The Earthly Gods
Page 32
‘We’re here. Master Cassius and I – we’re here.’
The green eyes appeared for a brief moment then were lost once more.
The wait continued. During the day, Cassius busied himself with the fire and preparing food for him and Simo. Agapetos arrived with a pot of lamb stew that his wife had made and asked if there was anything else they needed. Cassius had already realised that such gestures were not merely because of his status with the Service. Like Metrophanes, the optio was simply a kindly fellow. After all the evil bastards he had encountered since leaving Antioch, he found his faith in his fellow man partially renewed. The surgeon came as often as he could and Cassius gave him the little remaining money he had. He had no idea what would happen after; how they would get off the island. Between them, he and Simo had three and a half denarii.
On the sixth day after they reached Chios, Indavara drank an entire mug of milk and plenty of water. The surgeon noted that his colour had improved once more and that his heartbeat was becoming more stable.
On the ninth day, Indavara stayed awake long enough to ingest another mug of milk and hold Simo’s hand tightly. He looked at his friend and tried to mouth a word but it was more than he could manage.
On the eleventh day, he drank two mugs of milk and mumbled a sentence that the three watchers reckoned to be, ‘Where am I?’
On the twelfth day, Cassius was alone with him when he awoke of his own accord. Seeing that one of his eyes was thick with gunk, Cassius wiped it clean.
Indavara held his wrist with surprising strength.
‘Simo! He’s awake again!’
‘Cor … cor …’
‘It’s me. You’re safe. You’re going to be all right, I promise. Do you think you can eat? They want you to eat something.’
Simo was ready with honey they had diluted with water. Indavara managed three spoonfuls and licked the last one clean.
‘By Jupiter, some things never change,’ said Cassius. ‘He’ll be asking for a roast chicken next.’
Simo cried as he laughed.
Cassius leaned forward so Indavara could see him. ‘Can you speak? Can you say anything?’
‘Ember … ember.’
‘What?’
‘Ember … em.’
Indavara held up a hand, then lay back. Only a few moments later, he fell asleep again.
Simo checked his chest and his wrist. ‘It’s so much steadier now. And much stronger.’
Cassius stood up. ‘His body may recover, but what of his mind?’
‘It’s still early, sir. We’ll see.’
The events of the fifteenth day eased Cassius’s fears. With the surgeon present and after four spoonfuls of honey, Indavara finally spoke again.
‘Thanks.’
‘Ha!’ Simo could barely contain himself. Even the surgeon gave a broad smile.
Indavara turned to Cassius and beckoned him forward. He held his hand and gripped it tight. ‘I remember, Cassius.’
‘You know who we are. That’s good.’
Indavara shook his head. ‘I remember who I am. Where I’m from. My mother, my father. I remember it all.’
Historical Note
Unlike most of the previous Agent of Rome novels, The Earthly Gods is not specifically related to the events of the time. There are, however, several notable aspects that do draw on the historical record.
What became known as ‘The Plague of Cyprian’ was a pandemic – probably smallpox – that broke out in AD 250 and was still a major crisis twenty years later. The outbreak claimed the life of the emperor Claudius Gothicus and spread widely across the empire.
We do know that gangs of slave traffickers existed and that there was both a legal and illegal trade. Given the predilections among certain sections of the Roman elite, I am convinced groups like ‘The Earthly Gods’ would have existed in some form. Men in positions of power were virtually untouchable, while slaves (especially those kept illegally) were utterly powerless.
The blood of a gladiator was believed by some to hold the power of the fighter and was used as a cure for ailments including what we would refer to as epilepsy. Given the state of contemporary medicine, I don’t think it’s beyond the realms of possibility that a wealthy, desperate man like Cornelius might resort to such measures.
Acknowledgements
The Earthly Gods was written between February and September, 2015. Producing a novel is a team effort. Sincere thanks to my agent David Grossman and editor Oliver Johnson for their help in developing this one. The work of Anne Perry, Sharan Matharu and everyone else at Hodder & Stoughton is also greatly appreciated. Thanks once more to all the readers, bloggers, reviewers and outlets who have supported the series since 2011.
Cassius, Indavara and Simo will return. I think Tarchon might too.