Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate: A Novel (13 page)

 20 

T
he men of the ship rushed here and there in frantic activity as the captain barked orders. Claudia looked out at the swirling waters. The icy fingers of terror gripped her at the thought of the ship sinking in the cold sea and taking them all down with it. She was so near her destination. Would the ship sink? She turned to her handmaid.

“Hotep, I don’t know how to swim.”

“Our farm in Egypt was near the Nile. My brother and I swam in the waters many times. I will help you, Domina,” she offered bravely.

That wasn’t comforting to Claudia. Swimming in the shallows of a river was not the same as swimming for your life in the sea. Was this a cruel trick of the gods to keep her from Lucius again?

The yelling back and forth belowdecks suddenly ceased and she wondered at the calm. What was happening? The captain appeared in the opening to the hold. He looked weary but relieved. He hurried over to their tent.

“There was a separation in the ship’s hull between the siding and we have taken care of it. The ship will be fine until we reach Caesarea for repairs.” He shook his head. “My ship has seen many journeys, but has always been dependable. My sincere apologies for any distress this has caused you, my lady. We shall arrive safely in Caesarea tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Captain, for a safe journey. You have been most kind.”

“It is my pleasure.”

The commander and subaltern also came back on deck. They were bare-chested and hastily donned the tunics, upper body armor, belts and sandals they had discarded to help bail the ship. The commander seemed to move slowly as he dressed and his face was flushed. The hard work seemed to have taken its toll on the older officer. She observed him with concern.

“Commander Ignatio, is there need to convey the details of this situation to the governor?”

He shrugged his shoulders and spread both hands. “He shall hear about it. Better I give a full report. Though it was not of our doing or under our control, he would be concerned for your safety.”

“Then I shall tell him how valiantly you have seen to my welfare.”

He smiled at her. “Thank you, madam.” Then he turned and walked to the railing, looking out to sea. She watched him and sensed his concern. Would Lucius blame him for the incident?

They journeyed still another day from Myra to Caesarea. The hours seemed to creep by, and while her anxiety had subsided over the safety of the ship, another took its place. She had not seen Lucius in over two months. She was eager to reach the end of her journey and Lucius, yet she wondered how well she knew this man she had married. How would he greet her?

They sailed along the coast and finally came in sight of the harbor of Caesarea. The captain’s son, Titus, who had been a guide to many landmarks along her voyage, pointed out two huge breakwaters that jutted out into the sea.

“They were built by Herod to form a safe winter harbor.”

As she observed them, they seemed like two arms reaching out to embrace the ship as it passed through the entrance.

“How long did it take to complete the harbor?” she asked.

“Actually, it was completed fairly quickly for such a project. Around ten years.”

She turned and looked to see if he was teasing, but his face was serious. “Ten years is a short time?”

“Yes. For a project as difficult as this one, with nothing but sand to build on, that is a short time.”

The commander joined them. Titus, in the middle of identifying the theater and the Hippodrome, stepped aside. The commander waved a hand toward the enormous edifice rising up majestically on the peninsula. It was almost as large as the emperor’s palace in Rome.

“That is Herod’s castle, the headquarters of the governor, my lady, and your new home.”

She would be living in a castle? For a moment a stab of disappointment went through her heart. There would not be much she could do there. She had hoped for a villa of their own. The castle would be run by Herod’s staff, not hers.

She longed for a bath, but there was no way to accomplish that before she saw Lucius. He had told her that when she arrived, the last of their wedding ceremony would be completed as it should have been on their wedding day. Claudia wrapped her stola more tightly around herself in the morning chill.

As they approached the dock, a familiar figure waited. Lucius. She had forgotten how handsome and tall he was. Excitement built in her heart as she waved to him from the railing of the ship. He spotted her and waved back.

After the gangplank was lowered, Lucius strode quickly on board, receiving a salute from his commander and the subaltern.

She moved close to him, unsure what to do. He put an arm around her briefly. She realized just in time that a public display of affection would be unsuitable. His manner was subdued, but he smiled down at her, easing her fears. As the captain and the subaltern waited, he released her and ordered his men to bring her trunks to the castle as soon as they were unloaded.

The commander took Lucius aside and related the incident at sea. “I prepared to protect your wife with my life, Excellency. She showed courage under the circumstances.”

Lucius put a hand on the older officer’s shoulder. “I’m sure of that. We will talk later, but now I wish to get my wife settled in her new quarters.”

“Yes, Excellency.” The commander and his aide saluted.

Captain Vibius appeared on deck and greeted the governor soberly. “We had a bit of trouble as we left Myra, Excellency. It was unexpected but easily fixed so we were able to bring the ship safely into port. I shall see that the breach is repaired.”

Lucius’s voice was terse. “Something like this does not happen all of a sudden, Captain. The ship should have been inspected more frequently. You are fortunate my wife has arrived safely.” His tone of voice was harsh as he reprimanded the captain for endangering the ship and his wife.

Claudia listened with some trepidation. This was a side of Lucius she had not seen in their short times together. As gentle as he had been with her, she was reminded that he had absolute control over her life. How would he react if one day he was displeased with her? Apprehension crept into her thoughts. She must set her mind to be all that he needed her to be and not give him any reason to take his temper out on her. She turned to this man who was her husband and yet a stranger and forced herself to smile.

Lucius put a firm hand under her elbow and escorted Claudia and Hotep off the ship. A coach waited on the dock. The three of them entered the coach and were taken on the short road around the peninsula to the massive entrance to Herod’s palace.

The palace was imposing. “Is it true we will live here, Lucius?” Claudia asked. “Is Herod in residence also?”

“No, we’ve been given this by Herod as the governor’s summer residence. It is ours alone. He is staying in another castle in Judea.”

Lucius helped her from the coach and Hotep stepped down, looking apprehensively at the impressive building in front of her.

When they entered the main hall, Claudia got a glimpse of a beautiful courtyard with trees and flowers and a fountain. Lucius turned to Hotep. “Come.” He led them up a flight of stone steps to their quarters. He turned to Claudia and tilted her chin up with one finger. “I will give you an hour, beloved.” His eyes were full of promise and she could only nod.

He opened a door in one wall to reveal a bathing room with a tile bath sunk into the floor. Claudia was delighted.

He kissed her again. “One hour, beloved.” Then he left them.

Claudia was happy to sponge the warm water over her body and be refreshed. The salt air had dried her skin, and when she left the bath, Hotep gently massaged warm oil over her body.

Hotep fixed Claudia’s hair as she had done on her wedding day and dressed her again in her wedding attire, the cord of Hercules tied around her waist. Claudia decided that no other jewelry was necessary and quickly rubbed her cheeks with rose petals from a box she’d brought.

Then there was a knock and Lucius stood in the doorway. “Hotep, the staff below is waiting to meet you. They will show you to your quarters. You may leave us now.”

“Yes, Dominae.” Hotep fled the room. Meeting a strange staff would be hard for her maidservant, but this was not the time to put Lucius off.

He spread a hand, indicating the small hearth prepared for them. “Let us complete the required traditions that were interrupted, beloved.”

He offered a small container of fire and another of water to the household gods, and handed Claudia a special torch that he had lit with the fire. She took the torch and stooped down to light the fire in the hearth, making her mistress of the home. There were no guests to toss the torch to, as was the custom, so she carefully laid it by the hearth and said a prayer. Then she turned shyly to Lucius and waited.

He skillfully untied the knot of Hercules and pulled the pins from
her hair. Then he entwined his hands in her tumbling hair and kissed her with all the fervor of pent-up passion. Happiness rose up in her heart, casting aside all the qualms she’d harbored on the long journey. She was safe at last in the arms of her husband who loved her, and she responded with all her heart.

“Beloved . . . ,” he whispered as he swept her up in his arms and carried her to the wedding couch. There, at last, with gentleness and skill, he made her truly his wife.

 21 

C
laudia awoke and stretched. It took a moment to realize where she was. She looked at the side of the bed, but Lucius was gone. Hotep came to her.

“The master had duties to attend to, Domina. He told me to tell you he will see you at dinner. I have been given instructions as to where the dining hall is.”

Her maidservant busied herself putting her mistress’s clothes away, and as Claudia sat up, she saw that her trunks had been brought into the room and were open. Had servants brought them into the room while she slept? She blushed at the thought.

Hotep saw her looking at the trunks. “They left them outside the door, Domina, and after they were partly unloaded, I was able to drag them in one at a time.”

Relieved, Claudia swung her feet off the bed and was suddenly aware with all her being that she had been loved by her husband. She marveled at the experience.

Walking to the window, she looked out at the harbor and saw the ship she’d come on. From her vantage point it looked so small. Men looked like toy figures hurrying about the docks loading and unloading merchandise. The sun was close to setting and the sky was glorious
in shades of orange and gold. She watched the fiery orb slip into the sea and with a sigh turned back to the room.

Hotep gave her a knowing smile. “You are truly married now, Domina.”

Claudia nodded happily. She was a Roman matron now with all the privileges. It was what she was brought up to do and she looked forward with anticipation to seeing the rest of the palace.

As she proceeded down the stairs with her maidservant leading the way, she found herself wondering petulantly why Lucius had not come for her himself.

They passed through the massive entry to a large courtyard. The center was planted with trees, palms, and shrubs. The courtyard was surrounded by rooms. From somewhere across the square she could hear men’s voices. She followed her maidservant, entering the dining hall almost the same time Lucius did, coming from another direction. His face, which had held a stormy countenance, softened at the sight of her.

“You rested well, my love?” A small, pleased smile lingered around his mouth.

“Yes, Lucius, I rested well.” She leaned forward, filled with love for him.

He gently took her arm and led her into the dining room, seating her on a chair next to his couch. Hotep took her place in the shadows as the formerly elusive servants appeared, one to remove her sandals, and others bearing dishes of steamed artichokes, cabbage, and asparagus; fresh white bread; a bowl of quinces; another bowl of cucumbers and beets in garlic sauce, and finally, roast duck.

There were no other guests, but she saw friendly and appreciative looks on the faces of the servants, who furtively appraised her.

Lucius was most attentive during dinner and she happily filled him in on some of the things she had seen on her travels. She made it a point to mention how helpful the commander and subaltern were to her. Also, how the captain and his son, Titus, had seen to her needs and made sure she saw places of interest at each of their ports.

Lucius listened, almost amused, and she realized he was aware of what she was doing.

“Dear Lucius, now it is your turn to tell me what you have been doing in Judea all this time.”

He sighed and leaned back. “They are truly an unruly group of people, these Jews. They have strange beliefs in some unseen god. At least ours are visible when we pray, but they have the gall to claim their god created the universe!” He shook his head in disbelief. “Then there are all the laws they must follow given them by their god, through some man called Moses.” He waved a hand in anger. “Our Roman laws are not good enough for them.”

“But must they not follow the laws of Rome?”

He toyed with a piece of duck and popped it into his mouth. In a moment, his smile was almost wicked. “I intend to show them who rules this forsaken country, and it is not their invisible god.”

He said no more and she felt the subject was closed. He must not think she was going to interfere in his decisions as governor. She ate her meal, but her curiosity was piqued. What did he intend to do?

Claudia had lain in her husband’s arms throughout the night. She found she liked being married. When she awoke, though, once again Lucius was gone.

Hotep had been given quarters in the castle with the other slaves, with the understanding she would be called when needed by her mistress. She anticipated and watched when Lucius left. She was there for her mistress with warm, wet cloths to wipe the sleep from her face.

The castle was a whirlwind of activity when Claudia came down after a brief breakfast of fruit, bread, and mulsa. She found Lucius, who was coming from the audience hall.

“My lord, what is happening?”

He put a finger under her chin. “Nothing to concern yourself with, beloved, I am just moving the army from Caesarea to Jerusalem to
take their winter quarters there. They are taking Caesar’s banners. I intend to show the Jews who rules over their land.”

“When will they arrive in Jerusalem?”

“Sometime during the night. When the Jews awake, the banners will already be in place.”

That didn’t seem like an unusual thing to do. With a brief kiss, he was gone and she went to a balcony overlooking the plaza to see the soldiers massing with their banners.

She was proud of Lucius, feeling that he was showing the people that he was in charge and that the emperor was to be revered. She watched the columns as they marched down the road to Jerusalem in perfect formation. Surely the Jews would honor the image of their emperor.

Claudia spent the day getting to know the servants and exploring the castle. With chagrin she noted that there were plenty of linens and she stuffed down a twinge of guilt for bringing some from the Villa Ponti.

That evening at dinner, Lucius seemed preoccupied. A courier had brought him news that a delegation of the Jewish leaders was on their way to Caesarea concerning the banners.

“Why are they coming about the banners, Lucius?”

He waved a hand in anger. “Something about graven images. I can handle a few angry Jews. This territory seems to thrive on complaints. I’ll send them on their way in short order.”

Claudia listened to his brave words, but sensed an undercurrent of anxiety. Was Lucius afraid of the Jews? She knew he wanted to prove to the emperor and Sejanus that their confidence in him was not misplaced.

She gave him a warm smile. “You will do the right thing, my love, I know it.”

He covered her hand with his. “I wish I could be as sure of that.”

Claudia began her new responsibilities as mistress of their living quarters and one by one examined every task done by the servants.
When she found a tile floor hastily mopped and still showing dirt, she called the slave back and in no uncertain terms had it mopped until it shone. She praised the servant when the job was done, and she was pleased when Hotep brought word that the servants considered the new mistress strict but fair.

It wasn’t until the next day that Lucius found out what he was facing.

Claudia woke that morning to the cries of a great crowd outside the palace. She quickly wrapped her
palla
around her and slipped out to the balcony. She stood in the shadows and looked down at the plaza outside the palace. People were shouting in angry voices and they were shaking their fists at the palace.

Lucius had brought his seat of judgment to the square out on the porch above the steps to the palace.

When her maidservant joined her, she cried, “Hotep! What is going on down there?”

“It is the Jews, Domina, they have come from Jerusalem and are angry about the banners that were set up in their city.”

“Quick, help me get dressed and then get me a cloak that I can hide in. I want to see what is happening.”

“But Domina, it would not be safe. There are many angry people out there. It could bring you to harm.”

“I must see what Lucius is doing.”

They hurried back to her chamber and Hotep helped her mistress dress. Then she left the room and returned shortly with a heavy dark cloak, worn by one of the servants in bad weather. It covered Claudia and hid her face. She and Hotep slipped out of the castle and lingered in the shadows of a huge pillar where they could observe the crowd in safety but hear what was going on.

More than twenty of the priests from the Jewish council had come and were presenting Lucius with a petition. An angry horde surged in behind the priests.

One of the priests, who seemed to be the leader, stepped forward to present their petition.

“Excellency, as you can see, this is a serious matter for us. The banners are in conflict with our Mosaic law, which forbids graven images. Some of your soldiers have actually sacrificed in front of these banners. This is idolatry. And it is offensive to our God.”

He cited other complaints and then stated that the petition had been signed by every member of the Jewish Sanhedrin.

Her husband looked over the group of priests. “Is your high priest Joseph Caiaphas or Annas with you?”

“No, Excellency. We were sent.”

Lucius rubbed his chin with one hand as he listened. He unrolled the scroll again and read it. Finally, he looked straight at the rabbis. “Honored men of the Sanhedrin, give me a night to consult with my council of state. I will answer your petition at this time tomorrow.”

The priests consulted with one another and there seemed to be no objection. They nodded their heads.

“In the meantime,” said Lucius, rising, “perhaps it would be to your advantage to disperse the crowd gathered outside.” He walked away into the palace.