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Chapter Eighteen
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Ostian second arrival
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Earth – 1661 E0. Dies Iovis a.d. VII Kal. Iun CMXXXIII (25 may 180 AD) Earth-0 5th of March 1845
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Ostia – Military Sea Port
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Quintus Anicius Faustus and his second-in-command, Lucius Septimus Severus were waiting on the wharf where the war galley that had just entered the military port of Ostia was about to touch land.
They were in full military regalia as were the one hundred and eighty men of the First Cohort of the Xth behind them. It was a very respectable honor guard… And it was also a clear message about whom had the say in Ostia.
If Publius Tarrutenius Paternus and Junius Primus Mamertinus were worried or bothered, they did succeed in hiding it quite efficiently.
They too were in full military regalia since their galley had been informed by a courier that the first Cohort of the Xth would be awaiting them.
Quite a crowd had come to look at what was happening and soon there were shouts and whistles to welcome the two Praetorian Officers and their retinue.
- Legate Quintus Anicius Faustus, said Quintus when both Praetorian general officers had stopped and saluted him and the Xth's standard. We welcome you back to Italy and we are here to deliver you General Maximus' personal invitation. He'd like to have you for lunch and if you are in mood of a little after-lunch chat he'd like to discuss with you the latest events that happened in Panonia. He asked me to add that, considering what happened to him personally, the death of late Commodus has definitively closed the whole endeavor.
Publius Tarrutenius Paternus and Junius Primus Mamertinus reacted as old courtiers all over the world had for eons done, they stayed stone-faced and acknowledged the invitation and the pardon. Because, if Decimus was true to his word, that's exactly what it was.
- We will be honored to be the General's guests, answered Paternus. It has been a long time since we had last eaten together.
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Ostia – Army Head Quarters – Northern Warehouse District
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Quintus Anicius Faustus and his second-in-command, Lucius Septimus Severus had looked surprised when Decimus had asked them to stay with him.
They were at the same time honored and worried. Because it meant that they were now Decimus' men. And should Decimus fail, their career -and probably their lives- would be forfeited.
Lucius was looking at Darcius when those thoughts went through his mind, and he was sure that said Darcius smiled mischievously at the exact moment he saw himself falling on his sword.
The tiny headshake that followed was enough to terrify Lucius even more. Could it really be..?
- Take your seats gentlemen, said Decimus. We are here to resolve a few important issues and I need to know what will happen in Rome when the report of what happened in Camp Carnuntum while I was absent is given to the Senate! I know that the whole truth won't be exposed and that nobody will ever hear about the so-called ghost decimation, but I still want to know what you, gentlemen, intend to do once back in Rome.
Publius Tarrutenius Paternus who was the eldest of the two Praefecti took a long breath.
- Could you please tell us what you know about the events up there in Carnuntum?
- I know everything, from the moment of Marcus Aurelius' death to your departure from the Legion fortress to come back to Rome. I hope you enjoyed the galley we provided you to shorten your journey? I will confess that it was not only to increase the comfort of your journey that we provided it. Having you here in Ostia able to speak with me and to tell me what your intentions are was, perhaps, a little higher in my motivations.
He stopped and smiled at his guests.
- So, what are your intentions?
Paternus took another breath before he answered.
- Avoid, by all costs, a civil war.
- Excellent answer, Praefectus. I agree with that general intent. Now let's dig into the details. But to give you the means to be honest, I need you to know what happened in Rome while you were cruising towards Ostia. As you probably ignore three Senators allied with a few lesser gens had made attempts at seizing the power by capturing and detaining the surviving members of the Imperial family. Some of Marcus' younger children are, as we speak, under the protective wings of the most ambitious Gens. Lucilla, her mother Faustina and Lucius Verus Aurelianus are under my protective wing and safe somewhere around Rome.
He let a few seconds flow before going on.
- The Cohorts of Praetorians still present in Rome are uncertain about what to do. Some officers want to add their own attempts at seizing the Throne while others are doing their very best to stay neutral and to wait for your arrival. One of them, who made the choice to be trustworthy is, as we speak, trying to find the missing family members to secure their survival.
Decimus' eyes became hard and steely.
- I have all the names of all the players and I won't forget who wanted what. But, at this very moment, the Praetorians haven't actively plotted against the Imperial family or me. They just tried to find a not fucked-up answer to a bloody fucked-up situation. What they tried was not always the best but, when one looks at the results, nothing they did points at a coup attempt. What they did -or didn't- can't be considered as satisfying in an ethical sense but never was it openly treacherous! The question I must ask you is simple: which of the three paths your men have chosen will you support?
Publius Tarrutenius Paternus couldn't help but laugh out aloud.
- You really need an answer, Decimus? We will support the Imperial Family and you, of course. We all know that we have tried to play Kingmakers and that we failed. It would be utterly foolish to give it another try, don't you think?
- Some fools would have denied and would have tried to wriggle out of the nook…
- Is there a nook?
- Not anymore, answered Decimus truthfully. You support me and the Heir and you'll come out of this mess with a nice warm little place with your heirs still in the race to become the next Emperors' trusted men. You lie about your support, and I'll personally take it on me to eradicate your Gens as you tried to eradicate mine!
- We didn't know, protested Mamertus…
A huge very angry frown covered Decimus' face.
- This is the last lie I'll let you utter while staying alive! I said that I know everything that happened. I know when and where Marmus informed you about what was going to happen to me and my family. And, as you remember well, it wasn't after the fact but hours before it happened.
The name of Marmus had the desired effect and both Praefecti paled visibly.
- I understand your decision to do nothing to save me. Not with Commodus giving the orders. But the fact that you let them decide to slaughter my family will never ever be forgotten! And I will not let you lie to my face like you just did. You knew everything and even if you could have, you did nothing to save my family! That part I won't forget, and I won't forgive. To warrant public peace, I'll let you live and discreetly vanish from public life without going after you but that doesn't mean that there won't be consequences! I'm, normally, a peace-loving and sedate citizen. But knowing that you could have, with one word, stopped Messala and his little group of killers…
He pointed at Darcius.
- By the way, said killers had been intercepted and convinced to follow another path… But you not stopping them does not show you in a very good light. Of course, I understand that one woman and one child's lives have no real importance when one considers the Destiny of a huge and powerful Empire. But, please remember, that it was my wife and my son we are speaking about. You accepted that they would be slaughtered by soldiers who should have protected them, not killed them.
Decimus took a long breath.
- It does anger me, you know? A lot more than what Capra tried to do to me. Killing me was an acceptable price I was ready to pay since I accepted to be in the Emperor's shadow. But sending Praetorans to kill my family, that has been hurtful! And what's even worse, having seen Praetorians accept to do it, convinced me that the Praetorian Guard has become a liability.
He tapped his heart.
- There's a wildfire burning here, and I do have huge problems to squelch it. And the only reason I do not kill you on the spot is because, for the next weeks, you are more useful for the Empire alive than dead. So, I will contain my personal anger and lust for vengeance because the Empire needs to avoid a Civil War. And to avoid that you are key persons. But keep in mind that I-will-nei-ther-for-get-nor-for-give. Give me the slightest reason to get rid of you and I will use it! And I will do to you what you let your men do to me!
Both Praefecti chose not to answer.
After a few minutes during which Decimus' anger visibly receded, he snapped in his finger.
- Time to eat, gentlemen. I think we've cut a deal. No need to waste more time on pleasantries.
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Quintus Anicius Faustus and Lucius Septimus Severus were still with Decimus when they wished the two Praefecti a safe journey to Rome.
- That was a weird meal, said Septimus Severus. The food was good, but everything was drenched in fear.
Decimus who was still working at his anger, nodded.
- That happens when one plays the game of power and loses.
Decimus looked at the young Tribune.
- Some say that you have dreamed to be part of the game?
To Quintus' relief Septimius didn't try to lie.
- I did dream about it, indeed, answered Septimius while smiling at his General. Why not? I am smart, I have a good feeling for the people under my orders and my tactical and strategical flair would have, sooner or later brought me in the vicinity of the Throne and possibly even at the Emperor's side. And once you are in the right circles, everything is possible.
- As my own appointment has indeed shown, acknowledged Decimus with a smile of his own. But with Commodus the game would have been rigged…
- Being around a bad Emperor has its advantages, said Septimus. Bad or disliked Emperors tend to die violently before their time. And when that happens everything becomes possible as long as you haven't been the one holding or financing the knife.
Quintus couldn't help but show his surprise.
- You have thought a lot about it, it seems…
This time Septimus took his time before answering. A few thoughts were flying around in his mind, and he made his decision at the precise moment. He had always dreamed about becoming a member of the Emperor's staff. And here, right now, it was offered to him.
- I did indeed, confessed Septimus. I have studied the lives and deeds of past Emperors and I really have found a lot of similarities between me and some of them.
He shrugged and smiled at his friend.
- I know I lack a proper sense of humility but early in my life I've fathomed that before having the others consider you it was necessary to put yourself into the right mindset. If you don't believe in your future, who will?
- You are right there, said Decimus. You do lack a proper sense of humility, but you are also right about the problem a lack of confidence causes, if you don't believe in yourself, you'll never be able to make the right decisions at the right moment. And winning a battle is all about knowing what to do at the right moment. Overconfidence must still be avoided because it is a sort of tunnel-vision that keeps you from seeing what around you isn't in accordance with your belief.
Here he looked at Quintus who was a good officer but who, a long time ago, had decided that he wasn't good enough to be a strategist.
- Self-doubt though is a lethal trap that paralyses you at the worst moments. Once the battle is engaged there is no longer a time to think about following the rehearsed plan. It's all about reacting to what the enemy, who will do his very best to shatter your plan, is hurtling in your direction. It's only once the battle is over that you recover the liberty to analyze what happened.
He went back to Septimus.
- And to which Emperors did you find a likeness?
- Tiberius and Trajan, answered the young man without a hesitation. They could have been brothers of mine. Trajan because he couldn't stop thinking about ways to increase the Empire and Tiberius because he was, while not on the throne, one of the best military commanders of his time. I just hope that, should I be lucky to have a career like his, I won't spend the last years of my life fearing my own shadow.
- He didn't like being Emperor, said Quintus, and he was convinced that a lot of the retainers wanted to kill him to take his place.
- That is a problem for every Emperor, protested Septimus. Once you have the reins of power in your hands, there always are others who believe they would be better at that place.
Decimus who had read the books Dio Cassius would have written couldn't help but ask the young man.
- Are you one of them, Septimus?
- I am, answered he. I truly think that our late Emperor was too kind for his own good and that he should have culled quite a few Senators. And his Heir was, sorry to say it in such harsh words, worth shit as a ruler. Marcus Aurelius should have given him the financial means to be a Lanista and he would have been the happiest man in the world while stopping to be a liability.
- His wife wanted her blood to be Emperor, said Decimus. And Marcus was unable to refuse anything to his wife. You have a wife too, my young friend, do you love her?
Here, Septimus hesitated.
- It was an organized marriage and I do respect my wife. But marital love is not a Roman virtue and the current situation gives me satisfaction.
- It is perhaps not a Roman virtue but it is a virtue Marcus Aurelius and I shared… Perhaps because we grew up in Spain where kindness and familial love are important and high-praised. But, all in all, I can't deny that you are right, it is not a common Roman virtue and most members of notorious Gentes are like you when it comes to look at their relations with their spouses. So, you think that loving your mate is a mistake?
- When you are a man of importance, I'd say yes. Because it gives the wife a power over the pater Familias she shouldn't have.
Decimus couldn't stop a hearty laugh.
- It does indeed as Claudius', Nero's and Marcus' examples have shown. Their wives -or mothers- did have a lot of influence on them. But those Emperors who didn't love their wives had other passions that polluted their reign. Must I remind you of Incitatus Caligula's dear Horse? I do prefer listening to my wife, if you don't mind. She's from a decent peasant stock who always feels what the people's true feelings are. It will be a great help when ruling. What will Paccia Marsiana bring as advice? That the Gentes are so much more valuable than the plebs? You already know that, don't you?
This time Septimus couldn't help but frown at Decimus.
- Why am I here General?
- Because you are Quintus' friend, his second in command and because he believes that you are the next strategic genius of the Empire. I wanted to make my own opinion about a man who, if he is only half as gifted as Quintus thinks, will be in the Empire's top ten in the years to come. And it is always good, for a man who's, even if it is reluctantly about to take over great responsibilities, to know early those who, by their own confession, are more ambitious than demure. I owe it to the Empire to use all the talents I can to improve the Empire. And I owe it especially to avoid the easy solution -the one your would-be brother Tiberius was so fond of- and get rid of those whose talent are greater than yours. In order to use them for the Empire's greatness while containing their ambition within safe limits.
He smiled in Quintus' direction.
- You were right, Quintus, your friend is interesting and even if I believe he has been frank because he is smart and not because he feels it is a virtue, I do like what I see. We will have to give him his own Army to see if he really is as good as you believe but that will be in the years to come. Now we have a succession to resolve.
He looked back at Septimus.
- Marcus Aurelius has appointed me as his Heir and I will, to keep a dynastic link to my late Emperor, adopt Lucius Verus Aurelianus and make him my Caesar. Do you have any problem to support me in this endeavor?
Before Septimus could answer he spoke up.
- I won't hold it against you if you chose to remain neutral and let the storm die out before taking an oath to the next Emperor. Be it me or another…
- I did find Marcus Aurelius' kindness a fault but that doesn't mean that I didn't admire him. I would have followed him with pride and pleasure. I wouldn't have thought that he would have the inner strength to forfeit his son's claim on the Throne and I think that he should have adopted you before making you his heir but that doesn't mean that I have problems with the man he has appointed to follow in his footsteps.
He looked Decimus in the eyes.
- I you wish an oath; I'll give it right now…
- Your word will suffice so that, should the Senate not support my Crowning, you will still be available for the Empire. My wish for a life has always been to be a gentleman farmer and never an Emperor. But my friend appointed me, and it seems that a lot of people believe that the Empire needs me. I will do what is necessary to make Marcus' last wish a reality. But I won't be crushed if the Senate decides I'm not the good choice. So, I won't fight to the last Legionary to get on the Throne should the Senate have somebody else in mind.
What Decimus didn't say was that Darcius had already confirmed that Septimus Severus had no better candidate in mind. He still thought of himself as the best Emperor material available, but he was smart enough to understand that he wasn't ready to give it a try! Yet!
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