She waited while he regarded her for a moment, his face bland. Scribonia had given him no trouble and had not complained, but when the captain looked away, Claudia thought for a moment he would not answer.
Then he gave a small shake of his head. “There is no danger that we know of. I wish to accomplish my mission for the emperor as soon as possible.”
When she continued to regard him, he hesitated, looking off in the distance. “My wife expects a child at any time. We’ve lost two children at birth.”
Scribonia smiled kindly. “I see. Then I will pray for your wife’s well-being, Captain Laurentius, and for a healthy child.”
“Thank you.” He thought a moment. “I wish to ask forgiveness for my attitude when I arrived at the villa, Lady Scribonia. I was under the impression that I would find a different situation.”
“You are forgiven. I can imagine what you expected, given the gossip at court.”
He gave her a wry smile but was silent.
As they rode, Claudia considered the captain’s abrupt question back at the villa as to whether she was a virgin. She realized it meant in some way that she had never been with a man. What would she be doing with a man if she had been with one? How did that mean she could bear children? She glanced at her grandmother, fearful of asking the wrong question and bearing her grandmother’s anger. Yet, if the emperor arranged a marriage for her in two years, there were things she needed to know. Why had her mother or grandmother never talked to her about this? Claudia gathered her courage, and blurted out her question.
Scribonia frowned. “Your mother has not spoken to you of this? She promised me!”
Claudia hung her head. “No, Grandmother.”
Scribonia regarded Claudia for a moment. “Well, you should be told what you need to know before marriage, for your own protection. There are men at the court who would find a young virgin worthy of more than a passing interest.”
Claudia leaned forward expectantly to listen.
5
When grandmother finished, many things became clear. Her mother had given birth to her, but there had been no brothers or sisters. Why not? There must be some way a woman could prevent children if she chose. Claudia decided she would never have children. They either died or were wrenched away. Would that be her own fate—married off to a man old enough to be her father, just to get rid of her? The emperor had taken responsibility for her, but what did he have in mind? She put her fearful thoughts away from her and as she watched the scenery go by, she contemplated the amazing and somewhat frightening things grandmother had just told her.
The fifth day they passed outlying villages, and when they stopped midday to rest and refresh themselves, Claudia could see the walls of the city of Rome gleaming in the distance.
“Why did the emperor send for me when he hated my mother so?”
“I don’t believe he means you harm, child. He would not have gone to the trouble to bring you all the way to Rome.”
“Can you come to the palace with me, Grandmother?”
“The emperor ordered me to return to my own villa and that is what I must do.”
“Will you be able to visit me?”
“That is up to Tiberius. It is possible.”
Claudia studied her hands, resting in her lap. The scene with the soldiers dragging her mother away from her down the hall haunted her. “What do you think has happened to, to . . .” She could not finish the sentence for the tears that suddenly pooled in her eyes.
Claudia could see that her grandmother was close to tears herself.
“She was near death when we left, child. I don’t know. At least she has Medina and Cato. They will see to her when the time comes.”
“I miss her, Grandmother. Why would they not let me say goodbye to her?”
“The hatred and anger of Tiberius. He would strike back at her any way he could.”
“Because of things my mother did?”
Scribonia stiffened. “There are certain matters best left alone, Claudia. Do not mention your mother in the palace. You could incur the wrath of Tiberius against yourself. He is being benevolent toward you now because of your grandfather. Don’t create problems.”
Claudia nodded and wiped the tears with the corner of her shawl. Medina and Cato would take care of her mother—her grandmother said so. Claudia sat up a little straighter. She would show Tiberius that she could behave like the granddaughter of an emperor.
As they entered the city itself, its sheer size overwhelmed her. Everywhere people seemed to be hurrying. They passed other carpentums like theirs being driven through the streets as well as litters, carried by slaves. She saw Asian faces with almond-shaped eyes and men and women with dark skin from the African continent as well as Roman citizens going about their business. Everyone seemed in a hurry.
Her grandmother pointed out marble buildings that Augustus had built when he was emperor. “We are approaching the Palatine where the palace is situated.”
“I am frightened, Grandmother. Please do not let me go to the emperor alone.”
“You must be brave, Claudia.”
Claudia balled her fists. “I hate him for what he did to my mother.”
Scribonia took her by the shoulders and gripped them tightly. “Do not be foolish enough to vent your feelings to the emperor. He has the right of paterfamilias, supreme master over your life. The gods have brought you here for a reason. You must pray, seek your destiny, and they will protect you. You must obey Tiberius at all costs.”
Claudia hung her head. She had seldom been the recipient of her grandmother’s anger.
“Yes, Grandmother. I will do as you say.”
Scribonia sat back in the coach. “When you are settled, I will come to see you.”
“Will Medina come to Rome?”
“I have found Medina to be extremely resourceful over the years. There will be a way.”
The coach came to an abrupt halt. The captain barked orders to his men.
Claudia looked out at a flight of stone steps leading up to the most beautiful building she had ever seen. The door of the coach opened and the captain gestured toward the entrance of the building.
“The palace of the emperor. Please alight and follow me. Servants will take care of your possessions.”
Claudia clutched Felix. “Even my dog?”
The captain suppressed a smile. “It will be taken to your new quarters. You will see it again there. You may not enter the presence of the emperor with an animal.”
A large Nubian slave approached the coach and, after a few words from the captain, nodded and reached for the dog as other slaves gathered her belongings. Her grandmother pointed out her own possessions, to be left with the coach.
They followed Captain Laurentius into the entrance hall, and Claudia looked around her with wonder at the beautiful mosaic floor and the statues placed in alcoves. They passed into a large courtyard with a glistening pool in the center. The captain led them toward another archway into a small waiting room.
A figure came to the doorway. “Captain Laurentius. You have returned with your charges.”
The captain saluted, striking his heart with his fist in respect. “I have. As ordered, I have brought the Lady Scribonia and Claudia Procula, the granddaughter of Emperor Augustus.”
He turned to the women. “This is Lucius Aelius Sejanus, prefect of the Praetorian Guard and advisor to the emperor.”
Scribonia acknowledged Sejanus with a nod, and Claudia caught something in her grandmother’s face that troubled her. Claudia bowed her head in respect, and when she looked up again, the man was regarding her thoughtfully.
“So you are Julia’s daughter. You will find the palace a far cry from Reggio.”
The tone of his voice made Claudia wonder what he meant and his perusal of her made her uncomfortable. She suppressed a shudder. Something told her to be on her guard.
Sejanus waved them toward the door, indicating they were to enter the reception room where Tiberiu
s waited.
Claudia’s heart pounded as she approached the man her mother feared so much—the man who had given the order to separate her from her mother. The emperor was heavily built with broad shoulders and appeared to be of average height. His hair hung down his neck, and the eyes that regarded her were unusually large. His expression seemed neither gruff nor pleasant.
He watched them approach and held up a hand for them to stop. After studying Claudia intently for a moment, he beckoned her to come closer.
Glancing over at the captain, he nodded his head. “You have made good time, and brought your charges safely. You are dismissed.”
“Majesty.” The captain saluted and left the room. Claudia sensed he was eagerly heading home to his pregnant wife. She hoped he would be in time.
The emperor turned his attention to Scribonia. “We meet again. What has she learned in your care?”
Her grandmother lifted her chin slightly and looked directly at the emperor. “She reads and writes Latin, and is capable of simple mathematics. She embroiders well, and has helped with the weaving of cloth under our slave, Medina.”
Tiberius looked thoughtful. “I can see Augustus was wise in allowing you to remain in Reggio.”
As Claudia listened, it occurred to her that truly it had been her grandmother who taught her the things she knew. Her mother had been kind, occasionally loving, but occupied more with herself.
Sejanus regarded Claudia. “She is tall and well proportioned. Pleasing to the eye. If you adopt her as you stated, my lord, she will be a worthy match for the man of your choice.”
Claudia bristled. Must they speak of her as if she were not there? Her grandmother gave her a warning glance.
Scribonia spoke up, her voice quiet and carefully respectful. “The child was concerned as to your purpose for bringing her here, Majesty, as was I.”
“She is the granddaughter of Augustus and therefore it was not expedient to let her languish in Reggio. I’m gratified to learn she has not followed the path of her mother.”
Claudia struggled to hold back angry tears. “My mother loved me and was kind to me. I was not even allowed to say goodbye to her.”
Her outburst seemed to amuse Tiberius, but then his face hardened. “You have spirit. That is good, but your life is in my hands and I shall do as I promised your grandfather before his death. You shall be instructed in matters of the court and a suitable husband will be found for you. There shall be no more outbursts.”
As his eyes pierced hers, Claudia heard the edge in his tone and realized her error. This was not a man to anger.
He turned to her grandmother. “You are free to return to your family villa.”
Scribonia bowed her head in submission, then turned and briefly put a comforting hand on Claudia’s shoulder before leaving the room.
Tiberius clapped his hands and a servant appeared. “Milo, take the girl to her quarters and assign a slave girl to her.”
The servant bowed low, and Claudia, after a last anguished look at her grandmother’s receding figure, walked slowly after him.
She looked up at the beautiful frescos painted on the walls they passed and marveled at the variety of mosaic tiles in the floors. She hurried to keep up with Milo wondering at the labyrinth of corridors they followed.
She faced a new life. What would the days ahead hold? Then, remembering Felix, her heart quickened. Would she really see her dog again? She hurried after the servant.
6
Milo stopped and opened an ornate golden door, sweeping his hand for her to precede him into the room. “Your quarters, Dominilla.”
Dominilla. Young mistress, as Medina called her. She entered the room and immediately a small furry head appeared over the edge of her basket. With a glad cry, Claudia ran to sweep her little dog into her arms. Felix wiggled with happiness and licked her face over and over, making small whimpers. “Oh Felix, they have let me keep you.”
“The room is agreeable, Dominilla?”
She looked around at the walls, painted with more frescos, birds, and flowers. There was a sleeping couch, an ornate polished wooden chest for her clothing, a cupboard, a small table with an olive oil pottery lamp by the couch, and in front of the window, a small desk and chair. Walking over to look out the window, she observed green plants, a small, tinkling fountain, and an area of soil with flowers. A place to take Felix when the need arose.
“It is a beautiful room. I didn’t expect anything like this.”
Just then a slender young woman entered and bowed to Claudia. She appeared only a little older than Claudia, with ebony hair cut to her shoulders. She regarded Claudia with expressive dark eyes.
“This is Hotep. She is to be your personal slave, Dominilla. She will see to your needs and acquaint you with life in the palace.”
Hotep’s smile was tentative and Claudia bravely smiled back.
“Thank you, Milo.”
He turned to Hotep. “Have her ready this evening. She will be dining with the emperor and his guests.” In a moment he was gone and the door closed behind him.
Claudia’s thoughts raced. She’d never had a slave of her own. How was she to begin? She hesitated. “What does Hotep mean? It is a beautiful name.”
“It means peace, Dominilla, and a safe place.”
Hotep was aptly named, for that was the one thing Claudia needed above all others.
“Let me prepare your bath, Dominilla. You have been traveling long and you must be tired. After the bath, will you desire rest? It will prepare you for the evening ahead.”
What could prepare her for the evening ahead? She must appear to be submissive to the man she hated.
Hotep opened a drawer and pulled out a small linen undergarment, a soft white linen stola, a silver belt, silver sandals, and a scarf of soft, fine blue linen.
Claudia ran her hands over the finely woven garment, so soft to the touch.
Then Hotep opened the cupboard and produced Claudia’s small wooden chest.
“Oh, it’s safe.” With a sigh of relief, Claudia opened it, and Hotep came closer to look at the contents: a rag doll, a feather, a leather ball, and small wooden blocks with letters on the sides.
The chain and ring slipped outside of Claudia’s tunic.
Hotep’s eyes grew wide when she saw them. “This is very beautiful.”
“It was a gift . . . from my mother.” She unclasped the chain and reluctantly placed it in the chest, under the doll. It would be safer there.
Hotep opened a panel in the wall to reveal a room with a mosaic tile bath and white, thick linen by the steaming water, then helped her out of her travel garments.
As she luxuriated in the warm bath, Claudia realized that the emperor had provided all this for her comfort. She was to become his ward and he would arrange a marriage for her. She tried to feel grateful, but sorrow filled her heart. Could she ever forgive him for what he had done?
After a brief time of rest, she rose to prepare for dinner. When she was dressed to Hotep’s satisfaction, she sat at a dressing table in the same room. Hotep not only arranged her hair so it beautifully framed her face, but added a small tiara.
“You are beautiful. The emperor shall be pleased.”
Embarrassed, Claudia changed the subject. “When did you become a slave, Hotep?”
The girl seemed startled by the question. Perhaps no one ever asked. She closed her eyes a moment before answering. “I was taken from my parents in Egypt when I was eight. My mother and brothers were somewhere on the ship, but I never saw them again. I think my father is dead.”
Claudia looked toward the window, the pain still so fresh. “I was taken from my mother too. She was dying.”
“But you are not a slave.”
“No, but my life will be controlled by the emperor. He will marry me off to the man he chooses to favor and I will have no say.”
“Ah.”
Claudia turned and regarded her servant earnestly. “I have never had a friend, Hotep, and I a
m in need of one.”
“I belong to you, Dominilla, but if it is your wish, I shall be your friend.” She sighed. “One needs friends in this palace of shadows.”
Someone knocked at the door and Hotep hurried to open it. Claudia expected Milo to be waiting to take her to the emperor’s dining room. Felix leaped from his bed, barking furiously and snarling at the intruder. It was Sejanus.
Felix had never attacked anyone before. The eyes of the prefect flashed with anger. He kicked out with his foot, but Felix was too quick. He jumped out of his way.
“Take this animal away, now!”
Hotep grabbed the dog and retreated to the back of the room, trying her best to still the barking.
Sejanus took Claudia’s arm, none too gently, pulling her into the hall and firmly closing the door.
Claudia’s heart pounded. The last thing she wanted to do was anger Sejanus.
7
He stalked down the hall and she had to hurry to keep up with him. Finally he stopped and studied her. He was a formidable figure due to his height and build. He looked almost regal in his formal white toga with a border of purple denoting his high rank.
“Quite a transformation,” he finally said. “Not a child, a woman. The emperor will be pleased.”
“It does not matter if I please him.” In spite of her resolve to hold her tongue, the words from her heart slipped out.
Sejanus stopped suddenly and she quailed inside at the anger in his face.
“Beware of what you say, Claudia Procula. The walls have ears for treasonous words. Do not presume to speak your mind when you feel like it. It is dangerous.”
His eyes glittered and bore into hers, causing her to shudder. She had spoken foolishly. “I—I’m sorry, my lord. The emperor made me leave my home and my mother—and she is dying. I don’t understand how the emperor could do such a thing.”
He stepped back, judging the sincerity of her words. “The emperor can do what he pleases and he does not have to give a reason. You will be forgiven this time, for you are no doubt weary from your travels. Be grateful you are here. The emperor has chosen to be kind to you as the granddaughter of Augustus.”
Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate Page 3