A funeral, a wedding and a death wrap up our story.
Notes:
pyxus: small often ceremonial box
Paterfamilias: head of the Clan House
Apollo Medicus and Aesculapius: gods that rule over the medical arts
"Generally, there were five parts to a Roman funeral: A procession, cremation and burial, eulogy, feast, and commemoration."
Roman brides traditionally wore a "tunica recta" a white tunic belted with an elaborate knot of Hercules which was only to be untied by her groom. Her carefully arranged hair would be covered by an orange veil matched in color by her shoes. For the bride, she stated her intent to leave her father's protection, the "patria potestas" and instead give herself to her husband. The couple would sign the marriage contract to formalize their vows, the "affectio maritalis." Then there would be a feast, after which everyone followed the happy couple home and watched the groom carry the bride across the threshold of their new home because if she tripped it was considered a bad omen for the marriage.
BTW divorce was even easier—you just had to declare your intent not to live together any more in front of seven witnesses.
Source: PBS
Herculaneum Necropolis, outside the city walls
Darolus stood with the other gladiators in the funeral procession as the first rites were performed at the Herculaneum necropolis, but then he was summoned forward for his part in the ceremony. He dipped the tip of his arrow in pitch and lit it on fire then took aim and shot it into the pine logs at the base of the pyre.
He met Carola's gaze, the light of the flames dancing in her sad eyes and she gave him a brief brilliant smile of thanks through her tears before sobering again as her aunt put her arm around her to lead her away, back to the coaches returning to Ezekias' villa. After the flames had died in the early morning, the ashes would be gathered and placed in the cinerary urn that had been purchased.
The rest of the rites, interment, eulogy, feast and commemoration would have to wait until the family returned to Alexandria where their columbarium was located in the necropolis there. After which the wedding of Carola and Merlonius would be the next important event and would take place at the House Dixus latifundia.
Darolus watched Merlonius join the family group and a spike of anger went through him. That should be his place, not his brother's. Shouldering his bow he turned to go, but Ezekias called his name and asked him to remain behind.
"Lanista." Darolus bowed to his soon to be former master.
"You showed much promise as Sagittarius, gladiator. Doctore Viride and I will be sorry to see you go, but Merlonius was most insistent and laid out more coin for your services than I could refuse in offer."
"Doctore was stringent taskmaster, but I learned much from his training. I will miss him." Darolus said honestly.
"You should tell him so. Perhaps that will mollify him." Ezekias said, and at Dixus puzzled expression added in explanation. "You take some of my best horseflesh with you to House Dixus as well."
"Lanista?" Darolus looked confused; his brother hadn't mentioned adding to his bloodstock.
"Merlonius purchased Artemis, the mare I had gifted upon Carola, as well as the Andalusian stud you trained upon, Ajax. He said he considered them a matched pair and would not part them."
"But he already has a stallion—the red chestnut he rides."
"Perhaps he wants fresh blood for breeding a new line." Ezekias said, but there was a strange speculative gleam in his eye as he spoke.
The comment cut a bit too close to home for Darol who shifted his feet and ground his teeth together to keep from lashing out.
"When you arrive back at villa, gather your things and say your goodbyes." Ezekias ordered, "The group returning to Alexandria will depart at first light."
"Yes, Lanista." Darolus said, happy to make a quick retreat.
House Ezekias, ludus infirmary
"You're looking better." Carola said warmly. She had been sitting at Aaronus' bedside for several minutes watching him, waiting for him to awaken. When he opened his eyes and noticed her he blinked in confusion and looked behind her, probably hoping to find Darolus.
"Caro—niece of Dominus..." Aaronus quickly corrected himself and lowered the hand he had started to raise to take hers.
Carola saw the aborted movement and reached out and took hold of his hand and held it in both of hers.
"It is evening. We are leaving at dawn tomorrow so I wanted to come and break words with you before we departed." Carol said, looking him over, wincing at the extent of the wounds inflicted upon him by Neganus.
"You do me great honor," Aaronus said, his eyes welling. He held her gaze briefly, but then had to look away.
"It is you who showed honor by taking blow meant for me, Aaronus. You saved my life." Carola said sincerely and then lifted his hand to her lips for a soft kiss, wincing again as she saw the still livid ligature marks on his wrist from the shackles with which he had been hung.
"You owe me no gratitude." Aaronus said, pulling his hand from hers and turning his head away from her.
"You could have let the Legate kill me." Carola said softly. When Aaronus didn't reply, she touched his shoulder to try and make him look at her but he didn't move so she went on, "I know you love him too."
They both knew of whom she spoke.
"Your death would gain me nothing except his pain." Aaronus told her the same thing he had already said to Darol. "I would not wish that upon one I love."
"I have gratitude that he had you in his life when I could not be." Carol said graciously and was relieved to realize that it was true. Much of what Merlonius had said to her about the realities of life in the ludus had brought home to her how easily she could have lost Darolus to it. Whatever support Aaronus had been able to provide had helped her love survive there.
Aaronus slowly turned his head to look up at her. His brows drew together as he studied her.
"If you truly love him, why are you marrying his brother?" he asked.
"Believe it or not? So I can keep him." Carola told him. "There is much I cannot tell you, but Merlonius is offering us a chance that I could not refuse to grasp."
Aaronus studied her closely.
Carola wondered how much Darol had told him, if anything, about their plans.
"And as you will return to ludus Monroviatus when you are able to travel, you will not lose opportunity to see him either." Carola said, trying for a reassuring smile.
"If I survive." Aaronus said, and the pain and fear he was suffering showed starkly on his face.
"I have made offerings to Apollo Medicus and Aesculapius and every Household god for your return to health—if you tell me the name of your provincial gods, I will use the pantheos altar to make offerings to them as well." Carola said with great sincerity and turned to pick up a bowl on a tray behind her, but then she frowned. "Broth I brought grew cold while you slept. Is there anything else I could get for you?"
"You play servant to a slave?" Aaronus said, frowning and shaking his head at her in disbelief.
"To a friend... I hope." Carola said firmly, her blue eyes warming and her mouth turning up at the ends in a small smile.
Aaronus' frown gave way to a reluctant bemused smile.
House Ezekias, stables
"Doctore?" Darolus frowned as the white bearded man interrupted his packing of the few small personal items and pieces of clothing he owned into a small canvas pack.
"Come with me." Viride ordered in a gruff voice.
Darolus nodded and threw his pack over his shoulder. He already missed the feel of his bow and quiver there. He followed the trainer down the steps from the small space he'd been allotted as a sleeping room in the loft of the stables and was surprised when instead of taking the turn that led outside, Viride went down the long central aisle with box stall on either side. He stopped in front of a very familiar one. Inside it stood Ajax, all tacked up and pawing his left front foot impatiently. Hanging on a peg next to the door of the stall was Darolus' Parthian bow and quiver.
"As the stallion must also be transported to his new home, Dominus Merlonius ordered that you be assigned as outrider for caravan to Herculaneum." Viride explained.
"I ride?" Daryl asked, his frown deepening. When traveling, slaves walked, they did not ride...
"He trusts that you will not take chances with life of the woman you love by trying to flee."
"He said that?" Darolus gave an incredulous look.
"Not in so many words, but the order spoke for itself." Viride patted him on the shoulder and gave a knowing smile. "Ajax will be ready and waiting for you. You have just enough time to go say goodbye to your injured friend in the ludus before the traveling party leaves."
Darolus face fell into a pained look. He still carried guilt over Aaronus willingness to sacrifice himself for unrequited love, as well as for his betrayal of Carola's trust.
"She has already been to see him; to thank him." Viride said, nodding in approval. "Truly a gracious woman to take such interest in the well-being of a slave."
The double meaning of the Doctore's words was not lost on Darol.
"He saved her life." he returned carefully.
"And that forever binds them," Viride said, "...as does the love they both bear for you. Is that not so?"
Darolus raised his eyebrows; then realized he didn't know why he was surprised at how perceptive the old trainer was.
"It is a blessing to be so loved." Viride continued, his voice growing low and forceful. "See that you remain worthy of it."
"Yes Doctore." Darol said and headed for the ludus to make his farewell to Aaronus.
House Dixus, Outside Alexandria Minor
Darolus could not believe he was being forced to attend the wedding ceremony, but Merlonius had ordered all of the slaves, whether house, body or gladiator to attend, standing in the back of the room. He leaned against the back wall trying to keep control of his emotions, feeling as if he was about to burst into tears like a child.
He wasn't losing her; he just had to keep repeating that to himself over and over. He would have her in all ways but one; a contract marriage would bind their fortunes to Merlonius so when she grew heavy with his child, it would be the legal issue of the marriage, and heir for his brother.
When they spoke two days ago, Aaronus had asked him if trusted his brother, a question he had reiterated when they bid each other goodbye.
Darol still didn't have an answer. Merlonius had been preoccupied with the arrangements for transporting Legate Neganus to Rome and had ridden with the Custos and Centurion escort for him rather than the main party. He had spoken to neither Darolus nor Carola since they left Ezekias' villa.
He heard a murmur drawing him back to the present and stood tall, looking over the heads of those in front of him.
First came the torch bearers, lighting the way for the head of the procession.
"Who acts as paterfamilias for this woman?" the Magistrate said.
"I, her Uncle and head of her House, do." said Regulus and then he held out his hand.
From the hall behind the door stepped Carola in a beautiful white gown, her tunica recta, with the special knotted belt to only be untied by her husband on their wedding night. Her face was hidden by the ritual sunset orange veil which matched her shoes. She took her uncle's hand and walked with him behind the Magistrate to the head of the room followed by Deanna and the rest of the wedding party.
"At this point I have been instructed to read the following message." the Magistrate said and lifted the scroll he'd been holding in his left hand.
Murmurs of confusion rose amongst the crowd gathered as Darolus looked all around and wondered where his brother was.
"To my family and guests, apologies for being unable to attend, but I have already departed for Rome to escort Legate Neganus." the Magistrate read.
"How can a man not attend his own wedding?" Lanista Batiatus cried with indignation.
Darolus started pushing his way to the front of the crowd, his face tight with worry.
"If I may continue?" the Magistrate said patiently.
"Please." Regulus nodded.
"Let it be known that it is by my own will, with no coercion or other malfeasance that I write these words. I hereby abdicate my claim on House Dixus in favor of my younger brother, Darolus Marcus Dixus."
"He cannot! Only a citizen may hold a House." Batiatus protested, glaring at Darol. "This slave is not a citizen of Rome."
"Darolus is not a slave." the Magistrate said just the man in question reached the front.
"What?" Darolus and Batiatus asked simultaneously.
"He never was." Deanna said, smiling at Darolus as she and Regulus stepped forward.
"What?" Darolus asked, taking the papyrus from the Magistrate and examining it.
"When you began your quest to earn enough coin to win Carola's hand, your brother approached me with an offer." Regulus said, "Take you into my ludus and train you, but never file papers you signed abrogating your citizenship. You were never really a slave, nor, as a citizen, are you bound to gladiator oath you swore."
"Do you wish me to continue?" the Magistrate asked.
"There's more?" Darolus asked, his head reeling from the news he'd already been given. He'd been a free man this whole time?
"As you know, one who has been a slave may never, even if he is granted or wins his freedom, be Paterfamilias of his House. Your brother foresaw the need for you to retain your citizenship."
"As head of House Dixus, is it Darolus' duty to step into my place to fulfill the marriage contract I have undertaken with Callicus of House Monroviatus. To that end, I give him the hand of Callicus' only surviving child and heir, Carola, to have and to hold from this day forward." the Magistrate read.
Deanna gave a loud sob of happiness and her husband put his arm around her while she got herself under control. A beaming Tara handed her mistress a soft cloth to dry her tears.
Carola stepped forward and lifted her saffron orange veil, tears glistening on her cheeks.
"Will you have me to wife, Darolus Marcus Dixus?" she asked in a soft emotion filled voice.
"Is this really happening?" Darol asked in wonder, taking her outstretched hands in his, "Or am I caught in the clouds of a dream?"
"Here is the marriage contract drawn up by Carola's father and Merlonius, as you see he has left the name of the groom blank. Do you wish to place Darolus' name here?" the Magistrate asked the couple.
Carola looked at Darolus, making it his decision.
"Yes, of course!" he said joyously, smiling at her so hard his eyes were forced into a squint.
The Magistrate turned to a small table and printed Darolus' full name onto the page with a reed pen, sanded it to fix and dry and then he handed Darolus a small pyxus he took from the table's surface.
Darolus opened it and recognized his father's signet ring, symbol of the authority of the House, which Merlonius had chosen not to wear in favor of his Centurion insignia.
The magistrate handed Carola the quill pen and she dipped it in the ink well and signed her name under where it had been printed. She handed it to Darolus who did the same. The Magistrate melted red wax and dripped a small puddle of it onto the paper below the signatures and then Darolus pressed the top surface of the ring, a light green stone into which the insignia of House Dixus had been carved, into the soft wax.
"As they so affix their names and House seal to this contract, I pronounce the vows of matrimony complete." the Magistrate announced, joining the couple's hands together as he spoke. "May the blessings of Juno and Jupiter shine upon you and the fruitfulness of Demeter be yours." and then he released their hands.
Darolus drew his bride close and kissed her to the cheers of the guests, both free and slave.
"This is a dream, Darol." Carola said as she stood on the balcony of the master chambers in the villa looking out over the moonlit groves, fields and pastures of the latifundia where he'd been born.
"The gods would not be so cruel." Darolus said, rising from the bed to join her. "This is our life now." He stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her, pressing her warmth against his, skin to skin the way they'd stayed since he'd carried her into this room after the wedding feast.
"I still can't believe Merlonius conspired with both my uncle and father to protect me and insure our happiness." Carola said. "I always knew he had secrets, but I never suspected his true motives until..."
"Until what, sweetling?" Darol asked, leaning down to press a kiss to her shoulder.
"He showed me the marriage contract and your unfiled revocation of citizenship papers the day before father's funeral." Carola told him, "He said arrangements were still being made so I had to remain silent."
Darolus lifted his head and rested his chin on her shoulder.
"He planned this from start: to take back our family House from Edgelus and make sure I was able to inherit it..." Darolus shook his head, "He gave it all up, everything, for me." he kissed her neck, "And to insure that I had you by my side."
A knock on the door sent them back to the bed and under the sheets. It was a local custom to have the Magistrate examine the bedclothes for evidence that the bride's maidenhood had been taken. Deanna had promised to work to dissuade him from that task, but perhaps she had not been successful.
"Dominus?" a familiar female voice called.
"Enter." Darolus called back and Andrea entered bearing a tray with wine, goblets, fruit and meats. She set the tray down on the table next to the bed and bowed.
"Andrea!" Carola said happily, pulling on her wrapper and rising from the bed. She hadn't seen her body slave since she'd helped her dress for the ceremony.
"It is good to see you looking so well." Darolus said, wrapping the sheet around his waist and securing it so he could join his wife.
Andrea gave them both a wry look at the unnecessary display of modesty in front of a slave.
"Dominus Darolus..." Carola looked over at her husband.
"Yes, my Domina?" Darol replied.
"Can we tell Andrea now?" Carola asked, bouncing a little on the balls of her feet in her excitement.
"Of course." he smiled over at her.
Carola took Andrea's hands in hers.
"You have been my friend and support—my constant—for..." then she started to choke up, tears filling her eyes.
"I live to serve you, dear girl..." Andrea said, her voice softening into a soothing tone.
"No more." Darolus said.
Andrea looked stricken, her gaze going to him and then quickly back to Carola's face.
"Am I to be sent away? Sold? You no longer need me now that you are wed?" Andrea cried.
"Darol—you frightened her!" Carol chided Darolus and squeezed Andrea's hands. "That wasn't what he meant at all, Andrea." she looked over at Darolus and he smiled and nodded at her, "You are to be granted your freedom."
Andrea staggered back, Carola holding her upright with her grip on her hands.
"Free?" Andrea whispered.
"We had Magistrate draw up documents of manumission." Darolus said. "As of today you are no longer a slave."
Andrea's knees buckled and Darolus swept in to pick her up before she could fall and he placed her in a chair. It took several minutes until she stopped crying.
"I don't know what to say... gratitude seems too small a word..." Andrea said, wiping her face with the heels of her hands. "I...I don't know what to do next..."
"Whatever you want to." Carol smiled.
"You have a lot to think about." Darolus said. "Take some time. There's no rush."
Andrea nodded and rose to give Carola a quick hug and then she bowed out of force of habit before she left, still looking a bit dazed.
"That was as wonderful as I thought it would be." Carola said softly after the door closed behind Andrea. She turned to Darol with shining eyes, "I wish we could be there when Aaronus is told."
"The messenger we sent to Ezekias with Aaronus' papers should arrive there in the morning." Darolus said, putting his arms around her. "I don't need to be there to know how much it will mean to him."
"I wish we could see them all freed." Carola said wistfully. She thought also of Tara and Rosa and what they had suffered at the Legate's hands and of all the horrors they had gone through in their lives as someone else's property. Her aunt was kinder than most mistresses, but they were still subject to the will and needs of their Dominus and his guests.
"I as well, but right now we can't afford it, sweetling." Darol said ruefully, "I had to give two good horses to your uncle for Aaronus. Edgelus took profits from the latifundia but never put any coin back in."
"I understand, husband..." Carola said, a surge of pride that he had already met with the while she prepared for their wedding night he had already met with the orchardist, stable manager and others who ran the estate to learn everything he could about it.
"I wish we could run this place without slaves, but it is too vast to do so without them." Darolus said, sounding frustrated, pouring them wine in the lovely stemmed blown glass goblets, a gift from her aunt.
"Do you think they will stay? Andrea and Aaronus? After they are freed?" Carola asked, taking the cup. She would miss her friend, but didn't want to stand in her way if she wanted to leave and try and find her people.
"I will offer both honest work for wages here, but I will not stop them if they wish to go. They will have freedom to choose their own destiny." Darolus said fiercely. "As everyone should."
Carola smiled at him, knowing how important it was to him that their friends be free after he had experienced what it was like to be held as a slave and denied basic human rights.
"We will treat all those who labor for us with respect and dignity." Darolus promised her.
There was another knock on the door and Andrea returned, still looking flustered.
"I almost forgot—your brother gave me instructions to give this to you only after you were safely wedded and bedded." she said and turned over a scroll to them, impulsively kissing them each on the cheek before she left.
"It seems Merlonius is not yet done surprising us." Darolus said, staring at the scroll Carol held.
"Do you want to read or shall I?" Carola asked. "It bears both our names."
"You read." Darol said, backing towards the bed where he sat down and then patted the place beside him.
"All right." Carola said and joined him. She smiled as he pulled her close, her head resting on his shoulder as she twisted the paper and snapped open the wax seals so she could unroll the scroll.
"Apologies for need to keep you both in darkness for so long, but my plans depended on utmost secrecy to destroy Legatus Neganus without also destroying lives of those I love. I regret that part I was forced to play took me away from you, brother, and made me befriend men such as Edgelus, but I had to regain our birthright so I would have a power base from which to strike.
If all has gone as I planned with Regulus, Deanna and Callicus, you are safely wed and returned to your rightful place as paterfamilias of House Dixus. It was never meant for me; as eldest a military career was my fate, but Neganus destroyed that life when he killed my men, my friends, and had me stripped of my rank.
I do not now travel to Rome, despite what I told you were my intentions. Neganus has many friends in Senate and I could not be certain that they would vote to strip him of rank and title so to be available for justice. Rome's political arena is much more deadly than one in which you sought to prove yourself, dear brother.
I cannot allow him to go free after everything he has done. I cannot restore lives he stole nor mend all wounds he inflicted, but I can insure he never has chance to hurt anyone else, especially those I care about, though it means my own death.
Apologies that I will not be there to see what you make of our House, Darolus, with most beautiful and compassionate Carola by your side. What you were both willing to give up to be together makes even this cynical asshole believe true love can exist. Take care of each other.
Your brother,
Merlonius"
"He intends to kill the Legate... to save us..." Carola said, staring at the letter in tears. "And he does not expect to survive it."
"He never did anything like that... his whole life..." Darolus said shaking his head in disbelief, his face sorrowful.
"He gave us a chance." Carola said, letting the scroll fall to the bed and turning to wrap her arms around her husband.
Epilogue to follow shortly.
Thank you to everyone who has been reading & reviewing regularly! I have a had a big report to write for work so my fun writing time has been limited, but I'm almost done with the epilogue & will post it later this week.