annr.pandora-第21章

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　〃What？　Your　mistress？　You　came　here　with　your　mistress？　The　children；　they　are　all　dead？〃
　〃Yes；　of　course；　they　must　be。　How　could　they　have　escaped'？　Look；　Lydia；　I　give　you　one　night　to　get　out　of　this　city　and　away　from　me。　I　am　lodged　here　fortably　and　will　not　tolerate　you。　Get　out　of　Antioch。　Go　by　sea　or　land；　I　don't　care；　but　go！〃
　〃You　left　your　wife　and　children　to　die'？　And　came　here　with　Priscilla？〃
　〃How　the　hell　did　you　get　away；　you　stinking　bitch　in　heat；　answer　me　that！　Of　course　you　had　no　children；　the　great　famous　barren　womb　of　our　family！〃　He　looked　at　the　torchbearers。　〃Get　away　from　here！〃　he　shouted。
　〃Stay　right　where　you　are。〃
　I　put　my　hand　on　my　dagger。　I　moved　the　mantle　so　that　he　could　see　the　flash　of　the　metal。
　He　looked　genuinely　surprised　and　then　gave　a　ghastly　false　smile。　Oh；　revolting！
　〃Lydia；　I　wouldn't　hurt　you　for　the　world！〃　he　said　as　if　insulted。　〃I　am　only　worried　for　us　all。　Word　came　from　the　house。　Everyone　had　been　killed。　What　was　I　to　do；　go　back　and　die　for　nothing？〃
　〃You're　lying。　And　don't　you　call　me　a　bitch　in　heat　again　unless　you　want　to　bee　a　gelding。　I　know　you　lie。　Somebody　tipped　you　off；　and　you　got　out！　Or　it　was　you　who　betrayed　us　all。〃
　Ah；　how　sad　for　him　that　he　was　not　more　clever；　more　quick。　He　did　not　take　umbrage　at　these　loathsome　charges　as　he　should　have。　He　just　tilted　his　head　and　said：
　〃No；　that's　not　true。　Look；　e　with　me　now。　Send　these　men　away；　get　rid　of　that　slave；　and　I　will　help　you。　Priscilla　adores　you。〃
　〃She's　a　liar　and　slut！　And　how　calm　you　have　bee　in　the　face　of　my　suspicions。　Nothing　as　steamed　as　when　you　saw　me！　I　just　accused　you　of　betraying　our　family　to　the　Delatores。　I　accused　you　of　abandoning　your　wife　and　children　to　the　Praetorian　Guard。　Can　you　hear　these　words？〃
　〃It's　utter　stupidity；　I　would　never　do　such　a　thing。〃
　〃You　reek　of　guilt。　Look　at　you。　I　should　kill　you　now！〃
　He　backed　up。　〃Get　out　of　Antioch！〃　he　said。　〃I　don't　care　how　you　judge　me　or　what　I　had　to　do　to　save　myself　and　Priscilla。　Get　out　of　Antioch！〃
　There　were　no　words　for　my　judgment。　It　was　harsher　than　my　soul　could　hold。
　He　backed　away；　and　then　walked　fast　into　the　darkness；　disappearing　before　he　reached　the　portico。　I　listened　to　his　steps　as　they　echoed　down　the　street。
　〃Dear　Heaven！〃　I　whispered。　I　was　about　to　cry。　My　hand　was　still　on　the　dagger；　however。
　I　turned　around。　The　Priest　and　Flavius　stood　much　closer　than　ordered。　I　was　frankly　utterly　baffled；　stopped。
　I　didn't　know　what　to　do。
　〃e　to　the　Temple　at　once；〃　said　the　Priest。
　〃All　right；〃　I　said。　〃Flavius；　you　e　with　me；　stand　watch　with　the　four　torchmen；　I　want　you　right　by　the　Temple　guards；　and　keep　an　eye　out　for　that　man。〃
　〃Who　is　he；　Madam；〃　Flavius　whispered　as　I　strode　towards　the　Temple；　leading　them　both。
　How　regal　he　looked。　He　had　the　presence　of　a　free　man。　And　his　tunic　was　beautiful　thin　wool；　striped　in　gold；　belted　in　gold；　well　fitted　across　his　chest。　Even　his　ivory　leg　had　been　polished。　I　was　more　than　pleased。　But　was　he　armed'？
　Beneath　his　quiet　demeanor；　he　was　deeply　protective　of　me。
　In　my　misery；　I　couldn't　form　words　to　answer　him。
　Several　litters　were　now　crisscrossing　the　square；　carried　on　the　shoulders　of　hurrying　slaves；　and　other　slaves　carried　the　torches　beside　them。　A　kind　of　soft　glow　rose　from　the　motion。　People　were　on　their　way　to　dinners　or　private　ceremonies。　Something　was　happening　in　the　Temple。
　I　turned　to　the　Priest。　〃You　will　guard　my　slave　and　my　torchbearers？〃
　〃Yes；　Madam；〃　he　said。
　It　was　full　night。　The　breeze　was　sweet。　A　few　lanterns　had　been　lighted　under　the　long　porticoes。　We　drew　near　to　the　braziers　of　the　goddess。
　〃Now　I　must　leave　you；〃　I　said。　〃You　have　my　permission　to　protect　my　property；　as　you　so　eloquently　put　it　earlier；　unto　death。　Don't　move　from　these　doors。　I　won't　leave　here　without　you。　I　won't　stay　long。　I　don't　want　to。　But　have　you　a　knife'？〃
　〃Yes；　Madam；　but　it's　untried。　It　was　among　your　possessions；　and　when　you　did　not　e　home　and　it　grew　dark。。。〃
　〃Don't　recount　the　history　of　the　world；〃　I　said。　〃You　did　the　right　thing。　You　probably　will　always　do　the　right　thing。〃
　I　turned　my　back　to　the　square　and　said；　〃Let　me　see　it。　I'll　know　if　it's　decorative　or　sharp。〃
　When　he　drew　it　from　the　forearm　sling；　I　touched　it　with　my　finger　and　blood　came　from　the　cut。　I　returned　it。　This　had　belonged　to　my　Father。　So　my　Father　had　filled　my　trunk　with　his　weapons　as　well　as　his　wealth；　so　that　I　might　live！
　Flavius　and　I　exchanged　one　last　slow　glance。
　The　Priest　grew　very　anxious。　〃Madam；　please　e　inside；〃　he　said。
　I　found　myself　ushered　right　through　the　tall　doors　into　the　Temple；　and　with　the　Priestesses　and　the　Priest　of　earlier　that　afternoon。
　〃You　want　something　of　me？〃　I　asked。　I　was　out　of　breath。　I　was　faint。　〃I　have　much　on　my　mind；　things　that　must　be　done。　Can　this　wait？〃
　〃No；　Lady；　it　cannot！〃　said　the　Priest。
　I　felt　a　shudder　in　my　limbs　as　if　I　were　being　watched　by　someone。　The　tall　shadows　of　the　Temples　were　too　concealing。
　〃All　right；〃　I　said。　〃It's　about　those　awful　dreams；　isn't　it？〃
　〃Yes；〃　said　the　Priest。　〃And　more　than　that。〃
　
　
　6
　
　We　were　taken　into　another　chamber；　and　this　one　had　only　one　dim　light。
　I　couldn't　see　well　in　the　flickering　of　the　flame　and　I　realized　I　could　not　make　out　the　faces　of　the　other　Priest　and　Priestess。　An　Oriental　screen；　a　screen　of　worked　ebony；　partitioned　off　the　end　of　this　room；　and　I　felt　certain　someone　was　behind　it。
　But　I　felt　nothing　but　gentleness　emanating　from　all　of　these　gathered　here。　I　looked　around。　I　was　so　miserable　over　my　brother；　and　so　impatient　that　I　couldn't　find　polite　words。
　〃Please；　you　must　forgive　me；〃　I　said。　〃A　dire　matter　requires　me　to　hurry。〃　I　was　being　afraid　for　Flavius's　safety。　〃Do　send　guards　to　flank　my　slave　outside；　now。〃
　〃Done；　Lady；〃　said　the　Priest；　the　one　I　knew。　〃I　beg　you　to　stay　and　recount　your　story　again。〃
　〃Who　is　there！〃　I　pointed。　〃Behind　that　screen。　Why　is　this　person　concealed？〃　This　was　very　rude　and　irreverent；　but　I　was　in　a　full　state　of　alarm。
　〃That　is　one　of　our　most　devoted　supporters；〃　said　the　Priest　who　had　escorted　me　to　the　shrine　of　Isis　earlier。　〃This　one　often　es　by　night　to　pray　at　the　shrine　and　has　given　much　money　to　the　Temple。　He　only　wants　to　hear　what　we　have　to　say。〃
　〃Well；　I'm　not　so　sure　of　that。　Tell　him　to　e　out！〃　I　said。　〃Besides；　what　is　it　we're　supposed　to　say？〃
　I　was　infuriated　suddenly　that　they　might　have　betrayed　my　corifidences。　I　hadn't　told　them　my　true　Roman　name；　only　of　my　tragedy；　but　the　Temple　was　sacred。
　They　became　all　flustered　in　their　gentleness。
　The　figure；　draped　in　the　toga；　much　taller　than　my　brother；　in　fact；　remarkably　tall；　stepped　out　from　behind　the　screen。　The　toga　was　dark；　but　nevertheless　the　classical　garment。　His　face　was　hidden　by　the　toga。　I　could　only　see　his　lips。
　He　whispered：
　〃Don't　be　afraid。　You　told　the　Priest　and　Priestesses　this　afternoon　of　blood　dreams。〃
　〃This　was　in　confidence！〃　I　said　indignantly。　I　was　pletely　suspicious；　for　I　had　told　a　good　deal　more　than　blood　dreams　to　these　people。
　I　tried　better　to　see　the　figure。　There　was　something　distinctly　familiar　about　the　figure　…　the　voice；　even　in　a　whisper。。。　something　else。
　〃Lady　Pandora；〃　said　the　Priestess　who　had　so　consoled　me　earlier。　〃You　talked　to　me　of　an　old　legendary　worship；　worship　which　we　oppose　and　condemn。　A　worship　of　our　Beloved　Mother　which　once　involved　human　sacrifice。　I　told　you　that　we　abhor　such　things。　And　we　do。〃
　〃However；〃　said　the　Priest；　〃there　is　someone　afoot　in　the　city　of　Antioch　who　does　drink　blood　from　humans；　draining　them　until　they　are　dead。　Then　he　flings　the　bodies　before　dawn　on　our　steps。　The　very　steps　of　our　Temple。〃　He　sighed。　〃Lady　Pandora；　I　am　entrusting　you　with　a　powerful　confidence。〃
　All　thought　of　my　evil　brother　left　me。　The　hound　of　the　dreams　bore　down　upon　me　with　its　evil　breath。　I　tried　to　gather　my　wits。　I　thought　again　of　the　voice　I'd　heard　in　my　head：　It　is　E　who　summoned　you。　The　feminine　laughter。
　〃No；　it　was　a　woman's　laughter；〃　I　murmured。
　〃Lady　Pandora？〃
　〃You　tell　me　there　is　someone　afoot　in　Antioch　who　drinks　blood。〃
　〃By　night。　He　cannot　walk　in　the　day；〃　said　the　Priest。
　I　saw　the　dream；　the　rising　sun；　knowing　I　the　blood　drinker　would　die　in　the　rays　of　the　sun。
　〃You're　telling　me　that　these　blood　drinkers　I　saw　in　my　dream　exist？〃　I　asked。　〃That　one　of　them　is　here。〃
　〃Someone　wants　us　to　believe　this；〃　said　the　Priest；　〃that　the　old　legends　have　truth；　but　we　don't　know　who　it　is。　And　we　are　leery　of　the　Roman　authorities。　You　know　what　happened　in　Rome。　You　came　speaking　of　dreams　in　which　the　sun　killed　you；　in　which　you　were　a　blood　drinker。　Lady；　I'm　not　betraying　your　confidences　here。　This　one　…〃
　He　gestured　to　the　tall　man。　〃This　is　the　one　who　reads　the　ancient　writing。　He's　read　the　legends。　Your　dreams　echo　the　legends。〃
　〃I　am　sick；〃　I　said。　〃I　need　a　chair。　I　have　enemies　to　worry　about。〃
　〃I'll　protect　you　from　your　enemies；〃　said　the　mysterious　tall　man　in　the　toga。
　〃How　can　you？　You　don't　even　know　who　they　are。　〃
　There　came　a　silent　voice　from　the　tall　man　in　the　toga：
　Your　brother　Lucius　betrayed　the　entire　family。　He　did　it　out　of　jealousy　of　your　brother　Antony。　He　sold　out　everybody　to　the　Delatores　for　a　guaranteed　one…third　of　the　family's　wealth　and　left　before　the　killing　began。　He　had　the　cooperation　of　Sejanus　of　the　Praetorian　Guard。　He　wants　to　kill　you。
　I　was　shocked　but　also　not　about　to　let　this　person　overwhelm　me。
　You　speak　just　like　the　woman；　I　said　silently。　You　speak　right　to　my　thoughts。　You　speak　like　the　woman　who　said　to　me　in　my　head；　〃It　is　I　who　summoned　you。〃
　I　could　feel　his　shock　at　this。　But　I　too　slumped　as　if　dealt　a　mortal　blow。　So　this　creature　knew　all　about　my　brothers；　and　Lucius　had　betrayed　us。　And　this　creature　knew。
　What　are　you？　I　fired　off　to　the　mind　speaker；　the　tall　one。　Are　you　a　magicians
　No　answer。
　The　Priest　and　Priestess；　unable　to　hear　this　silent　exchange；　pursued　their　course。
　〃This　blood　drinker；　Lady　Pandora；　he　leaves　human　victims　on　the　steps　of　the　Temple　before　dawn。　He　writes　an　old　name　in　Egyptian　on　his　victims　with　their　blood。　Should　the　government　discover　this；　our　Temple　might　be　held　accountable。　This　is　not　our　worship。
　〃Will　you　recount　again　for　us　…　for　our　friend　here　…　your　dreams？　We　must　protect　the　worship　of　Isis。　We　did　not　believe　in　these　old　legends。。。　until　this　creature　appeared　and　began　his　killing；　then　es　out　of　the　sea　a　beautiful　Roman　woman　who　speaks　of　similar　beings　who　are　in　her　dreams。〃
　〃What　name　does　he　write　on　his　victims？〃　I　asked。　〃This　blood　drinker。　Is　it　Isis？〃
　〃It's　meaningless；　it's　forbidden；　it's　old　Egyptian。　It　is　one　of　the　names　by　which　Isis　was　once　called；　but　never　by　us。〃
　〃What　is　it？〃
　None　of　them；　including　the　silent　one；　answered　me。
　In　the　silence；　I　thought　of　Lucius　and　I　almost　wept。　Then　hatred　came　over　me；　deep　hatred；　as　it　had　in　the　Forum　when　I　spoke　with　him；　saw　his　cowardly　rage。　Betrayed　the　en