Read Online A Mixture of Madness, Book II of The Bow of Heaven by Andrew Levkoff - Free Book Online Page A

two assistants, the first of whom handed each of us large, double-handled silver cup. “I have a nose not only for the best vintages,” Tranio said, “but for where in the house they are most needed.” The second assistant approached and filled a third of each cup with water, and finally Tranio himself, cradling the amphora as if it were a baby, completed the ceremony. He waited, a barely restrained puppy, while dominus drank. Crassus knew his steward well enough to feign a heart attack of joy before dismissing the man. Even when the wine was mediocre, the praise might yet be effusive, for their was nothing more glum than a pouting Tranio.
    When the steward had left, humming contentedly, dominus asked to be reminded where we were in our conversation. “Why not throw your support to the optimates ?” I said. “They have had their man for months. Domitius has promised to recall Caesar if elected and strip him of his army and provinces. Isn’t that what we want? Why aren’t we supporting him for consul?”
    “I cannot break with Caesar; my preparations are not complete. Caesar could return from Gaul and easily stir up a majority of senators to retake control of the senate. Or worse, if he thinks our alliance is broken and that he cannot rely on my influence, he might come back not as a politician, but as a general at the head of his army. He wants Parthia, but Gaul has not yet been subdued. I must give him no reason to abandon the West. Let him keep his focus on the Moreni and the Menapii while I take the initiative to deprive him of the East. The only way to accomplish this is to feign amity between the three of us until Pompeius and I are consuls.”
    “Then what is holding the optimates back? If your names have not been taken, why does not Lentulus simply call the election without you? The year will soon be over and he will have to lay down the fasces . ”
    “Precisely. Alexander, I don’t think you’re spending enough time at the baths.” Crassus’ grin was vexing.
    “ Dominus ?”
    “Lentulus plans to call for elections before the month is out. His intentions must be frustrated. Do you know the baths of Numa?”
    “A small balnea that caters to mixed bathing. A disreputable establishment.”
    “The tribune Gaius Cato is a regular patron.”
    “So are thieves and whores.”
    “We will not debate the man’s morality, but rather applaud how he chooses to interpret it.”
    Understanding dawned and I said, “The tribune of the plebs may veto any call for elections.”
    “It is his habit to take the waters daily at the seventh hour. Meet him there,” Crassus said, extracting a scroll that protruded from the pile of senatorial wool on the floor, “and give him this. Discreetly. He’ll know you by your plaque.”
    I took the proffered papyrus , wound about its thin spool of polished ebony and tried to imagine how many zeroes were cavorting with one another beneath its seal on the letter of credit. “Surrender it into tribune Cato’s hands alone,” Crassus said. “Take Betto and Malchus with you.”
    “Malchus!” Hanno cried.
    “That’s right, Malchus,” I said.
    “I like Malchus.”
    “I know you do.”
    “Not Betto. He makes me confused. He talks too fast.”
    “That’s enough now. Let dominus and me finish our conversation. Afterward, we’ll go to the kitchen and find some grapes.”
    “ Green or red?”
    “Hannibal!” Crassus snapped.
    Hanno dropped his head, pulled the brush from his belt and drew it over and over again through the tail of his hair. Two large wet circles appeared on the tiles at his feet. “Excuse me, dominus ,” I said. I padded naked to the wall where the boy stood.
    “Father J upiter defend me!” Crassus cried.
    Hanno threw his arms about me as I comforted him, assuring him that dominus meant no harm. I looked back to where Crassus stewed. “I’m certain lady Tertulla would be grateful if you apologized.”
    Dominus ’ eyes narrowed. “Apologies,