Season of the Gladiatrix

by David Adkins

  “Come, let us sit over there and talk,” she invited and indicated a bench set up against the wall of the barracks. We sat down and looked at each other.

  “You look terrible, Hylas,” she exclaimed.

  “You should have seen me three weeks ago. I looked like death,” I said, smiling.

  “You still do. What happened?”

  “It’s a long story, Aria. First tell me the news about Corelia and Marcus Gracchus. I have just arrived in Rome and I have been in the city only an hour.”

  “You could not wait to see me then,” she said, laughing.

  “I have missed your teasing so much.” I hugged her.

  “People will talk,” she said, but then looked serious. “It is good news for you I think about Marcus Gracchus but not good news about Corelia.”

  I was concerned. “Tell me about Corelia.”

  “I had a comfortable sea voyage back to Italy and arrived in Rome early last winter. I told Corelia about our adventures in Ephesus and how we had unsuccessfully attempted the assassination of Amina. When I described just how formidable Amina is then she wisely resolved not to meet her in the arena. There was no problem for many months, because Flavius Clemens had successfully negotiated with Stephanio that Amina would come to Rome in the spring for the contest that Domitian so badly desires to take place.”

  “Where is Corelia?” I asked.

  “She has been called to the palace. She is with Domitian,” she spat out the last four words in disgust.

  I shook my head. The thought of her with the Emperor was difficult to bear. “She is still his favourite concubine then?”

  “She is, but that does not stop him from wanting to put her in the arena with that monster.”

  “Where is that monster now?” I asked.

  “She is in Rome. She arrived in the spring just as planned but the battle did not go ahead. All summer Corelia feigned injuries and delayed the contest and worked on Domitian to cancel it. It was all to no avail and Domitian would not budge. Then Corelia had a dramatic change of heart and said that she would fight Amina after all at the next big games.”

  “When is that?” I asked.

  “It will be in a month’s time on the ides of September as part of the festival of Jupiter.”

  “Why did she have a change of heart, Aria?”

  “Domitian was getting impatient and the delaying tactics were getting out of hand. There were a few declaring that she was frightened of the Queen of the Nile and some derision started to follow. Corelia is a proud gladiatrix and such talk was getting to her. She then made the decision to fight Amina and the event is scheduled for the games in the Colosseo.”

  “It must not happen,” I declared.

  “I have tried hard to persuade her not to fight Amina but she is now determined,” said Aria sadly.

  “I will persuade her,” I said forcefully.

  “You will not find it easy. She has extracted conditions from Domitian for going ahead with the contest.”

  “What conditions?” I asked.

  “When she wins she will never have to fight in the arena again. She will receive a large mansion and estate at Tibur. She will receive a large annual pension for life.”

  “He agreed to all that?” I was astonished.

  “He did and the mansion at Tibur is vacant and waiting for her when she defeats Amina. It is the former residence of the wealthy senator, Statilius Corvinus.”

  “What if she does not win?”

  “She will have to make sure she does,” she replied. “I have very reluctantly agreed that the contest is inevitable and I am helping her.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I have seen Amina, remember. We are working on a strategy.”

  I laughed a hollow laugh. “She will need more than a strategy. Did we not both agree that Amina is invincible?”

  “It will not be easy but what can I do? I would fight her instead if I could.” I had never seen Aria looking so distressed.

  I put my arm around her. “Do not worry. I will dissuade her from this folly.”

  “I hope so, Hylas.”

  “Now tell me about Marcus Gracchus.”

  She took a deep breath. “There is better news for you on this issue. Paulinus has also been successfully adopting delaying tactics. He has managed to put off the continuation of the trial for the past few months. Then two weeks ago guess who turned up in Rome?”

  “Solanus Fuscus,” I offered.

  “He did, and you are just back in time for the trial starts again next week.” She looked a little forlorn.

  “What is it?” I asked.

  “Corelia did not take his return well, and that and having to go to Domitian has interrupted her training.”

  “Has she seen Solanus?”

  “I do not know, but Solanus is staying at the palace under the watchful eye and protection of Paulinus,” she informed me.

  “A wise move, Aria, and I should know.”

  “What do you mean by that?” she inquired.

  I then told her the story of my time in Philippopolis, Dacia, and Singidunum. She listened intently until I came to the part where I was poisoned by Glyca. She was on her feet and furious. “I knew you couldn’t manage without me. I should never have let you go alone.”

  I was amused. “You are supposed to be a little sister not a mother hen.”

  “I will kill that woman,” she promised.

  “I think I should have the pleasure of doing that,” I corrected her.

  “You will probably give her a tap on the wrist and let her go whereas I will cut out her heart, if she has one, and feed it to the crows,” she ranted.

  “I knew you would scold me for messing up again,” I laughed.

  “You enjoy it.”

  “I have missed you,” I said, smiling. I then told her how I had dealt with Decarian and how I had spoken to Kotys.

  “You mean Glyca is in Rome and intending to murder Solanus,” she said.

  “She is in Rome all right and that is her mission. That is why I must get to the palace and help in the protection of Solanus – I have given my word to Kotys that he will return to her. He must give his evidence and return to Singidunum.”

  “You protect Solanus and I will find this Glyca,” she said forcefully.

  I laughed. “How will you do that?”

  “She must go to the palace if she intends to assassinate Solanus. I will hang about outside the palace. You will be watching inside and I will be watching outside.”

  “We are a team again,” I said.

  She smiled. “I have missed my foot massages.”

  “I will make it up to you,” I assured her. “Be careful – Glyca is an assassin and extremely dangerous. Now I must go to the palace. If Paulinus hears that I am back in Rome and have not reported for duty I will be in even more trouble than I am already.”

  “When will I see you again?” she asked.

  “I can’t get you inside the palace but if you have a message or wish to see me tell the guard at the palace gate and he will call me. I will come back here as soon as I can.”

  “This Glyca must be dealt with ruthlessly, Hylas, or indeed any other assassins hired by Gracchus,” she warned me.

  “We must both be careful,” I reiterated.

  We walked towards the gate observed by the two guards. “Farewell, Aria, I will see you very soon,” I said.

  “Farewell, Hylas.”

  Chapter 18

  It was a short walk from the gladiatorial school to Domitian’s palace and I covered the ground quickly. It was great to have seen my dear friend, Aria, and now there was the possibility once again of gazing upon the exquisite beauty of Corelia. I felt the anticipation welling up inside me at such an enticing prospect. I arrived at the gate and saw two guards and old comrades, Cyprian and Felix, sitting on stools playing dice. “Are you two shirking your duties again?” I said, grinning.

  They both looked up instantly. “It’s a long time si
nce we last saw your ugly face,” retorted Cyprian.

  Felix mopped his brow. “For one terrible moment I thought it was Macro. He has forbidden the playing of dice while on duty at the gate.”

  “You are taking a chance,” I said. “Get this gate open quickly and I may not report you.”

  They grinned and swiftly opened the gate. “How was your holiday?” asked Cyprian.

  “It was not very successful,” I replied.

  “Then you could be in trouble as well,” said Felix.

  “Is the gladiatrix, Corelia, still in the palace?”

  “By Jupiter, he needs to report on his mission to Paulinus and Macro and all he can think about is that delicious gladiatrix,” gasped Felix.

  “I have seen him watching her,” joked Cyprian.

  “Just tell me if she is still in the palace,” I said firmly.

  “She is still in Domitian’s bed,” said Cyprian.

  “I have heard that she practises all her new moves on him,” laughed Felix.

  I sighed. “Will one of you two jokers tell her when she is leaving that Hylas is here and he would like to see her.”

  “So would I,” laughed Cyprian.

  I continued. “Tell her to wait because I wish to speak with her and then one of you come and find me. After I have seen Paulinus I will be in my quarters. This is urgent so do as I say. When you are relieved pass the instructions on to those replacing you.”

  “Is this really official business?” Felix looked bemused.

  “It is,” I assured him.

  He still looked dubious but agreed. “We will do as you say.”

  I just hoped that neither Paulinus nor Macro would find out I was making Corelia official business. If they did I would just have to think of a way to talk myself out of trouble. I strode across the palace grounds in the hot, late summer sunshine. I was not feeling quite so happy because the picture in my mind of Corelia and the Emperor was a painful one. I arrived at the Praetorian door, as it was known. It was a very different entrance from the ostentatious portal that members of the royal family used. I ascended a flight of stairs and walked along a short corridor until I stood before the door of the office of the Praetorian Prefect.

  *

  I gathered myself and knocked firmly on his door. The door opened immediately and a very large man stood staring at me. “Hylas,” he exclaimed. “We had just about given you up.” I was then thumped on the back by Macro’s huge hand. It was a friendly gesture; I had always got on well with Paulinus’s deputy.

  Paulinus sat at his large desk and stood up smiling. “Bring him in, Macro. I suspect that we have much to tell each other.” He gestured to a seat.

  I entered and we all sat down and Paulinus looked at me expectantly. “I have just arrived in Rome and I do have a story to tell,” I began.

  “You must be starving,” said Paulinus, interrupting me, and he pushed a tray of cheese and fruit in my direction. “Pour him some wine, Macro. Eat and drink, Hylas, and then tell us what befell you in the east.”

  “Thank you. I am hungry,” I replied. They waited patiently while I refreshed myself with a little food and drink and then I recounted my story. I told them everything except all that had happened pertaining to Aria and Amina.

  “I cannot imagine this woman, Glyca, or any other assassin that Gracchus cares to hire, poses any threat to Solanus now. He is our guest and he is well out of harm’s way in a safe place in the palace,” said Paulinus.

  “I have found out to my cost that it is best not to underestimate this particular enemy,” I offered with feeling.

  “Have you fully recovered from the effects of the poison?”

  “Just about,” I replied.

  “The trial begins in five days time, Hylas. I want you there. I will talk with Pedius to see if he wishes to call you as a witness. You could describe to the court the lengths that Gracchus went to in order to stop Solanus appearing as a witness. You will have no duties at the palace for the next five days. You know this woman, Glyca, so I want you to think where she might be. I would like to get my hands on her and persuade her to testify against Gracchus, because that would be a revelation for the court. I will leave that possibility in your hands.”

  “I will do my best.” I wanted to go after Glyca anyway.

  “I know you will, especially after what she has done to you. While you have been away I have delayed and delayed the continuation of the trial. It was just beginning to look impossible to delay it any further when Solanus turned up and offered his assistance. But after speaking to Kotys you will be aware that that was his intention. At the moment Solanus and Pedius are having deep discussions on how best to use his testimony and all the time I have guards watching them in case an enemy manages to get into the palace, even though that seems most unlikely. I suggest that you now have a proper meal, get some sleep, and try to put yourself in Glyca’s position. Tomorrow I want you to begin your search for her. Have you anything to add, Macro?”

  Macro considered for a moment. “If we capture this woman, give her to me and she will talk. It is quite likely that she is nearby. If her mission is to assassinate Solanus then she will be close to the palace looking for an opportunity. It is said that Nerva never loses a case and so even with Solanus we are not certain of victory. I could have the guard ready to carry out a few murders if the trial goes against us.”

  Paulinus sighed. “That is your answer to everything, Macro. We are trying to establish law and order in the city. However, you do have a point. If the trial is lost the guard will have to be vigilant because it would strengthen our enemies considerably. Hylas, before you go is there anything else?”

  I considered. “No, I will do as you say.”

  “Then you are dismissed.”

  I walked away, relieved. It was clear that they did not know about my adventures in Ephesus. Flavius Clemens had clearly said nothing and strangely I had Amina to thank for that.

  *

  I slept well that evening and did little thinking about my next task of finding Glyca. It seemed that Solanus was being safely looked after in the palace by our guard and that would make the task of Glyca or any other potential assassin just about impossible. I got up late as I had no guard duties to perform. I dressed and ate a hearty breakfast and decided on my next course of action. I would go back to the gladiatorial school and tell Aria of my conversation with Paulinus. We could then decide together on how we might go about the search for Glyca, because I knew she dearly wished to be involved.

  “Hylas, are you up yet?” A voice was calling at my door.

  I opened the door. “What is it, Cyprian?”

  “Corelia, Caesar’s concubine, is just leaving after her night of copulation with the Emperor. I told her that you wished to speak with her. She is waiting for you at the gate.” He grinned but I am not sure he knew what he was grinning about.

  “I was just leaving – I will go and speak with her first.”

  “Do you mind if I ask why you wish to speak with her?” he asked.

  “I do mind,” I retorted.

  He shook his head. “We have been friends for a while now. We have all smuggled women into the palace from time to time but there are women for harmless fun and women that we should not get involved with. Corelia is very much in the latter category. I will give you a word of advice because I worry that you are playing a dangerous game. The Emperor, it is said, is prone to fits of jealousy. You would not wish to be the butt of his rage.”

  “I’m sorry for being sharp but you are mistaken – it’s not like that,” I replied, avoiding the truth.

  We strode across the courtyard and I could see her standing by the gate waiting for me. She was even more beautiful than I remembered. My legs almost turned to jelly and my throat went dry. For a moment I hesitated; I remembered that since the poisoning I did not look my best. What would she think of me in my present bedraggled state?

  “Greetings, Hylas,” she said smiling, and I was instantly infat
uated once again.

  “Greetings Corelia,” I gasped in wonder.

  “These excellent guards inform me that you wish to speak with me.” She turned her radiant smile on them.

  I took her arm and moved her away from the two guards so they would not overhear. “We need to speak urgently. Can you come to my room where we might have some privacy?”

  “I do not think that is a good idea. Word might get around that I visited your room and Domitian has spies. It is too dangerous. I will leave here and make my way down to the bank of the Tiber where we last met. Wait for ten minutes and then follow me.”

  “You are right. When I set eyes on you my brain becomes scrambled.”

  She laughed. “You still worship me then, Hylas.”

  “I will always worship you,” I replied.

  “I will see you in ten minutes.” She strode back to the gate and left the palace.

  *

  I waited impatiently and left the palace ten minutes after the gladiatrix had departed. Both guards looked at me with knowing expressions and I started to worry. How long could my relationship with Corelia remain a secret? Did I even have a relationship with Corelia? Nothing had really happened between us. That probably would not even matter if Domitian found out that I was pursuing his concubine. I was sure that Paulinus or Macro would not be able to save me even if they wanted to.

  Corelia was sitting on the grass bank on the same spot where I had last spoken in depth with her nearly a year before. I sat down next to her. “You are so beautiful,” I muttered, and ran my fingers through her long blonde hair. I was besotted.

  “Hylas, you must be more careful,” she scolded. “I flirt with the guards all the time and Domitian knows that, but if he ever got the idea that with one guard it was more than just flirting then your life would be in great jeopardy.”

  “You do care about me then.” I smiled.

  “Of course I care about you. You just need to be more careful. You invited me to your room in almost hearing distance of the guards at the gate and that was simply too reckless.”

  “I realize that, but from the moment I saw you again I was not thinking straight,” I explained.