Glaucus' Story
Chapter 36 - The Meeting
Glaucus stared forlornly into his wine glass. Marius was in the libraries, as usual, so he maintained his vigil alone. He was tired, he was frustrated, and he was lonely. He sometimes wondered if he was not wasting his time in Rome... Julia obviously didn't want to talk to him. Maybe he should head towards Petra, or try to find Quintus... wherever he was. And he missed his family. Badly. His cousins and his aunt and uncle. The warmth and laughter of his home in Spain. Guilt overwhelmed him as he realized that he had written only one short letter since he had left home. He resolved to correct that oversight tonight.
He was jolted from his brooding by a feminine voice which spoke from the other side of his table. "May I join you?"
Glaucus raised his gaze to meet deep blue eyes that were slightly wary but definitely curious. He stumbled to his feet, bumping the table and knocking over his wine glass in his haste.
The wariness in the blue eyes transformed to amusement.
He gaped in amazement. Red-gold hair. Beautiful. "Julia."
She nodded. "I understand that you've been looking for me."
He could barely breathe. "Yes, m'Lady... for months now." Was he really seeing her... this woman that he had dreamed of finding? "Please, sit down." Glaucus held the chair while she sat and gracefully arranged her cream silk stola around her. He took his seat and stared at her -- and she at him. "You know who I am," he finally said.
"Well... yes. I think I do. I admit that I have many questions." Her voice was soft and slightly husky.
"As do I. You saw me in the barber's chair a few weeks ago."
"Yes," she admitted simply.
"Why did you run?"
"I heard your voice as I was passing in the corridor and it... startled me. It is a voice that is very familiar to me but I never expected to hear it again." Her long fingers were clasped in her lap in a casual pose but her knuckles were white with strain. She was not as relaxed as her posture would at first indicate.
He smiled, hoping his expression was welcoming. "I've been told that I sound exactly like my father."
She nervously twisted a jeweled golden ring. Elegant diamond loops swung from her ears and a few golden strands encircled her slender neck but, otherwise, her dress gave away very little about her social status. Her hair was artfully piled high on her head in intricate coils with a few soft curls framing her lovely face. Strands of silver glistened at her temples amidst the red-gold. She positively glowed.
"I am very glad that you came ba--," Glaucus started.
"Who are you?" she interrupted suddenly. Fine lines at the corners at her mouth deepened with concern and a crease appeared between her eyebrows.
"I am the son of General Maximus Decimus Meridius."
Her breathing was rapid. "His son is dead."
"Marcus is dead... my older brother. He died with my mother when I was only a baby. I was not harmed because I was with my mother's family at the time."
"Then... you are Olivia's son?"
"Yes, I am the legitimate son of Maximus Decimus Meridius." Why would she think otherwise, he wondered?
She considered this information for a moment, her face unreadable. "He never mentioned you to me."
"He didn't know about me. My mother never told him for reasons of her own. He disappeared before he ever saw me."
"Disappeared." She turned her head and glanced out into the busy Forum of Trajan displaying her still perfect profile and elegant neck.
"Yes. I am in Rome to discover what happened to him. I was hoping you might be able to help me."
Julia turned her blazing blue eyes back to him. "How do you know about me?"
"Would you care for wine, m'Lady?" When she shook her head Glaucus continued. "I journeyed to Germania last year to search for any information about my father. I found an old man named Jonivus who told me a story about my father's journey to the Black Sea and the beautiful young... woman.... that he met there. He described you."
Julia noted his hesitation to use the word 'whore.'
Glaucus continued. "You are actually only one of many people that I am looking for but you are the first one that I have found." She remained silent. "I realize that you were together for only a short time but I was hoping that maybe you knew him here, in Rome."
She studied his face, her eyes tracing every contour. "You are so much like him," she whispered. "What is your name?"
"Maximus Decimus Glaucus. I am called Glaucus."
She smiled for the first time and Glaucus was dazzled. "For your green eyes. Your father had blue eyes... blue-green, really, like the ocean."
"I envy you, m'Lady. You knew him when I never did." Glaucus traced the wine spill with his finger. "I would have given anything to know him."
"It was a privilege to know your father. He was a great man."
Glaucus hesitated. "Was?"
Julia regarded Glaucus thoughtfully. "Tell me what you know about your father."
"I know that he was commander of the northern legions under Marcus Aurelius and that the emperor was very fond of him... beyond the usual emperor-general relationship. I know that after Marcus Aurelius died Commodus ordered my father executed... but I don¹t know why. I know that he killed the praetorians who were to be his executioners and escaped. I suspect that he returned to Spain and found my mother and my brother dead... and buried them. After that I don't know what happened to him. I did, though, find a soldier in Rome -- an old praetorian guard at the prison -- who said that my father was in Rome and that he was a prisoner. I'm not sure what that means because he was not imprisoned. I was hoping... since both you and he were in Rome... that you might have seen him again. I need to know what happened to him."
Julia slowly nodded then she looked into the forum again. Glaucus followed her gaze and saw a stooped old man near the shadows intently staring back at them.
"You did see him here in Rome?" Glaucus prompted.
Julia nodded again. "Yes, I did."
He leaned forward earnestly and formulated the question he barely dared to ask. "Is he still here?"
"In some respect he is."
Glaucus blinked. "What do you mean?"
"His memory is still strong with many people."
Glaucus' face drained, turning a sickly gray-white.
Julia's hand flew to her mouth and her eyes widened. "Oh, my dear, you didn't think he was still alive did you?"
Every muscle in Glaucus' body sagged. All hope was gone. He was too numb to think... too numb to cry. His fear had been confirmed.
Julia leaned towards him with concern and reached out a tentative hand which he didn't even see. "Glaucus, I thought you knew that he was dead and that you were seeking his resting place."
Glaucus' voice trembled with emotion. "I suppose I knew but I was hoping otherwise."
"I am so sorry."
"How long ago?"
Her answer was a long time coming. "Twenty years, at least."
"You mean he died shortly after he escaped execution in Germania?" Glaucus was stunned. All these years his hope had been futile. "How? How did he die? Where did he die?"
Julia rose, her eyes searching the forum again, her slender body shadowing the late afternoon sun. "I must go."
Glaucus leaped to his feet. "No. No... you can't possibly leave me without answering my questions. How did he die?"
She started to walk away. "I must leave."
"M'Lady... please. Please don't do this to me. Please tell me what you know," Glaucus implored. She continued walking but Glaucus grabbed her arm and whirled her around.
She made no attempt to pull free of his grasp or summon assistance. "I need time to think, Glaucus. I'm sorry but I can't do this today. I know you don't understand but you will. Please... I must leave now. I have to think.." Glaucus reluctantly released her arm and she hurriedly joined the forum crowd. He saw her meet the white-haired man and engage him in animated conversation. Then, she walked back towards him. He hadn't moved a muscle.
"Come to my apartment tomorrow afternoon and we'll talk. Do you know Rome?"
"Not well."
“I live on the street that runs east-west just below the Emperor's Palace on the Hill. Number twenty-eight. I'm on the second floor. Ask for Julia Servilia Apollinaria."
He nodded and her eyes roamed his face again. A look of pure pain slashed across her lovely features and she seemed to age before his eyes. Glaucus realized then that she suffered as much sorrow as he did and answered her farewell with a nod of gratitude.
Hours later another voice greeted Glaucus from across the table in the Forum of Trajan. "Here you are," said Marius. "You were supposed to meet me at the baths an hour ago. What happened?"
Glaucus' head lolled slightly to one side and he looked at his friend through bloodshot eyes.
"You're drunk!" exclaimed Marius. "Stinking drunk!"
Glaucus raised his wine glass in a silent salute to his friend's perception..
"Why? What happened?" Then it dawned on Marius. "You found her?"
Glaucus nodded, the action almost toppling him off his chair.
Marius steadied his drunken friend. "Well... does she know what happened to your father?"
Glaucus nodded again.
"What? Tell me!" The seated man's head slumped between his shoulders but Marius managed to barely discern the words that he hoped never to hear.
Chapter 37 - Answers
Glaucus found the house easily as it was the largest on the street. It was massive -- almost a palace itself. Whatever Julia had pursued since coming to Rome, she had certainly done well for herself and this was most definitely not the home of a whore. He located the front door and nervously smoothed his black tunic then straightened his cape. He had spent the morning at the baths and hoped that no smell of stale wine lingered about his person.
Marius had wanted to come too but Glaucus had made it very clear that he had to do this alone. He sensed a bond with this lovely woman... even if it was a bond of grief... and he wanted no distraction from his excitable friend. He wondered if Julia's father would be here today -- the old man in the forum.
He took a deep breath and knocked on the door. It was opened swiftly by a servant clad in pure white from head to toe. "Julia Servilia Apollinaria?" he asked.
The man nodded and beckoned for Glaucus to follow him further into the atrium. It was a massive space with an intricate black and white mosaic floor in a geometric pattern. Large marble statues of gods and goddesses graced niches in the walls. Chairs and tables made of warm wood were placed near oil lamps which burned brightly despite the ample light pouring in from the sun drenched courtyard. Subtle sandalwood scent wafted from polished brass incense burners. It was an elegant but inviting place and Glaucus felt himself relax a little.
The servant led him to double doors of heavily carved oak which swung open silently to reveal a wide, curved marble staircase that led to the second floor. At the top of the stairs was another set of double doors that matched the ones below. The servant knocked once and the doors were opened instantly by another servant who looked at Glaucus expectantly.
"I am Maximus Decimus Glaucus," he said. "Lady Julia Servilia Apollinaria is expecting me."
"Follow me, sir," said the servant and he led Glaucus into another atrium that was even more elegant than the one below. Glaucus had no time to gape, though, as the man moved swiftly towards an expansive terrace that overlooked the courtyard below. "Please make yourself comfortable, sir. The mistress will be with you in a moment." He bowed and exited the terrace with barely a sound.
Glaucus surveyed his surroundings in awe. The partially covered tiled terrace was filled with potted palms and stone tubs overflowing with fragrant flowers. A fountain spurted water high into the air from the mouths of marble fishes and the water cascaded over a stone replica of a ship. Glaucus moved closer. A merchant ship. Curious.
Comfortable looking seating of some sort of rattan cane that Glaucus had never seen before was grouped among the plants. Each couch and chair contained cozy and colorful embroidered cushions. Two sleek gray cats curled comfortably on the cushions, one licking it's pristine paws and the other twitching it's tail as it eyed him with suspicious green eyes. Tall trees growing in the courtyard below waved gently and sent welcome breezes onto the terrace.
He turned around and leaned against the marble railing and noted the open, arched corridors that ran in both directions off the terrace. Each corridor contained many doors which he assumed were bedrooms.
"Glaucus?"
He straightened quickly and peered into the shadows which concealed his hostess. "I'm sorry, m'Lady. I didn't mean to be curious. It's just that I've never seen an apartment like this one."
She smiled as she walked towards him and into the sunshine. Today she was dressed in simple blue wool the color of her eyes. Glaucus marveled at her beauty despite her age. She looked anything but matronly. "There's not another like it in the city," she said. "It used to be part of the palace itself -- used by relatives of the emperor -- until the main palace was expanded for that purpose. I used to own the whole thing but it was far too much space for me so I elected to keep the second floor and rent the bottom to a friend. I prefer the second floor. It's more private, somehow."
He had assumed that she was wealthy but he had never expected anything like this.
"Please," she extended her hand, "sit down and I'll have my servant bring refreshments."
"Thank you m'Lady."
She smiled again. "Yesterday you called me 'Julia.'"
"Yesterday I was too shocked to remember my manners."
She laughed -- a wonderful, full-bodied laugh. "Well I admit that my manners weren't at their best either. I hope I didn't appear rude, Glaucus, but even though I guessed who you were, confirmation of the fact was unsettling."
"I understand," he replied as he sat gingerly on a rattan couch. He relaxed when he realized that it would hold his weight. "This furniture is very unusual."
"It is in this part of the world. I own a fleet of merchant ships and I transport goods from all over the world to Rome. This furniture came from the far east."
Glaucus nodded. "That explains your fondness for silk."
Julia laughed again just as two servants arrived with trays of delicacies and wine. One cat hopped gracefully off the sofa and headed for a less busy location under his chair. "I admit that I enjoy the finer things that life has to offer.I don't venture out much, you see, so my surroundings are very important to me. I actually live in Ostia. This is my home while I'm in Rome." She wasn't bragging. It was just a statement of fact.
A silver tray was set before him with an artfully arranged selection of raw vegetables with garlic dipping sauce, oysters, shrimp and crab with garum sauce, pickled tuna, olives and cheeses as well as an assortment of breads. Another tray contained honey and nut cakes, fruit pastries and tarts with grapes, apples and pears.
As a servant poured the wine Julia raised her eyes above Glaucus' head in greeting. "Hello, dear. I'm glad you could join us."
Glaucus scrambled to his feet when he realized the old man from the forum was standing behind him.
"Glaucus, let me introduce you to my husband, Apollinarius."
The young Spaniard sincerely hoped that his astonishment didn't show. He extended his hand and the old man shuffled forward, supported by a cane, to grasp it in a surprisingly strong grip. "It's a pleasure to meet you, sir.." The man had to be at least twenty years older than his wife and was stooped with age.
"Likewise, I assure you, young man. I can't tell you how excited I was when Julia told me that she had seen a young man at the market who could only be the son of General Maximus." He moved slowly to a chair beside his wife and sat down with a grimace. "Arthritis," he said as if an explanation was needed. He shook his head sadly. "Never grow old, son."
"You knew my father, sir?"
"Indeed I did. A wonderful, wonderful man. It was an honor to know him and it is an honor to meet his son."
Julia carefully handed her husband a cup of watered wine. "You should have a blanket on your knees, dear."
"Oh, not yet. It's a lovely day and I don't like to feel too incapacitated." He looked at Glaucus and winked. "She takes good care of me.."
Glaucus smiled, "I can see that, sir." He genuinely liked this odd couple. Maybe Apollinarius was the source of Julia's substantial wealth. The money that Marcus Aurelius had given her, even carefully invested, could never have provided a lifestyle like this. The old man pulled an unresisting gray cat onto his lap where it curled up on his knees and purred loudly as he slowly stroked the soft fur with his gnarled hand.
"Glaucus," Julia said as the young man politely nibbled on some cheese, "I know that you are here for a reason. You have many questions about your father and you have a right to know the answers. I hope I can provide some of them."
"Thank you, m--," he caught himself -- "Julia."
"Do you know anything at all about how I met your father?"
"Yes, you met him when he arrived at the camp of the traitor Cassius near the Black Sea."
"Yes, I was a slave at that time -- owned by Cassius -- and I was assigned to entertain your father."
Glaucus studied the floor.
Julia smiled kindly. "We can't change the past, Glaucus. I'm not ashamed of what I was. It was no choice of mine."
He nodded and expressed his understanding by looking straight into her eyes.
"Your father arrived with his cavalry -- not even a complete army -- to challenge Cassius' claim the throne. At that time nobody really knew where the emperor was, not even Maximus."
It was the first time he had heard her say his father's name and the syllables rolled off her tongue like a gentle sigh.
"I hated Cassius and was anxious to ally myself with anyone who worked against him."
Glaucus interrupted. "Excuse me, but it is only fair to tell you, Julia, that I found a woman who was at the camp with you -- Eugenia -- and she told me much of this story."
Julia was clearly surprised. "You found Eugenia? How?"
He flushed slightly. "By visiting almost every brothel in the city of Rome. As many as five a night for months."
Julia knew that he had really been looking for her but didn't want to embarrass him further by pointing that out. "How is Eugenia?"
"She is well. She runs a small brothel at the edge of the city limits. She is the one who told me to look for you at the Trajan Market."
"Oh... that was smart of her. Well, you know then that I helped your father in his mission to defeat Cassius."
"Yes. But Eugenia also said that... that you were very fond of my father."
If Julia was surprised that Glaucus so quickly turned the conversation is this direction, she did not show it. "Yes, Glaucus, I quickly grew to be very fond of your father. He was unlike any other man I had ever known -- strong yet gentle, disciplined yet creative. Very moral. Very honest."
Glaucus chose his next words carefully. "He may not have been completely honest, Julia. Did you know that he was married?"
"Yes, he told me that the first night I met him."
"But... but you...," Glaucus couldn't find the right words.
"Glaucus, you can ask me anything. What did Eugenia say to you that you find troubling?"
"She said that you and my father were lovers... right from the very night you met."
"Well, she was wrong. Eugenia assumed a lot."
Glaucus wanted desperately to believe her.
"Your father remained completely faithful to his wife -- your mother -- while he was at that camp. I will admit to you, though, that his deep moral values were very frustrating for me. Your mother was a very lucky woman to have such a man."
Glaucus glanced at Apollinarius to find the man studying him curiously. He didn't want to offend Julia's husband but he had to ask the question. "Did you fall in love with my father?"
"Yes." Her reply was prompt and direct.
"And he cared for you, I'm sure."
"I believe that he did, although there were times in the subsequent years that I wondered if I had imagined his affection. Glaucus, I will admit something to you that I never even told Maximus. When Marcus Aurelius thanked me personally for my role in foiling Cassius' plot--"
"The emperor thanked you personally?"
"Yes... you see, Maximus' life was in grave danger and I risked mine to protect him. The emperor thanked me profusely for saving his favorite general. And, he offered me a great sum of money and my freedom... as your father had requested. Instead of accepting, I begged him to give me to your father as his slave but he refused, saying that Maximus would never accept me. So you see, I had no choice but to come to Rome as a freed woman. I would rather have remained with your father. I had never had a man treat me with so much respect, with so much kindness, or take me under his protection the way your father did. I was quite lost in my love for him."
Glaucus nodded his understanding and felt great pride in his father's unselfish actions. "So you left for Rome and my father went to Spain then back to Germania. When did you meet him again?"
"Many years later, in Rome. Both of our circumstances had changed completely. By that time I had established myself in Roman society, taken a husband--"
Glaucus glanced at Apollinarius.
"No, not me, son," Apollinarius laughed. "Julia's first husband was a ship owner named Marius Servilus. Julia and I were merely friends at the time."
"More than friends," Julia added. "My mentor, my tutor."
Apollinarius smiled at her fondly and she patted his hand.
"It was a marriage of convenience, Glaucus, nothing more. You see, my heart still belonged to your father and no other man could take his place. My husband was well aware of it and it suited him perfectly as I fulfilled a role for him that society demanded -- that of 'wife.' But it was in name only. We kept separate apartments at his villa in Ostia. When he died, I inherited the shipping fleet and the property. Since then I have doubled it in size and value."
"I see." Glaucus didn¹t want to appear ungracious but he was anxious to steer the conversation back to his father. "When did you meet my father again?"
Julia and Apollinarius glanced at each other then Julia took a long sip of wine. There was silence except for the chirping of birds perched in the trees in the courtyard. The silence grew in length and Glaucus' stomach tightened into a knot. It was pretty clear that Julia was reluctant to talk about this part of her life.
She finally leaned towards the young Spaniard and asked, "You know nothing of his stay in Rome?"
"Nothing."
"Glaucus... this is going to be very hard. It almost destroyed me at the time."
"Julia, I have sought the answer to this question since I was fifteen years old and was told that my true father was a great Roman general who disappeared under mysterious circumstances. For the past year I have found that people believe many things about my father -- some think him to be a hero, and others a traitor. I must know the truth no matter how distressing."
The crease between her eyebrows deepened but she nodded. "You've been in Rome a few months?"
"Yes."
"Then you've probably been to the Colosseum."
The Colosseum? "No, I haven't been to the games. I have spent all of my waking hours searching brothels and libraries and markets. My only recreation has been to go to the baths. Did you meet my father again at the games?"
"In a manner of speaking." Silence again. "My maid... my maid--," Julia started then her hand flew to her mouth and she choked back a sob. Tears welled in her eyes.
"My dear!" exclaimed Apollinarius, alarmed. "You are not strong enough to do this."
She shook her head to indicate that she was fine but she sat with her eyes closed and her hand clasped over her mouth for quite some time.
The knot in Glaucus' stomach turned to nausea. He took a few gulps of wine then placed the cup back on the tray, not wishing a repeat performance of yesterday's drunkenness.
Julia finally dropped her hand to her lap and she continued in a whisper. "My maid told me that all of Rome was abuzz about a Spanish gladiator who was new to the Colosseum --
NO. The word ripped through Glaucus' mind like a thunderbolt.
"It seemed that this man had developed a reputation in the provinces as a skilful fighter then put on an amazing display of skill in the Colosseum during his very first fight."
NO. NO.
Julia reached out a hand toward the distressed young man. "Glaucus, that gladiator was your father."
"NO!" The word shot from his brain to his mouth and ricocheted off the walls of the courtyard. Glaucus jumped to his feet, his fists clenched as he towered over Julia, shaking. "You're lying!"
Julia flinched and Apollinarius struggled to his feet. "Glaucus, Glaucus, sit down. Julia is telling you the truth. She has no reason to lie. I saw your father fight there myself."
Glaucus whirled and ran for the courtyard wall where he drew huge gulps of cool air to force down the vomit that burned his throat. He pounded his fists on the wall in agony then turned and smashed his knuckles against a marble column again and again and again. "My - father - was - never - a - gladiator!" he screamed as he pounded. "NEVER!" His impassioned words rebounded off walls until they finally faded, their energy spent..
Julia sobbed quietly in her chair and Apollinarius waved away the servants who came rushing to their aid.
His fist finally bloodied and his rage spent, Glaucus slumped down the wall to the tile floor. "My father was never a slave," he whispered.
Julia left her seat and knelt beside him on the floor then took his fist gently in her hand. "Please get some bandages," she instructed a servant who hovered in the shadows. She gently pushed the sweaty hair out of Glaucus' eyes. "I don't think you broke any bones."
"I don't care if I did." Glaucus' voice was toneless.
Julia spoke to him quietly as she wrapped his hand in white cotton. "Your reaction was similar to mine the first time I saw your father at the Colosseum. I vomited in an alley. I was so distressed that Apollinarius could barely understand what I was babbling about. I took to my bed and sobbed for days."
Glaucus studied Julia as she worked on his hand. Sorrow had deepened the lines in her face and she clearly was old enough to be his mother. He had no right to treat her with such disrespect. He touched her damp cheek with the fingertips of his uninjured hand. "I'm sorry I called you a liar. It was unforgivable."
"I understand." Julia pulled two cushions off nearby chairs and placed one under her hips and the other behind Glaucus' back. Then she looked up at her husband. "Apollinarius, you're tired. Why don't you go to your room and rest, dear."
The old man shook his head adamantly.
"I'll be fine. Glaucus is calm now and we have much to discuss. It's getting cooler and you'll catch a chill out here."
He still didn't move.
"Please," she coaxed. "We'll be fine. I'll come and talk to you later."
Reluctantly, the old man did as he was bid. Before he turned into the corridor he took one last look at the couple on the floor. Their heads were tilted close together in earnest conversation.
Chapter 38 - Julia's Story
"Maximus did return to Spain and bury your mother and brother, Glaucus. The shock of finding them dead, combined with a serious injury he suffered while escaping the praetorians -- and a long and difficult journey to Spain -- made him very weak. He fainted on top of their graves. Quite frankly, I think he hoped to die with them."
Glaucus was glum. "At that time I was probably playing with my cousins a few hills away, not knowing how much my life was about to change... not knowing that my father was so close to me... dying."
"If he had known about you he would have come for you," Julia reassured him. "Maximus' family was everything to him. He would have been so very proud of you, Glaucus."
"I hope so," Glaucus whispered.
Julia adjusted her position on the cushion and a gray cat strutted over to curl at her feet. "Maximus told me that a band of slave traders must have been attracted to the smoke from the burning villa and picked him up. He was burning with fever -- unconscious from an infected shoulder wound. When he finally woke up he was strapped to a wagon on his back. He thinks he drifted in and out of consciousness for days but another slave, a Numidian named Juba, cleaned his wound and saved his life. He and Juba became very close friends." For the next few hours Julia told Glaucus every detail she knew about his purchase by Proximo, his training as a gladiator and his growing reputation as a gifted fighter. "Maximus couldn't believe that crowds of people would cheer to see one man kill another but he quickly realized that the people worshiped the victor and that a man who is worshiped is a powerful man indeed."
Glaucus smiled. "Always a general."
"Oh yes... always. He never stopped being that. By that time, Commodus was firmly ensconced in Rome and he staged one hundred and fifty days of games to honor his father, Marcus Aurelius. The irony is, Glaucus, that Commodus was the person who killed the emperor and your father knew it."
Glaucus expressed no surprise. "Well... that confirms what many people suspected."
"Yes, and Maximus refused his loyalty to the new emperor. That's why Commodus ordered him executed."
"And his family as well, so they couldn't avenge his death."
"That's right. You would have been killed too had the soldiers known about you."
"So I've been told."
Julia debated how much to reveal at this point about the circumstances surrounding the death of the emperor and the ordered execution of Maximus, but Maximus had made her swear not to tell anyone and she was not ready to betray his trust, even now. She steered the conversation back to gladiators. "Maximus was able to exploit his prowess at killing to such a degree that the people screamed for him wherever the troop of gladiators went."
"Where did they go?"
"All over the provinces, on their way to Rome to participate in the big games there. Maximus had a plan, you see--"
"To kill Commodus to avenge the deaths of my mother and brother."
Julia smiled. "You think like your father. He also felt he owed it to Marcus Aurelius."
Glaucus nodded. "So his being a gladiator was a way to get close to the emperor with a sword in his hand." Glaucus cocked his head thoughtfully and tried to ignore the throbbing in his hand. "But why didn't Commodus order him killed as soon as he saw him in the arena?"
Julia grinned. "Let me tell you the story I heard about your father's debut at the Colosseum." She described in detail how Maximus led the small band of rag-tag gladiators to victory over the legionaries of Scipio Africanus. "He instantly won the hearts of the people and they demanded that Commodus let him live, even when it seemed that the emperor was about the strike him down. You see, Glaucus, Commodus was a very unpopular man with the patricians. But he managed to keep the average people of Rome satisfied by giving them games and feeding them bread. He knew, though, that they could turn against him very quickly if they were unhappy. Your father's exploits in the arena kept them very happy. So, Commodus needed Maximus, in a way."
"Ironic again."
"Indeed." Julia accepted two blankets from a servant. "Thank you, Claudia."
"We can go inside if you're getting cold," Glaucus said quickly.
"No, I quite enjoy listening to the crickets in the courtyard. I find them relaxing." She handed one blanket to Glaucus and he helped Julia pull the other around her shoulders. "I didn't attend the games at that time so I didn't see that fight. It wasn't until my maid told me about a Spanish gladiator that had captured the imagination of the entire city that I even felt a twinge of curiosity. Then she described him and I knew it could only be Maximus. I couldn't understand, though, how he could go from general to gladiator-slave. I knew nothing about the goings-on in Germania and assumed that he was still general there. But, I decided to go to the Colosseum to see for myself. When I got there I was attracted to a huge crowd gathered around one of the outdoor viewing cells where gladiators are placed on display to be inspected by people who might want to bet on them. They were all murmuring 'Maximus, Maximus,' and some were screaming his name. When I finally got to the front of the crowd I saw him sitting in the shadows against the back wall. He was simply staring into space like his mind was somewhere else entirely. When I could find my voice I called to him but my words simply blended with all of the others. When he was ushered inside to prepare to fight I ran for the alley and lost my lunch. When I got to my apartment I poured out my story to Apollinarius."
"I'm curious, Julia. Why didn't you go to your husband?"
"He had passed away by then. I was a widow." She grew quiet and simply gazed at Glaucus.
"Julia?"
"You know, sitting here in the early evening shadows, I can almost imagine you to be your father... the same voice... the same face. Your hair's longer and lighter. He always wore his in a short military style. You're thinner..." She paused again. "You are what I imagine he was like when he was your age... reckless, adventuresome... before the responsibilities of his office made him a much more serious man.
He gently touched her face with his bandaged hand.
She smiled. "How's the hand?"
"Sore. I don't imagine that even my father would have won a fist fight with a marble column."
Julia laughed. "No, but no doubt he would have tried, just as you did."
Glaucus became serious. "Did you ever see him fight?"
"Yes, many times. I persuaded Apollinarius to accompany me to the games a day or two later. He stayed the entire day, the poor man, to save our seats. I wandered around outside until I heard the crowd chant your father's name. You could hear them all over the city." Julia pulled the blanket tighter around her. "I was terrified that I would see him die. Instead I saw an amazing display of skill that aroused even Apollinarius... and he's quite a lamb."
"I can see that."
"But what really astonished me -- and aroused the crowd -- was the way he faced down Commodus. He defied him with every move he made... every facial expression, every gesture. He loathed the emperor and it was clear in every fiber of his being. And Commodus hated him. That was the confrontation that really inflamed the crowd -- gladiator versus emperor, not gladiator versus gladiator."
"Did the crowd know who he was... a general, I mean?"
"Some probably did. Others heard it but probably didn¹t believe it. Gladiators always had fantastic stories circulating about them." Julia hesitated. "There was one other person in the crowd who knew with total certainty."
Glaucus lifted his eyebrows.
"Lucilla, Commodus' sister." Julia raised her eyes to the early evening stars
"I know about Lucilla. Jonivus told me."
"Yes... well... there were two women in the crowd that day who truly loved your father."
"It's hard for you to talk about her."
"She had access to him and I didn't. I was very jealous of that."
"But you said you met him again in Rome...."
"Yes."
"When?"
"Glaucus, don't think badly of me for what I'm about to tell you."
"I couldn¹t think badly of you for anything," he replied sincerely.
Julia smiled somewhat shyly. "Thank you." She took a deep breath. "The plague often surfaced in Rome. A particularly bad outbreak caused officials to close all public buildings. I saw an opportunity to spirit Maximus away from Proximo for the duration of the closure."
"How did you do that?"
"I had Apollinarius rent him for a week."
Glaucus was confused. "Rent? What do you--." Then it dawned on him what she meant. "He rented him for a week?"
"Yes, but--"
"My father was forced to... to prostitute himself? Proximo forced him to do that?" Injured or not, Glaucus' fist closed in anger.
"Now don't pound a column again! Listen to me, Glaucus. It was really I who wanted him, of course--"
"But Proximo was willing to sell him to a man! I could kill Proximo!"
"He's long dead, Glaucus. Settle down and let me tell you what happened." She placed a calming hand on his shoulder and felt them heave with anger. "I had him brought to my villa in Ostia. He had no idea why he was there and, I admit, at first he thought he was there to... you know." Julia removed her hand. "Forgive me Glaucus, but I allowed him believe that and he was terribly distressed."
"I can imagine." A chill had crept into Glaucus' voice. "Why did you do that to a man you loved?"
Julia looked at the stars again and was silent for a long while. When she finally spoke her voice was small. "I... I guess I wanted to punish him for rejecting me."
"He was married! That's why he rejected you."
"I know, but that didn't make it hurt any less. I wrote him a letter once... not a love letter... just to tell him that I had established a life in Rome. He didn¹t reply and I was very upset. Glaucus, I can't justify my actions because they were wrong, but at least my intentions were good."
"Oh really?" he said with a hint of sarcasm.
Julia didn't like the tone of his voice. "Yes," she replied defensively. "I'll have you know that I had a ship prepared to take Maximus back to Spain... to help him escape slavery. To take him back to his wife and son. I didn't know at the time I made the arrangements that they were dead.. My intentions were entirely honorable, I assure you."
Glaucus nodded. "I'm sorry. What happened. Was he captured at sea?"
"No. He refused my offer. He refused to get aboard the ship."
"He wanted revenge."
"Yes, and the only way he could see to get it was to kill Commodus in the arena."
"But he could have escaped and rallied an army to march on Rome--"
"Glaucus I went through all of that with him. He had a counter-argument to every argument I presented. Roman armies were under the control of Commodus, you see, and only his very own men would have supported him. He assumed his armies were still in Germania."
"And where were they?"
"In Ostia, apparently."
"Ostia?" Slowly it dawned on him. "YOU were in Ostia!"
"Yes."
Glaucus threw up his hands in despair. "So close."
Julia nodded sadly. "It could have been very different if we had known.."
"So... what did you do for the week?"
"Provided him with the last bit of happiness he ever knew."
"I'd like you to explain that."
"I will, but first we need more wine and a few more blankets."
Chapter 39 - Julia's Story, part 2
"We spent the first few days arguing about my escape plan. It's only when I accepted his refusal to leave that we were able to share our stories about what had happened to us in the intervening time. That's when I learned about his flight to Spain, the deaths of your mother and brother, and his capture and sale as a gladiator. I told him about my marriage... or what was regarded by society as a marriage. You see, Glaucus, I was always in love with Maximus and couldn¹t share my life fully with any other man."
The two of them now sat side by side on the terrace floor with their shoulders touching and their backs against the courtyard wall, made comfortable by cushions and blankets. It seemed an odd choice considering the luxury of Julia's home but both of them enjoyed the intimacy of the ceiling of stars. A jar of wine was on the floor between them and they both had refilled their cups a number of times. The food trays were empty and cold cooked quail awaited their pleasure on another tray.
Julia continued, "We walked in the garden, spent some long hours at my private beach... where your father taught me how to swim. Well... how to float, at least." She smiled. "He gradually started to relax but it took many days."
The wine made Glaucus even more blunt than usual. "Did you make love?"
Julia pursed her lips. "Not at first. Your father was still in mourning for your mother. Her death was still very fresh for him and he seemed to regard any intimacy with me as an insult to her memory."
"She was dead, though."
"Yes. We were both without spouses."
"He should've lightened up," Glaucus guffawed.
Julia looked at Glaucus in amazement then burst out laughing. "Well, he finally did, but not without a lot of coaxing. We enjoyed a few days and nights of intimacy. They were the happiest days of my life."
"You loved him."
"Yes."
"And he loved you."
"He couldn't bring himself to say those words to me even though I knew they were in his heart. Glaucus, it was your mother who owned your father's love and he reserved those words only for her. I was simply permitted to share it for a short time. I want you to know that."
Glaucus looked at her with droopy eyes. "You deserve to be happy."
"Thank you... and you've had too much wine." She placed the jar on her side out of his reach.
"You should have run away together."
"Yes, we should have. But Maximus was afraid for my safety. Commodus would have sent every praetorian and soldier in the empire after us and we would have undoubtedly been caught. Instead, when the Colosseum opened again, and Proximo came to fetch him, Maximus returned to Rome as a gladiator." Julia took a long sip of wine to blunt the painful memory.
"What did you do?"
"I followed him to Rome and attended every one of his last fights as I promised him I would. I told him that he would never be alone as long as I was in the stands."
"Were you ever able to talk to him again?"
"No. Proximo wouldn't let me anywhere near him. He said that I distracted Maximus. I tried to deliver a message... but I'm not sure that that got through either."
Glaucus listened to the sound of a sleepy dove cooing in the trees just above his head. "He died in the arena, didn't he?"
"Yes," she whispered.
"He lost a fight."
"No... no he didn't."
Glaucus looked at her, his eyebrows raised expectantly. She reached for the jar and poured him another cup of wine. "Drink up," she said.
He downed it in one gulp. "I'm ready."
"I'm not the person who can fill in all of the details for you because I could only see what the rest of the crowd saw... but I'll never forget that day. It was hot and sunny. Incense burners masked the scent of death from previous fights. The crowd threw rose petals on the floor of the Colosseum -- red ones -- as they always did for Maximus. They covered the sand like a carpet. But the emperor wasn't in his seat. Lucilla was there, though, with her son, Lucius. She looked pale -- stricken. Suddenly, trap doors in the arena floor opened and a group of praetorians appeared, all huddled together. When they parted, your father and the emperor were standing there side by side. The crowd roared when they saw them. This was the showdown they had only dared dream about -- beloved gladiator versus despised emperor."
Glaucus barely breathed.
"Commodus was his usual cocky self but Maximus' head was down and he was swaying slightly. The praetorians formed a wide circle around the two men and Commodus played to the crowd. Maximus, though, was limping badly and word soon raced through the crowd that he was injured. I saw it then -- blood pouring down his leg from under the left side of his tunic. And the fight hadn't even started."
"He was injured before the fight even began? By Commodus?"
"I don't know." Julia drew a deep breath. "The praetorian commander threw Maximus' sword on the sand--"
Glaucus sat bolt upright. "Quintus? Was his name Quintus?"
"Yes, I believe so -- your father's former legate in Germania."
"Then he knows what happened; how my father was injured before the fight."
"He may be the only one still alive who does."
Glaucus seethed. "Go on."
"I was a long way away, Glaucus, and I couldn't see everything clearly.."
"But Quintus could," said Glaucus with deadly calm.
"Yes, he could. The fight commenced and your father was favoring his left side. His arm was tucked close to his chest and he was bent over slightly. He fought valiantly, though, on the defensive at first but then he seemed to find some inner strength. He managed to knock the sword out of Commodus' hand and I heard Commodus scream for another sword. All eyes were on your father, though, and the crowd grew deadly quiet because they knew, now that something was very wrong. Maximus seemed dazed and confused. He staggered a bit and stared into space. His sword slipped out of his hand."
"Both men were without swords now?"
"Yes, but Commodus ordered the praetorian to give him one of theirs. Quintus ordered them not to."
"He countermanded the emperor's order?"
"Yes, and the praetorian obeyed him."
Glaucus gave a low whistle. "That may be the only good thing that bastard ever did for my father."
"It was too little too late, Glaucus. By this time it was obvious to everyone that your father was dying. Commodus drew a knife from his sleeve and attempted to stab your father with it. That seemed to awaken Maximus from his stupor and he punched Commodus a few times, knocking his down. Commodus came back at him, though. Finally, Maximus grabbed the knife and turned it back on the emperor. He wrapped his hand around Commodus' hand -- the one that was grasping the knife -- and forced it to his throat. From a distance it almost looked like they were in an embrace. Maximus steadied Commodus' head with his other hand... and drove the knife through his throat."
Glaucus let out a long breath. "It killed him."
"He dropped to the ground dead."
"And my father?"
"He remained standing long enough to give orders to Quintus to free the gladiators and other political prisoners."
"Quintus obeyed my father's orders just like he was under his command again?"
Julia hesitated. "Yes," was all she said.
"And then?"
"There was no sound in the arena so we could faintly hear Maximus' voice. I can't remember his exact words but he told Quintus that Rome was to be a Republic again just as Marcus Aurelius wanted it to be." Julia turned to Glaucus. "He fulfilled the emperor's last wish just before he fell himself."
Glaucus rubbed his eyes with both hands, digging deeply to stop the tears. He cleared his throat. "He died there?"
"Yes. Lucilla ran to him and cradled his head. They spoke a few words, then his head rolled to the side and Lucilla clutched herself in terrible grief. The crowd was simply numb. They had just watched their beloved Maximus kill the emperor... but then die himself."
"And you?"
"I was numb too. Dazed really. I had prayed to the gods to find a way to kill the emperor and spare Maximus but it was not to be. The praetorian formed an honor guard and Maximus' men lifted his body to their shoulders and carried him out of the arena. Little Lucius followed Maximus just like he was Maximus' son. Lucilla stayed at the place where he had fallen."
Glaucus looked quizzical. "They carried him out like an emperor but left the emperor dead on the sand?"
"Yes."
"Even Lucilla?"
"She was concerned only for Maximus."
Glaucus pondered this curious information. "What happened to my father's body?"
"I don't know. Lucilla took him to the palace and there was rumor that she was planning a funeral worthy of an emperor. She had already started plans to build a grand mausoleum beside that of her father. But, she was sent into exile and would never say where she had left Maximus' body. He was probably cremated at the place where the remains of emperors and their families are taken, but no one but Lucilla knew what happened to him after that... or if they do, they are not saying. In the days after Maximus' death, Senator Gracchus and Lucilla worked together to fulfill Marcus Aurelius' -- and your father's -- wishes to return Rome to a Republic. When the praetorians seized power Lucilla and her son were banished into exile and Senator Gracchus died soon after. He may have been murdered. No one knows."
"Quintus again."
"Yes... Quintus."
"He betrayed my father even after his death."
Julia merely nodded.
Chapter 40 - The Sands
Marius rushed for the door the second he heard it open. "What happened? You've been gone so long I started to worry. What happened?
"Relax, Marius. I'm fine--"
"You don't look fine. What happened to your hand?"
"It was an accident. It's nothing."
"Tell me what happened. Did you find out anything?"
"Yes... a great deal. Sit down and I'll tell you." For the next few hours Glaucus revealed all of the details of his conversation with Julia to an astonished Marius."
"The number of times I've been to the Colosseum," said Marius shaking his head, "and I had no idea... no idea."
"I'm going there with Julia tomorrow."
"I'm coming with you."
"Marius, there is something far more important that you can do for me, if you will."
"What?"
"Find out where Quintus is. I need him to tell me what happened to my father just before the fight with Commodus... and then I'm going to kill him.."
Glaucus arrived at the Colosseum about an hour before he was scheduled to meet Julia. This is where his father had died twenty long years ago -- murdered really, by whomever had inflicted the pre-fight injury. The building was massive, strong and imposing just like he imagined his father to be. It was fitting that he had died here rather than in some Germanian forest or sprawled on top of graves -- or in a dismal prison. He had died a powerful and beloved man. A hero.
Glaucus mingled with the crowd, absorbing the atmosphere of the place while he waited for Julia. He leaned against a massive travertine stone arch and watched citizens file in and out excitedly discussing the merits of this gladiator or that, or how much they had won or lost. He noticed a boy lingering near the opposite archway then saw him dig into the stone with a bent iron nail. The boy didn't see Glaucus watching him as he concentrated on his task of defacing the Colosseum wall. Curious, Glaucus sauntered over. "What are you doing?"
The boy leaped back, panic on his thin face. "N--nothing, sir."
"Don't be frightened, I'm only curious." Glaucus bent and examined the fresh scratch marks. "Who is 'Flamma?'" he asked the boy.
"Well, he's just the best gladiator there is, that's all," the boy replied, his thin chest puffed out as if to deflect a challenge. "He can kill a hundred men at one time."
Glaucus nodded and hid a small smile. "Why did you carve his name into the wall?"
The boy looked at Glaucus like he was crazy. "Everybody does it -- writes the names of their favorites. Everybody does it," he said again defensively.
Glaucus bent and looked at the wall again. Sure enough, names of other gladiators had been scratched there, the names often overlapping as subsequent generations disregarded heroes of the past.
"The girls are the worst," said the boy with a sneer. "They write yucky things like how handsome a gladiator is... or how sexy." He spit on the ground with disgust. "The only thing that matters is how many men he can kill."
"Do you know these walls well?"
"Huh?"
Glaucus looked at the boy. "Have you ever seen the name 'Maximus' scratched in them?"
The boy's face brightened. "Only a hundred times -- more than any other gladiator ever. Come here and I'll show you." He led Glaucus through the arched corridor until they reached the area where the display cells were located. "Look -- here." He waved his arm, indicating that Glaucus could look anywhere.
Glaucus examined the area where sunlight spilled across the arched wall and saw it clearly -- his father's name scrawled by a dozen different hands with messages of undying love and devotion. He reached out trembling fingers and gently traced the letters with his fingertips... tangible proof of his father's presence here.
"Are you alright, mister?" the boy asked as he regarded Glaucus curiously. "My papa laughs when I talk about Flamma. He says Maximus was the best there ever was."
Glaucus moved slowly along the wall, allowing his fingers to caress the stone. Maximus. It was everywhere. Maximus. Maximus. Maximus. Glaucus drew a shaky breath. He had to pull himself together. "These cells... this is where they kept the gladiators?"
"Uh huh. They put the gladiators here sometimes so people can have a good look at them. You should see the crowds around here when that happens. You can't get near the place."
Glaucus grasped the bars and peered into a dark cell. It was empty save for a wooden bench that hugged the back wall. This is where his father was sitting when Julia first saw him in Rome. He shivered.
"Are you alright, mister?" the boy asked again.
"Why aren't there gladiators here now?"
The boy looked at Glaucus as if he couldn't believe this man's stupidity. "'Cause they're in the cells inside the arena. That's where they're kept most of the time. Either there or at the school."
"What school?"
The boy rolled his eyes. "Don't you know nothing about gladiators?"
"Other than what they do while fighting... I suppose not."
"The schools are where the gladiators live and train. There's one right over there." The boy pointed across the forum. He squinted his eyes and cocked his head. "I'll take you there and show it to you... if you want."
Glaucus took the hint and dug into his robe for some coins. He handed some to the boy. "I assume this is ample for a guided tour."
The boy's eyes widened and he swiftly turned his back and tucked them away in a secure and secret place. He then graced Glaucus with a grin and beckoned with his arm. "Follow me."
They dodged the crowd as they crossed the forum and the boy halted before sturdy iron-barred gates. Inside was an open area where burly men in simple tunics wielded wooden swords, guarded by armed men. "See," said the boy smugly. "This is where they live."
The courtyard was bordered by small stone cells, each with a door and barred window. "Who owns this place?" Glaucus asked the boy.
"Nobody. Not this one, anyway. This is where the gladiator owners can rent space for their troop while they're in Rome. Lots of gladiator troops can be here at the same time."
"Do you know if Maximus lived here?"
"Maximus? I don't know, but Flamma lives here."
Glaucus smiled. "Are there other gladiator schools in Rome?"
"Lots, but they're all privately owned by rich men and you can't get anywhere near them." The boy and man stood quietly for a while watching the men practice.
"Mister?"
Glaucus nodded to indicate that he had heard.
"I gotta go."
"Well, thank you...?" Glaucus raised his brows in question as he offered the youngster his hand."
"My name's Drusus but I call myself Flamma."
Glaucus laughed. "Thank you, Flamma. I hope your man does well."
But the boy's curiosity wasn't satisfied. "Did you know this Maximus?"
Glaucus quickly sobered. "No... I never knew him."
"Oh. It seems like he's real special to you."
Glaucus just turned back to face the gladiator school again, not wanting to encourage that line of questioning. With one last curious look, the boy scurried away, quickly lost in the crowd.
Julia smiled in greeting as Glaucus approached. She was sitting in the outdoor tavern where he had recently dined with Marius, and Apollinarius was beside her. He took the old man's hand and shook it warmly.
"I was afraid we were late," said Julia, "but it appears we arrived before you."
Glaucus smiled as he took a seat. "Actually I've been in the area for a while. I found the cells where you saw my father for the first time as a gladiator... and a young boy showed me the gladiator school on the other side of the forum. I assume that's the one where my father stayed."
"Yes, it is."
"Did you ever visit him there?"
"No... I tried but Proximo wouldn't let me near Maximus."
Glaucus noted the sadness in her eyes. Those times must have been extremely difficult for her. "Were you able to make the arrangements?" he asked.
"Yes. There's really nothing money can't buy. We'll be allowed into the arena after the last fight is over." Julia studied Glaucus' drawn face. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
He nodded.
"Well... I'm glad you didn't want to see a match because I don't think I could stand that."
"I know how gladiators fight. I've seen them many times at arenas in Spain."
Apollinarius raised his veined hand to stop conversation. "Excuse me.... I know my eyes are old... but are those two men over there staring at us?"
Glaucus glanced at them then looked back at Apollinarius. "They're following me and have been since I left Germania."
"What on earth for?" asked the old man.
"I don't really know but they are agents of the emperor."
"The emperor!" exclaimed Julia, alarmed.
"Yes... they don't really bother me and I had almost forgotten they are there. I'm sorry if it bothers you. I should have told you." Glaucus noticed her growing distress. "Julia... Julia, what's wrong?"
Apollinarius reached for his wife who sat white-faced with her elbows on the table and her hands tented over her lower face. She was close to hyperventilating.
"I... I'm sorry." Glaucus bumbled an apology again. "I should have told you. I didn't think it was that important."
"We have to leave," panted Julia.
"We can't leave," Glaucus protested. "I want to see where my father died."
"Julia, what is wrong?" asked Apollinarius. "This is unlike you. What is wrong?"
But Julia ignored her husband and frantically asked Glaucus. "They know you were at my apartment?"
"Yes... I suppose. Oh shit, I'm sorry, Julia. I didn't mean to drag you into anything."
"Do you have any idea what you're talking about?" she hissed, angrily.
"Wha--?" spurted Glaucus. "I... I don't understand."
"We must leave," said Julia again.
Glaucus could see that she was truly frightened. Apollinarius, at a complete loss, simply patted her back as if she were an upset child.
Slowly, Julia gained control of her emotions. "All right, Glaucus. We will go into the arena... but then you must do exactly as I say and not ask one question. Do you understand? Not one question."
He mutely nodded his head.
The three sat in silence, confused and anxious, listening as the cheers from the other side of the wall gradually died down and the river of people pouring from the arena slowed to a trickle.
Finally Julia said quietly, "Come. It's time." They walked slowly, because of Apollinarius' arthritis, to the north entranceway to the arena and were greeted there by the official in charge of operations.
Money was exchanged and he said, "Follow me." They entered the deeply shadowed interior and Glaucus could hardly see a thing until his eyes adjusted to the dim light. Their guide didn't slow down, though, and they passed through corridor over corridor until they mounted a few stairs and emerged into the waning afternoon sunshine which cast long shadows over the arena floor.
Glaucus stopped, stunned. He had never imagined it to be so huge inside. He gaped at the structure and only half-listened to the guide who gave a running commentary about the building: over 50,000 spectators; the podium for the emperor, important dignitaries and the Vestal Virgins; the now-furled velarium used to protect spectators from the burning sun. Glaucus stared at the oval-shaped arena floor a considerable distance below the seats. At the long ends were two entrances...
"The south-eastern entrance is called the Libitinarian Gate," explained the guide, "and the dead gladiators are removed through there..."
That's where his father's body was taken, thought Glaucus, on the shoulders of his freed companions. "May we go down there?" he asked.
"Well... it's not usual."
Julia smiled her most dazzling smile. "I'm sure there is no harm in it, sir."
The guide softened. "Maybe it would be alright."
"I'll wait here, if you don't mind," said Apollinarius. "I don't think I can handle the steps."
The guide led Julia and Glaucus back into the interior of the arena and down some stone stairs to arena level. They walked along a curved corridor until they reached the north-western end of the arena. "I'm sorry," said the guide, "but we have to go down one more level to have access to the gate. Follow me."
As they descended, the air became decidedly cooler and damper. The only light was from a few torches that remained burning on the thick stone walls. Julia shuddered and Glaucus grabbed her hand and held tight. He wasn't sure if it was for her comfort or his. It was a dismal place -- this place where gladiators were held. There was no incense to mask the smells of death here; no sunshine to provide comfort and warmth. It was place of low stone ceilings, heavy wooden beams, ropes and pulleys that lifted and lowered platforms, iron rings and chains secured in the walls, a wooden stand with a few javelins standing upright, an anvil and hammer, shackles, a lone helmet turned upside-down on the coarse sandy floor. The distant roar of lions drifted up dark stairs from the bowels of the building. It was a hideous place.
"We don't normally show the public this level," apologized the guide. Only prisoners and gladiators and their trainers ever see this. Guards too, of course." He pointed up a ramp. "Here's the entrance." He yelled to a young laborer, "Open the door!" They swung wide with a groan and light slowly illuminated the cavity where they stood. The guide started up the ramp. "Here's where--" He stopped. M'Lady, are you coming?"
But Julia and Glaucus stood rooted to the spot, standing where Maximus had stood, seeing what he had seen, smelling the terrible odors of death that he had smelled... feeling the dread that he must have experienced before every fight.
"M'Lady?" the guide asked again.
Julia and Glaucus slowly followed the man up the ramp and stepped onto the arena sand, still hand-in-hand. "Thank you for your assistance, sir," said Julia quietly. "We'd just like to walk around a bit."
The man hesitated then remembered the gold coins Julia had given him. "Alright, I have things to do. I'll leave this door open and you can find your way back out. Don¹t tarry too long. The place is closed." He disappeared back down the ramp, his boots thudding on the stone.
The arena had looked large from the stands but from the arena floor it was positively immense. Apollinarius waved to them from the seats at the far end and he looked miniscule.
"Maximus must have been overwhelmed when he first stepped through that door," Julia said in barely a whisper.
Glaucus nodded. It was certainly the way he felt and he wasn't facing death.. "Where did it happen?" he asked, not needing to explain what he meant.
"Near the center."
Glaucus started to walk further into the arena, his sandals digging into the coarse sand. He stopped when he felt the tug on his arm.
"You go, Glaucus. I can't." Julia's face was very pale.
He kissed her hand then released it and walked slowly towards the middle, turning in gradual circles to get the full impact of the place.
Julia started to shiver.
Glaucus spied the podium with the emperor's pulvinar and headed there. A golden throne sat in the middle protected from the sun by an overhead canopy. He stared up at it just as his father must have done and could almost see a young emperor sitting there with his lovely sister by his side. He could almost hear it -- the roar of the crowd as Maximus glared at Commodus then took up his sword and prepared to battle whatever foe he encountered. Glaucus imagined he could see the people standing and cheering, screaming out their devotion to the star gladiator.
The illusory cheers faded as he turned and a ring of black-clad praetorians materialized in the center of the arena. Glaucus blinked. There were not really there and he knew it, but he could see them as clearly as if they had been. As he slowly approached the phantom guards a body appeared on the sand. It was Commodus, dead and bloody. Glaucus moved cautiously towards the body but stopped when a sudden chill rippled down his spine, making his hair bristle. He stood transfixed. His father was there... right in front of him... bleeding, swaying, dying. His father. He reached out a hand to the dying gladiator just as Maximus toppled. Glaucus shouted, "NO!" and ran to the fallen man, dropping to his knees in the sand. He reached for his father and grasped, instead, a fistful of sand. Entranced, he watched it slowly trickle through his swollen and bruised fingers... this sand that had absorbed his father's blood... his father's life. He dug both hands into the sand and let the coarse grains run through his fingers and down his forearms. Then he slowly rubbed his hands together and closed his eyes as he raised his dusty fingers to his nose. He heard Julia's cry in the distance. He looked up. He was alone... no praetorians, no emperor, no Maximus. He threw his head back and screamed his agony to the empty seats, the anguished cry echoing throughout every part of the building. Then he collapsed on his knees, his face pressed to the sand, sobbing.
Julia ran to him and threw herself over him, holding him, her tears mingling with his.
