Morituri
        Translated by Mechtild Testroet

Chapter I

“Winter is going to come early this year!“ Mantano predicted, looking up to the skies with a grim expression on his face which indicated how little he liked the prospect.

“That’s possible, but it doesn’t mean an early end to the games,“ the man at his side replied absent-mindedly, wrapping his well-made toga round his arm once more. He pursed his lips, his beautifully curved mouth lending warmth to his features. As if there was not the faintest doubt in his mind, he deemed Mantano worthy of no more than lifting a brow of his gentle dark eyes. “The games aren’t over yet and, in honour of Apollo, there is bound to be another Ludi …“

“Gaius Octavius Pulcher. How unexpected,“ he was interrupted by a woman’s voice and turned his head, confused. Carried by light-skinned slaves, a litter draped with cloth was fighting its way through the crowds.

“Theodosia, my dear!“ With a faint bow of the head Gaius graced the noble lady with a smile, well aware that ladies succumbed in droves to the charm inherent in this gesture.

The mistress sat up. Gaius thought he saw her cheeks flash for a moment. Unhurried, he approached the litter. “Your husband must put a lot of trust in the gods, allowing a woman such as yourself who outshines even Venus’ sublimity onto the streets of Rome without proper protection!“ He drew nearer. When he stood next to her, he whispered almost inaudibly: “I would let you go with nothing less than a cohort of soldiers – and still I would be consumed by my jealousy!“

She smiled embarrassed, her cheeks glowing red, giving her pale features some added colour. Realizing that he had achieved his aim, a satisfied expression crept over Gaius’ face. He tried to hide it by smoothing his tunic which was interwoven with gold threads.

“I haven’t noticed you in the Forum for a long time, and Rome’s society is starting to miss …,“ Theodosia paused, and loftily held out her hand to him with her eyes sparkling longingly, “…its beautiful Gaius. So what stroke of fortune made you suddenly climb down from your mountain?“

“Nothing compels me more to visit the city than my wish to revel in your gracefulness!” Gaius replied charmingly, holding Theodosias’ gaze while taking her fingers in his hand, with a chivalrous gesture implying a kiss.

She looked up at him, fluttering her eyelashes. “Is that so?“

“There is nothing I can conceal from an intelligent woman like you.“ Gaius cleared his throat uncomfortably, his tone of voice becoming more formal. “It is my business dealings that bring me here!“

Theodosia leant back, her expression abruptly reflecting disgust after noticing Mantano’s presence. Her voice suddenly sounded distant, cold, and her face changed from exuding friendliness to contempt. She withdrew her hand. “Business dealings! Of course!“

Gaius ventured an imperceptible glance over his shoulder, scrutinizing his companion with the same slightly uneasy feeling that Theodosia had displayed before him.

Mantano’s build caused anyone to shrink back instinctively. He was perceived as uncouth, brutish and gave the impression that he could turn a bull onto his back with his bare hands and break its neck in the same breath. The weather-beaten face – furrowed into two halves by a deep scar, caused by an injury which had almost cost him his sight in the right eye – did not elicit trust. He was a man you were more likely to find in a disreputable bar in the harbour than in the Forum and whom one would avoid if possible. Gaius turned back to the mistress.

“I won’t keep you any longer from your business dealings, then,“ Theodosia said apologetically and instructed her bearers with a wave of her hand to continue the journey, as if she were in a hurry all of a sudden. “My husband would be pleased to welcome you at one of our festivities once more. That is, naturally, only if your business dealings will allow it!“

Incredulous and disgruntled Gaius stared after the litter which was soon swallowed by the hustle and bustle of the Forum.

“The noble Theodosia seems to be in a hurry today,“ Mantano remarked sullenly after rejoining Gaius.

“Well, she belongs to the small group of Romans who have a problem with my passion, but, at least, she admits to it openly!” Gaius explained. Shrugging his shoulders he turned round to Mantano and the two men strolled down the busy street towards the market. Bored, Gaius inspected the traders’ wares, looking around aimlessly, as if meeting Theodosia had made him forget the reason for his visit to the Forum. He was confused by her loathing. Admittedly, it was a disreputable trade which he supported despite his class. Nevertheless, he was the descendant of an ancient and honourable house with a long tradition. It was his business if he felt that he had a mission to be the owner of a gladiatorial school, the name of which, after all, was mentioned in Rome in the same breath as the “Ludus Magnus”!

Clicking his tongue, Gaius forgot Theodosia and turned back to his original intention. He wanted to have a close look at the slaves; perhaps there would be one or two promising gladiators born for the arena. This thought lifted his mood and a tiny smile crept onto his face as he pictured the crowds in the amphitheatre boisterously cheering their heroes.

“Gaius Octavius, my dear,“ another voice destroyed the glorious images in his mind. Sullenly he saw a man – one hand digging into his toga – and a young girl strolling by his side. A saffron-coloured dress made her look like a little princess.

“It’s as busy here as in an ants’ nest. I should venture to visit the Forum only at night,“ he grumbled in Mantano’s direction before leaving him standing once again to face the man. To hide his hesitation he bowed almost imperceptibly. “Senator Publius!“

The statesman approached Gaius with arms open wide as though he was going to greet a relative. “Gaius, old chap, if our meeting here today isn’t divine destiny! I have been thinking about paying you a visit!“

Gaius abruptly took a step backwards as Publius tried to hug him like a father would and only managed to escape this unwelcome cordiality by making another friendly bow. “Indeed, it is decreed by the gods, and they ought to know what is right. I am honoured to meet you, senator!“

Publius grinned like a boy revelling in the festive spirit of a special holiday. “You remember my youngest daughter?“ His expression instantly took on the gleam of the efficient salesman as he pushed the girl in front.

Sighing inwardly, Gaius managed a forced smile. “Of course. I have known Julia since she began to walk. It seems as if that was only yesterday. She will blossom out, so that her mother’s beauty will be put to shame!“ Gaius glanced at the girl. She was unprepossessing, resembling her father much more closely than her mother and Gaius could not help but notice the hooked nose she had inherited from her father.

“Yes,“ Publius, not noticing the flattering lie, nodded conspiratorially, winked at Gaius and laid an arm around his shoulder to pull him aside. “She will be twelve this year. High time to marry her off!“

Gaius’ smile froze. Julia had averted her eyes modestly, looking down. She looked dejected, like a parcel that had been forgotten on purpose.

“Esteemed senator,“ Gaius choked, “it would be an honour for me to marry your daughter!“ Contentment and pride showed on the senator’s face. “But I can’t. My wife’s death …“

“Gaius!“ Publius’ mask of friendliness slipped instantly. “Octavia died five years ago, childless, and a man of your age should …“

“Octavia’s death is enough reason for me not to rush into such a commitment!“ Gaius hurried to stop him. “What is more, I expect that, as the years pass, your daughter will become even more beautiful than she is now. We should give her some more time! Excuse me, senator, but I have other business to attend to in the Forum today!“

Hastily he took his leave and left Publius and his daughter standing, the latter breathing a sigh of relief.

“Facing hungry lions in the arena is more enjoyable!“ Gaius grumbled while he and Mantano disappeared into the throng, the noise of the market swallowing Publius’ last words. “What possesses people to offer me every child who has just learned to walk?“

Mantano visibly struggled to hide his amusement. “Your Ludus Gladiatorius may be a thorn in the flesh for some, but you are still one of the most eligible men in Rome, Gaius. Many a noble family would feel honoured to forge an alliance with the house of Octavius.“

“They don’t want my name, Mantano,“ Gaius replied annoyed, “they want my money! Especially senator Publius who owes me a small fortune and intends to discharge his debts that way! I am three times the age of Julia and old enough to be her grandfather!“

Mantano’s bewilderment was now clearly written all over his face . Disgruntled, Gaius plodded on. It would be better if he returned home, he had suffered enough unpleasant encounters for one day!

“Rufius is back in Rome!“ Mantano remarked, reminding Gaius of the original reason for the visit to the market. Following Mantano’s remark, Gaius noticed a stall and headed for it without thinking. “Well, then we should see what he has to offer!“

“Last time we bought his merchandise it wasn’t exactly ... profitable,“ Mantano objected.

Gaius hesitated for a moment to refresh his memory and made a dismissive gesture: “Cupidio! I had almost forgotten about him. Well, he only had himself to blame for his death. Besides, the price was quite reasonable and ...“

“He lost you money,“ Mantano told him.

“I’ll have to live with that. There have been and always will be losses. In any case, up to now, fortune has favoured my school consistently,“ Gaius replied. At that moment he noticed a mural depicting a gladiator towering over his defeated opponent, raising his sword into the air triumphantly, celebrated like a god. His mood improved immediately. He nodded towards the image: “Craton compensated for that loss long since!“

Mantano seemed unimpressed despite the hint: “I would agree with you, if only he wasn’t so headstrong. Fortuna must never, for one heartbeat, withdraw her hands from him. For a gladiator, Craton is too sure of himself, too careless, too reckless! Especially when he has the crowds celebrate him as king of the arena!“

Gaius could not fail to notice Mantano’s tone of voice, which was obviously disparaging. But he ignored it, as he did not want to get even more annoyed.

“And that’s exactly why the rabble adores him!“ He took Mantano’s arm and enthused, making a sweeping gesture as he pictured the arena in front of him. “The masses go wild when they think Craton is going to be defeated. He knows what he’s doing. He could have become an actor if he hadn’t come to me.“

“Or he could have been killed a long time ago!“ Mantano forced a smile, snarling viciously while looking closely at the mural which paid homage to Rome’s hero.

Ill-humoured, Gaius glanced at him. He knew that Mantano did not like Craton. Mantano did not even try to hide his dislike, which irritated Gaius even more. Gaius kept silent, knowing full well that if he didn’t, he would be tangled up – yet again – in one of those countless arguments.

“If he keeps carrying on like this, a bigger actor will oust him soon!“ Mantano took his eyes off the wall. “You shouldn’t give him too much rope or one day he will do just as he pleases. If I were you, I …“

“Mantano,“ Gaius hissed, glaring at him irritably. “You are forgetting yourself! At my school you are the trainer of my gladiators but remember that you too used to be one of my slaves. And don’t forget: You are not my adviser but my employee. I did not ask your opinion!“

A tense silence ensued between the two men. The reprimand seemed to have hit Mantano like the blow of a whip which had been wielded by an invisible hand. The distractions Gaius had suffered earlier that day were taking their toll.

“Forgive me, master,“ Mantano bowed his head submissively after a few moments of reflection, “you are right, it is not for me to lecture you!“

Gaius scrutinized Mantano and frowned moodily. A second later he was staring across the Forum again. His unease increased as he located another familiar figure in the crowds. ”By Mercury! If that isn’t Marcus Titius over there!“

Hastily Mantano looked in the direction indicated by Gaius’ glaring eyes. He screwed up his eyes until they became little slits and muttered calmly: “He’ll just be looking around like we are.“

Gaius turned his nose up as if the reek of the plague had settled upon him. He wished he could have been spared some of the encounters in the Forum. Theodosia and Publius were insignificant in comparison with this man. Marcus Titius belonged to that elect circle of people whose presence Gaius esteemed like that of a stinking rat and whom he liked to keep as large a distance from as possible. If at all possible, he would overlook people like him. But thanks to his build, it was impossible not to notice Titius. He laboured through the crowd, his excessive weight restricting his movements to a portly pace. A double chin, wobbling like warm porridge with every move, was leaning heavily on his chest, and every step made him break out into sweat. He was anything but a feast for the eyes. There was only one bond between Gaius and Titius: their passion for the games.

“Well, if he is looking for a new fighter,“ Gaius contemplated, then he stopped, startled, “... the gods have cursed me, he has noticed us!“

Morituri
© Cornelia Kempf

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