should have thought of that. ‘I’m sure the lady was grateful for the protection on the road. No doubt that’s why this day was chosen for her to return?’

  The Syrian nodded. ‘Though in fact her coming here was rather a mistake. The place is cold and empty, and the only servant here – a wretched doorkeeper – declares that he was not expecting us and he hasn’t heard from Genialis since the day he left. It’s quite a mystery: he should have been here several days ago. Always supposing that this doorman’s story is the truth. Ulpius’s business partner is questioning him now – and fortunately there’s some hugely important magistrate who’s just arrived and who could order more rigorous interrogation if …’ He broke off suddenly. ‘That wouldn’t be this Marcus you were looking for?’

  ‘That’s right. My patron,’ I explained. I saw a new respect dawn on the slave boy’s face, and some wicked instinct made me add, ‘Rumoured to be related to the last Imperial house and certainly a favourite of the incoming Emperor. He came here at my request. I had better go inside and talk to him. But there’s no need to order any torturers. The doorkeeper is right. There’s been no sign of Genialis. I can testify to that. You said he should have been here several days ago. Well, I have been working in this house from dawn to dusk – laying the pavement that I contracted for – right up to the morning before yesterday. In all that time there has not even been a messenger.’

  The two servants exchanged a glance at this.

  ‘Dear Mercury!’ the pimply one exclaimed. ‘He must have changed his mind and gone to Dorn instead. Whatever is my master going to do?’

  ‘Your master? You belong to this partner of Ulpius’s, I presume?’

  He looked at me as if I ought to know. ‘That’s right, citizen. Lucius Tertius he’s called, and of course he half-owned everything with Ulpius. There are already problems over the estate. Of course, as Silvia’s legal guardian Genialis has the running of her share. He wants to close the business down – sell the ships and rent the warehouse out. Says it is a way of making money without risk.’

  I nodded. ‘But Lucius isn’t happy?’

  ‘He wants to buy him out and purchase Sylvia’s share – he’s even found a sponsor who might come in with him, but the man will only do so if it gives a quick return. The would-be partner has no other source of funds at all – he’s dependent on the income from his capital – and there’s something else he might invest in if this business takes too long.’

  ‘But does Genialis have the right to sell off Silvia’s share, in any case? I thought he only got the profits on her capital?’

  Lucius’s servant gave a knowing smile. ‘Only after they are married, citizen. Until then he can dispose of it if she agrees in front of witnesses, and – though I’m certain that she would fight him all the way – in the end he could compel her to do that. Though she’d gladly give consent for him to sell to my master, I am sure; she’s fond of him and knows that Ulpius trusted him.’

  ‘How do you know all this?’ I asked, but I knew the answer as I
spoke. ‘You were there when the matter was discussed and you couldn’t help but overhear, I suppose?’ I’ve been a slave myself and understand these things – owners think that servants have no eyes or ears.

  ‘That’s right, citizen.’ He was unaware of any irony. ‘And this arrangement would be the answer for everyone, I’m sure. The trouble is, I don’t think Genialis knows about it yet – Lucius was hoping to talk him into it – and if he’s gone back to Dorn instead of coming here, it is almost certain that the arrangement will fall through.’

  ‘I wonder.’ It occurred to me, from what I knew of Genialis, that he might well have known – and gone to Dorn on purpose, to put pressure on Lucius and so increase the price he could demand. I turned to Junio. ‘I think we’d better go inside and see. Maximus and Minimus can come as well – they don’t have horses to look after, like you two, and I presume that Marcus has taken his attendants in.’

  The allusion to my patron seemed to do the trick. Adonisius and his friend had been standing right outside the entrance way – taking the place of the doorkeeper I suppose – but now they moved aside to let us pass. ‘You will be unannounced,’ Adonisius muttered, doubtfully. ‘Unless you would like one of us to go ahead of you and tell them you are here?’

  I shook my head. ‘We’ll take our chances, thank you very much. After all this is not a social call and the household is not currently equipped for visitors. You stay here with the horses.’ And so saying, I led the way into the house.

  FIVE

  I found them gathered in the atrium. When I was there before it was devoid of furniture, but someone – perhaps the doorkeeper – had produced a pair of folding stools, and Marcus and the lady were sitting either side of a little table which was set up on the far side of the room, near the altar to the domestic gods, and which held three goblets and an empty jug. Obviously a minimal refreshment had been found. The third cup had evidently been used by a cheerful-looking fellow whom I didn’t recognize, who stood beside the table at the rear. This must be Lucius Tertius, I thought.

  He must have been twenty-five or thirty years of age and was obviously used to working out of doors. His face was tanned, his arms were muscular and (though clearly prosperous) he did not appear to be a citizen. A freeman, probably, because he sported a very un-Roman beard and side-whiskers – particularly striking in this environment because they were the same amber colour as his embroidered tunic and his hair. He looked up to greet us as our little group appeared.

  So did the rest of them. Marcus’s two scarlet-uniformed pages were ranged against the wall, and they came hasting forward to take our capes and cloaks – though only to add them to the armfuls they already held. Standing alone in the middle of the room, evidently the centre of a recent storm of questioning, even my gloomy friend the doorkeeper turned around to stare.

  ‘Longinus Flavius Libertus,’ I announced myself, before my slaves could say a word. ‘His Excellence is expecting me, I think.’

  Marcus nodded. ‘So I was.’ He flapped a hand at me. ‘Do you know Lucius Tertius?’

  I bowed towards my fellow beard-wearer. ‘Ulpius’s partner? We have not met, but I have heard of him.’ I turned to Silvia. ‘And this must be the lady of the house – as beautiful as Ulpius always said she was.’

  Indeed, only a man who had a preference for Syrian slave boys could possibly have called her ‘ugly as a mule’ – though she might be wilful, I could imagine that. She was still in mourning for her husband, naturally, and her stola and undertunic were of sombre black, but she wore a lustrous girdle made of plaited silk arranged in the becoming Grecian style, so that it came round her shoulders, crossed over in the front, then looped around her body to be tied off in a knot – thus emphasizing both her waist and her other attributes. She was a shapely woman and was aware of it – as were all the adult males in the room. Her veil, which should strictly have obscured her face, was thrown back to form a sort of lacy frame from which a tangle of dark curls had half-escaped and the sparkling dark eyes which looked boldly into mine seemed more amused than grieved.

  Her voice, however, was decorous and low. ‘Libertus!’ She half-rose in greeting and held out a plump, well-manicured white hand. ‘I, in turn, have heard of you. My late husband spoke most highly of your work.’ There was no offer of refreshment for me or Junio. Of course we were here as pavement-makers rather than as guests, so perhaps I should not have been expecting it. Silvia rather underlined the thought. She turned to Lucius. ‘This is the man who laid the entrance pavement with the ship.’

  ‘And the one which has replaced it,’ I pointed out, taking the hand and bowing over it. ‘Completed before the Agonalia, as I contracted with your guardian.’

  ‘And thereby meriting the double fee. That fact has been noted!’ Marcus murmured, with a nod.

  Lucius said bluffly, ‘Then it is to be hoped that there’s enough to pay for it. Genialis has been spending money as some men pour out grain, and who knows what will be left in his estate?’

  Silvia rounded on him, looking shocked. ‘What makes you say that? You speak as you think that my guardian is dead. I know the weather has been terrible, but I don’t think you need to worry about that. He’s a splendid horseman. He is known for it. Anyway he had borrowed Bernadus’s horse, branded with a most distinctive mark, so if anything had happened to him on the way we’d certainly have heard. Surely – as I pointed out before – it’s more likely that he’s simply gone to Dorn?’

  Lucius looked doubtful. ‘I suppose you’re right. Under the circumstances, perhaps, it’s just what he would do! If only to disoblige us.’

  ‘Hoping to panic you a bit, so that you would agree to pay any price at all for the part of Ulpius’s business that was left to Silvia?’

  If I had hoped to startle him by saying this, I failed. Lucius simply threw back his auburn head and laughed. ‘I see you have the measure of him, citizen. I would no doubt have paid him, too – like an idiot – if he had turned up just in time and made a high demand. Anything to make sure the deal went through.’ Then realization must have come to him. He frowned. ‘But how did you come to hear about this, citizen? I didn’t tell you, and I’m sure my potential partner has not mentioned it to anyone. I didn’t think that even Genialis knew what I had hoped to do, though – since on reflection I agree it’s likely that he has gone to Dorn – perhaps I was mistaken in supposing that. If you’ve heard about it, citizen, perhaps all Glevum has!’

  This time it was Marcus laughing. ‘Oh, Libertus has a way of knowing everything! That is why I often call on him to find things out for me.’ He cocked an eyebrow at me. ‘Though I don’t suppose that even you can deduce what’s happened to our host? It seems he left Bernadus’s villa several days ago, and at the time he said that he would come directly here.’

  ‘And there was no message for him which may have changed his mind?’ I said, thinking aloud rather than expecting a response.

  Silvia, however, gave a sudden startled squeak. ‘But of course there was a message. I’d forgotten that.’ She dimpled at me. ‘The rider reached me at the villa shortly after Genialis left, and I told him where I thought my guardian had gone and he set off after him. Something about provision for a sacrifice, he said. I had supposed that the message was from Glevum, but on reflection …’

  I turned to Silvia. ‘You think it came from Dorn?’

  The lady coloured, rather prettily. ‘Otherwise, surely, the courier would have passed him on the road before he reached the villa? I didn’t think of that. Of course, I can’t be absolutely sure. I should have asked the messenger, I suppose, but I was more concerned to send him riding straight off in pursuit. He’d only missed Genialis by an hour or so. But now I think of it, he must have come from Dorn. Some kind of emergency, I suppose – something connected with the weather possibly. It’s the obvious explanation of why my guardian isn’t here. How clever of you, pavement-maker, to have worked it out.’ She turned to Lucius. ‘So it seems the doorkeeper was telling us t
he truth.’

  ‘I could have testified to that, in any case,’ I said, earning myself a grateful smile from the slave in question. ‘I have been here myself, laying the new pavements in the entrance hall, for days. Unless Genialis turned up yesterday, after I had gone – which seems unlikely, since he wasn’t at the feast today which he was so anxious to attend – he has not been back to Glevum since you saw him last. And there’s been no word from him. I suggest you send to Dorn – and while you are about it, ask at every public inn between.’

  Lucius nodded. ‘You are quite right, of course. I will despatch a messenger at once. Excuse me, Excellence – citizens – I will go and see to it.’ He bowed himself away.

  She flashed a smile at his retreating form. ‘How helpful Lucius is. He has been very good. He has even offered me accommodation overnight, since it is obvious that I can’t stay here alone: there is nothing civilized to eat and not even a female servant to be had – the slave market does not operate today. So lacking my guardian, and in the absence of a deciding court …’

  Marcus had put on his imperious face. ‘Madam, forgive me, but that would not be proper, in my view. You are an attractive lady –’ he looked appreciatively at her – ‘and you are a mourning widow, after all. You cannot with propriety accompany a man who – by what you told me when I first arrived – is not in possession of a wife or even of any female relatives. Besides – forgive me – Lucius may be a freeman, and a wealthy one, but he is not a citizen. Genialis is still your official guardian and he would be affronted by the mere suggestion if he knew.’

  ‘What suggestion, Excellence?’ Lucius, having obviously despatched his slave, was reappearing just in time to hear the words.

  Marcus had risen to his feet. He could look imposing when he tried. ‘The suggestion that you should accommodate the lady Silvia at your house. Much more appropriate that she should come with me. I have a large apartment in the town and there are servants there – including female ones – who can attend her overnight. Tomorrow or the next day we may have word from Dorn, and then we can establish how we should proceed. In the meantime – in my role as magistrate – I am assuming temporary potestas.’ He paused and looked at Silvia – obviously waiting for her to express her gratitude.