Vitellius bent to whisper in Claudius’ ear, keeping his hand tightly gripped on his shoulder. Narcissus immediately began to speak in the other ear. A brief unheard argument seemed to ensue before Claudius eventually nodded at Vitellius and again addressed Silius: ‘Very well, a clean death it shall be. Crispinus!’
The Praetorian prefect swept out his sword with a metallic ring and, standing next to Silius, showed him the blade. Silius contemplated it for a few moments and then bowed his head, stretching his neck forward. Iron flashed, slicing through flesh and bone, releasing heart-pumps of spurting blood that propelled the severed head forward to roll almost to the foot of the dais and stop, staring open-mouthed at the Emperor. Claudius ejaculated a growl of deep satisfaction and smacked his lips as he watched the life flee from Silius’ eyes. The body twitched, and the flow of blood lessened as the heart gave out and silence covered the parade ground.
After a few moments more relishing the sight, Claudius looked at the men kneeling in front of the parade before turning to the two prefects. ‘What crime are they accused of?’
Crispinus wiped his sword on Silius’ tunic. ‘To the shame of the Guard, these men are all guilty by their own account of sleeping with Messalina.’
Claudius looked at the accused again and then threw his head back in laughter. ‘If only a q-q-q-quarter of what I’ve been told in the last few hours is true then that pathetic little group would be less than three days’ work for my ex-wife.’
Vespasian felt Pallas tense.
Claudius snapped out of his mirth as quickly as he had entered into it. ‘Very well, bring them forward.’
Pallas relaxed.
The prisoners, each escorted by a ranker, walked to the dais.
‘On your knees! Escorts, draw your swords.’
Again, Vitellius bent the Emperor’s ear and again Narcissus spoke into the other one and again an argument followed in which again Claudius eventually ruled in Vitellius’ favour. ‘I will not ask for these men’s lives; I will not even ask for one of them as an example to the rest. Instead, I dismiss them from my service and forbid them fire and water within three hundred miles from Rome for the rest of their lives.’
As this news was relayed through the ranks and files of the Praetorian Cohorts a cheer rippled through the formation causing Claudius to incline his head and wave a shaking hand towards his audience.
‘I do this because I’m well aware that there were far more people guilty of adultery with my ex-wife than have admitted it. I now wish to let the matter drop. Let her punishment and that of a few of her closer associates be an end to the matter. I shall decide her fate after consultation with the gods of my household.
‘I’ve been made a fool of by that woman and now rejoice in the fact that I am divorced. Men of the Praetorian Guard, there will be a donative of ten aurei per man to celebrate my new freedom and I charge you to kill me if I ever get married again.’
To the massed cheers of thousands of men now richer by four times the annual salary of an ordinary legionary Claudius turned and hobbled back down the steps, this time helped by Vitellius, whilst Narcissus watched, clenching and re-clenching his right fist as the other hand played with his beard.
Pallas moved to join the imperial party. ‘Without him knowing it, Vitellius’ attempt to steer a neutral course is proving very useful to my cause.’
‘But it looks as if you’ll have trouble persuading Claudius to marry again, Pallas,’ Vespasian observed as Vitellius helped the Emperor into his litter.
‘Not when he finds out just who he can marry.’
Agrippina sighed with exaggerated sympathy and reached along the dining couch to place an understanding hand on her uncle’s arm. ‘I know it must have been hard to show Silius such mercy, dearest Uncle, but Vitellius was right: if you’d not granted him the clean death of a citizen and had acted like an animal instead then you would have reminded people of my poor brother, Gaius Caligula.’
Vitellius, placed on the other side of Claudius, beamed his gratitude at Agrippina for supporting his point of view to the Emperor; he then helped himself to a stuffed cabbage leaf.
‘I agree, Princeps,’ Pallas said, nibbling on an olive and reclining on the couch to Claudius’ left. ‘The best way to come out of this with credit is to act with dignity as if the antics of an unfaithful wife are too small a matter to unduly upset a man of your standing and nothing more than rightful retribution need be taken.’
Vespasian caught a brief flash of anger in Narcissus’ eyes as he glanced sidelong at his colleague next to him before his face returned to studied neutrality.
‘I–I-I suppose so,’ Claudius said, spilling semi-masticated brown morsels from his mouth and adding to the mess on his napkin. ‘But I would’ve loved to have seen more suffering from him; he seduced my little bird.’ His mouth fell open, disgorging more of its contents as he lapsed back into melancholy.
Narcissus was quick to support his patron. ‘I agree, Princeps; I believe that you were wrong to take Vitellius’ advice; we need to fully secure your position. You would have been better off following what I suggested. To show mercy makes you look weak; you should never have spared those Praetorian officers.’
Claudius mumbled something about the joys of Messalina’s bedchamber, a subject that no one felt any desire to enlarge upon.
Vespasian toyed with his half-full golden wine beaker. ‘But surely, Narcissus, the Emperor’s magnanimous gesture has earned him the gratitude of the entire Guard?’
‘And, of course, their renewed loyalty strengthened by a deep sense of shame,’ Sabinus, next to him, added, earning a brief look of appreciation from Pallas.
Vespasian picked up his brother’s argument. ‘The Emperor has won their love forever by forgiving so many of them who have acted despicably.’
‘And now, Princeps,’ Vitellius said, ‘you can make yourself even more popular with them by choosing a new wife whom they, and the whole city, will respect.’
Claudius was still immersed in his maudlin reverie. ‘What? A new wife? No, I couldn’t.’
Agrippina leant over and kissed him on the cheek. ‘Don’t worry, Uncle; I’ll look after you until we find someone who can see to all your needs. I’m sure we’ll get you just the right person.’
‘There are some very suitable women in my family,’ Vitellius suggested helpfully.
Agrippina gave him the sweetest of smiles. ‘You’re so kind, Lucius, but I think my uncle should look a little closer to home, shouldn’t you, dearest Claudius? And seeing as I’m your niece I’ll be the perfect person to help you judge.’
Narcissus leant forward. ‘Pallas and I both think that you should remarry your second wife, Princeps; don’t we, Pallas?’
Pallas picked up and examined another olive. ‘Should we be discussing this now when the Emperor hasn’t yet decided what to do about Messalina?’
‘Yes, Uncle, what do you intend to do?’ Agrippina shot Pallas a quick look and Vespasian caught a glimpse of something more than mere mutual interest. He realised that they were working much more closely together than he had imagined … She turned back to Claudius. ‘I said that you should decide after a good dinner.’
Claudius’ reply was delayed by a Praetorian cavalry decurion striding into the room. ‘Princeps, Tribune Burrus has sent me to tell you that the chief Vestal, Vibidia, is here on Messalina’s behalf.’
Claudius looked at the tribune, his long face a study in sorrow. ‘I don’t wish to see her now. Tell Burrus to say to Vibidia that I’ll send for that poor woman in the morning and she can plead her case to me then in person.’
‘Yes, Princeps.’
As the decurion turned to go, Narcissus got to his feet and picked up his satchel. ‘I shall go and tell her your words myself, Princeps.’
‘As you wish,’ Claudius said with little interest.
As Narcissus left the room he signalled Vespasian, with his eyes, to follow him.