Part 18 (1/2)
Julius laid a hand on his arm.
”I have taken men from Africa and Greece and made them soldiers, Cra.s.sus. I will do more with those of Roman blood. Catiline saw a weakness we must remove if Rome is to thrive with your trade, don't you think? The city needs good men on the walls above all else.”
Cra.s.sus flushed. ”I may? not be the man to lead them, Caesar,” he said through clenched teeth.
Julius could imagine what it had cost him to make the admission in front of Pompey, but he snorted in reply, ”Neither was I until Marius and Renius and, yes, Pompey showed me how, by example and by training. No man leaps full-grown into that role, Cra.s.sus. I will be with you in the first steps, and Pompey will always be there. He knows Rome needs a second legion for protection. I doubt he would want anything less in a city that answers to him.”
Both of them looked to Pompey and he answered immediately.
”Whatever you need, Cra.s.sus. There is truth in what he says.” Before they could do more than smile, Pompey went on, ”You paint a pretty picture for us, Julius. Cra.s.sus with his trade, I with a bride and the city I love. But you have not told us the price for this generosity. Say it now.”
Cra.s.sus interrupted, ”I will accept these terms, with two additions. A license for five years, not two, and my eldest son, Publius, is to be taken into the Tenth as an officer, a tribune. I am an old man, Julius. My son will lead this new legion after me.”
”I can agree to that,” Julius said.
Pompey cleared his throat impatiently. ”But what do you you want, Caesar?” want, Caesar?”
Julius rubbed his eyes again. He had not considered binding his family to Pompey's line, but his daughter would rise in one stroke to the highest social rank in Rome. It was a fair bargain. Pompey and Cra.s.sus were both too old in politics to refuse such an arrangement, and what he offered was a world better than the misery of losing their power and influence, even in part. Julius knew the addictive nature of command. There was no greater satisfaction than to lead. When he looked up at them, his eyes were bright and sharp.
”When my six months are up in the city and the laws I want have been added to the rolls, then it is simple. I want to take my two legions out to new lands. I will give my proxy to Pompey and I want you both to sign orders giving me complete freedom to levy soldiers, strike bargains, and make laws in the name of Rome. I will not report back unless I see fit. I will answer to no man but myself.”
”Will that be legal?” Cra.s.sus asked.
Pompey nodded. ”If I have the consul's proxy, it will. There is some precedent.” Pompey frowned in thought. ”Where will you take these legions, to do this?” he asked.
Julius grinned, carried away by his own enthusiasm. How he had argued with his friends over the destination! Yet in the end, there had been only one choice. Alexander had gone east and that path was well trodden. He would go west.
”I want the wild land, gentlemen,” he said. ”I want Gaul.”
In full armor, Julius strode through the night, heading toward Bibilus's home. Pompey and Cra.s.sus believed he knew some way to muzzle his co-consul, but the truth was he had no clear idea of how to prevent Bibilus and Suetonius from making a mockery of all their plans.
Julius clenched his fists as he walked. He had given up his daughter and pledged time and money and power to Pompey and Cra.s.sus. In return, he would have a freedom greater than any Roman general in the city's history. Scipio Africa.n.u.s had not had the range of powers Julius would have in Gaul. Even Marius had answered to the Senate. Julius knew he would not let such a thing fall from his hands because of one man, no matter what he had to do.
The crowds parted for him as he swept through. Those who recognized him fell silent. The new consul's expression forbade any attempt to greet or congratulate him, and more than a few wondered what news could have so angered a man on the very day of his election.
Julius left them murmuring in his wake as he approached the great gates and columns of Bibilus's house. His resolve hardened as he raised his fist to hammer on the oak door. He would not be denied this last step.
The slave that answered the summons was a youth whose face was heavily painted, giving him a lascivious expression even as he recognized the visitor and his eyes opened in surprise.
”I am a consul of Rome. You know the law?”
The slave nodded, terrified.
”Then bar no door to me. Touch my sleeve and you will die. I have come to see your master. Lead me in.”
”C-Consul?”
The young man tried to drop to one knee and Julius snapped at him.
”Now!”
The painted boy needed no other urging. He turned and almost ran from Julius, leaving the door to the street swinging behind them.
Julius marched behind, pa.s.sing through rooms where a dozen similarly painted children watched, frozen as he pa.s.sed. One or two of them cried out in amazement and Julius glared at them. Were there no adults in this place? The way they were dressed reminded him more of Servilia's wh.o.r.es than?
He almost lost the boy slave around a corner as the thought came to him. Then he hurried and the slave increased his speed through antechambers and corridors until they burst together into a lighted room.
”Master!” the young man cried out. ”Consul Caesar is here!”
Julius paused, panting slightly with the anger that coursed through his veins. Bibilus was there in the room and Suetonius stood bent over him, whispering into his ear. More of the pretty slaves were standing at the edges, and two naked boys lolled at the feet of the two men. Julius saw their faces were flushed with wine and their eyes were older than their flesh. He shuddered as he turned his face to Suetonius.
”Get out,” he said.
Suetonius had risen slowly as if in a trance at Julius's entrance. He was ugly with malice as he struggled with conflicting emotions. A consul could not be touched, could not be held. Even Suetonius's position in the Senate would not save him after an insult.
Casually, Julius dropped his hand to his sword. He knew Bibilus would be weaker without his friend. Julius had known that even when he had not had a lever to twist into the fat man's innards. Now he had found one.
As Suetonius looked to Bibilus for a reprieve, he found nothing but terror in the consul's fleshy face. Suetonius heard Julius march across the marble floor and still he delayed, waiting for the single word that would allow him to stay.
Bibilus watched like a child with a snake as Julius came close to Suetonius and leaned in toward him. Suetonius shrank back.
”Get out,” Julius repeated softly, and Suetonius fled.
As Julius turned to Bibilus, the consul found a stammering voice.
”This is my h-home?” he attempted.
Julius roared at him, a crash of sound that sent Bibilus scrambling backwards on his couch.
”You filth! You dare to talk to me with these children sitting at your feet! If I killed you now, it would be a blessing for Rome. No, better, I should cut off the last thing that makes you a man. I will do it, now.”
Drawing his sword, Julius advanced on the couch and Bibilus screamed, clawing at the cloth to try to get away. He wept heavy tears as Julius held the gleaming blade next to his groin.
Bibilus froze. ”Please,” he whimpered.
Julius twisted the blade, worrying it deeper into the folds of cloth. Bibilus pressed himself against the back of the couch but could retreat no farther.
”Please, whatever you want?” He began a series of choking sobs that added s.h.i.+ning mucus to his tears until his face was barely human.
Julius knew the Fates had given everything into his hands. The coldest part of him rejoiced in Bibilus revealing such a weakness. A few choice threats and the man would never dare show his face in the Senate again. Yet even as Julius began to speak, one of the children s.h.i.+fted and Julius glanced at him. The boy was not looking at Julius, but at his master, craning to get a better view. There was hatred there, horrifying in such a young face. The boy's ribs could be clearly seen and his neck bore a purple bruise. Julius realized his daughter was the same age. He turned his anger on Bibilus.
”Sell your slaves. Sell them where they will not be hurt, and send me the addresses, that I may check each one. You will live alone, if if I let you live at all.” I let you live at all.”
Bibilus nodded, his jowls quivering. ”Yes, yes, I will? don't cut cut me.” He broke down again into a stream of miserable sound, and Julius struck him twice across the face, rocking his head back. A thin stream of blood dribbled down across his lips, and he shook visibly. me.” He broke down again into a stream of miserable sound, and Julius struck him twice across the face, rocking his head back. A thin stream of blood dribbled down across his lips, and he shook visibly.
”If I see you in the Senate, your immunity will not protect you, I swear by all the G.o.ds. I will see to it that you are taken somewhere quiet and burnt and broken over days. You will beg for an end to it.”