Scandal takes a Holiday

I have absolutely no idea," admitted the tribune. But if Illyrians and Cilicians have been working in partnership, maybe we can somehow put a rift between them."

Play politics!" exclaimed Helena admiringly. Rubella looked suspicious, but was unable to tell whether she was mocking him. When we reached our apartment, Julia and Favonia were engaged in a screaming quarrel. Albia let out a final exasperated yell at them, failed to make any impact, then ran out to sit by herself in the courtyard. Helena and I seated ourselves on either side of her, each holding one of her hands in consolation as we listened to the high-pitched volcanics up above.

Just to let you know," I told Helena over Albia's head, when we get divorced, I shall provide decent necessities without protest, and I am surrendering all my paternal rights to the children."

Oh they must live with you, Falco. I am a traditionalist," Helena lied.

No, I absolutely insist on this. Little children should be with their loving mothers. I am a generous man. I shall compel myself to make this sacrifice." Helena gazed back at me. We could both run away," she suggested, rather wistfully. They have two grandmothers who will fight for adoption rights."

Done!" I cried. Let's run away together; that sounds like fun." Other tenants were starting to look out to see what the noise was. Some wag asked us whether we wanted him to call in the army to quell the tribal rebellion. Leaving Albia to sit in peace, Helena and I went up dutifully to wrench apart our offspring. So long as we only had two, we could grapple with one each. Normally the bruises went down after about five days. If the two scribes followed their instructions, they had to take their money to the drop the next morning. Rising when it was still dark, I prepared for action. I hammered loose studs back into my best boots. Nux was lying on my feet. Albia had come from the other room and was observing the ritual.

I don't have a boot-mender in Ostia."

You won't use a boot-mender in Rome, Marcus Didius." We both spoke in hushed voices.

True." By the light of an oil lamp, I checked bootstraps methodically. Menders are useless." I wiped the oil from my sword, having first produced the weapon from my hiding place, to Albia's astonishment. Turning it to the light, I checked the blade and sharpened it with my sharkskin buffer. Then I filed my dagger with pumice, just to keep occupied. Tell me, solemn girlie from the wild north, why are you so intent on what I am doing?"

Aulus Camillus said, if there was to be any action, I should watch you getting ready."

Aulus, eh?" I winked at her. People tended to assume Albia was a pallid soul, but she could take teasing. Watch for what, exactly?"

He said it always impressed him to see you change from a clown to a soldier."

Aulus thought well of me, eh?" That came as a surprise.

He said. When the eyes stop smiling, you can feel safe." Of course," Albia assured me quickly, smiling herself, I feel safe all the time now myself. He meant, that was how he felt, if he was in an action with you." I stood up. The dog jumped back, and whined softly. She knew something was up, and that she would not be taken out with me when I left. I made sure I had on a tunic which allowed free movement of the arms, tightened my belt a notch, buckled on my sword.

I did not know you had a sword with you," Albia observed gravely.

You never wear a sword in Rome."

In Rome, it is against the law."

So it is safer for you here, where you can wear one?"

No. It is more dangerous, because here there may be idiots wearing weapons who don't know how to use them properly."

But you do?"

I do."

Have you ever."

Albia, don't ask." I had to say goodbye to Helena now; she was in the other room with the children, pretending not to know what I was doing. Do me a favour, Albia. When I have gone, tell Helena Justina what her brother said." Albia nodded slowly. That will comfort her."

Perhaps. If not, just remind her that on this operation I am not alone; I am going out to play with the big boys from the vigiles." Instinct had brought Helena to the doorway. Nux ran to her, seeking help to deter me from going; Helena bent to stop the dog pawing the flimsy undertunic she wore in bed at night. Seeing me ready and with my sword on, Helena closed the door gently between me and the children. Julia, who was always too alert for convenience, was already just the other side of the door, silently staring. Behind her, I glimpsed Favonia sleepily standing up in the crib. Given what I know of the vigiles, should their presence reassure me, Marcus?" Helena kept her voice low.

Trust in what you know of me." I took off my gold equestrian ring, then gave it to her for safe keeping; sometimes it was best not to reveal my status. I kissed her quietly. Only Helena could tell whether my eyes were still smiling.

Don't fall into any water," she answered. An old joke between us. An old, and very loving joke. She was still anxious, but I had all her affection. It shows what great forbearance Helena allowed me, given that she knew I was going out now to a brothel in the port.

XLVI

The lighthouse had gone dark. Its great bonfire had been allowed to die down as dawn wanly lit the wharves. The working day in Portus had begun long before I arrived, even though I had crossed the river on one of the first ferries. There could have been only a few hours between the last sailors rolling back to their ships after their night's carousal and the arrival of the most hard-worked labourers. The brothel appeared to be closed. I made my way slowly up the mole, gazing at the moored ships. Everywhere was quiet, but activity had begun on some of the vessels. A sleepy sailor spat into the harbour; I pretended to assume it was nothing personal. At the customs post, a clerk was sluggishly setting up the table. Ships with taxable goods could arrive in port even this early; in fact, a vessel was out by the lighthouse, manoeuvring so badly it was impossible to tell whether it was going out or coming in. The clerk and I exchanged faint nods; maybe he had seen me recently, talking to Gaius Baebius. Neither he nor anybody else seemed surprised to see a stranger at the port this early. On the docks, people take most things for granted, apparently. More likely, eyes were watching my every move. The three naval triremes were still moored together, still apparently deserted. Matched pe

Hello, Gaius. This is a surprise."

Marcus! I've taken a real liking to this place," Gaius Baebius informed me. His pomposity, was already irritating. It has become my local, since that day you and I discovered it." As he took my order, the noncommittal eyes of the proprietor told me the delight was one-way.

Ha! Discovered" makes us sound like territorial pioneers. All we did was walk along here with Ajax. How are your aches and painS?"

Still agony." Cursing myself for asking, I cut in brutally. Anyway, what are you doing here so early?"