The Senator's Assignment

by Joan E. Histon

  ‘Oh.’ Aurelia feigned a surprised expression and was pleased to see that her apparent naivety was softening Felix’s stiff marble face. The last thing she wanted to do was upset him; she needed him. Deciding the best way forward was to plead ignorance, she asked, ‘Who would take action against Sejanus?’

  ‘Tiberius for one. Apicata brought him information that gave him a terrible shock, but I believe he was already having doubts over Sejanus’s loyalty.’ Felix narrowed his eyes. ‘The trouble is, Tiberius is demanding proof. I only hope the letter the courier holds will be proof enough for him to act.’

  ‘If it’s from Julia Antonia Minor it will, won’t it? I’ve heard Tiberius has a high regard for her’. She realised Felix was regarding her closely.

  ‘How do you know who it’s from?’

  Aurelia hesitated. ‘Apicata told me. She approached Julia Antonia for help.’

  ‘You clearly know far more than I gave you credit for, my love,’ Felix said dryly.

  ‘What does the Senate think?’ She asked rapidly changing his line of discussion. She tilted her head persuasively when he dismissed her question with a wave of his hand. ‘Tell me, Felix. You know I won’t say anything, and I appear to be in the thick of a conspiracy anyway.’

  Felix sat down on the couch and looked at her doubtfully. ‘Well … In public Tiberius appears delighted at the forthcoming marriage between Sejanus and his granddaughter. He’s lavishing praise on him, calling him “my Sejanus” “the partner in my labours”; he’s minted coins and erected this statue in his honour. But in private, there are certain members of the Senate and the equestrian order receiving a very different message. My guess is, Tiberius is trying to find out how strong a hold Sejanus has on his empire.’

  Aurelia found her mouth turning dry. ‘So…Vivius will have to walk back into all this?’

  Felix gave a half smile. ‘Vivius will know what’s going on, my dear Aurelia. I believe that’s why Tiberius sent him to Palestine in the first place. He wants proof. If Pilate is involved in illegalities, then you can be sure Sejanus will be at the root of it.’ Felix took her hand and squeezed her fingers as a gesture that his anger had gone. Then pointedly changing the subject said, ‘Now, as for this courier Apicata has foolishly got you mixed up with, I gather the plan is to take him down to the river?’

  ‘Yes, the rowing boat is still there and Apicata has a fishing vessel waiting at Ostia to take him over to Capri.’

  Felix glanced through the shutters into the darkness outside. ‘Then let’s get this man on his way. And then, my dear Aurelia, I think we need to discuss getting you out of Rome.’

  ‘What? I’m not leaving Rome!’

  Felix gave her one of his winning smiles. ‘Think about it. We’ll talk after I’ve taken Apicata’s courier down to the boat.’ Releasing her hands he made his way to the kitchen, leaving her to a cascade of jumbled thoughts.

  Curling up on her couch and clutching the cushion to her stomach again, she listened to the mumbled conversation from the kitchen, the click of the back door latch as Felix and the courier left her house. She twisted around to watch the lantern’s dim light from her back window. It waved to and fro as they made their way down to the river then disappeared altogether. Leaving her couch she waited anxiously by the window for Felix’s return, and only breathed easily again when she saw the return of the waving light. It was the click of the latch on the back door that brought her to her decision.

  ‘Well, despite my disapproval, that’s a valuable piece of information you’ve helped get to Tiberius, my darling Aurelia.’ Felix flung his cloak over the chair, rubbed his hands briskly to warm them up. ‘Now, sit down,’ he ordered.

  Containing the irritation at being ordered around in her own house she sat down and allowed him to take her hand in his. They were still cold from his being outside.

  ‘Stop looking so worried, Aurelia. I have it all worked out. You’re to stay in my summer villa. It’s a day’s ride from the city, but you’ll be safe there until this is all over. It shouldn’t be long, a few weeks at most.’

  Aurelia dropped her eyes. ‘I can’t stay in your summer house, Felix. What will people say? What will Vivius say? Besides, why should I leave Rome? Give me one good reason.’

  ‘You want a list? Because, my love, you’ve been harbouring Sejanus’s greatest enemy.’

  ‘I have?’

  ‘You have. Apicata is a bitter woman. She was rejected by Sejanus for a younger woman; a woman from the Imperial household. Apicata will do whatever it takes to bring Sejanus down, and use whoever she needs to do it, which is quite useful to some of us in the Senate.’

  Aurelia blinked rapidly. ‘I thought…I thought she was my…friend.’

  ‘I know you did, my love.’ Felix kissed her fingers. ‘Another reason you need to leave Rome is because you are betrothed to Vivius. That makes you a valuable asset. If Sejanus has you, then he believes he’ll have whatever information Vivius brings back from Palestine.’

  ‘Vivius would never betray his country,’ Aurelia said vehemently. ‘Not even for me.’

  ‘Wouldn’t he?’ Felix paused. ‘Even you must have had doubt over how easily those charges of treason were dropped against your husband?’

  ‘You’re not suggesting…’

  ‘I’m not suggesting anything, other than you think about what lengths Vivius will go to for you. Think about it.’

  She was aware he was watching her carefully to see if his words had sunk in.

  ‘And thirdly,’ he continued. ‘My sources inform me Sejanus has been making enquiries about the woman I took over to Capri. If he thinks Vivius contacts you with information to pass on to the emperor then…’ Felix splayed his hands. ‘Shall I go on?’

  ‘You mean there’s more?’

  ‘Only that you’ve just helped get valuable information to the emperor from one of his staunchest allies, Julie Antonia Minor. If Sejanus has even an inkling of what you’ve been up to, he’ll have you in Mamertine Prison before he’s even figured out the charges.’ Felix paused. ‘In fact, if I’d known what you were up to, I’d have had you locked up myself.’

  She patted his hand consolingly. ‘No you wouldn’t, Felix, and I’m still not leaving Rome.’

  Concern flickered across Felix’s face. ‘You must. I insist. Sejanus has just had another senator arrested. As far as we know, he’s in Mamertine Prison but he’s elderly and the gods alone know how long he’ll last in there. I’m not meaning to scare you, my love, but you can see how important it is that you leave the city.’

  ‘Then I shall stay on my brother Dorio’s estate.’

  Felix shook his head. ‘The stables? That’s far too obvious. No one would think of my summer villa. It’s too far out of Rome.’

  Aurelia folded her hands neatly in her lap. ‘I could stay with Phaedo.’

  Felix frowned. ‘Who’s Phaedo?’

  ‘He’s Vivius’s Greek slave. He manages his olive grove,’

  ‘A slave? My dear Aurelia, you can’t stay with slaves,’ Felix was incredulous. ‘Besides, if Sejanus finds you there, he’s likely to burn the whole estate down. No, it has to be my summer villa.’

  Aurelia dropped her head, pursed her lips and focused on forming a plait with the fringe on the cushion. Felix wasn’t listening to what she was saying she thought angrily. He’s squashed every idea I’ve had. He was a dear man, a kind man, but the fact is… she didn’t want to be miles away when Vivius returned. She wanted…a slow smile materialized.

  ‘I won’t be putting you in danger if I stay with you, will I Felix?’

  Felix’s eyes twinkled mischievously. ‘Only from Vivius.’

  ‘One favour though. I want Phaedo to accompany us, and of course I want Ruth with me.’

  ‘Of course.’ Felix squeezed Aurelia’s fingers affectionately. ‘Leave it to me. I’ll arrange it. We’ll leave tomorrow night.’

  * * *

  ‘I don’t know, which one do you think I should take?’ Aure
lia picked the two idols off the shelf looking affectionately from one to the other. ‘Venus is my favourite, but lately I’ve been drawn to Minerva, the goddess of wisdom.’ She weighed each idol indecisively.

  ‘Mistress, why don’t you let me bring them all to you in a few days?’ Ruth said patiently. ‘The bag is heavy enough and we must go.’ Ruth gently took the idols out of her hands wiping a thin layer of dust off the top of their wooden heads before placing them back on the shelf. ‘Besides, I will be praying to my God. We don’t need an idol for that and I promise you he will answer our prayers.’

  ‘Your god?’ Aurelia looked at her in surprise. ‘I didn’t know you had one?’

  ‘The God of the Jews, mistress.

  ‘Really? Hmm.’ Aurelia lightly touched the wooden head of her idols as if bidding them farewell. ‘I suppose it won’t harm to use another god, for a while.’

  The sharp rap on the door startled them both despite the fact they had been waiting for it. Ruth answered, returning almost immediately with Felix.

  Felix took Aurelia’s hands. ‘Are you ready?’

  She nodded. ‘I’m grateful to you, Felix.’

  ‘I’m so sorry, my love. Change of plan. I can’t accompany you all the way there. The Senate is in an uproar. Sejanus has arrested three more senators, and I’ve received word from the emperor that he intends travelling to Rome. He has ordered I attend him.’

  As he spoke, Ruth blew out the single oil lamp standing on table leaving them in virtual darkness. Aurelia was glad Felix couldn’t see the relief on her face, but she said, ‘It’s all right, Felix, really. I shall be in good hands with Ruth, and Phaedo is reliable. He’ll look after me.’ Wrapping the scarf around her mouth and pulling her hood over her head, she nodded to Ruth who opened the door at the rear of the house.

  The cold, damp night air caught her throat as she stepped outside. She coughed. A thick mist swirled around her. She coughed again, her feet slithering on the wet moss. Felix adjusted the bags so he could take her hand.

  With Ruth a few paces behind them, they stumbled along in silence. Aurelia found she had to strain her eyes through the mist to see more than a couple of paces in front of her. There were no lights at the back of the houses, and this particular stretch was marshy and the paving was cracked from constant flooding. But uncomfortable though it was, she knew it was safer than taking the main road.

  ‘Shush!’ Felix gripped her hand. They stopped abruptly, and listened.

  Aurelia tried to stop her teeth from chattering. She heard dull footsteps hurrying towards them. Her eyes strained through the mist and as the footsteps drew closer she saw a familiar shadowy figure emerge from the darkness.

  ‘Hello, Phaedo.’ She smiled up at Vivius’s slave even though she knew he wouldn’t be able to see her mouth because of the scarf covering it.

  ‘Senator. Mistress.’ Phaedo greeted them in a low voice as he relieved Felix of the bags. ‘The cart is around the corner, Senator, a short distance. Can you manage, little miss?’

  Aurelia warmed to Phaedo’s reassuring childhood greeting of her.

  ‘Yes, Phaedo.’

  Phaedo led them through the dark, dank alley between a clothes shop and a butcher. It brought them out near the warehouses and docks. There were always carts and wagons lined up along this stretch waiting for curfew to lift, although most of them had left by now.

  ‘Over there.’ Phaedo pointed to a small cart and an even smaller donkey. ‘Not the type of transport you’re used to, my lady, but I thought it would be safer if it was assumed this was my usual weekly trip.’ He threw their bags into the rear of the cart. ‘I hope you don’t mind riding in the back with the empty pots.’

  ‘You can’t expect the lady…’ Felix was indignant.

  Aurelia placed her hand on his arm. ‘It’s all right, Felix. When I was little, Phaedo used to let me ride in the back of the cart. It’s quite comfortable, honestly.’

  ‘You’re not a little girl now, Aurelia.’ Felix’s pursed lips indicated he was not pleased with the arrangement. Nevertheless, picking her up, he swung her gently into the cart with the empty pots of oil. Aurelia noticed that Phaedo had placed a pile of blankets in the corner for her.

  Felix handed the slave a map. ‘If you decide to stay the rest of the night on the Marcianus estate, be sure you leave before sunrise. It’ll take another full day to my summer villa; these are the directions.’

  ‘Felix,’ Aurelia grabbed his arm before he stepped back from the cart. ‘What about Vivius? I know it’s asking a lot but…’ her eyes pleaded with him.

  Felix patted her hand reassuringly. ‘The difficulty is knowing when he’s arriving, my love, but I’ll do my best.’

  She tightened her grip on his arm. ‘Will you?’

  He squeezed her hand. ‘I might not want Vivius back in Rome for personal reasons,’ he said in a low voice. ‘But believe me, I welcome anything he brings back against Sejanus.’ He glanced at Phaedo who had climbed up to the front of the cart and was pretending not to listen. ‘Take care of the Lady Aurelia.’

  Phaedo reached out a hand to help Ruth clamber on the seat beside him. ‘I will, Senator, sir,’ he said soberly. ‘And if I don’t, it will be Senator Marcianus I shall have to answer to.’

  Aurelia curled up in one of the blankets and Ruth flung the other blanket over her as the cart pulled away.

  ‘Best keep down, little miss,’ Phaedo whispered. ‘It wouldn’t do to be spotted now.’

  Aurelia coughed as she pulled the blanket over her shoulders. She raised her head briefly to give Felix a wave. He looked a lonely figure, standing there watching them. Her heart warmed to him and she wondered guiltily whether she had done the right thing in using him like this, and whether she was doing the right thing in changing his well-laid plans for those of her own.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  (Jerusalem)

  ‘Lucanus, I need that…that…’ Vivius pointed at the physician’s shabby cloth travelling bag lying in a crumpled heap in the corner of their quarters.

  ‘You do, Senator?’ Lucanus’s voice rose in surprise. ‘Why?’

  ‘For the bookkeeper’s ledgers. No one will think of searching in that…thing.’

  Banging his bag on the table, Lucanus snatched the ledgers from Vivius’s hands but curiosity overcame his bruised feelings. ‘When did you get these?’

  ‘The ledgers? The clerk brought them last night.’

  ‘How did he get them?’

  Vivius watched Lucanus wrap his clothes neatly around the ledgers and pack them into his shabby bag in an orderly fashion.

  ‘No idea, although I appear to have stumbled on to some religious Jewish sect who seem more concerned with getting justice than killing off Romans. The clerk is one of them, so is Nikolaos.’

  ‘There!’ Lucanus stood back and surveyed his shabby, cloth travelling bag, and other than it looking bulkier and being considerably heavier, no one would have guessed its contents.

  ‘And these,’ Vivius held up the parchments. ‘Can you put them in your medical bag but keep them away from those phials, will you? I can hardly hand them to the emperor smelling of whatever foul concoction you keep in there.’

  Lucanus glared at him, opened his medical bag, and pushed it across the table for him to do it. The fractious atmosphere was interrupted by a rap on the door.

  ‘That’ll be the clerk.’ Vivius dropped the parchments on the table, but when he opened the door he started in surprise. ‘Claudia?’

  Her face was flushed, her hair hung loosely over her rust cloak, a button was undone on her pink dress and she was bereft of jewellery. She swept past him without waiting for an invitation, bringing with her a whiff of roses that was rapidly becoming too familiar for his liking. ‘You were leaving without saying goodbye?’

  With a look of alarm, Lucanus moved swiftly into the bedroom to join Dorio, closing the door softly behind him.

  ‘No. I intended to call before I left Jerusalem.’

&nb
sp; ‘Did you, Vivius?’ She drifted over to the table littered with bags, clothing and…Vivius glanced uneasily towards the parchments and Sejanus’s new policies.

  ‘Yes, I did,’ he said. Deftly moving in front of her he perched on the edge of the table and took her hand. ‘There were one or two things I wanted to ask you.’

  ‘Were there? What?’ Her eyelashes flickered, her finger lightly touched the bandage on his shoulder.

  ‘We were ambushed and only two people knew where we were going, Claudia.’ He spoke tenderly, not accusingly.

  Pulling her fingers out of his hands she wandered over to the window and gazed outside, but Vivius could see she wasn’t really looking at the grey clouds or the activities taking place in the courtyard. Taking advantage of her turned back, he quickly slipped the parchments into the medical bag and draped a tunic over the top.

  ‘I come from an influential Roman family, Senator. I’m not used to having accusations thrown at me.’ Her neatly rounded chin jutted out but he could see she was nervous by the way she twisted the ribbon on the bodice of her dress around her finger as if it were a bobbin. ‘And for your information I had nothing to do with your ambush. A random attack, that’s all.’ The ribbon twisting stopped as her finger reached the end of the ribbon and the wrinkled object spiralled back down her dress. She half turned and pouted. ‘Anyway, I don’t know why you wanted the bookkeeper’s address in the first place. He was an annoying little man, always had his head in his records, forever questioning every coin spent. He infuriated Pilate, especially when he had the audacity to accuse him of misappropriating tax monies.’

  ‘And was he?’

  ‘Of course not,’ she said hotly and to Vivius her denial seemed genuine enough. ‘Don’t tell me you actually believed that silly little man’s accusations. You didn’t, did you?’

  Vivius ignored the question. ‘Only you knew where I was going, Claudia,’ he repeated.

  Claudia rubbed her arms under her cloak as if she was cold and turned back to the open window and the grey and overcast skies. ‘If you want an explanation it’s quite simple. I heard you ask the clerk for the bookkeeper’s address. I was curious. Why would you want his address if, as you had led us to believe, your visit to Palestine was purely personal? I knew Pilate hated the bookkeeper, and so I told him what I’d overheard. But you can’t possibly think my husband had anything to do with your ambush. As I said, it was a random attack. It happens all the time in Jerusalem. You were unlucky, that’s all.’