The city was subdued, save for some idealistic youth, who seemed to take pride in its downfall.
"Yes," I said.
It was now some months after the entry of Myron, polemarkos of Temos, into Ar. The systematic looting of Ar had proceeded apace. More levies of women, free and slave, had been conducted. Work on the destruction of the walls had continued. Marcus and I were on the Avenue of the Central Cylinder, the major thoroughfare in Ar.
"The major blow," said he, "was doubtless the movement of the Home Stone to Telnus."
This had been admitted on the public boards at last. Originally it had been rumored, which rumors had been denied, that only a surrogate for the stone had appeared in the Planting Feast. Later, however, when the ceremony of citizenship, in which the Home Stone figures, was postponed, speculation had become rampant. There had been demands by minor Initiates, of smaller temples, outside the pomerium of the city, first, for the ceremonies to be conducted, and, later, these ceremonies not taking place, for the Home Stone to be produced. In the furor of speculation over this matter the secular and ecclesiastical authorities in the city had remained silent. At last, in view of the distinct unrest in the city, and the possible danger of riots and demonstrations, a communication was received from the Central Cylinder, jointly presented by Talena, Ubara of Ar; Seremides, captain of the guard; Antonius, executive officers of the High Council; Tulbinius, Chief Initiate; and Myron, polemarkos of Temos, to the effect that Ar might now rejoice, as in these unsettled times Lurius of Jad, in his generosity and wisdom, at the request of the governance of Ar, and in the best interests of the people and councils of Ar, had permitted the Home Stone to be brought to Telnus for safekeeping. A surrogate stone was subsequently used for the ceremony of citizenship. Certain youth refused then to participate in the ceremony and certain others, refusing to touch the surrogate stone, uttered the responses and pledges while facing northwest, toward Cos, toward their Home Stone.
Marcus and I, with the armbands of auxiliary guardsmen, saluted a Cosian officer whom we passed.
"Tarsk," grumbled Marcus.
"He is probably a nice enough fellow," I said.
"Sometimes I regret that you are a dear friend," he said.
"Why is that?" I asked.
"It makes it improper to challenge you to mortal combat," he said.
"Folks have occasionally slain their dearest friends," I said.
"That is true," he said, brightening up.
"Just because someone is your mortal enemy," I said, "does not mean that you have to dislike him."
"I suppose not," said Marcus.
"Of course not," I said.
We walked on.
"You are just in a bad mood," I said. Such moods were not uncommon with Marcus. "Perhaps," he said.
"Does Phoebe have her period?" I asked.
"No," he said.
"You were out late last night," I said.
"Yes," he said.
"Frequenting the taverns?" I asked.
"No," he said. "I was wandering about."
"It is now dangerous to walk the streets of Ar at night," I said.
"For whom?" he said.
"For anyone, I suppose," I said.
"Perhaps," he said.
"Where did you walk?" I asked.
"In the Anbar district," he said.
"That is a dangerous district," I said, "even formerly." It and the district of Trevelyan were two of the most dangerous districts in Ar, even before the fall of the city.
"Oh?" he said.
"Yes," I assured him. "It is frequented by brigands."
"It is now frequented by two less than yesterday," he said.
"Why do you do these things?" I asked.
"My sword," he said, "was thirsty."
"I am angry," I said.
"I made a profit on the transaction," he said.
"You robbed the brigands?" I asked.
"Their bodies," he said.
"We do not need the money," I said. Indeed, we had most of a hundred gold pieces left, a considerable fortune, which we had obtained last summer in the vicinity of Brundisium.
"Well, I did not really do it for the money," he said.
"I see," I said.
"Not all values are material," Marcus reminded me.
"You should not risk your life in such a way," I said, angrily.
"What else is there to do?" he asked.
"I am sure you could think of something," I said, "if you seriously put your mind to it."
"Not it is you who seem in an ill humor," he remarked.
"If you find yourself spitted in the Anbar district that will not much profit the Home Stone of Ar's Station," I said.
"You told me that the Home Stone of Ar's Station would be exhibited again," he said.
"I am sure it will be," I said.
"That was months ago," he said.
"Be patient," I said.
"I do not even know where it is," he said. "It may be in Telnus by now."
"I do not think so," I said.
"At least those of Ar know where their Home Stone is," he said.
"Do not be surly," I said.
"You do not think it is in Telnus?" he asked.
"No," I said. "I think it is still in Ar."
"Why?" he asked.
"I have an excellent reason," I said.
"Would you be so kind as to share this reason with me?" asked Marcus.
"No," I said.
"Why not?" he asked.
"You are too noble to take it seriously," I said.
"Thank you," said her, "perhaps."
We paused to drink, from the upper basin of a fountain.
"Listen," I said.
"Yes," he said.
We turned about.
Some twenty men, stripped, in heavy metal collars, these linked by heavy chains, their hands behind their backs, presumably manacled, prodded now and then by the butts of guards' spears, were approaching. Behind the line came a flute girl, sometimes turning about, playing the instrument. It was this sound we had heard. Some folks stopped to watch.
"Political prisoners," said Marcus.
That could be told by the fact that the ears and noses of the prisoners had been painted yellow, to make them appear ridiculous.
"Interesting," said Marcus, "that they would parade them so publicly down the Avenue of the Central Cylinder."
"It is to be expected," I said. "If they were conducted out of the city in secret there would be much inquiry, much resentment, much clamor, much objection. It would be as though the Central Cylinder wished to conceal the fate imposed upon them, as though they were afraid of its becoming public, as though it might not be legitimately defensible. In this way, on the other hand, it performs its action openly, without special attention but, too, without stealth. It says, thusly, the action is in order, that it is acceptable, even trivial. Too, of course, it hopes to enlist public approbation by the painting of the ears and noses, thus suggesting that any who might disagree with its policies must be mad or dunces, at best objects of caricature and ridicule."
"Those in the Central Cylinder are clever," said Marcus.
"They may miscalculate," I said.
"Whence are these fellows bound?" asked Marcus.
"Probably the quarries of Tyros," I said.
"There must be many in Ar who will have scores to settle with the Ubara," he said.
"I suspect," I said, "that these arrests are more the work of Seremides, and Antonius, of the High Council."
"You would defend Talena of Ar?" he asked.
"I would not blame her for more than that for which she is responsible," I said. "Surely her complicity is clear," he said.
I was silent.
"She is an arch conspirator in the downfall of Ar," he said.
"Perhaps," I said.
"What does she mean to you?" he asked.
"Nothing," I said.
The men were now filing past, with their guards. Their hands, indeed, were manacled behind their backs.
"Some of those men may have been high in the city," said Marcus.
"Undoubtedly," I said.
"Some even have signs about their necks," said Marcus.
"I am not familiar with the politics of Ar," I said, "so I do not recognize the names."