Pax Romana by Benoît Séverac

Author:Benoît Séverac
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Enigma Books
Published: 2010-07-12T00:00:00+00:00

XVI

“I hope you had a pleasant journey, Rufus Riego. We are honored to receive an imperial Popraetor. Welcome.”

“Salve, Hadrianus Trevius, thank you for putting me up at your house. I’m exhausted. What an endless journey, by Minerva. And what a terrible road!”

A slave was on his knees under the running board of the coach to help Rufus Riego step down. Others were busy unloading his chest and taking the horses to the stables where they would be rubbed down and where the coach would be parked.

“Would you like to eat something? I had the pistor dulciarius prepare some sweet cakes: his oven cake, his erneum, is a delight.”

“No, later. I’m dying to take a bath first.”

“Of course. I’ve had water brought from the thermal baths of Lixon by the barrel. You’ll see: it’s wonderfully soothing after a long trip. People say it’s almost as good as the water from the thermae in Neapolis.”

“Most important is my back: it hurts. Send me a masseur to start.”

Hadrianus snapped his fingers in the direction of his man-servant, Eutrapelus:

“Tell Canius to prepare the baths for our guest. Tell him to get my massaging oils.”

Hadrianus guided Rufus Riego to the center of the peristyle where two slaves stood waiting:

“Solemnis and Neva will show you to your apartments. They will take care of you during your stay. Ask whatever you wish: their only wish is to make you comfortable. I’ll see you again after your ablutions and we’ll discuss the matter that brings you to Lugdunum Convenarum.”

“Good. Meanwhile, tell the centurion in charge of the garrison to come here. I want to talk to him.”

“Valerius Musa?”

“Yes. He’s the one who is investigating, isn’t he?”

“Certainly, but do you really want to talk to him tonight? Don’t you want to rest first?”

“I don’t intend to linger in this place. So I don’t want to waste any time. Have him come and call a meeting of the quattuorvirate for tomorrow morning at the first hour. We will meet in the curia but behind closed doors. Thank you for putting me up, Hadrianus; I’ll see you later at dinner.”

Rufus was still being massaged when Valerius reported to his apartment. The centurion was accustomed to sharing the baths and the changing rooms with his men but he was a little nonplussed at being confronted with a Propraetor in the nude wearing only a towel over his privates. The man’s small, plump, not very well proportioned body and his pale skin was at odds with the idea Valerius had formed in his mind of this very powerful and reputedly pitiless man.

The centurion’s arrival put an end to Canius’ services. Rufus sent the masseur and the attendants away so he could be alone with Valerius. Hadrianus was outraged at being kept away, in his own house. He was suspicious: he saw the hand of Rome in this. He wondered to what extent Rufus Riego might have been instructed to take advantage of this sorry business to eliminate him or, at the very least,

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