Tomb of the Lost

Chapter FIVE



Pothinus was with king Ptolemy in the boy king’s office, standing to his right and behind the young monarch , looking over the child’s shoulder, supervising the signing of official documents.

The door opened, sounding very loud in the almost silent room. The only sound coming from the scribbling of the reed brush on papyrus as the youth made his mark.

Pothinus and Ptolemy both looked up in surprise as Cleopatra strode towards them wearing a long pink flowing dress and full head dress.

“Queen Cleopatra!” Pothinus started, “How? When? Did you get here?”

She said nothing and continued to approach them. An arrogant smirk on her face.

“Guards!” Pothinus called.

The sound of marching feet now echoed in the corridor. It was Pothinus who was now smirking.

“You have made a big mistake in coming here your majesty.”

Julius Caesar strode into the room. Four of his personal bodyguards in tow.

“Your guards have been dismissed Lord chancellor!” the Roman boomed.

Pothinus’ smirk vanished.

“Lord Caesar….”

Pothinus was lost for words, openly shocked at Cleopatra’s presence, here, now, in front of them.

“What is she doing here?” Ptolemy suddenly blurted out.

“She is your Queen is she not?”

Caesar’s Generals now filed into the room.

Pothinus was still staring open mouthed at Cleopatra.

“You have not answered my question Lord chamberlain. Is she your Queen or not?”

“Cleopatra has forfeited all of her rights mighty Caesar,” Pothinus answered, pleased that his voice sounded calm, “She did this when she turned her back on her brother and left the capital.”

“I will be the judge of that.”

“It is the truth.”

“Cleopatra has a different story to tell.”

Pothinus put on a brave smile but inside he was quaking.

“It is her word against ours. Three against one.”

“Sometimes the one is all that is needed.”

“Caesar may I remind you that your role here is one of arbiter only. We are very pleased to see Queen Cleopatra is safe and well and back among us. Perhaps we could discuss concessions for her. King Ptolemy would be only too pleased to….”

“I’m afraid not!” Caesar cut him off.

“Don’t you see,” Ptolemy whined, “He’s taken her side. The Romans have taken her side in this.”

“Is that true Caesar. Have you taken her side?”

“I am only interested in Rome’s affairs and have no interest in your petty squabbles. As you so rightly reminded me a moment ago I am merely the go between of your rulers.”

Pothinus smiled at this, his confidence lifted by these words.

“Thank you Caesar and may I say that we, I, am equally interested in Rome’s affairs. Your problems are ours,” Pothinus extended his hands, palms up, as a friendly gesture.

“Is that so?”

“I give you my word.”

Pothinus bowed low.

“I see. Then kindly explain why you have been inciting the citizens of this city to rise against your Roman visitors.”

These words rocked through Pothinus and he held the bow to try to keep his composure. He was still smiling when he straightened up.

“Who accuses me of this?”

“Do you deny the charge?”

“Rumours and lies spread by her,” he pointed his finger at Cleopatra, “And her followers.”

“Did they make up lies when you murdered my son-in-law Pompey the great?”

“I had no hand in his death.”

“You arranged it. You could have stopped it.”

Caesar beckoned Lucius over. Germanicus brought a long wooden staff bearing an eagle on its top. Lucius opened a new scroll and dipping his pen in ink he was ready to write.

“Pothinus, Lord chamberlain to King Ptolemy XIII of Egypt you are accused and charged with treason against your Queen, for inciting the mob against Rome, plotting to have me killed and murdering a Roman consul, Pompey.”

“Who accuses me?”

“Queen Cleopatra, her servants, a servant of Pompey’s, my officers, the Senate and people of Rome and me.”

“You have no jurisdiction here Caesar.”

“I AM THE LAW!” the Roman bellowed.

Pothinus turned his attention to the young Queen who sat and watched impassively.

“Your majesty please,” Pothinus pleaded.

Cleopatra made no movement. She lowered her eyes and stared at the floor.

“You are accused and have been found guilty for which the sentence is death. Execution will be carried out immediately.”

Germanicus thumped the floor twice with the staff.

“Caesar has spoken. Law has been passed,” Lucius said his pen scratching away on the papyrus.

Pothinus suddenly felt very sick but he knew there was nothing to be done. He had tried to please this man with the head of his enemy and it had all gone disastrously wrong. Two legionaries stepped up either side of Pothinus to arrest him.

“Apollodorus would you like to accompany the Lord chamberlain.”

“Thank you Caesar.”

The door closed behind them with a thud.

In the corridor Apollodorus was talking to a centurion.

“You’re a traitor!” Pothinus called to him, taunting him. The centurion nodded and Apollodorus turned and suddenly leapt at Pothinus with a sword. Pothinus had no time to react to the blow which struck his head from his shoulders. A jet of blood splashed the wall and the body fell. Apollodorus watched the body twitch and then go still.

“It is you who is the traitor.”

He offered the sword back to the centurion.

“My Queen is avenged.”

Blood dripped from the sword to the floor.

“Take it to Caesar.”

Inside the main room they waited patiently. Not a sound was heard. Finally the door opened and Apollodorus came in alone. In his hand the blood stained Gladius. Ten paces from Julius he stopped. Custom decreed that by law no one armed could come closer except his Generals and personal bodyguards. Apollodorus went down on one knee and laid the sword on the floor.

“Great Caesar I beg to report to you that I have executed the eunuch, the Lord chamberlain, Pothinus.”

“You did it?”

Caesar had planned that Apollodorus, if invited to join the execution party, would probably strike the blow. He had arranged it with the centurion Vinius. Thus pothinus was killed by an Egyptian and not a Roman.

“Yes Caesar. I hope I did not act against your best interests.”

Caesar glanced at Cleopatra then back at the servant before him.

“What is done is done. Lucius add to the record please that Apollodorus performed the execution. That is all. Apollodorus you may stand,” To Germanicus he said, “See that whoever owns the sword gets it returned to them. You might wish to clean it first.”

“Yes sir.”

Now Julius focused on the boy King who blanched under the gaze.

“Are you going to kill me too Caesar?”

Lucius unrolled a new blank scroll and waited with pen ready.

“King Ptolemy you have been found guilty of allowing the death of the Roman consul Pompey the great….”

“I had no part in it,” the youth whined.

“Do not interrupt me!” Caesar roared, “You could have stopped it! Or prevented it!”

“I tried to. I wanted to. I wanted to be friends with Rome. I wanted to be your ally. Isn’t that so Theodotus,” Ptolemy turned to his schoolteacher, “Tell him the truth.”

“Enough!” Caesar raised his hand to silence them, ” You have been found guilty, as was Pothinus. You will be banished from Alexandria. I am sending you to your army. Achillas can do with you as he pleases. If you choose to fight against my legions then no Roman shall hesitate to slay you. You too,” Caesar spoke to the teacher.

“That doesn’t sound too bad,” Ptolemy said to Theodotus.

“Be quiet,” Theodotus said, “If I may speak Caesar. You know that sending

Ptolemy to his army means almost certain death to him. If your Romans don’t kill him Achillas surely will.”

Caesar knew full well that if Achillas were to defeat his legions then removing Ptolemy would give the Egyptian General the kingdom.

“If Achillas defeats me then I am dead and so is Queen Cleopatra. It is a dangerous game we all play as Pothinus so recently found out.”

He spoke now to Ptolemy.

“It is always a risk for one who would be King. Ptolemy XIII, King of upper and lower Egypt you are hereby banished from the kingdom of Cleopatra and of Alexandria for the rest of your natural life.”

Lucius scribbled as the staff struck the floor twice.

“From this day forward Queen Cleopatra is to rule upper and lower Egypt as sole ruler and monarch.”

The staff struck the floor twice more.

Ptolemy was frantic. Tears were running down his face. He looked at Caesar, his lips were quivering. Then he looked at his sister and sank to his knees. Cleopatra stared back. He tried to plead with her using his eyes. Finally she could stand it no longer and she stared down at the floor again. Ptolemy shook his head slowly in disbelief. The tears were flowing freely. Then he looked at Caesar once more who just stood and glared at him. Finally he could take no more and he stumbled to his feet and fled. At the door he pawed feebly at the two legionaries guarding the door.

“Let him go,” Julius ordered.

They moved out of the way and Ptolemy fled the room, crying uncontrollably.

Caesar looked at his generals. They all stood their ground. Then angrily he stomped from the office. Cleopatra got up and ran after him, calling out to him, stopping him.

“Cleopatra I want to be alone. I’ve not had time to mourn my son-in-law.”

“I understand Caesar but I thought that tonight you need not be alone.”

He went to pull away from her.

“Cleopatra I….”

He stopped as she reached up to kiss him on the mouth. Then she smiled at him seductively while biting her lower lip. His mood had now changed and he allowed her to pull him along the corridor.

“Where are we going?”

“To be at one with the Gods.”

She led him across the palace, turning to look at him occasionally. His guards were protecting most of the doors they passed. At the end of a long corridor both his and her guards protected a final door. They moved obediently out of the way all except 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.”