Empress Cleopatra: The Last Pharaoh Book III by Penner Jay

Author:Penner, Jay [Penner, Jay]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-12-31T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 18

ALEXANDRIA

CLEOPATRA

Cleopatra was seated on her chair, with her children around the lunch table. Metjen and Charmian were invited as well. It was rare for her to assemble them all. But on days when she wished to step away from stress of waiting and anticipation, their company offered some comfort. The conversations had lost the light-hearted playfulness of the past, with Kadmos’ silliness, Charmian’s bawdy comments, and Cleopatra’s own witticism. The heavy blanket of dread was smothering them, for each item of news from the world around said nothing of comfort.

“Is Father not joining?” asked Antyllus, now seventeen, Antony’s son by Fulvia. He was a strapping young man who spent his days in military training, anticipating the impending conflict. He adored and idolized his absentee father. She had not shared her version of the events of Actium with him, letting his father make up whatever story he wished.

“He sulks in his Pharos abode,” she said to a disappointed Antyllus. Antony had returned some time ago, and had alternatively resorted to sulking in a new residence that he had constructed near the lighthouse, venturing to the city to act like a fool, or desperately running around to build any support he could. There was no method to his plans, and he was unwilling to stay with her. And she, tired of his behavior, had let him be.

It was his mismanagement that had brought them to this situation!

“I wait for the day when he orders me to go as an emissary to Caesar,” Antyllus said, for there was talk that Antony might attempt a negotiation by using Antyllus.

Attendants brought the family’s favorite meal—roasted peacock, honey-and-salt flavored bread, and oysters. To drink, the finest beer and citrus water. She and her children received their portions on gold plates, while Charmian and Metjen received silver. Strips of linen were placed next to the plates for them to wipe as they ate with their fingers, relishing the smells and tastes. For some time, there was no dialogue. On this day there was no dignitary or guest, no expansive display of wealth and power over multi-course meals, no dancers or harp-players, no fireworks or flutists. There was some comfort in the silence while among the closest–the ones she could trust, for the world was turning against her.

“The peacock is excellent,” Ptolemy Caesar said, ripping a piece and chewing it. The boy was a lover of good food and thick books. While Antyllus was involved in physical activities, with archery being a favorite, her son by Caesar was drawn to intellectual matters, philosophy, and governance. His favorite location was the library, which now had a section reserved only for the royals. But he was also recently accompanying Antyllus to receive some training.

“Even the bread!” said Cleopatra Selene. She was growing to be a beautiful girl. Cleopatra looked at her and smiled with affection.

Ramesses, her cat, was sitting in the crook of Selene’s arm. Her daughter had taken it upon herself to be Ramesses’ mistress in Cleopatra’s absence.

They

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