Crucible of Fire: The Inflection Point Series (Book 2) by Cook Nick

Author:Cook, Nick
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Voice from the Clouds
Published: 2022-10-13T00:00:00+00:00

We joined a line of other carpenta slowly making their way up to the gates of the Cicero’s villa, along with smaller carriages that Jack informed me were called carruca, also used by the wealthy, but maybe of a slightly lower status. Not that Helius gave our conversation any heed because he had once again grabbed the opportunity to squeeze himself in between both women, who were doing their best to hang on to his every word. All I could say was they were both talented actresses because I would have nodded off long ago.

Since the start of this journey, all Helius had done was boast about all the money his father’s ships made shipping exotic spices from the Middle East to sell at exorbitant rates across the Roman Empire.

At last, when I thought even Clara and Lauren’s patience would run out with the oaf, our carpentum entered the Cicero Villa gates into a large courtyard. Our carriage circled the fountain, from which water gushed out of a vase held aloft by a nymph. In the rippling pool beneath, little flecks of gold and silver fish could be seen swimming. I had no doubt that this display counted as the height of luxury in Pompeii.

With a snort, the horses pulling our carriage were slowed to a stop. Then we were stepping out to join the other visitors who were already walking up the short flight of stairs towards a low building, accompanied by the melodious sounds of lutes and lyres, a string instrument I recognised from the Ashmolean Museum that resembled a cross between a neckless guitar and a harp.

I spotted Titus at the top of the steps, greeting his guests. He was looking a lot greyer than Helius after their drinking antics the night before. Of course, he didn’t have access to the modern medical wonder of aspirin to fall back on. Titus was also chewing his lip as he bounced from one foot to the other, the very picture of a man with an extreme case of the jitters.

‘Please excuse me for a moment,’ Helius said, spotting the state of his friend. ‘Titus looks like he needs some moral support and maybe a fresh glass of wine to steady his nerves.’ He winked at us and then set off towards the groom.

‘At least there’s no sign of Tuul anywhere,’ Lauren said, scanning the attendees.

‘That’s excellent news, but there’s still one thing that we need to find out first,’ Felix replied. He headed towards a corner of the courtyard and beckoned for us to join him as he stepped behind another marble statue of a long-bearded god.

A moment later, he had slipped the Empyrean key out of his knapsack and was rotating it in his hand. As always, Lauren watched intently as he moved the stone orb in a multitude of directions.

‘I’ve meant to ask you, Lauren, it almost looks like you can see something that the rest of us can’t?’ I asked.

She shrugged. ‘That’s because I can. I have a condition called synaesthesia, but I think more of it as a gift.

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