by Horatius Piscinus on Fri Nov 15, 2002 1:47 pm
The Nubian's breath, warm and sweet, graced Horatius' chin. In the darkness, a glimmer of light caught upon Kallo's golden earrings, Egyptian headress, and glass-bead necklace, beneath the white ricinium that framed her face, her eyes shining upwards to him in a query. The elder man smiled at her concern. One did not pass in itinere these days without an escort. Kallo and her companion Sorina were travelling to Rome in order to visit the Temple of the Bona Dea, there to attain special herbs needed in the house of Domina Valeria. It was Horatius who was to provide protection for the two women as they travelled. Yet here, in a taberna on the road to Rome, it was comforting to have two such she-wolves to guard his back should they prove needed. Deeper in the shadows stood still another man whose wary eye stood guard.
On his many travels, whenever passing south, Horatius would always visit the domus of Valeria. She had come from an a noble family, their fortunes long spent, and she married to a brutal older man for convenience. It was Valeria's sons who Horatius had first met, hiding out in his gardens from the tyrrany of their father. One night the boys brought their young mother to their haven. There in a cold winter's rain Horatius found Valeria, bruised, scarred, and burned. He had taken in the three boys and their mother, defended them in the courts against their father's slander, provided them with an education and later mentored them in the army under his command. To Valeria Horatius gave a house he held in Capua. A modest place, yet suitable for an independent woman of her order. After a few years, through several trials, Horatius had gained for the boys their patrimony, and when their father died following one particularly vigorous exhortation by Horatius before the court, Valeria found herself to be a wealthy woman. The modest house in Capua soon grew into three suites. Valeria, still young, wealthy, well educated, provided a salon to entertain the very best of men. A second story of apartments was added for the many women she gathered to herself, refugees as she had once been, in a house of women. Then above, a third level was made, a small austere apartment and solarium set aside for Horatius as his own haven from the troubles of the world.
Returning from Britannia, Horatius had travelled around the urbs to visit his estates at Ferentium. Close enough he thought to travel the extra distance to Valeria's for a few days visit that was sure to relieve him of his northern chills. There Valeria entertained Horatius in deep conversation, privy as she was to the secrets of all distinguished viatores who passed her way. Then in her usual manner, "Would you be so kind, mi Marce..." she had said. It was no obligation to Horatius to visit yet another old acquaintance, the sacerdotus of Bona Dea on the Aventine. He was one of the few men that she would permit within the temple's confines. He had already arranged for precious herbs from Antioch to be delivered to his apartment at Valeria's, some intended for the Temple of the Bona Dea anyway. So Horatius had agreed to escort Sorina and Kallo on their journey.
Sorina first noticed the approach of the man from across the room. His broad soulders and many scars made him look threatening. Her golden mane began to rise, fire entered her hazel eyes, as her muscle grew taunt, ready to pounce upon Marius with her claws. But a large gentle hand fell upon her shoulder as Maximus leaned forward to whisper to Horatius, "It seems my former centurian would visit your table."
"Siste, viator!" Horatius said as he rose to greet Marius. "Et salve, mi commiles. I believe you already know Maximus. He served as optio ad spem ordinis under your command before his transfer to my tesserarii."
Sorina's eyes still burned, and now Kallo's dark eyes pierced Marius like drawn daggers, until scampering feet caught their attention, and furry heads nuzzled upon their laps. One look from Horatius sent the innkeeper scurrying with servants to bring another bench to his table. Another look by Horatius over Marius' shoulder fell upon the man who followed. Horatius reached into his sinus, extracted a medallion of oriental design that he then held in his palm as he greeted Curio. "Come," boomed Horatius, "won't you join us?"
Marius and Curio stood opposite Horatius, surveying his little party and uneasy to be seated with their backs to the crowded room.