Salvete,
This story was posted almost two years ago, and many of you may
have seen it then. But I was not happy with it and thought it could
have been much better. I just did an extensive re-write and expanded
it, and gave it a new ending. And here it is.
-----
THE SCROLL: A Tale of Ancient Rome featuring Nova Roma citizens as
characters. By Gaius Cassius Nerva
A brisk wind augmented the natural chill of the night sky,
causing the flames of the torch to flicker and nearly extinguish. A
waiting servant drew his cloak more tightly about himself, wishing he
was in warmer quarters. But Pontiff Antonius Gryllus Graecus did not
notice the chill, nor did he hear the servant beckon him to mind his
health and to retreat back into the warmth of the house. His
attention was focused upon the sky, watching, scanning, searching for
some omen, some sign from the heavens.
"Nothing!", he exclaimed aloud. He turned and beckoned to the
obviously chilly servant. "How long have the messengers been gone?",
he asked. "Nearly two hours sir.", the servant answered through
chattering teeth.
"Are you sure they understood my instructions?"
"Yes sir, I told them myself. Go to the temples and the augerers.
Have them present sacrifices, observe the heavens, and report back
here to you."
Pontiff Graecus turned and looked back to the sky again.
Nothing. No owls, no falling stars, no omen of any kind. "Well",
he sighed. "they should be back anytime now. Go to the gate. Report
to me as soon as word begins to come in." The servant hurried off,
leaving Graecus alone. "They are waiting for me inside", he
thought, "and I have nothing to tell them!"
Inside the atrium of the house of Marcus Cassius Julianus they
waited, a small group of Roman senators. They waited for what seemed
like hours for their host to return, and for their friend Graecus who
was still outside looking for a sign from the gods. Finally, Lucius
Cornelius Sulla jumped up from his seat. "We cannot wait any
longer!", he exclaimed. "I suggest, gentlemen, that we disperse
ourselves, to retire to our own houses. Perhaps we can meet again
another night." This suggestion produced a slight murmering among
those gathered, but was opposed by Quintus Fabius. "Too dangerous.
The more often we gather together here, under cloak of darkness, the
greater the chances our plan may be discovered."
"I agree with Quintus Fabius", voiced Lucius Equitius
Cincinnatus. "We cannot simply fly back to our houses before we have
heard what Cassius and Graecus have to report. The time for this
action may be propitious indeed."
Sulla, who was now clearly the minority, relunctantly nodded his
agreement. "Very well", he said, "I consent that we wait, but only
upon this condition: That whatever action we decide upon must be
unanimous!" At this, all the men present turned their heads to
observe the faces of the others, seeking out any signs of weakness or
indecision. Finally, after a long silence, the elderly Marcus
Minucius Audens rose from his chair and spoke. "Gentlemen, it is not
often that I agree with anything that comes out of Sulla's mouth.
But on this, he is absolutely correct. We must act of one accord,
with no dissent." Marcus Octavius Germanicus nodded. "Let it be so!"
Just then, Pontiff Graecus burst into the room, profoundly
agitated. "Graecus! Have the messengers returned?", asked
Cincinnatus. Graecus nodded, panting for breath. "Then by all the
gods man, tell us!", demanded Quintus Fabius. Graecus took a
breath. "Nothing!", he exlaimed. "No signs in the heavens, no signs
on the earth, nothing! Even the entrails were ordinary, neither
particularly healthy or unhealthy!"
"How can this be?", asked Germanicus. "Are the gods with us or
against us?" "Perhaps they are indifferent", Sulla opined.
Then, from the doorway, a confident voice sounded. "I believe,
gentlemen, that this signifies the gods mean to test us, to see
whether or not our resolve be strong!" All heads turned in the
diredction of the voice. "Cassius!", exclaimed Audens. "We were
beginning to worry!" Marcus Cassius Julianus approached the circle
and began shaking hands with all the men assembled. Beside him walked
his wife, the beautiful and elegant Patricia Cassia. "What news,
Cassius?", asked Quintus Fabius. Cassius hesitated, his face grave.
His wife touched his arm. "Do not delay, my husband. They must all be
warned, quickly!"
Cassius took a deep breath, and spoke. "Gentlemen, the reason we
were not here when you all arrived is that we had an urgent message
from our relative, Gaius Cassius Nerva, entreating us to come to his
house at once. His sources have informed him that Antony, Octavian,
and Lepidus have this evening forged an alliance, and will be levying
forces against Brutus and my cousin, Cassius Longinus. He warns that
proscriptions may soon follow." Marcus Octavius Germanicus
laughed. "May soon follow? It is a safe bet that such a list is
already made! Octavian is a relative of mine, you remember. I know
him. I know his character and his ambition. I would be surprised if
the ink on the list is not already dried and flaking!"
Cassius nodded. "A very real possibility, Germanicus. And so,
gentlemen, we must now decide whether or not it is wise to proceed
with our plan. Nerva and myself, by our relation to Longinus, are
probably already under suspicion, though we have never given offense
to either Antony nor Octavian. By associating with me, you are all
taking a risk. Should Antony and Octavian and Lepidus discover that
we have acted, without including them, why, the danger may be
considerable."
While Cassius was speaking, Graecus was pondering the gravity of
the situation. Now he pressed the question. "Should we not then seek
to include them in this enterprise? "
"No!", replied Quintus Fabius firmly. "We will not cower
ourselves before those would-be kings! It was for liberty that
Longinus and Brutus struck down the tyrant Caesar. Let us not then
go trembling and bowing before his successors, begging them to honor
us by taking an equal share in this plan of ours. Let us therefore
resolve to live, to act, and if needs be, to die as Romans!"
When he had finished speaking, all the others present, including
Graecus, applauded. "We are with you, Cassius", Audens declared,
shaking his hand. "As you lead, so shall we follow. Press on!"
"Very well!", Cassius laughed. "Come with me please, gentlemen."
Cassius reached for Patricia's hand. "Attend me, by beloved and
honorable wife."
They all followed Cassius to the study. And from his desk,
Cassius produced a small scroll, and a full money bag. Taking pen and
ink, he wrote something on the scroll, in bold letters. Then, facing
them all, he said, "Upon this scroll, I have written our instructions
and wishes in this matter. And here, in this money bag, are the funds
we have all contributed for this purpose. And now gentlemen, so that
there may be no doubt as to the involvement of all of us in this
business, I now propose that each of place his personal seal on this
scroll."
And so it was. One by one, each of the men stepped up to the
desk, and with sealing wax affixed his personal seal upon the
document. First to do so was Cassius, then Quintus Fabius. Next came
Lucius Equitius, then the Pontiff Antonio Gryllus Graceus, followed
by Marcus Octavius. Marcus Minucius Audens was next, and last was
Sulla. When they had finished, Sulla exhaled relief. "It is done!"
"Very well then", Cincinnatus said. "Now, who is the agent to do
the deed? For a Senator and a Patrician ought not stoop to doing such
business himself. Cassius turned to his wife. "Patricia, where
is..."
"In the study", she interrupted, coldly.
"Very good. Would you please send him in?" Cassius asked. Patricia
closed her eyes and shook her head. "Have a servant fetch him, my
husband. I cannot stand to be near him." She hesitated a moment and
closed her eyes. "I despise him." And so, a servant was sent, and
the stranger was ushered into the room. His long dark cloak came
nearly to the floor, and his face was hidden by his hood. He said
nothing, but stood there, patient and expressionless. Patricia turned
her back contemptuously to the stranger.
"Who is it?", Audens whispered to Cassius. Cassius nodded to the
stranger, who then slowly pulled back his hood, revealing his face.
It was the face of Acadianus Draco.
"Draco!", gasped Graecus.
"Oh shit!" groaned Sulla, covering his face with his hand. "By the
body of...what were you thinking, Cassius? You've stained us!"
Audens pulled Cassius aside, "Cassius, are you sure you know what you
are doing? This man was at the right hand of Catiline---until he sold
Catiline out to Cicero's agents for a hefty sum! And some say that
it was he who, while in the employ of Pompey, betrayed Pompey when
paid by the Egyptian scum Pothinus! In the name of all the Gods,
Cassius, why him?"
Cassius was irritated and defensive. "Gentlemen! The action we
are taking requires speed. Draco knows the backalleys, the sewers,
every dark hiding place in Rome!"
"As all rats and vermin do!", Patricia sneered. Draco snorted. "As
always, good lady, your warmth is touching. But then, this has always
been the manner of you so called 'good men' of Rome, you men
of 'background' and 'high birth'! You sit in your senate seats, strut
like over-stuffed pigeons through the forum, plotting and coniving
amongst yourselves all manner of villany and deceit! Yet when you
need the dirty work done, the deeds you Boni are not strong enough or
manly enough to commit on your own....you turn to the Dracos of the
world. Ha! You vultures cannot exist with the likes of me! And yet
you look down upon me from your marble pedastals with such contempt,
while all along it is I who should feel self-contempt at the thought
of working for such loathesome, base, and putrescent parasites as
yourselves!".
"Wretched villian!", roared Quintus Fabius as he drew his dagger
and started to lunge at Draco. But was restrained by Cassius and
Audens, while all the while Draco laughed.
Draco turned to leave. "Since there is obviously nothing you
gentlemen require of me..."
"Draco! Wait!", called Cassius, who pulled out a money bag from
his toga. Draco stopped and turned around toward Cassius. Cassius
handed him the small bag which clinked with coin. "Will you do this
job? And can we trust you to carry it out in the short time we
have?" Draco feigned a smile. "Certainly Cassius! But...considering
the insult from your wife I was put through just now, the price has
gone up!" Cassius closed his eyes and sighed. Going over to an ivory
box on a side table, he opened the lid and drew out another small bag
of coin. He offered the bag to Draco, who pushed it away. "I have no
need of more money Cassius".
"Then what is it you demand?" Cassius asked impatiently.
"A share of the spoils of this little plot of yours", was Draco's
answer.
Cassius looked back at the others, who, with reluctance, nodded
in assent. "Very well", Cassius said, "you shall have it". Draco
turned to go, but was stopped by Quintus Fabius. "Draco", he said
with menacing tone, "I reluctantly agree to trust you, out of respect
for my friend Cassius". He bent down and whispered in Draco's
ear. "But mark me well, my friend. If you betray us, or fail to carry
out this mission, I swear to you, you will feel my dagger."
Unnerved, Draco stared into Maximus eyes coldly. Then he grinned, "Of
course, noble senator!" Then, with the scroll and money bag hidden
within his cloak, he disappeared into the night.
An impatient Sulla looked at the candle on the table, which
showed that an hour had elapsed. "Well", he demanded, "where is he?"
At that moment, the servant came running into the room. "Sir", he
said to Cassius, "he has returned!" Everyone rose anxiously and in a
moment, Draco entered the room, carrying a large box. Cassius ran
over to Draco. "Is it done?", he asked. "It is done", Draco replied,
setting the box on the table. Everyone gathered around the table, and
Draco opened the lid of the box...
"Here it is! Everything exactly as you ordered!", Draco said, with
obvious pride in his work. "One large pizza, with pepperoni and
mushrooms, and one medium plain!"
"Excellent!", Cassius shouted with joy.
"Great work, Draco!", said Cincinnatus, thumping Draco in the
shoulder.
"Let's eat!", cheered Audens.
Quintus Fabius was the first. Helping himself to a large slice
of the medium plain pizza, he laughed aloud and said, "Now this is
what I call a feast! And to think that we did it, and Antony,
Octavian, and Lepidus are not here to hog it all for themselves!"
He was just about to take a big bite when suddenly everyone was
startled by a booming masculine voice from the doorway.
"AHA!"
Quintus Fabius dropped his slice of pizza on the floor, and
everyone spun around towards the door to see a dreaded sight:
"Antony!", cried Marcus Octavius.
"Octavian!", cried Graecus.
"And Lepidus!", cried Audens.
"OH MY!", cried Patricia.
"So!", Marc Antony bellowed, "you thought to have a pizza party,
and not include us! What treachery is this?" The three triumvirs
menacingly walked together in unison towards the cowering senators.
"Oh, Cassius", screamed Patricia, "I'm not ready to die! I'm too
young, and too beautiful and elegant! Don't let them kill me!"
When the triumviate reached the table, they drew their swords.
Sulla screamed, "We're all gonna die!"
Graecus gasped and fainted.
Then, Antony, Octavian, and Lepidus raised their swords on high,
and together brought them down upon the large pizza, chopping it into
three parts. Each of the three then helped himself to one third of
the pizza pie, and began eating it in front of the others. But
Lepidus was troubled, and said, "Hey! Why is it my piece is smaller
than yours?" "Stop whining, or I'll take your piece away!",sneered
Octavian.
Antony looked down, and noticing the slice Quintus Fabius had
dropped, he stepped on it. Then, he pointed to the medium plain pizza
on the table, "Lepidus",he said, "I noticed two homeless dogs outside
in the street as we arrived. Do take this out to them, would you?"
"Very well", agreed Lepidus, and picking up the smaller pizza, he
went out.
Antony watched him leave, and then sneered,
"This is a slight unmeritable man,
Meet to be sent on errands:
Is it fit, a large pepperoni mushroom pizza divided,
He should stand one of the three to share it?"
"So you thought him", Octavian replied. "But he is a tried and
valiant soldier."
"So is my horse, Octavius", Antony retorted.
As Antony chewed, he noticed Patricia still hiding behind
Cassius. His face lighted. "Ah! The beautiful and elegant Patricia
Cassia!" Patricia blushed and gave as shy smile. Antony smiled back
at her, tore off a small piece of his third of the pizza, and offered
it to Patricia, who blushed with a shy smile. "Oh, I couldn't!"
"Ah, but I must insist, dear lady!"
"Thank you!", she cooed as she accepted the hot pizza. And then, she
took a bite. "Mmmm mmm", she sighed and she savored the exquisitely
delicious piece, her eyes closed in rapturous delight. Cassius and
the others could only look on with in wide-eyed surprise with mouths
hanging open.
Antony's smile vanished, and he turned on them. "As for the rest
of you, your names are marked. You will be watched. At our command,
you would all be proscribed. Pray that the command never comes!"
And with that, Antony and Octavian turned about and strode out
of the room, eating the pizza as they went.
When they had gone, all were silent. All that remained of the
pizzas were a few crumbs, and the one single slice on the floor,
squashed. Graecus was passed out on the floor.
The other men could only watch as Patricia rolled her eyes as
she swallowed the last succulent morsel .
Cassius frowned, and with mock servility offered her a cloth.
"Would you like a napkin, O Domina?"
THE END
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