Correspondence

From Lucius Iulius Nerva to Gaius Sempronius Flavianus 

Greetings,

     I write to you from Alexandria, using the new telegraph.  These Greeks are clever lads.  I sometimes wonder why they are not our masters.  They say that all of Romania will soon be strewn with telegraph wires, making communication almost instantaneous.

     I have taken up my posting as an aedile to Marcus Aelius Sejanus, appointed governor of Aegyptus by the Western Emperor.  My trip from Rome was uneventful, for which I offered thanks to Neptune upon my arrival.

     Speaking of Rome, how are things in the Eternal City?  No plots or schemes?  You must see your share as the head of the Western Praetorians.  I hear that your wife is expecting another child, what is it, your third?  I will search every corner of Alexandria for a suitable gift.  I’ve been told to keep these missives short, so I will end now.  

     May the gods watch over you.

From Gaius Sempronius Flavianus to Lucius Iulius Nerva

Greetings,

     Thank you for your letter.  I am glad that you arrived safely in Aegyptus.  Even with the newer steam galleys, some of the ocean crossings can be treacherous.

     Agrippina fares well in her pregnancy thus far.  The medicus estimates that she will deliver around the Kalends of October, so you should have enough time to scour the Alexandrian markets for a gift.

     I find myself somewhat concerned about your inquiry about plots.  Have you heard or seen anything there?  If you have, I implore you to let me know.

From Lucius Iulius Nerva to Gaius Sempronius Flavianus

Greetings,

     My question about plots was in jest, but I feel that I have stumbled into something, which is why I am writing this in our schoolboy cipher.  I was walking to an appointment with Governor Sejanus when I spied two people engaged in furtive whispers in one of the gardens.  I hid myself amongst some rushes and tried to hear what they were talking about.  I caught a few words here and there, enough to determine that they were discussing the overthrow of both emperors.  They were interrupted by a passing slave, so I did not hear any names or details.  I do not think they saw me, or if they would even recognize me if they had, but I worry.

     May the gods watch over Agrippina and grant her an easy delivery!

From Gaius Sempronius Flavianus to Lucius Iulius Nerva

Greetings,

     Iulius, your recent letter concerns me greatly.  I cannot imagine why anyone would want to oust the duarchy and rule the Empire alone, it is much too vast for such a thing.  There is a reason Emperor Drusus established the duarchy after Augustus’ reign. Even so, I must treat this matter seriously and ask that you gather more information about this plot.  I need not tell you to be circumspect in this, these could be very dangerous people.  I will be sending a missive to my counterpart in Antioch in case she has not heard of this plot.

From Lucius Iulius Nerva to Gaius Sempronius Flavianus

Greetings,

     Slaves are an excellent resource for spying, which I am sure you already know.  People pay them as much mind as they pay to the couches in their tricliniums and will say things they would not say otherwise.  I have spoken to a few slaves in the significant households of the city and have found that there are a few senators, equities, merchants, and minor functionaries who have spoken of overthrowing the duarchy.  I have not uncovered any details as to their plan and who is to carry it out, but I will continue to investigate as discreetly as possible.

From Gaius Sempronius Flavianus to Livia Amelia Corbulo

Greetings,

     A friend of mine has uncovered a plot in Alexandria and I thought you should be informed as this is in your piece of the Empire.  He is Lucius Iulius Nerva and he is an aedile to the governor there.  Contact him and find out what he knows.  I want no harm to come to him, see that your operatives understand this.  He could be very helpful to us.

From Gaius Sempronius Flavianus to Lucius Iulius Nerva

Greetings,

     I have spoken to Livia Amelia Corbulo, the Eastern Praetorian Prefect and she will be contacting you soon.  Tell her everything that you have told me.  She is loyal to the duarchy and can be trusted.

From Lucius Iulius Nerva to Gaius Sempronius Flavianus 

Greetings,

     I know that you trust this Livia, but I am not sure that I do.  There’s something about her that sets me on edge.  Maybe I’m getting paranoid with all this spying upon those more powerful than I am. 

From Gaius Sempronius Flavianus to Livia Amelia Corbulo 

Greetings,

     I fear that Lucius doesn’t trust you.  I know how you can get in situations like these.  We need Lucius since our networks are not as strong in Aegyptus as we both would like.  Modify your approach with him.  If he feels threatened, he may decide to throw his lot in with the conspirators.

From Livia Amelia Corbulo to Lucius Iulius Nerva 

Greetings,

     I feel that we have started off on the wrong foot.  I just want to find out what you know so we can make plans to counter these people that plot against the Empire.  Gaius is always telling me that I can be too intense at times like these.  I ask for your forgiveness and your patience.  Only by working together can we root out these traitors in our midst.

From Lucius Iulius Nerva to Gaius Sempronius Flavianus 

Greetings,

     Everyone is falling into place.  I have a list of those I believe are involved in the plot.  I have given a list to my freedman, who will travel to the headquarters of the 13th Felix Legion and send it to you both via telegraph.  They plan to act within the next few months, but I do not know where or when.  Perhaps the unity festival in Byzantium?  Both emperors are to be in attendance.

From Livia Amelia Corbulo to Gaius Sempronius Flavianus 

Greetings,

     As you can see, your friend has put his foot in it.  His list reads like the guest list at one of Governor Sejanus’ dinner parties.  My agents are preparing to round them up.  I only hope this does not interfere with our other operations.  I think Demeter, the quaestor in Alexandria, is aware that someone is spying on her, but is unaware of their identity.  I have advised Lucius to leave Alexandria, but he feels that he is in no danger.  Maybe you can convince him otherwise.

From Gaius Sempronius Flavianus to Lucius Iulius Nerva 

Greetings,

     I hear that Livia has advised you to leave Alexandria and that you will not listen to her.  Julius, you are in grave danger and must leave Alexandria immediately.  The quaestor Demeter knows that she is being spied upon.  If she discovers you are the spy, she will move against you.  Leave immediately!

From Lucius Iulius Nerva to Gaius Sempronius Flavianus 

     I am writing this from the telegraph room at the governor’s palace.  Your warning has come too late.  Demeter’s men have attacked the palace.  The governor is dead.  I have barricaded myself here, but I can hear them trying to break in as I send this.  I doubt that I shall see you again in this life.  Farewell, my friend, and may the gods protect you.

From Livia Amelia Corbulo to Gaius Sempronius Flavianus 

Greetings,

     We managed to get to the governor’s palace as Demeter’s mercenaries were breaching the telegraph room.  Lucius is safe and as I promised, no harm has befallen him.  His information has stymied the plans of Demeter and her ilk.  The aftermath of this plot will serve nicely to disguise our own schemes.  Tomorrow, I will send Lucius to live amongst the copper skins of the Western Continent for his own safety.  I told him that he should not return for at least eighteen months to let things die down.  He balked, but the twenty thousand sesterces you sent mollified him.  By the time he returns, we will have either succeeded, or our heads will be on pikes.  Tell Herodotus that everything is in place.  May the gods grant us success.