Insurgent of Rome

by Ken Farmer

  "Ships? What merchantry has the hulls to move so many?"

  Melglos waved at a woman looking in the flap of the tent, she entering to set down a jug and three bowls. He poured the wine, then continued. "You have heard of a man named Apollodoros, mayhap?" A moment of thought, then Julius shook his head. "He is the head of a band of sea-venturers. And with many ships to his call."

  "Pirates, you mean." At the nod, Julius continued with some disbelief at the idea. "By what magic do you intend to capture their loyalty?"

  "You are the magician, my friend. Or so I hope. Firstly, a delivery of ten talents of mixed coin to begin the transaction." He paused, then said, "And only after successful completion of the bargain, another ten. The house of Clavius is known across the sea for its integrity. There will be no worry by Apollodoros of his fee being completed, and delivered by yourself - or an agent of the house. And your remuneration will be great as well. Mayhap, a talent of gold. Or more, if that is insufficient."

  Now Julius spoke with some intensity. "I need no talent of gold to give assist to a loyal shipmate, but... Might I ask you of some matter giving me puzzlement over the months." A nod and he continued, "You were at the foothills of the Alpina mountains. Why did you not continue on with your plans to cross, but instead turned back to certain battle? You would be far away by now and with none to pursue."

  Melglos looked out the open flap with an expression of... not anger, but annoyance, mayhap, then, "That indeed was my plan, but my two Seconds, men who had escaped from the gladitorium on that day, were overcome, shall we say, by our success in traveling the length of Latium and gaining wealth beyond any dreams. Crixus and Oenamus were their names, the first being able to see only what was within the reach of his sword, and nothing about the morrow." A pause, then, "I regret now that I did not cut him down at his first refusal of my orders, but... he gave great oratory to the men, gaining many who wished to see themselves as both conquerers and men of wealth and property. His band split from us to make their own foray for both loot and vengeance. You know of course, of his demise after being pinned against the eastern sea." Julius nodded.

  "Oenamus was less as an impulsive venturer, but refused to cross into the unknown northlands, despite my arguments of knowing both our path and the land. His idea was to carve out a domain in the south, giving that Rome had no armies of any size to give hinder to such plans."

  "That is the plan of a fool," said Julius. "Rome has many armies, and of tested experience. The only need of the Senate is to call them back from afar."

  "Aye. To you such is as obvious as yon sun rising over the hills. But, to a man grown from urchinhood in an alley of some unknown city, using only wit and sinew to obtain his daily bread - such does not have the far-seeing eye of one given daily lessons by a Pedagogue. They see what they have done and given imagine to what might be and without even knowledge of far events - or armies." He paused for a long drink, then said, "I offered another plan and one that did not have us tramping mountains nor entering the lands of the far north. To follow the coast around the top of the Adriatic Sea and into the upper lands of Dalmatia. Mayhap even on to Thrace itself. The journey would have no need of scaling mountains." Another drink, then, "But even that did not excite the being of my men. Thus, we returned to the land of Latium."

  There was a period of quiet, the Thracian allowing his guest to think through what he had heard, then Julius asked, "What are the needs of your... treating with this Apollodoros leader."

  "The treating is already done. The chests are ready to be transported - half to him, waiting in Scylletium, the other to yourself - in the Petrel I assume - and the chest with your remuneration. When you have seen the transport of all of my people who wish to make flight, then you will deliver the residue to their leader." There was a pause, then, "You have no obligation to do so, of course, and to a man who was a member of your crew for a pittance of time."

  Julius waved his hands. "Nay, the taking of the task is assured. But... My concern is with the rectitude of the pirates - such men have given little reason for trust. You will recall the perfidy of putrid Aniketos, even after being given the wealth of a king for ransom for Caesar - to renege on his oath with a ludicrous play on words. What is to keep this band from dumping your men and families on some remote shore - or over the beam and into the sea?"

  Melglos smiled, then spread his hands to say, "Aye, in the best of worlds, the gods of Olympus would create their golden bridge across the waters in succor of the downtrodden. But, as you have said, what expectations for slaves that have given much offense to their masters to remain in this land?"

  Chapter 49

  Capitaneus Decimus, in his speculatoria, was sent up the coast to find and bring the Petrel back to Rheginum, and the Albatross if found. On it was a missive for the Dux, Crassus, giving the situation as he found it, but without making any mention of the plans for the rebel slaves to take ship. It was a narrow plank he was walking, attempting to fulfill his duties as a Tribune, but not betray a friend in need.

  Julius and Valens waited at an inn of the city, relaxing with little to do but either sit in watch of the empty harbor, or walk the streets to give movement to the sinews and make the hours pass somewhat more quickly. Melglos had assigned a small detail of men - fighters, for sure, if not turned out as Legionaries - as guards for the pair while waiting in the city, that a noble might not be suddenly accosted by a man not realizing the reason for his presence. Scarred, profane of oath, and illiterate of any learning, they were without doubt men who had reached their ages only by strength of arm and use of iron. In a short while, the four had receded from notice by Julius as they followed their charges or sat at a far table in a taburna or cookerie. The third part of a month passed slowly.

  From the top of the inn, they could see far across the waters, even to the dark mass on the horizon that was the island of Sicilica. The harbor was empty of all but fishers and a ragged coastal trudge - merchant Captains being as leery of cities in the hands of revolters as temple virgins in passing a boisterous brothel. Sitting with cups at a table on the terrace, both men were just returned from their midday meal. Suddenly, Valens said, "A talent of gold is a fair wage for a journey of a few hundred stadia, I would say, Sos."

  Julius nodded absently. "Aye. But the family will not accept wage in coin that has been looted from estates up and down the land. Aulius will determine how to give or spend it without benefit to the family." He looked at his companion, becoming a handsome man, no doubt even now in the eyes of Plebeian matrons of the city. Such a match with a daughter, destined to move into the great house of Clavius, even as servant, would be the Olympian dream of any mother. Julius had been giving thought to the young man, watching his movements on the ship during their voyages, in wonder if the son of their Steward had interest in a life at sea. If so, it was quite possible that the youngster could trod the deck of a family vessel as Captain, in some future day.

  As all males, born in the house of Clavius, whether noble or common, received the same instruction from a Pedagogue - and the cane - until their coming of age. The young man was intelligent, educated and brought up with the same knowledge of Julius and his brother - that any claim to quality over his fellows had to be demonstrated, not assumed by birth. Now, he asked, "What thoughts have you of your future? Your brother will become the next Steward by reason of age, but you may have desire for a more active... being."

  Valens gave a wry grin, then said, "My boy-thoughts of becoming a fierce-some soldier have been fairly drenched with cold water." Julius smiled too, although the reference to his companion's discovery of the lot of the common Legionary was anything but humorous. "I have had much pleasure in being your Cacula... but as you have given the intent to discard your Tribuneship as soon as the gods make it possible, that career seems to be in abeyance." A pause, then, "Mayhap a position on one of the ships of the family."

  That was what Julius wish to hear. It was not unexpected, in a seafaring family, but every ma
n did not have affinity to the waters. "You will realize, of course, that such a life is not conducive to that of a man enjoying the presence of family, and in watch of sons in their growth. Many of our crew are with mates, but such a woman must be picked with care - not all can abide a man gone from the household for months at a time."

  Valens grinned. "Did not yourself give much wait until the proper woman appeared? Gaining marriage only long after the usual time? I have no desire for such bondment until I have see at least a small portion of the world."

  Julius returned the expression with a smile. "Then we will give you a time of endeavor, to see if the Petrel cares for your presence - and you for she..."

  Finally, on a clear day that was promising to be continued with the same tedium as the others before, Julius was gratified as Valens hurried up to Julius, the noble sitting in the cookerie with a rag sopped in meat-fat, in the frequent and necessary duty to keep his blades from being consumed by the red decay. "A sail, Sos. Hopefully it must be our ship in return."

  With a silent blessing to some god, somewhere, Julius sheathed his gladius and pugio, then followed his man to the upper terrace to see the wondrous sight himself. And, indeed, the hull even now lowering its cloth for the approach was the Petrel.

  Slapping his companion on the back, he strode down the stairs and out into the street, in fast walk toward the wharfs. Julius waited until both ships tied up to opposite sides of the same wharf, then walked up the plank to the deck of Petrel to meet Densus at the rail. Then...

  "By the stinking privates of Jupiter!" he exclaimed. "What is she doing on board?"

  Densus was in great desire to give explanation before the wrath of his leader began to envelop all on board. Obviously anticipating the surprise of Julius, he had brought a small scroll with him even as he stood to greet the man. Holding it out, he said, "It was the decision of the noble Camelia, Sos. This is her explanation, to be delivered to yourself."

  Julius ripped the papyrus from the small spindle, then read quickly. He looked at the Captain for the moment, then strode to stand before the femina. "Explain yourself. You made decision to give chastisement to a high noble of Capua?"

  Pontika was standing with her head lowered, seeming to accept the charge of wrongdoing, giving the appearance of a meek female accepting her rebuke with proper modesty. Julius was not fooled. The femina was a wildcat in white linen and quite capable of giving wrath with either voice or her little dagger. Or with a board that might be found leaning against a wall. Still, he could see that the part of a year had given full change from boy-look to a fetching femina, filling her long tunic with the unmistakable signs of womanhood. "Melglos is not a slave, as all think, but only taken as one from the despicable actions of the putrid Lanista. And he is not an ignorant savage, but a man of education and language. The putr... noble Aedile speaks of things of which has no slightest knowledge."

  Julius had to agree with all she said, but... "To know such things, as we all do, is one thing, but to speak of them in a land that is even now under siege and almost panicking from fear is not wise. You might have been taken as a sympathizer for trial." Unlikely, he knew. Indeed, almost impossible. Females of her age could not be held accountable for crimes, but such would fall on the family - in this case, that of his own, as she was the known ward of Camelia. And again, unlikely beyond any possibility, with the wealth and position of the Clavius household. Still, such talk would not sit well with guests at a fête. He looked at the scrap of sheet still in his hands, reading the last part again... "...and Husband, I have given that, as our ward has come from the same land as Melglos, or Spartacus as all know of him, her outburst was merely a reaction to an assumed slight on her berth land. It was taken as excuse with goodly humor by the Aedile, Pulcherius, and forgotten. Still, it might be better for her future in Capua if she was absent from any need to comment on events that might happen until the situation is settled. I was thinking that mayhap she could visit my Amita, in Syracusae. I would have escorted her there myself, except that the Petrel was the only family ship in port - that of Capitaneus Ramirus having left just as we entered Neápolis..."

  Julius crumpled the sheet into a wad, then tossed it into the water. He seriously doubted that the fiery femina would passively allow herself to be put aside in an island, in the custody with an Aunt of Camelia, and far from the happenings that she was a part of. But... There was little to do for the moment, and certainly no danger. In a few days the chests of coin for the completion of the contract would arrive in Rheginum, from Melglos, and stored in the Petrel until time to deliver it to the pirates.

  "Ngozi!" The black man strode up to wait for his orders. Julius gestured at his assistant, standing beside Densus, then said, "Valens, here, has given unwise thought to becoming a sailor, rather than sit at leisure in a scribery of Capua, drinking goodsome wine and sleeping on a proper mat. Continue your instruction with him of the blade, and also the bow. Then, when we stand out, tell him of ropes and canvas." Ngozi was already familiar with the young man, having giving some tutoring with his gladius, that he might have a chance of using it at need, and without giving slice to a limb when drawing it from the scabbard. Then, to Densus, he said, "This city is under the control of the rebels, but it is not in chaos nor has it been looted. Keep the ship victualed for immediate departure, should the temper of the land become... uncertain. You may allow the men to have their needs on shore, but they are not to leave the port area. And return to the ships an hour before dark." He was about to walk away, then turned back and said, "And warn all to temper their japes to any of the city. We need no battles over words given by a man in his cups."

  Now, Densus held out a scroll. "This is from the noble Aulius, Sos." Julius took it to read, then again, tore the material from the spindle and tossed it overboard.

  Julius and Pontika stayed in the inn for the next two days, waiting for whatever was to happen next. A speculatoria stood in with the information that Crassus and the Legions had moved far down the land, and any missives would be passed through the city of Cerillae. That coastal city was only about a thousand stadia from Rheginum, an easy voyage in only days for a missive boat, even in a light wind. Any messages from Julius - or to him - would only take a few days to deliver.

  A heavily guarded procession appeared at the wharf on the third morning, carrying the coin for the completion of the contract with the pirates. Along with it was a scribe with a verbal message for Julius, that the two armies were even now in clash at the Sahatus river. Julius had no knowledge of that watercourse, and without the Sage and his store of scrolls, he had no method to find out. The Petrel was well stocked with maps, but the markings stopped at the water's edge - any part of inland was merely blank papyrus. A seaman had little use for information of mountains and rivers and grain fields.

  There was little to do but taburnae-visit for the men, and sit in talk on the terrace of the inn for the Captains. Every day a portion of the crew would walk to the outskirts of Rheginum to practice their bowwork at a range far beyond that could be used on board ship. Every forth day, the little missive boat of Decimus would quickly race up the coast to the city of Cerillae, to find if a message from Crassus might be in wait. Thus far, none had.

  "...if the rebels do not march around the bay of Tarentum soon," said Decimus at their rooftop table one morning, "they will find it difficult to make the city of Brundisinum. The warm season is almost gone."

  "The distance is only about two thousand stadia," replied Densus. "An easy walk for a horde that has made the march to the Alpinus mountains and back."

  "Aye, but I remember our following the coastline, years ago, even before our noble Capitaneus had taken the helm. I was little more than a puerulus, but I can remember a multitude of rivers seeking the bay. Those will have to be crossed in the wet season and with women and families in tow..."

  Thus went the talk, of this and that until a day when a messenger appeared on the dock even as the sun was first lighting the eastern sky. "
I seek Capitaneus Clavius." The man was no slave, or not as was imagined by most. A hardened fighter - either from the battles in some arena, or mayhap some army in his younger days - his sinews and scars gave that much. As did the well-worn hilt on his sword.

  The seaman called across the boards and Julius quickly strode across the plank to stop before the man. "Spartacus requests your presence for a converse, Capitaneus."