Glaucus' Story
Chapter 41 – Escape
The pounding on the door the next night woke up the entire insula. Lady Honoria grumbled as she plunked her heavy auburn wig on her head and pulled a robe over her nightclothes. This had better be important to get her out of bed in the middle of the night when the slaves were asleep.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
She stumbled through the dark atrium getting angrier by the moment. "Hold on! Hold on! I'm coming!" she hollered. She stopped at the door and propped one ear against it as she shouted. "Who are you? What do you want?"
"Open in the name of the emperor!"
Some drunken young men playing a prank, she scoffed. "Go away before I call for the urban guard!" she yelled.
"Domina, we are the emperor's praetorian and we have business here! Open the door!"
"What is it, m'Lady?" asked Marius from his doorway as he belted his robe. His unruly curls were tousled and his eyes were swollen with sleep.
Honoria looked at him anxiously. "Praetorian, they say."
"Shit," he muttered to himself then he addressed his landlady. "Ask them what they want."
"What do you want?" she asked, ensuring that her voice didn't betray her intimidation.
Booted feet slammed into the wood. "Open the door or we'll break it down!"
Marius ventured into the atrium as elderly females in various states of dishevelment appeared in the hallways. "Oh dear, oh dear," they murmured.
"Better do as they say, m'Lady," advised Marius and he braced himself for what was to come.
The lock was no sooner drawn when the door burst open and six heavily-armed, black-clad praetorians spilled into the atrium.
The old women squealed. Marius gulped.
"Where is Maximus Decimus Glaucus?" their leader demanded.
Lady Honoria drew herself up to her full height that just barely reached the man's chest. "Well... asleep I should think, like all civilized people are this time of night."
"Show us his apartment."
Honoria tossed her head in feminine disdain then straightened her wig before she crossed the shadowy atrium, then laboriously made her way up the stairs, six impatient praetorians treading on her heels.
Puffing and wheezing, she reached the third floor. "Glaucus," she called out sweetly, "there are people here to--"
The praetorian leader rudely shoved her aside and pounded on the door. There was no answer.
"Keys!" the leader snarled and he snatched them from Honoria's hand as she reluctantly pulled them from her robe. The door finally open, the praetorian surged into the apartment, swords drawn.
Marius stood with the terrified ladies watching from the hallway as Severus' men pulled open every door, and checked under and behind every piece of the furniture.
"He's not here!" a praetorian yelled. "Search the entire building." The guard demanded keys to every apartment then his men proceeded to ransack them all, ignoring the cries of protest from the hall as furniture shattered against walls and drapery and clothing was slashed to shreds.
"He's not here, sir," a guard reported to his leader who positively seethed with fury. He turned on Marius.
"You're his friend, aren't you?"
Marius stood his ground. "I was his friend."
"Where is he?"
"I don't know."
"You're lying!"
"I'm not. I know that you've been following him. When was the last time you saw us together?"
The praetorian narrowed his eyes but didn't reply.
"Quite a few days ago, wasn't it?" stated Marius. "We had an argument. I haven't seen him since and I don't care to."
"What did you argue about?" the armed man asked suspiciously.
"He didn't appreciate the honor of my companionship. I got tired of him."
"And you don't know where he is?"
"Haven't a clue."
The man took a menacing step towards Marius until he stood nose to nose with the young man. "You'd better not be lying."
"Why would I lie to protect him?"
Both men simultaneously turned their heads at the sudden commotion outside. Two more guards entered at a run. "Sir, sir! His horse is gone!"
A momentary look of unmasked panic distorted the praetorian leader's face before he closed his eyes in dread. This was not good, not good at all. How would he ever explain this to Plautianus. He'd rather battle a starving lion in the arena
than face an enraged Plautianus. After casting a last look of impotent threat over the inhabitants of the insula, he turned and silently exited the atrium, followed by the rest of the armed men, considerably quieter than when they had arrived.
"And good riddance!" shouted Honoria with bravura as she slammed the door then turned to accept the admiration of the other twittering ladies.
Marius stood alone in the shadows, a slow smile spreading over his face.
The carriage with the black stallion tied behind arrived at the villa near Ostia in the dark early morning hours. The passengers swiftly disembarked and the vehicle and horses were whisked away -- Ultor to a secluded part of the property.
Julia, Apollinarius and Glaucus stole through the villa without the aid of one torch, not wishing to alert anyone to their presence. The old man shut the door to his apartment with relief. He was getting to old for this subterfuge. Julia entered her apartment with Glaucus right behind her. She shut and locked the door. "The servants won't know you're here," she explained. "They know I value my privacy and won't enter my apartment without my permission."
Glaucus didn't question her actions just as he hadn't questioned her when she had asked for his black tunic and cloak and provided him with plain brown garments instead. He had sensed her urgency as she had arranged for a servant, who was about Glaucus' height and coloring, to remain in Rome and make fleeting appearances in the dark streets just often enough to make the praetorians believe that Glaucus was still there. Nor had he questioned her when a servant appeared at her apartment in the middle of the night with his horse before they immediately left for Ostia under cover of darkness. He only had time to collect his few belongings from his own apartment and briefly explain the situation -- as much as he understood it -- to Marius, who promised to keep up the search for Quintus.
Now at Julia's villa, he dropped his pack on the floor and looked around. He was unable to see much in the darkness but he sensed the massive size of the place and imagined it to be quite luxurious.
"You sleep in there," Julia said as she pointed to a bedroom off the living area. "That is where your father slept when--"
Someone tapped at the door. "Mama? Are you there? I heard the carriage arrive.
Why is there no light in the house?"
Julia's hand flew to her mouth and her eyes widened.
"Mama? Are you there? Is Papa with you?"
Suddenly Glaucus found himself pushed towards his bedroom where Julia said in a low whisper, "That's my daughter Julia Apollinaria. She wasn't expecting me back so soon, and she certainly isn't expecting a visitor. We... we never have visitors. I must go and talk to her. You make yourself comfortable." Then she fled the room and shut the door.
Glaucus placed his hands on his hips and thought about what had just happened.
Julia had certainly been behaving oddly since she had discovered that the emperor was having him followed. Now she seemed alarmed that her daughter knew he was here. Or was she alarmed that he knew she had a daughter? Why would he care if she and Apollinarius were parents? He wondered, briefly, if the daughter would be as beautiful as her mother.
He was tired, though, and could wait until tomorrow to find out what was going on. He sat on the bed. His father had slept here -- right on this very bed. He stretched out contentedly and was soon fast asleep.
Chapter 42 - Together
Glaucus awoke to heated conversation on the other side of the door. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and realized that he had slept in his clothes. He sat there for a moment until his brain was fully functioning and gazed around the room in the dim lamplight. It was very large and well-appointed but not fussy as a woman's bedroom might be. A large wool carpet covered most of the mosaic floor making the room very cozy and pastoral murals decorated the walls and continued across the ceiling which was painted to represent a sky. It was almost like he was sleeping out of doors despite the fact that the room had no window. Two large wooden cupboards dominated one wall and, curious, he opened one of them. It was full of clean linen and an assortment of supplies that an unexpected guest might need. He walked straight past the second wardrobe to a closed door. He rapped gently then turned the knob when he got no response. It opened into a large, tiled bathroom complete with toilet, tub and basin, illuminated by a glass dome. He stepped into the room then stopped and looked at his bare feet. The floor was warm! He wiggled his toes. This place was heaven. He returned to the bedroom and dug the supplies out of the cupboard and spent the next few minutes washing, brushing and making himself presentable.
He sat down on the bed again and dug into his pack where he found a fresh black tunic and pulled it over his head. Knuckles wrapped firmly on his door. He looked up. "Are you ever going to come out of there?" a feminine voice inquired with some impatience. Then he heard Julia speak unintelligible words in an admonishing tone.He quickly wrapped a belt around his trim waist and buckled it then pulled on his sandals, figuring that it would be rude to wear his boots in the house. He examined his image in a long mirror and found himself to be as presentable as possible under the circumstances. He opened the door and stepped into Julia's sitting room... and almost crashed into a young woman who stood with her hands on her hips. Julia sat on a couch looking pale and nervous. Glaucus bowed to her. "M'Lady." Then his eyes flicked back to the woman who stood in his path and raised his brows in curiosity.
Her blue-green eyes sparked with wickedness. "Is that any way to greet your sister?"His head jerked back as if he'd been hit. "I beg your pardon?" He looked at Julia for clarification but she sat now with her eyes closed in dread.
"Julia Maxima... you promised me that you wouldn't," said Julia stiffly.The young woman tossed her long, wavy black locks. "Oh why not Mama?" said as she slowly walked around Glaucus, appraising him. "So he looks exactly like my father?" She grinned at her mother then cocked an eyebrow as she cast a side-long look at her brother. "I thought you said my father was handsome."
Glaucus stared in confusion from one woman to the other. Was this a joke? No, he decided... no joke... Julia looked far too upset for it to be a joke. "My sister?" he choked."Yes," Maxima grinned. "My mother wanted to break it to you gently but I believe in being direct." She tossed her head again and looked him straight in the eye. "I believe we share the same father... Maximus Decimus Meridius."
Glaucus blinked again then drew a shaky breath. "I have a sister?" he breathed.Julia finally rose from the couch and elbowed her daughter aside. "Glaucus, I'm so sorry you had to find out like this. I had planned to tell you in my own way when I thought you were ready." She threw a withering look at the young woman who just grinned. "But Maxima obviously had other ideas." She took his hands which were unexpectedly cold. "Come and sit down, dear." She tried to pull him to the couch but his watery legs refused to move.
A look of concern finally flashed across Maxima's fine features. "I'm sorry, Glaucus, sometimes I tease too much. Come and sit down. We have a lot to talk about."His legs finally obeyed his brain and he followed the two women into the room, his eyes studying the slender form of the black-haired woman as she walked in front of him. How old was she seventeen? Eighteen?
"I'm eighteen," Maxima said as if she had read his thoughts. "How old are you?""Uh... twenty-two," replied Glaucus as he dropped into a chair. She was tall... as tall as Julia... and alarmingly beautiful. Her black hair shimmered around her shoulders and framed a perfectly oval face. Her skin was flawless and creamy, her nose straight and fine. Her mouth -- it was his own mouth -- shaped like a bow. And she had his dimpled chin too -- their father's dimpled chin. He couldn't believe it. He had a sister. He didn't know what to say.
Luckily Julia found her voice. "I owe you both an explanation." Two pairs of eyes looked at her in expectation. "Glaucus, Maxima has known since she was a child who her father is and what happened to him -- information that you have just discovered. I didn't tell you about her because you have been deluged with so much dramatic news in such a short time. I intended to tell you today that you have a sister then introduce you tomorrow." Julia glanced at a smiling Maxima who couldn't take her eyes off her older brother. "My willful daughter obviously had other ideas, though, and I apologize for that. Glaucus, she just found out last night that she has a brother because I didn't know myself.""She took the news well," said Glaucus shy smile. He rather liked his cheeky little sister. Well... hardly 'little.' She was a grown woman.
"So this is what a general looks like," Maxima said with great sincerity. "I'm not disappointed... not disappointed in the least." She held his eyes as she addressed her mother. "Did my father have a similar voice?""The same," Julia replied softly as she gazed at the two children of the man she loved.
"Well then, I can see why you fell for the Spanish general, Mama."Julia laughed. What else could she do?
"Julia... how does your husband fit into this?" asked Glaucus, hoping he wasn't being too inquisitive."Apollinarius has been a great friend of mine for many years, even while I was married to Marius Servilius. When I discovered that I was pregnant, and after your father died, Apollinarius and I married so that I could give my daughter a name... something an unmarried woman cannot do. He has raised her as his own although, as I said, Maxima has known since she was very young all about her father and what happened to him. You, Glaucus, have added another dimension to our lives."
"And you to mine. I was raised believing that my cousins were my siblings and I felt ripped apart when I was told they weren't, and that my parents were really my aunt and uncle... and that my mother, brother and sister were dead and my father gone. This past week has been a process of restoration for me... learning about parts of my life that had been a mystery. And finding a sister." He felt ridiculously shy around this self-assured young woman. He didn't know how to look at her... or whether he should look at her. Would his admiring glances be misinterpreted?Seeing his gaze settle on the floor, and sensing his discomfort, Maxima said quietly, "I have wanted a brother or sister all my life, Glaucus. You are the most wonderful gift I could ever receive."
The young man slowly raised his eyes to meet the liquid gaze of his sister prompting his eyes to tear too. Slightly embarrassed, he hid his emotion behind a smile. Maxima smiled too. Glaucus grinned at her. She grinned back. Then both of them burst into joyous laughter together.Dabbing at her eyes, Julia quietly let herself out of the room.
Apollinarius entered Julia's apartment a while later and was pleased to find Maxima and Glaucus sitting side-by-side on a couch, their shoulders almost touching. He hugged them both then settled into a chair near Julia who had recovered her poise.Her family gathered around her, Julia started talking in a solemn tone. "When Maximus and I spent those days here together, a few weeks before he died, he told me many things about his life. It wasn't easy for him as he was a very private person but he opened up his heart and revealed things to me that he had never told anyone else. He asked me not to disclose what he said and for all these years I respected those wishes -- not even telling you, Maxima, or you, Apollinarius. But now I must because you have become embroiled in something you don't understand, Glaucus. Something very dangerous."
Glaucus stroked his beard pensively and Julia faltered when she noticed that familiar gesture. She drew a deep breath and continued. "You know already that Maximus was the favorite general of Marcus Aurelius. He loved your father like a son... more than he loved his own son, Commodus. When the emperor was in Germania in 180 with your father he revealed to Maximus that he was dying and that he wanted to name his heir." She looked from her daughter to Glaucus and took another deep breath. "He told Maximus privately that he wanted him to inherit his powers and restore Rome to a Republic." She stopped talking to let that information sink in.After a long silence Apollinarius was the first to find his voice. "You mean that Maximus was to have been emperor of Rome?"
Maxima and Glaucus just stared at her."Yes," replied Julia. "But Maximus wanted only to return home to his family as he had been away for almost three years. He refused the offer and Marcus Aurelius asked him to reconsider. He gave Maximus until nightfall to make his final decision and your father said yes."
Two jaws dropped in unison."He didn't want the honor but he couldn't disappoint his beloved emperor. He also felt it was his duty to Rome. Contracts were drawn up and signed.. Maximus was given one and the emperor kept the other. Sometime that night Maximus believed that Marcus Aurelius broke the news to Commodus who then killed the emperor -- strangled him -- in a fit of rage. Maximus was awakened by Quintus and taken to the emperor's tent where he found Commodus claiming the title, and a lifeless Marcus Aurelius. Lucilla was there too. He returned to his tent, put on his armor after stashing his contract under his tunic, and told his servant, Cicero, to summon the two senators who were visiting the camp. Instead, Quintus arrived with four armed praetorian and told Maximus that the emperor had ordered he and his family to be executed."
"But he escaped," Glaucus said quietly."Yes," confirmed Julia, "you know the rest. But... think about the implications of your father being named heir to the throne."
"He became a slave, though, not an emperor," said Maxima."Wait... wait," Glaucus frowned thoughtfully. "Julia, when he died in the arena he was carried out like an emperor... he issued orders that people obeyed...."
"Yes," Julia whispered. "For those few moments between the death of Commodus and his own death, Maximus was the undeclared emperor of Rome. Quintus knew it. Julia knew it. I knew it. The people didn't." Julia looked into each set of astonished eyes in turn, as if to emphasize her statement.Glaucus tried to relate what he had just learned to his own situation. "But why, twenty years or so later, would Septimius Severus have me followed? I am no threat to him."
"Ah, but you are," replied Julia. "Septimius Severus has declared himself to be the adopted son of Marcus Aurelius and therefore the rightful ruler of Rome, even though he really seized the position only through military power. Severus is not well liked by many influential aristocrats but the people tolerate him because they believe him to be the choice of Marcus Aurelius . What if a contract was found that stated that Maximus was Marcus Aurelius' choice, not Severus... and then they found out that Maximus has a son?"Glaucus visibly paled. "Severus thinks that I could... would challenge his right to be emperor of Rome?"
"I think he sees all men as being as ambitious as he. If it is something that he wants badly he may think that you would want it as badly too. Glaucus, he is anxious to create a dynasty -- for his son to inherit the throne, and his son's son. You are a threat to that dynasty.""But... even if I did want the throne... why would anybody believe me if I said that my father had been named emperor?"
"The contract," piped up Apollinarius who was finding all of this very exciting indeed."But, I don't have the contract."
"Maybe Severus thinks you do," contributed Maxima."But he had me in prison. He just could have... oh."
"What?" asked Maxima as she reached for his hand and squeezed it. "What?""That explains so much. I was never given a reason for the imprisonment but Severus said some things to me that made no sense at the time. They do now."
"What?" Maxima repeated.Glaucus' mind drifted back in time... to Germania.
Severus pounded the arm of his chair. "So -- you admit it, then -- you admit why you are really here!"Baffled again by the emperor's words, Glaucus merely shook his head and said nothing.
"The gods decided differently, didn't they young man? The gods chose their emperor.""I... I don't understand, Sire."
"Oh, don't you?" The emperor's voice dripped with sarcasm. He sat up again, pulling himself to his greatest seated height. "So, you are going on a quest. What exactly do you hope to find?""The truth, Sire."
The praetorian sauntered to the side of the throne, turned and folded his arms, his eyes still on Glaucus.The emperor folded his arms too, the two of them presenting a formidable opposition. "And where do you hope that truth will lead you?"
Glaucus' green eyes darted from one man to the other. "I... I merely seek peace of mind, Sire. I just need to know what happened to him. I seek nothing more.""You can't fool me. I know what you really want."
"He thinks I'm looking for it -- the contract." Glaucus glanced at his sister. "He thinks I am looking for it and he is following me so he can take it when I find it. Otherwise, he would have left me in that prison to rot." His brow creased in another frown. "But how does he even know about the contract? Julia, you said that my father had one copy and the emperor the other. What happened to my father's copy?""It is in Spain, Glaucus," Julia said gently. "Maximus buried it with your mother."
"Oh," he said again, then he sighed heavily. "He buried his family and he buried his obligation to Rome at the same time."Julia nodded.
"Then what about the other copy -- the emperor's copy?" asked Apollinarius."Severus can't have it," piped up Maxima, "otherwise he wouldn't be following you. Wouldn't Commodus have had it?"
"Not necessarily," added Julia. "Marcus Aurelius may have told Commodus about his intentions but not have shown him the contract. In the commotion surrounding his death, anything could have happened to it."Suddenly Glaucus was on his feet. "There were few people in the room that night when the emperor was murdered -- Commodus, Lucilla, Quintus, my father... and the doctor. My guess is that either Quintus or the doctor took it."
"But then how would Severus have found out about it?" asked Maxima as she looked up at her brother, quite intrigued by the mystery."That I don't know," Glaucus admitted. "That part doesn¹t make any sense. What I do know, though, is that I have to find Marcianus and Quintus. I have to find that contract. That is the only way I can put to rest rumors that my father was a traitor and completely restore his good name. I owe it to him."
"Do you know where they are?" asked Apollinarius. "Marcianus and Quintus?""Not for certain. My friend Marius thinks that Marcianus may be in Petra. Quintus is in exile somewhere."
"Well one thing I know for certain, Glaucus, is that you can't stay here," said Julia with determination.Maxima looked at her mother in shock.
"It's not that I want you to leave because I don't -- I would love to keep you here with us forever. But sooner or later our ruse will be discovered and the praetorians will come here looking for you. You mustn't be here. It is too dangerous for you... and for my daughter. Severus knows nothing about her and I don't want him to know.""Of course, of course," blurted Glaucus. "I have no intention of placing anyone's life in danger. I... I'll leave tomorrow."
Maxima rose in alarm. "NO... mother, I have just found my brother and now you are forcing him to leave?""Maxima, your mother is thinking only of our safety," replied Glaucus before Julia had the chance.
"NO... mother...," Maxima beseeched.Julia's face was stern. "There is no other way. You may spend time with Glaucus when your safety can be assured."
"That's all you ever think about -- my safety! You're obsessed with it! I never go anywhere -- not even to Rome. You're obsessed with it!""Maxima, she's right," said Glaucus, grasping her arm and trying to soothe the tension. "I will come back, I promise you."
Maxima snatched her arm out of her brother's hand. "You're going to take her side?" Tears suddenly welled in her lovely eyes and her voice broke. "You're all just trying to keep me from having any life." She whirled and ran from the room, sobbing.Glaucus winced as the door slammed. "I'm sorry, Julia," he started--
"None of this is your fault, Glaucus. None of it. I admit that I have kept Maxima on a very short leash. I was so afraid of losing her, you see." She rubbed her temples as if suffering from a sudden headache. "I'll deal with her tomorrow. Right now I must make arrangements for you to leave safely. I will have a ship outfitted and you can go on board tomorrow night so it can sail at dawn the day after tomorrow. Most ports close in the winter but I can get this ship out just before they do. You can go home to Spain where you'll be safe.""Julia, I am going to Petra."
Julia closed her eyes. He was just like his father. "Glaucus, do you know what kind of journey that will be?""Probably not, but I intend to go anyway. I would appreciate it very much if your ship would take me to Alexandria instead... otherwise I will have to decline your kind offer."
Julia considered him for a moment -- her lover's face... her lover's voice.... then she smiled and said, "It seems that both of Maximus' children have inherited his stubbornness and independence. The ship will take you as far as possible on your journey to Petra."
Chapter 43 - Maxima
"Maxima?" Glaucus called as he rapped softly on her apartment door. "May I talk to you?"
There was no answer.
He knocked again. "Maxima? Please open the door."
It opened a crack and a red-rimmed blue eye appeared. "What do you want?"
"I have something to show you."
She sniffed, opened the door then turned her back and walked to stand by the terrace.
Glaucus hardly knew what to say to this young woman -- a stranger, really -- who shared his blood. He stood just inside the door, not wanting to intrude in her private space. "I'll be leaving tomorrow evening, Maxima. We have until then."
"You're willing to give me one whole day of your life, brother?" Maxima said sarcastically. "How magnanimous!"
Glaucus' eyebrows twitched. "Where did you learn that word?"
Maxima's back stiffened. Was he making fun of her? "The same place my mother learned it. From Apollinarius."
"He was your tutor?"
"Yes... I took my lessons right in this room. The same room where I have spent most of my life." She glanced around her. "It's lovely isn't it? A lovely prison. I've been imprisoned in this villa all my life when all I long for is freedom... just like all women my age."
"Most women your age are not free, Maxima. They are married with children. At least your mother hasn't forced you to marry."
She finally turned around, her silky white stola billowing in the evening breeze from the terrace. "Only my father can give me in marriage, Glaucus. And that presents an interesting conundrum, doesn't it? My father is dead.."
"Apollinarius is your legal father."
"Apollinarius is a sweet old man, Glaucus, and I love him dearly. But not like a father... a kindly uncle, maybe. I have been aware since a very young age that I am fatherless."
"As am I."
"Yes. But at least you believed otherwise."
Glaucus nodded.
"Instead, I grew up longing for the man that my mother wept for... that my mother mourned. This perfect, perfect man that no other could even approach."
"He was only human, Maxima."
"Not in my mother's eyes. To her he was a god." She moved to a chair and motioned for Glaucus to sit opposite her. "I used to long for a sibling to alleviate my terrible loneliness. When I was old enough I finally begged my mother to have another child and she told me that that would never happen. She would never lie with a man other than Maximus... and he was gone."
"How did Apollinarius feel about that?"
Maxima laughed. "Glaucus... he prefers men. Their marriage is perfect, you see. They have companionship without the complication of intimacy."
Glaucus mouthed a silent "oh" then let her talk without interruption.
"Maximus never saw me, never held me. My mother tried to contact him in Rome after Proximo took him back there but she was not allowed near him. She finally managed to persuade Proximo to accept a letter for him... but it was the next day that he died in the arena in that fight with Commodus. He may never even have known that my mother was expecting his child... me."
"We're the same in that respect. He didn't know about me either."
"At least you have his name. I don't even have that. I'm his unclaimed daughter. I thought about him constantly as I grew up. Wondered how he looked like... what he sounded like. I have never seen an army. I had no idea what a general was, really. I imagined him to be the strongest, most handsome man ever to live but at the same time a loving and tender man who would have played with me then rocked me to sleep in his arms."
"Your dream is very close to the truth, I think. He was also a very serious man who didn't take his responsibilities lightly. He was aware of the magnitude of his job. His soldiers adored him and respected him. The emperor loved him. His wife and son loved him."
She welled up again.
"He was a man who touched many people."
Maxima smiled through her tears. "Do you know that as I got older I wondered if Maximus wasn't just a figure of my mother's imagination -- a way of explaining my presence. Except for his blue slave tunic which my mother still has, you are the first tangible proof for me that he really existed... and that he was handsome and strong."
Glaucus smiled somewhat shyly. "Thank you." He chewed his lip for a moment then finally asked the question that he had been wondering about all night. "Maxima, you know quite a lot about our father... do you know much about your mother's life?"
She answered promptly. "You mean that she was a whore?"
Glaucus couldn't hide his surprise.
"Yes, she hasn't kept anything from me. I even know where I was conceived -- on a boat in the middle of a fishpond on the villa property. I admit that finding out my mother was a slave and whore for General Cassius was a shock but, in a way, it made me admire her even more. Look at how she started and look at what she has accomplished."
"She's a remarkable woman."
"Yes... but she also has to let go. She has to let me have my own life.. I'm ready for it."
"For her it would be like losing Maximus all over again."
"I can't help that."
"No... no you can't. What is it you want to do, Maxima?"
"I want to leave this place," she said enthusiastically. "I want to see the empire. I want to travel and be free to live my life the way I chose."
Glaucus smiled. "I don't know of anyone who has a life like that."
"Our father--"
"No," Glaucus interrupted. "Especially not him. He was a general when all he really wanted to be was a farmer. He lived in Germania when he really wanted to be in Spain. He was not free, Maxima, not even before his slavery."
His sister looked into the darkness beyond the terrace. "I suppose you're right."
Glaucus tried to cheer her. "I promised you that I had something to show you."
"So you did." She didn't take her eyes away from the night time sky.
"Maxima, take a look at this."
She turned and gasped at the magnificent sword and scabbard that Glaucus held in his palms. He extended it towards her and she touched it tentatively with the tip of one finger.
"This is the sword that Marcus Aurelius gave to Maximus when he was made general. He used it until the night the emperor died."
Her eyes wide with wonder, Maxima accepted the sword from her brother. "Oh... it's heavy!" she exclaimed as her arms dropped under the unexpected weight.
"Yes, and he used to wield it hour after hour in battle, tossing it from one hand to the other depending on where the threat was coming from."
"I had no idea that a sword could be so beautiful. It looks like an ornament," she said as the lantern light glinted off the brass.
"It's no ornament. Who knows how much blood has spilled off the tip of this sword."
"Where did you get it?"
"From an old colleague of our father's. The man lives in Germania and used to be the chief engineer at Felix III -- Maximus' legion. Cicero, his servant, had gone to fetch the sword after the death of Marcus Aurelius but Quintus burst into the tent and arrested Maximus before he had the chance to defend himself. So, the sword remained with Cicero until his death then Jonivus took it. He kept it hidden all these years."
Maxima grasped the handle and pulled the sword out of the scabbard with one long, slow stroke, then she held it vertical and admired the way the light danced on the blade. She giggled -- the first time Glaucus heard such a girlish sound from her. "It's too big for my hand."
"It was made specifically to fit his hand."
"Just think... his fingers rested where mine are. His palm where mine is. His eyes saw this same blade, this same hilt." Her voice dropped to a reverent whisper. "I almost feel like I'm touching him."
"I feel the same way when I hold it."
Maxima looked at him, her blue-green eyes earnest. "Do you?" She let the sword tip sink slowly to the rug, her attention now focussed on her brother. "Do you know that this is the first time in my life that I have felt that someone truly understands me. I feel closer to you right now than I have ever felt to anyone." She swallowed heavily. "Glaucus, please don't go."
"I must."
"Please don't."
"Maxima, I have only begun my journey. Finding you is probably the most amazing thing that will ever happen to me... and I have learned more about our father in the past few days than I thought I ever would. But I want to know more. I need to know everything. And I must find that contract. I must!"
Maxima seemed resigned to her loss. "How long will you be gone?"
"I don't know. Months probably."
"You'll come back?" she asked, her face reflecting hope and doubt..
"Of course I will." He noticed the skepticism in her eyes. "I will leave my horse with you as proof of my word. Other than this sword, Ultor is my most prized possession. I would appreciate it if you would care for him until I return."
Maxima nodded, not trusting her voice at this moment.
Glaucus managed a shaky laugh. "It seems I am scattering my animals all over the empire."
Her smile was no more than a brief upturn of her lips. She slowly re-inserted the blade in its protective leather casing and handed it to Glaucus with eyes full of terrible sadness. "Fare well, my brother. Fare well."
Chapter 44 - The Ship
"You'll sleep on deck in this tent, Glaucus," explained Julia as she guided the young man through the ship towards the small cabin. She had chosen a mid-sized vessel for its expanse of sail, figuring that it would travel fastest in these late autumn winds with the smallest possible crew. Also, the captain was experienced at hauling wheat from Alexandria to Ostia and knew the route well. She pushed open the cabin door. "It won't be very warm in the tent, I'm afraid, but as you can see the cabin is very small and reserved for Captain Aemilius. If you get too cold you can go below deck but there is very little room down there. I have filled it with amphorae and barrels of wine and other non-perishable goods so the journey doesn't look suspicious. Most of the barrels are actually empty to lighten the cargo."
"Thank you for everything, Julia. I can't quite find the words to express my gratitude and my joy at finding you... and Maxima."
"I'm glad you feel that way. I was somewhat afraid that you would resent me for my small role in your father's life."
"Resent? Far from it. You provided love when there was no one else left for him. And you gave him a child... and me a sister. I can never thank you enough for that."
Julia smiled and hid her relief by grasping his shoulders and kissing him quickly on both cheeks.
"I was hoping that Maxima would be here to see me off."
"I forbid it, Glaucus. It is not safe for her."
"Of course."
"She is very angry with me right now. We had words earlier today and now she won't even speak to me. She has taken to her bedroom in protest of your departure but she'll come around. We have our spats, Glaucus, but we are really very close."
"Do I have time for a few more questions before we set sail?"
"Yes, but just a few. The captain is almost ready." The deck outside the cabin buzzed with the activity of crewmen readying the ship for the unexpected voyage.
As Julia quietly closed the cabin door for privacy Glaucus said, "Maxima mentioned that you tried to contact my father at the gladiator school."
Julia nodded, a sadness descending over her as she remembered those trying days. "Yes, but I was unsuccessful. Proximo considered me to be a distraction and ordered the guards to keep me away." There was a long pause before she added, "I never spoke to your father again after he left the villa."
Glaucus studied her fine profile that was highlighted by the dust-speckled light streaming through the small cabin window. "But you delivered a letter?"
She faced him abruptly. "Maxima told you about that? Yes, I did, but I have no idea whether Maximus received it. I saw Proximo at a tavern near the Colosseum and begged him to take the letter."
"May I ask...?"
"What was in the letter?" Julia completed for him. "I told Maximus that I thought I might be pregnant. I hoped that such news would give him incentive to live."
"Proximo took the letter, though?"
"Yes." Julia stepped to the small table and folded her arms as she leaned one hip against the edge. "He seemed a changed man, Glaucus. Not so cocky or self-assured. He kept looking over his shoulder and seemed nervous about something. His attitude to Maximus had changed as well. He regarded your father in a different light -- as a man not a slave."
"What brought about the change?"
"I'm not sure exactly, and I've had a long time to think about it. I suspect that Proximo got caught up -- willingly or not -- in the political intrigue that surrounded Commodus at the time. There were rumors of plots against the emperor and that some senators were involved, or even Lucilla herself. Unfortunately, Commodus started to suspect that something was afoot... and that may have led directly to your father's death in the arena. In the end, Glaucus, Maximus gave his life for Rome, as he had pledged to do as a soldier. The death of Commodus changed from a very personal vendetta for Maximus to one of much loftier aim."
"Why do you think that the Lady Lucilla... and my father... may have been involved in a plot against Commodus?"
"Because the praetorians were so quick to get rid of her after her brother's death. They didn't want her continued political meddling. She was powerful... she had the support of some senators. I believe that she may have enlisted Maximus' aid through Proximo."
"How do you know that?"
Julia smiled. "I had my own spies. I was not allowed near Maximus but it seems that Lucilla did not suffer the same restrictions -- the advantages of being the sister of an emperor. She visited Maximus at the gladiator school at least twice, apparently."
Glaucus frowned in thought. "But what could he have possibly done to help her? He was in chains... a slave."
"Your father was a powerful man despite his slavery. He had the total support of the armies, don't forget, but they thought him to be dead. If Maximus had been freed he could have rallied military support and marched on Rome taking power by force." Julia sighed deeply, her lovely face full of sadness. "I'm not sure, but I think there may have been an attempt at escape."
Glaucus' shoulders stiffened in surprise. "Escape?"
"Yes. Lucilla could have organized something. I do know that there was an uprising at the gladiator school the night before that last fight in the arena. Many gladiators died. Your father was not among them. Then, he turned up the next day badly injured and was forced to fight Commodus to the death. I don't fully understand what happened that night but something forced Commodus into that final challenge."
"I wish I could talk to Lucilla."
Julia shook her head. "She's dead, Glaucus."
"Yes, I know that. It's just that she might have had answers to my remaining questions. It is terrible that a daughter and grandson of a great emperor like Marcus Aurelius could have been disposed of like that."
"As far as I know, her son is still alive. Lucius Verus is his name. He was only a child at the time all of this happened but I am sure he lived. As a matter of fact, I believe that Septimius Severus gave him a government position somewhere in the empire -- probably to support his claim as the adopted son of Marcus Aurelius. He is forced to treat Lucius Verus well, really, or it would look suspicious."
"Do you recall where he might be? He might remember some of what happened."
"No, I don't but I may be able to find out. When you return I will try to have an answer for you."
"I'm sorry... may I ask one more favor?"
Julia smiled, her fondness for this young man very evident. "Of course.."
"My friend in Rome -- Marius -- will be very concerned when I don't return. If I tell you his address could you contact him in some discreet way and tell him where I have gone? Assure him that I will be back."
"Yes, I'll do that. Now, it is time for me to leave the ship and you to get settled. You'll be towed out to sea soon and, if the winds are good, you'll be in Alexandria in a few weeks." She lifted a hand to caress his bearded cheek. "Be safe, Glaucus."
A short time later the lines connecting the merchant ship to a smaller ship manned by oarsmen pulled taut as the merchant ship was towed out to open sea. There the sails were unfurled and the course set for south. Glaucus stood at the rail watching the lighthouse at Ostia slowly disappear and pondering the new-found richness of his life. True, he knew for sure now that he would never meet his father, but he had a sister... a very spirited sister... and a wonderful new family of sorts in Julia and Apollinarius. He turned his face to the still-mild wind and let his thick locks blow back from his face. Life was an adventure and a new chapter was about to begin.
Chapter 45 - The Journey
Very early one morning, three days into the journey, Glaucus was awakened by a ruckus outside his tent. An angry man's words mingled with the amused voices of other men... and a woman's offended shrieks.
"Oh no," Glaucus mumbled. "Oh no." In dread, he popped his head outside his small tent and his worst fears were confirmed. Maxima stood there on the misty, rolling deck held securely by the captain who bawled expletives at her. A small group of amused but appreciative sailors encircled the pair gawking at the young beauty in the dirty tunic and trousers.Glaucus crawled out of his tent and stood up with a grimace -- his back stiff, as usual, from sleeping on the ship's damp wooden deck. He cast a glare at Maxima who returned a similar look and tossed her head. Clearly she was not intimidated by any of them. "That's all right, captain," he said apologetically. "She's my sister. I'll take responsibility for her actions."
Maxima yanked her arm from Aemilius' grasp. "I'll take responsibility for my own actions, thank you very much!" she seethed as she rubbed her bruised arm."She was in one of them barrels. Been there for days," spit the captain. "Don't like woman aboard my ship. I surely don't. Bad luck. She already upset and smashed most of the amphorae. Shards of clay everywhere in the hold."
Glaucus' grasp replaced the captain's and Maxima winced with pain as he exclaimed, "I'd be careful what you say about this particular woman, Aemilius. She's the only child of the woman who owns this ship." He softened his grip but did not let go. "I would advise you to treat her with the utmost respect." Even though he looked at the captain, his words were meant for all of the men and clearly they had the desired impact. The sailors dropped their eyes to the deck or stared up at the sails -- anything to avoid looking at the young woman in a way that might be misconstrued as offensive. They had seen the sword that Glaucus possessed... and they weren't anxious to lose their jobs either. Slowly they disbanded, heading to their posts.Glaucus turned his attention to his sister who stood quietly by his side smugly eyeing the retreating captain. He jerked her arm and hissed, "What in the name of all of the gods do you think you are doing?"
"I should think that would be obvious, Glaucus. I'm going with you.""I can't take responsibility for you--"
"You just said you would, I believe," she smiled, one lovely eyebrow arched in challenge. "Besides, I can take care of myself.""Oh really?" he seethed. "What do you think would happen to you if I weren't here to protect you?"
"Let go of my arm.""Answer me."
She sighed and answered as if she were addressing a confused young child. "If you weren't here, brother, then I wouldn't be either, would I?" She smoothed her soiled tunic with her free hand. "Actually, I'm glad I was discovered. The fumes from that barrel were giving me a headache. And it was cold and cramped. It'll be much nicer up here on deck with you.""You can't stay."
Maxima looked at the sea then back at her brother. "Where do you propose that I go, hmmm?"Glaucus released her arm in disgust. He knew he was at a great disadvantage here. Where could she go, indeed? "Your mother will be sick with worry.."
"Probably, but she'll get over it. I left a letter for Apollinarius explaining that I was with you and that you would watch out for me."Glaucus threw his head back, his hands to his forehead. "They'll think I helped you plan this. Julia will hate me!"
"Oh, don't worry. I told her that you knew nothing about this. I made it clear in my letter that leaving home was entirely my decision." She looked up at the snapping sails overhead. "This is so wonderful. All my life I have watched these ships from my terrace and longed to be on one of them... going anywhere. Anywhere. And now I am." Her joyous laughter finally brought a soft smile to her brother's face. "I'm so happy, Glaucus. I never dreamed I could be this happy." She clasped her brother's shoulders and returned his smile. "You have done this for me."Glaucus gently smoothed back her thick, black waves which swirled around her head in wild abandon. "We've brought each other a great deal of happiness. But, Maxima, this is going to be a very difficult journey... and possibly a dangerous one. If the emperor does catch up with me somehow he will find you too. I fear for your safety."
"Maximus was my father too. If you are in danger then I am in danger. I want to share it with you. I want to know everything about him... and about you. We have much to catch up on, brother, and this is a wonderful opportunity to do so, don't you think?"Glaucus looked from stern to bow. "There's not much room for your privacy, I'm afraid."
She eyed the tent.He sighed and nodded with resignation. "I'll sleep on deck with the sailors."
"Thank you. You're sweet," she gushed.He cocked his head and considered her. "How did you plan to live for three weeks in a barrel?"
"I wasn't in there most of the time. The sailors were busy and weren't interested in the cargo. I brought food and water with me -- enough for two weeks if I ate very little." She glanced down at her soiled tunic. "I do regret not being able to bathe for so long, though.""You can bathe when we stop at Crete for more supplies. From there I understand it's straight sailing to Alexandria."
She closed her eyes with a dreamy smile. "Alexandria... oh, Alexandria, Glaucus. Alexander... Cleopatra... pyramids. I've always wanted to see Alexandria.""Have you always wanted to ride a camel?"
"A camel?""Yes, through the desert to Petra. This is not a sight-seeing trip."
"I realize that. But I can look at things along the way, can't I?" She graced him with a disarming smile.The remainder of the trip was uneventful and the weather was cooperative. Maxima occupied the tent at night and Glaucus rolled up inside a canvas tarp on deck. It wasn't very comfortable but he had to admit that he was enjoying his sister's company far more than he thought he would. She was clever, willful and witty and better educated than he. Far from being frivolous, she proved to be thoughtful and reflective. He soon realized that her seemingly prickly personality was subordinate to her normally good-natured mood and they soon relaxed into a comfortable relationship that had them sharing stories from their childhood, secret fears and longings, and dreams for the future.
By the time they spotted the flame of the far-off Pharos Lighthouse at Alexandria, it seemed like they had known each other for years.AlexandriaThe city of Alexandria in the land of the pharos was dominated by the great circular Great Harbor and the tallest lighthouse in the empire -- over one hundred meters high -- that was visible a hundred miles out to sea, the flame magnified by a great polished mirror. The city itself ringed the shore, covering the narrow strip of land between the sea and Lake Mareotis as well as the Isle of the Pharos. It gleamed with colorful palaces, temples, theaters, libraries, monuments and public buildings. On either side of the city sparkling white sand beaches and marshes hugged the shoreline and graceful palms stirred in the warm, gentle breezes. It was stunning, this city that was an important cultural, intellectual, scientific and spiritual center of the empire.
Originally the village of Rhakotis, it had been rebuilt on the orders of Alexander the Great by the Greek architect Dinocrates of Rhodes. The city streets were straight forming regular, rectangular blocks. The main street -- Canopic -- ran east-west and connected the Gate of the Moon in the west wall to the Gate of the Sun in the east wall. The Street of the Soma ran perpendicular with Canopic and joined the Great Harbor to the Lake Harbor. A canal at the west end of the Great Harbor allowed ships to sail to Lake Mareotis. At the east end of the Great Harbor another canal connected with one which joined the great Nile River. A simple plan... with such incredible beauty..Alexander died without leaving an heir and the struggle for succession among his generals saw Ptolemy entrench his position in Egypt with Alexandria as his capital and he established a dynasty that lasted over three hundred years. Toward the end of the dynasty, however, internal dissent allowed Roman influence to intrude upon this city that the empire relied on so heavily for supplies of wheat. The last of the Ptolemies, Queen Cleopatra, tried hard to save her throne and city by having a child with Julius Caesar then embarking on the ultimately ill-fated affair with Mark Antony which saw the Egyptian queen lose the decisive Battle of Actium in the Adriatic . Upon her death, the city fell under the control of the Roman empire which retained control of the agricultural riches of the Nile.
Maxima told all of this to Glaucus as they strolled the city streets arm in arm, enjoying the sites like any other Roman tourists. They had checked into rooms, bathed and changed, and now Maxima wanted to see everything. Although he knew much of the history of the city, he was surprised at the wealth of her knowledge and admitted that Apollinarius had taught her well. She was wonderful company, this beautiful, educated and spirited young woman who delighted in all that she saw.Maxima cast her brother a sidelong glance. "Egyptians could marry their siblings. Did you know that? Ptolemy the Second -- who was called King Philadelphus -- married his sister Arsinoe. Ptolemy the Third -- Euergetes -- married his cousin, Berenice. That didn't impress the Greeks, let me tell you.."
"Sounds positively incestuous.""It certainly is considered to be so in modern times but it was a way of keeping the power within the family."
Maxima's head swiveled from side to side. "Look at all the people here, Glaucus. They all look so different -- so many colors of skin. I wonder where they all come from?""From all over the empire and from the east, I should imagine. Rome's a bit like that too. People from everywhere."
"When I was in Rome mother was careful not to let me see too much of the city. I could never understand that before but I guess I do now. She was concerned for my safety -- worried that the emperor would find out about me. It's so wonderful to be in a place that is so far from Rome and Ostia." She skipped over the paving stones looking for all the world like a child on her first outing. "We can stay for a day or two, can't we?" she asked."Of course," Glaucus relented. He had waited this long to find Marcianus, what difference would a day or two more make? So, they behaved like tourists and joined a group of Romans bound for the island of Pharos and the great lighthouse. Pharos was no longer an island, having been joined to the mainland by a breakwater and the walk was easy. The structure was unlike anything else in the empire -- it's base was square; two-thirds of the way up it changed to octagonal; beyond that it was circular. At the very top, above the flame, was a statue of Zeus Soter which turned, following the sun. The mighty base of the lighthouse was surrounded by a marble colonnade and to one side was the gracious temple of Isis Pharia.
It was cool on the island as the early winter winds swept the land with salty spray. Shipping had stopped for the season and the lighthouse stood sentinel over empty aquamarine seas with ships and boats moored safely in the harbor. Beyond the harbor and directly across from the island of Pharos, stood the magnificent rambling royal palace with its dazzling white columned buildings and profusion of blooming flowers.The master of the lighthouse welcomed guests as he had less to do during the short winter months. His main job, of course, was to keep the flame burning and he showed them the massive mountain of fuel that occupied the entire room at the base of the lighthouse. "Wood, dung, paper, charcoal -- anything that will burn," he explained. "We store all of the fuel here then it is hauled up in these baskets." He pointed to dangling ropes which seemed to disappear into the skies.
Feeling adventuresome, the young pair headed to the stairs which wound round and round the perimeter of the structure. Maxima looked at Glaucus with a twinkle in her eye. "Race you?" she challenged.Glaucus grabbed her hand and held her back as she seemed about ready to take flight. "No thank you. It's a long way up and I'll walk."
"You're just afraid I'll beat you," she teased. But it was Glaucus who had to take his sister's hand and haul her up the last stretch of stairs when she complained that she'd never make it. She collapsed on the top step panting for breath and rubbing her aching legs. When she finally found her feet she was confronted by the huge, roaring flame that seemed to suck the air from the sky. Maxima grabbed her flying hair and wrapped it in a knot and tucked it under her stola, afraid that it would alight. A slave clad in wet leather attended the fire and turned the polished bronze mirror-shield. Only then did Maxima notice that the lighthouse master was also clad in leather and now wore a leather helmet. Almost deaf with the noise, she covered her ears and joined Glaucus at the rail to admire the city far, far below. The boats in the harbor looked like mere toys now, like the ones she used to sail in the fishpond at the villa. The circular shape of the harbor was clearly visible as was Lake Mareotis and the canals that intersected the city.Glaucus cupped his mouth and shouted into her ear as he pointed. "Look at the boats on the lake. That's the fastest way to get to the Nile. After that we go by camel."
Maxima simply nodded, fearing that her reply would never be heard over the roar of the fire."It's getting too hot!" shouted Glaucus as Maxima nodded. He took her hand and they started the long, winding journey back down the tower.
At the bottom she collapsed on the colonnade and begged for time to rest. "I'm not an athlete like you obviously are," she stated. "I'll bet you could run up and down those stairs a dozen times.""Hardly, but I must admit that I'm not tired. I participated in a lot of sports as I was growing up, as I told you, so the stairs didn't bother me.."
"I doubt that they would have bothered Maximus either," she said as she rolled onto her back on a marble bench.A man on a nearby bench, in the shadows, perked up at the mention of that familiar name."Not likely. Can you imagine all of the walking he did as s soldier -- all over the empire.""Do you think he was ever here?"
"It's not likely but who knows. I think Maximus was mainly stationed in the north. Rome may have been as far south as he ever travelled."The man in the shadows peered at the young couple from under knitted brows, a quizzical expression on his dark face.
"It's a shame... he died so young. How old would he be now if he had lived?""In his mid-fifties. Quite old."
"That's not so old. Apollinarius is a decade older than that.""I suppose, but I can't picture Maximus as anything other than a young general."
He straightened now and half stood before he caught himself and sank back to the bench. He prided himself on his good memory and attention to detail so he may be the only praetorian in Alexandria who still remembered the letter from the emperor that had arrived months ago alerting all praetorian soldiers in the empire to be on the lookout for the son of Maximus Decimus Meridius and to report immediately to Rome if his presence was suspected. Soldiers had yawned as the report had been read ‹ why would they ever expect the man to turn up in Egypt? ‹ but he had carefully filed the information away in his head. As his eyes searched the young man on the nearby bench he checked off the description: early twenties, bearded, long light-brown hair, tall, well-built. Spanish. That was the deciding factor. This man had an obvious Spanish accent. He didn't remember hearing about a woman but she could have joined him anywhere. He would wait until the couple left before he made his way to the praetorian captain in Alexandria and made his report.Maxima rolled to her stomach and propped her chin in her hands. "Do you know how I picture him?"
Glaucus shook his head."As a father."
Glaucus tilted his head and smiled at her sweetly and nodded. "As a father. Come... there's a lot more to see and the day is still young."Alexanders' tomb stood at the intersection of Via Soma and Canopic Way. It was a sacred place and visitors descended with great piety into a dark hollow surrounded by flickering lamps. In the center was the mummified body of Alexander wearing gold armor and protected by a thick crystal dome.
Maxima stared at the body with a pale face and round eyes. Glaucus gently took her hand and she gratefully clasped it. After a few moments, he felt his sister shiver and they exited the tomb.Maxima remained very quiet as they walked back along the beautiful, broad colonnades of Via Soma.
"What are you thinking?" asked Glaucus quietly."Maximus." She stopped and looked at her brother. "We don't know what happened to his body, do we?"
Glaucus shook his head. "No... but nothing like that.""How do you know? Terrible things may have happened to his body. We don't know."
"No, we don't. It's one of the many things we still have to find out.""I thought that was horrible -- displaying Alexander's body like that. Horrible. He was so young and handsome when he died and look what happened to him."
Glaucus, hoping to relieve his sister's distress said, "The library is not too far. Why don't we go there?"She immediately perked up. "It's not the original library, you know. That one burned down with the loss of irreplaceable books. The volumes in the current library were a gift to Cleopatra from her lover Mark Antony after he raided the Pergamun library in Greece. She was so upset, you see, over the loss of her library..."
Glaucus smothered a grin. His sister was happy again as she displayed her knowledge of history, courteous of Apollinarius.In the evening they shared a quiet dinner then retired to their rooms for the night. Glaucus was anxious to get an early start on their trip to Petra.
