Insurgent of Rome

by Ken Farmer

  "Aye," said Kaeso. "There are rich lands to the west that have still not seen the hulls of our ships as yet."

  Captain Decimus shook his head. "I would dislike the loss of discussion with the men who made evil play with our oldster."

  At this reminder, all nodded their heads in agreement but Julius spoke of other matters. "We have the auspices of two Kings and the Senate. I doubt that my brother would gain satisfaction in learning that his fierce band of sea-raff ran away as puellae from noises in the night. And from the threats of a mere merchant." He paused, quickly reviewing his thoughts over the last day and night, then, "I will meet with this monarch, and make my plans from then..."

  Chapter 26

  The swift speculatoria had made the distance between the island of Cyprus and the port of Persidium in an astoundingly short time, even with it overmanned. The wind had been strong and in the optimum quarter for the little missive boat and indeed, they had arrived at their destination long before the fall of night. A merchant ship did not usually attempt to wharf at night, and especially at an unfamiliar port, but the nimble little vessel could ground on the sands with little risk. Julius doubted that the boat would be recognized as one that had been docked in Antioch for several days, but he did not wish to take even that small chance, waiting until they could stand into the port in the gloom of falling darkness.

  In their discussions before standing out of Salamis, Captain Decimus had given mention of a noticement by himself. "One matter of some interest, Capitaneus. In the harbor of Persidium, we wharfed next to a ship with two masts - one somewhat larger than the Petrel and recently familiar."

  "The ship that gave us the strange encounter on our passage to Antioch?" asked Julius with some surprise. "Of the type that Kaeso named a Triíris?"

  The Captain nodded. "Aye. In the short time before Melglos appeared, I walked to the harbor-master and made inquiry, giving my reason as a need of my principal for more ships in his trade. The man was genial, but gave much good-natured chaffing at my question. 'The men on yon vessel are in some busy pursuit,' said the man. 'but I would give good wager that trade is not their cause.' To my question, he pointed at the empty wharf beside the ship. 'They dock here at intervals, but I have never seen aught but victuals put aboard and never any lading delivered. And, even were they in the rich cedrus-wood trade to Egypt, their profit would be minimal with the wages for such a bulked-out crew.'"

  "I waved at a wine-jack walking by in his rounds and offered the harbor-master a cup at my expense, which he naturally accepted with goodly cheer, then asked, 'Over burdened with crew? Mayhap they are making reave in their forays.' The man shook his head, saying, 'Nay. That cannot be so. Yon ship has wharfed here for years, at intervals, but no ship-master has arrived with tales of being accosted by pirates in such a vessel. And as you can see, the build is distinctive - even a lubber could find it even among the multitude of hulls in Alexandria harbor.'"

  Julius shook his head. "The reasoning of the man is defective. A reaving band would not prey on ships near its home port. Many pirates give a major harbor as their home."

  "Aye," replied the Captain of the little missive boat. "But, my news has not reached the peak. As we stood with our cups, in friendly drink, he pointed to a man standing at the forepeak of the two-masted ship in converse with some dock-merchant, mayhap. 'That is the master, should you wish to gain your own try at engagement. His name is Ardeshir. He can point you to the owner of the hull, a man of Antioch and a rich merchant of that city.'"

  This was stunning news, causing the cascade of several unconnected thoughts to suddenly merge into one. Julius made search of his memory, then said, "Ardeshir was the name of the Captain that took the ship of... of... What was his name? The scribe that gave us tale of perfidy by Dionysophanes..." A moment of furious thrashing of memory, then, "Cambyses. Of Sidon." Decimus nodded. "And it was a two-masted ship that approached us in apparent thought of reaving, matching your tale of the hull in Persidium."

  "Aye, Capitaneus. One and the same."

  So... The ship was a pirate, although not of free-ranging rovers, but rather as an instrument for use by the grasping merchant. Such would need some considerable thought...

  Now, in the dark of the night, all but the crew of the speculatoria jumped over the side, pushing the little hull back into the water before they waded the short distance to the shore. Julius had only brought three men, two from his ship and another from the merchant of Captain Fundanus. Maccalus was his name, young and with goodly bulk and skill with his short blade. All on the Petrel made plea to come, but Flavius and Melglos were the only two whole men that could be used. Kaeso was needed to retain command and Densus was not of either age nor bulk for the journey. As there would be much walking, the shortened leg of Judoc would be a hindrance. And of course, Ngozi was not yet healed, despite his many and loud protestations to the contrary.

  And there was two others in the party, Timotheus and a youngster. As Julius was making his selection, Pontika had walked up with an obvious need, but quickly was waved down. "Nay. Do not even ask. This may be a walk for men with arms..."

  "Aye, Capitaneus," came the surprising meek reply. "But, might I ask a question?" At the nod, the girl continued, "Do you know the location of the Palace? Aye, Timotheus, will, of course, but what of the bridges over the Orontes river? And the streets and alleys that might be best used if in need of haste in the return?"

  Julius could see Kaeso standing by the mast, grinning at the barrage of queries that had only one purpose. The Roman would have returned the expression had the situation been humorous in any way. But... The Korí had made goodly points. The city proper, just as with Rome and Athens, was not situated on the shoreline of the Great Sea, but inland about twenty stadia. The community that he - and all sailors - called Antioch, was just the port, large in itself, but not the actual domain of that name.

  "What would an urchin raised in the port know of palaces?" asked the big Thracian - not in disdain, but gently and with concern for her being.

  Pontika shook her head. "Nay, Melglos. I was birthed in the city and only made my way to the port with friends, in promise of labor in a sortery."

  "And the work did not appear as given, I assume?"

  "Nay. The man was a sklávoi..." She hesitated, to find another word, then, "...a crimp that sold Agória and Korítsia to the brothels for use by sailor patrons who desired youngness in their needs."

  Julius mentally shook his head. Behind those words was a description of life that would not have even entered his thoughts - or been believed - were he still a young noble in Capua. Aye, such beginnings might give iron to the backbone of even a female youngster. Still, only he and Patroclus knew of the reality of the young girl's early life. To all others, she was just an unfortunate urchin of the streets, cast off by unknown parents at an early age. Certainly, it had been a surprise to all at her change of gender, but to them, Pontika was no different than Pontiki in all other aspects.

  But, for now... A citizen actually of the city, even if very young, might have knowledge that would be vital should their position become dire in any way. With a grimace, he replied, "Your association with Patroclus has not been wasted. You are even grasping a bit of his guile. Walk beside me and with your eyes open."

  Now, finding a nondescript inn at the southern end of the wharves - there were few to choose from in this small port - they procured a room and a meal for the night, Julius calling on the Caupo for certain arrangements. Then, rising early and needing to leave the small port city before sunrise, they set foot on the road to Antioch, following Melglos as he retraced his journey. As the distance was only about a hundred stadia, they would reach the big city before the midday. Their load was easy - besides weapons, they had only a waterbag and another filled with walking rations.

  As the sun rose to their dexter shoulders, they were already a third part of the distance, and now the road filled with travelers and farmers and merchants, beginning a new day in their li
ves. It was the fifth day after leaving the port of Antioch and all had the beginnings of a beard, by orders of Julius. While not exactly a disguise, they were far more likely to blend in with the populace with barbate faces. The three Romans, however, found the growing facial hair less than pleasant.

  Flavius was continually scratching his cheeks, finally muttering to the Thracian, "My big friend, I have little understanding why a man would wish to cover his face with a blanket of fur. I would say the men of your land are beset with strange thoughts of comfort."

  Melglos just grinned as he said, "We do not care to give the appearance of a virgin bride in our manhood." Then he offered a morsel of mercy to the man. "You are in the early days of bristle. When it gains some length, the prickle will end."

  "Do you know this road?" Julius asked of Pontika.

  The girl shook her head. "Nay Capitaneus. I have left Antioch on travels to the port. But, when we see the city, I will know our place."

  The pace was fast and without rest, and suddenly the crest of a hill gave show of the large city spread out along the river ahead. Now Pontika gained some excitement, beginning to point and name. "There is the river," she said, unnecessarily. "This road reaches the Daphne bridge, there. The only other across the river, to our side, is the one to the island of the King."

  "I can see others," said the merchant sailor, Maccalus.

  "Aye," came the reply from the girl. "But those bridges only lead to the island from the city. You can see that the river splits and follows two paths for many hundreds of strides." Had any of the men, besides Julius, bothered to think on the matter of Pontika being able to give use of such a large number, their wonder might have led them to further questions for the Korí. A street urchin seldom had knowledge of a sum greater than the total of her fingers, and even then without the ability of giving verbal count to each digit.

  To Julius, the city was similar in layout to Rome, even to the low hills to the east of a river. The style of edifices was entirely different, but temples were easily recognized, even from their distance. And all could see a Forum, apparently, although in this land it would be called an Agora. Now to Melglos he asked, "Where do we move from here?"

  The big Thracian just waved a hand vaguely. "Just to follow this river road to the island bridge. The guard will meet us on this side of the river and you can give your needs to him." A pause, then, "And I hope that your supplication is taken with less scorn than mine, else we may have need of chaffering with the guard for the rest of the day."

  Rome had once had a palace - and a King - but that time was far in the past - in fact, a span of many hundreds of years. The form and appearance of the actual structure - once on the top of the Palatine hill - was not only beyond the tales of long-departed ancestors, but did not even take form in the dusty scrolls and records of the scribes and bibliothecarii. The idea of a monarch was not only anathema to Romans, but was a topic that could gain the unwanted attention of the magistrates even for discussing the idea of such with approval.

  To his eyes, this first vision of such a royal structure gained a wonder of its use. Rome certainly had structures of magnificence, built with glistening marmor stone and fronted with towering pillars and statuary. The Senate house and Temple of Jupiter were just two of the many grandiose buildings scattered all across the city. Despite their pretentious sizes, they were practical in their use, with each section built or added with a purpose.

  This royal compound, by comparison, seemed to be constructed with an eye to grandeur, rather than need. The island was covered with various ornate buildings, surrounding the central structure. A wall surrounded the island, built up to the riverside and of a goodly height - this compound would be difficult to assault.

  At the ornate bridge leading from the west to the island, even the approach was guarded. Another wall, and gate, making a very small compound of itself, gave blockage to any desiring to cross the river at that point. Guards were in place, at least two double handfuls, and waiting in stance. No citizens were on this road with intention to make the crossing - except for the four Romans and the girl, she now dressed again in the unrevealing garb of a child, giving little indication of her gender.

  As with any guardsmen in any land, their welcome was less than cordial, the officer giving demand as to their reason for approach. Timotheus stepped forward and pointed toward the island, "We attend by order of the King Antiochus, delivered by the hand of Mnesiphilos, Archithalamipólos to his Majesty."

  They had obviously been expected, as the officer turned to bark an order to another - an aide, apparently, who turned to run through the gate and across the bridge. Without speaking, all just stood, no doubt in wait for persons in the royal compound to give acceptance of the visitors. And quickly, the man returned, bringing a sheet of scripting material that was quickly scanned. Now the guard-captain said, "Which of you is Julius of Rome?"

  "Aye."

  "Your presence is admitted." To Timotheus he said, "You may return to your duties." Turning, he shouted an order, then the small party followed a soldier through the gate, over the bridge and into the compound.

  Once onto the island, the dirt of the land disappeared - every last bit of land was paved, and not with cobblestones, but cut and flat stones to match the whiteness of the buildings. There was no doubt in the minds of the newcomers, that this domain was - or had been - both powerful and wealthy.

  The street ran directly from the bridge, through the outlying buildings and statuary, to the gigantic portal to the equally imposing palace. At the entrance, another elaborately garbed individual was standing with flanking servants on either side. Behind and at both sides were other soldiers, these with some grandness of garb - elite palace guards, without doubt.

  The towering staff of the official was adorned with a bejeweled likeness of some strange being on the top and gave that this man was of some importance - a thought that was quickly affirmed. Melglos spoke quietly, out of the side of his mouth. "That is the Oikonómos. And as I said, a man bloated beyond size with his own worth."

  The description was not needed, as the man thumped his staff on the pave, then pronounced, "I am Mnesiphilos, Archithalamipólos to his majesty, King Antiochus Asiaticus, three and tenth of his dynasty." The man spoke the purest Greek, but the strange word meant nothing to Julius. The Roman had no knowledge of the old regime of his city, ejected from Rome long ago, but he was familiar enough with monarchies around the Great Sea. He assumed that this man was the Chamberlain - and if so, a high official indeed. "You are the Kapetánios of the Romaïkós vessel? Clavius by name?" At the nod of affirmation, the man gestured, saying, "Your men will remain in the outyard, but you will be graciously admitted to the Presence."

  Julius had instantly taken a dislike to the overbearing official, a man enamored with his own high position and no different than a myriad of others that the Captain had been unable to entirely avoid in his young life. "My men have voyaged from Salamis, then walked from Persidium at the request of your King. I require that they have comfortable quarters and served with a meal."

  The sneer on the face of the man was not even given an attempt to hide. "A apóvrasma from Rómi does not make demands of the royal household..."

  Julius spread his hands in mock disappointment. He had no idea of the meaning of the word, but out of the corner of his eye he could see Melglos tense and scowl at the supposed insult. "Alas, that is unfortunate. Please give the regrets to the King from the putrid Romaïkós Kapetánios." Turning, he said to his group. "We return to the ship immediately. If the winds are good, we should stand into Capua by the ides of the next month..." Without further notice of the official, he strode toward the huge doorway.

  "Hold, Kapetánios," came the expected call. Julius turned as the official barked an order to some lackey. "Escort the party of the Kapetánios to the stratiótis billets and call for a repast to their needs." Julius nodded, then waved his hands in acquiescence. The Chamberlain turned, and strode down the wide and long hall
without further look at the visitor.

  The first chamber was both wide and tall, the ceiling far above being held up by pillars spaced around the area. Interestingly, in the shadows of the heights, the overhead seemed to be of the same material as the walls, but he knew that was impossible. There was no art of the stoneworker that would span such distances without immediate collapse. Nay, the ceiling had to be of wooden beams - just as in Rome and every other city - but painted to look as if made of stone.