Hannibal: Enemy of Rome

Hanno shivered. Even mentioning the Roman god of the underworld felt like bad luck. He offered up another prayer to Eshmoun, asking for his protection.

Quintus was followed by Gaius, who was carrying a small, shuttered lantern. Both were wearing dark cloaks.

Hanno could take it no more. ‘What are we going to do?’

‘Outside.’ Gaius led them to the stable door, where he lifted the locking bar and gently laid it on the floor. A waft of cool air hit their faces as he tugged the door open. Gaius padded out and checked the street. ‘All clear!’ he hissed an instant later.

Quintus shoved Hanno out first, and pulled the portal to behind them.

‘Come on, Gaius. Are you finally going to tell us what you’ve planned?’ asked Quintus.

Hanno’s stomach clenched into a knot.

‘I will,’ muttered Gaius, ‘but your slave should know something first.’

‘He’s not a slave any more,’ Quintus hissed. ‘I freed him.’

‘You and I know that that holds about as much water as a leaky bucket.’

Quintus did not reply.

Hanno’s breath caught in his chest. Gaius was clearly cut from different cloth to Quintus. He wanted to leave, but that would mean extinguishing whatever hope there was of freeing his friend. Gritting his teeth, he waited.

‘I was stunned when you first told me what you’d done, Quintus,’ Gaius whispered. ‘I said nothing of course. You’re my oldest friend. But you took a step too far when you asked me to help free another slave. That I could not do.’

‘Gaius, I-’ Quintus began. The poor light could not conceal the embarrassment in his voice.

‘I changed my mind, however, when I found out who owned the slave you were interested in.’ Gaius paused. ‘The official who died was none other than the biggest persecutor of Oscan nobility that this city has ever seen. His shitbag of a son is little better. Stealing… freeing… one of his slaves is the least I would do to the bastard.’

Hanno let out a long sigh.

‘Thank you, Gaius,’ whispered Quintus. He wasn’t going to question his friend’s motives at a moment such as this.

At once Gaius brought them into a little huddle. ‘I started off by spending days hanging around in the street where the official’s son lives. I found out little, but I did get to know the faces of everyone who lived in his house. Then my luck changed. About a week ago, I saw the major-domo coming out of a brothel in a different part of town.’

‘So what?’ demanded Quintus. ‘That’s hardly unusual.’

Gaius’ teeth flashed white in the darkness. ‘Except when I went inside and asked who he’d been fucking, the madam went all coy. I slipped her a few coins, and she soon changed her tune. It seems that the major-domo has a taste for young boys.’

‘Filthy bastard,’ muttered Quintus.

An image of Hostus popped into Hanno’s mind. His father’s enemy was known for a similar taste in flesh. ‘It’s disgusting, but is it a crime?’ he asked. ‘It’s not in Carthage, unfortunately.’

‘The practice is frowned upon by many, but it isn’t against the law for citizens, like us,’ Gaius replied. ‘Slaves are a different matter, however. I doubt that the official’s son would be too pleased to find out about his major-domo’s habits. The madam said that he tends to get overexcited. Violent. She’s had to intervene a number of times to stop her boys from being badly injured.’

‘Fucking animal,’ said Quintus, looking revolted.

Hanno was just grateful that he and Suniaton hadn’t been sold to a similar fate. ‘So you’re blackmailing him?’

‘Basically, yes,’ Gaius answered. ‘He’s agreed to drug the slave who guards the door, which will give him a chance to let Suniaton out. Of course the poor bastard doorman will probably end up on a cross for letting another slave escape, but the major-domo doesn’t care about that. He’s only thinking of his own skin.’

‘And if he doesn’t play along?’ enquired Quintus. His words made Hanno’s stomach clench.

‘His owner will receive an anonymous letter detailing his sordid activities to the letter, and giving the brothel’s address should he wish to corroborate the details.’

‘Excellent,’ murmured Quintus.

For a moment, Hanno’s delight at Gaius’ plan was soured by the knowledge that an innocent slave would suffer, or even die, so that Suni might be free. He quelled the thought without remorse. He would kill to save his friend. How was this any different? ‘It sounds foolproof,’ he said. ‘Thank you.’

‘I’m not doing it for you,’ Gaius replied curtly. ‘I’m doing it because it gives me an opportunity to get back at the official’s son.’ He chuckled at the others’ confusion. ‘By sunset tomorrow, everyone in the town will have heard the rumour that he likes to screw young boys. Not the best way to start a political career, is it?’ He looked at Gaius, who gave a resigned shrug. ‘Best get moving now, though. Stay close.’