Season of the Gladiatrix

by David Adkins

  I felt nervous as I walked forward. Bradua indicated a chair for me to sit on. “Remember, Hylas, to answer truthfully, for the gods and our ancestors watch you and will judge your words.”

  I sat and Pedius stood up. “You are Hylas, a senior guard at the palace of the Emperor?”

  “I am,” I answered.

  “Tell the judices of the events which occurred at the mansion of Marcus Gracchus on the night of the conspiracy.”

  “Paulinus led a troop of the guard to the villa of Gracchus on that night. It was dusk when we arrived but the moonlight was strong. We paused outside the mansion briefly and then we saw a man running from the villa. The man was Solanus Fuscus and he was pursued by another man, Antonius Sabinus. Solanus stopped and turned on his pursuer and they began to fight with swords and then fists. Paulinus and Macro ordered them to stop and took a battered Sabinus prisoner. Paulinus said that the presence of Sabinus in Italy was illegal and that he was proof of the conspiracy that was being plotted in the villa of Gracchus. When Paulinus stated that the conspiracy ended there Solanus acknowledged his words to be true. Solanus then mounted his horse and rode into the night. We cleared up at the villa and took our four prisoners back to Rome.”

  “Did you have any doubt that the senators before us and Sabinus were plotting against our most august Emperor?” asked Pedius.

  “I have no doubt whatsoever,” I replied.

  “These men were plotting to assassinate the Emperor and if necessary use the legions of Cerealis to take our beloved city,” continued Pedius.

  “I am certain of that,” I replied.

  “Thank you, Hylas,” said Pedius and he turned to Nerva. “You may go over the events at the villa with him but I have another subject that I will want to discuss with him afterwards.”

  Nerva stood. “As you wish, Pedius, but I will probably also wish to discuss this further subject with him and I may wish to question the three senators, though I do wish to spare them that indignity.” Pedius nodded assent.

  Nerva then approached me. “You told Pedius that you are a senior guard at the palace.”

  “I did,” I replied.

  “You are young for a senior guard. How old are you?”

  “I am twenty-three.”

  “That is young. How long have you been in the Praetorian Guard?”

  “About five years,” I replied.

  “Who has been your superior for those five years, Hylas?”

  “Paulinus,” I replied.

  “You have obviously served him well. How recent is your promotion?”

  “Very recent.”

  He smiled. “A reward for loyal service and obedience,” he observed. “Are you loyal to Paulinus?”

  “I am,” I answered nervously.

  Nerva looked around at judges, senators and people. “I would say very, very loyal. Of course a promotion helps as well.”

  I felt angry at the implications. “I only state—”

  He interrupted me. “Now, Hylas, we shall go over the events at the villa. You say that you and the troop of guards led by Paulinus arrived at the villa of Marcus Gracchus in Surrentum just as a fight ensued between Solanus Fuscus and Antonius Sabinus. Is that so?”

  “It is,” I replied.

  “Why did you happen to arrive at that particular time?”

  I hesitated. “We were following Solanus.”

  “Did Solanus know that you were following him?”

  I was worried about the questions but answered truthfully. “I believe that he may have known that we were following him.”

  “So it seems that Paulinus was in league with Solanus. Perhaps they were also in league in concocting this ridiculous plot story.”

  “I do not believe they were in league,” I stated.

  “I do, Hylas. Did Solanus mention the plot when he emerged from the villa and before Paulinus conveniently let him go?”

  I knew that he had not. “No, but it was assumed,” I offered.

  “It was assumed.” Nerva lifted his hands to the heavens in a gesture of frustration. “It was assumed.” Nerva turned to Pedius. “You may continue with the mysterious line of questioning you wish to pursue.”

  Pedius looked shaken as he stood. “Hylas, I believe that Paulinus sent you on a mission to find Solanus and bring him back to give evidence at this trial. Your quest was not successful as Solanus returned to Rome of his own accord, but some incidents did occur that will be of interest to the judices. Please tell us the story of your search for Solanus.”

  I relayed the events that took place in Byzantium, Petrila, Singidunum, and finally Rome. I told them everything pertaining to Sotan, Decarian, and most all Glyca. I told them how these three people were agents of Marcus Gracchus hired to assassinate Solanus so that he would be unable to give evidence at the trial.

  When I had finished Pedius thanked me for my lucidity and turned to the court. “Thus we see just how far Marcus Gracchus will go to escape justice. Is there no end to the scheming, the treachery, and the murders that this man is willing to perpetrate in his sordid bid for power? He stands condemned by his own actions.”

  Pedius sat down and Nerva stood and asked, “Have you proof of what you say, Hylas?”

  I looked at Nerva’s stern face. “What do you mean?”

  “You have told us quite a story. Have you proof that what you say is true? Could it be that it is a story fabricated by you and the Praetorian Prefect to stain the good name of the falsely accused and noble senator, Marcus Gracchus. We have already ascertained how loyal you are to Paulinus.”

  “It is true,” I said indignantly.

  “But where is the proof? Where is this Glyca?”

  “Gracchus has made sure that she is not here.”

  “Your loyalty is misplaced and I am getting tired of your lies, Hylas.”

  Pedius protested loudly. “This is evidence, not lies.”

  Nerva sneered. “Everyone here can see that he is lying. I repeat, Hylas, where is the proof that your words are true?”

  I was dumbfounded. What proof could I offer? “Solanus will back up my words,” I offered lamely. It was all I could think of to say.

  Nerva smiled. “We shall see, Hylas. We shall see.”

  Bradua then called for a short break prior to the questioning of Solanus Fuscus and I returned to my seat next to Paulinus with some relief that the ordeal was over.

  *

  I looked at Solanus but his face was difficult to read. “Give my words as much support as you can,” I said to him.

  He nodded as if he were far away. Pedius reassured me. “Solanus will support what you have said.”

  Paulinus was bristling with the accusations that had been heaped upon him. “You would think it was me on trial.”

  “And me,” I said with feeling.

  It was indeed a short break for Bradua was already calling for the continuation of the trial. Solanus walked towards the chair that I had previously occupied and sat down. Once again the gods and our ancestors were called upon to give the trial legality and to witness that justice was fairly administered. Pedius then spoke. “Are you Solanus Fuscus, the adopted son of the deceased senator Quintus Fuscus, who was plotting treason with the three accused senators?”

  “I am his adopted son,” he replied.

  Pedius continued. “We have heard much about the meeting at the villa of Marcus Gracchus in Surrentum and the plot that was hatched there against the Emperor, but now I want you to tell us what happened and what was said when you arrived there that fateful evening.”

  “Also why you went there and if you knew you were being followed by the Praetorian Guard,” interjected Bradua.

  Solanus nodded and began. “I went to the villa to sort out the differences between my father and me and, if he was guilty of what I suspected, to take my revenge.”

  “What did you suspect?” inquired Pedius.

  “I suspected that he was responsible for the attempt on the life of my lover, Kotys.” He
looked at Bradua. “I also suspected that I was being followed by Paulinus and his guards.”

  “That was when you discovered the conspiracy,” encouraged Pedius.

  “I found my father with three notable senators.” He looked at the accused men. “What surprised me was that there was a fourth member in his little soiree. My father told me that he was Antonius Sabinus, an Asian legate. It was then that I believed something unusual was happening in the villa. I suggested to my father that he was hatching a plot with these four against the Emperor. My father smiled and confirmed it. However, any possible plot was not the reason I was there.”

  “More than just a possible plot,” suggested Pedius.

  Solanus shrugged. “I was there to find out if the vendetta between us had resulted in him arranging for Kotys to be murdered. I should add at this point that I was accompanied by a slave of Marcus Gracchus. The slave, Antistius, had met the sister of Kotys at the house of Marcus where she was also a slave and where they had become lovers. Her name was Bendis and Antistius came with me because he was concerned about her welfare since she was snatched from the household of Marcus late at night.”

  “Are we not straying a little from the point?” asked Pedius.

  “I do not think so. In the heat of the moment my father admitted that he was responsible for the death of Bendis and the attempted murder of Kotys. I had not realized that Antistius had a dagger concealed within his cloak. In a rage he stabbed my father and killed him. I knew I was likely to get the blame for the murder so I fled the villa pursued by Antonius Sabinus. That is when the troops of the Praetorian Prefect arrived.”

  “What about the plot?” demanded a frustrated Pedius.

  “As I said I suspected a plot. It seemed likely with the presence of Antonius Sabinus.”

  “You said that your father admitted to a plot. Did he not say anything else?”

  Solanus pondered over the question. “I do not remember him saying anything else.”

  Pedius was exasperated and lost for words and simply stared at Solanus. Paulinus nudged me, looking angry. “What is Solanus playing at? He is not forthcoming enough. He is supposed to be giving details of the conspiracy.” All I could do was remember the visit of Corelia and Glyca to the palace. A visit I had told no one about.

  Nerva was on his feet. “I think my esteemed colleague has finished with the witness so now it is my turn.”

  “I think you are right,” confirmed Bradua.

  Nerva turned to Solanus. “You and Antistius arrived at the villa and found your father keeping company with three senators and a legate from Asia. You found this odd. Is that right?”

  “I did find it odd. I have served in the army myself and I knew that Sabinus should not be in Italy.”

  “Are the Fuscus family and the Sabinus family old friends?”

  “My father was a friend of his father,” stated Solanus.

  “I think maybe not so odd then. It seems we have three fellow senators and an old friend of the family, who had suffered a recent bereavement, relaxing in a convivial atmosphere away from the stresses of Rome. You say your father admitted to a plot?”

  “He did,” confirmed Solanus.

  “When you suggested it looked suspiciously like a plot were you joking?”

  “I was neither joking nor serious. I did not know for sure what to believe. It was also not the reason I had come. I had one priority and that was Kotys.”

  “Is it possible your father thought you were joking?”

  “I could not say but I suppose it is possible.”

  “So he might in turn have continued the joke. What proof was there of a conspiracy?”

  “I suppose there was none except for my father’s words and the presence of Antonius Sabinus.”

  “Yet again we have no proof,” said Nerva, sighing. “Not even from their star witness. We have some hearsay here and a joke there but what we do not have is proof. There has never been proof, just an accusation by an extremely ambitious man.” He stared at Paulinus. “There is a man who will stop at nothing to further his ambitions and a man who will remove any obstacle in his path even if it is an eminent senator.”

  Paulinus was on his feet in anger with his hand on the hilt of his sword. I had never seen Paulinus in such a rage. “Solanus has somehow been got at by the agents of Marcus Gracchus. It seems money can buy anything in this world.”

  Solanus answered simply. “Money could not buy me.”

  “It is not money that has saved Marcus Gracchus and the other senators this day, it is truth.” Nerva threw these words contemptuously at Paulinus. “Now look, for our Praetorian Prefect has his hand on his sword in a court of law.”

  “I did not draw it,” said Paulinus, and sat down.

  Bradua intervened. “If both sides are agreeable then it is time for the judices to cast their votes. There is no further need for the senators to give evidence. They have already stated that they were simply attending a social gathering.” There were no protests because Nerva was satisfied and Pedius was broken. “I will now call on my colleague Volussius Saturninus to collect the votes when the judices indicate that they are cast.”

  Solanus stood up. “I have given my evidence and there is nothing further to keep me at this trial.” He looked at Marcus Gracchus with what almost seemed a warning. “I will leave.”

  Everyone gaped at his audacity, to leave even before the verdict was given, but no one moved to stop him. I watched for several minutes until the tall figure of Solanus Fuscus disappeared into the Roman crowd. “How did they get to him?” said Paulinus. “Our guards were with him all the time.”

  “He does not seem the sort of person that anyone could get to,” I offered.

  “I know, and that is what makes it all the more surprising. Did you see the look he gave Gracchus? It was a look of pure hatred and yet he did not testify against him. There is more to this than meets the eye.”

  I was sure there was but I did not agree. “Perhaps he was bribed,” I suggested.

  “I know Solanus better than you and I do not believe he is the sort of man to accept a bribe from the likes of Gracchus. He said that money could not buy him and I believe him.”

  Bradua was talking. “It seems that the judices have reached a verdict. The votes have been counted by my colleague and the majority will prevail.” He paused while he spoke quietly to Volussius. He then turned to the accused senators and said, “Marcus Gracchus, Canius Rebilus, and Tovanus Polla will you please stand?” The three senators obeyed. “My colleague will announce the verdict.”

  Volussius cleared his throat. “All three senators have been found not guilty of conspiring against the Emperor and the state. The votes were fifteen for not guilty and four for guilty.”

  Paulinus put his head in his hands while the three senators were jumping in triumph. The court was in uproar as was the forum. Many were delighted and many were saddened and some, including the Emperor, just seemed indifferent, but the noise was deafening.

  Bradua was holding his arm up for silence. “The court having reached its verdict is now dismissed,” he announced.

  We did not move. Paulinus was shaking his head and Pedius simply looked stunned. We were then approached by a victorious Marcus Gracchus. He bent over and spoke softly to Paulinus but I heard his words. “See what I have achieved while I have been under virtual house arrest so think what more I can achieve now I am a free man.”

  “Is that a threat?” asked Paulinus.

  “I will remember you three and what you tried to do.”

  “You have achieved a victory but there are more battles to come,” said Paulinus defiantly.

  Gracchus smiled. “I must leave you now. I have a victory to celebrate.”

  Most of the senators and people had dispersed by the time we despondently got up from our seats and made our way out of the court.

  Chapter 22

  As we left the forum to make our way back to the palace we were joined by Macro and the rest of
the Praetorian Guard fresh from their duty at the trial. “What the hell was Solanus playing at?” he bellowed.

  “I do not know,” replied a downcast Paulinus.

  “All the trouble we went to just to get him here and then protect him and he does that. I thought he was going to tell the court about a definite conspiracy.”

  “As did I,” answered Paulinus. “We must be extra vigilant now.”

  These words of Paulinus filled me with foreboding. We were then joined by the senator Valerius Massala. “May I walk with you?” he asked.

  “Of course you may,” replied Paulinus.

  “This is the beginning of even more dangerous times but there is safety in numbers. There is a mob of Gracchus supporters around and I would not wish to fall foul of them.” observed Valerius.

  “Surely you don’t think that they would dare to attack you,” replied Paulinus.

  “I do not wish to find out. My followers are not as well armed nor as formidable as your guards so I will walk with you as far as the palace. It is then not far to my villa. Gracchus is well aware that I was one of the judices that voted the senators guilty and that the others who did so were led by me.”

  Paulinus nodded. “This is a bad day for Rome.”

  “I fear reprisal, as you must. For me it is perhaps time to take a low profile and regroup. Solanus obviously did not give the evidence you were hoping for. What do you think went wrong?” asked Valerius.

  “Somehow Gracchus got to Solanus. Perhaps it was a bribe.” The words of Paulinus were laced with bitterness.

  “My companion here Fruji knows Solanus well and says that a bribe was not possible.” Valerius gestured to the man walking alongside him.

  “Solanus would not have taken a bribe – there must have been more to it than that,” stated Fruji.