‘You citizens had better be careful what you say!’ Another newcomer tugged at my toga urgently. ‘Someone just told me that he isn’t dead at all, and this is just a rumour that he put about himself, to see what people do — and woe betide you if you show disrespect.’
I left them arguing and went to find my son. I found him standing by the fountain with the slaves. He made a rueful face at me as I approached. ‘I am sorry, Father, we’ve lost your witnesses. They had litters waiting for them on the street. I saw them getting in and moving off, but we couldn’t get across the crowd in time to speak to them.’
I patted his shoulder. ‘Never mind. I doubt that they would have agreed to come with us just now in any case — I imagine all the members of the curia have gone somewhere private to discuss the news. I’ll simply have to find out what their town addresses are, so I can call there later on. If I can find Marcus, he might be able to tell me where to look for them: he’s on dining terms with everyone official in the area. Though I imagine he’ll have left by now as well.’
Junio made a little gesture with his hand. ‘On the contrary. Your patron is just coming from the temple now. I can see him on the steps — though he’s got that priest with him and the commander of the garrison. Perhaps the moment is not convenient.’
I turned and saw what he had seen, but I shook my head. ‘I think I’ll take my chance. As his protégé I owe him my congratulations anyway, since Fate has made him a favourite of the potential Emperor — and he may be feeling especially cheerful and cooperative today. Wait here a moment, while I try to catch his eye.’
It wasn’t easy forcing my way back to the temple steps, and I might have missed my patron even then, but fortunately I was not the only one to seek an audience. Cantalarius had already interposed himself between Marcus’s little party and the crowd below. There was clearly some kind of argument going on and when I got there I found my farmer-neighbour confronting the old priest, much to the amusement of the spectators.
‘Call yourself an experienced celebrant!’ He was so angry he was shaking both his fists. ‘You let that creature go! Don’t try to fob me off with talk of auguries. This wasn’t a judgement from the gods at all! It would not have happened if you’d simply held the rope. Well, I’m not satisfied. I paid good money to make that sacrifice, to lift a curse that has been placed on me, as you are well aware. Don’t try to turn away. The least that you could do is come out to the farm and make an offering at the household shrine to put things right!’
He had a point, of course, and the crowd — elated by the news from Rome — was clearly on his side. There were even some whistles of support and shouts of, ‘What do you say to that?’
It was causing a commotion and the commander of the garrison was already making signals to the guard to have my neighbour dragged away. Even Cantalarius could see that it was dangerous to stay and he allowed his new supporters to take him by the arms and hustle him back down into the throng — but at the bottom of the temple steps he turned, and shouted over his shoulder, ‘You haven’t heard the last of me, I’m warning you! I want an assurance that something will be done within a day or two.’
More shouts and hollers. The crowd was restive now. The old priest raised his hand. ‘Very well,’ he murmured, smiling vaguely at the seething populace. ‘For a little fee, I’m sure that some kind of arrangement can be made.’
There were whoops of joy at this victory and people turned away. Cantalarius — though clearly none too happy at the mention of a fee — was obliged to pretend to be content. ‘Very well. Then I accept your promise.’ He shook himself free from the restraining hands and disappeared into the crowd. No doubt he was wise. The mob was satisfied and he’d lost their sympathy. Any further protest would have led to his arrest.
The little breach of public order, however, made me think again. Marcus was not looking very pleased and was tapping his baton against his leg in a way that I knew of old. Obviously his patience was wearing very thin. I decided that discretion was the better path, and was about to melt away into the crowd when I heard my patron calling after me.
‘Libertus! My old friend!’ I turned. He had parted company with his companions now and was walking down the steps towards me with his slaves. ‘Had you come to look for me? Do not fear to interrupt, I have finished all my current business here.’ He paused and extended a ringed hand for me to kiss. ‘What think you of the news?’
There was no escaping now. I went down on one knee at once to make obeisance. It wasn’t easy, on a flight of narrow steps, and I was glad when he permitted me to rise — saying as I did so, ‘Patron! Hearty congratulations on your likely rise to power. What a blessing for the Empire if Pertinax succeeds.’
He flicked his baton hard against his leg. ‘Libertus, you are no doubt a very clever man — indeed I have often relied upon your intellect. But if you really think that I find this welcome news, it shows that you know nothing of Roman politics.’
‘But Pertinax will make a splendid Emperor!’ I said. I spoke with feeling. I had met the man myself and had a high opinion of his intelligence.
Marcus shook his head. ‘Of course he would, if all he had to do was rule.’ He looked around and pulled me to one side, murmuring softly so that only I could hear. ‘The trouble is, he’s far too honest for the role. If he’s confirmed as Emperor — as he no doubt he will be, as he’s highly regarded in the capital — he’ll refuse to bribe the soldiers of the Pretorian Guard, and they will turn against him in no time at all; they are used to having handsome bonuses from the Imperial purse.’
I stared at him. ‘But surely they are the Emperor’s private guard?’ I said.
‘Exactly! Which is why it’s so important to ensure their loyalty. But Pertinax would never dream of offering them cash — for him a soldier’s duty is unquestioning. He would not think additional inducements were required.’ He sighed. ‘So there is nothing for it. I shall have to go to Rome — assuming that I get there soon enough. I have to make him listen to rational advice.’
‘But surely a letter — if there is such haste? Nothing moves faster than the Imperial Post.’
He shook his head. ‘It’s too dangerous to write — someone is almost certain to intercept the messenger. A man who becomes Emperor has enemies at once — though Pertinax will take some time to understand that truth. I shall have to go and warn him. I only hope I can persuade him to do what’s sensible. He’s upright but he’s stubborn and will do his duty — as he sees it — come what may! Even Commodus came to realize that. That’s why he raised him to the Prefecture of Rome.’
‘Of course,’ I said sagely, to show I understood. ‘Though at one time …’ I was about to add that Pertinax had once been exiled in disgrace, but it occurred to me that — now that he was likely to be Emperor — it might be more prudent not to mention that. ‘… His father was a slave,’ I finished unconvincingly.
Marcus looked at me as if he’d just remembered I was there. ‘Forgive me, Libertus. I had forgotten how little you knew of politics. And this is really no concern of yours — except insofar as the Emperor is everyone’s concern.’
‘My patron’s safety is of some concern to me, especially on a long and hazardous journey such as you propose,’ I ventured, earning a reluctant smile for my flattery. ‘The weather has been dreadful and the roads are treacherous. When do you hope to leave?’
He waved an airy hand. ‘As soon as possible — once the news is definite — though arrangements will obviously take a little time. A half a moon or so at most: though no doubt my wife will argue otherwise and say that, since our son is very young, we should wait until the weather turns more fair. However, this is urgent and it cannot wait. I shall simply have to persuade her of the fact tonight. In the meantime you can escort me to a carrying-chair. Come!’ He strode off down the remainder of the temple steps and into the crowded forum area. People fell back on either side as he strode through the crush, and I was obliged to potter after him.