Hannibal: Enemy of Rome

Later, Quintus was not sure whether it was because of the wine he’d drunk or his anger at the treatment of the Roman embassy. Either way, he wanted to lash out at someone. ‘Who cares?’ he snapped. ‘He’s a gugga. Let him go.’ Quintus regretted the words the instant they left his mouth. He made to walk after Hanno, but Gaius, who was laughing, dragged him over to a stone bench by the fountain. ‘Let’s talk,’ his friend muttered drunkenly.

Quintus dared not pull away. The darkness concealed his stricken face.

His shoulders stiff with repressed fury, Hanno did not look back. It was ten more steps to the kitchen, where he clattered the dishes angrily into the sink. So much for friendship with a Roman, he thought, bitterness coursing through his veins. He knew that Aurelia was sympathetic towards him, but he could not be sure of anyone else. Especially Quintus. The anger he’d heard in all the nobles’ voices at Flaccus’ revelation was natural, yet it changed Hanno’s situation completely. In principle, he was now an enemy. His own delight at the matter would have to be buried so deeply that no one could see it. In the close confines of the house, Hanno knew how difficult this would prove. He exhaled slowly. An important decision had just been made for him. He should run away. Soon. But to Carthage or Iberia? And was there any chance of finding Suniaton before he left?

Chapter X: Betrayal

The next morning Quintus had another hangover, and his memories of Flaccus’ facial expressions were hazy. Enough disquiet remained in his mind, however, for him to seek out his father. He found Fabricius closeted in his office with Flaccus. The pair were busily drawing up Aurelia’s betrothal papers, and looked irritated by the distraction. Fabricius brushed off Quintus’ muttered request for a word. Seeing his son’s disappointment, he relented slightly. ‘Tell me later,’ he said.

Glumly, Quintus shut the door. He had other things on his mind too. He had insulted Hanno cruelly and he was ashamed. The Carthaginian’s status meant that Quintus could treat him in any way he chose, but of course that was not the point. He saved my life. We are friends now, thought Quintus. I owe him an apology. Yet his quest to resolve this problem proved as frustrating as his attempt to speak with his father. He found Hanno easily enough, but the Carthaginian pretended not to hear Quintus’ voice when he called, and avoided all attempts to make eye contact. Quintus didn’t want to make a scene, and there was so much going on that he could not even find a quiet corner to explain. Fabricius’ decision to accompany Flaccus to Rome and thence to war meant that the place was a flurry of activity. Every household slave was occupied in one way or another. Clothes, furniture and blankets had to be packed, armour polished and weapons sharpened.

Quintus went miserably in search of Aurelia. He wasn’t sure whether he should mention anything about Flaccus. All he had to go on were two fleeting glimpses, observed while under the influence of too much wine. He decided to see what frame of mind Aurelia was in before saying a word. If she was still feeling positive about the marriage, he would say nothing. The last thing Quintus wanted to do was upset his sister’s fragile acceptance of her lot.

To his surprise, Aurelia was in excellent humour. ‘He is so handsome,’ she gushed. ‘And not that old either. I think we will be very happy.’

Burying his doubts, Quintus nodded and smiled.

‘He strikes me as being quite arrogant, but what man of his position isn’t? His loyalty to Rome is beyond doubt, and that is all that matters.’ Aurelia’s face grew troubled. ‘I felt so sorry for Hanno last night. The horrible names they were calling his people were so unnecessary. Have you spoken with him?’

Quintus looked away. ‘No.’

Aurelia reacted with typical female intuition. ‘What’s wrong?’ she demanded.

‘Nothing,’ Quintus replied. ‘I have a hangover, that’s all.’

She bent to catch his eye. ‘Did you argue with Hanno?’

‘No,’ he answered. ‘Yes. I don’t know.’

Aurelia raised her eyebrows, and Quintus knew that she would not leave it alone until he told her. ‘When I left with Gaius, it looked like Hanno had been eavesdropping outside the door,’ he said.

‘Is that surprising? We were talking about a war between his people and ours,’ Aurelia observed tartly. ‘What does it matter anyway? He was there in the room when Flaccus told us the most important part of his story.’

‘I know,’ Quintus muttered. ‘It seemed suspicious, though. Gaius wanted to challenge him, but I told him not to bother. That Hanno was just a gugga.’

Aurelia’s hand rose to her mouth. ‘Quintus! How could you?’

Quintus hung his head. ‘I wanted to say sorry straightaway… but Gaius wanted to talk,’ he finished lamely. ‘I couldn’t walk off and leave him.’

‘I hope you’ve apologised this morning,’ Aurelia said sternly.