SEVERUS
775DY
Werdas, 35th of Anovo, Spring
Severus had waited outside the ornate silver-plated door for a few moments. It was polished so deeply that he could see the color of his skin and pale yellow toga reflecting in it. He was not dressed as a Senator today, merely as a man visiting a friend, but he would have to act as a Senator today regardless. He wondered why his friend would put silver on his door, like an invitation to robbery.
The informal leader of his faction, Hecretus Stameas, had called a meeting. Hecretus was from an ancient and wealthy family stretching back to the old Kings of Doros. Even his names, first and last, were hewn from Old Doranic. Severus was named in the newer tongue, which did not grant much prestige. He was a man nearing his 70s, one of the oldest and most respected Senators living, serving as Consul in the past, and many expected he would retire soon. But the new law had brought a fury, the spark in his eyes returning, once absent for a few years. Severus had only spent eight as a Senator, since the minimum age was 37, and every year he knew Hecretus, the more he respected him.
Finally, the door creaked open, and a beautiful slave girl with auburn hair, dressed in fine silks and covered in golden jewelry, looked at him with big smiling eyes you could drown in. Severus blushed, his slaves wore nothing but cotton, and he always got quiet around attractive women, much like his son.
“Right this way, Senator.” She said, taking his arm and leading him to the open-air courtyard. It was rare for a slave to touch a guest so brazenly, but Severus sensed the slaves were much bolder here than at the average home. The smell of her perfume clung to them as they walked, and Severus didn’t mind. The cool breeze funneled into the courtyard, a nice respite from the heat. He felt the warmth of the baking ground through his leather sandals and finally saw the large table where Hecretus and several others sat, sipping wine and chatting lightly. Hecretus was a broad man, clearly strong once, with sagging skin, a leathery tanned face, and a bulbous nose. His bushy eyebrows raised as he saw Severus.
“Ah, there you are, my young friend. Please take a seat.” He gestured. Severus sat down and smiled at him but couldn’t help but follow the beautiful slave with his eyes as she walked away. Hecretus seemed to notice and chuckled, taking a look himself.
“Well, I don’t feel so young these days. I’m unsure if I can deal with another 40 years of back pain. How have you fared with it?” Severus asked, keeping his demeanor friendly. Hecretus raised his finger as if he knew just the thing.
“My friend, I have a man who visits me. He’s from Alamun, and they have a practice named Tamtara. It involves lying or sitting and performing various stretches. Often with ridiculous names, but by Corsas does, it work wonders! I shall send him to you as soon as this business is concluded, don’t worry. I’ll pay the gold.” Hecretus said, his voice booming and eyes full of laughter. Severus wondered how stretches were worth gold, not copper or silver. Regardless, he smiled and thanked him. More arrived, including Maleos, and the two embraced and chatted for a bit about their children. Eventually, all had come, and a salad covered in olive oil and crumbled goat’s cheese was served.
Once the eating and the pleasantries concluded, they moved onto business. First to speak was Spurius, a fat old man who had once been a respected general.
“I hear our armies are seeing good fortune, Rodina loses more men by the day, and we’ve pushed them up into the mountains.” He said. Severus saw someone roll their eyes. He often wondered why Spurius ever got into politics when all that interested him was military affairs. Hecretus responded.
“That’s good news, but we are present today to discuss this slave law and what on Errus we can do to block it or decelerate it.” The man boomed, his voice rising in anger after mentioning the law. Severus sipped some wine, feeling he needed it for a meeting like this. Maleos spoke up.
“The first order of business would be to get one of the three tribunes to veto the motion. That will mean it cannot be discussed again for two moons, and the vote will be void.” He said, folding his arms and leaning back, his voice hoarse but commanding attention. Hecretus nodded, but another spoke. Severus could not remember his name.
“That may prove difficult. None of the tribunes are friends to the moderates, and you recall how Tribune Opiter stabbed us in the back last Falonas on that grain business. We need to try and sway some fence-sitters too.” He said in a high thin voice. Hecretus nodded again.
“Yes. Our greatest chance is for just over half being swayed to our cause in the Senate, but we only stand at perhaps four-tenths. We cannot rely on the people’s vote, since if there is a tie, it will fall on the Consul to decide. A shame he proposed this law. We must have a three-pronged approach to ensure we cannot fail.” Hecretus declared. Everyone agreed, and Severus spoke up.
“And how are we to respond to bribery? The Consul’s coffers may be enough to equal ours.” He intoned, and others nodded and sighed. Hecretus let on a hint of a smile.
“We will double the offer. I have already taken out a loan with the Temple of Aurion. I will be able to pay it off over the next few years, and it will be well worth it.” He said. Severus cupped his chin with his hand. They were not only resorting to bribery, but taking loans and shaming Aurion, the god of honest commerce. He shook his head but remained silent. Hecretus noticed.
“You disapprove, Severus? You always were an honorable man. But what else would you have us do?” He asked sincerely, not trying to chide him. Severus wasn’t sure what to say.
“I don’t approve of it, but it may be necessary in this case. However, I won’t contribute my gold to it.” He replied, holding his palm up. Hecretus shrugged.
“If you wish, we may have enough.” He replied. “Now, which tribune should we speak with exactly? I believe it would be wise to spend some money on them too. They are hardly the richest in the Senate.” He said. Most seemed to suggest Tribune Tullus, a respected fellow who had occasionally sided with the moderates. Hecretus continued.
“Good, Tullus it is then. We will speak with as many fence-sitting fools as possible and sweeten the deal with the loan money.” He commanded. The high-voiced man spoke up.
“Careful, those fools might bring us victory in this fight.” He said, smiling. Hecretus smiled back and raised his goblet.
“To the fools!” He said, sipping, as did many others, repeating his words, but Severus did not join them.
Hecretus wiped his chin and spoke again.
“Now, to the third prong of my plan. Gold will not buy everyone, some are too honorable, like our friend here, but every man has fear in his heart somewhere. I have-“ Severus cut Hecretus off.
“Hold on. Do you mean to threaten Senators? That’s a crime and a sin at that. Tell me you are not suggesting this old friend.” Severus asked, anger and fear suddenly in his voice. Hecretus remained icily cool.
“Fear is the saddle to a man’s mind; grip its reigns, and he will do as you bid.” He said, voice and stare unwavering.
“Then we’re no better than the tyrants of old!”
“You watch that talk, Severus. You’re young, and you still wish to follow the rules obsequiously. We are talking about the freedom of millions of slaves, present and future, being out of their reach forever. A few harsh words and a bruise or two will not reach the history books, but stopping the law will.” He said, brimming with conviction. Maleos looked at his friend sadly.
“It pains me to consider it too, Severus, but sometimes drastic measures must be taken. Besides, it’s not like we’re planning to assassinate the Consul, though were I a younger man, I might try.” He said, a few people chuckling, some nervously. Severus slumped back in his chair, aghast, but part of him began seeing their wisdom. He tried to fight it and stick to his honor but couldn’t.
“Very well, if that’s how you choose to besmirch us.” He said. Hecretus bristled.
“I’m beginning to have doubts about your loyalty Severus. But I’ve got a way you might prove it. Since you’ve decided to let us do it, why don’t you help us?” He said. Severus’s eyes widened in confusion.
“You cannot mean-“
“-I’ve gotten a contact with the Ironfoots, those idiots who want to free all slaves. But they are useful idiots. You’re to meet with her and offer her my gold in exchange for their services and give them the name of some prominent senators who are unlikely to respond.” Severus stood from the table.
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“I will not! You’d have me do your dirty work?” Severus said.
“You will. Or, I’ll make sure your short-lived career ends within the year. Is that plain enough for you?” Hecretus retorted, his face hard as stone and words harder. Severus leaned on the table, the strength leaving him. It’d teach him quite the lesson if I still refused. But… How am I to do much good in this world as just another citizen? Slowly, Severus sat back down. His hands clenched in anger.
“If you insist so harshly, then I will do it, but not out of approval, out of my wish to stay as a member of the Senate and do some good in this bloody world.”
“Then this shall be a golden opportunity since you will be doing good in this task.” Hecretus said, his face softening. Maleos seemed relieved but angry at their informal superior. “I’ll even reward you, and you can have a go at that slave girl I’ve seen you staring at if you like.” Hecretus said. Severus hated him for that, and his face went red. Part of him desired her, it was true, but he would not do it.
“My wife is dead, Senator. I will not be with another woman than her.” Severus replied. Hecretus shrugged.
“More for me then. Anyway, let me tell you about your job.” He started, and Severus caught the eye of the beautiful slave girl who stared at him. She smiled with understanding and sadness, bowing her head at him. Severus nodded back sorrowfully. “So, you’ll meet with a woman and one of her men. She’s named Virelia, and the man Lucius. They’re well respected in the Ironfoots, and some say she might one day become its leader. You’ll do as I said previously, and they’ll likely accept.” He said, seeming satisfied. Severus’s eyes flickered with faint recognition.
“Very well, I’ll do as I’m bid. When and where are we to meet?”
“Today, my friend, in about 30 minutes, you might want to get on your way soon. It’ll be at the Foolish Fox tavern in the Aveline, neutral ground. You’re always welcome to return for drinks and music afterward.” He said, a smile finally coming back to his face.
“I’ll be on my way now, so I can better prepare. I wish you all good day, and my thanks for this fruitful meeting.” He said, his voice biting with sarcasm. He left the table, and the slave girl hurried over to see him out, retaking his arm. The smell of perfume returned, and he found it a pleasant comfort. He spoke to her quietly.
“I’m sorry that Hecretus spoke of you that way in front of so much company. It was not proper of him.” He apologized. She shrugged and smiled at him.
“I’m not easily embarrassed. Besides, I wouldn’t have minded, Senator. You’re much more handsome than most of these elders, especially my master.” She said playfully. Severus blushed again and went silent for a moment.
“…I’m sorry. I remain faithful to my wife, even in death.” He said, and she looked at him sadly.
“That’s very sweet, sir. I hope to find a husband as faithful as you one day. I am sorry about your wife. I hope it was not painful for her.” She said, squeezing his arm gently.
“She was in pain all her life.” He replied as he reached the door and bid her farewell. She gave him a final melancholy look. He bowed his head silently and walked away, and a smile returned to her lips.
He marched through the streets, thinking of his wife and the slave girl, before his mind returned to the task at hand. His eyebrows furrowed as he sped up. Virelia, why do I know that name? He thought, before a realization struck his face. He thought of his older brother, Gaius, and the slave girl he had once freed four years ago.
When she arrived at the inn, the girl – more a woman now – seemed healthy, and he was glad. She was always sweet to his son and taught him many things. He worried for her now, however. She was shocked to see him there.
“How did you end up in this line of work? Surely it can’t be safe. You might get hurt or worse.” He said, concern lining his face. Virelia laughed and shrugged.
“Once I tasted freedom, I decided all slaves should taste it too. I had no money when your brother freed me, and I lived on the streets.” She replied, knocking back her drink, “The Ironfoots could tell I was a slave, and they took me in, fed me, gave me purpose.” She said.
“Still, I took you for a bookish girl. Fiercely intelligent. Not one to go cracking noses in the streets.” He said. She smiled at the compliment but replied,
“Can’t a woman be both?” She asked. Severus couldn’t help but chuckle, he had always enjoyed conversing with her when Aquila had been a little too young for adult conversation, and he had offered to take her in for a while if she was ever freed. Why she never took him up on that offer, he did not know.
“I would have taken you in. My son always liked you. I did too. You were like a niece to me.” He said, sipping the water, his mind still somewhat hazy from the light lunch and wine. She smiled sadly.
“I’m sure you would have. I enjoyed you and your sons’ visits and called you Uncle in my mind sometimes. But it felt that I would gain a new master, a kinder one perhaps, but all the same. I didn’t want to set foot in another grand palatia until I earned one myself.” She replied, her voice bold. Severus laughed.
“I confess I get sick of it at times as well. That’s a respectable reason, I’d say. Still, I heard a tallyman was threatened recently. You wouldn’t have anything to do with it would you?”
“Oh no, I spoke to a tallyman, but he was lovely and already planned to do as we requested. I even… bought… his young daughter a necklace. How is Aquila by the way?” She asked, grinning at the memory mentioned, which still warmed her and gave her conviction.
“If you say so, Virelia.” She liked that. He had never called her El. “He’s doing well, almost a man soon. I must remember to get him a birthday gift.”
Severus moved on, “But anyway, let's get to business. I’m sure you know why I’m here.”
“To rescue me from the clutches of a gang?” She asked, chuckling, and Severus smiled.
“No, to request your services, or rather request them on behalf of my faction.”
“I see, and what would you have us do?” She asked. Severus cleared his throat and lowered his voice.
“They want you to threaten Senators who will vote for the law. I have a list here, as well as descriptions of their homes. In return, you’re being offered a large sum of gold by my… superior.” The word stung his lips.
“Look at you, honorable Senator, turned blackmailer. I’m shocked.” She said, sipping a stout, dark beer.
“Trust me, I wouldn’t be here if my career were not at stake, but at least I got something out of it.” He said, looking at her. She returned the look warmly.
“If you say so. All right, give me the list and I’ll gladly help. I hope the gold is good.” She said, taking a small piece of hastily inked parchment from him.
“Indeed it will be Hecretus is rich enough, and now he’s taken out a damn loan with the Temple. I used to respect that man.” He muttered. Virelia raised her eyebrows.
“You really are new at this. Probably shouldn’t have said his name.” She said, but Severus shrugged.
“If this comes back to bite his perfumed arse, I’ll be gladdened.” He said, folding his arms. She twisted her and smirked but nodded.
“All right then. I’ll head back and tell the others. Do say hello to Aquila for me. Unless you’d like something to eat?” She asked.
“You know, I’d like that. The salad was befitting of a small dog.” He said, unlooping the gold pouch from his bag, and Virelia raised her hand.
“Oh no, I’m paying today. Nothing would bring me more pleasure than to buy a rich man who knew me as a slave dinner as a free woman.” She said. He smiled at the notion and refastened his pouch.
They ate fried eggs, melted cheddar, and lentils together, discussing their past and other things for over an hour. When they had finished, they stood to leave, and Virelia opened her arms for a hug, which he gave her gladly.
“It was good to see you, Uncle.” She said, beaming. Severus beamed back, and his heart was warmed to hear himself called that by her.
“And you, niece. You know you’re always welcome at my door, and I’m sure Aquila would like to see you again.” He said warmly, not knowing what would occur only a few hours later.