“And the sauropithecus!” Domitian demanded, only drooling eagerness now. “Describe it to me in full detail.”
“The sauropithecus more closely resembles a small man than it does an ape, divine excellency.” Lycon warmed to his task. “Instead of fur, it is covered entirely with fine blue scales. This skin must be as impenetrable as an armor linked from thousands upon thousands of sapphires, for the tiger’s claws could scarcely rend it. Its talons draw back into its paws, just as a cat’s do, only no cat ever grew claws so long and sharp as these.”
“And it kills with those claws?” Domitian’s ghoulish attention was unnerving.
“Indeed it does, lord and god. Consider that its forepaws are more properly hands than animal paws, and imagine razor-edged needles of diamond hardness that double the length of each finger when extended. Ten such deadly talons, divine excellency, coupled with the strength of a beast ten times the lizard-ape’s size—tearing and slashing in murderous frenzy . . .”
“And thus it killed the tiger?”
“It hurled itself upon the tiger, divine excellency. Never have I seen any creature move so fast. Over and over they tumbled across the field—tearing at one another, the tiger foaming in rage. Blood seemed to spray everywhere, and most of it the tiger’s. I thought that surely both beasts must die, but the sauropithecus proved too much for the tiger, and despite the terrible mauling it suffered, somehow it succeeded in virtually severing the tiger’s head from its neck. After that, it retreated from my spear, fell into the Tiber—surely, I believed with every reason to do so, to die in its depths from the wounds it had suffered.”
Domitian remained in reverie, then sighed and shivered. “Fortunately for you, beastcatcher, it did not die. Now you must catch it for me. I have many tigers, and I shall not rest until I have witnessed such a battle for myself.”
He smiled good-naturedly at Lycon—much the same smile that a man bestows upon a whore who has just performed her arts well. “Lycon, you are called. I am told that you were a superb gladiator some years back, before you turned to hunting beasts for the arena. Now they say that you are a superb beastcatcher as well. I hope this is true. I like a man who shares my enthusiasm for arena sports, and I like you, Lycon.”
The Emperor turned to his secretary. “Sosius!”
The secretary, still poised on the other side of the palanquin, twitched to full alertness. “Excellency?” he said.
“Give this man one thousand sesterces,” Domitian commanded, then returned his smile upon Lycon.
“As you see, I am generous to those who are in my favor, Lycon. I am also swift to reward those who displease me. I am told that you have a family.”
Lycon fought to hold his knees steady. “Lord and god, I thank you for your kindness. I shall recapture the sauropithecus and have it ready to perform in the arena with all possible haste.”
“See that you don’t waste time in doing so,” Domitian warned. His manner was almost friendly. “And take care that the sauropithecus is in no way harmed. This merchant will assist you.”
“At once, divine excellency!” Vonones almost fainted to learn that his life, too, had been spared for the moment. “All my men and equipment are at Lycon’s command.”
“Don’t be too long about your task, then,” Domitian advised, dismissing them.
The Emperor took much of his weight on his powerful arms as he lifted himself into the palanquin. The door slapped closed behind him, and the bearers sprang to their posts.
“Excellency, I . . .” Lycon began. He continued after a pause to allow Domitian to settle himself comfortably. “I may need official support as well, authority to levy beaters and net-bearers. Maybe military units too. I don’t know what we’re getting into—we may have to cordon off entire estates and search every hedgerow.”
“Take care of it, Sosius,” ordered the bored voice behind the black curtains. There was a rapping sound on the frame of the palanquin—the Emperor’s fingernail or a stylus giving coded directions to the bearers. The sharp noise could be understood through the bustle of city crowds, as voice commands might not be. The closed litter was lifted in two stages to the shoulders of the bearers. The Syrians gave simultaneous controlled gasps at each pause. Then they strode off in unison while the mounted guards fell in around the palanquin.