style="font-size:15px;"> ‘What do you want, Thomas? Lucy is asleep and I've told you before …’
‘It's not for me. This young man is Marius' nephew. He brought a girl in with him today?’
The woman's manner changed as she perceived Gaius, who was shaking his head in painful silence, wondering how public things were going to get.
‘Alexandria, wasn't it? Beautiful girl. My name is Carla. I'll show you to her room. Most of the slaves are asleep by now, so tread quietly, if you please.’ She beckoned for Gaius to follow and he did so, neck and back stiff with embarrassment. He could feel Thomas' eyes on his back before the door closed gently behind him.
This part of Marius' house was plain but clean. A long corridor was lined with closed doors and there were small candles in holders along the walls at intervals. Only a few were lit, but enough light was shed for Gaius to see where they were going.
Carla's voice was lowered to a harsh whisper as she turned to him.
‘Most of the slaves sleep in a few large rooms, but your girl was put in one of her own, that we keep for favoured ones. You said to treat her kindly, is that true?’
Gaius blushed. He had forgotten the interest that Marius' slaves would take in Alexandria and himself. It would be all over the house by the morning that he had visited her in the night.
They turned a final corner and Gaius froze in astonishment. The final door of the corridor was open and, against the low light from within, he could see Alexandria standing there, beautiful in the flickering candlelight. She alone would have caused him to take a quick breath, but there was someone with her, leaning against the wall in the shadows.
Carla darted forward and they both recognised Marcus at the same time. For his part, he seemed just as surprised to see them.
‘How did you get in here?’ Carla asked, her voice strained.
Marcus blinked.
‘I crept about the place. I didn't want to wake everyone up,’ he answered.
Gaius looked at Alexandria and his chest tightened with jealousy. She looked annoyed, but the glint in her eyes only heightened her tousled appearance. Her voice was curt.
‘As you can both see, I am fine and quite comfortable. Slaves have to be up before dawn, so I would like to go to sleep, unless you want to bring Cabera or Tubruk along as well?’
Marcus and Gaius looked on her with surprised expressions. She really seemed quite angry.
‘No? Then good night.’ She nodded to them, her mouth firm, and gently closed the door.
Carla stood with her mouth open in astonishment. She wasn't sure how to start apologising.
‘What are you doing here, Marcus?’ Gaius demanded, keeping his voice low.
‘Same thing as you. I thought she might be lonely. I didn't know you were going to make it a social occasion, did I?’
Doors were opening along the corridor and a low female voice called, ‘Everything all right, Carla?’
‘Yes, dear. Thank you,’ Carla hissed back. ‘Look. She's gone to bed. I suggest you two follow her example before the whole house turns out to see what's happening.’
Grim-faced, they nodded and walked back down the corridor together, leaving Carla with her hand over her mouth to stop her laughing before they were out of earshot. She nearly made it.
As Alexandria had predicted, the house of Marius came suddenly alive a good two hours before dawn. The kitchen ovens were lit, the windows opened, torches placed along the walls until the sun rose. Slaves bustled around, carrying trays of food and towels for the soldiers. The silence of the dark hours was broken by coarse laughter and shouts. Gaius and Marcus were awake at the first sounds, with Tubruk only a little behind them. Cabera refused to get up.
‘Why would I want to? I will just throw on my robe and walk to the gates! Two more hours till dawn sounds good to me.’
‘You can wash and have breakfast,’ Marcus said, his eyes lively.
‘I washed yesterday and I don't eat much before noon. Now go away.’
Marcus retreated and joined the others as they ate a little bread and honey, washed down with a hot, spiced wine that filled their bellies with warmth. They had not spoken of the events of the night before and both could feel a small tension between them and silences in the spaces they would usually have filled with light talk.
Finally, Gaius took a deep breath.
‘If she likes you, I will stay out of it,’ he said, each word pronounced clearly.
‘Very decent of you,’ Marcus replied, smiling. He drained his cup of hot wine and walked out of the room, smoothing his hair with one hand.
Tubruk glanced at Gaius' expression and barked out a laugh before following.
Looking fresh and rested, Marius strode back into the garden rooms with the clatter of iron-soled sandals on stone. He seemed even bigger in the general's uniform, an unstoppable figure. Marcus found himself watching the walk for weaknesses, as he had learned to watch any opponent. Did he dip a once-injured shoulder or favour a slightly weaker knee? There was nothing. This was a man who had never been close to death, who had never known despair. Though he had no children, a single weakness. Marcus wondered if it was Marius or his wife who was barren. The gods were known to be capricious, but what a jest to give so much to a man yet leave him unable to pass it on.
Marius wore a chestplate of bronze and a long red cloak over his shoulders. He had a simple legionary's gladius strapped to his waist, though Marcus noted the silver handle that set it apart from common blades. His brown legs were mostly bare under a leather kilt. He moved well, uncommonly well for a man of his age. His eyes glittered with some excitement or anticipation.
‘Good to see you all up and about. You'll be marching with my men?’ His voice was deep and steady, with no trace of nerves.
Gaius smiled, pleased not to have had to ask.
‘We all are, with your permission … Uncle.’
Marius nodded his head at the word.
‘Of course, but stay well back. This is a dangerous morning's entertainment, no matter how it turns out.
One thing – you don't know the city and, if we do become separated, this house may no longer be safe. Seek out Valcinus at the public baths. They will be shut until noon, but he'll let you in if you mention my name. All set?’
Marcus, Gaius and Tubruk looked at each other, dazed at the speed of events. At least two of them were a little excited at the same time. They fell in behind Marius as he strode out to the yard where his men waited patiently.
Cabera joined them at the last minute. His eyes were as sharp as ever, but white stubble showed on his cheeks and chin. Marcus grinned at him and received a scowl as reply. They stood near the back of the group of men and Gaius took in the countenances of the soldiers around him. Brown-skinned and dark-haired to a man, they carried rectangular shields strapped to their left arms. On the brass face of each shield was the simple
