Free Arena by John Jakes

without detection.
    Yet on the ride back my heart had grown heavy again.
    Say what I might, I still loved Acte with a helpless passion beyond all reason. Loved her even though she was as scheming, as dishonest, as the basest whore in Rome.
    I staggered out of my cell, pretending to have just wakened. I wondered dismally what bad luck such a helpless, hopeless passion would bring me in the days ahead.
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Chapter VI
    SEVERAL NIGHTS LATER, Syrax slipped into my cell at the school after dark. He gave a mocking salute, then produced from behind his back a small amphora which he set beside me.
    “Taste it,” he ordered. His sly olive face shone in the lamp flame. “Though not too deeply just yet. Originally I had two jugs. One went to the clod guarding the end of the hall, to ensure our privacy.”
    In response I glowered at him. He sighed.
    “Well, since you refuse, I’ll drink. But you’re passing up a good thing. That seems to be your habit. This is Falernian.” He tilted the amphora to his lips.
    “Oh, certainly, Falernian. It’s probably vinegar. Where could you get nobleman’s wine?”
    Aping the manners of his betters, he wiped his mouth daintily with my couch blanket. “From the same place I received the good news that the school has been hired to supply a large contingent for the forthcoming Imperial games. From the lanista’s rooms. Fabius and several guests are sitting around this moment, dead drunk. Naturally Fabius wanted to put on a good show during the haggling over price. He needed several trustworthy fellows with good manners to fetch and carry platters and jugs from the corner shop. In all the confusion, it’s only natural that one or two amphorae of excellent wine might be — shall we say — misplaced.”
    “What’s behind this sudden generosity, Syrax? You’ve hardly said a word the last couple of days.”
    He chuckled, downing more wine. “Now there’s a joke. Cassius the Cur complaining over a lack of conversation. Look here, partner. Don’t you understand the forthcoming games may be the first step in our rise to fortune? The scourging you suffered because of Tigellinus and the tribune Julius paid handsome dividends. The school is now in favor, and being hired. As for my silence, I let you alone because I perceived you were nursing a grudge in your usual bad-tempered way.”
    “Do you blame me?” I snapped back. “I didn’t notice you remaining overlong at Sulla’s.”
    His shrug was indifferent. “Preserving my skin comes first. Why should you complain? You returned safely enough. How, I can’t guess, but you got back just the same.”
    “More than safely,” I said, one up on him at last. “You’re not the only one with high contacts.”
    “Whatever that means.”
    The shine in his narrow eyes told me he’d soon find out what it meant. And so he did, after I’d plagued him a while by drinking long and satisfyingly of the sweet Falernian. He could hardly conceal his anger as I strung him along with hints and vague references to Serenus and a certain celebrated Imperial adviser. Syrax was a man who angered easily when not in full command of a situation. Presently, though, the wine relaxed my tongue. I told him the story of my visit in the home of Seneca, and my request for introductions to a banker or two at some time in the future.
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    The Syrian’s expression changed to one of elation. “Brilliant, Cassius! Positively brilliant! Are you certain they weren’t making sport of you? Can they be trusted to keep the promise?”
    “Yes. They’re honorable men.”
    “Truthfully, I wouldn’t have guessed you had the wits to arrange such a splendid deal. Learning you do confirms my opinion of myself in selecting you for a partner.”
    My head buzzed. Dragging the amphora up again, I saluted him with it. “To our school.”
    After I drank he seized the jar. “Our school which will prosper, now that the whore’s out of your system.”
    “Yes,