‘Password?’ the Praetorian asked.
‘Flamingo,’ Pavo’s guard replied.
‘What’s your business here?’
‘The aide to the imperial secretary sent for this one.’ The guard pointed to Pavo.
Stepping back, the Praetorian waved Pavo and his escort through.
Pavo baulked as he stepped into the villa. Memories of childhood summers spent at the family’s villa at Antium came flooding back to him as the guards led him down the entrance passage at a brisk pace. They hurried through a garishly coloured vestibule leading to a wide central hallway with elaborate frescoes decorating the walls and an intricate mosaic sparkling on the floor under the flicker of several ornate torches. Waves of heat rose up from the hypocaust floor, warming the gladiator’s frozen feet.
At the end of the hallway the guards ushered him into a large study. Scrolls and books were arranged on honeycombed shelves to the left. An oak desk littered with papyrus scrolls and wax tablets occupied the centre of the room, with a tall window behind it overlooking a sprawling vineyard. Murena sat behind the desk. The aide to the imperial secretary frowned in deep concentration at a scroll and for a moment appeared not to notice the prisoner and his escort. Finally he looked up at the young gladiator and grinned.
‘Ah! Marcus Valerius Pavo,’ he announced, setting aside the scroll and clasping his bony hands. ‘Tell me, how are you enjoying your new position as First Sword?’
Pavo grunted. He’d been proclaimed First Sword upon his arrival at the imperial ludus in Capua. It was the title given to the leading fighter of the imperial gladiators, and the news had surprised him. A gladiator elevated to First Sword after just two fights was unheard of. But his shock quickly turned to unease. Although the title afforded him some privileges, such as having his own private cell and cooked meat and vegetables at mealtimes instead of the usual fare of barley gruel, it also made him a target for the other fighters. Many of the men in the ludus had been captured by legions in battle, or were impoverished slaves. As the son of a Roman nobleman and a former military tribune in the Sixth Legion, Pavo was already loathed by those same gladiators. Being named First Sword had only further estranged him from the brotherhood. He viewed the title as more of a curse than a blessing.
Murena nodded to the guards. ‘You may go.’ He watched them retreat down the hall. Then he cleared his throat and looked back to the young gladiator. ‘I won’t keep you for long. I have several pressing matters to attend to before his imperial majesty arrives.’
‘Claudius is on his way here?’ Pavo asked, tension rising in his throat.
‘In a few days’ time. The Emperor is currently inspecting the naval base at Puteoli. Afterwards he wishes to cast his eye over his troupe of imperial gladiators ahead of the forthcoming games.’
‘Games?’ Pavo asked.
‘I will come to that shortly. Pallas has asked me to travel ahead of the Emperor and prepare the estate for his arrival, as well as sort through the affairs of the unfortunate previous owner of this quite splendid villa, a treacherous senator who thought he could outwit Claudius.’
There was a sinister gleam in the aide’s eye that made Pavo shudder.
‘The senator paid the price for his treachery and his estate was confiscated after his death. The chap had rather a lot of properties and assets. I have to say, sorting through it all is rather tiresome.’
‘Just tell me what it is that you want,’ the young gladiator said through gritted teeth.
Murena studied Pavo with a look of a hunter trapping a wild animal.
‘I wonder if you have reconsidered my generous offer?’
Pavo instinctively balled his hands into fists. ‘There’s nothing to consider,’ he replied. ‘Claudius is my sworn enemy. As are you and that other backstabbing Greek bastard, Pallas.’
Murena stared at Pavo with barely concealed rage.
‘Your insolence will not be tolerated! I purchased you from that spendthrift lanista in Paestum on behalf of the imperial treasury. You serve Claudius now. And as a representative of his imperial majesty, you will treat me with the same courtesy and respect as if you were speaking with the Emperor himself!’
‘I’ll regard you as exactly what you are,’ Pavo replied bitterly. ‘A devious Greek who does the bidding of a slobbering old fool in a purple toga.’
The imperial freedman opened his mouth to respond, but quickly checked himself. ‘No, have your fun. Call me whatever names amuse you. Nothing changes the fact that you belong to me now, and shall do as I please.’
Pavo stared silently at the aide.
‘There is another reason I sent for you,’ Murena continued. ‘Since we last spoke, the situation has changed.’
‘What do you mean?’ Pavo asked.
‘The Empire is in danger, and we need your help to save it.’
The young gladiator looked puzzled as Murena went on.
‘What I am about to tell you is strictly between us. There is a secret network of traitors operating within the walls of Rome. Not the usual drooling old fools in the Senate. This is a much more dangerous group. They call themselves the Liberators. They are determined to overthrow Claudius and return Rome to the dark days of the Republic.’
‘Perish the thought,’ Pavo replied tonelessly.
‘More important things are at stake here than your disagreement with Claudius,’ Murena snapped. His voice was laced with fear, thought Pavo. ‘The Liberators pose a serious threat to the future stability of Rome. We must crush the group before they have a chance to establish a groundswell of support against the Emperor.’ The aide offered Pavo a terse smile. ‘Which brings me to the subject of the games to be held at the Statilius Taurus amphitheatre next month.’
Pavo digested the news impassively. Announcing a spectacular series of games was nothing new. It had been something of a tradition for newly crowned emperors ever since Augustus had begun hosting gladiator fights purely for the purpose of entertaining the restless mob.
‘Claudius intends to make an announcement at the games. Livia is to be deified.’
‘She’s to become a god?’ Pavo muttered in astonishment.
‘Indeed. Claudius has wished for some time to deify his grandmother. Her deification will emphasise the divine lineage stretching from Augustus down to Tiberius and Claudius, arousing memories of the Golden Age.’
‘Sounds like a cynical tactic to win the approval of the mob.’
‘This is Rome. Of course it’s cynical.’ Murena looked pleased with himself. ‘Dignitaries from across the Empire will be in attendance to witness the chariot races at the Campus Martius and processions through the Forum. In the arena, a morning beast-hunt featuring elephants and tigers will be followed by the usual crucifixions and floggings. In the afternoon, you and the other imperial gladiators will take to the sand.’ He pursed his lips. ‘When you enter the arena, you are to bow before his imperial majesty in front of the mob and pledge your undying allegiance to the regime.’
‘Never!’ Pavo raged. ‘I won’t sully the legacy of my father. Besides, what difference would a public display from me make, if the Liberators are Hades-bent on overthrowing Claudius?’
‘You underestimate your reputation. The Liberators have big plans for you. They consider you well placed to be sympathetic to their aims.’
‘How do you know?’
‘We had a spy in their ranks. Sadly, his identity was unmasked, and the poor officer suffered a quite violent death.’ Murena rolled his tongue around his gums, as if trying to dislodge a scrap of food. ‘My point is, the Liberators need a spokesman. A role model, if you like. They admired Titus for his outspoken republican views, and as his only son and heir you represent the same sentiment. The Liberators are convinced that you are ripe to recruit to their cause — a popular figure to win over the common man.’