Antonia walked alongside her father, Tiberius, as they began
to walk the last stretch of road to their home. A somber silence reigned supreme. News had reached them of
Caesars triumph over Pompey and while they are pleased that none of their own
family or close friends have been injured or killed in the battles, both
Antonia and Tiberius are saddened to hear of the death of the son of Appius,
who is Marius’ master.
“Father,”
Antonia spoke softly. “Should we express our sorrow to Appius? His son was a
good man.”
Tiberius
nodded gently. “He was that, and much more.”
By
this time, they had reached the gate to the household of Appius. Wailing could
be heard coming from inside. Antonia and Tiberius looked at each other, unsure
of whether to enter on such an intimate and private moment, when the door was
flung open and Appius appeared. His toga was disheveled and his hair frayed
wildly, looking as if he had not bothered to groom himself. He appeared to have
aged twenty years since the last time they had seen him; his eyes were
bloodshot, his mouth turned down at the corners, and new wrinkles had appeared
near his mouth and eyes like spidery cobwebs. Antonia gasped briefly to see the
man in such a state.
Appius
spoke, “Tiberius, my friend...oh, how I need a friend now.”
Tiberius
came closer and spoke solemnly, “Appius, my family and I express our
condolences. Your son was a great man, a kind man, a good man. He died an
honorable death. Now you are left to mourn him, but I do not think that is what
he would have wanted.” He paused for a moment. “Let us have a drink, let us
celebrate a life well lived.” Appius appeared overcome with emotion and could
only nod then turned to enter the house. Tiberius signaled Antonia to head home
then turned to follow Appius.
Antonia
continued walking home, mulling over her father’s words. She had known Appius’
son well. He had always been a kind, generous boy with a great sense of
adventure. It was only fitting that he would have joined Pompey’s army in
battle. Antonia shivered as she entered the sudden warmth of her house, but her
thoughts were unsettling. What would happen now that Caesar had emerged victorious?
What lay in the future for them all?
