by David Adkins
“I do catch your meaning, Aria, but you have not answered my question.”
She was smiling that sweet smile of hers. The smile that she knew taunted me. “We were not lovers but she indulged me from time to time.”
“What does that mean, Aria?”
“I like a man from time to time for a change but I prefer women and I love Corelia. On the other hand Corelia only really likes men but she is willing to indulge me occasionally in little intimate ways because she knows I worship her.”
“What intimate ways?” I was intrigued and could not hide it.
“Just little ways – she occasionally lets me massage her feet,” she smiled as if remembering.
I looked at her open-mouthed. “Is that it?”
“Yes, little things like that. I can see you are jealous, Hylas.”
“I am not jealous,” I spluttered.
“I will let you massage my feet if you like,” she offered, still smiling.
“You are teasing me again, Aria. You are not like other women.”
“Do you mean in my sexual preference or my manner?”
“I mean your manner. You do not care what you say.”
“You are probably used to meek women whose job in life is to look after their husbands and children and who do what they are told. I imagine it is like that even in the royal family in the palace.”
“I suppose that is true,” I responded.
“Where I come from it is so very different. In the gladiatorial school we are fighters, whether we are men or women, and we live for the moment because we know that most of us don’t have many moments left. It is a very different world inside the school and we take what pleasure we can while we can.”
“I understand that, Aria.”
“When I am thrust by circumstances to spend time with a man like you, Hylas, then I cannot help but tease and torment you with my brazen behaviour. It is such fun,” she said, laughing.
I stood up to leave. “Then I suppose I must expect more of the same.”
“Indeed you must.”
“Good night, Aria.”
“Good night, Hylas.”
*
The next morning the Laodike limped into the famous Sicilian city and port of Syracuse where work swiftly began on the necessary repairs to make her seaworthy again. We were in Syracuse for nearly two weeks and it was a frustrating period; I was losing time that I could ill afford to lose. Much of the time we spent in boredom on board ship. Aria and I spent two welcome days in the ancient Greek city strolling round the great market and visiting a few interesting sites. We explored the large cave within the city strangely known as the ear of Dionysius and marvelled at the great statue to their goddess, Artemis. I was most impressed, though, with the Fountains of Arethusa, which flowed all the way down to the seashore and were said to be the point where the Romans entered the city nearly three hundred years ago after a great siege. Aria, however, was more fascinated with the amphitheatre, I suppose because it reminded her of her place of work back in Rome.
Captain Laocrates at last announced that the Laodike would leave the next day and all the repairs had been successfully concluded. I knew that it was once again time for a serious discussion with Aria, if that was possible.
I had not been in Aria’s cabin since our last discussion on sexual orientation and other matters. I sat on her only chair while she sat on her bed. “What do you wish to discuss now, Hylas?”
“We need a policy on both matters that confront us.”
“Only one matter confronts me and that is the saving of my mistress,” she retorted.
I gave her a stern look and continued, and she laughed. “I intend to ask the captain what he knows about Solanus Fuscus and if he is aware of his intended destination in Dacia. The captain is a very discreet man and may not be forthcoming with information, indeed he may not know because he asks few questions of his passengers.”
“Where am I involved in all this?” she asked.
“If I do not get answers from Laocrates then I shall start questioning the crew because Solanus may have befriended some of them. You can also question members of the crew – they may be more forthcoming to you with all your feminine charms.”
“You want me to prostitute myself to get you information on something I do not care about in the least.”
I sighed. “I did not say that.”
“Well that is what it sounded like. It could be fun though, and this Solanus Fuscus is a very interesting character.”
I was puzzled. “What do you know of Solanus Fuscus?”
“He visited our gladiatorial school twice to see Corelia and I even spoke to him.”
“What did you say?”
“I said ‘your calda’ and presented him with a cup of calda,” she smiled.
“I might yet toss you overboard,” I replied.
“I did also hear some of what they were talking about.”
“Then tell me please,” I replied impatiently.
“You can massage my feet while I try to recall their words,” she grinned.
“If I must,” I sighed and went over to her bed, knelt down, and began to massage her feet.
She purred. “That is wonderful, Hylas. I would never have expected you to have such skills.”
“I hope my skills are helping you to remember.”
“A little more emphasis on the right foot now if you don’t mind, Hylas.”
I put both hands to work on her right foot. “Now what do you remember?”
“Corelia asked him if he had come to the school to murder her.”
“Had he?”
“He denied it, but he accused her of killing his lover, a woman named Kotys.”
“Kotys is not dead.” I was puzzled.
“He thought she was at the time and he was seeking to know from Corelia if it were true that she was indeed dead or if she was being held in the school. There was a lot of friction between them but I didn’t hear all that was said. You are right though that Kotys was not dead. They were training her to become the next great gladiatrix and that was strange.”
“Why was it strange?”
“Shortly after that it seemed she had been sacrificed in the Colosseo, which I suppose is why Solanus thought she was dead. However, she was brought back to the school, injured, and then I believe when she had recovered they continued her training to become an accomplished gladiatrix. I sparred with her a few times. She was good. My left foot is in need of attention now please.”
I turned my attention back to her left foot. “What else was said?”
“I did not hear any more because they went to speak with Corelia’s father Petronius who runs the school, but Solanus did return once more a few weeks later.”
“What was said when he returned?” I asked.
“I didn’t hear because I was too far away, but I did watch.”
“You watched what?”
“It was very physical,” she paused for effect. “Your face is a picture, Hylas.”
“I am not sure I want to hear this.”
She gave me a playful kick. “They had a fight, Hylas.”
“They had a fight?” I repeated her words.
“It was not a real one. They used practice swords. Solanus was very good and very fast and they were most evenly matched in a very physical contest. In the end Corelia eventually prevailed but she had to fight hard before she pinned him down. Now if it had been you and me, Hylas, then I would have won easily,” she laughed.
“What with fights and massages you have diverted me Aria, so let us get back to our plan.” I returned to my chair and sat down.
“Thank you for a lovely foot massage, Hylas. I will require that again and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. Now where were we with this plan? I was to use my body to extract information for you.”
“I think we have finished with Solanus Fuscus for the moment. I will speak to the captain about him. I will leave the Laodike with you at Ephesus. We will visit
the gladiatorial school there where I assume Amina resides. We will then study the situation and decide on a strategy which will save Corelia.”
“Are we going to kill Amina?” she asked enthusiastically.
“I am not happy with the idea of murdering her, but if there is no other way it is a possibility. All other alternatives must be considered first, though. Once we have finished in Ephesus then you will return to Rome and I will go to Dacia.”
“I am pleased that you have decided to disembark with me at Ephesus. I think that together we can do this thing, Hylas.”
“Good night, Aria,” I said, turning to leave her cabin. She smiled and waved.
*
The next morning I went on deck to find Captain Laocrates and was told by one of the crew that he was in his cabin. I knocked on his door and was told to enter.
“Greetings, Captain, you seem busy. I hope I am not disturbing you.” He was immersed in a number of maps of the great sea.
“No, sit down, Hylas, and tell me how I can help you.”
“I took passage on the Laodike because I am searching for a man. This man travelled from Brindisi to Byzantium on the Laodike last autumn with the intention of continuing to Dacia. He was, I believe, accompanied by a woman.”
He hesitated. “Tell me the names of this man and woman.”
“The man was Solanus Fuscus and the woman was called Kotys.”
“You are right, they did travel to Byzantium on my ship but you know that already. What is it that you want from me?”
“I want to know where in Dacia was their destination. I have to find Solanus.”
“I do not recall that they ever told me where they were headed and I did not ask. Even if I knew, which I do not, I would have misgivings about telling you because he was a good friend. I owe him a debt because he helped to save my ship from pirates, and I feel he was running from something and therefore would not wish to be found.”
“He was on the run but now circumstances have changed and he would wish me to find him. I bear news that he would want to hear.”
“That may be so, and you seem a genuine young fellow, but how do I know that for sure?” He shook his head.
“I give you my word that I mean him no harm. I have a proposal to put to him of great importance,” I said earnestly.
“I believe you but as I said I do not know where in Dacia he was bound,” he replied.
“Dacia is a large country so I need the name of a town or a village to start looking for him. Do you think any of the crew might know?”
“It is possible but I think unlikely. Most of the present crew did work on the Laodike last autumn so I will assemble them this afternoon and ask them. I hope I am not misguided in giving you my trust.”
“You are not. I promise you that I intend Solanus no mischief,” I assured him.
“I will address the crew on deck during lunch and so please join us to see if my words bear any fruit.”
“Thank you, Captain. I will let you get on with your map reading.”
“I hope I am doing the right thing,” he mused as I left his cabin.
*
A few hours later the entire crew assembled on deck, most of them eating their lunch and wondering what their captain had to say. Aria and I joined them and I was tense, because I now knew that the success of the mission probably depended on the outcome of this speech.
Laocrates started to speak. “Quiet please – I have a few words to say. Most of you were serving on the Laodike last autumn when we did this same voyage from Brindisi to Byzantium. None of you will have forgotten it because we were attacked by Illyrian Corsairs and our very survival seemed in doubt.”
“Especially when you ordered us to ram the pirate vessel,” one of the crew shouted.
Laocrates smiled. “That is now a fond memory. You will remember we carried two passengers, the Roman soldier Solanus Fuscus and a Dacian woman called Kotys.”
“She was a pretty one,” someone yelled out.
“She was indeed, but no more interruptions.” He paused and looked at me. “Our current passenger, Hylas, would like to know where they were bound. We know it was Dacia but Hylas needs to know where in Dacia. Did Solanus confide in anyone during the numerous conversations he had with many of you, or did any one of you happen to hear something that could prove useful?” The captain looked around at the faces of his crew. Not a word was said and they all looked blank. “Can anyone help?” Once again he was greeted by silence.
He turned to me. “I am sorry, Hylas, but it seems that there is no one who can help you.”
“Thank you for trying, Captain,” I offered disconsolately.
Aria tugged at my arm. “Don’t look so sad. We can concentrate on Amina now.”
“I’m going back to my cabin. I will see you later,” I said.
She shrugged. “I think I will stay on deck for a while.”
*
I was not long in my cabin when there was a furtive knock on my door.
“Enter,” I called.
One of the crew entered. I could not remember his name and up to that point I could not recall speaking to him. I had noticed him about the ship and had thought him a shifty looking individual. He was thin and swarthy with sharp features, approaching middle age, and not a person I would trust easily.
“Can I help you?” I inquired.
“I am Tagus,” he answered.
“Well, can I help you, Tagus?”
“I can help you,” he said in a conspiratorial manner.
“How is that?”
“I know where in Dacia Solanus and Kotys were bound.”
“Why did you not volunteer the information when your captain asked for it?”
“I knew the information must be worth something and Captain Laocrates would not have allowed me to take a reward.”
“I see,” I considered his words. “I will give you twenty denarii if you can convince me that your information is accurate. How do you know where he was bound?”
“Kotys was a very attractive woman and we rarely get such women on board, though I have to say we are equally lucky on this trip.”
“Get to the point.” I was getting irritated.
“Once when I was sitting close to Solanus and Kotys I happened to overhear their conversation,” he said cautiously.
“You were spying on her,” I said with some disgust.
“We see few women for long periods and my intentions were harmless. I am telling you why I am in possession of the information you require. I heard them talk of their destination and where Kotys’s father, an innkeeper, lived. That is where they were going.”
I was getting very interested. “Where was that?”
“I was hoping to receive fifty denarii for the information,” he said.
“You could tell me anywhere in Dacia and send me on a useless journey. Your information is not yet worth more than twenty denarii because I would only reluctantly act on it as a last resort.”
He looked craftily at me. “I thought you might say that. How many places in Dacia have you heard of?”
I thought about his question. “I only know the names of the Dacian capital and the place where the recent battle was fought.”
“Exactly, and those places – Sarmizegatusa and Tapae – were the only places I had heard of until I heard Kotys mention the name of the small village where her father lived.”
“What is your point?” I asked.
“I would not know the name of a small village in Dacia if I had not heard Kotys say it.”
“You could simply make it up.” I suggested.
He thought about that for a while. “Give me twenty denarii now if I tell you the name and when we reach Byzantium we will leave the ship together and go to the records office there and get the name confirmed as a place that really exists. Then you give me a further twenty denarii. Is that a deal then at forty denarii?”
“I will leave the ship at Ephesus and we will go to the record office at
Ephesus. The record office there is a lot larger than the one in Byzantium I believe.” I gave him a warning glance.
“I have nothing to fear. Then Ephesus it will be. We should be in port long enough to conduct our search.” He was confident, or seemed confident.
“Here are the twenty denarii,” I said, handing him the coins.
“The village is called Petrila and it lies on the Thrace and Dacia border,” he responded. “Please do not tell the captain about our deal.”
“I will not. Now you can go, Tagus.”
“It was good to do business with you,” he said as he left my cabin.
I just muttered to myself, “Petrila.”
*
I told Aria about my conversation with Tagus at the first opportunity. At first she was sceptical because she thought the man looked a scoundrel but then she conceded that he was probably telling the truth. I was already convinced about that and considered Petrila my next destination after our work in Ephesus was completed. I did not like Tagus and, though I believed he had spoken the truth, I said very little to him on the journey to Ephesus. I did return to the captain to ask if he had, among his documents, a map of Dacia, but he only had maps of the coastline of the great sea. That further endorsed the credibility of Tagus’s story.
The journey to Ephesus was interminably long following our long delay at Syracuse and it became more and more obvious that we would arrive in Ephesus more than a month behind schedule. This was frustrating but it at least confirmed that reaching Dacia was out of the question, which allowed me to focus on Ephesus. I spent my time suffering regular bouts of sea sickness and when I was not sick Aria, who was bored most of the time, spent her time teasing and tormenting me. I suppose I should have been thankful that the journey after the storm near Sicily was uneventful. Tales of pirates around the Greek islands were a favourite topic with the crew but we were spared any such attacks. The Laodike had stopped at Apollonia for a few days to take off cargo and replace it with new cargo. This stop was longer than the captain intended; he had a dispute with the port masters and this further delayed us.
I reminded Tagus of our deal as we neared Ephesus and he still seemed more than happy to confirm the existence of Petrila at the Ephesus record archives. Each night during the journey I had got together with Aria for a chat either in her cabin or mine before we retired to our own cabins to sleep. The repartee continued with me usually coming off second best, but I had managed to refrain from throwing her overboard and the journey was almost complete. Mostly we indulged in idle gossip, not wishing to consider the dangerous task ahead of disposing of the Queen of the Nile. We were now calling each other brother and sister and that seemed a good stance to adopt when we arrived at Ephesus. On the final evening, as I left for Aria’s cabin, I knew that we would have to look at the problems that lay before us.