The Last Romans by John Stewart

Author:John Stewart
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Arcturus Digital Limited

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CHAPTER FORTY

ANGER

It was January, and an evening mist shrouded Thulwin’s villa at Fidenae. Tullus and his escort of six Royal Guardsmen turned into the familiar entrance. Already the night torches framed the portico.

Tullus and Theodis rode in front, the eyes of both searching, one for Drusilla and Cornelia, the other for Cornelia’s nurse.

Drusilla was there. Cornelia was there. Valerius and Poppea were there, but the nurse was not amongst them.

Tullus glanced sideways at Theodis, whose face was set rock-hard.

Cornelia ran to her father and embraced him. He held her high.

‘Welcome home, Papa,’ she said happily. Tullus laughed. They were Drusilla’s words.

He embraced his wife, holding her close without speaking, after which he turned to greet Valerius and Poppea.

‘Where’s the nurse?’

‘Oh, Marcus.’ It was Drusilla who answered. ‘Her lovely hair, they sheared it off.’

‘Who?’ Tullus exploded.

‘The fanatics connected with the Church. We’ve just found out, for she was ashamed to tell us and kept her head covered for the past few days.’

‘Theodis,’ Tullus barked.

‘Yes, sir.’

‘Go and comfort the lady.’

Immediately the tall Goth disappeared into the villa.

‘They sent her hair this morning, in a parcel marked “for a heretic”,’ Drusilla added.

‘By the gods,’ Tullus hissed through clenched teeth. ‘Someone bring me that parcel.’

At once Drusilla rushed into the villa. It was the first time she had seen her husband really angry. When she returned with the parcel he was already mounted and anxious to be off.

‘Be careful, Marcus,’ she called.

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