Domina Triumphans

Chapter 26: 48 AD, Rome and Lugdunum

Marcus opened a chest containing his father's belongings. He looked through Vinicius' commonplace book, trying not to focus on the happy commotion going on in the atrium. Everyone anticipated the weekly postal delivery. The Roman postal system or cursus publicus, was supposed to be for the use of the military and civil service. In reality, anyone with money or connections could opt in. Letters and packages came for the foreign boarders each week and were a routine highlight. Carada squealed as she saw a letter from her father. Imantios read aloud a message from his parents. Marcus paged through his father's journal, knowing he would get no mail on his special day. Artorius tapped on his door and held out a tablet.

"Antonillus wrote," he said.

Marcus thanked him and reached for the tablet, reading Antonillus' message. Artorius sat down on a stool.

"But we do have to talk, though," he said. "Do you have any heirlooms of your family? I know you have a ring from Germanicus."

"And it's mine," Marcus said. "She's not getting it back. She gave it to Father and now I am his legal heir."

"Actually, that's Artos until you're twenty-one," Artorius said. "Anything else?"

"I have a neckchain from Vipsanius Agrippa, and a pen tray from Antony. Only I know where I keep them."

"How about Divine Augustus?" Artorius asked.

"A keepsake box made of silver. I hid it."

"Your mother is demanding all of it back," Artorius said.

"No," Marcus said. "Let the August One order it."

"She and your Aunt can demand the items, even sue in court."

"They can come and ask me," Marcus said.

"And you would give them back?"

"If they came and asked me, which they won't."

Artorius looked him over. Marcus was a bright, healthy young man, quick at lessons, a keen rider and swordsman. Any parent would have been honored to have him, but to his mother's family, he was a threat.

"I'll tell you what," Artorius said. "Let's have a smith make a copy of the box and the other things for you to keep. Give the originals to the August One for his birthday."

Marcus nodded.

"But I keep Father's weapons and armor, his decorations, and the rest of it. Those are mine."

....

Poplicola rifled through estate paperwork on his desk. Living in Rome was expensive, but right now he had no other alternative. His case had stalled in the Senate. Still under arrest, he could not be posted elsewhere. As a legate, he was a Senator, but that was the most boring job imaginable. He could go home to Antioch, but being in the Antony mix again was a fate worse than death. As he looked over their budget, he could hear Gabinia calling for her litter to go out. She was attending a party at the Empress' estate, something about Dionysus, and he wanted no part of it.

He had hoped that, when he got to Rome, the novelty of the Dionysus fad would wear off and Gabinia would settle down, but no. She was one of many once respectable men and women sucked into a whirlpool of nonstop parties, wine, drugs, and sex. Poplicola remembered the wild times back in Antioch, which paled in comparison. He loved sex, but not in multiples and nonstop variations. Ditto good food and wine, but not to the point of being sick. And any type of potion made his head swim. Gabinia, though, could not stop herself. They had been invited to a banquet at the palace, but she had to go to a dinner for the god of wine and revelry. He heard the door slam as she left, and wrote to as many contacts as he could.