Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate: A Novel (35 page)

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T
o her relief, two years passed without incident. She was grateful for the kindness of her host. He seemed to enjoy having a woman in the villa again, adding her touch with flowers and conversation at dinner. Paulinus provided a small allowance for her needs and for Doros’s school.

Hotep found a small group of believers who met in a home, and the two women and Doros slipped out when they could to join them and share their love of the Lord. Doros was able to tell them about his crippled foot, and how Jesus had healed him. Claudia enjoyed the hymns they sang from the Psalms of David and felt her faith growing day by day. The sorrow that had made her heart feel like stone began to lift and she praised her God for his mercy.

One morning as Claudia walked in the garden, her thoughts were broken by someone calling her name. She turned to see Paulinus, hurrying across the garden, his face pale.

“I have dire news. The emperor is dead, slain by one of his own guards. His uncle, Claudius, was found and declared emperor by the Praetorian Guard who dared the senate to oppose them!” He shook his head. “What will Rome be subjected to now?”

Caligula was dead! Hope rose in her heart. Did she dare petition the new emperor to restore her husband’s estate to her? Would he consider the fact that Doros was the great-grandson of an emperor and be lenient?

Paulinus went on, “Of course Caligula was totally mad, his debaucheries a disgrace to the throne, but Claudius?” He sank down on a stone bench and put his face in his hands.

After a battle between the armies loyal to the senate and the several thousand armed men of the Praetorian Guard, the senate surrendered. All of Rome watched with apprehension as Claudius was crowned emperor. The new emperor’s reputation was that of an idiot, shunned by family and kept in seclusion due to the fact that he limped, stuttered, and at times drooled.

In spite of the rumors, as the months progressed, the populace of Rome found Claudius to be an able ruler. Seeking to cement his ties to the military that had placed him on the throne, Claudius planned a major military expedition into Britain. Because of his preoccupation with this campaign, he appeared oblivious to the actions of his second wife, Valeria Messalina.

An astute player of politics, Valeria used her physical charms as a weapon, destroying lovers when she had no more use for them. Jealous for her son, Britannicus, now the heir apparent, she sought to eliminate any contenders for the throne. As rumors spread, Claudia realized it was only a matter of time until Valeria learned of Doros, the great-grandson of Caesar Augustus. Would Valeria consider her son a threat? Must they flee again? Where would they go?

Paulinus had introduced her to several eligible men of position and was speaking generously of a particular senator when Claudia interrupted him. She knew she must stop hiding her faith from her cousin, even if he would withdraw his protection.

“Forgive me, dear cousin, I must speak. I am forever indebted to
you for your shelter these past two years. But I cannot marry a man devoted to the gods of Rome. When my son’s deformed foot was healed by him, I became not only a Godfearer but a follower of the Jewish healer, Jesus.”

“You have not spoken of this before. Jesus is dead, by order of your husband. How can one follow a dead prophet? I see no reason to rebuff a suitor over another god.”

“The man I marry must believe as I do, Paulinus.”

His eyes flashed with anger. “You repudiate the gods of Rome? Trouble is brewing and you shall bring it down on my house!”

She bowed her head. “I do not wish to put you in any danger. You have shown us kindness in every way.”

At her submissive manner, Paulinus calmed down. He waved a hand impatiently. “I suppose you will believe as you must, but these are difficult times. If your son comes to the attention of Valeria, we are all in danger.”

“I must leave as soon as possible. I only wait for word from friends.” She leaned forward, her eyes beseeching him. “I cannot take Hotep. I will give her a document of freedom. Would you allow her to remain here? I don’t want to endanger her life as well.”

He considered the request a moment. “I will help her. I am sorry you must leave, but it is the safest way for us all.”

She rose and, thanking him again for his kindness, bid him good night. She hurried to her quarters to see if Hotep had returned and was relieved to find her handmaid waiting.

“Domina, I have news. You and Doros are to be taken to the catacombs where you will be safe. The Roman soldiers believe dead spirits are present there and will not enter. You must go tonight. Someone will meet you and your son outside the back gate when the moon is high.” She pointed to a large cloth bag. “I have packed for you both, only what you can carry.”

Relief flooded Claudia. “Oh Hotep, thank you. Paulinus has agreed to allow you to remain here. I am setting you free, so the future will
be your choice. You have been a faithful friend and I will miss you.” She handed Hotep her document of freedom.

Hotep embraced her mistress and they clung to each other for a long moment, tears running down their cheeks.

Finally Hotep stepped back. “I was so afraid. I didn’t know what to do.”

“Goodbye, dear friend. Your service over the years has blessed me. I wish you well.”

“May our Lord watch over you and your son,” Hotep murmured, and with her freedom in hand, she fled from the room.

Claudia gathered her remaining jewelry and put the pouch into the traveling bag. Then she and Doros slipped out to the garden and waited. Paulinus would be able to say she had run away and he didn’t know where she was. She hoped it would protect him.

There was a soft knock on the gate and Claudia cautiously opened it. A man stood on the step. “I am to take you to the safe place.” He was tall and well built. He had a beard but didn’t look Jewish. His dark eyes surveyed her and she was startled by the feeling his eyes evoked in her. Still, she had to be cautious.

“What is your name?”

His deep voice was almost soothing. “It is best you do not know.”

She hesitated still. “What is the secret word?”

“
Ichthus
, the fish.”

Claudia and Doros followed their guide through the maze of streets, both wearing dark cloaks that hid their faces. They walked a long time before rounding a deserted building and entering a hidden opening in the granite cliffs. Claudia felt chills run down her back as they passed indentations in the rock where skeletons lay amidst decaying burial wrappings. The air was stale and she pulled her shawl over her nose. They wound their way through a series of tunnels and came to a cavernous room where people were gathered in various groups.
Small cooking fires burned. She turned to thank her guide, but he was nowhere in sight.

She looked around, wondering what to do next, when a familiar voice spoke her name. It was Medina!

Overcome at finding a beloved friend in this strange place, Claudia fell into her arms. When she regained control, she stepped back. “How is it you are in this place, Medina?”

“I am a courier, my lady. I help bring those seeking refuge from Roman persecution to this place of safety, just as Quintas has done.”

His name was Quintas.

Medina put her arm around Doros. “Come to my fire and warm yourselves. I have food.”

She shared cheese, a small loaf of dark bread, and some apple cider from her meager supply.

Claudia looked around as she and Doros ate. “How long do people live here?”

“Only as long as is necessary. When we can, we get them out of the city and on to other countries or safer areas.” Medina looked around and whispered. “It is best we find a way to smuggle you out of the city. Valeria is looking for you. For your own sake, I will simply call you Claudia. It is safer for others not to know who you are. There have been betrayals, mostly for money.”

“The man, Quintas, is he trustworthy?”

Medina smiled sadly. “He was a Roman magistrate and was away on business when Caligula had his family murdered. The wife of Quintas rebuffed Caligula’s amorous overtures.”

Cold chills went over Claudia’s body. She remembered the banquet and Caligula’s subtle invitation and perusal of her. Could that be why . . . ? She shook the thoughts away. It was too late to even think of those things.

Medina went on, “Quintas is a believer and was found at his villa in great anguish. Knowing the soldiers would return to look for him, two of our brothers brought him here to save his life.”

Claudia’s heart went out to him. How would she feel if she came home one day and found Doros murdered? It was enough that Lucius was dead, possibly by his own hand.

Claudia and Doros rested three days as Medina sought for a way to smuggle them out of Rome. Soldiers were everywhere, looking for a woman and a boy of about eleven years old.

“Mater, will we have to stay here forever?”

She smiled. “No, my son, not forever. Medina will find a way to help us.”

She and Doros gathered with the other believers, some of whom were Jews, who brought Scriptures from the Pentateuch. She listened to the comforting words of the Most High God and the songs of David from the psalms. Peace settled on her spirit and she knew she was in the hands of the One she could trust with all her heart.