The Divining

     The astronomers finally returned to confirm the stone's authenticity, as records showed that precisely such a shower of stars occurred in that exact location and at that exact moment. The astronomers were also familiar with the feel, weight, and appearance of fallen stars.

     Nero said, "I wish to have this stone as it must contain great power that makes it, as you say, more priceless than any gemstone in my possession."

     "Then I give it to you freely," Sebastianus said.

     As Nero slipped the bracelet onto his wrist, pausing to admire it, he said, "Sebastianus Gallus, I find you guilty of treason and I order your execution in the arena."

     "But ... we have an agreement!"

     "You yourself said that this stone came from the gods, Gallus, and as I am now a god, I take it back on behalf of my fellow deities. And I will think of an amusing entertainment for the masses, among whom you say I am so beloved. Yes, the common people love me. I lowered taxes, I lowered the price of food, I give them free bread and free games in the arena. And the people love nothing more than to see the mighty brought down. A man of your fame and wealth and stature will bring record crowds to the Great Circus. Half the population of Rome will cram itself within its stands in order to watch your execution."

     Before Sebastianus could protest further, Ulrika spoke up, saying, "Mighty Caesar, you asked for a demonstration of my powers. I will give you one. But only if you set this man free."

     "What is this?" Nero quipped. "Market day? Suddenly I am being bargained with as if I were a seller of wine."

     His aides laughed.

     But Ulrika remained unfazed. "I can communicate with the dead, as you were told, Caesar. But it comes with a price. If you are satisfied with my demonstration and believe that my gifts are genuine, then I will stay here and be your cha

     Nero said archly, "You will give me a dead man for a living man?" and one of his advisors, a portly senator wearing a purple-edged toga, said, "The dead man is invisible, Caesar. How do you know you are getting a fair exchange?"

     His comrades laughed. Another quipped, "Perhaps what the girl 'sees' is with her mind's eye!"

     "Well said, Marcus."

     Ulrika turned to the one called Marcus and stared at him for a long moment, slowing her breath, clasping her scallop shell and imagining her i

     The aide named Marcus blinked and his smile fell.

     "Shall I go on?" she said.

     Nero waved a hand. "You are inventing a fiction! There is no way to prove what you claim."

     But Ulrika noticed that Marcus no longer smirked.

     "Can you read objects?" Nero asked. "Among my seers is a man who can see the future when he handles a personal object."

     "I have experience, Caesar."

     "You will do a reading for me, and I have the perfect object," the emperor said, delighted with himself and this new amusement.

     He handed his emerald monocle to an aide, who gave it to Ulrika.

     "Can you see the future?" Nero said impatiently.

     Ulrika cradled the sparkling green crystal in her hands. The gem had been set in a frame of delicate gold filigree, with a long handle fashioned from ivory. All eyes turned to her as she looked down at the gemstone. The chamber grew quiet.

     She studied the surface of the emerald, rough in places and smooth in others. It was irregularly shaped, with cloudy spots inside. But it was a stu

     Spirit of the emerald, she silently prayed, please send me a message. Give me a sign, or words that I can pass on to this man who holds my beloved husband's life in his hands.

     The imperial audience chamber grew silent, it faded from her peripheral vision, and another vision entered Ulrika's line of sight. Soft fabric ... panels of diaphanous material ... Hangings over a doorway. Ulrika is on theother side, looking into a sumptuous bedroom. A woman is there, at her vanity table, removing cosmetics from her face. Agrippina, widow of Claudius and mother of Nero. She is suddenly startled. Interrupted. Someone enters. A man. He carries a dagger. She jumps to her feet. Not frightened, defiant. She knows he has come to assassinate her. She turns to him and says contemptuously, "If you must do this deed, then smite me in the womb and destroy that part of my body that gave birth to so abominable a son."

     The vision disappeared and Ulrika swayed briefly. Sebastianus caught her. Pressing her hand to her forehead, Ulrika drew in a breath and steadied herself.

     Nero leaned forward on his throne. "Well?" he said. "What did you see?"

     She trembled. She knew she had just witnessed Empress Agrippina's murder, and that her son had been watching from behind bedroom drapes. Ulrika recalled the rumor that Nero had hired an assassin to kill his mother and then had himself killed the assassin to keep the man from speaking.

     No one knows what Agrippina said in her last moments. But Nero knows. And now I do, too ...

     Ulrika glanced at Sebastianus, at Timonides and Primo and Rachel. She felt hundreds of eyes upon her, and those of the emperor, as they narrowed in suspicion. She did not know what to say. Nero wanted her to tell him something that only he could possibly know and that would therefore prove that she did indeed have a gift. But what the emerald had told her was something that put herself in danger—any hint that she knew it was he who had had Agrippina murdered jeopardized her own life.

     "Speak up!" Nero barked. "What does the emerald tell you?"

     But proof of my powers will set Sebastianus free because Nero will not be able to deny that I have indeed communicated with the spirit world.

     "Great Caesar," Ulrika began. "I see a woman—"

     Suddenly, the massive double doors that were the main entrance to the audience chamber crashed open, and all heads turned.

     When legionaries tramped in, their hobnailed sandals striking the marble floor, Nero shot to his feet and shouted, "Who dares to barge in una

     Ulrika turned and her eyes widened when an impressive man appearedbehind the unit of soldiers, massive red plumes rising from his shining helmet. He wore a white leather breastplate with a golden lion emblazoned on the front, a white tunic underneath, edged in gold. The greaves on his shins, and cuffs protecting his forearms, were also made of gold, making him a blinding sight as he marched forward with long strides, stiff and confident, right hand clasping the hilt of his sword.

     "Sebastianus," Ulrika whispered as the man drew near. "It is General Vatinius!"

     Nero's look turned to one of puzzlement. "Vatinius? What is this all about? You come without invitation, without a

     "I bring a special gift for Caesar," the general declared in a voice that rose to the domed ceiling. Vatinius turned and outstretched his arm, and another unit of soldiers entered the audience chamber, with a manacled prisoner at their center.