Lucia: A Roman Slave's Tale by Steven A. McKay

Author:Steven A. McKay [McKay, Steven A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Broadsword Publishing
Published: 2020-10-25T16:00:00+00:00

The next morning brought more unpleasant news for the inhabitants of Villa Tempestatis, as Lucia heard from the whispers of the women around her. She had been moved from the birthing chamber into the infirmary, which was a small room with only three sleeping pallets, used for slaves who were unwell. It was situated in the eastern wing, in between the kitchen and the room that was being used to house the newborn babies and their mothers. At that time, Lucia was the infirmary’s only occupant but there was no door, only a curtain between the rooms, and she could hear everyone moving around, doing their daily tasks.

Taking care of their babies.

More tears formed in her eyes, but she had spent most of them by now, ever since she had understood what had happened the previous night. Now, she felt almost as if she was a different person, not Lucia any more, but someone else, cold and detached, observing the world around her dispassionately.

It was a mercy she knew Sulis Minerva would allow her for only a short time. The feeling would wear off soon enough and her pain would return with a vengeance. She wondered how her life could continue as it had before, now that her child—

“…the master’s ordered the men to take weapons with them when they’re going about their work,” Popillia was saying to someone in the chamber on the other side of the curtain, and Lucia focused her attention somewhat drowsily on the familiar, pleasant voice. “Just in case they meet him.”

“Meet who?” another voice demanded.

“One of the bastards that robbed us last year, remember? One of them escaped? Well, one that we know of, there might have been more since no-one has a clue how many of them were in the gang.”

“What about them?”

Lucia recognised the new voice as Livinia, the cook, and wondered idly if it was time for the midday meal. Not that she was hungry – she doubted she would ever want to eat again.

“I just said,” Popillia said irritably. “One of them has been seen in the grounds, watching the house. This house.”

“What for?”

“By the gods, how should I know, Livinia? The master is worried the man is going to try and get revenge for what Regalis and Rogatus and the others did to his friends. Or maybe there’s going to be another robbery. Who knows? But be vigilant, all right, and spread the word for everyone to keep an eye out.”

There was the sound of a door opening and the familiar hushing of voices that heralded Paltucca’s arrival. That brought a reaction to the previously apathetic Lucia: loathing. The purest hatred, and a burning desire to take the manageress’s neck in her hands and squeeze until the woman expired – like her baby! – filled Lucia and she had to force herself to calm.

She would avenge her little boy one day, but it would have to wait.

Paltucca repeated, in a loud voice, what Popillia had just been saying, warning

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