“Was Pothinus present?”
“Yes Caesar. He was the one most pleased with Pompey’s death. It is rumoured he was planning to have you killed when you stepped ashore but Achillas came up with the idea of staging the protests in your way. You see Caesar they thought you would man handle their citizens and cause a riot and thus have you killed.”
Marcellus rushed forward.
“Let me go Caesar. I’ll search the palace and remove their heads.”
“No Marcellus. That is precisely the wrong thing to do. We Romans are very proud of our laws. I will interview Pothinus and Achillas. If found guilty they will be tried and punished accordingly. You may go and fetch Pothinus here for me but Marcellus don’t harm him.”
“Yes Caesar. I will obey as always. When do you wish to see him?”
“Tomorrow at noon.”
Julius turned back to Philip.
“Who cut off Pompey’s head?”
“I do not know Caesar. Achillas and the traitor Septimius dragged General Pompey’s body from the boat, carried him to the top of the stairs and dumped his body at King Ptolemy’s feet. Pothinus gave the orders General. He beckoned soldiers, Egyptian soldiers, forward and there were so many of them grouped around my master’s body that no one could see clearly what was happening. Then in the next instant somebody was holding his head up.”
“But you didn’t see who did it?”
“No.”
“No matter. They are all guilty of the act for allowing it to happen.”
Caesar looked over to the corner at a large clay jar filled with olive oil. He’d had Pompey’s head transferred to it.
“We know the whereabouts of Pompey’s head but do we know the whereabouts of the rest of him.”
“They threw his body into the harbour. The master of Pompey’s ship refused to go any closer for fear of the whole vessel coming under attack. He quietly slipped anchor. I jumped overboard. The ship with Pompey’s wife sailed away. I swam between the boats and ships. I was lucky that no one saw me. I was able to rescue my master’s body and using the wood from an old fishing boat I cremated him on the shore above the tide. I gave him the best funeral I could Caesar. I stayed with him when others abandoned him.”
Philip’s shoulders were shaking now. Caesar put his hand on one.
“Your loyalty is noted and shall be rewarded.”
Philip couldn’t believe his ears. He’d assumed he and every one else left alive from Pompey’s forces would be tried for treason and sent back to Rome in chains or executed here.
“Caesar.”
“I would like you to continue your daily duties here. But under my employ instead.”
It was Germanicus that now spoke quietly into Caesar’s ear.
“Can the man be trusted sire?”
“He came to me of his own free will. I believe he can. I will find as many of you as are left alive,” he told Philip, “I will see to it that they are treated well. Guards!”
One of the large double doors opened and a legionary stuck his head in.
“Take this man and find him suitable accommodation. See that he gets a good rest. Give him whatever he wants.”
The guard came into the room.
“Yes Caesar.”
“Tomorrow you start your new duties. That is all.”
Julius turned his back on him. Then when he was at the door.
“Philip. Thank you for what you’ve done for me. And for my son-in-law.”
Caesar smiled and nodded his head. Philip went through the door and it was closed behind him. Caesar’ and Germanicus’ eyes met.
“Loyalty always deserves rewarding.”
“Yes sire.”
“Tomorrow we will try to locate as many of Pompey’s men as are still alive. I doubt any of them are here in the royal palace complex.”
“No sire.”
Caesar strolled across to a large painted wooden model of the city on a table. Germanicus followed but kept a few, respectful, steps behind.
“You see Rome, Germanicus….” Julius said waving his hand with a sweep across the model. Germanicus came closer.
“….Has narrow alleys, crooked backstreets. Things built up where other things have been knocked down or fallen. This city is built in formation, in grids or squares. The Mediterranean is here,” he said pointing to the blue paint beyond the harbour, “Here is the lake. Do they draw their water from it? No wait. Look at this….” Caesar paused to study a cut away section of the model, “There is a canal that brings water in from the Nile and then splits into pipes which lead into the various neighbourhoods. It must be over twenty miles long if this model is to scale. Ingenious,” Caesar’s eyes roamed all over the city then his face lit up, “Ah the famous library of Alexandria, here near the palace, and the tomb of Alexander the great.”
The door opened and the other Generals returned.
“It has been done as you asked Caesar. Pothinus will send Ptolemy but Achillas was not to be found anywhere. My men are searching for him as we speak.”
“Good. If he fails to show then he will be stripped of his title and made an enemy of Rome. Now what else do we know of the city?”
“Well sir,” Germanicus said, “Most of the citizens live here to the west of this complex, the royal palace and quarters. There are estimated to be over a million of them. This area here is mainly residential. The building on the hilltop is the ’Serapeum’ the temple of Osiris. Pilgrims make their way here seeking advice and healing.”
“I’ve seen the people going in and out.”
“The needs of the people are many sire.”
“The lighthouse,” Caesar said, “Divides the harbour into two. My army is camped here to the south.”
“Yes sir. It’s quite marshy there.”
“We will have to watch for Mosquito’s. The last thing I want is for my army to go down with Malaria.”
One of Caesar’s personal assistants, a messenger called Lucius, approached.
“Yes what is it?”
“There’s a man in the corridor Caesar, carrying a bundle of bed sheets.”
Julius looked over at his bed.
“It doesn’t need changing. Send him away.”
“Forgive me sire but he says he has an urgent message from Queen Cleopatra.”
“Does he have a name?”
“Apollodorus sire.”
“Does anyone know him?” Caesar asked his counsel.
“No,” the Generals replied.
“He managed to avoid all your guards sire. He just appeared carrying the linen.“
“Is he alone?”
“Yes. I personally don‘t trust him. He allowed us to search him but not his bundle which he said was delicate and appears to be of considerable weight. He insisted it was for your eyes only. It may be concealing weapons sire.”
Marcellus drew his sword and brandished it angrily.
“Let me intercept this insolence sire. I’ll take my sword to his bed sheets. I’ll not leave a piece large enough to even conceal a pin.”
“Put your sword away Marcellus. Your zeal for my safety is always appreciated. I will grant this Apollodorus an audience. Show him in.”
He entered the room slowly. He was a big man. Standing a full head taller than the Romans and was equally as broad in the shoulders. He stopped some distance away.
“Are you the one who brings a message from Cleopatra?”
“Queen Cleopatra great Caesar.”
“Oh I beg your pardon. Queen Cleopatra. Where are my manners? You may set the sheets down and leave. One of my servants will change my bed.”
Apollodorus stood still, his legs planted slightly apart. The bed sheets held easily across his chest.
“Well what are you waiting for? Did you not hear? Put it down over there and be on your way,” Dolabella ordered.