The Eagle and the Dragon, a Novel of Rome and China by Lewis F. McIntyre

Author:Lewis F. McIntyre [McIntyre, Lewis F.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: CreateSpace
Published: 2017-02-01T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 51: THE TRIAL

A few hours after the Romans had cleansed themselves from their overnight stay in prison, both the Minister of Justice and Minister of the Household sent representatives to prepare them for their meeting with Emperor He the following afternoon. Marcus translated.

“The trial will be first,” Marcus said with a choke in his voice, as his Hanaean side struggled to control his emotions. “Marcia will enter, then Antonius, you will be called as a witness.”

“What is the charge?” asked Antonius.

“She attempted to kill Wang Ming, and a question of infidelity… with you, Antonius.”

“That’s a crock of manure!” exploded Antonius, disturbing the Hanaean representatives with his emotional rant. “That’s a crock and yer know it! If I had seen him strike her, I’d a kilt him mesel’, an’ saved her the trouble. An’ she an’ I have never done nothin’ but talk, yer know that, too! Tell them that!”

“No, Antonius, I won’t. That would make it worse.”

“Marcus is right, calm down in front of the Hanaean representatives, or this may affect the trial,” said Aulus, trying to calm the furious centurion. “Marcus, what is the procedure here for trials?” He was expecting something like a Roman court of law, with attorneys, questioning, statements and the like.

“It is run entirely by the Emperor. He will ask all the questions, she will answer, he makes a decision. There is no procedure… Marcia will enter first, prostrate herself, and remain that way until the Emperor grants her permission to rise to a sitting position. Antonius, you will then enter, and do likewise. Answer only the questions asked, and do not look at the Emperor. When he is ready, he will render a decision. He will dismiss you, and you rise, back out of the court, keeping your head bowed.”

“I ain’t ever prostrated meself before any man, an’ I don’t intend to start now!” growled Antonius.

“What is the likely outcome?” asked Gaius.

Marcus choked again, his Hanaean face trying very hard to remain impassive. “I… I hope her death will be a merciful one!”

Aulus was as angry as Antonius. He controlled the tone of his voice, but his face was livid with emotion. “Is that all from these two?” he said, indicating the two representatives with a head nod.

Marcus exchanged some words with the two, they nodded. “That is all.”

“Tell them they are dismissed. And phrase it just that way, the way your emperor would say it! I represent my own emperor here.”

Marcus complied and the two Hanaeans’ eyes went wide briefly, then they bowed and scurried out.

Aulus declared, “Gentlemen, we have a problem. The solution will probably cost us our mission and our lives, but I cannot let a Roman citizen and a member of my diplomatic mission go to her death on a trumped-up charge with no one to speak on her behalf!”

“I agree!” said Gaius.

“Whatever yer want to do, I am in, sir!” said Antonius.

“What do you have in mind?” asked Marcus.

“We are going to show them how Romans conduct a court of law, and I, as Marcia’s attorney, intend to present her case.

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