was not to be found anywhere. My men are searching for him as we speak.”
“Good. If he fails to show then he will be stripped of his title and made an enemy of Rome. Now what else do we know of the city?”
“Well sir,” Germanicus said, “Most of the citizens live here to the west of this complex, the royal palace and quarters. There are estimated to be over a million of them. This area here is mainly residential. The building on the hilltop is the ’Serapeum’ the temple of Osiris. Pilgrims make their way here seeking advice and healing.”
“I’ve seen the people going in and out.”
“The needs of the people are many sire.”
“The lighthouse,” Caesar said, “Divides the harbour into two. My army is camped here to the south.”
“Yes sir. It’s quite marshy there.”
“We will have to watch for Mosquito’s. The last thing I want is for my army to go down with Malaria.”
One of Caesar’s personal assistants, a messenger called Lucius, approached.
“Yes what is it?”
“There’s a man in the corridor Caesar, carrying a bundle of bed sheets.”
Julius looked over at his bed.
“It doesn’t need changing. Send him away.”
“Forgive me sire but he says he has an urgent message from Queen Cleopatra.”
“Does he have a name?”
“Apollodorus sire.”
“Does anyone know him?” Caesar asked his counsel.
“No,” the Generals replied.
“He managed to avoid all your guards sire. He just appeared carrying the linen.“
“Is he alone?”
“Yes. I personally don‘t trust him. He allowed us to search him but not his bundle which he said was delicate and appears to be of considerable weight. He insisted it was for your eyes only. It may be concealing weapons sire.”
Marcellus drew his sword and brandished it angrily.
“Let me intercept this insolence sire. I’ll take my sword to his bed sheets. I’ll not leave a piece large enough to even conceal a pin.”
“Put your sword away Marcellus. Your zeal for my safety is always appreciated. I will grant this Apollodorus an audience. Show him in.”
He entered the room slowly. He was a big man. Standing a full head taller than the Romans and was equally as broad in the shoulders. He stopped some distance away.
“Are you the one who brings a message from Cleopatra?”
“Queen Cleopatra great Caesar.”
“Oh I beg your pardon. Queen Cleopatra. Where are my manners? You may set the sheets down and leave. One of my servants will change my bed.”
Apollodorus stood still, his legs planted slightly apart. The bed sheets held easily across his chest.
“Well what are you waiting for? Did you not hear? Put it down over there and be on your way,” Dolabella ordered.
“Your pardon General but my Queen instructed me to give this to Caesar and no one else.”
“Your load looks heavy Apollodorus. Why aren‘t you carrying it over your shoulder?” Julius interrupted.
“This was the way I was told to carry it.”
“By whom?”
“I take orders from Queen Cleopatra only.”
“Do you always do as you are told?”
“Yes.”
“You’re a good servant then.”
“I try to please my Queen. She honours me by letting me stay in her employ.”
“My manservant over there, Lucius, says I shouldn’t trust you. Queen Cleopatra clearly does. But tell me is he wrong?”
“Yes Caesar.”
Julius had been studying the linen, the way it bent in Apollodorus’ arms.
’It’s almost as if he’s carrying someone, a small person’
“I think I’m beginning to understand. Thank you gentlemen you may leave
us now.”
The Generals looked at each other in disbelief. It was an order. Caesar could see that Marcellus wanted to object but didn’t.
’At least he is learning’
As he walked past Julius spoke to him.
“Marcellus seeing as your sword is desperate to drink Egyptian blood perhaps you would be kind enough to lend it to me.”
The steel sang as it was pulled from the scabbard. Marcellus turned it, held it by its tip and laid it gently across his forearm, offering it as a sword should be offered. Julius took it by the handle and held it firmly. It was a very fine officers sword. It felt good in his hand.
“Thank you.”
Marcellus saluted and strode for the door where the others were waiting. The door closed with a thud. Now they were alone. The two of them. Apollodorus bowed his head to the Roman then went down on one knee and put the bed clothes down.
Julius bent at the knee and brought the sword in close to where the bundle was tied at one end.
“Please be careful. The sheets are quite delicate.”