Tomb of the Lost (14 page)

“
Is it accessible to you?
”

“
Of course General.
”

“
Then you go in.
”

“
I
’
m afraid not,
”
Apollodorus replied. He looked past Marcellus as he saw Germanicus approaching with eight Roman guards. Germanicus drew up alongside Marcellus.

“
What is the commotion outside?
”

“
Ptolemy went outside and told the early morning crowd of what Caesar has done. They
’
ve taken Ptolemy
’
s side and pelted me and my men with stones. I
’
ve come to warn Caesar.
”

“
Does he now know?
”

“
No. Apollodorus won
’
t grant me access.
”

“
We must speak to Caesar at once. Move aside,
”
Germanicus said.

“
I
’
m sorry General Germanicus that is quite impossible. The Queen has strict instructions to never be disturbed in bed.
”

Germanicus glanced at the four Egyptian guards who only stared ahead impassively.

“
Seize him,
”
he suddenly ordered.

Two of his men grabbed Apollodorus. The Egyptian guards sprang into action though didn
’
t attack. They pointed their spears at the Romans. The remaining six Romans quick as a flash drew their swords and they were pointing at Egyptian throats. It was a standoff. Suddenly the door opened and Caesar was there.

“
Sire thank goodness. I
’
ve come to warn you of a disturbance at the palace steps.
”

“
Yes I heard everything through the door.
”

Apollodorus was struggling against the hands that held him.

“
Your men have stopped me from doing my duty.
”

“
I
’
ve said so before Apollodorus. You
’
re a good man. Let him go. The Queen has not been disturbed. You have not failed in your duty to her. Put away your swords gentlemen.
”

Apollodorus nodded to the Egyptian guards who brought their spears back into the upright position.

“
Sire the mob was pushing for access to the palace but at least fifty or sixty guards were keeping them back.
”

“
Palace guards?
”

“
Probably,
”
Apollodorus replied.

“
Well seeing as there are no rioters in the palace thus far we must assume that not everyone is loyal to Ptolemy. Are the guards Cleopatra
’
s?
”

“
No Caesar. They are palace guards. Their unit was set up by Pothinus. They are loyal to the protection of the palace only and not to either monarch.
”

“
That
’
s good. Pothinus was useful for some things it seems.
”

More Romans arrived, Lucius at their head. Servants were carrying Caesar
’
s finest armour. He raised his arms for the breastplate to be fitted then put his arms down.

“
Wait.
”

He reached for the laurel leaf crown on a single purple cushion. Lucius picked up the crown and handed it to his master.

“
I think today calls for diplomacy gentlemen. How does my toga look?
”

“
Fine sir.
”

“
Good.
”

He waved his hand in dismissal at his armourers. To the Generals he said.

“
You will accompany me to the palace steps. Guards will keep a respectful distance.
”

“
Yes Sir.
”

They all saluted and fell in behind him. Apollodorus watched until they
’
d disappeared around the corner and out of sight.

“
He has got majesty,
”
he said out loud,
“
The Gods I really like him.
”

He looked at the four Egyptian guards who only stared ahead as before, impassively.

The crowd had settled some and Ptolemy had been allowed to move through the Egyptian guards. He and Theodotus now stood three steps up from where they could see the size of the crowd and the crowd could see and hear him.

A great cheer went up as he finished promising them a return to their chosen lives. A life without Rome.

Then as one the mob surged forward again, angry and shouting. The Egyptian guards had to rush forward once again to contain them. Ptolemy and Theodotus had instinctively moved back a step in surprise at the sudden hostile movement.

‘
It had been going so well,
’
Ptolemy said to himself as he watched the shaking fists. Then he realised this new aggression wasn
’
t directed at him or Theodotus.

They looked at each other, the boy King and his teacher, and then slowly turned their heads and looked over their shoulders.

Julius Caesar was standing at the top of the steps glaring down at the two of them. Theodotus, remembering the fate of Pothinus, suddenly wished he was anywhere but there. He felt Caesar
’
s eyes boring directly into him. Ptolemy, knowing his fate had already been sealed glanced back at the crowd, a strange smirk on his face. Theodotus was becoming increasingly uneasy at Caesar
’
s stare. Then Caesar took his eyes off the King
’
s schoolteacher and glared at the crowd. Theodotus let out a sigh of relief. He felt the sweat trickle down his spine. As Caesar came slowly down the steps Theodotus tried to make himself as small as he could as he moved out of the way. Caesar glanced at him only once in passing. Theodotus retreated up the steps like an animal hoping not to be detected. He stopped at the top when he saw Caesar
’
s Generals were also glaring at him.

The Egyptian guards were battling hard against the jeering, shouting mob again. Caesar took in the debris on the steps, which were littered. He guessed the Alexandrians couldn
’
t have much left to throw.

Ptolemy was cringing away from the Roman who suddenly bounded towards him and threw an arm around the youth
’
s shoulder. Ptolemy flinched but Julius pulled him into his embrace with a broad, beaming smile. Ptolemy
’
s instinct was to cower away but the crowd fell into a hushed silence.

Was this not their supposed, hated enemy, here, now, showing a friendliness towards their bastard King.

Caesar grinned at Ptolemy who was clearly petrified. Then Julius released him and Ptolemy backed away a few steps not understanding at all Caesar
’
s intentions. The mob were still shouting though not as loud as before and Caesar raised both his hands to gain their attention.

“
Alexandrians, Greeks, Nubians, Jews, Spaniards, Gauls, all other nations, Romans,
”
Caesar began,
“
I stand today, here before you, on the steps of the great palace founded by Alexander, son of Philip and Olympias, and built by the great Ptolemy I, as a friend and loyal vassal of King Ptolemy XIII and his sister Cleopatra!
”

Members of the crowd began shouting abuse and insults but Caesar ignored them and carried on.

“
My role here is arbiter between the sibling monarchs. Nothing more! And furthermore I came here in pursuit of my son-in-law, the great Pompey, who was unfortunately killed in a misunderstanding. The internal problems of your city were not my affair and I had no wish to intervene or involve myself or any of my men in this way. Indeed!
”
he shouted over the jeering crowd,
“
I have not retaliated against Pompey
’
s murder
…
.
”

“
Not retaliated,
”
someone shouted,
“
Then why did you have Pothinus executed?
”

“
Pothinus was found guilty of treason against your lawful Queen, Cleopatra. Roman law was passed in arbitration. But I swear to you
…
.!
”

The crowd were now shouting above him.

“
I SWEAR TO YOU!
”
Caesar roared at the top of his voice,
“
That it was an Egyptian, not a Roman, who carried out the execution!
”

“
An Egyptian?
”
someone shouted.

“
Yes! One of your Queen
’
s servants. So you see, no Roman has acted hostilely since my arrival. Some of my men have already been killed by your people, by Alexandrians. But have I retaliated against them, or against Pompey
‘
s killers? No!
”

“
Then why don
’
t you just sail away and leave?
”

The noise level rose again and Caesar had to raise his hands again for silence.

“
Because I made an allegiance. I swore an oath to King Ptolemy Auletes that I would always come to aid his children, his descendants, his
…
.
”
Caesar clapped an arm around Ptolemy again,
”…
.Son and daughter. They need my help. Alexandrians, I urge you please, to accept that I am here as a friend only, nothing more.
”

The crowd now began talking amongst themselves. For a brief moment Caesar thought he may have a chance of winning them over.

“
There is bound to be objection at what you believe is Roman interference but I assure you it is not so!
”

“
Then why does Ptolemy say you
’
re here for gold and gold only?
”

“
That was a thought that Pothinus planted in his head. Pothinus! Not Caesar! He couldn
’
t have been more wrong. It is true that Egypt, or rather Ptolemy Auletes owes me ten million Denarii and I was hoping to leave with that debt settled in full.
”

“
So it is the gold you want. Egypt
’
s wealth and nothing more. It is True!
”

“
It is not true! Furthermore! As a token of my appreciation of the debt being paid I intend to restore to Egyptian rule the island of CYPRUS!
”

The excitement in the crowd rose now as they spoke among themselves again.

“
Did you hear what he just promised? What he said! Cyprus! Cyprus back under Egypt
’
s rule. Think of the power! Think of the wealth!
”

“
How do we know he
’
ll keep his word?
”

As if to clarify Caesar said.

“
This I swear to you as Rome
’
s envoy to Egypt. Alexandrians I implore you to listen, to consider my offer. There is no need for us to be enemies. Please return to your homes, your shops, your businesses.
”

Caesar stopped and waited. The crowd appearing to be less hostile. They were discussing things amongst themselves. Then the man near the front who had been doing most of the questioning, turned away from the Roman dictator and began walking through the crowd. His fellows watched him.

“
Antonius. Where do you go?
”
One of his friends called.

He stopped. A space cleared around him as people moved out of his way.

“
I am going to consider what the Roman has said.
”

“
You are?
”

“
Yes! And besides I have a business to run.
”

The crowd made way for him as he left. Others were left staring at his departing back. Soon a dozen were leaving, then more. Caesar turned his head this way and that. A few, who were obviously intent on continuing, tried to shout more abuse and insults but as the crowd around them began to disperse they lost faith. Caesar waited until the street was almost back to normal then after thanking the Egyptian guards he turned and with his arm around Ptolemy led the way up the steps. At the top he let Ptolemy go and glared at Theodotus, who tried a smile.

“
Give me one good reason why I shouldn
’
t have you executed right here and now.
”

Theodotus quailed under the stare.

“
The sentence stands!
”

Dolabella came running up to Julius.

“
Sire you
’
d better come quick. Achillas and the Egyptian army has been seen just outside the city.