Casca 7: The Damned (5 page)

Casca's head throbbed for three days and spots of many colors danced before his eyes, partially from the knock on the head and partially from hunger. They were not fed until the tents of Alaric came into sight. They were hustled off to a separate pen where they were held with a number of other Goths, Vandals, Marcomanni, and Suevii that had been found bearing the arms of Rome. The rest of the captive legionnaires disappeared over a rise.

In Rome, the daily dole of three pounds of bread was cut again and again, until there was nothing to be given out to the masses. The rich continued to feed themselves on delicacies and rare vintages for a time, believing that relief was sure to come soon, but the weeks rolled by and they too began to feel the gnawing fear of desperate hunger. Their wealth was spent on buying morsels to eat that they would have cast to their dogs before, and they bid over a piece of half decayed horse flesh as if it were a priceless work of art.

Casca knew that some were even now feeding on the flesh of humans. And with starvation came disease and corpses filled the streets; the pungent odor of death hung over the city, heavy and nauseating.

Pomiamus, Prefect of Rome, even considered resorting to spells and sacrifices that would bring down the barbarians, but the religious wail of the Christians claimed this was too close to profanation and the sacrifices never took place. Instead, when faith in the Emperor's promises failed, Pomiamus had no choice but to ask for mercy from the Gothic prince. When Pomiamus's delegation, led by Basilius, a Senator of ancient origin, was admitted into the presence of Alaric, they tried to bluff their way by declaring that if Alaric didn't want to give them fair and easy terms, he would have to face an armed populace in all its righteous rage.

Alaric, knowing the true state of the inhabitants of the now less than immortal city, replied, "The thicker the hay, the easier it's mowed." He then explained the degree of his knowledge of the city and its capabilities to defend itself. Alaric watched the Romans, knowing he had them by the short hairs.

He smiled as he told them that in exchange for not leveling the walls of Rome, all he wanted was all the gold and silver in the city, no matter who it belonged to, and everything of value that could be moved or torn down.

The senator asked in despair, "Then what do you plan on leaving us?"

Alaric laughed harshly. "Your lives."

Alaric knew that he couldn't get everything he wanted, as much would be hidden that he could never recover and the time it would take to do a complete job of pillaging the city was more than he wanted to stay in the region. He needed new grounds to forage from. So he made his final offer and accepted a payment of five thousand pounds of gold, thirty of silver, four thousand robes of silk which were worth their weight in gold and three thousand pounds of pepper from India.

Alaric was content for the moment, and as agreed, he gave the orders for his tribes to form, leaving the city walls, moving into the more prosperous countryside of Tuscany where he could set up his winter camp with the assurance there would be no starvation among his own people, which had grown by another forty thousand' barbarian slaves that had broken free from their masters and joined his standard. Also from the north, he received a reinforcement of Goths and Huns brought to him by Ataulf, the brother of his wife. Alaric had the spirit of a barbarian chieftain and the discipline of a Roman general of Caesar and his name was enough to cause fear the length of Italia, for none knew when he might choose to move again.

Alaric was kept well informed in intelligence matters. When he received word that two tribesmen wearing the armor of the praetorians had been captured, he ordered them into his presence. Praetorians could tell him much about the inner workings of Honorius's court.

Casca and Vergix were herded into Alaric's tent and forced to their knees until they were given permission to rise. Casca stood, still wearing the gold trimmed armors of the guards, as did Vergix.

Alaric was silent for a moment watching them through his bright, clear blue eyes. He spoke first to Vergix, "How came you to be wearing the arms of Rome?"

Vergix told him straightforwardly the story of his and Casca's day in the arena and the promise they had to give in order to be freed.

Alaric nodded. "And have you been true to your oath of loyalty to him?"

Vergix spoke firmly, with no quiver in his voice. "I have."

Alaric turned to Casca, eyeing him up and down. "You are not of the tribes, though you have lighter hair and eyes than most Latins. There is a mannerism to you that speaks of Rome. The way you stand is that of a soldier of the legions. I know that you are not of my kinsmen because even here the tale of the fight you and this one made in the arena of Ravenna has come to be known. But no matter, did you also keep your oath of loyalty to Hon
orius?"

Casca faced Alaric, answering him as one soldier would to another, "Yes, an oath is not lightly broken, even if it is given under pressure."

Alaric called for wine and indicated for the two to join him at a table. He liked the looks of these two. Pouring for all three, he spoke again, "If you had said otherwise, or if I believed you had lied, your heads would now be looking for their bodies. It is good that you were loyal while in the service of Honorius, weak and dishonorable though he may be. But now you are no longer under his authority, but mine. I have no desire to kill those that might be useful to me; therefore, if I grant you your lives, will you serve me as well?"

Vergix took his time answering, hiding his thoughts behind his wine cup. A wrong answer meant death.

Was he being tested again? He made up his mind. "Aye, Lord Alaric, I will serve. I can be of no use to Honorius now. You have my head in your hands and if you decide to take it, then surely I could be of no further use to the Romans. My oath was only given in order to save my life. I did that once and surely there could be no more dishonor if I did it again under the same circumstances."

Alaric laughed deeply. "So be it, your head shall remain on your shoulders. And you, Roman, will you also swear fealty to me?"

Casca knew his answer and didn't have to wait before making it. "No, lord, I cannot give you that oath." "And why not?" Alaric watched him.

Casca stood at attention, picking his words carefully.

"I know the days of Rome's greatness are passing, that she may never rise again, but still I cannot be a party to the slaughter of those of my own race though it must surely come if not this day then another. I know that a new dawn is rising and perhaps it is time for Rome to be allowed to die, but I have been her son too long to help kill her, even to stop the rot that has set in."

Alaric was not displeased at the response. "That is a good answer, Roman, and
I respect you for it. Loyalty to a lost cause may be foolhardy, but it is noble. You have both pleased me this evening and I give you your lives. You," indicating Vergix, "shall join my forces among your brothers. You," to Casca, "shall be allowed to live, but make no mistake. It shall be only as long as you don't interfere with my plans. If I kept you in chains you would not be able to help Rome. I would prefer to put bonds on you of a lighter kind. Will you give me your oath not to betray me? If you do, there will be no chains other than those of your own honor. But if you give your oath and lie, then not only you but your friend shall pay for it in a manner that shall have you screaming for weeks."

Casca considered his choice and gave his oath not to interfere. Alaric kept him under close watch for a few days, though Vergix was given complete freedom of movement.

There was nothing Casca could do but wait and watch the events that were coming; he knew there could only be one end at this stage.

It came soon. Alaric took the attempt of the Dalmati
ans to reach Rome as a breach of faith, and moved on the city again. As winter was on them, he took first the port of Ostia from which all grain had to be shipped by barges up the Tiber. With this single move, he once more had Rome at his mercy and the specter of famine again struck the city.

The gates of Rome were opened to Alaric by those who wished to curry favor for themselves. He occupied the city and proclaimed a senator named Attalus the Emperor, which was rapidly ratified by the Senate. Alaric knew that he could never unite all Italy behind him unless he had an acceptable figurehead, and Attalus was of a respected and noble family.

Things went well enough for a time, but fortune smiled on Honorius, who received reinforcements and gold from Africa through the able hands of Count Heraclian. He broke agreements time and again, violating their truce with Alaric and the fickle population of Rome removed the purple from the shoulders of Attalus.

For the third time, Alaric came to the city, but this time there would be no saving it. The Salerian Gate was opened for him by his agents and the Goths poured into Rome with a vengeance. This time they were to take what they wanted from the city and its people. The only places given protection were those of worship; they were not to be touched.

Casca stood with Alaric and Vergix as the Goths entered the Salerian Gates. He saw the first flame lick up to the night sky. One thousand sixty three years after her founding, Rome was being sacked, a fate she had given to innumerable other cities.

Alaric watched his captive. He understood the emotions going through him. He told Casca sadly, "There is no other way. Rome has to be cleansed that a new order may be founded. I will not kill Rome, only cut off the diseased parts."

A troop of two thousand Vandals poured through the gates which were now in flames. "We do not have much time to speak. I will be needed soon, but understand this. I have long admired the accomplishments of your nation. If I can infuse the vitality of my tribesmen with the culture and knowledge of Rome, there could come a new order which could hold the world together for centuries. But before that can take place, an example has to be made. Rome has to learn to accept and obey. Thousands will die, but that is a small price to pay for what both sides will win if I succeed. Between us we will become one people so powerful, both in arms and knowledge, that no one could ever stand against us. The days of the Roman Republic will be brought back."

Casca took a deep breath and let the air out slowly.

"You know what I say is true, Roman. This day be glad it is I and not the King of the Huns whose men are riding through those gates."

Casca's
eyes were stinging both from smoke and emotion as he replied, "I know that what you are saying is true, but still the knowing and the seeing are two different things and it hurts me to watch my city die."

Vergix shifted, uncomfortable at the conversation. His was a simpler mind. He wanted to be in on the looting, but he did not wish to offend his friend.

Alaric signaled for one of his officers to come to him. The Goth saluted with drawn sword.

"Take this man to Ostia. He is to be put on board the first ship out to any port other than one of Italy." He put a leather pouch of coins in Casca's hand. "Go away from me and this place. There is nothing for you here but pain and nothing you can do to help anyone. Perhaps I will succeed in my dream, perhaps not. That is in the hands of fate. All I can do is to follow my wyrd and you can do no less yourself. Go away from me, Roman! You give me too much pain, for I see myself in your eyes and it is not good for a man to look too closely at himself. Go away, Roman, go away."

Casca obeyed and followed after the Gothic officer after saying farewell to Vergix. The two rode away from the flames of Rome. He never looked back. In some ways he hoped Alaric would be successful, but he was a dreamer and dreams seldom come true.

For six days the rape of Rome continued. Nobles found themselves on their knees serving food and drink to Goths and Scythians, watching as the barbarians took their pleasure with their daughters and wives. They could do nothing to protest or to stop it.

Rome had to be taught a hard lesson. Alaric had the fires put out after the first night.. He would not have the city burned to the ground, but all that was in it belonged to his men. They could not be denied their rights a third time.

He had two hundred of his own men beheaded for disobeying him and starting fires. As a rule, the barbarians were merciful when not provoked by resistance. But any who stood between them and what they wanted was silenced in his protests with an ax or sword.

On the seventh day, Alaric gave the order for the plundering to cease. He was obeyed. His wagons were loaded with the spoils of Rome. Gold and silver statues were melted down for easier handling. Furniture and clothing, anything that was of value, was taken and this time the secret hoards of the rich were found when tongues were loosened with red hot irons.

Only one senator lost his life at the hands of a Goth: The rest of the nobility, though treated roughly, were given their lives and ransomed at modest prices.

There was nothing left for the barbarians in Rome. They went back into the country, passing thousands of panic stricken citizens who had fled the city. These they ignored. They already had more spoils than they could count and the few pitiful possessions of the refugees were of no interest to them. Ten thousand slaves were taken with them just to haul the wagons and carry on their backs the wealth of Rome.

Alaric watched it all from his horse. Now perhaps Honorius would be ready to listen to reason and there could be made a new beginning that would benefit them all.