created to give Antinous solace in this matter. The ritual was to affect a transfer of energies, once a traditional specialty of my cult. Whether it has achieved its goals is yet to be seen, my lords,' the priestess uttered, somewhat ambiguously.
'Yet to be seen?' Clarus barked. 'The boy is dead, madam! What is there to see?'
'So you have told me, gentlemen,' she replied simply.
'Do you expect the lad to revive from his fate, Priestess?!' Clarus continued.
'People reach from beyond the grave in differing ways, gentlemen,' Perenna replied enigmatically. 'I am not denying or confirming such possibilities.'
She uttered this with the confidence of either the true believer or an utter confabulator.
Suetonius decided to take a different path.
'My lady, we are told you possess remarkable skills. It's said you commune with the dead. Is this true?' the Special Inspector asked. The priestess shifted bolt upright.
'Where did you learn this notion?' she asked.
'From several sources, madam,' Suetonius replied, 'including the Prefect Governor.'
'I am the priestess of my tradition at Alexandria, sir. From our inception at Rome in the time of the Etrurian kings we have engaged in wonders. Originally we were simple celebrants of the seasons and the annual harvest at Rome, but over the ages we've become mistresses of Cyclical Time itself. This, as well too as fertility, childbirth, or spiritual healing,' the calm figure before the group expounded without diffidence.
'From time to time as the Grandmother of Time we are called upon to make contact with the deceased. We look deeply into Time and search out the shades of the dead. In this art we explore ways to heal the living or put the dead to rest. Or, we utilize Time itself to exchange a devotee's fate with another's to affect enhanced life. We attend the infirm and the hale alike. There is much in our tradition which challenges the notions of the mundane world, yet we bring comfort or reassurance to our devotees.'
'Are you able to make contact with our deceased, Antinous, to enquire his view of his passing from his own lips, woman?' Clarus interposed provocatively.
'Not at this time, my lord,' was the shrewd reply. 'His shade is on its long journey to its final rest. Even nine days barely begins the adventure.'
'Then can you look into Time, madam, and see what occurred to the boy two days ago?' Suetonius added even more provocatively.
'Not without his shade's cooperation,' was the plausible if eluding reply. Suetonius had again heard a fortunate omission from a professed seer.
'Yet you believe he will reach from the grave, milady?'
'Possibly, when he is ready. I will await the signals,' she offered generously.
The group of four looked upon the haughty figure with wavering confidence.
'Where were you, madam, on the day of the boy's death?' Suetonius proceeded.
'I have barely departed the precincts of The Alexandros since the barque's assembly here on the day of our arrival last week. There is nothing in this remote place to interest me.'
'Do you realize, madam, how many of the natives of this part of Egypt are claiming the death of Antinous will induce a miracle?' Suetonius stated. 'They say he's a sacrifice to their gods, and that the river flowing beneath us here will flood to its desired height next season because of his death?'
'I too have heard that said,' she responded.
'Some say the priests of Amun may have engineered this event? Do you believe these Egyptian wizards are capable of such a crime?' Clarus probed. 'In fact, we've been told the priest known as Pachrates of Memphis may have had a role in such a conspiracy.'
Perenna remained seated in a pensive mood for some moments.
'I am not aware of such a conspiracy, sirs,' she replied, 'and I do not know the gifts of this priest Pachrates. But I've come to learn how in this odd land conspiracy abounds and deceit is commonplace. It is true the priests of the Old Religion here are eager to regain their influence with Pharaoh and have their temple lands restored to them. I'm sure they'll stop at nothing to achieve their goals.'
'But would killing Great Caesar's consort be a suitable gesture? Surely this would seem a risky enterprise likely to deeply offend their Pharaoh, not appease him?' Suetonius asked.
'Only, gentlemen, if the crime was ascribed to them,' the woman with the white painted features assured. 'Perhaps the perpetrators, if this indeed is what has occurred, have performed some masterly magic in covering their tracks?'
'What advantage would provoke them to such daring?' Clarus interjected. 'Cui bono, who benefits?'
Perenna smiled limply.
'Perhaps the drowning sacrifice of such a lofty yet disposable member of the Court would give Great Caesar reason to declare this place the appropriate site for Hadrianopolis, his new city in Middle Egypt? I am sure you have heard of this project?' Perenna proposed. 'Such a sacrifice sanctifies this place in the eyes of the natives, which gives it enhanced value.' She continued in a conspiratorial vein.
'And if Hadrianopolis was established here at the east bank opposite the stamping ground of Amun's opponent sects at Hermopolis, then the priests of Amun here would greatly benefit from Caesar's new city. Pachrates has been at Caesar's side on the planning of the project for months. He may have recommended the efficacy of such an sacrifice?'
'Do you suggest Hadrian was party to a conspiracy to kill the Bithynian?! Do you accuse Caesar of murder?!' Clarus uttered with a rising flush.
'Indeed no. Great Caesar need have no knowledge of such a plot,' she offered calmly.
Both Suetonius and Clarus sensed this unconventional woman was toying with them.
'Once again, where were you at the time of the boy's death?' Clarus demanded.
'As I have said, gentlemen, on the night of the young man's death I was secure in my chamber here at The Alexandros performing preliminary rites for the Festival of Isis. Isis is celebrated at Rome too. Isis has become a feature of our cult as much as it has with all women of the Empire,' she replied. 'We too honor Isis and the resurrection of Osiris. Our rites are lengthy.'
'Do you have witnesses to this, my lady?' Suetonius enquired. 'We've been told your protector, the Prefect Governor, was enjoying his pleasures elsewhere that night.'
Anna Perenna thoughtfully considered her response.
'Indeed, gentlemen, I possess witnesses. My assigned bodyguard was on my watch at The Alexandros throughout the night,' she offered.
'And those officers were…?' Clarus asked.
'The captain of my guard can vouchsafe for me, gentlemen. He is known to you. The Alexandrian Praetorian, Centurion Quintus Urbicus of Numidia,' she responded. 'I am told he and his patrol have since been allocated to your service?'
'They have indeed, madam,' Clarus confirmed.
'Then you will know he is a witness of the highest credibility.'
Suetonius offered a new thought.
'Madam, you say Antinous was a lofty yet disposable member of the Court. In what way was the young man disposable?' the Special Inspector asked.
'Why, as charming as the lad may have been, his usefulness to Caesar had expired. He knew this himself, too. He was no longer Caesar's closest intimate. At least, this is what he told me,' Perenna confided. 'It was one of the issues for him seeking my services.'
'He told you this? What other issues were there?' Suetonius queried.
'Well, his future was one. There was his other relationship. And Caesar's health too. There were several things of great concern to him,' she revealed.
The group of four were startled.
'His other relationship?! We are under the impression the boy was utterly faithful to his long-term erastes?'
'Gentlemen, since Caesar put the fellow aside at Alexandria many weeks ago the lad has found solace in another's bosom. Surely you appreciate he was attractive to many at Court? There is no shortage of suitors,' she responded breezily.
