“Are we trying to save money on lamp oil, Felix?” Syphax asked.
Felix turned his head to address Syphax’s question. “The Imperator says they make the palace too hot, so we don’t light as many. He grows waspish, but so far, today has been a good day.”
Syphax nodded.
The room Felix led them to was deep inside the ancient palace, far from the place inhabited by Trajan and his staff. Since Trajan was headed back to Roma, there was no need to make the palace into a fully livable habitation; it was merely a way stop. Although this part of the palace wasn’t in use, the room had been cleaned and prepared for the small party Felix escorted to it. At one end of the room stood a man in a richly appointed toga.
“Syphax, you remember Drusus Gracchus. Please sit. I’ll have refreshment sent in shortly.” Felix bowed and left the room.
“Syphax, it’s been a while since we’ve spoken.” Drusus Gracchus grasped Syphax’s hand.
“It has been. Drusus, this is my optio, Lucius Silvanius Ferrata.” Syphax waved Lucius forward.
“Ah, the promising young legionnaire Caesar spoke of.” Drusus Gracchus shook Lucius’s offered hand.
Lucius stood straighter and nodded respectfully to the man who held the imperator’s ear.
“How are you involved in this, Drusus?” Syphax asked.
“I’ve been liaising with various Mithraeum on behalf of the imperator. That’s who your mission is coming from. The pater patrum of Antiochia came to us as soon as the imperator arrived.” Drusus Gracchus walked over to a map on the table. “You’re going to Armenia.”
Lucius followed Syphax over to the table. The map roughly sketched out the region of northern Syria and into the lands surrounding the Euxinus Pontus. They had a lot of hard travel ahead of them, especially if they wanted to get that deep into the mountains and out again before the snow set in.
“If rumors hold true, that’s not going to be an easy place to move through,” Syphax said.
“I agree; it’s probably awash in Parthian agents. Suspect the loyalties of any Armenian official. Their fidelity can switch directions as easily as the breeze can. Once you cross into Armenia, the Armenian ‘king’ is supposed to be sending an auxilia of sagittariorum since you won’t be bringing any archers from the First Adiutrix with you.”
Syphax frowned and crossed his arms. “I’d almost rather not have them at all. Who knows where their loyalties lie, and I don’t fancy having archers at my back that I don’t trust.”
Drusus Gracchus nodded. “Caesar has provided funds to ensure their loyalty stays with you for the duration of your mission.”
Syphax nodded begrudgingly. With the imperator that involved in the situation, they’d have little choice in taking on the Armenian archers.
“Any questions?” Drusus asked.
“Where exactly are we going in Armenia, and why are we traveling deep into the Armenian mountains as the weather is about to turn?” Syphax reached for the cup of wine Felix had set down near him.
“You’ll be headed toward the mountains in the eastern part of the country. The imperator is providing local guides who can get you to the right mountain when you get to the southeast side of this lake.” Drusus pointed to a large lake in the center of Armenia. “And as for the reason, you’ve been called by Mithras himself to defend his temple.” Drusus’s face was dead serious.
“There’s a Mithraeum in the mountains?” Syphax’s eyebrows rose as his eyes widened.
“It is Mithras’s own personal Mithraeum. It’s being assailed by some dark force. They claim it is di manes or di inferi, or some dark…monsters. The names differ depending on where the pater is from, but they all agree there are sinister forces assaulting Mithras’s sanctuary. The local pater patrum couldn’t get more detail than that from the auguries.”
“Di manes are attacking a god? Are you serious?” Syphax stroked his short beard. “And this isn’t some priest addled on fumes?”
Lucius had to wonder as well. He’d always respected the gods and paid honor to local gods when he traveled through their lands. Since he’d been initiated into the mysteries of Mithras, he’d paid the honors due to the god who’d become prominent with the legions. He’d never met a god, nor had he heard of one needing mortals to aid in their defense, but if Trajan ordered them to obey the call of the priests and the auguries, his opinion mattered little.
“If it were only one, it might be suspect, but we’ve been in contact with several pater patrum of various Mithraeum who’ve had the same experience,” Drusus replied.
“Exactly?”
Nodding seriously, Drusus locked his gaze with Syphax’s. “Exactly—to the last image.”
Syphax kept silent for a few moments as he nodded to himself. “Right. Lucius, what are your thoughts?”
Lucius shrugged. “If Caesar says go to Armenia and take up mountain climbing, I march to Armenia.”
“Your optio has a clear understanding of the situation,” Drusus said, looking Lucius over.
“That he does,” Syphax replied.
“I need to send a few messages,” Drusus said. “Felix will escort you to the imperator. I’ll join you soon.”
Syphax nodded. Together, Lucius and his centurion followed Felix out of the room. Lucius had wanted to get out of the sun of Syria and Mesopotamia, but into the mountains of Armenia where winter could come on early and violently wasn’t exactly the change he’d been looking for. But like he’d said, if Trajan said he needed to go to Armenia, he’d start preparing to be cold instead of hot.
TWO
Lucius assumed they were getting closer to the Imperator—the corridors smelled fresher with a hint of sea air. Soon, a tantalizing sound joined the gentle breeze moving through the corridor, teasing at the corner of his awareness. As they got closer, the reedy noise became clearer, the sound simultaneously soaring and sorrowful.
“What is that music?” Lucius asked Felix.
“Ah, the Armenians are entertaining the Imperator,” Felix replied. “Let’s slide in quietly so as not to interrupt. They’ve been keeping him company much recently.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard that instrument before,” Lucius commented.
Felix gave Lucius a half smile. “It’s native to Armenia. They call it a tsiranapogh.”
