Read Online Our Eternal Curse I by Simon Rumney - Free Book Online Page B

categorically.
    “ Am I to assume that I am your mother from
Brundisium?” asked a skeptical Cecilia.
    “ I can be an orphan if you prefer — the Italians
killed many families — mine could be just another one of them.”
    “ No I believe your mother survived and traveled with
you to Rome.”
    “ Good I want a rich, noble Roman as a husband and
for that I must be of a good Roman family.”  With these words Julia had
metamorphosed the psychologically damaged little girl who entered the chrysalis
into a chronically damaged woman with a clearly defined purpose.

Circus Maximus
     
    Circus Maximus was abuzz with
two hundred thousand expectant voices driven to frenzy by the brutality of the
opening events.  Dead gladiators and dismembered animals lay on every part of
the track and while their butchered bodies were being dragged away the
multitude bayed for the great chariot race to begin.  This time the Senate had
picked the rabbles faltering mood and hastily arranged a holiday to distract
their feeble minds from the lack of food, social unrest and even more
exorbitant taxes.
    All too soon the euphoria of
beating the Marsi had worn off and with the treasury almost emptied by war, the
people were having to bear the cost of sending armies all around the world
themselves.  All Romans understood the old adage, speculate to accumulate, but
they hated scrimping while they’re supposedly elected Senators continued to
live like kings.  Austerity would have been the logical course of action but in
their usual style and by way of a quick fix the Senate arranged a day at the
Circus and wine by the wagonload.  Their simple plan was to get the populace
plastered and hope like hell that revenue would be returning from the empire
before the metaphorical hangover wore off.
    Sitting near the Senatorial box
in a state of shock Julia could hardly believe what had just transpired.  She
and Cecilia were attending the Circus as guests of Gavius, their friendly oil
merchant, and until the gladiatorial carnage began, Julia had innocently
believed that they were there simply to watch a chariot race.  How could she reconcile
the wonderful images in the stands with slaughter on the track?   Even now the
beautifully colored fans which waved in the hands of brightly dressed
spectators looked like giant butterflies flapping over a meadow of flowers
while below them, bullock teams dragged away vile scenes from the underworld.
    Feeling quite nauseated Julia
turning to her tremendously obese oil merchant to ask, “What drives these
clearly sophisticated people to enjoy such a primitive spectacle?”
    Looking a little put out Gavius
replied, “Gladiatorial combat is a very old and sacred part of our tradition. 
For hundreds of years two slaves have fought to the death at the funeral of
their master.”
    “ Looking around me I see sophistication within all
forms of Roman life but this?” Julia was finding herself lost for words.
    Seeing the look of horror on
Julia’s face the fat man was clearly trying to understand her point of view and
said in a sympathetic tone, “It is simply a part of our civilization.” And, “It
has grown into a very big business.”
    “ Do all Romans fight like this?”
    “ By the heavens no!” Just the thought of such a
thing covering him in sweat.
    His explanation had not
justified the Roman blood lust but combining cruelty with big business had hit
a nerve with Julia.  She thanked Gavius politely and turned back towards the
track for another look at hell to find herself looking into the face of a very
handsome young officer standing ten rows down towards the track.  As though
caught in a beam of light he stood motionless just staring at her through big
brown eyes.
    Fighting back her customary
anger Julia chose this moment to test Cecilia’s credibility.  He is not staring
because I am a freak she told herself reluctantly, he is staring because I am
beautiful.  Unable to really believe her own thoughts