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.In my day, we murdered openly, but that's no longer the fashion.""In your day,” he scoffed in his anger."In my day, I stood higher than you, Senator.” The small bright eyes held his and there was amusement in them.“I would advise against having me killed.Now or later.They've all tried and I am still alive."Justus would have liked to know whom she meant.Which of his patrician associates had come to this strange old woman over the years? What had she done for them? Why was she still alive, if she had done so much? He kept these questions to himself, and instead glared at her.“Fine claims and talk are cheap.If the poison you give me is not as promised, a letter will go to the prefect of the Praetorian Guard and another to the Senate.If the poison is precisely as you've said it will be, I will send rewards to you in excess of your price.""Keep your gifts!” she cried with unexpected vehemence.“If I wanted luxury, I could have had it.I did have it once and it sickened me!” She went to the study door and looked back at Justus.“I will give the poison to your slave.At my hut.He can return here with it.If there is any attempt to interfere with me, you will regret it.” She anticipated his objections.“If I had been unprotected, Silius, I would have been dead years ago.Remember that.” She stepped into the open doorway."Old woman,” Justus called, genuinely curious, “why do you do it?"The smile she gave him was colder than any Justus had seen.“Because I hate you all.I should have thought that was obvious.” The door closed behind her."Follow her,” was Justus’ terse order to Monostades.“Don't let her wander about the house.Don't let her out of your sight."Monostades obeyed slowly, a slight, sarcastic grin on his full lips.“She's probably right about the protection, master,” he pointed out."Probably.” He did not want to discuss it with this slave."You would not be wise to put it to the test,” he went on unpleasantly.“If she informed on you, it would go badly."Justus regarded Monostades with open hostility.“I am still permitted to discipline my slaves for disobedience, Monostades.No one would question me if I took the skin off you with a flagellum if you continue in this way.I would enjoy doing that.” He looked Monostades up and down once as if sizing up an animal for slaughter.“You're not weak.It would be a long time to hurt.""I'm obedient,” Monostades said quickly, rather pale, though whether from fear or rage, it was hard to say."Then follow that old woman.” He sat still while Monostades bolted from his study.Once alone, he sat down to draft a letter to Olivia, informing her of his intention to dine with her in four days’ time.He selected his phrases with care, wishing to frighten her without causing her to refuse to see him.He worked on a wax tablet so that he could have the underlying threat perfectly expressed when he copied it out.He was completing this letter when the houseman knocked timidly at his door.“I'm not to be disturbed,” he said without looking up from the sheet in front of him.The knock was renewed.“Master, there is a gentleman.He says that you will want to see him.""I'm not to be disturbed,” Justus repeated sharply.He was out of patience with his household today."The man insists, master,” the houseman whined, waiting on the other side of the door."Tell him I cannot see him.” He picked up his tablet and set it aside, then reached for his ink."He says it is urgent.” The voice had risen almost an octave, and hearing it, Justus ground his teeth."Very well, then, he may have a few moments.If this is a capricious interruption, I will have him thrown out of my house and beaten.” He turned toward the door.“Hurry.I am busy and this is an unwanted interruption.” From beyond the door he heard his houseman scurry away.He did not have long to wait: there were crisp, quick footsteps through the atrium, a knock and then the door to Justus’ study was thrown open and a harshly handsome young man dressed in elegant Armenian brocades stepped into the study.“You are Senator Silius?” he asked perfunctorily."I am.You may tell me what you want quickly.” He was somewhat impressed with his guest."My name is Led Arashnur,” said the newcomer.“I am an Armenian scholar studying in Rome.I have been investigating the movements of one Ragoczy Saint-Germain Franciscus, who, among other things, is your wife's lover.” He waited for a response."My wife's lover,” Justus repeated as if to himself.He motioned to the high-backed, silk-cushioned chair on the other side of the room.“Sit down, Arashnur,” he said.TEXT OF A NOTE SMUGGLED FROM THE SLAVES’ PRISON TO SAINT-GERMAIN, WRITTEN IN THE SYMBOLS OF ANCIENT EGYPT.To my master, from Tishtry, Kosrozd and myself, respectful greetings:We have learned today of the sentence that has been handed down from Caesar Vespasianus, and we are not surprised.It was that or the galleys, and since we are suspected of planning rebellion, they could hardly put us on warships.So it is to be the arena.It will be a new experience for me, but for Tishtry and Kosrozd it will be familiar.Kosrozd said that he is disappointed.Many of the Roman slaves who have already been executed were crucified as common felons.That is probably what will happen to us, as well.At least, that is the current rumor.You will be able, I think, to claim our bodies, which ought to keep us from any awkwardness.Kosrozd even jokes about it, but Tishtry is doubtful since she has yet to make the true change.It has been fortunate that we have been together.We all understand each other so well.Tishtry had chided Kosrozd for his eagerness and says that it will be a very long time before he matches you.It is probably just as well that I am not of your blood as they are.To be bound to you by the life you returned to me is quite enough.We are prepared for our ordeal and wish to do you credit.Kosrozd is becoming impatient, though I have reminded him that he will have to leave Rome immediately after you claim our bodies.It would not do for him to be seen walking around unfettered after all Rome watches him die in the arena.I have warned him that you will probably forbid him to race chariots anywhere for a few years.There is that estate of yours in Gallia, and we could live very privately there.Whatever your plans for us are, we are ready to do as you wish.In a few years we may return to Rome, when we have been sufficiently forgotten.A century should be enough.It was the last time.Until our reunion, then, this from our cell in the slaves’ prison
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