The Bow of Heaven - Book I: The Other Al - By Andrew Levkoff Page 0,62

bags and handed the twenty-five thousand sesterces to Crassus who passed it to Corvinus.

“Here is half. Come by my house tomorrow, after your sacrifice, and I’ll have the balance and the papers ready.” It was sometimes necessary to offer all the cash on the spot to convince the landlord to sell, but Corvinus was completely deflated. He turned and slumped away with his guards.

From out of the darkness came a troop of twenty torch-bearing scribes. As they moved into the street, Crassus allowed himself to be hoisted back up onto his horse, favoring his leg, then turned to address the crowd. As he spoke, those of his men who were not busy with the actual firefighting switched roles and spread down both sides of the block, each bearing a lit torch. With the help of the still burning building, the street was now illuminated to festival brightness.

“Good people of the Quirinal. My name is Marcus Licinius Crassus. I am deeply sorry for this tragedy and the loss of your homes. As I am sure you are aware, the flats built and leased to you by Septimus Florius Corvinus were of an older, less safe construction.” At the sound of the landlord’s name, a chorus of boos and hisses rose to mingle with the smoke. “Now, now, each according to his ability and means. Corvinus did the best he could.”

“To rob us blind!” someone shouted. The crowd cheered.

“Citizens and plebeians, this is what I propose. You see my assistants passing amongst you now. Please let them record your names, sign if you can or make your mark. Everyone present tonight, regardless of where they live, will receive my gift of two sacks of wheat flour.” The crowd applauded, surprised and pleased. “Come to the granary tomorrow before midday. Countersign the list and you’ll be eating bread and honey by sunset!” That will bake him a few votes, I thought, when he stands for praetor.

“For the people whose homes were destroyed tonight: when we depart shortly, please follow us back to my villa. A barracks in my compound is being prepared to receive you even as we speak.” This earned sincere applause and nods of approval. “Now, it would make no sense to ask you to return to these same homes, those left standing, when we all know it will only be a matter of time before they look like that.” Crassus pointed to the glowing rubble. The crowd murmured agreement. “Tomorrow, a team of my engineers will arrive at first light and begin the demolition of the remaining insulae.” A cry of dismay rang out. Crassus raised his arms above his head to quiet them. “Do not be alarmed. Everything will be provided. My scribes will go to the Temple of Ceres and request the occupant records from the quaestors. At my own personal expense, you will be temporarily relocated while we begin construction on a new complex, built entirely of safe, sturdy and heat-resistant concrete and fired bricks!” The people were happy about the new buildings, but not so enthusiastic about the disruption of their lives. The cheering was less than tumultuous. But Crassus was ready for them.

“To compensate you for this inconvenience, each tenant will receive an additional two sacks of flour, two amphorae of oil, plus a cash allowance of one thousand sesterces to spend as you wish during reconstruction.” This time, the crowd roared with unbridled enthusiasm. While they were cheering, Crassus added under his breath, “And of course new leases will be executed with nominal increases in rent.”

As we rode home, the sky was lightening in the east. It looked like it was going to be another gorgeous morning. Crassus looked exhausted yet elated. He would have little rest before the days’ clientes started arriving. He reined in Ajax and pulled alongside the cart in which I rode. “See the doctor before you retire,” he said. He began humming a tune from the pantomime. After awhile, as we climbed the Palatine, he said, “Another solid night’s work, Alexander. Another acquisition, another rung.”

Chapter XIX

76 BCE - Summer, Rome

Year of the consulship of

Gnaeus Octavius and Gaius Scribonius Curio

We were welcomed by a crowd from the household, mostly those who knew members of the brigade and were happy to see them return home safely. Among them were Sabina and Livia, stiffly holding hands. Well then, even without the direct order from Crassus, there’d be no putting this off. Tertulla was at the head of the little cheering throng and