by David Adkins
“I will do my best,” I promised.
“Make sure you do, Parthenian, for I promise you Aria will never enter the arena again. I will inform my father that Aria will not be competing.” With that she strode back towards the gladiatorial school.
I put my head in my hands. Just when I thought that one issue was getting resolved it had come back to haunt me with a vengeance, for I found the idea of entering the arena appalling. I watched as Corelia disappeared from sight and could not help thinking that I would rather have her in my bed than in the arena. I then walked disconsolately back to the palace.
*
I entered the palace and was making my way along the corridors towards my room when I felt a tug on my arm which brought me out of my dejected trance. “Parthenian, what is wrong? I was talking to you,” voiced an exasperated Drucilla.
“I am sorry. I have much on my mind,” I apologized.
“So have I,” she sympathized. “Shall we go to the office and talk about it.” I nodded agreement and followed her to the office where we would have privacy. “You go first,” she suggested.
“I am not sure that I should burden you with this,” I said.
“I am listening,” she smiled encouragingly.
I then related to her every aspect of the possibility of Aria entering the arena and how Domitian had involved me, and finally Corelia’s threat. “The prospect of fighting in the arena is appalling,” I added.
“Parthenian, this is terrible but even if Corelia carried out her threat then surely the Emperor would not expect you to fight in the Colosseo for you are his chamberlain.”
“I imagine that Corelia could persuade him on such a course.”
“Could you not beat her, for you are a man and she is a woman?”
“I very much doubt it for I have no fighting experience whatsoever and she has a wealth of experience which has made her the greatest gladiatrix in the Empire. She can beat some of the gladiators at her school so what chance would I have?”
“Then you must try to do as she wishes. Perhaps you could tell Domitian that Aria is not good enough to compete in his precious games,” she suggested.
“Yes, I can embellish that and if the time came then I could tell him that neither am I. I would explain to him how farcical it would be. I will plan what I need to say to him regarding Aria. Thank you for listening Drucilla. Now tell me what is troubling you.”
“Timothy, the Christian preacher has been in Capua and Naples but he is returning to Rome to once again address us Romans before returning to Ephesus.”
“How do you know this?” I asked.
“My mother told me, for she speaks with other Christians. He is going to preach again at the same place as we went to in the Subura. My mother wants me to take her.”
“I hope you said no,” I said firmly.
“You do not understand, Parthenian. Timothy is revered among Christians. He was a friend of the great preacher Paul, and is even linked with the prophet Jesus. My mother desires above all else to see him and hear him and I have agreed to take her. I am not asking you to come and endanger yourself but there is something I would wish you to do for me.”
“What is that?” I was dubious.
“It may be that Titus Clemens will also be there again and if so Stephanus will probably attend. Watch out for him as we did before, and if he is followed by the Praetorian Guard then get word to him. You know where he will be going so you can push on ahead and speak with him and warn him.”
“We could just speak with him first,” I suggested.
“If Stephanus and Clemens know that there are other servants in the royal household who know of their beliefs and escapades then they will be terrified and expect reprisals. It is best they do not know unless they have to. I also believe that Timothy is so venerated that Stephanus would not easily be dissuaded but the belief that the Praetorian Guard was but a few steps behind would convince him.”
“I am not sure about all this, Drucilla, but I will do as you ask though I would still rather that you and your mother did not go at all.”
She smiled and gently took my hand. “Thank you Parthenian, but I have to take my mother. We will leave from my mother’s home.”
“When will this be?” I asked taking both her hands in mind
“In two nights’ time,” she replied, withdrawing her hands.
“I will make sure that the Guards do not follow Stephanus to you and your mother and the rest of the Christians,” I assured her. “However be careful not to become a Christian yourself.”
“My mother would like that but it is not something I intend to happen. Thank you again, Parthenian, and good luck with the Emperor.” She left with a smile, leaving me to plan my delicate interview with Domitian.
I remembered the Empress’s advice that flattery was the best policy and with that in mind I concocted a quick speech which I hoped would appeal to Domitian’s great ego. An hour after speaking with Drucilla I was with the Emperor. “I cannot give you long, Parthenian, because Casperius is coming shortly to speak with me on security.”
“I hope it will not take long, Emperor,” I responded.
“Get on with it then.”
“I have been to the gladiatorial school to talk with Petronius about finding Aria a suitable opponent, and about building her contest up to be a big event. There is no problem with this except that I watched her training afterwards and I was deeply perturbed.”
“What is the problem?” Domitian was growing impatient.
“You are a great Emperor and these are to be wonderful games set in the magnificent Colosseo, perhaps the finest building in Rome thanks to improvements by your majesty. The events that take place in the arena must therefore be of a very high standard for your games must reflect your splendour and live up to the expectations of the people.”
He relaxed a little. “Of course, Parthenian, that should be the case.”
“I watched Aria training and she is simply not good enough to reach those standards. How can such an average gladiatrix be a star at your illustrious games? You should have two champions contesting in the arena.”
“I thought Aria was very good. I know that she can never be another Corelia but, as her protégé, I thought that she would be good enough.”
I continued feeling that I was having success. “She was never that good and now she is out of practice as well. It would be a huge anti-climax if she were to enter the arena at the Jupiter games. You need two champion gladiatrices for one of the main events.”
He looked thoughtful. “Can we get two champions?”
“I am sure Petronius can manage that,” I suggested.
His eyes glazed over and I watched him enter another world. When he came back he had a suggestion. “I hear that Medusa, the champion gladiatrix of Capua, is very good. People say that Capua is the new Rome. Can Petronius find a gladiatrix in his school good enough to fight Medusa? It would be the old Rome against the new Rome.”
“That is a brilliant suggestion,” I enthused.
He nodded contentedly. “See to it then.”
“I will indeed,” I concurred.
There was a knock on the door. “Come in,” Domitian invited.
Casperius entered the room giving me a hostile glance. “Parthenian was just leaving, for we have concluded our business,” Domitian said to him.
I made towards the door and Domitian gave me a final instruction as I was about to leave. “Aria will take part in a novelty contest so see what you can think of.” My sense of success was quelled somewhat.
I was further dispirited because Marcella had still not returned to the palace and I was missing her. There was no sign of the Emperor making arrangements to visit Tibur again, and I wondered what the reason for that was. My plan of action was now to follow Stephanus the next evening and after that I would return to the gladiatorial school with my latest news. A visit to the Empress for another interview was also overdue but that could be done after I returned
from the school. It was busy, difficult and dangerous being chamberlain at Domitian’s palace.
The next day as dusk drew near, I questioned a couple of the servants to ascertain that Stephanus was still in the palace. I then made my way out of the building and through the glorious gardens, bathed in dancing shadows from the setting sun. I nodded a greeting to the two guards on duty, one of whom was Cyprian. “Going out for the evening?” he asked pleasantly.
“I am just walking down to the forum and I will have a few drinks and something to eat in the taverna down there,” I replied.
“Enjoy it,” he responded.
“I hope the gate duty is not too boring.” I said as I walked away down the cobbled street. I found myself a place behind a cypress bush, from where I could watch unseen the gate unobserved. I leaned against a wall and began my vigil. I wondered if Stephanus would even be going to the gathering in the Subura this fine evening. However, if this Timothy was such a draw it would be something he would not wish to miss.
An hour passed by and there was no sign of Stephanus. It was now quite dark and I thought to myself that I was probably as bored as the guards on duty at the gate. At last Stephanus appeared and scurried down the street in the same direction as he had the last time that I had followed him. There seemed little doubt of his destination and Drucilla had been correct in assuming that he would attend.
Just a few seconds later ten guardsmen came through the gate in haste and there seemed no doubt that they intended to follow him. They were led by Mettelus, the guard who had punched me in the stomach and then kicked me. I knew to my cost how ruthless Mettelus could be and he had a further nine well-armed guardsmen at his disposal. The last time I had seen Stephanus followed it was just by two guards but now their numbers had increased to ten and this worried me considerably. I noticed that one robed and hooded guard kept close to Stephanus while the other nine, also in robes to cover their uniforms, held back, not wishing to be seen.
My plan was to take a different route to the forum. It was slightly longer but if I hurried then I would arrive there before them. I would then make my way down the Argiletum and well into the Subura. If Stephanus was still being followed by that stage then I would have to pull my hood over my head and warn him. I almost ran all the way to the forum to make absolutely sure that I got ahead of them and then I continued up the Argiletum at a slightly more leisurely pace, keeping alert to any possible dangers.
I stopped by a fruit stall in what was now the heart of the dangerous ghetto, a short distance from the venue for the meeting, and I waited. I did not have to wait long for Stephanus soon came into sight. I also caught sight of the robed and hooded guard still following him and I knew the others would not be far behind. The Praetorian Guard had ventured deep into the Subura and that suggested that they were highly suspicious of his activities. I knew that it was even possible that they would raid the place where Timothy was preaching, and where Drucilla and her mother were listening. The guards, under the leadership of Mettelus, were well armed and I knew it could be a bloodbath and I had to stop it. The half starving unarmed worshippers packed into the large room would have no chance against the sword-wielding guards, even though they were far more numerous.
I strode towards Stephanus, pulling the hood over my head and as I did so he was joined by another robed individual who I supposed was another Christian. I interrupted their conversation and Stephanus, when he recognized me, appeared dumb struck. I got straight to the point. “You are being followed by ten well-armed members of the Praetorian Guard and you have led them to almost where your Christian gathering is taking place. You must now lead them away from there.”
“Can this man be trusted?” the other man asked Stephanus.
“I think so,” said a stunned Stephanus who seemed to want the ground to swallow him up.
“Where are these guards?” the man asked me.
“The one with the hood over there,” I pointed at the guard hoping that he would not recognize me. “His uniform and weapons are under his robe and there are nine more not far behind him.” I added.
The man started barking out instructions to those around him and it appeared to me as if a mob were assembling. Stephanus seemed rooted to the spot so I ran towards the hall to find Drucilla and her mother. The attendant at the door made an attempt to stand in my way but I pushed past him and entered the vast hall and I hurriedly searched the room with my eyes. I saw Timothy and Titus Clemens standing, once again, on the podium but proceedings had not yet begun. I then spotted Drucilla and her mother not far from me towards the rear. I dashed over to them. “We must leave immediately, for the place is about to be raided by the Praetorian Guard.”
They heard the intense urgency in my voice and Drucilla nodded and they both quickly followed me towards the exit. No words were spoken for we did not have the time, and we were soon once again outside in the oppressive night air, but the scene that met my eyes was barely believable. Mettelus and his nine guards were encircled by a threatening mob. The guards had dispensed with their robes and had drawn their swords and raised their shields. The people were shaking their fists and picking up rocks and stones. I realized that the ten guards, though well-armed as they were, had no chance against so many. “Step aside,” I heard Mettelus yelling.
Instead the people began to throw their stones. Some of the guards went down under the storm of missiles. Mettelus and the rest charged the crowd in order to cut a path to freedom. I watched in awe as the swords cut many of the assailants down but Mettelus and his men quickly disappeared as they went down under the assault of flailing fists and kicking legs. I knew that they were about to be torn limb from limb.
I shook myself free from the morbid fascination of the unfolding scene. “We must go now,” I told a horrified Drucilla and her bewildered mother. We hurried as fast as we could down the Argiletum and away from the scenes of horror. We escorted Drucilla’s mother to her home on the edge of the Subura at the foot of the Viminal Hill. Drucilla comforted her as best she could for a short time and then we made our way quickly back to the palace. On the way I explained to Drucilla how things had not entirely gone according to plan when I had tried to follow Stephanus.
We arrived at the palace gate and I nodded to the two guards on duty. “Did you have a good evening?” asked Cyprian.
“A very good evening at the taverna,” I replied.
“You are lucky,” he grinned and yawned.
We entered the palace and I gripped Drucilla’s arm and stopped her for we would have to get our stories straight before we returned to our rooms. “I am sorry,” she said.
“Why?” I asked.
“I should have let you speak to Stephanus instead of asking you to follow him.” There were tears in her eyes. “Then perhaps this could have been avoided.”
“You could not know what was going to happen,” I comforted her.
“You are right and we must stay strong, Parthenian.” She wiped away the tears. It had been an emotional evening.
“You visited your mother in the afternoon at her home on the Viminal and then you met me at the Fuscus taverna where we spent the evening before returning to the palace.”
“I wish we had,” she said with feeling, but she had now completely regained her composure for she was a resolute woman.
“We did the same as last time we were there,” I smiled.
“We certainly did,” she gripped my hand briefly and then hurried back to her room. I did the same and returned to my room while contemplating that there was going to be very serious repercussions after what had just happened in the Subura.
*
The next morning I once again suffered the indignity of Casperius barging into my room. “What is it now?” I feigned ignorance.
“You will find out soon enough. Tero has gone to fetch Stephanus and Drucilla,” My heart sank at his words. This time we were all going to be questioned together.
“Give me a clue,” I tried to be flippant.
<
br /> “There was a major incident last night,” he admitted.
“What sort of incident?” I was trying to appear unaware.
Tero then entered the room with Drucilla and Stephanus and he went to join Casperius. Drucilla and Stephanus came and stood alongside me. “I was acquainting Parthenian with the fact that a terrible incident occurred in the city last night.”
“Why are you addressing the three of us?” I inquired.
“Because you three had all left the palace and were at large in the city. Now I will take you one at a time but first let me tell you about the incident.” Casperius looked as grim as I had seen him. “It was reported to me that the bodies of ten of my guards had been found dead in the forum and I, of course, went to investigate this report. The guards were not only dead but their bodies had been badly mutilated. It was obvious that they had been stoned and beaten to death. A witness was found who said that he had seen the bodies being dumped from a cart in the early hours. My guards had not been murdered where they were found and so my best guess is that they were butchered in that lawless area of our city, the Subura.”
“That is terrible,” I mumbled and Stephanus and Drucilla muttered agreement.
Casperius continued. “Drucilla, you were the first to leave the palace at about midday yesterday. Where did you go?”
“I went to see a relative who lives on the Viminal.”
“You were there all day?”
“No, I was there for the afternoon and then at about dusk I met Parthenian at the Fuscus Tavern which was only a short distance away.” Drucilla had admirably held her nerve.
“You had arranged to meet him there?”
“Yes, it was our second visit and we had a most enjoyable evening though it would have been much less agreeable if we had been aware of what was happening to your guards.” She sounded convincing.
Casperius turned to me. “You were the next person to leave just before dusk. Did you go straight to the Fuscus Tavern?”
“I did and I met Drucilla at the tavern and we stayed there all evening before returning together to the palace. If there had been any trouble in the forum during the evening then we would have heard it.”