Part 122 (1/2)
”Well, enough of this” My spirits were low I straightened my back ”Let us discuss the i We are not blockaded by sea”
It was a day like all the rest--as fine and light as the lines on a painted Greek vase--when the er was announced As day after day strove to outdo the last in perfection, I had conceived a fancy that each one knew this ht well be my last summer, and wanted both to console and tor So Savor us; bid farewell to that which you are losing So there was no other sort of day on which the er could have arrived, save one wreathed in warmth and sun and cool breezes there was no other sort of day on which the er could have arrived, save one wreathed in warmth and sun and cool breezes
Mardian announced him with a sniff ”A felloho calls himself Thyrsus has come from Octavian” He tilted his head to convey disdain ”I suppose you ish to receive hiripped the arms of the chair where I sat ”Of course But not here I will receive him in the audience chamber” I rose ”Tell him it will not be until late afternoon” Let hie into formal clothes So quick an answer My threats must have stirred Octavian's attention Should Antony also be present? Surely there was an answer for him as well But nobetter that I speak to the estion, so there was no point in giving hi for insult
”Charmian, my audience clothes!” I deest the richness of the treasure I withhold frorasp” I ination had painted me all these years This was the first enemy who had approached the throne, and he must be dazzled--especially as Dellius, Plancus, and titius had undoubtedly spread lies to Octavian This one le-eyed to hismaterial looked like an artificial field of wildflowers, available in every hue and texture Should I wear gold? Too obvious Silver? Not at its best during the day Red? Too blaring Blue? Too retiring White?
I fingered the own that floated aroundacross the floor But no That was a gown for privateOdd how I could have hundreds of gowns, and yet so feould do for any particular occasion
Froown and a yellow I saw a fold of purple barely protruding A purple that had been twice-dyed, giving it a deep, inimitable coloryes ”That one,” I told Charmian As she pulled it out, I reold threads at the hee, arhtest hint of legs and body showed, revealed fleetingly whenever I stepped forward or stirred on my throne Gold sandals ar collar of gold around old circlet with the royal cobra on aze on pure queenshi+p, and shi+eld his eyes! Octavian and his consciously frugal hoas would fade into invisibility
”Who is this ed er,” I said ”No one of any note: I have never heard his na manner, ”Octavian had doubtless never heard of Euphronius either Whatever you do, he ers through her wiry crown of head-fur, copying Iras at work ”Like our monkey”
I appreciated her loyalty and sense of humor But the truth was that Octavian probably knew the name of everyone in my palace, and what he or she did I did not doubt his spies eavesdropped even on my most intimate moments whenever possible
The sun was halfway down to its setting place I hadI arose, liking the way the purple gown rustled against s
He was announced while I sat on my throne, and he waited, invisible, in an outer rooardens surrounding the palace, was rolling voluptuously through the open s, envelopingthis, I realize that this was my last formal audience My first had taken place in this cha me to be his heir It seemed, in the worn phrase, only yesterday We always knohen soh the kindness of the Gods--knoe do it for the last time Had I knownBut ould I have done differently? Nothing Nothing except pay closer attention to all the details, the better to remember them
”Thyrsus, envoy from Octavian Caesar's camp,” my attendant announced That neatly satisfied both sides--the pointed ”Octavian” forle I sat as impassive as possible, so that no hus of splendor aroundas travelers do who first stureat Temple of Artemis, primed to see a wonder
He fell to his knees, only a few feet fro one hand to shi+eld his eyes, as if the sight were too esture was too smooth; it had been rehearsed
”Rise,” I said I held out my scepter to indicate my wish
”My knees will not obey,” he said ”They are made weak by your splendor”
”Order them,” I said The flattery was too thick
He forced hi his eyes from mine ”Whatever you order, I shall do my best to obey”
”You are Octavian's aide? What is the rest of your nameThyrsus?”
”Julius Caesar Thyrsus,” he replied, proudly
”You are a freedman?” I was incredulous He had sent a freedman to address me? So this was his answer to my tutor! He was determined to find someone lower on the social scale Next he would send a slave
”Yes, enerosity of my former master, now my patron, Imperator Caesar, divi filius” divi filius”
”You in
”As you wish,smile His eyes were very blue
”Your master would not be pleased to hear you capitulate on his titles so easily,” I said
Again the man smiled ”My master is not here, lady, and you are I wish to please you, and say nothing that would roil your spirits If 'Octavian' sounds sweet to your ears, so be it”
How acco of him I wondered what his true instructions were Was this all done in accordance with Octavian's plan? ”What would sound sweetest to my ears would be to hear that Octavian had departed for Rodom continue in peace But such words I will never hear Where is he now?”
”In Ashkelon”
Ashkelon! My My city, so precious to ht was painful city, so precious to ht was painful
”He isthe final preparations for the h the Sinai” His tone was kind, not haughty
”And then to assault Pelusiuateway If it fell, the road to Alexandria was clear
”That is the plan,you do not know”
”This time of year the desert road shi+mmers with unbearable heat, and you must march two days without water,” I warned him ”Between Rhinokolura and Pelusium there are no wells”
”We have camels”
”You cannot drink from their huh for twenty legions”
”Each soldier also carries water”
”Enough of this sparring,” I said ”I say it will be difficult, and you say you know that Let it rest No battle is without its challenges That is why it would be best if we could avoid battle altogether, which both Antony and I have proposed I await Octavian's reply to our offers, which I assume you carry with you” I found his manner so likable that I could take no offense at his half-playful arguing
”Yes, I do” He gave a short, h ”But they are not written down I am to speak them”
”Well?”