The Amulet

The Amulet

Gullibus was a slave in Rome. Having been captured in childhood, he
remembered little about his homeland except for the awful weather, and
was therefore reasonably happy with his lot. Here, in sunny Italy, he
was well-fed, well-clothed, with a reasonably kind Master and Mistress,
and a responsible job to do. All of which suited him fine. His
mistress, Petulanta was gracious and beautiful, if a little proud
sometimes. She deserved to be; she was a noble Patrician lady, after
all. His master, Pugnatius was a little harder to bear; but Gullibus
found him quite amenable and easy to chat with after a few goblets of
wine. Gullibus knew that he was far more than a slave - he was a valued
companion to both his Master and Mistress.
This day, Gullibus was shopping for his Mistress - a task which he
loved. He had browsed around the market square, and had already bought
her favourite fruits and cakes. Now he stopped at the stall of Porcus
Maximus - a dealer in trinkets.
"Hello, Porky," he greeted. "Have you got anything to please my Lady
Petulanta today?"
Porcus Maximus was a fairly typical fat Roman trader. He had escaped
drafting into the army due to his business acumen. Now he made his
living by fleecing the rich and unwary. Gullibus was one of his
favourite customers.
"Hello, Gully old chap," he greeted in return. "I've got a nice haul
this week from Britannia, your very own island of mist and
magic.."
"Not my very own, thank you - I'm no longer a savage Brit." Gullibus
hated his British origin being widely known, though his reddish hair
and freckles were a bit of a giveaway. He had often thought of dying
his hair, except that the Lady Petulanta liked it and would not allow
such a thing.
"Well then - how about these fine silver torq's?" Porcus held up
several of the gleaming objects. "I have all sizes - to fit necks,
wrists and ankles."
Gullibus shook his head. "My Lady has a dozen of those things
already."
"Golden ear-rings as worn by the proud Bodicea?" Porcus tried
again.
"How or-fully common!" Gullibus exclaimed. "You should know that a
Roman Lady would never demean herself by wearing rings in her ears -
such adornment befits only barbarians - or sheep."
Such a snob, Porcus thought. "I imagined she might start a new trend,"
he said, lamely.
"Certainly not!" Gullibus retorted, "and you needn't waste any fancy
sales talk on me - I know what will please my Lady - what's this?" He
picked up the very trinket which Porcus had hoped would catch his eye.
The trader knew in advance that he had made a sale. He rubbed his hands
together in gleeful anticipation.
Upon closer inspection, Gullibus was examining the piece with something
akin to awe. It was a gemstone, attached to a silver chain; but not a
jewel he could put any name to, for it seemed to change colour in the
warmth of his hand - red, blue, violet, green. Such a wondrous thing.
He absolutely had to have it for the sweet Lady Petulanta. He only
hoped it was not too expensive.
"How much?" he suddenly remembered to ask.
Porcus had been patiently waiting for the trinket to work its magic, as
he had known it would. "One hundred denarii," he said briskly.
"You must be joking," Gullibus vainly tried to hide his longing as he
caressed the precious thing. "My Lady Petulanta would skin me alive if
I spent that much of her money - it's just a piece of glass, after
all.. Can't be worth more than twenty."
"Fifty then," Porcus said, "and put it down please, if you ain't
buying. I'll soon sell it to someone else."
"No!" Gullibus clutched the gem, possessively. "I'll give you thirty
denarii."
"Forty!" Porcus insisted.
"Done!" The slave counted out the coins with some reluctance.
Porcus Maximus watched him walk away - a humble slave, heavily laden
with his basket of market produce. He liked Gullibus and secretly felt
sorry for him - a fine young man torn from his native home, enslaven
and desperately in love with a proud woman who would never look at him
twice. Porcus would have freed him if he'd had the power; but he was
just a humble trader himself, and besides, Gullibus did not even
realise the awfulness of his own predicament. Porcus sighed. He just
hoped the amulet would bring some luck to the young man. He turned his
attention to the next customer...
*****
The Lady Petulanta could not have been more pleased with his purchases.
She clasped the amulet around her creamy throat at once, and even
patted Gullibus upon his head as a gesture of approval. The slave could
not have been more overjoyed if she had passionately kissed him. He
retired to his quarters, positively glowing.
*****
The next morning, Lady Petulanta complained of a severe headache. She
remained in her bed, attended by her handmaidens with absolute quiet
and cold compresses. After a while, however, she called for Gullibus,
instinctively knowing somehow that he would be good for her.
"My Lady.." As soon as he entered the room, Petulanta's pain subsided.
He knelt by the bed and took her hand to kiss. His touch was magical -
like cool water to a raging thirst. Petulanta was not a woman to
hesitate. "Gully, my darling, get in bed with me," she demanded.
Gullibus was instantly on his guard. "My Lady - what of your husband,
Pugnatius - he would kill me."
"Sod him!" said the divine Petulanta. "Get in here, right now!"
Fortunately for Gullibus, Pugnatius entered the bedchamber at that
precise moment. "I heard you were unwell, my dear," he said, rather
kindly for him.
"I am better than I was earlier," she said. "I shall be up very
shortly."
Gullibus meanwhile was slowly making his way backwards towards the
nearest exit.
"What is that thing on your neck, my dear? Pugnatius asked, "I'm sure
it must be constricting your breathing.."
"No - not at all..." but she was too late. Pugnatius had already
grabbed the amulet and clasped it around his own throat.
"I will keep it for now, my love - until you are better." He noticed
Gullibus trying to retreat. "Come here, slave!" he demanded.
"Bugger off!" said the sweet Lady Petulanta.
Gullibus was not sure which one to obey. He walked slowly towards the
Master.
"Come drink wine with me," Pugnatius invited. He seized the arm of the
reluctant slave and marched him off to his own private chamber.
Gullibus did not have much choice. He glanced back at the Lady
Petulanta. She winked at him wickedly. The wink plainly said, 'See you
later.'
*****
In the private chamber of Pugnatius, they sat together upon a luxurious
couch with multiple cushions. A small table piled with wine, nuts and
grapes was immediately before them. After a while, Pugnatius placed a
possessive arm around the shoulders of Gullibus.
"I have always fancied you," he told the slave.
"I can't think why," said Gullibus, nervously. "I am just a plain boy
from Britannia, though I wish I weren't."
"But I love you," Pugnatius said. "Ever since the first moment I saw
you in the market place, I have desired you madly."
"Oh," said Gullibus, worriedly, as he took a few large sips of
wine.
"Shed that tunic," Pugnatius suggested. "Give me a glimpse of your
pale, delicious body."
The Lady Petulanta glided in at that moment, now fully dressed, with
her beautiful dark hair elaborately curled and somehow accumulated upon
her noble head. "I think it might be a better idea," she said coldly,
"if Gullibus went to help Portia prepare breakfast, as Cook's
off."
"Cook's been off a long time," Pugnatius retorted. "She's totally off
her rocker - and that daft scullery maid, Portia isn't much better -
she'll probably burn everything."
"Which is exactly why I'm sending Gullibus," Petulanta said sweetly.
And to save him from you, she thought. "He knows how to make all our
favourite toasties and eggies - don't you, darling?"
"Yes, my Lady," Gullibus agreed, faintly. He was not quite sure what
was wrong with the two of them. They both seemed to be acting
strangely; yet he was ever-so grateful for Petulanta's
intervention.
"Why are you calling him 'darling'?" Pugnatius demanded to know.
"Why were you asking him to remove his tunic?" Petulanta demanded to
know in return. "And by the way - that is mine!" She snatched the
amulet from his neck, and having broken the chain, secreted it in her
cleavage.
"Do you want to be divorced without a denarius?" Pugnatius asked
menacingly.
"Would you like me to tell the Law Courts that you are actually
intestat&;#61630; because you only have one of the physical
requirements?"
"Bitch!"
"Pig!" Then she added, "At least we agree on something."
"Do we?" He looked a bit perplexed for a moment. Then he remembered the
subject of their quarrel. "I have loved Gullibus ever since I first saw
him in the marketplace."
"No, you haven't!" she argued. "You bought him as a present for me -
remember?"
"Only because you were broody - and to stop you harping on about having
a child!"
"Only because you were incapable of giving me one!"
They lunged towards each other. Gullibus just managed to step between
them and receive the impact of both bodies. "Master.. Lady.." he spoke
breathlessly, "I think I have thought of a resolution to this argument,
which is becoming very detrimental to you both - you must consult the
Seer.."
"The SEER?" They both looked at him quizzically.
"You mean that daft old hag, Cassi Dramata?" Pugnatius queried.
"What does she know?" added Petulanta.
"I assure you, my Lady and Master, that she becomes more lucent with
gifts."
"Very well," said Pugnatius. They both hauled him to his feet with one
arm apiece. "Go tell that lazy little swine, Somnius to run and fetch
Cassi Dramata, and to tell her it will be worth her while."
"And whilst you are in the kitchen, Gully dear," said Petulanta, "you
might as well start brekky - but keep your mitts off the ample
Portia."
"Of course, my Lady." Gullibus made his escape to the kitchen.
Pugnatius and Petulanta glowered at each other, then sat at opposite
ends of the couch, each sipping wine.
*****
Somnius was a small boy slave of about seven years, who seemed to
suffer from constant fatigue. Gullibus found him asleep and snoring
under the kitchen table with the cat for a pillow.
"Wake up, you lazy little git!" He shook the boy, urgently. "The Master
has a task for you."
Somnius roused himself with some difficulty, rubbing his eyes and
yawning. The cat biffed him on the nose before fleeing the kitchen with
an outraged screech.
The ample Portia came to help, bending to pull Somnius to his feet,
giving Gullibus a wonderful view of her oversized breasts in her simple
maid's tunic.
The slave averted his eyes with some reluctance. What was wrong with
everyone today? He concentrated upon his instructions to the boy. "You
must find the Seer, Cassi Dramata. You must bring her here because the
Master and Mistress need her advice. You must tell her it will be worth
her while."
"Okayyy.." the boy said. "I'm a bit scared of her - but I will do it
for you, Gully."
He rose to go, and Portia absently dabbed his scratched nose with the
hem of her tunic, giving Gullibus an even more glorious view of
voluptuous thigh. She then thrust a piece of fresh bread into the boy's
hand to eat on the hoof. Somnius ran out, devouring the food as he
went.
Gullibus greatly admired the way that she mothered the boy - the little
scamp certainly needed some, being an enslaved orphan like himself. He
could never fancy the ample Portia, however, and had so far eluded all
her efforts to seduce him. She could not hold a candle to the Lady
Petulanta, in his opinion.
Portia then turned her attention to Gullibus. She was golden-brown
haired and very dark-eyed - probably came from Greece or Espana,
somewhere like that. She was not exactly fat, but very ample in the
breast and hip regions.
"Let's get cracking," she said, enticingly.
As usual, Gullibus took her words quite literally. He picked up a
basket of eggs&;#8230;
*****
Breakfast had been served and eaten, and the cakes, fruit, and wine
were being replenished just as Cassi Dramata arrived.
She was shown into the Master's lounge by Gullibus himself, an unkempt
figure, in a ragged blue robe and apron, and silver straggly hair which
reached almost to her hips. Her wild black eyes were most unnerving,
for they seemed always to be looking beyond, and never quite at
you.
"What can I do for you, Master and Lady?" she asked politely.
She smelled very ripe and unbathed, and both Romans tried to disguise
their distaste.
"More importantly - what can you tell us, Cassi Dramata?" Pugnatius
said, "For we have quite a problem here."
The Seer produced a crystal ball from somewhere beneath her ragged
robe. "Will you light me a candle please," she requested.
Gullibus did so at once, placing the candle just behind her crystal
ball.
"That's better," she enthused. "I see a star - a shining star - one
that is filled with rainbows.."
"Don't talk daft, woman!" Pugnatius said. "Speak simple Latin, if you
please."
Cassi Dramata glared at him for a moment. Her coal-black eyes were most
disconcerting. "I see blue," she said, "blue like the skies of Rome."
She closed her eyes, momentarily. "Now I see green - like the cold
ocean of the north. I still see a star - shining in the north - now I
see red - it's blood - oh no! It's just wine. Give me some wine to make
it so.."
Gullibus immediately poured the old woman a goblet of wine. She began
to glug this with no hesitation.
"For Jupiter's sake, tell us something useful - you silly old bat!"
said Pugnatius.
"Take no notice of him," Petulanta put in. "Just tell us what you see -
and help yourself to cakes. There will also be some gold coins for you
at the end."
Cassi Dramata bestowed a toothless grin upon the Lady. This was the one
to pander to - she knew that already. "You are the Keeper," she told
the bemused Petulanta.
"Keeper of what?" Pugnatius felt like shaking the old ratbag.
"Keeper of the shut mouth!" Petulanta suggested.
The Seer appeared to ignore both of them as she gummed a couple of
honey cakes, then swilled them down with the last of her wine.
Gullibus hurried around the table with the golden decanter, and
refilled her goblet. He obviously knew how to humour the aged Seer. The
Lady Petulanta gave him an enchanting smile of approval.
Cassi Dramata spoke again. "The Star of the North shines again. Now I
see purple&;#8230; It is the colour of the Toga
Praetexta*&;#8230;"
"That is because I am wearing one, you daft bitch!" Pugnatius
interrupted again.
"SILENCE!" The Seer's sudden outburst made them all jump. "Don't you
realise you are disrupting the flow of wisdom to me from the goddess
Minerva? It takes time, you know. You MUST be patient!" She gulped some
more wine, presumably to help recollect her thoughts.
Petulanta glared at her husband. Her look plainly said, Lay off, you
bastard!
Pugnatius managed to look a bit sheepish. He sipped his own wine in a
sullen manner.
Gullibus was worried. This wasn't going at all well. He sincerely hoped
that he wouldn't be blamed if the Seer walked out, or was thrown
out.
The ample Portia and young Somnius had also crept into the chamber, in
order to hear what was going on. Portia's eyes and lips seemed to be of
equal roundness. Somnius had his thumb in his mouth. His other hand was
firmly held by the scullery maid.
Cassi Dramata continued. "The Keeper of the Star will achieve her
heart's desire&;#8230; She will win the love and tolerance of all
around her&;#8230; The Keeper of the Keeper of the Star will find
happiness also - in a way that will satisfy his pride, and his
joy&;#8230;" She grabbed another couple of cakes, and quaffed some
more wine.
Petulanta suddenly remembered the amulet. It had slipped down her dress
and was currently in the region of her navel. She felt a warm glowing
spot there. Did she dare to hope?"
Then the crystal ball on the table began to glow with a light of its
own. The candle paled by comparison, then winked out, as if snuffed.
Cassi Dramata's sharp eyes began to glaze.
"She's really going now," Gullibus whispered. "Stay quiet,
everyone&;#8230;"
"I see&;#8230;" the Seer said. "I see the Star glowing through a
mist&;#8230; It is like the northern sun - pale and milky." She took
a deep breath and her eyes closed. The crystal ball became almost
dazzling in its brightness.
Cassi Dramata then stood erect. She suddenly looked younger. Her mane
of hair became black and glossy; her skin smooth and creamy. Even her
ragged robe seemed to knit together and take on a velvet sheen.
Everyone gasped at this magical transformation.
The cat wandered in to rub around Somnius' legs. It took one look at
the glowing crystal ball, then fled with another enraged screech.
The Seer continued. "I see a figure, tall and youthful, walking out of
the mist&;#8230;" She hesitated and took another gulp of wine. "I
cannot see him clearly, yet he is undoubtedly male and noble."
"She tells a brilliant story, don't she?" Somnius whispered to the
ample Portia.
"Shhh!" she admonished.
"This young man will go far in Rome," Cassi Dramata said. "He will wear
the Toga Praetexta, and even the Laureus**. He was born a Prince among
Druids, yet snatched from his homeland in infancy&;#8230; Now I see
him more clearly&;#8230; There is a glint of fire in his hair, and
the dark northern sea in his eyes. He is the bearer of the Star and has
the power to bring great happiness to all&;#8230;"
The light from the crystal ball began to diminish. Similarly, the
Seer's glowing image began to fade, and she quickly returned to her
normal haggish self.
"Is that all we get?" Pugnatius complained. "That's not worth many gold
coins."
"I don't make stuff up!" Cassi Dramata retorted. "I see what the
goddess allows me to see and nothing else, and that's all there was -
so make of it what you will!" Then with appalling cheek, she picked up
the silver tray of remaining cakes and tipped the contents into a large
pocket of her apron. She then gazed lovingly at the shining dish,
looking as though she might lick it at any moment.
"Please keep it," said the gracious Lady Petulanta.
"Now just a minute&;#8230;" Pugnatius started to protest.
"Shut-up!" said the same gracious Lady. "We have heard enough, and I
understand, even if you're too thick. Cassi Dramata deserves good
payment." She stood up to retrieve her purse, and as she did so, the
amulet slid from beneath her dress and fell to the floor.
"There it is!" the Seer exclaimed. "The Star of the North. You must
take good care of it, my Lady - for in the wrong hands it could bring
disaster. You are the Keeper&;#8230;"
"Yes, yes. I understand only too well. I will have the chain repaired
at once." Petulanta located her purse which was attached to the girdle
around her waist. She put the amulet safely into it, then fished out 3
gold coins which she gave to the old woman.
"Thank you, Lady - thank you. You will always be blessed by the goddess
- even by Jupiter himself.." Cassi Dramata was overwhelmed. She hadn't
had such a good haul in ages, and could hardly wait to take herself off
to the taverna.
"All right, all right&;#8230;" Pugnatius interrupted these
blessings. "Get on yer chariot!" He could hardly wait to get rid of the
awful creature. He still didn't really understand what was going
on.
Gullibus had been standing quietly by Petulanta's end of the couch. Now
he moved to escort the Seer out of the villa.
The old woman looked at him directly for the first time, then she fell
to her knees. "Tis you, Sire!" she exclaimed with a tinge of awe. "You
are the royal person I saw in my vision. You are the Bearer of the
Star! Hail, Prince of Druids!" She fell forwards with her head on the
mosaic floor in a posture of adoration.
Gullibus had never been so embarrassed in his life. Everyone was
staring at him wide-eyed and open-mouthed, except for the Seer in her
prostrate position. His first irrelevant thought was the state of the
cakes in her pocket. She'd probably mushed them all to crumbs. He took
one step backwards, almost falling into Petulanta's lap, who probably
would not have minded, the way things were going. She probably would
not have minded anyway, even if things were not going. His thoughts
were confused - in a turmoil. "No, no - this can't be
happening&;#8230;" he said, croakily.
The ever-practical ample Portia came to the rescue. After a brief
whisper to Somnius, she and the boy moved to bring Cassi Dramata to her
feet. "Come on Gran," Portia said, kindly. "We'll fix you some nice
grub in the kitchen and some more booze. Let's leave the important folk
to sort their lives out."
The Seer needed no further incentive. She got to her feet, retrieved
her crystal ball from the table, staggered backwards towards the exit,
still trying to bow to Gullibus. She would probably not have made it
safely through the door without her two young guides. Portia managed to
drop a curtsey to the confused young man, plus a lascivious wink.
Somnius gave him a rather cheeky gesture with a finger. "Could be my
last chance," he enlightened.
"What are my servants like?" Pugnatius shook his head wearily.
Gullibus had still been rooted to the spot, still in shock, and
slightly shaking. Now his Master's words prompted him. "We are like
people, Sir. Although we are slaves, we are happy, and our
personalities have never been repressed. You should be proud to know
that you are such a good and noble Master."
Both Romans felt close to tears at the young man's words. He really was
noble - far more so than they were. Why had they never noticed it
before?
Pugnatius spoke. "In view of your royal heritage, Gullibus, I feel
inclined to grant you your freedom, but only if you adhere to my
conditions."
Gullibus gasped. Today was just one shock after another. "What are
those, Master?"
Petulanta was also listening, breathlessly.
"From this day forward, you will no longer call me 'Master' and you
will continue to live in this villa - as my son. You will call me
'Pater'."
Lady Petulanta spoke. "But I don't want to be his mother." She couldn't
think of any role more unsuitable for her relationship with
Gullibus.
"You don't have to be, my dear," Pugnatius said gently. "Gully will be
my son. To you, he can be whatever you like. You might even get that
child you've always longed for."
"Oh, Puggy&;#8230;" The Lady Petulanta was so overjoyed that she
moved towards his end of the couch and kissed his bald head. "You're
not such a bad old stick, after all," she said fondly.
"But, wait a minute.." Pugnatius said. "We haven't even asked Gullibus
what he wants."
Gullibus was brimming with happiness. The two people he loved most in
the world were at last in perfect harmony - and all because of him. "It
has always been my greatest pleasure to serve you both," he said, "but
now I want us to be one happy family. I want peace in this villa
forevermore."
"Does that mean we have to endure lunch cooked by Portia?" Pugnatius
asked, jokingly.
"Not at all, Pater. I will help her until Cook returns. I still enjoy
household duties, and what son would not help out his Father?"
"Excellent!" Pugnatius rubbed his hands. After lunch we will all go to
the baths, and then buy some togas to fit you, young man."
Chatter and laughter could still be heard from the kitchen, where the
servants were slowly getting drunk with Cassi Dramata.
"What then?" Lady Petulanta asked.
"Then we'll all get pissed!" Pugnatius said gleefully.
*************************************************************************************************************************
Bernie Morris

*An official robe worn by magistrates or high-ranking Romans, often
coloured purple or with purple trimming.
**A wreath of laurel leaves, usually awarded for exemplary
achievement.