A Roman Ransom by Rosemary Rowe

predecessor’s natural air of gravitas and authority.
    Marcus looked more serious at once. ‘That is true, of course. I’d not forgotten it.’ He turned to me and smiled. ‘It means that I must leave you for a little while. My friend the pontifex’ – he indicated the priest – ‘instructs me that we must go to the main temple in the town and sacrifice a pure white calf at once.’
    I was surprised into a whistle and an irreverent remark. ‘A pure white calf? Without any kind of mark? That will cost you a
denarius
or two. At such short notice, in particular.’
    Far from upbraiding me for my impertinence, Marcus said gravely, ‘True, but it must be done as soon as possible. The pontifex knows where I can find one, at a price.’
    The high priest must have read my doubts, because he hurried to explain. ‘It is quite essential, I assure you, Excellence. Both to give thanks for your son’s return and also to expiate the bulla’s loss – and then with the ashes we can reconsecrate the boy, give him a new neck charm and begin again. We’ll have a ritual at the altar here, on the first auspicious day. Tomorrow, if you can get a new bulla made in time.’
    Marcus nodded. ‘I will try. I want it done as soon as possible.’
    The high priest looked at me. ‘You were at the boy’s first naming ceremony, I understand? Perhaps you will be well enough to attend the second one. The ritual will be more pleasing to the gods if we can duplicate the first as closely as possible.’
    I was about to answer, but Marcus shook his head. ‘We have the chief priest of Jupiter to officiate – that is sufficient to ensure success.’
    The chief priest looked as if he were unsure whether to plump up with importance at this compliment or to be affronted by the way his words were swept aside. Eventually he settled for the preen. ‘All the same . . .’ he ventured.
    My patron said firmly, ‘Libertus has been ill; he must be left to rest. The medicus was emphatic on that point. In fact, it is against advice that I have come to see him now – but I felt I had to thank him for everything he’s done and assure him that everything is well. But now we must leave him to his well-earned sleep. Philades has left a soothing draught for him somewhere.’
    ‘But it’s on the tabletop!’ the pontifex exclaimed, following the direction of his glance. ‘Your friend cannot drink that! Have it disposed of instantly! Surely even a Greek physician is aware that leaving a remedy on a table is a dreadful augury for anyone who takes it afterwards?’
    ‘I’m sure he intended nothing of the kind,’ my patron said soothingly. ‘It is a purely Roman superstition, I am sure. All the same, I’ll have it moved at once. Page, see to it.’ The pretty young man did so immediately, and Marcus went on with a smile, ‘We’ll have another one made up for you. I don’t imagine there is any curse, but we won’t take any chances – there has been enough misfortune in this house already. And, speaking of propitiating fate, we must go at once and make that sacrifice. We will be back this evening, before – I hope and pray – Julia is returned to us as well. I have ordered my slaves to leave the gate open and unguarded, as I was told to do.’
    I doubted that his wife’s return would be so easy, but he was optimistic and since I feared to cross his mood I contented myself with murmuring, ‘And Lallius?’
    He smiled grimly. ‘I shall leave instructions with the garrison while I am in the town. Lallius will be arrested at his house, just as soon as I am certain that Julia is safe and send the word to them. I’ll have the guards round up all his associates and bring them in for questioning as well. Don’t worry, I have it all in hand. Now, try to get some sleep.’ He turned to his retinue. ‘Slaves, Libertus is to have anything he wants – subject to the doctor’s views, of course. But first he needs to rest. See that a watch is kept outside his