civilians who provide for them. There’s a regular market, so the forum is a reasonable size, and more and more shops are springing up. From bootmakers to brothel-keepers, from coppersmiths to cloth-sellers, they’re all there trying to turn a more or less honest denarius.
Albia’s house was among a group of pleasant civilian town-houses, quite central, not far from the larger of the two rivers. It was well built and roomy, with a lovely little courtyard-garden at its centre. As Brutus led our two carriages through the streets, Vitellia was gazing out like an excited child, and I was in no position to mock, because so was I.
Albia was at the door to greet us as we pulled up. We jumped down, not waiting for the carriage steps to be unfolded for a more dignified descent, and she gathered me and Vitellia into her arms and hugged us.
“Welcome to you both! Relia, how lovely to see you looking so well. And Vitellia, I’ve been longing to meet the girl who’s finally going to persuade our brother to settle down.”
My sister is one of those people who makes everyone feel at home straight away, and settling in didn’t take us long. She gave Brutus directions about stabling for the horses and accommodation for the drivers and guards. He himself was staying overnight with an old army comrade at the fort. Then she led Vitellia and me out to the courtyard. Her steward Crotus brought us a jug of cool white wine, while his wife showed Baca where to unpack our things and we sat and relaxed. Really, I thought as I sank onto a cushioned couch, I don’t understand why travelling makes one so tired, when all that’s involved in sitting in a carriage and letting horses and men do the work. But it felt wonderful to be at rest now.
Vitellia, having stayed at the house already, was immediately at ease, calling the servants by name and needing no help to find her way around. As we chatted she grew livelier than she’d been since she came to the Oak Tree. That was my sister’s doing. Albia always brings out the best in people.
Of course she asked whether Albia had heard from our brother, but she hadn’t. “Lucius doesn’t stay here when he’s on an investigation, and often if he’s very busy he doesn’t even send me a note.” Seeing the child’s disappointment, she hastened to change the subject. “I hope you’ve got your shopping lists ready. Tomorrow’s a market day.”
Vitellia brightened at once. “Oh, that’s lucky. Is it a big market?”
“Quite big, yes, though I don’t suppose it’s as grand as in Londinium. The country people bring in their produce from round about, but there’s plenty to see from further afield as well. Traders come up from the south, and boats bring goods all the way up the river from the German Ocean.”
“I love markets,” Vitellia said. “And my papa gave me some money for my holiday. I haven’t been able to spend any of it yet.”
“I’m sure we can put that right,” Albia smiled. “You’ll find lots of things to buy. And you could get a present for your papa, perhaps?”
“Oh, yes, and Mama too. And something for Lucius. And then there’s my little brother…” She chattered on for a while, and I was pleased to see her so animated. But I wanted to talk to Albia privately, and my sister must have realised it.
“You don’t have to wait till the morning to see a little of the town,” she said to Vitellia. “Aurelia and I have some family business to discuss that you’ll find extremely boring. Would you like to take a short walk by the river before dinner?”
“How lovely! Can I really? And can I take Baca? She’s never been here before.”
“Good idea. And you’ll also take a man along, of course. Respectable women don’t go out unescorted in a garrison town. Crotus’ son will go with you.”
We gave the three of them stern instructions about not venturing into the poorer areas and on no account going into wine shops. They all agreed solemnly, and set off
Albia’s house was among a group of pleasant civilian town-houses, quite central, not far from the larger of the two rivers. It was well built and roomy, with a lovely little courtyard-garden at its centre. As Brutus led our two carriages through the streets, Vitellia was gazing out like an excited child, and I was in no position to mock, because so was I.
Albia was at the door to greet us as we pulled up. We jumped down, not waiting for the carriage steps to be unfolded for a more dignified descent, and she gathered me and Vitellia into her arms and hugged us.
“Welcome to you both! Relia, how lovely to see you looking so well. And Vitellia, I’ve been longing to meet the girl who’s finally going to persuade our brother to settle down.”
My sister is one of those people who makes everyone feel at home straight away, and settling in didn’t take us long. She gave Brutus directions about stabling for the horses and accommodation for the drivers and guards. He himself was staying overnight with an old army comrade at the fort. Then she led Vitellia and me out to the courtyard. Her steward Crotus brought us a jug of cool white wine, while his wife showed Baca where to unpack our things and we sat and relaxed. Really, I thought as I sank onto a cushioned couch, I don’t understand why travelling makes one so tired, when all that’s involved in sitting in a carriage and letting horses and men do the work. But it felt wonderful to be at rest now.
Vitellia, having stayed at the house already, was immediately at ease, calling the servants by name and needing no help to find her way around. As we chatted she grew livelier than she’d been since she came to the Oak Tree. That was my sister’s doing. Albia always brings out the best in people.
Of course she asked whether Albia had heard from our brother, but she hadn’t. “Lucius doesn’t stay here when he’s on an investigation, and often if he’s very busy he doesn’t even send me a note.” Seeing the child’s disappointment, she hastened to change the subject. “I hope you’ve got your shopping lists ready. Tomorrow’s a market day.”
Vitellia brightened at once. “Oh, that’s lucky. Is it a big market?”
“Quite big, yes, though I don’t suppose it’s as grand as in Londinium. The country people bring in their produce from round about, but there’s plenty to see from further afield as well. Traders come up from the south, and boats bring goods all the way up the river from the German Ocean.”
“I love markets,” Vitellia said. “And my papa gave me some money for my holiday. I haven’t been able to spend any of it yet.”
“I’m sure we can put that right,” Albia smiled. “You’ll find lots of things to buy. And you could get a present for your papa, perhaps?”
“Oh, yes, and Mama too. And something for Lucius. And then there’s my little brother…” She chattered on for a while, and I was pleased to see her so animated. But I wanted to talk to Albia privately, and my sister must have realised it.
“You don’t have to wait till the morning to see a little of the town,” she said to Vitellia. “Aurelia and I have some family business to discuss that you’ll find extremely boring. Would you like to take a short walk by the river before dinner?”
“How lovely! Can I really? And can I take Baca? She’s never been here before.”
“Good idea. And you’ll also take a man along, of course. Respectable women don’t go out unescorted in a garrison town. Crotus’ son will go with you.”
We gave the three of them stern instructions about not venturing into the poorer areas and on no account going into wine shops. They all agreed solemnly, and set off
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