Tomb of the Lost (11 page)

“
Can the mob get to us?
”

“
No Caesar. Luckily for us this one wall runs right through the royal complex cutting it in half. It is forty feet high. There is no way over it. The mob, as you call them, to get at our troops would have to come through the Egyptian side of the royal palace and I don
’
t think the royal party would allow that.
”

Caesar glanced over at Cleopatra, who was listening with only half an ear, for confirmation.

“
Pothinus would never allow it.
”

“
Let us hope he doesn
’
t. What are these buildings here?
”
Julius pointed to a cluster of buildings in the far left corner of the model by the star gate.

“
These are stables and servants quarters.
”

“
Supposing the star gate should fall could these buildings be used to house the enemy?
”

“
Yes.
”

“
I thought so. Have these buildings knocked down. I want to create a no-mans-land between us and the gate. Place archers on these rooftops here, here, here and here. Keep the demolished stone. We may be able to use it with artillery.
”

The door opened at the end of the room and Lucius came in. He rushed straight up to Caesar.

“
Yes what do you want?
”

“
The boy King and his eunuch are in the corridor. They say you summoned them.
”

Julius glanced at Cleopatra who had showed no reaction to this news.

“
I did. Show them in.
”

Pothinus came storming into the room. His eye make up making him look more effeminate than usual.

“
Caesar I must strongly protest at the way King Ptolemy and myself have been treated by yourself and your
…
.
”

He stopped dead in his tracks and gawped at Cleopatra open mouthed. Ptolemy came in with Theodotus, Apollodorus right behind. Ptolemy stopped when he saw his sister.

“
What is she doing here?
”
he asked.

“
She is your Queen is she not?
”

Pothinus fluttered his small fan in front of his face in irritation.

“
Lord Caesar. I have patiently answered all your questions. That
’
s all I
’
ve done since you arrived here. Now perhaps you would be good enough to answer mine.
”

“
No.
”

The word was spoken icily. Pothinus now guessed that Caesar wasn
’
t just being rude. He and Ptolemy were on very dangerous ground.

“
Cleopatra what are you doing here?
”
Ptolemy asked.

She hadn
’
t moved a muscle. Her face gave nothing away.

“
I told you he was going to bring her back. I told you,
”
Ptolemy whined.

“
Be quiet,
”
Theodotus said.

“
That is the best advice your advisors have given you yet,
”
Caesar said sarcastically.

“
King Ptolemy is not wise in the world of men Caesar,
”
Theodotus said.

“
Who gave you permission to speak? Speak when you
’
re spoken to and not before.
”

Theodotus swallowed hard and half bowed.

“
Yes Caesar.
”

“
The next time you speak you are a dead man,
”
Marcellus said.

Pothinus was glaring at Cleopatra. She had sat motionless the whole time. Even so she stared back without fear.

’
How far has she managed to worm herself into Caesar
’
s confidence?
’
he asked himself.

“
You did not answer my question Lord high chamberlain. Is she your Queen or not?
”

“
Cleopatra has forfeited all of her rights mighty Caesar,
”
Pothinus answered, pleased that his voice sounded calm,
“
She did this when she turned her back on her brother and left the capital.
”

“
I will be the judge of that.
”

“
It is the truth.
”

“
Cleopatra has a different story to tell.
”

Pothinus put on a brave smile but inside he was quaking.

“
It is her word against ours. Three against one.
”

“
Sometimes the one is all that is needed.
”

“
Caesar may I remind you that your role here is one of arbiter only. We are very pleased to see Queen Cleopatra is safe and well and back among us. Perhaps we could discuss concessions for her. King Ptolemy would be only too pleased to
…
.
”

“
I
’
m afraid not!
”
Caesar cut him off.

“
Don
’
t you see,
”
Ptolemy whined,
“
He
’
s taken her side. The Romans have taken her side in this.
”

“
Is that true Caesar. Have you taken her side?
”

“
I am only interested in Rome
’
s affairs and have no interest in your petty squabbles. As you so rightly reminded me a moment ago I am merely the go between of your rulers.
”

Pothinus smiled at this, his confidence lifted by these words.

“
Thank you Caesar and may I say that we, I, am equally interested in Rome
’
s affairs. Your problems are ours,
”
Pothinus extended his hands, palms up, as a friendly gesture.

“
Is that so?
”

“
I give you my word.
”

Pothinus bowed low.

“
I see. Then kindly explain why you have been inciting the citizens of this city to rise against your Roman visitors.
”

These words rocked through Pothinus and he held the bow to try to keep his composure. He was still smiling when he straightened up.

“
Who accuses me of this?
”

“
Do you deny the charge?
”

“
Rumours and lies spread by her,
”
he pointed his finger at Cleopatra,
“
And her followers.
”

“
Did they make up lies when you murdered my son-in-law Pompey the great?
”

“
I had no hand in his death.
”

“
You arranged it. You could have stopped it.
”

Caesar beckoned Lucius over. Germanicus brought a long wooden staff bearing an eagle on its top. Lucius opened a new scroll and dipping his pen in ink he was ready to write.

“
Pothinus, Lord chamberlain to King Ptolemy XIII of Egypt you are accused and charged with treason against your Queen, for inciting the mob against Rome, plotting to have me killed and murdering a Roman consul, Pompey.
”

“
Who accuses me?
”

“
Queen Cleopatra, her servants, a servant of Pompey
’
s, my officers, the Senate and people of Rome and me.
”

“
You have no jurisdiction here Caesar.
”

“
I AM THE LAW!
”
the Roman bellowed.

Pothinus turned his attention to the young Queen who sat and watched impassively.

“
Your majesty please,
”
Pothinus pleaded.

Cleopatra made no movement. She lowered her eyes and stared at the floor.

“
You are accused and have been found guilty for which the sentence is death. Execution will be carried out immediately.
”

Germanicus thumped the floor twice with the staff.

“
Caesar has spoken. Law has been passed,
”
Lucius said his pen scratching away on the papyrus.

Pothinus suddenly felt very sick but he knew there was nothing to be done. He had tried to please this man with the head of his enemy and it had all gone disastrously wrong. Two legionaries stepped up either side of Pothinus to arrest him.

“
Apollodorus would you like to accompany the Lord chamberlain.
”

“
Thank you Caesar.
”

The door closed behind them with a thud.

In the corridor Apollodorus was talking to a centurion.

“
You
’
re a traitor!
”
Pothinus called to him, taunting him. The centurion nodded and Apollodorus turned and suddenly leapt at Pothinus with a sword. Pothinus had no time to react to the blow which struck his head from his shoulders. A jet of blood splashed the wall and the body fell. Apollodorus watched the body twitch and then go still.

“
It is you who is the traitor.
”

He offered the sword back to the centurion.

“
My Queen is avenged.
”

Blood dripped from the sword to the floor.

“
Take it to Caesar.
”

Inside the main room they waited patiently. Not a sound was heard. Finally the door opened and Apollodorus came in alone. In his hand the blood stained Gladius. Ten paces from Julius he stopped. Custom decreed that by law no one armed could come closer except his Generals and personal bodyguards. Apollodorus went down on one knee and laid the sword on the floor.

“
Great Caesar I beg to report to you that I have executed the eunuch, the Lord chamberlain, Pothinus.
”

“
You did it?
”

Caesar had planned that Apollodorus, if invited to join the execution party, would probably strike the blow. He had arranged it with the centurion Vinius. Thus pothinus was killed by an Egyptian and not a Roman.

“
Yes Caesar. I hope I did not act against your best interests.
”

Caesar glanced at Cleopatra then back at the servant before him.

“
What is done is done. Lucius add to the record please that Apollodorus performed the execution. That is all. Apollodorus you may stand,
”
To Germanicus he said,
“
See that whoever owns the sword gets it returned to them. You might wish to clean it first.
”

“
Yes sir.
”

Now Julius focused on the boy King who blanched under the gaze.

“
Are you going to kill me too Caesar?
”

Lucius unrolled a new blank scroll and waited with pen ready.

“
King Ptolemy you have been found guilty of allowing the death of the Roman consul Pompey the great
…
.
”

“
I had no part in it,
”
the youth whined.

“
Do not interrupt me!
”
Caesar roared,
“
You could have stopped it! Or prevented it!
”

“
I tried to. I wanted to. I wanted to be friends with Rome. I wanted to be your ally. Isn
’
t that so Theodotus,
”
Ptolemy turned to his schoolteacher,
“
Tell him the truth.
”

“
Enough!
”
Caesar raised his hand to silence them,
”
You have been found guilty, as was Pothinus. You will be banished from Alexandria. I am sending you to your army. Achillas can do with you as he pleases. If you choose to fight against my legions then no Roman shall hesitate to slay you. You too,
”
Caesar spoke to the teacher.

“
That doesn
’
t sound too bad,
”
Ptolemy said to Theodotus.

“
Be quiet,
”
Theodotus said,
“
If I may speak Caesar. You know that sending

Ptolemy to his army means almost certain death to him. If your Romans don
’
t kill him Achillas surely will.
”

Caesar knew full well that if Achillas were to defeat his legions then removing Ptolemy would give the Egyptian General the kingdom.

“
If Achillas defeats me then I am dead and so is Queen Cleopatra. It is a dangerous game we all play as Pothinus so recently found out.
”