The Snake Catcher

by Bilinmeyen

  “You will make an oath to me,” she explained. “You will obey me, help me, and you shall find a position so high it is impossible to fall from it.”

  No one is that high, unless a god, I thought. Instead, I nodded. “I swear to obey you, Julia.”

  “So,” she said. “I accept. Undress him, Cilia.”

  I froze. Cilia, the slave, came to stand behind me.

  Julia nodded at me. “Serve me now, Hraban, as I enjoy.”

  Cilia opened up my brooch, and took away my toga. She draped it over a chair, and began to open the armor’s clasps. She tugged expertly at the flaps on the shoulders, opened up hooks as she moved around me. Her eyes shone as she opened the belt, and the cingulum rattled to the floor. She removed my sword belt, making me feel truly naked.

  I fought hard to keep clam.

  Julia’s eyes were measuring me, and I tried to endure the test. I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do, likely nothing. Cilia’s hands were deft, and she sat me down to tug at the chain mail. I aided her, as she struggled with it. I sat there, across from Julia, as Cilia worked. She looked at Julia, who nodded, and she bent to remove my greaves. She did it deftly, the metal clanking on the floor, and she opened my caligae. She kneeled there before me, and blushed. “I need to …” she began, and snuggled between my legs, tugging at my tunic, which she lifted away, and then yanked off the pants. She stayed there, amidst my discarded equipment, her pretty eyes on mine. I was on my loincloth, and she leaned close to me. Her lips brushed my chest, and then she reached out to kiss my chin, and my neck.

  I looked at Julia, who looked feverish. Cilia was to do more than to undress me.

  And Julia wanted to see it.

  Cassia, forgive me, I thought.

  I kissed Cilia back. Her lips were hot, and she was panting as I kissed her cheek, her ear, which I sucked gently, because Cassia loved it. Cilia enjoyed it well enough, as she ran her fingers across my chest. She removed her tunic, and her ample breasts pressed into my belly as she kissed me hotly, her tongue playing with mine. Her hands went to my thigh, my belly, and then, over my loincloth.

  Woden forgive me, but I was ready.

  Julia’s scrutiny was unholy, and yet, strangely exciting. I felt lightheaded, and wondered if the wine had been drugged. If it had been, it was not poison, but something subtler. Cilia’s hands rubbed my manhood, and her fingers moved the loincloth aside until my balls came out. She grabbed them, hard, then gently, and soon, the cloth couldn’t contain my erection. She tugged it out, as she held on to it as if her life depended on it. I grasped her, gasping as she moved her hands up and down, her other hand exploring. I kissed her pink nipples, barely able to sit still. She bent and licked my inner thighs, then my balls, gently, mercilessly, and finally, she took my penis into her mouth. I was thrust into a world of pleasure.

  I saw Julia moving, standing, then walking across the window. I remember Cilia sucking on my cock for long, pleasurable minutes. She licked the end, then sucked and licked again, and then I lifted her up. I carried her to the bed, and dropped her on it. She retreated, her hair a halo of red, and spread herself to me. I, forgetting everything else, drugged, like an animal, thrust my face between her legs, licking and pushing my tongue into her, and she grasped the sheets so hard they ripped. In the end, she clawed me up, dragged me to her, and I entered her with force.

  I took her, and she teased me, murmuring her wishes. She exploded with violent orgasm, then another, and pulled me back as I tried to exit.

  And then, there was Julia.

  She was there, in the bed, caressing me. Her hair was hanging around her shoulders, her lips were moist, and her body milk white, as she leaned to kiss me. I thrust inside Cilia, kissed Julia, who took my hand, and placed it around her waist. She kissed me long, hotly, lovingly, and I caressed her back, then her round, small ass. I pulled her closer. I was kissing her neck, while my fingers entered her warmth. Her small tits pressed on me, my hands worked, my hips moved inside Cilia, and I have never quite imagined such a mad night. Cassia was there, in the back of my mind, and I could only tell myself it was the drink, and duty.

  Cilia panted and moaned, and I came so violently, the bed nearly broke. Julia held me as I gasped, shuddered, and panted with Cilia, and then the slave pushed me out of her. Julia took my soiled cock into her hand, and moved it softly, teasingly, until I was ready again, and then she pulled me with her to the bed, next to the slave.

  There, I pleasured the daughter of Augustus, a mother of three, and my father’s lover gently, patiently, moving inside her. Cilia helped me. She was kissing her breasts, her neck, and I was sure she had done it often.

  We did this for a long time, and I was sure Wandal was starting to wonder if he would ever get back inside. We did many things that would have felt strange, even wrong, had I been myself, or not in Rome. But, in Rome, many things were natural. I was drugged, gaining her trust, and I did everything she asked. Cilia was skillful, helpful, and Julia drank love like she had been deprived it for years. She probably had been. In the end, I came inside Julia, while taking her from behind, and Cilia, without an order, got up, gave me a smile, and left. Julia shuddered, in the after throes of a fabulous orgasm, panted, and crawled out of my grasp. She shook her head, and pulled me with her, and I curled next to her, utterly spent.

  In an hour’s time, she was asleep next to me.

  I was about to fall asleep as well. She felt tiny. She was snoring gently, her lustrous dark hair spread on the bed. I lay there, silent, frowning, hating myself. I pitied, felt sorry for her losses, her slave-like life. She looked like an exhausted lost soul. She was a liar, no doubt. Yet, she, Julia, needed a man she trusted. And who better than the son of the man she had trusted so well. Whomever she was working with, was not a man she trusted. She wanted a change, but also security. She was a tool, a desperate fool who had given dangerous promises to a desperate man, but she was also afraid of the changes.

  I held my face in shame.

  I had made …love? Perhaps love, and already my tiny mind was looking for justification for the deaths she had caused.

  I had opened a door. I had given myself a reason to doubt her evil.

  Sigilind, Mother, I thought. I am sorry. And Cassia. Especially Cassia. Gods, I had betrayed her twice. They’d throw me to a swamp back home.

  I calmed myself slowly, and ran my finger across Julia’s belly. There were stretchmarks there, like white worms under the otherwise unblemished, well-oiled skin of a Roman noble woman. Her breasts were still full, and she probably had had someone else feed her babies. I tried to turn, and she woke with a start. Her eyes were huge as plates, and she was breathless for a moment, until she saw me there, and her fears evaporated as she returned to the calm, safe place.

  She was gazing at me. “Your wife is safe,” she said. “She need not know. You meet with her every time you leave here?”

  I nodded. She had had me followed, or had spies in Livia’s apartment. She had lost one the other day, and not mentioned him once. She had a dangerous, secretive side. “Yes, and I am grateful to Livia for keeping her safe.”

  “Safe” she muttered, and looked up. “An odd notion in the Palatine.”

  “I know,” I told her, and sighed. “I feel guilty.”

  “And yet,” she whispered, “not entirely. You did well. Cilia was happy as well. You didn’t want to do that, not at first, but you obeyed.”

  I wasn’t sure what to say to that, so I just hated myself. “I am a bastard,” I muttered.

  She tittered and rolled to my side. “Love Cassia, Raven. Love her well, and in Rome, do as the Romans do. I have a bit of you, and you gave me an oath. It will benefit Cassia as well, when …things take place.”

  “And if Cassia did as Romans did, would I—”

  She put a finger over my mouth. “You would forgive her, Germani or not. She would have a good reason, and your reason, Hraban, is to know me, know your father’s lover, understand what he went through here,
and to be happy while you find out. It is the guidance of the gods you came to me. Only a god could scheme like this. Now, wait.”

  “Wait for what?” I asked.

  She smiled. “For changes, as I said. Things always change in Rome. It’s long overdue. You will be happy. Though I’m sure I’ll never quite let go of you. Did you enjoy it? I can ask for another girl to join us next time.”

  I groaned. “What did you put in the wine?”

  “Magic,” she giggled. “Very observant. Gods, you lasted long. Cilia was spent. I am as well. Sore all over.”

  I nodded. I was sore as well. “I keep my oath. And I’ll wait. But, can you not tell me what for? You speak in riddles.”

  She kissed my cheek. “We shall solve all the riddles, Raven. All of them. I have been quite alone for years, with none to trust, surrounded by spies of those who wish me ill. Now, I have a friend. Did you know I lost a servant yesterday?”

  I shook my head. “No.”

  She caressed my face. “He had gone down to the Circus, probably tried to make a bet, and was slain by some robber. Poor Lucius.”

  I rubbed my eyes. She was a liar, but I guess whomever killed the boy might have done us a service. Perhaps his death had been an accident and he would have told Julia everything about me asking for Istros.

  She nuzzled me, and kissed me and pulled me close. “Go relieve your man.”

  “Wandal?” I groaned. “Gods, I haven’t slept at all.”

  “He’ll be in a room below,” she said with a smile. “I know Cilia likes him, and—”

  “Nobody’s guarding the house?” I asked. “He might hang for it. I—”

  She shook her head. “He’s happy. And I’d not worry about anything. If they change your guard schedules, we’ll find a way to be together. Do not worry about anything. Trust me. Things will change next spring, or by the winter at latest. Time will pass quickly.”

  Spring? Next year? She was truly planning for something, and I had gotten close to her.

  She grew tired and yawned. “Now go, and I shall meet you again tomorrow, or when you can. I’ll reserve wine and magic, and we can speak, after, of course.”

  “I will see you later, then,” I said, and dressed and armed myself.

  I found Wandal and Cilia sleeping like two mice, and I went outside, draping the toga around me. It was a skill to master, and not something you did alone, and I probably looked like a misshapen snowball. I stood guard, until Sunna trekked to the sky, and I had to face Livia.

  And Cassia.

  CHAPTER 14

  Livia sat in her garden and smiled gently. Her eyes shone brilliantly, and she slapped her knee, like an old, happy man in a feast. Her eyes were twinkling, as if she had pulled off a brilliant prank. Her hair was braided like a crown, and that only enhanced the image of some ancient noble, merry after a dirty joke. And her words were indeed filthy. I felt my face reddening.

  “Well done, Corvus, well done indeed,” she laughed. “When I tried it, I knew she would like it. Your cock is thick and pleasing. We should call you the Bull instead of the Raven. I wonder if they can still change the name? But, no, my husband named you, and he’d remember.”

  “Yes,” I said, thinly, horrified at her words.

  Wandal was outside, his mood subdued and embarrassed. Tudrus and Agetan had appeared, and Brimwulf had informed me Julia had not left the domus. I had nodded, well aware of the fact. I also had a hunch Cilia had told Wandal everything, and so it would be awkward.

  We had shared too many women in the past, and he had nearly killed me once for Ermendrud, the girl I had left for a Chatti princess. What had happened between Cilia and I had not deterred him from enjoying his night, so he’d be a hypocrite if he made a fuss about it. This time it was not my fault.

  Livia slapped her hands together to gain my attention.

  “My lady?”

  She smiled. “I said that this very evening, you shall speak with her more. You will, since you did so well. My son will be safe, Antonia as well, with the children, and we shall finally catch the snake. Spring, you said? Winter? And there is a plan? Indeed. She is waiting for him to return to Rome. All she needs are the details of Tiberius’s travel. She’ll want particulars and dates, and then, she’ll deliver them to someone. She will have to act. And she will.”

  “She thinks there will be a change, certainly,” I said thinly. “I’m not sure if she knows anything about the plans, but she has agreed on something, and is waiting.”

  Livia nodded. “I’m so happy you saw things my way, finally. We were right. All it took was good sex, a lover.”

  I stiffened. “She also wanted a friend, a guard, and a servant.”

  She frowned, and put a hand on mine. It was both cold and warm. “Friend? I see. I see. Sweet, fragile Julia has planted a seed of doubt in you. She knows, Hraban. She knows. She might seem innocent as a bird to you, because of her hard life, but she knows the adults take responsibility for their actions. In Rome, even children must, occasionally. She started this, it got Drusus killed, and there is no coming back for Julia. No.”

  “Yes,” I agreed hollowly, uncomfortable with her hand.

  “Now, we are on top. Finally, finally! I’ve poured so much money, worry, and tears to solve this dilemma that I can barely understand it. She will open up, being consumed by a need to tell you everything. Wine, you said? Two can play that game. Make her tell you everything. Drink her wine, enjoy her bosom, her warmth, and lovemaking, and find the truth. To aid you, I give you this.”

  She left the cold part of her hand into my palm.

  It was a crystal vial, elaborate and delicate, and I held on to it.

  “And it is—”

  She smiled. “It will relax her. It’s much like a potion she probably gave you. It won’t kill her, no. Go, and meet your wife.”

  I frowned at her. I got up, placed the bottle on a table. “I draw a line in this,” I said, insulted, and walked away. Her eyes betrayed nothing as she took the bottle back, but I felt I had failed again. Nonetheless, I’d not poison Julia. She was willing to open up anyway. I opened the door and smiled at Cassia, who was just talking to the mute, Flower. She greeted me, I laughed at her jokes, and pretended everything was fine. At one point, she smelled my skin, she smiled painfully, hugged me desperately, and cried.

  I wept after I left, and Wandal held me awkwardly.

  “What will you do?” he asked, as the others stood around, holding their spears tightly. Rochus looked typically unhappy.

  I rubbed my hair, desperately. We had a good thing going. Livia was happy. Adalwulf would be happy. Julia was enthralled and weak, and I had turned into a Roman.

  But, Cassia was unhappy.

  And so, I made up my mind. I grasped Rochus’s shoulder. “Get Eyes from the Block. And tell him to meet us at the Rostra.”

  Rochus nodded, and turned to go, his eyes squinted. “Why?”

  “Eyes will know. Hurry,” I answered, and we left the Palatine.

  ***

  Eyes appeared in a few hours, as we waited and ate near the Rostra. “There he is,” Wandal said softly as the freckled boy and Rochus appeared. The Cherusci noble pushed the boy forward. “I had hard time convincing Maximus we have a good reason to be lost again. Well. What’s this about?”

  “We are going somewhere,” I answered. “To have a discussion with a man. It’s not going to be pretty. Anyone who wants to stay out, can stay out. It might make the Guard quite unhappy.”

  “I’m in,” Brimwulf said quickly. “I don’t much like the Guard.”

  Tudrus shrugged, unconcerned. “Will we kill someone?”

  “Possibly,” I agreed.

  “In that case, count us in,” he said. “And Wandal.”

  I looked at the Cherusci. “Rochus?”

  “This is about Kleitos?” he guessed and took a long breath. “I suppose I can always declare myself inviolable as the lord of the Cherusci and change from a Guard into a hostage. Hope you know what
you are doing.”

  I didn’t answer, and pulled at Eyes, who looked up, grinning like a total fool. “Look. I have two jobs for you.”

  “Unless its scrubbing floors, I’m happy to—”

  I ruffled his hair. “First, you will take me to the insula where Ares told you to take us yesterday. It was postponed, that’s all.”

  “Sure,” he said happily. “Not too far.”

  “Second,” I said, “you will go and tell this scribe called Marcus there was a fire in that apartment.”

  He frowned. “What? Will there be one?”

  “No,” I said. “But, you tell him that there is. If he wonders how you know this, tell him someone sent word. He’ll think it was one of the men guarding the place.”

  “Great,” Rochus said. “It’s guarded?”

  “Will you do this?” I asked Eyes, as I ignored an increasingly unhappy Rochus.

  Eyes nodded enthusiastically. “He’ll come running,” he said and then frowned. “He’ll be mad at me, he will, when he comes back.”

  I shook my head. “I’ll make sure he’ll be meek as a mouse for the rest of his life,” I said, though I could not be sure that would be the case. “Deal?”

  “If you pay—”

  I growled. “Later.” We found a tavern near the Forum, rented a room, left our shields and helmets there, dressed in rags and cloaks, and left with Eyes.

  ***

  We found an insula, with a modest, plain white portico, and stepped under it. Eyes pointed at a doorway, where a dog was sleeping. “This is it. I’m sure. Ares said it has a rude joke scribbled on the right wall.”

  Indeed, there was a scribbling on the gray wall, and a drawing which vaguely looked like a penis. I nodded at the boy. “Have a look inside,” I told him. He nodded and entered. There were loud curses, foul expletives, and then Eyes flew right out of the doorway. The door guard, a gnarled, skinny man, with a cudgel, was cursing the boy foully, before disappearing back inside. Eyes grinned at us, massaging his bruises.