My heart sank when, still clutching her hand, he stood up and announced. ‘Roxanne will be a princess of Carmania, lord, for after the war I will be taking her back to my homeland.’
I smiled politely as my mind was filled with images of his enraged father and mocking brother when he presented a whore at court. And it would hardly reflect well on Dura or its king that Peroz had been allowed to consort with prostitutes. But then, the Kingdom of Dura was held in low esteem by many in the empire and what did I care about what others thought? I did care about the thousands of Carmanian horse archers that were a valuable addition to my army and I liked the young prince who commanded them. Two things were obvious: that Peroz would never agree to leave this establishment without his beloved by his side, and the owner of the brothel would never allow her to leave without compensation.
‘I think it would be best for everyone, Peroz,’ I said to him in a calm manner, ‘for you to escort Roxanne back to the palace. I will wait at the foot of the stairs so Roxanne may gather together her clothes and possessions to take with her.’
‘I have no possessions, majesty,’ she said softly.
I look around at the rich furnishings and her expensive dress. She saw my surprise.
‘Everything I wear and all the things in this room are owned by Samhat, majesty.’
When they came downstairs Samhat, who was not amused that I was removing one of the most profitable girls from her establishment, pointed this out to me.
‘You can’t take her,’ she hissed.
Domitus drew his gladius and placed the point at her throat.
‘The king can do what he likes, including having you and your girls crucified if he has a mind to.’
To her credit Samhat stood her ground though her concubines and girls looked decidedly nervous and some were clutching each other for comfort. ‘Big knuckles’, still penned into the corner with his friends by the legionaries, was outraged.
‘I’ve paid good money for the whore.’
Spartacus jeered at the man and beckoned him forward, goading him that he was nothing more than a lowborn animal. Before violence flared Domitus removed his sword from Samhat’s throat and grabbed my nephew by the scruff of his neck and bundled him outside as ‘big knuckles’ and his friends, held back by the shields of the legionaries, hurled abuse and threats at him.
‘Give him back his money,’ I instructed Samhat. ‘You will receive compensation from the treasury, and for the girl. She will not be returning to you.’
Samhat was infuriated. ‘I have invested a lot of money in her and now you are kidnapping her just because a pampered prince has been love-struck.’
My patience was fast running out. ‘First of all, madam, if you had not encouraged him to frequent your premises he would never have met the young girl in question. Secondly, as I have just informed you the treasury will recompense you for your losses, within reason. However, if you continue to insult your king then I will have no option but to close your establishment and have you and your whores flogged from the city.’
My threat had the desired affect and she said no more but I could tell that she was fuming and in truth I was not unsympathetic. But when it came to choosing between Peroz and her there was no contest. Afterwards I strolled back to the palace in the company of Peroz, the woman he wanted to make a princess, Domitus and my squires.
‘You should have that old whore flogged for her disrespect,’ grumbled Domitus. ‘I’ll do it.’
‘A most generous offer, Domitus,’ I replied, ‘but in this instance that “old whore” as you call her was correct.’
I nodded at Peroz and Roxanne walking ahead of us. ‘He sees her as his future princess whereas Samhat views her as a valuable commodity. I fear the compensation I will have to pay will be prohibitive.’
‘You are not actually going to pay her anything?’ asked a disbelieving Domitus.
‘Samhat pays her taxes and runs a profitable and legal business. If word spreads that the King of Dura arbitrarily ruins businesses then it might affect trade, and less trade means less taxes, which means less money to spend on the army. So you see, my friend, I have little choice.’
‘Aaron will be most unhappy,’ he said.
I laughed. ‘Yes, I suppose he will. But with a war coming I would rather have an unhappy treasurer than an unhappy Prince Peroz.’
‘Very sensible, uncle,’ said Spartacus behind us.
‘Unlike your behaviour tonight,’ I scolded him. ‘Have you noticed how trouble follows you around like a loyal dog?’
‘If trouble comes looking for me I will not shy away from it,’ he replied defiantly. ‘I was brought up to stand shoulder to shoulder with my friends. Peroz and I have been discussing a double wedding, uncle.’
Domitus rolled his eyes.
‘A double wedding? You are both to be congratulated.’
‘What are the most extreme odds, do you think?’ posed Domitus. ‘Your nephew taking a Roman eagle or Peroz’s father accepting a whore as his daughter-in-law?’
I wondered the same thing but was strangely comforted by the prospect of the coming war, which might settle things one way or another. Spartacus and Peroz might both be killed, or they might cover themselves in glory and return home as heroes. If so would Haytham let my nephew marry his daughter and would Phriapatius allow his son to marry a whore? Perhaps I would be killed, thus saving me the trouble of having to worry about it all.
Roxanne was given a room in the palace well away from Peroz’s though he assured me that nothing untoward would happen while they were under my roof. Gallia thought Peroz most gallant and complimented him on his actions. Early the next day, after Peroz had taken Roxanne south to review his men, she quizzed me if I would inform his father that he desired to marry a whore. I could give her no answer. Although Gallia did not approve of prostitution she had no problem with prostitutes themselves. Her closest friend, Praxima, had been forced to work in a Roman brothel as a whore and Gallia took the view that all prostitutes were forced into their trade, a not wholly accurate view. Some positively relished their profession!
Later that morning the representative of Samhat came to the palace to discuss compensation for Roxanne. I received him in the throne room with Gallia sitting beside me and had summoned Aaron from the treasury. Our visitor strode into the throne room flanked by two guards, having first been searched for concealed weapons. He was a portly man of medium height dressed in a fine orange robe with a purple silk sash around his ample waist and red leather sandals on his feet. He was completely bald and had dark makeup around his eyes. After bowing his head at me and then Gallia we saw he held a bundle of papyrus sheets in his manicured hands.
‘Hail, King Pacorus of Dura, son of Varaz and grandson of Sames, Kings of Hatra, and lord high general of the empire and noble defender of all the kingdoms of Parthia. Husband to Queen Gallia, daughter of King Ambiorix…’
I held up a hand. ‘You are very well informed but to save time perhaps we might move straight to the business in hand.’
He cleared his throat and smiled. ‘Of course, majesty. My name is Chigaru, secretary to Samhat and I have been asked to present to you the details concerning compensation for Roxanne, lately employed at my mistress’ establishment.’
I pointed at Aaron. ‘This is Lord Aaron, the kingdom’s treasurer, who will advise me on the veracity of your claim.’
Chigaru bristled at the implication that his mistress’ demands might be fraudulent but quickly composed himself and smiled weakly at Aaron.
‘You are a eunuch, are you not?’ asked Gallia.