Gladiator: Vengeance

14

‘So, Marcus, what can the governor, and I, do for you exactly?’ Euraeus smiled as he faced his three visitors across his gleaming walnut desk. They were seated on the stools that one of the aide’s clerks had brought for them, along with a tray of scented water and some pastries.

Marcus hastily chewed the mouthful of minted lamb and crust that he had been enjoying and wiped the crumbs from his mouth. At the same time his mind was hurriedly organizing his thoughts over how much information he should provide to Euraeus. Marcus explained the cover story that they had agreed on and then moved on to the real reason for their presence in Greece.

‘Caesar sent us here to find someone. A slave.’ He felt a twinge of pain as he used the word to describe his mother. ‘She is the — property — of a moneylender and tax collector who has an estate here in Greece.’

‘I see.’ Euraeus nodded. ‘And what does Caesar want you to do when you find this slave?’

Festus coughed a warning. ‘Marcus — ’

‘Set her free.’ Marcus’s voice caught and he forced himself to control his emotions as he continued. ‘She is being held illegally. Kidnapped by the man who now claims to own her.’

Euraeus stroked his jaw. ‘This is a serious crime you speak of. A serious accusation at any rate. What proof is there that she was kidnapped? Were there any witnesses?’

‘Yes.’ Marcus felt a lump in his throat. ‘There was one.’

‘That helps if we are to bring the perpetrator to justice. Speaking of which, do you know his name?’

Marcus nodded. ‘Decimus.’

‘Decimus?’ The aide raised an eyebrow. ‘I know a few moneylenders by that name, none of whom strike me as particularly criminal.’

‘Really?’ Festus interrupted with a wry grin. ‘Seems you have a higher standard of moneylender here in Greece than I ever met back in Rome.’

‘There are many things in Greece that are of a higher standard than in Rome,’ Euraeus replied with a smile. ‘Our civilization being one of them. But back to the business at hand. Obviously we need to find the right Decimus to bring to justice. Do you have any other information about him that would help me?’

‘Only that he has an estate in the Peloponnese.’

‘Hmmm. That’s not much to go on.’

‘It’s a start,’ Lupus added. ‘There must surely be a record of the taxes due on estates in the province. Then it’s only a question of matching the records to the names and we should find the man easily.’

‘Oh, there are records all right. The trouble is they are at the fiscal procurator’s office down at Piraeus. I’ll have to send for them. They could be brought here in a matter of days, once the procurator returns to Athens.’

‘Where is he?’ asked Marcus, stifling his impatience.

‘He was called away to resolve a tax dispute in Thebes. Shouldn’t take long.’

‘Well, couldn’t we look at his records before he gets back?’

Euraeus looked shocked. ‘Such records are confidential, my dear boy. It would be unthinkable to make them available to anyone behind the procurator’s back. It’s more than my job is worth to even suggest it. No, I’m afraid you must wait until he returns.’

‘What about the governor?’ Festus interjected. ‘Surely he has the necessary authority?’

The aide thought a moment and nodded slowly. ‘True. He might agree to it. But Servillus won’t be available until the morning. At least. Later if he’s been in his cups. I suggest you come back tomorrow at noon.’

‘That raises another matter,’ said Festus. ‘We need somewhere to stay while we are in Athens. That won’t be easy with the crowds who have come to see the governor’s spectacle. You can arrange something for us here, I trust? Some accommodation and some food.’

Euraeus shook his head and made a sad expression. ‘Unfortunately, there is no spare room at the palace for the same reason.’

Festus leaned to the side and tapped a finger on the leather tube hanging from a thong round Marcus’s neck. ‘I think that will disappoint the man we work for.’

The aide considered this briefly and coughed. ‘On second thoughts, I’m sure I can arrange something for the three of you.’

‘That’s better.’ Festus smiled.

‘Now that is a nice mattress,’ Lupus grinned as he tested the bed on either side of him. ‘I think this might be the best night’s sleep since we arrived in Greece.’

Marcus nodded absently as he stood looking through the window across the palace gardens and over the city. Night had fallen and the full moon cast a pale blue glow over the tiled roofs that stretched round the palace complex. Euraeus had provided them with a comfortable room in a wing used to accommodate those travelling on official business. A small kitchen in the mess hall on the ground floor provided drink and food for guests of the governor, and they had eaten their fill and retired for the night. Marcus felt a warm glow of contentment — not just because of the creature comforts they were enjoying after many days on the road, but tomorrow they would seek help from Governor Servillus to find the estate of Decimus. If Lupus was right, it would be a straightforward process, then Marcus might finally be reunited with his mother. The only danger being that Decimus might be forewarned of their presence in Greece.

As he gazed up at the moon a memory of her scent flooded him with the fuller memory of home and the happiness he had once known. He held on to the feeling while behind him the others climbed into their beds and settled. Soon the light snores of Festus and the softer breathing of Lupus drifted from the darkness, and Marcus could enjoy his thoughts in blissful solitude, letting his eyes close as he recalled his mother’s face in detail, and that of Titus, standing behind her, his craggy features split by a warm smile. Marcus felt his heart lurch and was surprised by the depth of his feeling for the old soldier who had raised him. Titus may not have been his real father, but Marcus loved him all the same.

Then he imagined another figure, the shadowy figure of Spartacus. He had no face, just a looming presence that was somehow dangerous and threatening. Marcus could feel no stirring of his heart for the man whose blood he shared, and the only bond seemed to be ideas of duty and destiny. Perhaps if things had been different he might have loved Spartacus as much as he had loved Titus. In return Spartacus may have been as fond and proud of him as Titus had been. But then he knew such a life would have been impossible. Spartacus had been a slave. Even if there had been no revolt there would have been no prospect of a happy life. Gladiators lived to fight and die. Any children they had were little more than another entry on the list of their owner’s property. Marcus would never have known freedom as he grew up, just the endless routine grind of hard toil. As it was, he knew the value of freedom, and knew what the loss of it meant.

The next morning Marcus and the others rose long after sunrise and ate a leisurely breakfast before returning to the governor’s offices. They had put on their best tunics and cleaned their boots in order to give a good impression to Servillus. A decent night’s sleep and a full belly did much to improve their spirits as they walked through the gardens towards the administration building. Once they had passed inside a clerk took them to the office of Euraeus. The Greek greeted them with a ready smile.

‘Good day, gentlemen. I trust you found your accommodation adequate?’

Festus nodded. ‘Very comfortable, thank you.’

‘Is the governor ready to see us?’ Marcus asked impatiently.

A look of sorrow flickered across Euraeus’s face as he clasped his hands together. ‘Alas, no. His excellency has not yet risen. His servant says that he is not likely to stir for another hour or two at least. But rest assured, as soon as he reaches his office I will tell him your request is urgent.’

Marcus sighed with disappointment, shifting his weight from one foot to the other until Festus squeezed his shoulder gently.

‘You’ve waited two years for this, Marcus. What does an hour or so matter?’

Every instant that separated Marcus from his mother pained him, but he forced himself to nod. ‘I suppose.’

‘Good!’ Euraeus beamed. ‘I suggest that you return to your quarters and wait there. I’ll send for you the moment the governor is available.’

Marcus nodded and he and his friends turned to leave the office. They returned through the gardens to the guest accommodation wing and were about to enter when Lupus stopped and cleared his throat.

‘Er, would you mind if I took a quick look around the city?’

Marcus turned to him. ‘You heard Euraeus. He told us to wait here.’

‘I know, but he said it could be some time before we are sent for. I’ll be back before then. I promise.’

Festus looked uncertain and Lupus decided to press his case. ‘I’ve dreamt of visiting Athens. It’d be a shame not to see anything of it before we leave the city. I won’t be long.’

Marcus could not help smiling at his desperate expression. ‘Go on then. See what you have to, but don’t hang about.’

Before Festus could protest Lupus had nodded his thanks and was striding towards the entrance of the palace complex. The bodyguard let out a frustrated breath.

‘I hope nothing happens to him.’

‘He’ll be safe enough,’ Marcus smiled. ‘If he can cope with the streets of Rome, then he can cope here. Besides, he’s picked up a few useful skills on the road. Lupus will be fine.’

‘I hope so,’ Festus muttered as he followed Marcus up the stairs into the accommodation wing.

There was not a cloud in the sky and the sun blazed down on Athens from deep, peaceful blue heavens. Lupus made his way through the busy main streets towards the stepped path of the Panathanaic Way, climbing up from the city to the great rock of the Acropolis that dominated Athens. He passed through the gate into the temple complex, excitedly looking at statues and buildings he had read about when he was growing up in Rome. He knew there was little time and made directly for the Parthenon where he wandered around the vast structure, marvelling at the elaborate painted frieze that ran along the top of the columns. As his neck began to ache, Lupus made his way to the parapet and leaned on it, gazing across the city and the flat plane beyond towards the distant sea that sparkled in the sunlight. He sighed with contentment as he enjoyed the view.

He knew that his time in the city would be brief, but he did not resent it since it would mean that Marcus’s quest would soon come to an end. While the prospect of finding Marcus’s mother was a happy one, Lupus knew that it would mean an end to the fellowship of the three of them. Marcus would remain with his mother while Festus and Lupus returned to Caesar’s house in Rome. In truth Lupus had enjoyed being on the road, away from the stinking confines of a city. He had even begun to enjoy his daily sessions of exercise and weapons training.

The sun had reached its zenith and Lupus knew he must rejoin his friends. With a sigh he tore himself away from the spectacular view and made his way back across the Acropolis to the gate and the path that descended into the city. At the bottom he turned on to the crowded street that led to the governor’s palace. At once the familiar smells of crowded humanity assaulted his nose, and the shouts of traders and the city’s inhabitants filled his ears. Lupus threaded his way through the crowd and was in sight of the entrance to the palace when he heard a cry from ahead of him.

‘Make way there! Make way!’

The calls grew louder and now Lupus could see a tall, well-built man with a staff clearing a path for the litter that came behind him. Eight slaves carried the poles that supported the covered litter. The occupant was concealed behind the thin linen curtains that hung from the frame. Lupus joined the others who squeezed to the side of the street to get out of the way of the man with the staff, who used it to sweep pedestrians aside.

‘Make way!’ he shouted again. ‘Make way for Gaius Amelius Decimus!’

Lupus froze. At once he was jostled from behind.

‘Oi! Watch yourself, boy!’ A man pressed past him with an angry expression. ‘Don’t get in people’s way. You damned nuisance.’

Lupus mumbled an apology and retreated into the doorway of a bread shop. He stared at the litter as it passed by. A slight jostle disturbed the curtain and he caught a glimpse of a hand, with heavy gold rings on it.

‘Make way for Decimus!’ the slave with the staff intoned again.

‘Scum …’ a voice growled and Lupus turned to see the baker at his shoulder. He ignored Lupus and stared hatefully at the litter. ‘Money-grabbing Roman leech.’

There was no doubt in Lupus’s mind. This was the Decimus they were searching for. Right here in Athens. No more than a hundred paces from the entrance to the governor’s palace! His mind raced. He thought of running to the palace to tell his friends. Then he realized it was more important to follow Decimus and discover where the tax collector lived.

The litter continued down the street as Lupus began to follow it. They passed through the heart of the city before climbing a street to a more elevated area in a wealthier neighbourhood. The close-packed houses gave way to larger homes with imposing entrances before the street opened out on to a market where traders sold spices and other luxury goods. The litter stopped at a short flight of steps leading to a studded door where a watchman sat. At first sight of the litter, he rushed down and bowed his head, then stood ready to hand his master down from the litter. Lupus paused by one of the stalls so he could watch without attracting attention. The light curtains of the litter were swept aside as the occupant swung his legs out, and the wigless head of Decimus gleamed in the sunlight. He glanced round quickly before he climbed the stairs. The door opened for him and he disappeared into the house. A moment later the slaves carrying the litter continued on, turning into a narrow side alley as they made for the slave quarters at the rear.

His heart pounding with excitement, Lupus turned and raced back to the palace, raising cries of protest as he barged his way through the crowds. At the entrance to the palace he breathlessly explained his business to the guard who waved him inside. Lupus could barely wait to relate his discovery to his friends. Entering the guest accommodation, he took the stairs three at a time to the second floor and raced down the cool corridor towards their room. The door was ajar and he thrust it aside as he burst in and stood, chest heaving from his exertion.

Then he frowned. He had fully expected to see Festus and Marcus. Instead there were two soldiers waiting. They wore the red tunics of the legions, together with heavy boots and short swords hanging from thick leather straps across their shoulders.

‘Where are my friends?’ Lupus demanded. ‘There’s something I have to tell them!’

‘You can tell them, all right.’ One of the soldiers grinned as he stepped forward and grasped Lupus’s arm.

‘Hey!’ he protested, and tried to pull himself free. ‘What do you think you’re doing? Let go of me!’

But the soldier just tightened his grip and bunched his spare hand into a fist that he raised threateningly. ‘Stop struggling, or I’ll give you a thick ear, boy!’

Lupus reluctantly did as he was told and the second soldier took his other arm, then he was led into the corridor.

‘Just tell me what’s going on. Where are Marcus and Festus?’

‘You’ll find out soon enough.’

‘Where are you taking me? What’s going on?’

‘You know well enough, lad.’ The soldier glanced at him with a cold expression. ‘Don’t play the innocent with me.’

Lupus was confused and afraid. ‘I have no idea what this is about.’

The soldier sniffed dismissively. ‘Of course not. That’s what all criminals say.’

‘Criminals?’ Lupus felt his heart lurch. ‘What are you talking about?’

‘You and your friends are under arrest. For murder.’