Season of the Gladiatrix

by David Adkins

  “What if I will not give my word?”

  “That would be very foolish, Hylas. You would not want him to hand you over to Hector and Phibus, would you?”

  “You are bluffing,” I said. “You have already told me that he wishes me no harm.”

  “That is so but his debt is paid. He has saved you from Decarian. He and I hope you will be sensible and then you can return to your life in Rome unharmed.”

  I sighed. “So I must fester here for six weeks.”

  “It is just six weeks of your entire life. Do not forget that either Hector or Phibus or both will be watching you all the time and the prison is secure. I will be watching them to make sure they earn their money. Make yourself comfortable and the time will pass. Now I will leave you to eat your breakfast. We shall talk from time to time.” Glyca strode out of the cell and left me with my two guardians.

  *

  The weeks passed very slowly and it was obvious almost from the beginning that there was no chance of escape from my incarceration. My mind was active trying to think of a means of escape but Hector and Phibus, under the supervision of Glyca, were far too careful to give me any opportunity or even hope. The prison was too strong and when I was not being watched I was bound. I was fed well and allowed a little exercise, watched over by my two vigilant guards. It seemed that I was a complete failure. I had failed to save Corelia by murdering Amina and now I had failed Paulinus by not getting to Solanus first. It was likely that the only witness who could help with the conviction of Gracchus would soon be dead. Glyca only came to speak with me a few times over these weeks to check that I was in good health. I eventually knew it must be near to six weeks since my confinement began, so when Glyca visited me again I thought it might be to tell me that Sotan had returned.

  “It is now nearly seven weeks since Sotan left and I have heard nothing,” she told me, looking concerned.

  “I thought it must be but your guards do not keep me informed,” I replied. “What are you going to do?”

  “Nothing,” she replied. “Sotan said specifically not to let you go until he returns. He must have been delayed so we shall continue to wait.”

  “What if he never returns?” I asked.

  “He will,” she replied, and left.

  She did not come back for another two weeks and when she did she was looking even more worried. “Are you still so sure that he will return?” I asked.

  “I am still sure,” she replied, but the expression on her face told a different story.

  “How much longer are you prepared to wait?” I asked. She did not answer but just walked out.

  She returned the next day. “In answer to your question – another two weeks until the end of May.”

  “Then what will you do?” I inquired.

  “I do not know. I will think about it,” she replied, and departed once again leaving me with my thoughts. Something had obviously gone wrong for Decarian and Sotan and I had no idea what that might be, but it gave me fresh hope that my mission was still viable.

  Two weeks later she returned. “I have decided what to do,” she informed me. “I cannot stay idle any longer. The four of us will ride to Petrila and find out what has happened to Sotan and Decarian. You will remain our prisoner, although now I care only for finding my husband. We will decide what is to be done with you when we reach Petrila and find Sotan.”

  “Perhaps Decarian decided that Sotan was expendable as well,” I suggested.

  Her eyes blazed with fury at my suggestion. “That is most unlikely, but if it were so I would release you to go after Decarian.”

  “Do you know the way over the mountains?” I asked.

  “No, I do not, but Phibus here knows the way and the journey should be a comfortable one at this time of year.” Phibus nodded confirmation.

  “We will need supplies and spare horses,” I suggested.

  “Hector is trying to get those as we speak,” she replied.

  “I have a spare horse and all my goods still at the inn,” I said.

  “It is too risky to go back into the city,” she said. “You may try to escape.”

  “I give you my word that I will not try to escape in Philippopolis. I will do my best to help you find Sotan,” I promised her.

  “Very well then. Horses are expensive, and you can collect your possessions – but no tricks, Hylas.”

  Hector soon returned leading only two spare horses. He looked apologetic. “I was only able to get two horses but I have ample supplies.” He stared at me standing outside my prison for the first time in over two months.

  “Hylas will not try to escape,” Glyca assured him. “He has a spare horse at the inn which we will collect on the way. That will give us seven horses which should be ample for the journey.”

  We left without delay and rode swiftly into town and arrived at my inn. The innkeeper was very surprised to see me. “We had almost given up on you ever returning,” he commented.

  “I was detained,” I told him. “I have come for my goods and my horse and to pay you what I owe you.”

  “Your goods are over there in the corner cupboard and your horse is still out back. You have run up a bill.”

  I collected my belongings and checked that nothing was missing. Everything was there including my money. This was indeed a reputable inn. I paid my bill, collected my horse, and rejoined my three captors who were waiting for me outside the front of the Governor’s Inn.

  “Hylas, stop, Hylas,” a voice was yelling at me. I turned around and saw the governor’s steward, Caligurris, hurrying towards me. I looked across the road and saw a group of soldiers outside the governor’s mansion, some of them on horseback.

  Glyca followed my glance. “What does he want?” she asked through gritted teeth while Hector and Phibus looked most uneasy.

  “I have no idea, but we must be careful,” I replied.

  “Nothing to worry about, citizen, but Governor Pancratius would like to speak with you before you leave.” I realized that the innkeeper must have got word to him while I was collecting my horse and my belongings.

  “Will it take long?” I asked.

  “No, he just wants to ask you a few questions and he will not detain you for long.”

  “I had better see what he wants,” I said to Glyca. I felt I had no choice because it was possible that Calagurris could call on the soldiers for help if he wanted to enforce his request.

  She nodded her agreement. “We will wait for you.”

  Chapter 14

  I followed Calagurris through the gate and into the mansion. I noticed the military barracks off to the side and the number of soldiers on duty and I hoped there was nothing sinister about this meeting with the governor. At first glance this was just a fine residence but I realized now that it was also a military stronghold. To my relief we were not escorted by any of the military and it seemed it was just as the steward had informed me – the governor simply wanted a few words with me. What those words might be I could not imagine.

  Calagurris showed me into a large, plush hallway and indicated that I take a seat. “He will see you shortly,” he said, and hurried away leaving me on my own except for the two guards at the entrance. It was certainly an impressive vestibule with many rooms leading off it and with a wide staircase facing me. Nearly an hour later I was still waiting and getting very impatient.

  Calagurris re-entered the hall from one of the doors. “If he does not see me soon I will have to leave,” I informed him.

  “I am sorry for the delay. He will see you in a few minutes.”

  “Would you please tell my friends who are waiting for me outside that I have been delayed and I have not yet seen the governor,” I requested.

  “I will,” he said, and scurried outside past the two guards.

  A few minutes later and another door opened. “Come in. I am sorry to keep you waiting,” said a portly middle-aged man dressed in a smart purple toga. I sensed that he was not sorry at all but merely asserting his
authority. I entered a luxurious room that would not have been out of place in Domitian’s palace in Rome. “Sit,” he said, indicating a chair.

  I sat down. “How can I help you?” I inquired.

  “You are a Praetorian in Paulinus’s Guard in Rome, are you not, and, according to my steward, from your badge a senior one?”

  “I am,” I replied warily, wondering where this was going.

  “You are young for that office,” he stated.

  “I am older than I look and I have worked hard.”

  He stroked his chin. “I would like to know how much influence Paulinus has with the Emperor.”

  “He has considerable influence with the Emperor.”

  “I feared you might say that. Do you know an insufferable ruffian called Solanus Fuscus?”

  He had now fully seized my attention but I tried not to show it. “I do,” I replied.

  “He was my guest here for about a month.” He spat out the word guest with venom. “We had our disagreements and he threatened me and I threatened him. You need not know the details. One of the warnings he threw at me was that he would report my behaviour to Paulinus and hence to the Emperor. He even suggested that I would be removed from office. The man was intolerable and had no respect for my rank. I am seeking to know from you if these are empty threats or if he really does have influence with Paulinus.”

  “He is certainly a colleague of Paulinus and from what I know of Solanus Fuscus he does not make empty threats,” I replied.

  He clasped his hands in irritation. “It seems I will have to take steps to ingratiate myself with Domitian.”

  “I think it would depend on the extent of your disagreement,” I offered.

  “The man bears me a grudge.” He sighed.

  “You say he was your guest for about a month. When was that?” I asked.

  “It was recently. In fact he left only a few weeks ago.”

  I was staggered. “You mean that he was here this spring?”

  “Yes – why does that seem to surprise you?”

  “I thought he was in Rome. Where was he bound after Philippopolis?” I replied, trying to appear casual.

  “He was taking his prisoner to Sarmizegatusa.”

  “Which prisoner was that?”

  “He was taking the legate Priscus back to Tettius Iulianus, the Roman General in Dacia, to face charges.”

  “Surely there was not just the two of them?” I asked.

  “No, he was travelling with his comrades. A merchant called Nysa, one of Tettius’s lieutenants called Milo, his Dacian whore, Kotys, and two barbarian Dacian warriors.” He said the words “Dacian warriors” with utmost distaste.

  “That is an odd bunch to be travelling together,” I observed.

  “Indeed it is, but it meant that poor Priscus had little chance of escape. You seem very interested in the matter.” He sounded suspicious.

  “I met Solanus at Domitian’s palace and as he is a colleague of my superior I am naturally interested.”

  “Where have you been?” he asked.

  “What do you mean?”

  “While Solanus was here and knowing that a Praetorian Guard was staying at the inn opposite I sent Calagurris to fetch you so I could ask you these questions. They were more pertinent then but it seemed you had disappeared.”

  “I was staying with friends outside the city.”

  “You have been of some help.” With a wave of his hand he arrogantly dismissed me. I closed the door behind me and stepped back into the hallway. I sat down on the seat in the hall in order to gather my thoughts before I rejoined the others. It seemed that throughout much of the latter part of April and early May Solanus had been staying at the governor’s mansion while I had been languishing in my prison. Sotan and Decarian must also have been completely unaware of the fact in their home three miles outside the town. They were certainly not expecting Solanus to have been in Philippopolis. This was staggering news and explained why Sotan had not returned. They had simply been unable to find Solanus; he was not in Petrila and they were probably still searching for him. I resolved not to tell Glyca of my findings. The extra knowledge I now possessed might prove to be an advantage in the uncertain times ahead.

  I emerged from the palace and greeted Glyca and her two cronies. “I am sorry about the delay but the governor kept me waiting for ages.”

  “So we heard from his steward. What did he want?” she asked.

  “He knew that I worked for the Praetorian Prefect, Paulinus, and wanted to know the extent of his influence in Rome. I think he is working on who he should cultivate on his return to Rome at the end of his governorship,” I said as I mounted my horse.

  “From what I have heard that sounds like him. Let us get going for we have been delayed long enough.” Glyca spurred her mount forward and the three of us followed her example. We rode out of the city of Philippopolis destined for Dacia and the small settlement of Petrila. However, I wondered if my destination should really be Sarmizegatusa.

  *

  It was the beginning of summer as we left for Petrila and rode towards the now beckoning mountains of the Southern Carpates. The thick, white covering of snow that had enveloped the mountains for so long had disappeared completely and the landscape seemed revitalised. The temperature was pleasant and the mountain slopes were covered in a colourful blanket of wild flowers. Unfortunately, though, it was far later in the year than I had originally anticipated making this journey. I wondered if Aria had arrived safely back in Rome and if Amina was already in Rome. I worried that Corelia would have to face the formidable Egyptian in the Colosseo. I also wondered if Paulinus had been able to postpone the trial of Marcus Gracchus and the other senatorial conspirators. All I could do now was to find Solanus as quickly as possible and then get back to Rome myself.

  The low pass through the mountains was clear of any obstacles and so our progress was swift and sure. Glyca was a concerned wife desperately trying to find her husband but nevertheless she still seemed in control of the situation. She was not quite the pleasant hostess I had first met at the home of Sotan. The two large ruffians, for that was how I viewed Hector and Phibus, seemed surprisingly committed to Glyca’s wishes. I got the feeling that if she ordered them to murder me then they would do so without a moment’s hesitation. I could only assume that they were being very well paid for their services. However, for the moment the three of them were unlikely allies against whatever dangers we may meet in this mountain environment.

  We had left the mountain pass behind us and we were drawing closer to Petrila when we saw a large group of men travelling towards us. I counted about twenty in the group and began to feel a little nervous. I could see that my three companions were also concerned by the approaching encounter. “You had best let me do the talking,” I suggested.

  Glyca nodded assent though seemed somewhat reluctant. “I think that would probably be best,” she agreed.

  As the group drew nearer I could see that they were dressed in long robes and had the appearance of a group of traders. They certainly did not look hostile and I felt slightly more at ease. A small man with a long beard and an eastern appearance detached himself from the group and rode slightly ahead, greeting us with his hand in the air as a gesture of peace. “I am Philo, a merchant, and these are all fellow merchants. We are travelling together for there is greater safety in numbers in these troubled times.”

  “I am Hylas and these are my companions. We are bound for Petrila. Where are you bound?”

  “We are initially bound for the relative safe haven of Philippopolis. I would advise that you should turn around and join us for it is not safe to travel to Petrila.”

  “Why is that?” I asked.

  “We were in Sarmizegatusa negotiating trade deals with the new Roman administration when Tettius Iulianus received orders to vacate Sarmizegatusa with his legions and travel to Germania. He left only a small Roman garrison behind.”

  “If Tettius has left then who is now in c
harge?” I asked.

  “Decabulus is acting as client king for Rome but only a fool would believe he is happy with that. Most of the merchants and Roman workers left with Tettius for the safety of Singidunum. He will stop at Singidunum on his way to Germania. We wanted to head in the opposite direction so we are bound for Philippopolis.”

  “You think then that Decabulus will move against the Roman garrison?”

  “Decabulus is a Dacian warlord who hates the Romans. After his defeat by Tettius this is a gift sent from the gods. Yes, I think he will move against the Roman garrison and when he has disposed of them then no Roman, or friend of Rome, in the whole of Dacia will be safe. That is why we are seeking refuge in Philippopolis. Petrila will certainly not be safe so you had better join us, my friends.”

  Glyca whispered in my ear. “We will continue on to Petrila.”

  “I appreciate your warning and your kindness, Philo, but we have urgent business in Petrila and so we will continue our journey.”

  Philo shrugged. “You have been warned. There could be mass destruction and mass killing ahead as Decabulus takes his revenge.” He waved to his group to move on and they headed down the road towards the Thracian capital. We in turn rode towards the border town of Petrila. “This journey has suddenly become far more dangerous,” I said to Glyca.

  “Maybe so but we must continue. It is imperative that we find Sotan and Decarian,” she emphasized.

  I noticed that Hector and Phibus were deep in conversation and Glyca was eyeing them suspiciously. Hector approached us. “We are going to join the merchants and return to Philippopolis,” he announced.

  “You are coming with us,” stated Glyca firmly.

  “It is not safe, madam, Decabulus will kill us all without mercy if his hordes go on the rampage. They will be seeking awful revenge for the defeat that was inflicted on them.”

  “You work for Decarian and Sotan and they pay you well,” she reminded them.

  “Not that well,” was the response.

  Glyca was furious. I touched her arm. “Let them go.”

  “Take three horses and enough supplies for the return journey,” I suggested to them.