Athene's Prophecy (Gaius Claudius Scaevola Trilogy) (6 page)

"I see," Tiberius shrugged, after a few minutes in which nothing happened. "Young Gaius, you seem to have your
Grammaticus
petrified with fear. So, give the gladius back to the Centurion."

Gaius nodded, and handed the gladius back, and was surprised to see the Centurion give him a wink and a grin.

Tiberius turned his attention back to the
Grammaticus
, and said in a tone of one who was becoming quite tired of this situation, "I gather you disturbed Little Boots yesterday. Little Boots, afterwards, thrash him, but let him live. Understand?"

"Yes
Princeps
."

"Now, what to do with this family. You," Tiberius said, looking at Gaius' father, who was standing unbowed, "You helped one of my old legionnaires, so you've at least done something right. I understand you want to restore the Republic?"

"I believe the principles of the Republic are what Rome needs," Gaius' father said simply, "without, of course, the civil wars. I think . . ."

"I agree with you," Tiberius interrupted, "and, when his ego didn't get in the way, so did Augustus. Does that surprise you?"

"It does."

"Let me ask you this, then," Tiberius continued, "Why hasn't the senate restored the Republic? I've done my level best to help them. I've left Rome, and I won't be back. I've left everything in the senate's hands, and what does the senate do? The odd one like you asks why we can't have a Republic, and the other sycophantic arseholes send their secret little reports here, and begging letters, asking what I want. They won't do anything without clearing it with me first. Is that not a true assessment of the situation?"

"I suppose so," came a subdued reply. There was little doubt in Rome that the remaining senators were only interested in maintaining their own personal fortunes.

"So you see," Tiberius continued wearily, "the return of the Republic is almost impossible because the people needed to make it work can't get off their arses and do anything. The Principate is necessary, simply because everybody wishes to have an authority to lean on." He stared at Gaius' father, who said nothing, although the expression on his face showed that he conceded the truth of what Tiberius was saying. "Look, go back to your estate, and stop trying to subvert what I'm doing. If you've got a reasonable scheme to bring back the Republic and enough support to make it work, let me know and I'll put it in place. Understand?"

Gaius' father nodded. Gaius knew there would be no such schemes. Nobody would allow his name to be put on a list to go to Tiberius. Tiberius might or might not permit a return to the Republic, but if he did not, banishment for the names on the list could be one of the more pleasant likely outcomes.

"The Republic was a great concept," Tiberius continued, almost to himself, "provided everyone wanted it to work. But to work, decisions have to be made, and they have to be made for the good of Rome, and not for personal gratification, or to pay off the debts arising from the bribes incurred to get there in the first place. Whatever else, Roman must never again kill Roman. You do at least agree with that?"

"Yes,
Princeps
," Gaius' father replied. This he did believe, as did all other Romans.

"You're not such a bad family," Tiberius shrugged. "Just not very useful. You were probably all scared stiff about coming here," he growled, "except you, boy." He turned to Gaius. "You weren't, were you?"

"No,
Princeps
."

"Your old soldier, Libo, he told you things about me didn't he?"

"Yes,
Princeps
."

"Which you won't repeat here?" Tiberius smiled.

"No,
Princeps
."

"Some of the things weren't very flattering?"

"Er, no,
Princeps
."

There was a murmur of disapproval from those at the back of the room, but Tiberius just laughed. "Tell me one phrase, young Gaius. That's an order."

"He said," Gaius said evenly, "that he was sure some of the old Tiberius, the Tiberius the Legions knew, must remain."

"He did, did he," Tiberius mused. "Find this Libo," he ordered one of the men at the back of the room, "and . . ." he added more quietly, "give him a pension from me. Oh, and let it be known, anyone lays a hand on this old soldier, that person becomes a toy for Little Boots here!" He turned to Gaius Caesar and laughed. "See, Little Boots, I've got your interests, dubious though they may be, at heart!"

Gaius Caesar gave a startled but forced smile.

"Now, you," Tiberius turned towards Gaius. "I gather you've got on reasonably well with my stuttering nephew?"

"I hope so,
Princeps
."

"You'd be the only one that does hope so," Tiberius remarked dryly, "but he tells me you're reasonably clever. I think you require further education, and not from that
Grammaticus
." He paused, then a flicker of a smile crossed his face as he continued, "You will go to Rhodes, and you will learn what you can from a Greek I used to know called Timothy. Something like . . ." A smile crossed his face as he added, "He aroused my interest in astronomy, so maybe he can do something for you. So, young Claudius, learn something about science.

"Then, when you turn nineteen I shall give you a legionary position. You will complete your military service, but remember, my stuttering nephew here wants you to end up something more than just a soldier. So, your orders are to do something else as well, something . . ." he paused, then laughed as he added, "something you've learned from your encounter with that wretched Greek! Ha!

"One more thing," Tiberius continued, "this stub of the Claudian
gens
needs renewal, and we start with you. You're left handed, so from now you are Gaius Claudius Scaevola, but . . . You are to earn yourself a new
agnomen
. Do you accept these orders?"

"Yes,
Princeps
."

"Good. Now, is there anyone in your family you would like me to do a favour for?"

Gaius stared. A favour from Tiberius could mean anything, including liberation from the troubles of the world. But to decline would be fatal. Eventually he said, "My little sister, Lucilla, needs . . ."

"Kindly protection," Tiberius nodded. "I grant it. And who shall we make responsible," he mused. "Yes! Little Boots! A task for Little Boots! Swear that you will act as her protector," Tiberius ordered, then he turned and stared at the young man and added in a cold vicious tone, "and swear as if you mean it!"

"Wh what?" Gaius Caesar stuttered.

"Not another stutterer," Tiberius shook his head. "Little Boots, I would take your declining of my order to be treason, a direct attack against the principate." He paused, and smiled cruelly as he saw the look of horror cross Gaius Caesar's face. "Give me any reason to believe you're lying to me and don't mean what you swear and it will be so much worse for you. Swear!"

"I swear I shall protect this . . ."

"Claudia Lucilla!"

"Claudia Lucilla, may the Gods help me."

"There," Tiberius said. "Probably half the population ignore me, but they're dead scared of Little Boots here. He certainly scares me." He turned and sneered at Gaius Caesar, who remained silent. "You know what's so amusing?" he added to Gaius' father. "If that wretched senate can't get off its collective arses in the next few years and get the Republic going, they will pay. They'll either have the Republic up and running, or they'll get Little Boots! And if they think I'm bad, they'll learn what bad is, eh, Little Boots? All the vices of Sulla, and none of the virtues!" He turned towards the now highly worried Gaius Caesar, who was wondering what could possibly happen next.

"Oh, get away with you all," Tiberius suddenly waved his arm. "I've got better things to do with my time." With a weary gesture he rose, stared contemptuously at the assembly who were bowing profusely, then he turned and strolled off in the direction of his private section of the villa.

Gaius stared at the departing Tiberius. Somehow, they had all survived. The family gathered around him, Lucilla gazing at him in awe for standing up to Tiberius, his father looked totally stunned at his standing up to Tiberius, and his mother almost tearful as she knew he was now destined to leave the family for Rhodes.

As the family made their way towards the exit, Gaius heard the sounds of praise being given to someone behind him. He turned to see Gaius Caesar striding towards him. Sycophants were bowing, telling him he had the grace of a God, and it pleased him, almost, but Gaius also noted a touch of contempt in his eyes, particularly when the sycophants had their heads bowed sufficiently that they could not see his expression.

"So, you're pleased with yourself?"

"I could never be displeased to receive orders from the
Princeps
," Gaius replied carefully.

"I meant about you having me run around after you."

"I would hope, Caesar," Gaius continued, "that you would be more pleased, since Tiberius named you as his successor."

"What?" A surprised exclamation, then with a stunned smile, he added, "I suppose he did, didn't he?"

"Perhaps an unusual way of putting it, Caesar, but I distinctly heard him announce you as his successor." Gaius knew he had to be careful not to overdo this, but he also had to be positive but respectful. "Our family will, of course, be independent witnesses."

"S so will I."

"Yes, if you can ever get it all out!" Gaius Caesar snorted to the stuttering Claudius. "Still," he mused to himself, as he started to walk away, "that was an invitation to the purple. Very interesting." He paused, then with a sudden realization that witnesses could be useful, he turned and added, "And I suppose then you'll be wanting favours from me?"

"I would always wish to serve the
Princeps
," Gaius replied, lowering his eyes slightly.

"Yes, but would I want you? Your family's not exactly influential, is it?"

"No," Gaius replied, "but I keep my word. You can trust me to do what I promise."

"Implying I couldn't trust others?"

Gaius remained silent.

"Maintaining a diplomatic silence, eh?" Gaius Caesar nodded. "Don't worry! I completely agree with you. You know why the odd Senator wants the Republic?" Then before Gaius could think of an answer, he continued, "So they can be the first Consuls and loot the Treasury. Tiberius's right on that. Those Senators couldn't give a pig's shit for Rome! No! Don't protest. I'll let you into a secret. Tiberius was more or less convinced you lot were probably the only real exception. You lot really think of the nobility of the Republic don't you?"

"It was . . ." Gaius began.

"Once upon a time, maybe, but by the time of my namesake, the taxes were looted to pay for election bribes. Or don't you agree?"

"That's true," Gaius nodded.

"We can't have that again," Caesar continued. "Now, just suppose you're right and I get to be
Princeps
, do you realize what would happen? No? Those scared shitless senatorial scum'll be plotting all the time, won't they?"

"Our family won't!" Gaius replied.

"You think you're old enough to run the family?"

"I think I can persuade them," Gaius said, then added, "Anyway, Tiberius has just made me a family of one!"

"And I'm running after your sister," Caesar replied.

"Only if somebody molests her," Gaius pointed out, "and my guess is, knowing that you'd be after them, they'd be really stupid to try."

"So you think they're all scared of me?"

"They'll be scared of forcing you to take action on them," Gaius replied. "Most people admire you," he added, and hoped this was the right thing to say.

It was. Caesar visibly preened himself a little, before saying, "You think so? Really? So the question now is, are you going to be useful? The problem is, how do I know you're not just another sycophantic little puff-cake."

"When I get the chance I'll . . ."

"Oh no you don't! None of this, 'when I get the chance'. Look, young Claudius. Believe it or not, I'd like to have people like you. You serve me well and I'll reward you, because I know you're not one of those senatorial shits, like the ossified Cincinnati. But you've got to prove yourself."

"What do you wish?" Gaius asked. Today was getting more and more complicated by the instant.

"You follow Tiberius' instructions, of course. But on your way, sooner or later you'll come across someone showing opposition towards Roman authority, and especially towards me. Show me you support me, show me you've got spine and that you're not just a little worm, show me you're clever enough to do something useful and you're not just another clod and yes, I promise I'll support you when I'm
Princeps
. I'll give you your path in the army, and you will serve me . . . yes, religiously. Do you promise?"

"I swear to serve you religiously when you are
Princeps
," Gaius replied, although he had no clear idea what could be done 'religiously'."

"Then, my first military appointment is made," Gaius Caesar smiled. "Yes, I like that . . ." He turned and continued walking.

Gaius watched Gaius Caesar stroll away, this time ignoring everyone.

"Th that was v very clever, th the way you handled that."

"Thank you," Gaius smiled, then added, "You had something to do with all that?"

"N n not much," Claudius replied, "b but Tiberius does small things for me, f for father, really."

"You still did things for me, so thank you."

"C c come and have some fruit," Claudius waved towards a table. "I need an opinion."

"I would have thought there were plenty of opinions around here," Gaius smiled.