Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate: A Novel (31 page)

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C
laudia and Lucius were up before dawn. She dressed quickly, and Lucius went to his private quarters to dress and take care of some scrolls he kept there. Slipping quietly down the stairs, Claudia went to her husband’s study wondering what to look for, only to find Vitus already sorting through her husband’s desk and shelves for incriminating documents. From the looks of things, he had been there all night.

“I have put the papers that the Dominae requested in that basket, Domina.” He indicated a large woven basket with two handles.

Claudia set about straightening the study so it did not look ransacked.

Hotep hurried in and, seeing her mistress at work, clicked her tongue in admonition. “That is servant’s work, Domina. Rest yourself while I finish for you.” She led Claudia to a nearby chair.

“Vitus, Hotep, how will we dispose of these documents?” Claudia was terrified of Marcellus coming upon them and discovering what they were doing.

Hotep produced a large linen sheet she brought with her and, crumpling it up, placed it in a heap over the contents of the basket. Vitus lifted the basket and gave her a knowing smile. “I will be glad to take the laundry to the appropriate place, Domina.”

Claudia smiled back and silently applauded their ingenuity. “I’m going with you, Vitus.”

The three conspirators made sure the study looked undisturbed and went down the dim corridor to the kitchen. They were nearly to their destination when a voice behind her spoke suddenly.

“You are up early, Lady Claudia.”

Her heart quickened. It was the new governor, Marcellus.

“You are up early also, sir.”

“I thought I would view the garden. It is my custom to stroll there in the morning before breakfast.”

She inclined her head politely. “Do not let me detain you then.”

Vitus stood holding the basket, and Claudia turned to him with what she hoped was a casual dismissal. “I will need the laundry back by this afternoon, Vitus, make sure the servants are diligent.”

Vitus nodded submissively. “We shall be diligent, Domina.” He hurried away with the basket.

When Marcellus didn’t give a second glance to the departing servant, Claudia stopped holding her breath and gave him a patient smile. “My husband informed me last night of our impending journey. I have much to do to prepare my household and pack our things.”

He appeared uncomfortable. “Ah, yes, I would imagine you do. Forgive me for delaying you.” He continued on toward the garden. When he’d gone, she walked quickly to the kitchen. In a separate room where the servants had a fire going, Vitus was feeding scrolls into the flames as fast as he could.

“That was close, Vitus. I was afraid he would look into the basket.”

He smiled. “No man wants to examine the dirty laundry, Domina.”

“Thank you, Vitus, for your loyalty to my husband, and to me. He could not do without you. What will you do now that we are leaving?” She knew he was a freedman, not bound to Lucius.

He tossed another small bundle of scrolls into the flames. “Ah, but Domina, I am coming with you.”

She resisted the urge to hug him. Maintaining her dignity, she nodded. “Thank you, Vitus, you are needed.”

Claudia and Hotep returned to her quarters. “Bring me a tablet and stylus, Hotep. I must send a message to the Lady Joanna.”

Since it was winter, she would need her heavy woolen palla and her traveling shoes with cork soles. The winters in Judea were not without snow and frequently there was heavy frost. Claudia shuddered at the prospect of attempting the roads at this time of year with several heavy wagons.

A courier was dispatched to Jerusalem to deliver the letter outlining what she needed and telling Joanna farewell, as well as her greetings and farewell to the believers there in the castle.

Looking up at the sunlight streaming in the window, she thought of the first time she heard of the rabbi who healed, the first time she heard him speak, and the transforming moment when with only a gentle touch, a malformed foot had morphed into a normal, healthy one. That she was a Roman made no difference to Jesus.

Doros had wavered in his childlike faith when he learned of how Jesus had died. In time Claudia patiently helped him to see God’s eternal plan, lest her son hate his father for what he had done. It was her day-to-day faith and the knowledge that Jesus was alive again that restored the faith of her son.

She still felt a constriction in her heart as she remembered the day the Lord was put on trial. The roar of the crowd still rang in her ears as they called for his blood—the same crowd that had hailed him as the Messiah only a few days before. Had he disappointed them that he didn’t wield a sword and lead them against Rome? They wanted a conquering king, and he came as a servant, giving his life for them all. He’d defied death and returned, victorious in his risen body. Even now, as she thought of her Lord, joy filled her heart. No matter what happened in Rome, even if she should die with Lucius, she had the hope that all the believers clung to—the hope of heaven and the presence of their Lord. That hope and the strength of his presence would sustain
her on the long journey to Rome and whatever awaited them there. She did not fear for herself, but with the love of a mother, she feared for her young son. Then she bowed her head and asked for forgiveness for not trusting. Mary’s son, Jesus, was not spared and Claudia could only place Doros in the hands of her Lord . . . and let go.

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ucius laid out a map and showed Claudia their journey would take them through Asia Minor and Greece.

“The Anatolian Plateau could pose difficulty. If the rains are heavy, we may have to travel through mud.” Then he pointed out the Cilician Gates mountain pass. “If there is snow there, we could be delayed for days until it clears.”

“Can we not wait somewhere until the weather is safer?” She had visions of being stranded in her coach in a freezing snowstorm.

He shook his head. “The letter from Vitellius will be in the hands of the emperor before the end of the year, a mere forty days with the speed of our couriers. We have no choice but to try to reach Rome as soon as possible.”

“I’m sure you are right, Lucius. How far exactly must we journey to reach Rome?”

He rolled up the map. “Almost three thousand kilometers.”

She caught her breath. “Then I will pray for a safe and speedy journey.”

Claudia found Marcellus as Hotep described, pompous and impatient. His attitude dismissed her husband from his post as one would
brush away a worrisome child. How Lucius had held his temper she wondered, but she knew he was doing his best to appear efficient and capable in the eyes of one who thought him the opposite.

When the day of departure came, Lucius was more than ready to leave the whole of Judea behind. Let Marcellus deal with Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin and the self-righteous priests with their air of superiority.

Claudia made sure Doros was dressed warmly. Her young son was nearly dancing with excitement.

Hotep gave him some small tasks to occupy his time. A nine-year-old had no idea of the dangers they faced and the weather they would have to travel through.

Lucius had a
diploma
, his official letter of introduction giving him exemption from the usual customs, road taxes, tolls, and duties. It also assured them lodging at the mansios situated every forty kilometers and fresh horses at the mansios between the lodges. A detachment of soldiers would also ride with them as an escort.

The journey to Antioch was made in record time with the weather reasonably mild. The Taurus mountain range proved more difficult and they wrapped themselves in layers against the cold as they battled sleet and snow before reaching Tarsus.

Doros was tired of looking at the scenery or doing his studies, so Claudia tried to remember some of the stories she had heard Jesus tell and shared them with her son.

The storms came down upon their entourage, and Claudia was grateful for her husband’s foresight. Knowing what they would be facing in terms of weather, Lucius had ordered the usual canvas covers of the coaches replaced with strong wooden ones. The carpenters worked day and night to finish the covers in time.

When Lucius learned that the pass at the Cilician Gates was closed due to heavy snow, they waited in Tarsus for it to clear. Then mile after
mile, they struggled through the pass until they reached the summit and began their descent.

The route, used by the Roman imperial post, led them across Asia Minor, to Philippi, and then west through Greece to the Adriatic Sea. Finally, they traveled up the peninsula on the last leg of their journey to Rome.

As they neared Rome, Claudia noted a change in her husband’s demeanor. A haunted look in his eyes and the slump of his shoulders denoted his fear of what he faced at the court of Tiberius. He had been so sure of his innocence and had prepared his case in detail, yet there was about him a sense of impending doom.

When she broached the subject of the trial, he would stare off into space and slowly shake his head. “I fear all is lost,” he murmured at one time, sending a jolt of fear into her heart. Was he contemplating suicide?

One evening he sat down with her alone and finally shared his thoughts. “You must know, beloved, that if I am found guilty of dereliction of duty or worse, I could not only lose my life but my entire estate could be confiscated. I’ve told you of the villa in Vienne and you would be safe there with the boy. There is another path,” and now he hesitated, not wanting to look at her.

“I know what you are thinking, Lucius. Taking your own life will not solve the problem. Would you leave me and your son in such a way?”

“Claudia, I do not know what I am facing in Rome. If I commit suicide, under Roman law you may inherit my estate without disgrace. You and Doros would be assured a home.”

She clung to him. “I will go where I need to go and protect our son, but do not leave us in such a way. My God is able to protect you.”

“He is your god, Claudia. I am the one who put the Son of God to death in the cruelest manner Rome has devised. What mercy should he show me for such an act? Perhaps this is the justice of your god, my life for the life of his son.”

“Oh Lucius, he is not a vengeful God. He is a God of forgiveness.
Jesus spoke of this many times. The death of Jesus was part of a greater plan. You have been forgiven for your part, for without knowing it, you helped God fulfill his plan.”

“What kind of a god allows his son to die like that?”

“A God who loves us deeply, and made a way for us to be forgiven and be with him in heaven one day. All who put their trust in the name of Jesus are forgiven of their sins. You have only to ask.”

He pulled away from her and stood up. “You would almost persuade me, but I cannot reconcile what I know with what you are telling me.”

Her voice was soft, pleading. “Every time I see the foot of our son, I am reminded of his mercy and forgiveness.”

When he looked at her, his eyes were glazed with inner pain, and struggling with his torment, he went out into the night.

Claudia could only drop to her knees and pray with all her heart.

Lucius returned later that night, and with a sob she flew into his arms. He held her tightly, kissing her eyelids and then her lips. With his fingers he brushed the tears away. “Do not fear, wife of my heart.”

“You’ve reached a decision.” It was not a question.

“Yes, beloved. I do not know how I would have lasted in Judea these last ten years without you. For your sake and the sake of my son, I’ll present my case and trust the mercy of the emperor. My villa is on our way. I will leave you and Doros there. If I win my case, there is hope of another assignment. If I lose all, and live, we will go to Vienne. If you and Doros must travel to Vienne alone, Vitus will see you safely there in my place.”

She slumped against him. There was still hope. “It will be good to have a home of our own finally.”

The mansio provided breakfast of warm rolls of white bread, pears and sliced apples, goat cheese and warm apple cider. Then, with Lucius riding ahead with his men, they rolled on toward the mountainous region of Sanmarim, and the Villa Ponti.