The Hadrian Enigma - A Forbidden History (30 page)

I was told they galloped up to the huts after dark, hunted down the two fishermen, and immediately beheaded one with knives while the other ran off into the night. The killers then followed in the same direction. I retrieved the severed head from the family when we ourselves arrived some time later. I bring it to you as proof of the death. They want it returned, of course, for burial ceremonies today. They will sew the head back to the body, so the man goes to their Underworld in one piece.”

“
What does this mean?” Clarus turned to Suetonius. “Why would anyone want two humble fisher folk dead?” The two subsided into their seats.

“
I’d say the sailors of that river craft emblazoned with the Eye Of Horus might not want to be identified?” the biographer suggested forlornly. He moved closer to Clarus to add a further observation in a low whisper.

“
But it also seems, my good friend, that someone among us here has communicated our desire to identify that river craft to some other party with an interest in this matter,” he murmured low. “That other party wanted those two witnesses out of the way promptly.”

Clarus paused thoughtfully.

“
But who in this godforsaken place, Suetonius,” the ageing senator murmured, “has the authority or soldiery to prosecute such an attack? They were mounted on horses! Whose horses? Who has the power to organize a cohort of riders to kill two mere fishermen? Neither Caesar nor his officers have issued such orders, to our knowledge. Nor why should they? Who else here has such authority?”

“
Unless those priests of Amun are more combative than we imagined,” Suetonius rationalized, “or there are local bandits involved somewhere? There aren’t many options really. The local town militia is a scruffy ragbag of imported Nubians, but they keep well out of Rome’s way. The local nobility are few and far between. This then leaves only our own people.”

Suetonius shifted closer to the senator so only Clarus, Surisca, and the scribe could hear his conjecture.

“
Are Governor Titianus and his Alexandrians on a private mission? Or, have some of Tribune Macedo’s Praetorians gone feral? Are there disaffected Horse Guards around Caesar, unknown to anyone? Yet who traveling with us has the authority to instruct soldiers or cavalry independently of Caesar’s commanders? But then, why should they murder simple fishermen? Is it because they were the only known witnesses to that suspect vessel on the river yesterday?”

Suetonius gave Centurion Urbicus new orders.

“
The death of the fishermen affects our enquiry greatly, Praetorian. Even if they have
both
been killed, it doesn’t change our need. In fact, it makes it more necessary. We must discover who was sailing the craft emblazoned with the Eye of Horus. Who? To where? And why? This is your primary duty, Praetorian,” he affirmed. “And we need the details by high sun today. Perhaps their families know of other fisher folk who can assist you?”

Urbicus cleared his throat.

“
We’ve taken the liberty, sir, to do a preliminary search at first light of the riverside by the Temple of Amun. There is a craft fitting the Egyptian’s description moored nearby. But we have yet to discover who was sailing this craft yesterday,” he explained.

“
Then find out, Quintus Urbicus, by high sun. You might have to consult one of the priests and take them into security,” Suetonius instructed. “Our uncertainties about the Bithynian’s death now grow with each hour.”

Urbicus raised a clenched salute and announced, “It will be done, sir!
”

A trooper rewrapped Ani’s butchered head. He wiped-up the moist stain on the bench-top where it had dribbled juices, and then marched off with his colleagues.

Suetonius looked at the stain on the table and decided he didn’t feel especially hungry for breakfast. Surisca developed a similar lack of appetite. Clarus returned to devouring his platter of victuals and signaled a slave to pour wine.

“
Where is the Bithynian youth Lysias? He is due here now! He’s late!” Clarus called.

“
He is not to be found, gentlemen,” an oddly-accented voice unexpectedly interrupted.

Geta the Dacian had arrived at the courtyard accompanied by one of Caesar’s Horse Guards.

“
I have been to visit Lysias at Antinous’s apartments to summons the lad to attend Caesar, only to learn he is not to be found,” Geta repeated. “The chamber slave says he hasn’t seen the Bithynian since late last night. The youth slipped away somewhere in the night, the slave told me. I had hoped he might be here with you already?”

Geta scanned the clustered team gathered around the long bench. His eyes fell upon Surisca and lingered momentarily. He displayed surprise. Surisca returned the gaze, only to then lower it demurely to the ground. Suetonius noted this interesting exchange.

“
What of the language tutor, the slave Thais?” Suetonius added.

“
I am told she too is not to be found,” Geta stated.

Clarus reacted angrily.

“
What? Have these two absconded? Have we been deceived by the Bithynian?!” he clamored. “Issue a warrant to apprehend them both!”

The
lictor
departed briskly to his new commission.

“
My good Septicius, to where can they abscond?” Suetonius posed. “Beyond this encampment lie irrigated fields of grain and then a wilderness of desert. There’s nowhere to go, my friend.” He turned to Geta. “You know these people well, Dacian,” the biographer queried Geta. “Where will they have gone?”.

The man with the faint blue circles tattooed across his cheekbones hesitated.

“
I have no idea, Suetonius Tranquillus. You are the Special Inspector, not I.”

His eyes drifted back towards the Syrian female standing nearby with lowered eyes.

“
What does this mean?” Clarus called rhetorically. “Two witnesses are killed, two others disappear into the night, while the hours pass quickly towards our deadline. And our heads are at stake!”

The biographer avoided response by making a formal introduction of the Syri entertainer to the Dacian.

“
You have met the lady Surisca of Antioch, Prince Geta of Dacia?” Suetonius asked in his best silkily polite manner. He was offering an unlikely social gesture to two people of impossibly unequal status. He followed their interaction closely as Surisca dipped a suitable curtsy.

“
Just Geta, Special Inspector,” the Dacian responded with unexpected modesty. “I am a simple man of little consequence. Yet I am pleased to acknowledge the lady Surisca of Antioch.”

Suetonius sensed the two already knew each other regardless of his genteel introduction. It occurred to him their meeting may have been of a professional nature it might not be polite to explore.

“
Dacian,” Clarus proclaimed, “it’s time you gave us your opinions of the death of Antinous. You probably know things we don’t? You have lived close-by the lad daily. You knew him over several years.”

“
I am at your disposal, gentlemen, though I must also attend to my duties shortly,” Geta responded evasively. “Feel free to ask what you will.”

His eyes barely departed Surisca.

“
Strabon, our scribe will record your words. We have several questions to put to you, so take a seat,” Suetonius intoned. “This is a legal statement, a deposition, Geta, as Caesar commanded us. State you name and titles, your age and place of birth, and your functions in the Imperial Household. Remember, you are under oath to your titular deity.”

“
Under oath? I, Geta, am being interrogated?” he asked with dismay. He sat against the edge of the bench table, not in the chair provided, implying only brief participation. Strabon’s stylus was poised ready to flutter. Geta gathered himself reluctantly.

“
This is unexpected, gentlemen, but I’ll try. By Sacred Zalmoxis of the Dacians, I am known among Romans simply as Geta. This is a mistaken
praenomen
given to simplify my proper titles in my mother tongue. My true name is Dromichaetes, a 
tarabostes
prince of the royal house of The Getae,” he announced with quiet pride. “I was born at Sarmizegethusa in the year when Palma Frontonianus and Sosius Senecio were consuls at Rome, I’m told. Caesar Trajan was ruler. I was taken hostage as a child after the wars against my father, the king of the Dacians known as
Decebelus
.

Rome’s victory against my father saw me assigned into the care of Hadrian when he was a commander of Legions. I remain even today under Hadrian’s protection in his household. Yet I possess my own independent wealth endowed from my father’s treasures.
Hail Caesar!”
the Dacian added diplomatically.

“
What do you know about the death of Antinous?” Suetonius continued. “Tell us what you know or have heard. The Household gossip mill must be running riot?”

“
I have no special knowledge, gentlemen,” Geta stated plainly. “Like you, I’m appalled at the tragedy. I can only imagine he fell into the river two nights ago? How, or where, or of what misadventure, I do not know. Perhaps he had taken too much wine? Perhaps he foolishly tried to swim while armored? Who knows? Perhaps he was dealt cruelly by some enemy? It is a waste of a young man’s life, and a serious hurt to our Caesar. Hadrian has taken it very badly, as you saw.”

“
Do you believe the youth may have taken his own life? If so, why would he do so? Or was he a victim of treachery?” Clarus contributed.

Geta considered thoughtfully before responding.

“
At Court there is always the possibility of foul play. There are many eddies of conflict at Court, political or romantic or financial. Some of them are dangerous, even life threatening. Others are trivial.

Yet Antinous was not caught up in factions or politics. He seemed quite apolitical, perhaps intentionally. He simply brought Hadrian great pleasure and relaxation from the ordeals of government. He was like a lively son, a frisky hound, or a well-loved horse. And we’ve come to realize Caesar’s affection was more than skin deep.

It strikes me the death benefits no one, so no political goal is achieved. It has caused Caesar great pain. Great pain. Perhaps this was the purpose of the death? Regarding the boy taking his own life, I cannot see why Antinous would do such a thing.”

“
You say
there is the possibility of foul play
? Explain,” Suetonius probed. “We’ve already seen how unknown forces are willing to kill innocent people to impede our enquiry. Others disappear suddenly who were known to us as people of repute. Foul play is already among us.”

Geta drew breath before responding. His eyes flitted to Surisca again and again.

“
Gentlemen, you are men of the world. You will appreciate there may be many forces at work in the life of the Household. Some of these forces take power and wealth very seriously. Issues of State are at stake. Personal ambitions are forged in the furnace of this Court. Great wealth can be achieved or lost. Shifts in political goals are fought with tenacity. Even affairs of the heart become matters of intrigue. It’s not all ceremony, feasting, and games, you are aware. What more can I say?”

He dismissed the query with a shrug of the shoulders.

“
You can say much more, good fellow,” Suetonius clarified. “For example, you will have an opinion of the nature of the current issues at Court which impact on these conflicts. Tell us of your perceptions of such things. We need to know.”

Suetonius wondered at Geta’s glib manner. It seemed strangely remote from the issues.

“
There are many undercurrents at Court,” Geta conceded. “I am not sure I understand all of them myself. Of those pertaining to the dead boy, I suppose issues of the succession are uppermost.”

“
What issues, Dacian? He was no candidate for the role.”

“
Well, once again
the Western Favorite
has resumed his place at Caesar’s side.”

“
Lucius Ceionius Commodus, the young senator?” Suetonius asked.

“
Yes,” Geta continued. “Senator Commodus arrived from Rome at Alexandria only a month ago. Antinous has been staying out of sight because Commodus and he have a bad history together. Commodus is reputed to have inflicted that scar on Antinous’s left cheek some years ago. Commodus cleverly knows how Caesar abhors imperfections or mutilation. He is perceived to be the leading claimant to the imperial succession. Yet there are other claimants to the succession whose noses will be out-of-joint about Commodus’s recent return to Caesar’s favor.

But Commodus is now a married man, he’s no
meirakion
young man open to a role as an
eromenos
. In fact his wife is with child. Yet he remains high in Caesar’s esteem. Many believe Caesar is planning to adopt the senator as his son. And soon. If so, Commodus will be first in line to be Caesar after Hadrian’s passing. Mind you, Hadrian is also amused by the fellow’s uninhibited manners and clever wit. The fellow is irrepressible.”

“
Does Commodus sleep with Caesar? Has the young senator displaced Antinous in his bed?” Clarus asked provocatively.

“
My lords, it is not for one such as I to offer comment on such things! I am not authorized to report the private habits of --- .”

“
Yes or no?!”

“
I think it may be Yes,” Geta murmured. “Well, on one occasion that I know of. I do not think it was especially successful, but I do not monitor Caesar’s sleeping arrangements, gentlemen. These are Caesar’s own affair. I am not at liberty to ---”