Page 85 of Enslaved
“Yes, I do.” She smiled apologetically. “I know I’m being irrational.”
“Join me in a glass of Setinian.”
When she poured the wine and handed him his glass, he took her hand. “If the slaves wish to examine entrails, they will have to do it on the animals slaughtered for the feast. I will not see you unhappy on your wedding day. It should be the happiest day of your life.”
“I hope the guests realize there will be no procession.”
“Of course there will. We’ll have a procession all through the villa and out into the peristyle to the garden suite. The pillars to the entrance will be wound with wool and the door touched with oil, the emblems of plenty. Marcus will lift you over the threshold to avoid an ill-omened stumble, then present you with a cup of water and a glowing firebrand to show that you are entitled to the protection of his family gods.”
She smiled at him. “Marcus is all the protection I shall ever need.”
Marcus’ eyes widened when he saw the transformation that had taken place inside Circus Flavian. It was exactly as Nero had described it, with mountainous caves and a forest. Though no animals had yet been released for the hunt, their growls and roars could be heard all over the arena.
Julius sat between two influential senators, as did Marcus. The emperor’s box was surrounded by Praetorian guards, but Nero and his intimates had not yet arrived. Since thevenationewas being given in the emperor’s honor, the hunt could not begin until he arrived.
When the crowds became restless, a troupe of musicians brought out dancing apes on long chains. They were trained to do circus tricks and it held the attention of the masses for some time. When this began to pall and the crowds screamed for action, thebestiariigladiators who would hunt the animals were paraded around the arena. The audience began to select their favorites and place bets. Their weapons were varied. Some carried spears, some bows and arrows, while other gladiators preferred swords or nets and tridents.
Finally Nero arrived, and when he stepped to the front of his imperial box and raised his arms, die crowd went wild. Petrius sat down behind Marcus and leaned forward to whisper to his brother.
“The fat swine thinks they worship him, when in reality they are in a frenzy for the bloodsport to begin.”
When Marcus turned to look at his brother, the pupils of Petrius’ eyes told him he had taken a heavy dose of narcotic and wondered if he had taken it for pain.
“How is your arm?” Marcus asked.
Petrius made a fist. “I can’t feel a thing. Don’t look so worried.” He let his fingers fall open. “I have him in the palm of my hand.”
And that was exactly what was beginning to worry Marcus. Petrius was unstable. Perhaps he should speak to Julius about him. The young son-of-a-bitch needed locking up somewhere before he did irreparable damage. Marcus decided to take him aside and have a word with him after the games.
Suddenly, a deafening cheer reverberated about the arena as the animals were released. Pandemonium reigned as lions, leopards, and bears began attacking each other. Male lions fought each other, huge bears tore into leopards and tossed them across the arena floor. Cunning female lions hunted the bears in packs and the carnage was horrific. The gladiators had an easy job slaughtering the wild animals while all their instincts were focused on surviving attacks from the other species of animals.
Marcus was disgusted. He had expected an exhilarating hunt where man was pitted against prey and survival depended upon courage, quickness, strength, and intelligence.
Julius and the senators with Marcus seemed to find this appalling spectacle as distasteful as he did. Marcus could not help voicing his disapproval.
“I think we’ve seen enough,” Julius said as they filed down to the front of the box to take leave of the emperor.
He seemed displeased at their departure.
“Surely you are not leaving? Midday is reserved for executions. I have devised some spectacular tortures for the enemies of Rome.”
One of the senators from an old patrician family spoke up. “The Senate is sitting this afternoon, Emperor. We are on our way to the Curia now.”
Nero knew better than to object when a venerable senator spoke. Though he was emperor, the senate enjoyed such prestige and moral authority that Nero paid them lip-service. They could depose him if they so chose. Though the army and the emperor were powerful, the supreme power of the empire rested with the Senate.
When Marcus saw that Petrius intended to stay on with Nero to enjoy the executions, he fixed his brother with an intense look of authority. When Marcus jerked his head, indicating that Petrius attend him, he obeyed immediately.
Marcus walked Petrius a distance away from Julius and the senators before he vilified him. “I covered for you when you deserted your military post, and if you wish to prostitute yourself for Nero, that is your affair, but do not bring shame upon the House of Magnus or bring sorrow to our father by feeding your narcotic addiction in his villa. Get yourself clean before you dare to enter his house again!”
When Petrius returned to the emperor’s side, Nero saw that he was shaken. “What troubles you, my love? Tell Nero, so he may put it right.”
“My brother, Marcus, and I are very close. He is to be married soon to a Briton and he fears she has betrayed him. He has heard a rumor that she is a Christian spy working for the Celtae tribes, sent to seduce him. Marcus fears for our father while he is absent with the procurator and the senators. He begs me to return to our father’s villa to watch the traitorous bitch until he can deal with her himself.”
“Stay by me. I’ll send a Praetorian guard to arrest her,” Nero urged.
“Nay, he has no proof of her perfidy yet, but it is comforting to know that you are ready to help and will personally mete out a fitting punishment if she lifts a hand against the House of Magnus.”
“At least stay for the executions. I have devised what I call aliving torch.It is quite spectacular!”
