Final Campaign

Sulpicianus, who never did show up.Neither, for that matter, did Lentulus, nor Lucullus, but thelatter did not surprise me at all. Not nearly as odd as I found theabsence of the prosecutor, but concerning the other two, Piso wasas mystified as I was. Nobody talked; there just did not seem to beany point in it, and we had exhausted every innocuous topic, likeweather, the chariot races, and the results of the lastgladiatorial games, long before. The silence was only broken when Igrowled at Piso to stop the infernal drumming of his fingers on thetable, which he did with a mumbled apology and a guilty look. I donot know exactly how much time passed, but it was at least twoparts of a watch before I heard a sound emanating from thedirection of the private office. A moment later, the door opened,and the figure of the Senior Tribune emerged, wearing his toga andcarrying a set of scrolls. Following immediately behind were theother three Tribunes, and I studied the faces of each of them,looking for clues. Despite myself, I felt the first glimmering ofwhat could be called hope by the look on the face of the SeniorTribune's face, who now looked as if he had consumed a whole lemontree. Otherwise, there was no sign found in the faces of theothers, who moved behind the table to take their seats. Only thendid the Senior Tribune wave us to be seated, after we had come tointente at their entrance. Trying to ignore the shaking ofmy legs was difficult, and frankly, I was thankful that I could sitdown, if even for a moment. The Senior Tribune bowed his head,looking down at the scroll he had brought, unrolled in front ofhim, his lips moving as he presumably read the words on it. Or, Iwas struck by the thought, he might be praying. But for what?Lifting his head, he looked over to the Tribune to his right, whowas wearing that same expression of disdain that had been on hisface the entire day before. No words passed between them, but theglare the Senior Tribune gave his compatriot needed no explanation,yet the other man did not flinch in the slightest. Finally, theSenior Tribune cleared his throat.

"Prefect Pullus, please stand to hear thedecision of the Tribunal."

At first I did not move; not because of anydisrespect, but because his voice was almost unrecognizable, arough, croaking sound that told me that the deliberations must havebeen quite spirited. It took Piso nudging me in the ribs as he roseas well to let me know what was expected, and I came to my feet,hoping that the trembling in my legs was unnoticeable by anyoneother than me.

The Senior Tribune cleared his throat again,before he began, "After careful deliberations, and after theauspices were taken and the omens read, it is the decision of thisTribunal, not unanimous, I must add," this time there was nomistaking the glare he gave, but this time it was to the men oneither side, equally, "that you are exonerated of the chargeagainst you of being complicit in waging an unauthorized campaignagainst Thrace, while under the command of then-Praetor MarcusPrimus. There will be no adverse entry into your record, and youare free to go back to your posting in Siscia at your earliestconvenience."

Suddenly, the floor under my feet seemed indanger of tilting, and without thought, I grabbed the edge of thetable as a rush of blood to my head brought on a dizziness thatcaught me completely by surprise. I was only dimly aware of thewhoops and shouts of the men around me, but I felt someone poundingme on the back; I assume it was Scribonius, as I tried tocomprehend what I had just heard. Clearly, this celebration was toomuch for the Senior Tribune, who pounded on the table with hishand, shouting for silence, something that struck me as beingabsurdly funny, and I broke out into a roar of laughter. Whateverit was that gripped me was clearly contagious, because despite thecontinued warnings from the Senior Tribune, Piso, Scribonius, andDiocles quickly joined me in a conflagration that I imagine wasequal parts mirth and hysterical relief. Finally, the SeniorTribune uttered an oath in disgust, stood up, and without anotherword, stalked out of the room, followed shortly by the othermembers of the Tribunal. Before the haughty Tribune left, he caughtmy eye, giving me a smile that, for the first time, showed any hintof warmth. Then, without saying a word, he exited as well, leavingjust me, Piso, and my two dearest friends. The departure of theothers was apparently some internal signal to me, because that waswhen my composure broke down, and the tears came pouring forth,while my legs finally gave way and I collapsed back into my seat. Iwas barely aware of the arms of my friends, and I assume Piso aswell, who in that moment became a comrade to me. In fact, we stillcommunicate regularly, although the last time I saw him in theflesh was in that room.

"Are you ready to leave this place?"Scribonius asked, but I shook my head.

"Give me a moment," I told him, and tookthat time to compose myself.

Once I felt able, I stood, and offeredTribune Piso my arm.

"You did magnificently," I told him. "AndI'm forever in your debt."

The young patrician laughed, but surprisingme, shook his head.

"No, Prefect. Your debt's been paid. Andvery well, I must say."

This mystified me, but when I asked him toclarify, he refused, just winking and tapping the side of hisnose.

"Better that's all I say," was the lastthing he told me.

With that, he gathered his belongings, slungthe extra folds of his toga over his left arm, and surprising meone last time, chose to exit not by the door that led outside, butin the same direction that led to the private office used by theTribunal. I stared suspiciously at his back, trying to determine ifthere was some hidden meaning in that, then forced myself to shakeit from my mind. Enough, I thought, enough suspicion and worryingabout all the hidden meaning in others' words and deeds. Turning tomy two friends, I informed them