Part 129 (1/2)
”Here” I flung out h, and fro, I kneas ined ”It is yours”
Like children--why does gold un Proculeius dropped to his knees, as if in worshi+p He stretched out one hand and grasped the corner of a small statue of Bast
”Take it,” I said ”Octavian will never ht's work?”
He snatched it out, causing a few other objects to be dislodged--a box of sapphires, and an ivory bowl
”Oh, take them, too,” I told hi bad, and he was right Perhaps I could get Proculeius and Gallus to dishonor the from Octavian A small victory, but it would be of some consolation ”Leave it” He turned to me ”You and your servants must come with us,” he said ”It is tih the drinking soldiers sporting therounds They all stared as I passed, undressed and bloody, and fell silent
Chapter 86
A prisoner in my own palace Marched past thehallways My own quarters barred to me Mardian deprived of his I turnto hly, ”Not that way!”--as if they know ers
We are steered down a vaulted passage, toward the lesser guests' quarters, but not before a swinging litter passes, its occupant un, face discreetly covered There are two stiff, sandaled feet protruding
The litter has come from the direction of Antony's apartuards asks
”Yes All clean now” And they move briskly off
”Eros?” I ask I know the answer They have removed hiuard snaps
Poor Eros If I had been capable of feeling anything more, my heart would have ached But after so many horrors, another cannot increase the depth of pain
They would reuse Antony's aparte his enemies there And mine? For asin the Queen's apartments?” I ask
”He is already there Imperator Caesar”
So Octavian had entered Alexandria already, seized possession of it all
”When did he arrive?” I keep turning
”He entered the city late this afternoon,” the soldier says ”He rode in in a chariot, with the philosopher Areius by his side He called all the officials to gather in the Gymnasion, and there he assured them he would spare the city, out of respect for Alexander, its founder, and also for the sake of the beauty of the city itself; and finally to gratify his friend Areius”
”How noble,” I say Noas posing as the philosopher-king ”How Alexandrian”
”He addressed the assembly in Greek,” the man says
”That must have been a feat,” I scoff Everyone knew his Greek was painfully poor More playacting, from the master masquerader
”Here” They stop abruptly, and indicate a door The roo I would only assign an envoy's secretary But Octavian must needs spread himself out in mine
”Inside”
Charmian, Iras, Mardian, and I are all herded in
”Clothes and food will be sent,” they say The door clangs shut
The room had four small beds--cots, really There was a washstand, one lamp stand, aso newly fitted with bars that the sered Fro--this rabbed up the writing materials, but when I asked her what of the fateful basket, she shook her head ”I forgot, my lady, I am sorry That, and the trunk, remain behind”
Another blow! Even that taken away from me
In a few minutes a box of clothes and blankets was delivered, as well as some bread and fruit In stubbornness I wished to refuse both, but the truth was I had to reown I let Iras take it off, and Chare away the blood with a wet cloth The water in the bowl grew rosy, as Antony's blood dyed it She erieved me
”Now” She wrapped one of the coarse coowns around me ”Rest” I lay down, but kneould never sleep Outside I could still hear the soldiers carousing on the grounds It went on all night
Early in theleave
I sat bolt upright It was time to end this ”I demand to see the Imperator,” I said ”Immediately”
He looked puzzled ”The Imperator has a full day,” he said ”He intends to visit the tomb of Alexander, and then to nore rind me? How much pain inflict on me? ”Tell him to postpone Alexander,” I said ”He won't leave his tomb Like all the rest of the world, he will await the Imperator But I must speak to him now about the funeral of Antony Please!”
Mardian and the woed with requests to bury Antony,” said the soldier ”Sos, and his Ro for the honor”
Would that they had co him when he needed them! ”It should be I, and only I, who buries him with my own hands,” I insisted ”Am I not his wife, and a queen?”
”I will tell the Imperator of your request,” theminor
”And uard,” he said
”They live? And are unharmed?”
”Yes,” he said
”Do you swear it?”
”By the honor of the Imperator,” he said ”Not a hair on their heads has been touched”