Pothinus was livid. He wished he could have this Roman beheaded right here on the deck.
’Who does he think he is’
When he spoke he managed to remain calm.
“The Queen has….”
He started again. Choosing different words.
“The condition you talk of great Caesar was one where King Ptolemy and his sister were to rule jointly as monarchs and also as is custom and has been for fifteen generations as husband and wife. Cleopatra decided some time ago that she was no longer happy with this arrangement. But before we could present a solution she left. This is an ancient custom for siblings to rule in this way. It goes back to the very first of our Pharoahs and I need not remind you great Caesar,” again he used the word sarcastically, “That our history is a lot older than yours. Rome is barely seven hundred years old. To us,” he said with a sweep of his hand towards the city. “It is a mere blink of the eye.”
Caesar tapped his toes, irritated.
The Alexandrians had descended from Ptolemy, general of Alexander the Great’s army. Their history was a mere three hundred years old. In that time they had made no effort to become part of Egyptian civilisation. Through lack of discipline they were quite unruly. Caesar could now see why.
“The rot goes all the way to the top of the apple.”
“I beg your pardon Caesar,” Pothinus asked.
“Nothing. I was just muttering under my breath. The crowd seems hostile. I think I’m beginning to see why.”
The Roman stepped over to the heavily armed man and looked into the liquid blue eyes.
“General Achillas is it?”
“Yes Caesar.”
Caesar had heard of this mans prowess.
“Your soldiery is legendary in Rome.”
Achillas nodded slowly, greatly honoured.
“Thank you Caesar.”
Julius guessed they were about the same age.
“Then tell me. General to General. Man to man. Where is the queen?”
“She is not here. It is as the Lord chamberlain said. She was unhappy so she left. She intends to raise an army and return here to take, as she put it, ’what is rightfully hers’.”
“Left or was driven out.”
Their eyes met. Caesar could tell the General was an honest man. He held the Roman’s stare easily.
“She left.”
“Thank you.”
Caesar whirled on the others.
“Very well. I accept what the General has just told me at face value. I’m sorry to doubt you but these are foul times and suspicions arise. Now I have another pressing problem. The whereabouts of my son-in-law, the General Gnaeus Pompeius. Tell me where he is.”
Ptolemy nodded at Pothinus. It was a pre-arranged signal between them. The Eunuch came forward and held his arm out, his hand in a fist. Caesar recognised the gesture and held his own hand out, but open, the palm up. Pothinus opened his hand and something fell into Caesar’s palm. Caesar turned it over. It was a large, man’s ring. On its face a lion bearing a sword.
“Pompey’s ring,” Caesar said turning it over, studying it.
“Correct,” Pothinus said. He clicked his fingers at a guard standing away from the party. He brought forward a jute sack and set it down in front of Pothinus then opened it took something out.
Caesar’s bodyguards drew their swords and jumped into action completely surrounding him.
“Protect the General,” Dolabella ordered.
The Egyptian guards now took up positions. Caesar raised his hand to his men.
“At ease.”
From behind him Marcellus said.
“It‘s General Pompey Magnus.”
Though spoken quietly everyone heard it.
Julius Caesar looked at the severed head being held before him. The eyes were open. Eyes he recognised. Eyes he knew. His hand had in-advertantly strayed to his sword hilt and he felt his fingers tighten around it. Achillas saw and without moving he readied himself for the Roman’s attack if it came.
Caesar’s face had gone red but he managed to remain calm.
“Who did this?” he asked finally “Achillas did you do this?”
“Like you said Caesar. Man to man. Generals don’t kill Generals.”
The Roman stared at him again. But as before Achillas held his gaze. Finally Caesar turned back to the severed head. He half bowed to it and the Egyptian holding it put it back into the pot and replaced the towel. A sudden gust of wind suddenly blew up. The large Roman sails crackled as they filled out. Caesar’s robe whirled about his expensive boots.
“Are you not pleased Caesar?” Ptolemy asked.
“Pleased?”
“With the gift. My advisors said you would be pleased with the gift. Is this not your hated enemy?”
“Hated? No. Friend. Yes.”
“But they said….” Ptolemy spoke in a high pitched voice looking at each of his advisors in turn.
“Caesar has had something of a shock. It is not everyday that you receive your enemy’s head so readily. Now I’m sure my King that Caesar will excuse us. He will no doubt wish to leave for Rome straight away and leave us to our own problems.”
Julius was still staring at the head. He looked up into Pothinus’ eyes, then up at the sky. The breeze was still tugging at his cloak.
“I won’t be returning to Rome just yet. The winds are not favourable for a sea journey. The crossing can be treacherous if a storm suddenly comes.”
Pothinus remained calm but inside he was seething.
“Of course great Caesar. We would not want anything to happen to you or your fleet,” he said secretly wishing all the Romans to a watery grave.
“I will need room for myself, my officers and servants. My men will camp inside the outer walls of the palace.”
Pothinus bowed his head.
“It will be done as you wish Caesar. We are honoured to have you here,” he lied, “We would be only too happy to atke you to the city. You’ll find the barge most luxurious for your….”
“I’ll be returning to my own ship. Please make sure there is room at the royal dock for my ship.” Julius cut him off.
“Yes of course Caesar. I will see to it personally. King Ptolemy will retire.”
Caesar pointed at four of his men.
“A Roman guard of honour for the King.”
The legionaries followed the royal party inside.
“Bring that,” Caesar pointed to the head.
A legionary picked it up and put it back into the sack and moved in behind the Generals. Caesar took one last look at the retreating Egyptians and then turned and stomped from the deck towards the longboat. The others falling in behind.
CHAPTER THREE
The Egyptian royal party were in the war room of the royal palace. King Ptolemy, General Achillas and the mercenary General Mentor of Athens, Pothinus, various advisors to the boy king and servants.
Pothinus was furious.
He had just received a summons from Julius Caesar demanding that the Egyptian rulers disband their armies and bow to Roman law. He had also demanded that Ptolemy and Cleopatra be sent to him immediately.
“What does this mean?” Ptolemy asked his whining voice irritating both the Generals present.
“I’m afraid my King that we will have to send you to Caesar….”
“But what about Cleopatra? What about her?” Ptolemy cut Pothinus off, “Surely if she doesn’t go then I don’t have to.”
“That is precisely why you should go. Don’t you see. If you attend Caesar, bow to his every wish and your sister fails to come. Then Caesar will have to take your side in this matter.”
“How can she go? We don’t even know where she is. None of you know.”