Domina Triumphans

Chapter 6: 46 AD, Antioch, Rome, and Lugdunum

Bolt pushed aside the never-ending pile of tablets and documents on his desk and took a break. He reached for a letter from his sister Antylla and opened it.

....Artos, Antonillus, and Nervillus have left for Rome. The younger ones and I are holding the fort here....

Bolt's blood froze. He stood up from his desk and went to Lucius' office. He was out. Bolt looked around the workroom at the castrum, hoping to find someone, anyone to talk to. Barca's door was open and he came over.

"You're white as a sheet," Barca said. "Please, no more deaths."

"He took the boys with him to Rome," Bolt said.

"Tell me he didn't," Old Camalus, a Galatian who had mentored Artos as a civilian employee said from his desk.

Barca read the letter.

"Shit!" he snapped.

He passed it to Aeneas Burrus, now Camp Prefect.

"I thought he had better sense," Burrus said as he handed the tablet back to Bolt.

"I know he would've wanted Bricius to see the boys," Bolt said. "Artos leads with his heart. And therein lies the trouble."

...

Valeria paced her sitting room, boiling with rage. Iolarix had spurned her interest in himself or Antonillus three times, and she was not happy. This morning was the last straw. The King was scheduled for a private audience and conference with the Emperor after an informal prandium or luncheon, to which she was not invited. Valeria had asked Iolarix to breakfast at the palace, as well, but no. Leading Celtic merchants and officials had planned a morning reception for the King and the two Princes. Afterwards, he and the boys returned to Claudia Procula's home nearby, where their father left them behind, changed out of his native finery, and appeared at the palace as a Roman Legatus in garrison dress, braccaes covering his legs and a full-sleeved tunic and cloak over his arms. Iolarix knew the game and was not about to play.

Valeria made her way along the colonnade to her husband's private triclinium or dining room. Claudius, Beaky, and Iolarix were chatting about something as they ate. She could guess that it was about the Etruscans and Celts. She had an idea and sent for a houseman.

"Bring a tray of custard tarts," she said. "The Emperor desires them."

"Yes, Diva," the houseman said.

Claudius hated custard and refused it every time, but Beaky was a gourmand and Iolarix ate anything and everything. While she waited for the tarts, she wandered into the dining area. Iolarix saw her and raised his goblet.

"To your health and long life, Augusta," he said.

"Thank you, Excellency," Valeria said. "We missed you this morning."

"Had I brought my wife, we could have attended together," Iolarix said. "I will instead pass your greetings to her, and she can join me on our next visit, when our children are older."

Valeria ticked her tongue and went to the buffet, where the desert course had been laid. There was a platter of custard tarts already there, and most were gone. The servant brought the other plate of tarts into the room and Valeria switched the dishes. She opened a tiny vial attached to a bracelet and dusted a few of them with a powder Locusta had made for her. Her back was to the room, but she was lingering too long by the food. Artos made a mental note not to touch the tarts. Ignored, the Empress left. Claudius signaled his attendant to help him rise.

"We have much to discuss," he said.

"That we do, Divinity," Artos said. "I'll fill my cup and join you."