one who saluted Julius, turned and opened the double doors. Cleopatra was still holding the dictator’s hand as she led him in to her bedroom.
The huge bed dominated the centre of the room. Four maids waited at each corner. The sheets were turned back ready for the Queen. Another maid was waiting with a sleeping gown. Other servants were attending other things. Cleopatra clapped her hands and all her maids bowed as one and left the room as quickly as they could. Cleopatra waited until she heard the inner door close then she faced Caesar who glanced around the room nodding, appreciatively. She undid her shoulder straps and let her dress fall to the floor, then stepped out of it. She now stood in front of Caesar naked. He began to unbuckle his leather breastplate. She reached up and kissed him on the lips then turned and got into the bed and propped herself up on one elbow to watch him. Once naked he got into bed with her.
“Is this my reward for helping you?”
“No it’s my way of saying thank you. Your reward will come another day.”
CHAPTER SIX
Ptolemy was suddenly awake. He had been dreaming, strange dreams, chaotic dreams. He was soaked in sweat. He looked around the room he was in. It was his bedroom. He stared at a lamp stand that was buckled. The oil from it was in a puddle on the floor. Then he remembered.
He had returned to his bedroom with Theodotus and Pothinus. No! Wait! Pothinus was executed. He now remembered how he had recoiled in horror when he’d fled Caesar and seen the headless corpse of Pothinus being dragged away by palace slaves. The body had left a large smear of blood on the floor. A trail of red against the polished marble.
It was just Theodotus.
He, Ptolemy, had been weeping in despair and had completely against character grabbed a pitcher of wine. Theodotus had tried to discourage him from drinking. But Ptolemy had downed a third of the jug in seconds. Never having drunk before it burned his throat and made him throw up.
Undeterred, he’d continued.
“My Lord this is not the answer.”
Theodotus had tried to take the jug from him but Ptolemy had collapsed to the floor clutching it to his chest.
“It’s the only way. What do I have left?” The boy King blurted out, “Pothinus is dead. Cleopatra is back. Caesar has sided with her against me. They have stolen my throne.”
“Usurped it for the moment my King. Have you forgotten your army? Twenty thousand men under Achillas’ command surrounding this city. Men joining every day.”
“What good will it do?”
“Sire Achillas outnumbers Caesar’s forces five to one.”
“Doomed! We are all doomed!” Ptolemy had shouted.
Theodotus had tried to re-assure him but he was soon downing the wine at a very fast rate. Finally Ptolemy had ordered them all out of his presence and shouted at everyone to leave him alone. Later there came the sound of the lamp crashing over, other things being broken, more vomiting and finally his snoring filled the palace. At Theodotus’ orders a servant peered cautiously into the room to see what was happening. Theodotus came in with a handful of slaves. Ptolemy was slumped on the floor against the large wooden bed. Slaves quickly undressed and cleaned him and helped him into his bed. Theodotus went over to where his crown lay on the floor where it had rolled and picked it up and put it on a table. A slave ran past him with Ptolemy’s royal robes which stank of sour wine and vomit. The lamp stand was picked up and the spilt oil mopped up. Some broken furniture was carried outside. After watching the slaves position the boy so if he did vomit again he wouldn’t choke on it Theodotus ordered them out. They left him snoring. Theodotus noticed when they left that the Roman guards were no longer there, just the two Egyptian ones with spears.
Ptolemy now sat up in bed. His mouth was dry and tasted disgusting. He tried to swallow but couldn’t produce enough saliva. His head was thumping in a way he’d never known before. He belched. The taste of the wine was back in his throat. It tasted strong and burned. He leaned over and was sick all over the floor. When he did lift his head again the room was spinning. He groaned and lay back again and slept for a while. When he woke up the room was brighter