Dark Omens

SIXTEEN

When the servants had departed, Lucius turned to me.

‘This hardly leaves time,’ I said, ‘for much discussion now. But what was it that you wanted to talk to me about?’

‘It’s your advice I’m after. It won’t take very long. The thing is, citizen — ’ Lucius tossed back his mane of tawny hair and for a moment I almost imagined that he blushed — ‘I wish to be a suitor for the lady Silvia. I suspect that Bernadus would secretly like to offer for her, too, but that would mean divorcing his present wife, who brought a substantial dowry with her, which he can ill-afford to let her take away again. So do you think your patron would countenance my suit? Or perhaps you would even put in a word for me?’ He caught my eye and added sheepishly, ‘If Genialis is not found alive, I mean, of course.’

‘I think that Marcus might be persuaded to consider it,’ I said, attempting to put on a doubtful face. Then, fearing that this sounded a bit too confident, I added, ‘I mean, if no better offer can be found. He will be anxious to ensure that she’s well provided for, but since she’s not a virgin to be bargained for, he may consult her wishes in any marriage arrangement he makes. Which would favour you, I think. Though you realize what that would mean for Silvia?’

‘You mean because I’m not a citizen?’ He sounded anxious now. ‘If I’d been born inside the walls of Glevum, instead of half a mile outside, I would have qualified! As it is I don’t know what to do. I don’t suppose there’s any chance that His Excellence would sponsor me for my citizenship diploma, while he is in Rome? I know that he intends to see the Emperor, who is a friend of his.’

I nodded, trying to judge how much I should disclose. At last I hazarded, ‘It might be that Marcus would condescend to put in a word for you, if you could find some way to make it worth his while.’ I glimpsed an opportunity and grasped it with both hands. ‘Meanwhile you must convince him that you can keep a wife — that your business enterprise is sound, and your contacts, for instance, are honourable men. Or that you and your associates are not prone to gambling …’ I broke off, realizing I hadn’t put this very tactfully. I’d managed to raise all Marcus’s questions, but listed in that way they sounded arrogant — almost as if I were a praetor questioning in court. I glanced up nervously to see if I’d given Lucius offence.

But not at all, it seemed. He had risen to his feet and was smiling eagerly. ‘Of course. That would be easy, citizen. I can show the record scrolls. That would tell him everything he wants to know. Apart from the usual records — of profits, cost and loss — Ulpius used to keep a note of all the suppliers and importers that we used: where they traded from and what they traded in and how reliable they’d proved to be. He used to put a little mark beside the ones he did not trust, whether because of gambling or otherwise, and a cross to indicate the ones that we should never do business with again. And the same with customers.’ He shot a glance at me. ‘If I gave you that information, could you contrive to pass it on?’

‘Give me the records and I’ll see what I can do,’ I promised silkily, though inwardly I heaved a happy sigh. I stood up too, as courtesy demands.

I thought he was about to go and get the records then and there, but we were interrupted by the spotty slave, bringing — at last — the promised tray of fruit and mead for me and a handsome-looking jug of wine for Lucius. However, Lucius waved him impatiently away.

‘Not now! At the moment it is inconvenient. Take it away and wait until I call for you. And when you do come bring another goblet and some different wine — I’d forgotten that we still had this in the house. It’s the rubbish that Genilias gave to Ulpius once. It isn’t fit to drink. Go and get rid of it at once — and throw the jug away. Bring us something else. There is some of the best Rhenish in that amphora still, I think. And don’t be so long about producing it, next time. Our other dinner guest is an important man.’

The servant sighed. ‘I’m sorry, Master, for the long delay, but we had to wait to use the fire so we could heat the mead.’ He padded off again.

Lucius turned to me. ‘The disadvantage of shared kitchens, I’m afraid. Fortunately our meal is in the clay-oven, and has been for hours, so there will be no problem over that. However — to conclude the matter we were talking of just now, you will speak to your patron in support of me?’

I nodded and he came across to slap me on the back.

‘I thank you, citizen. Silvia thought you would. And you believe that there is hope?’

It was time to backtrack slightly. I pursed my lips and said judiciously, ‘I think there is a chance. Not immediately, of course, but in a year or so.’

Lucius looked startled. ‘Why not sooner if Marcus will consent? She is Ulpius’s widow, not Genialis’s — and there is no need to wait the customary full ten moons from now. I’m aware that it is usual, in case the lady is with child, but Genialis was prepared to marry her at once, and I would be more than glad to do the same. If there is to be a child, then Ulpius fathered it, and I am happy to acknowledge that and rear it as my own. In any case it’s most unlikely — there would be signs by now.’

I shook my head. ‘All the same, there would have to be a decent interval — especially if Genialis’s body is not found. In the absence of a corpse, there is no proof that her former guardian is dead and it may take some time for Marcus to make a formal application to the court — especially since he plans to go to Rome within the moon. But he will need the legal sanction, if he’s to take charge of her affairs and have the right to find another husband for his ward. And, incidentally, to deal with Genialis’s estate. I know the man had debts, but there was the house in Dorn. Presumably, since he was a councillor out there, his residence is of a certain size. Who will that go to?’

Lucius shrugged. ‘I’ve no idea at all. I hadn’t thought about it. No doubt — being in public life — he’s made a proper will, with seven witnesses and all that sort of thing. If not, I suppose the state will benefit.’

I raised a brow at him. ‘Or Silvia, as his nearest relative? Would she not have a claim? He was her guardian and she was married to his brother, after all.’

He nodded doubtfully. ‘Though Silvia says that he was heavily in debt — what with his gambling and his financing of public works in Dorn, to secure his election — so I doubt there’ll be a lot left over, anyway.’ He ran his fingers through his tawny hair. ‘Would that make a difference to your patron’s attitude …?’ He broke off as there was a tapping on the door that led out to the warehouse. ‘Enter!’ he called and Adonisius came into the room on silent feet.

‘Alfredus Allius, masters!’ he announced, standing back to let the visitor come through.

Of course I’d seen Alfredus several times before: not only in the snow when he was witnessing my contract for the pavement and at the ill-fated Janus sacrifice, but also at a distance at the basilica in his capacity as a minor councillor. However, he was not a man who stood out in a crowd. I had always found him instantly forgettable, and even here, in a humble freeman’s house — where he was clearly the most distinguished guest, wearing a toga and a curial one at that — he somehow contrived to lack presence and prestige.

Partly this was the product of his looks. There was nothing about him that distinguished him: he was of middle-age, of average height, and neither fat nor slim. His hair, which was of medium length, was nondescript and brown, and though he was not ugly he was hardly beautiful — his regular features were resolutely plain. Even his toga was only moderately white. All the same, it bore a very narrow purple stripe, an indication that he was a councillor-magistrate, though of the lowest rank.

I gave a little bow in salutation, very conscious of my own improper dress and preparing to frame an explanation and apology for it. Even a narrow-striper demands a certain deference.

However, having exchanged the proper greetings with his host, he was already blinking short-sightedly at me and saying, in his strangely flat and nasal voice, ‘Ah, the pavement-maker! I remember you. I witnessed a contract for you, I believe.’

‘For Genialis,’ I corrected as courteously as I could. ‘Though you were never called upon to see it was fulfilled. However, the work was duly witnessed by a magistrate, and I have been paid.’

The grey eyes looked dispassionately at me. ‘Then you’re a lucky man! Not many of his creditors can say as much.’

There was an awkward moment, then Lucius clapped his hands, and at once the pimply servant sidled in, bearing the tray of refreshments as his master had required. He set it down and was about to serve the wine, but his owner shook his head.

‘Adonisius will serve us. You go and find an extra seat for us — the folding stool from my bedroom will suffice. And when you have done that, you may tell the kitchen we will dine as soon as possible.’

The boy dashed off to do as he was told, and a moment later I was sipping mead while my companions drank the Rhenish, which was clearly excellent.

‘Just as well the captain of the vessel had some sense,’ Lucius was saying, holding his fine glass goblet to the light. ‘He had to jettison some cargo in a storm, to save the ship — with of course a total loss to the owner of the goods — but he had the wit to save this wine at least.’

‘And what happens if it goes overboard and is actually retrieved, but is damaged by salt water when it gets to shore? I suppose the shipper bears the losses in a case like that?’ Alfredus was asking questions eagerly. Obviously his experience with Genialis had made him cautious about lending capital.

‘That depends on what contract he has made. In any case, it’s generally worth the risk. There is good money to be made from wine.’ Lucius, in his enthusiastic way, began to discourse on the various types of wine, and where they could most profitably be traded to and from. ‘There is a ship tomorrow loading up for Gaul, and I’m going to bargain with the captain to bring me back a few amphorae from the vineyards there. Would you care to come and watch, and see the arrangements that are made and how these things are done?’

I think they had forgotten that I was there at all — which wasn’t very courteous to me, but in fact I did not mind. It was all information I could give to Marcus afterwards. So I was content to sit and listen and savour my warm mead, which was the best I’d ever tasted — delicately warmed and flavoured with sweet spice. I would have been ready to finish the whole jug.

However, it was not very long before the slave came back, saying that dinner was ready if we wished and Lucius led us through into another room. It was fairly Spartan, the floor and walls completely unadorned. The three small dining-couches around the table took almost all the space and the brazier in the corner gave off little heat — unless, like Alfredus, you were reclining next to it. However, we were provided with the usual courtesies — linen napkins, and the spotty slave to wash our hands and feet. He even offered us a spoon and dining knife, in case we were not carrying our own, and there was a small libation to the household Lars, brought in for the purpose in a little travelling box.

The meal was not by any means a feast, only two dishes other than the meat, and everything was very plainly served: though this, in fact, was rather to my taste. I was glad to see that garum — that fish sauce that Romans like to put on everything — was offered in a jug and not put on the serving-plate itself. Alfredus, I noticed, poured a lot on his.

As the senior guest, he was naturally on Lucius’s right, while I was on the left, so I had little opportunity to join the talk — and in fact for a long time, nothing much was said. But when we had moved on to dried berries, fruits and nuts, and the slaves had retired to clean the dinner-ware, Alfredus cleared his throat. ‘Lucius, there was something that I wanted to discuss, but perhaps …’ He jerked his head at me. ‘A little later, possibly, when your other guest has gone?’

I was about to offer to withdraw and give them privacy — after all I had that promise of the record scrolls, which answered what I’d come for — but Lucius straightened to a sitting pose (a signal that we two should do the same) and seized my arm again, saying heartily to his other guest, ‘You may speak freely. There are no strangers here. Libertus already knows about the loan I hope to get from you and why.’

Alfredus looked embarrassed. He took another handful of the nuts and cleared his throat. ‘Then I’ll confess it straightaway. I’ll have to disappoint you, I’m afraid — unless or until Genialis comes to light. You’ve heard that he owes me money, I expect? No doubt that’s common knowledge in the town.’

Lucius nodded. ‘Libertus heard it in the forum, I believe.’

Alfredus made a face. ‘I was obliged to make a shaming public statement at the basilica, in front of everyone, that I can’t pay my creditors. If Genialis were available I would simply delegate — pass the debts to him, as the law permits — there is no requirement that he should agree. But it seems he’s disappeared, and one cannot declare delegatio without the knowledge of the man involved — so I’ve simply had to ask for the customary length of time to pay.’

‘Thirty days? And that will be enough?’ Lucius sounded genuinely interested now.

‘By that time, I hope, I can sell my usual crops again — I’ve not been able to do so with the recent snow — and that should be sufficient to pay my creditors. But it doesn’t solve the problem of what Genialis owes to me. At present it is legally “impossible to pay” and so there is no immediate redress. If he’s dead I’ll have to sue from his estate, though that clearly won’t be possible within the thirty days.’ He gave a bitter smile. ‘Just as well they’ve done away with old-style punishments for defaulters, that’s all I can say.’

I remembered what Marcus had once told me about that. The ancient law provided that a man could chain his debtor up for the whole period — without the necessity of offering him food — and if the money was not paid in time, the creditors had the right, not just to seize his goods (as happened nowadays) but to share up his body in equitable parts.

‘When did you discover he was missing?’ Lucius asked. ‘We weren’t aware of it ourselves until a day or two ago.’

‘I expected to see him at the Agonalia feast — it was the day the debt was due and I thought he would have travelled back to keep the feast: he had intended to, he said, in fact he was furious when he could not provide the ram. I spoke to Bernadus — knowing that Genialis had been to stay with him.’ Alfredus tossed another shelled walnut down his throat and took a sip of wine. ‘He was surprised, himself. He said that Genialis ought to be in town: he had left the villa several days before, with instructions that his bride-to-be should follow him to town on the day of sacrifice, and she had done so — though she’d left a lot of her effects behind.’

‘He wasn’t here to meet her, though!’ Lucius said. ‘The doorkeeper hadn’t seen his master since the day he left.’

Alfredus frowned. ‘So I understand. I tried the house, myself. There was a special meeting of the curia — in relation to the proclamation of the new Emperor — so I couldn’t go at once, but as soon as it was over, I called there straight away. But the doorkeeper told me that his master hadn’t come and Silvia had been taken into temporary potestas by His Excellence. That was the moment I began to fear that I’d lost my money. And the gold is not among the things that were left behind at the villa. I went straight to Bernadus’s villa, the first thing next day, and he helped me institute a search, but …’ He trailed off helplessly. ‘The coffer was there, but it was emptied of its gold. It seems he’s simply vanished and the money too.’

‘Then perhaps he had it with him?’ I suggested, brightening. ‘Intending to repay you when he got to town. That might explain his disappearance, mightn’t it? If he were intercepted by some robber on the road and found to be carrying a lot of money it is more than possible that he was murdered for his purse.’

In fact this seemed an obvious theory, now I had thought of it, and the more I considered it, the likelier it seemed. Violence and robbery on the public road is a crucifying offence so victims of such crimes are more often killed than not — dead men cannot identify a thief. And it would fit with what Lucius and Adonisius thought as well — that he’d gone off in a hurry to meet a secret creditor. I only wondered that I had not thought of it before!

But Lucius was making a disbelieving face. ‘But surely thieves would just have dumped the corpse beside the road? That’s what they generally do. And I’ve never heard of any thief who didn’t try to seize the horse — especially a valuable animal like that — or at least the trappings, which are easier to sell. Yet when that horse was found, it still had its saddle on, although the reins were broken. What robber would do that? That saddle would bring a good price at any market stall.’

Alfredus had finished all the walnuts by this time and was eating almonds now. ‘And if Genialis were carrying a large amount of gold, wouldn’t he have had the casket with him too? Bernadus said he was carrying a purse, but that would not hold the amount of gold I lent to him. Besides,’ he added, ‘I don’t believe that he meant to pay me back. In that case, why did he want the loan at all? There was nothing whatever to spend it on while he was at the villa, and no opportunity of gaining extra funds. He was relying on some deal that he hoped to make, he said.’

There was some sense in all of this, but I did not give up without a fight. ‘Or perhaps Bernadus stole it, after his guests had left,’ I suggested doubtfully. ‘Such things have happened.’

Alfredus gave that mirthless smile again. ‘I don’t think so, pavement-maker. Bernadus had agreed to act as surety — so if that money’s missing, he must make it up himself. Only, since he is a sort of friend, I swore in the stipulatio that I would not sue until it was proved “impossible” for Genialis to repay — so there is no legal way that I can call on him for it just now.’ He turned to Lucius. ‘So you see why I cannot — at the moment — offer you the loan.’

Lucius laughed and clapped him on the arm. ‘Oddly enough, it does not matter much, while Genialis is unaccounted for. And if he’s dead, I may not need a loan at all.’ He looked at me and grinned. ‘Supposing that my hopes of matrimony come to pass.’ Then he sobered suddenly. ‘But I thought you had recently sold a piece of land. Surely you didn’t lend Genialis all of th-?’

Alfredus brought his fists down on the table with such violence that the bronze dish which had held the nuts bounced off and hit the floor. ‘That is the worst of it! I have been such a fool! He swore — upon the altar, in the presence of a priest — that he would return it to me by the Agonalia, and even add a little interest. There were urgent expenses which he had to meet in Dorn — largely for his intended marriage to his ward — but he’d arranged to sell some business interests within a day or two, and this loan was simply to see him through till then. But I’m not sure that’s true. Bernadus tells me he was laughing afterwards, when they were dining at the villa the next day, saying that he’d duped me, and this merely a device to find out exactly how much he dared to ask for those business assets. Though I don’t understand how that could be.’

Lucius’s smile had faded and he was looking grim. ‘I think perhaps I do,’ he said through gritted teeth. ‘He knew that I was anxious to try to buy him out, and somehow learned that you were planning to make a loan to me — though I tried to keep it from him. He wanted as high a price as possible, of course, but didn’t know exactly what I could afford to pay. So he duped you into this — he now knew the maximum that he could ask of me, no doubt adding a little extra on for luck, including the interest that he promised you. So when he paid you back, you’d lend the gold to me and I would give it back to him again — that was the strategy. And it was not the wedding that he needed all this money for, it was his gambling debts.’

But I was hardly listening to this tale of perfidy. I turned to the purple-striper urgently. ‘You say you swore your stipulatio in the presence of a priest? Not by any chance the ancient one that tried to make the Janus sacrifice?’

Alfredus looked at me in some surprise. ‘How did you know that citizen? Of course, he hadn’t made — or failed to make — the sacrifice to them, otherwise I should never have consented to involve him in the act. I wasn’t very keen in any case — I would have preferred a senior magistrate — but Bernadus was insistent that we should ask the priest. A vow was better than a simple pact, he said, and this priest was willing to do things for a fee. So I agreed to it. And so did Genialis. Well he broke his vow — and now they are looking for his corpse, and serve him right.’

He said it with such venom that I was slightly shocked. ‘But I thought you were a friend? Were you not supporting him to be an aedile?’ I was only guessing that, but he did not demur.

‘A friend?’ For a moment the pale eyes sparked with unaccustomed fire. ‘A man like Genialis does not have real friends. Only people who are useful and people who are used.’ He gave that little mirthless laugh again. ‘I was fool enough to think that I was in the former group — but tonight I have discovered otherwise. Well if he has perished, he brought it on himself. The gods have punished him.’

Lucius gave a barking laugh. ‘And the old priest as well — though that was most likely because he spoiled the sacrifice. You have heard the story of the finding of his corpse?’ He told it, much as I’d related it to him, though omitting the grisly details of the missing upper parts.

Alfredus, however, was looking worried now. ‘So there is no longer a witness to our vow. I wonder how that will affect things in the court. You don’t think Genialis had a hand in that? We don’t know that he is actually dead.’

‘That is why we’re mounting this enormous search for him. Libertus here intends to join it, in the morning I believe, and you are welcome to send a slave to help.’

Alfredus was already rising to his feet. ‘I think I’ll do that. I hope the corpse turns up. If he’s dead there’ll be no problem in suing his estate — Bernadus will simply be relieved of acting surety and I’m sure he’ll testify for me, if there’s no penalty to pay.’ He bowed in our direction. ‘In the meantime, gentleman, I will go back home and find a servant I can spare to join the hunt.’

Lucius rapped the table with the jug to bring the servants back. Alfredus’s attendant (who, unbeknown to me, was being entertained by Vesperion in his warehouse lair) was sent for, and despatched to find a litter to take his master home. Meanwhile Adonisius went off to find my cloak and came back wearing a warm cape of his own, and carrying a lighted pitch-torch in his hand.

‘If you are ready, citizen? I will escort you to your shop.’ And together we set off into the night.