Insurgent of Rome

by Ken Farmer

  He wondered, knowing that he would never be able to ask, if the rest of the crew was privy to the reason for the... disappearance. He remembered the sudden and unusual quiet of Valens, giving some reason to believe that the young man knew - or suspected - who did the deed. He realized the reason for the subterfuge, the stripping of the man of his clothes, and no doubt, cleansing of the blood from the floor and the garment, before piling all on the planks of the small hold. He himself, despite his oath for vengeance, had had no part in the deed, nor did any of his family. The honor of the House of Clavius was not denigrated in the slaying of a contracted passenger, and few would disbelieve the story that would be brought back when the Petrel finally stood into port, especially when the vast treasure was given over to be returned to its rightful owners, or at least to partially repair the vast injury to the citizenry of the land.

  His feelings as he lay back to sleep were mixed, between the displeasure of such duplicity happening on his vessel and with men - and a woman - of his trust, and the satisfaction in the just demise of a man that he himself had hated beyond any other in his lifetime. Mayhap, in some far day, with the sons of his son at his knee, and himself an oldster in need of reliving old adventures, he would give the tale...

  "Capitaneus! Capitaneus! On deck!"

  Julius rolled from his mat, instinctively reaching for his gladius before realizing the lack of need in his awakening. Dark it still was, with the hatch open. It was the voice of Maccalus that had called, but such was of no importance. In great bounds he was up the ladder, allowing the hatch to slam closed behind him. "Go forward, Capitaneus. To Valens on the foredeck watch."

  Not waiting to tie his line around the rope, he pulled himself along with both hands, stopping before the shadow that appeared. Before he could ask, the young man said, "Listen, Sos... Capitaneus. There." Julius could barely see the pointing arm, but the man was gesturing off the sinister beam.

  His need to listen was only between one breath and the next. The dull roar, rising and falling, was familiar since his first days at sea - surf. He looked up at the sail, gauging the ability of the Petrel to fall off or in need of tack. "Go below and rouse the crew! And with haste." Gripping the rope again, he pulled himself back to the afterdeck, immediately giving Maccalus a command, "Come to the sinister beam, now. as close as you can make to the eye." Barely seeing the black crewman appear on the deck, he called, "Ngozi! Go forward and assist the forepeak watch!" That would give the young ears of Valens and the raptor-like eyes of Ngozi in watch of any disastrous approach to land.

  Densus appeared beside Julius, saying, "It must be the coast of Latium, finally."

  "Aye, which part? We could be anywhere between Hipponium and Rome." He looked into the distance, trying to see the white of the surf that was just beyond his vision in the blackness. "We will continue up the coast until we find some landmark that is familiar." At least the wind had laid considerably and the rain was now merely a spatter now and again, but the huge swells were still such that considerable amounts of water gushed over the deck on occasion. "Anyone on deck is to remain tied to their posts."

  Densus nodded, beginning the walk along the rope to give pass on the orders.

  Now, all waited for the light of day.

  Chapter 58

  "Mayhap it is the cove of Sidrus, Capitaneus." Densus was pointing into the distance at the shoreline that was now becoming a point to be sailed around.

  "Nay," said Flavius. "Where is the villa that sits on the projection? I doubt the storm has blown it to rubble."

  Julius was searching his memory, in wish that the intermittent rain would cease that he could lay out his maps on deck, rather than having to continually descend and return from his cabin. Nay, this was not the bay and point of land around that small village spoken of by the First...

  The crew was on deck, most not on watch but intensely interested in finding their place in the world after a long and wet voyage. Pontika was on the rudder haft and Flavius had come to report of an opening seam in the off-forepeak - not giving peril to the Petrel yet, but in need of recaulk eventually. Most were standing in the waist in converse, giving each other their own guesses as the land flowed by on the dexter beam.

  "It cannot be the Circaeum point." Flavius waved vaguely over the stern. "We would see Tarracina even at this distance."

  Julius just nodded. Speculation passed the time, but until something of familiarity was seen, they would continue to coast the shore looking for such. The hours passed, and apparently so did the rain, to the relief of all. What was wanted now was the sun, that long dampened garb might be hung from the line to finally dry out. But, before that magnificent ball of fire returned, their search for place was suddenly resolved.

  As they rounded yet another point of land, suddenly came an oath from Flavius, standing on the forepeak with his hammer and wedges in hand. "By the venter stench of Diana! Capitaneus! That is the port of Populonia!"

  All not on watch crowded to the forepeak to give look, and those with many years on the sea made agreement with the Carpenter. This was a city visited many times by the Petrel, and all ships in the fleet of the family. Indeed, they had a major agency in the city, as Populonia was the source - or at least the gathering point - for much weight in slugs of iron and cuprum, coming from the many mines that dotted this part of Latium.

  Julius, standing in the stern, had to agree. He also, had instantly recognized the port even as they rounded the point. To Densus, he said with some wryness, "That gives some credence to the japes of the wind gods. The eye moved the entirety of a quarter from the time we passed the far end of Silicia." Both looked at the map, now laying on the rickety table brought from below when the rains had thought to have passed. Indeed, the wind, originally directly from the north, had gradually moved to the west and the pointing of the Petrel - the crew desiring to maintain a steady course to the north of east - had steered to give match.

  Now they had their place, but it was far from Neopolis. Indeed, they were more than a thousand stadia northwest of Rome and almost two and a half thousand stadia from their home port.

  He stepped to the edge of the afterdeck, calling out to the men forward, "We will stand into Populonia to gain a goodly meal and give refresh to our larder. And hang our garb to the fire in the inn."

  Once the Petrel passed into the curve of the land, the swells ended as if by a wave of the hand of Neptune, and for the first time in many days - indeed, almost the month - they could walk the deck without worry of disappearing between one breath and the next. It was with some anticipation that the crew began to prepare for tying to the bollards. Seamen all, none were adverse to sitting at a table that did not heave, and before a fire that was not merely a tiny flame in a sand dish.

  As the Petrel hove into the wharf, Julius said to Densus. "I will take the first anchor watch. Take the men for hot food and a fire." He thought for the moment, "Stop at the office of our agency and tell old Umbrius to arrange quarters for the men."

  "Aye. And allow me to take your other garments to give dryness."

  "And mine also, Densus, if you will." Pontika was still standing at the rudder, in gaze at the city.

  "You will not enter the city for a goodly meal?" asked Julius.

  She shook her head. "Mayhap later."

  He nodded, and soon the ship was empty of all but himself and the femina. The rain was stopped but the wind was still cold, and both moved to descend into the big hold for relief from the chill. As Julius sat, the girl brought two cups and poured a modicum of wine into both, before sitting herself on a mat. Now they could leave the scuttle hatch opened to a degree, that they not be in total darkness, and both relaxed without words until Julius asked, "You are in some thought, Pontika, and have been for many days. I would not even recognize the bubbling femina that you once were."

  She gave a wry smile, then said, "It is my sadness over the demise of my... our friend, but that will end eventually, even as you have said." She paused for a long t
ime, but Julius maintained his silence that she might gather her words. Finally, "You... and all in your household and especially on the Petrel, have become my family, and without any doubt. From your protection and friendship, I have moved from being an orphanus of Antioch, to..." She grinned almost as if from old times. "...a Korí given audience and favor by a Queen Mother. Then given as a wealthly noble, fleeing from troubles in my birthland. But, my greatest favor by far was being a crewman on your ship, a vocation that I would take until my paps are drooping with age." She held up a hand to stop any comment from Julius, then continued, "Aye... I know that it is not possible - it has apparently been decreed by the gods that no female can man a ship, but that does not change my wistful yearning. And I give promise that I will not attempt to use my feminine wiles to give change to that."

  Another long pause, almost to make Julius think she had drifted off in slumber, then, "Camelia has been the Mitéra that I lost and have no memory of, and a woman owed far more than I can ever remit. But, I have no place in Roman society, despite her efforts on my behalf." Now she scooted forward to sit directly in front of Julius. "Would you think it offensive if I were to return to Antioch, to build the house of my family again? To live and find a mate in the culture that I was born?"

  That, certainly, was not what Julius had expected from the femina, but... "It is not the gods that deny your place in a ship, but the reality of life. Our voyages can be overlong, as you know, and men who are months at sea are restive for companionship, and for younger men the needs can become... strengthened. I have seen both Valens and Caius looking across the deck in admiration and desire as you stood your watch." He smiled. "Neither would ever allow their longing to give insult or proposal to yourself - indeed, either would carve a man who did such - but it is not meet to show a man what he greatly desires, but cannot have, in every waking moment." He held up a hand to stop her reply. "As to the wish to return to your home... I say that your life is yours, and you are nigh on becoming a full femina, ready for a mate and a household of her own."

  She smiled in return, then said, "I can detect a need for your saying, 'however...'"

  Now he chuckled. "You have been my crewman for long enough to know my thoughts. But, as to your wonder. You know of my opinion that the domain of Antiochus is doomed." It was not a question. "That, once the great powers on either side finish their business elsewhere, they will covet the city - the main gateway to the riches of the eastern lands."

  "Aye," she replied. "But you have said before that Antioch will not be destroyed. It is too valuable to whichever domain takes it."

  He nodded. "Aye. Without doubt. But my main concern would be that you do not be seen as an intimate to the Royal Family. Friendship is another matter, but ofttimes in such changes of... ownership, shall we say, all who are seen to be of the previous ruling faction are eliminated."

  The talk went on for a long time, then they heard the clumping of feet above, and the face of Densus appeared in the scuttle. Seeing the pair below, he climbed down, followed by Caius. The young cook had a basket covered with a cloth, under which was a huge pile of steaming meats, and another with olives and onions and fresh produce. Now the First Mate said, "Here are your garments, freshly washed and mended by the maids of the inn." He dropped the pile to the mat. "Change, and give me what you are wearing and those will be done also."

  Quickly, both doffed their damp and almost molding garb, without worry of modesty, taking the fresh habiliments with satisfying gladness. It was with some amusement, that Julius watched the eyes of the young cook widen as Pontika changed her damp tunic for one newly laundered and dried.

  "By the by, Capitaneus," said Densus. "Those two men of the Lanista have departed. We saw them moving up the northern via and with no small haste." Julius nodded. No doubt in desire to return to lands of more familiarity. Then, "When shall I send a relief for the watch, Capitaneus?" asked Densus.

  He waved a hand. "Nay. Pontika and I will assume the duty for this night. Allow the men to relish a dry deck and their diversions this night. But... have our agent in port wait on me on the morrow."

  He kept the stay for three days, until finally the first glimpse of the sun was seen, then even as the light was appearing in the east, the Petrel stood out of the harbor and pointed her forepeak to the southeast. Now the winds were ordinary, if cold, and the pace of the ship good, given the massive lading in her bilge. In a few days, the welcome port of Neápolis was in sight and in the next hour they were slowly drawing up to the wharf.

  On the boards was an apparent assemblage waiting to meet the ship. Julius could see old Lartius, the shipwright of the family, Kaeso, Decimus and two other captains, and the magistrate of the port. As the boarding plank was placed, all greeted Julius as he strode onto the wharf.

  In actuality, greeting was not the actual word of use.

  "By the gods, Capitaneus!" said Kaeso. "Your family has almost contracted a bust-maker for the atrium, to celebrate the life of their departed son."

  "Aye," said Decimus. "We have been scouring the coast from here to Messina looking for the wreckage of your craft."

  Julius held up a hand, then said, "Let us talk in yon taberna. Our story is longer than my feet can stand on these boards." Now, turning to the old shipwright, he said, "Lartius. I am happy to see your face again. I fear that the Petrel has been abused in the last month or so." He pointed at the ship. "Flavius has much to tell you of needed work."

  He called to Densus, looking down from the forepeak with a grin. "Set a watch until the man from the shipyard arrives, then release the men." Pointing to the shore, he said, "Now, my friends. Let us imbibe and talk."

  The afternoon went swiftly, with messengers coming and going. He ordered a double-armed watch on the ship, without saying why, and a rider was sent off to Capua to give inform that their second son, indeed, was still on the mortal side of the Styx. The Petrel would be taken into the yard and heaved onto the sand for repairs, but not until the treasure was removed. It would take all the men in the city to move the ship with such weight in the bilge.

  During the voyage south, he had called the crew together, giving that no mention of the evil Lanista should be spoken to any not of the ship. "...his presence on the Petrel would have been known by none, and no reason to give accuse that his demise was as the result of foul deeds for his wealth." He looked at his crew, noticing with hidden amusement that none gave any expression of other than mild interest.

  Now, of course, in the taburna in Neápolis, that adventure was not spoken of, nor the vast treasure in the bilge of the Petrel. Rather, he gave the sudden violence in the city of Rheginum requiring them to depart even into the teeth of a tempest, the need of circling the island of Sicilia and the long month of voyage without any chance of finding their place.

  The next morning, he ordered a trio of mounts, and with Pontika and Valens, set off for Capua.

  They were expected, of course, the wondrous news of their arrival in Neápolis had appeared by messenger on the yesterday evening, and the door of the house was already opened, with a servant in watch. As they dismounted, giving the horses to the grooms, he strode for the door, seeing their faithful Steward, Virnius, in wait with an uncharacteristic smile. No doubt, some was for the noble, but Julius expected that most of the joy was in seeing a son that had seemed to have been lost.

  "I will go around to the back, Sos." said Valens.

  Julius turned and barked, "That you will not. You will enter with Pontika and myself to the accolades of your own family."

  In the atrium, they found not only all of the family, but that of Camelia. And indeed, also the beaming woman and a surprisingly large puerulus beside her. Naturally, his Mother was the first to embrace her son, returned again from some perilous adventure, and her giving the usual objections of his thinness and frailty gained since his departure. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see the Mother of Valens giving the same squeezing hugs.