Desire to Live Strmas and LingeringDesire

[Strmas]

"How did Rome come to this?" muttered Atticus Icilius , talking more to himself than the lovely woman he escorted as they hurried across the Forum. Despite the warm weather, they both wore hooded non-descript cloaks to help shield their identity from the numerous prying eyes that occupied the Forum.

The dying rays of the afternoon sun painted the paving stones blood red and cast long, menacing shadows. Quickening his pace he averted his eyes and prayed that Nefeli did the same. Once the proud symbol of Rome's might with the beaks of captured ships adorning the Rostrum, the speaker's platform now exhibited quite different collection of trophies. Severed heads planted on rows of tall spikes encircled the platform. Some of the heads had been on display for months and were little more than skulls, others still dripped blood and looked out to the onlookers with gaping mouths and wide open eyes.

The first victims to appear on the Rostrum, shocking as it had been, were at least understandable, they were the allies of Marius who had fought against Sulla in the bloody civil war but lately the victims seemed to be mere petty vendettas by Sulla against people he disliked rather than people who might be an actual political or military threat against him.

Atticus turned away from the Rostrum and hurried Nefeli on until they came to the wall where a minion of Sulla was adding another list of the damned to the wall. They always waited until the end of the day to post their horrors, less time for the grim scavengers to wait to do their accursed work, even in these dark days, scum preferred to work in the shadows of the night.

He should have never agreed to the young woman coming, he thought. He almost laughed at that thought, as if Nefeli could be talked out of any action once her mind were set. She was her father's daughter, he thought, may his soul rest in peace.

A group of men and women had gathered to read the latest lists. It was a strange mixture of people, one group, almost evenly mixed between men and women, grim, in obvious fear huddled together as they read the lists. The other group, all men, some drunk, reveled in a party mood.

The first group fearfully read the lists, some sighed with relief, a few wept in despair. The first group kept their faces covered, as did Atticus and Nefeli. Atticus signaled for Nefeli to wait and then pushed his way through the crowd to scan the lists. The name that Atticus feared to see was not there, at least not today, for the moment his patron's family was safe.

A man behind him leaned forward and stared at the list over Atticus's shoulder and pointed at the list, "Why I could swear that reads Atticus Icilius", the man boomed in a loud voice.

There was little chance of that Atticus knew, he was a simple common man who served a once great family, Sulla would not know the likes of Atticus even existed but the fear was real because with Sulla what could any man really know? He twisted about, heart pounding and looked at the man, he was a casual acquaintance, a freedman who worked for a neighbor of Atticus's patron. An oaf and a drunk. He saw the look on Atticus's face and let out a drunken laugh.

"I was only joking", he said as several of his drunken friends burst out laughing.

"Well, it's not funny", Atticus fumed, "If someone overheard your 'joke', I could have been killed where I stand!

This just made the men laugh all the harder, Atticus shook his head in disgust and hurried back to Nefeli.

"We're safe, 'tonight'", he said with some of the anger still seeping into his voice. "Don't worry about those buffoons", he said gesturing to the drunken group, "let's hurry home maybe there is yet time to find a way out", the tone of his voice revealed he had very little hope of that.

 

[LingeringDesire]

Nefeli wiped at her brow, the sweat beading upon it was enough to cause any other woman distress. She was no ordinary woman. With her father dad and her brother now in charge something had to be figured out. Atticus was kind enough to allow her to accompany him to see the lists. It was a desperate time and she would take any help she could to keep her family alive. Closing her green eyes as they walked she could see the face of her young niece and nephew, even her mother. All was left to be lost and it couldn’t go this route.

Opening her eyes as she allowed the older gentleman to guide her, the first thing she saw in the blood red light was the heads of those already hunted down from the lists. She felt bile rise from deep in her stomach as Atticus turned his attention to the wall, her slightly green face nodded to him in thanks. Her olive complexion was a bit pale as she stood back and waited. Praying to all the gods she could think of for their safety. Her father had chosen his side though her late husband never had, Markus was a good husband. He’d provided for her at her young age and even as she blossomed. Sadly, she’d never conceived, he didn’t blame her but instead himself. He’d died in battle, the word reaching her in their home where she sat waiting for his return.

She was nearly twenty and had been with him for over six years, she didn’t love him but the respect she felt was far greater than any love that would ever be found. Now, at thirty-one she was a sight to behold. Her manner was kind and intelligent while she maintained an air of innocence. For ten years she’d lived in her father’s home, while he plotted and attempted to secure her future once more, but all for naught when he was killed and most of his prospects. She was too old to marry off and things fell to Dracius. He was not wise in his choices; his wife was a comely thing that coward when the wind blew wrong. Everything fell upon her shoulders and she held to a string of hope.

Watching as he pushed forward, leaving her on the outside ring of watchers. She paid no mind to them; their worries were of no concern to her. She watched him, the loudness of a male voice reached her ears and she worried her lower lip. The burst of laughter eased her nerves but only slightly. “Let’s...” She agreed turning to head home. She knew it was a lost situation, a wait and see. The waiting was killing her. She wasn’t sure what would happen if her family’s name was on the list, she knew Dracius’ head would be added to those on the Rostrum but other than that she was uncertain.

Woman had no choice in the way their family chose; it was the man’s job. No harm such as death would come; at least that was her belief. “Atticus… what would happen if our name were on the list?” She asked as they took the path that guided them home. They were alone, it was safer for her to know and be prepared than to be caught completely off guard. “Please… I need to know what to expect?” She worried her full lower lip as she peered up at him; green eyes flitted over his weathered face. It would help pass the time.

 

[Strmas]

They turned to head back home, Atticus was just starting to allow himself to relax when Nefeli turned to him and asked,
<“Please… I need to know what to expect?”>

His heart seemed to be lodged in his throat, how he dreaded the question! His first instinct was to tell her not to worry, they weren't on the list. Everything would be alright. But would that be the right thing to do? Would anything ever be alright in their beloved city again? And was not speaking of what was coming protecting her, or simply sparing him? As they moved through the forum quickly, but not too quickly, they did not want to draw attention, he did not have to look deep inside himself to find the answer.

They walked on in silence until the passed the Temple of Saturn, they turned onto the steep path leading up to the Aventine.
As they started up the path, Atticus made up his mind and began to speak.

"How did we come to this?", Atticus wondered more to himself then Nefeli. "Of course Rome is no stranger to political murder, the city was founded on the murder of one brother by another. in my father's time brothers Gracchi were murdered, beheaded and their killer collected a bounty but the decent Roman's were outraged. And though both bothers, held office while killed, Tribune's of the Plebs, none of their enemies dared raise a hand against their family. A piece or two of property confiscated perhaps but families were allowed to move on. The mother of the Gracchi were honored by the people, even those that were political enemies of the brothers. A civilized people did not wage war on women and children. That was something that happened in far away eastern despot, not the Roman Republic!"

"Now scores of heads are added every day to the spikes surrounding the Rostrum, countless headless bodies clog the Tiber but Sulla isn't content to murder his enemies, or even those he simply dislikes, no, Sulla seeks to destroy the soul of his enemies. To get full payment of the bounty the thugs must not merely behead their victims."

Atticus paused catching his breath, climbing the Aventine while talking was a feat for a younger man but once started Atticus could not still his tongue and soon they resumed their slow climb and his sad tale.

"No, the head of the household is kept alive long enough to watch the beheading of any sons who are of age. And then he is made to watch the rape of his wife, children and other family. Then he is sent into the afterlife knowing his children will e sold into slavery, all property seized, and any adult women free for the taking by any man who wishes to use them. And any who attempt to shelter one on the list will be put on the list."

His shoulders slumped as he finished his tirade of what life was like under Sulla and they moved on in silence. They turned down their street and Atticus stopped suddenly and pulled Nefeli to him. directly in front of them, one of their neighbors was being dragged out of his house by a gang of thugs. The man grasped the gate frantically until one of the thugs slashed the poor man in the bell with his sword. The man screamed, losing his grip on the great he was thrown at the feet of the thugs, in a widening pool of blood. From within the house came the screams of family members. The man struggled to get up but a second slash of the sword on the back of his legs crumple him back on the ground. Several more thugs emerged from the house dragging a oung man who looked to be barely in his twenties.

"No", pleaded the man on the ground, "My son is not on the lists."

Laughter from the me greeted his pleas and a sharp blow to the stomach forced the young man to his knees in front of his father. A middle aged woman was dragged from the house and thrown on the ground in the pool of her husband's blood.
"Please", she begged but the big man, Beorne, one of Sulla's bounty hunters, swung his sword and the young man's head fell from his shoulders and rolled stopping at Atticus' feet.

"Please, take me but leave my wife and daughters alone", pleaded the dying man.

Beorne laughed and signaled for one of his men to take the wife back in the house, "Sulla doesn't pay enough to share his bounty with all my men", he sneered, "Your wife and daughters are payment for a hard night's work for them." He turned to another of his henchmen, "Drag this offal inside and let him watch."

Beorne walked over and picked up the young man's head and scowled at Atticus and Nefeli.

"What you looking at citizens?", he growled.

Atticus said nothing, grabbed Nefeli's hand and pulled her after him. He didn't slow down or look back until they were inside their own house.

 

[LingeringDesire]

The words, furiously and quickly hit her ears, the words jumbled and mingled, leading Nefeli to horrified thoughts. Her brother’s head taken after watching his young wife endure the torment of another man. Nefeli was certain she could withstand the battery and emotional aspect of it, but the children being raped and sold off was torment. She walked in stunned silence, wanting to avoid the reality of his words. It wasn’t true, simply lies passed down to scare anyone into behaving.

The climb was laborious, and even more so trying to hold it together under the distress of the situation. How has it come to this, she wondered repeating Atticus’ question to herself. His words left her in misery and praying that he was mistaken. However as their home came into view Atticus pulled her against and to him. Green eyes wide she stared at the man, what had possessed him, she opened her mouth to speak of his inappropriateness when the shouts of ‘no’ reached her ears.

Her eyes riveted on the actions, on each thing that was going on. A soft gasp leaving her as the man was injured. She knew the boy, he’d often come to her assistance to give a letter in to a runner or take over an errand for a small token of appreciation. She turned her eyes to Atticus and hid her face in his neck as soft tears fell. The begging and the sound of the sword lopping the man’s head off caused her to bite her knuckle to keep from joining his parents in their grief.

The words of the man about the wife and daughters being their payment made her sick to her stomach. For something she thought she could handle, she wasn’t able to see it now. Turning her head at the footfalls she glanced at the man and then the head he bent to pick up. The look of being pleased crossed his face and his eyes drug over her form. The scowl that then covered his face at them, at noticing the old man with her made her cringe. Lowering her head she allowed Atticus to pull her away.

Once they were safe inside she drug him into a sitting room for a private conversation. He’d assured her brother they were safe for now and while the family bedded down for the night she, her brother and Atticus discussed. “I can’t let it happen and I don’t want to just wait around until it does or doesn’t, the suspense eating away at me… at them.” She pointed to her brother and in the direction of where her family slept.

Dracius watching her in mild amusement, “Certainly you exaggerate…”

“NO… you weren’t there. I saw and heard it all with mine own eyes. Phineas pleading with them not to kill him and …" She shuddered, “The sword slicing through his neck, Neb’s head landing at our feet… and the women and children. The men gaining pleasure from them, probably even still.” The fire in her eyes blazed as she stood and got in his face. “Is that what you want? It will kill her, them... me I worry less about but I am strong and determined. The rest are children...” The last came out as a hiss.

Dracius scrubbed at his beard with one large hand, “What is there to be done? Nothing, we sit and we wait.”

“Wait for death? Is that what you’ve decided… is that the fate you have chosen for us? Your death and their breaking and torture… possibly even their deaths brother?” She fell to her knees in front of Atticus, “Tell me you have heard of something, anything. I wish not to have them die and will not resign myself to such a fate.” She looked up at him in earnest, “What say you?”

 

[LingeringDesire]

The words, furiously and quickly hit her ears, the words jumbled and mingled, leading Nefeli to horrified thoughts. Her brother’s head taken after watching his young wife endure the torment of another man. Nefeli was certain she could withstand the battery and emotional aspect of it, but the children being raped and sold off was torment. She walked in stunned silence, wanting to avoid the reality of his words. It wasn’t true, simply lies passed down to scare anyone into behaving.

The climb was laborious, and even more so trying to hold it together under the distress of the situation. How has it come to this, she wondered repeating Atticus’ question to herself. His words left her in misery and praying that he was mistaken. However as their home came into view Atticus pulled her against and to him. Green eyes wide she stared at the man, what had possessed him, she opened her mouth to speak of his inappropriateness when the shouts of ‘no’ reached her ears.

Her eyes riveted on the actions, on each thing that was going on. A soft gasp leaving her as the man was injured. She knew the boy, he’d often come to her assistance to give a letter in to a runner or take over an errand for a small token of appreciation. She turned her eyes to Atticus and hid her face in his neck as soft tears fell. The begging and the sound of the sword lopping the man’s head off caused her to bite her knuckle to keep from joining his parents in their grief.

The words of the man about the wife and daughters being their payment made her sick to her stomach. For something she thought she could handle, she wasn’t able to see it now. Turning her head at the footfalls she glanced at the man and then the head he bent to pick up. The look of being pleased crossed his face and his eyes drug over her form. The scowl that then covered his face at them, at noticing the old man with her made her cringe. Lowering her head she allowed Atticus to pull her away.

Once they were safe inside she drug him into a sitting room for a private conversation. He’d assured her brother they were safe for now and while the family bedded down for the night she, her brother and Atticus discussed. “I can’t let it happen and I don’t want to just wait around until it does or doesn’t, the suspense eating away at me… at them.” She pointed to her brother and in the direction of where her family slept.

Dracius watching her in mild amusement, “Certainly you exaggerate…”

“NO… you weren’t there. I saw and heard it all with mine own eyes. Phineas pleading with them not to kill him and …" She shuddered, “The sword slicing through his neck, Neb’s head landing at our feet… and the women and children. The men gaining pleasure from them, probably even still.” The fire in her eyes blazed as she stood and got in his face. “Is that what you want? It will kill her, them... me I worry less about but I am strong and determined. The rest are children...” The last came out as a hiss.

Dracius scrubbed at his beard with one large hand, “What is there to be done? Nothing, we sit and we wait.”

“Wait for death? Is that what you’ve decided… is that the fate you have chosen for us? Your death and their breaking and torture… possibly even their deaths brother?” She fell to her knees in front of Atticus, “Tell me you have heard of something, anything. I wish not to have them die and will not resign myself to such a fate.” She looked up at him in earnest, “What say you?”

 

[Strmas]

Atticus gave a heavy sigh, the sight of Phineas lying in a pool of his own blood, pleading with his assailants kept replaying in his mind. He looked down at Nefeli, kneeling and looking up to him with hope in her eyes. In his mind he saw the little girl he bounced on his knee, laughing and giggling. 'How did they end up here?'

"I made some enquiries about leaving the city", he said, his voice almost breaking into sobs. "Everyone now needs a pass to leave the city. And Sulla has appointed that degenerate Chrysogonus to oversee the passes."

Everyone in Rome knew of Chrysogonus, a young actor that was one of Sulla's favorites, a former slave. Rumors were for a sizable gift he could arrange to have your enemy or rival added to the lists. There were even rumored cases where the victims were added to the list after they were murdered allowing the murderer not only freedom from his crime but a bounty for his deed as well!

"Several men have paid large bribes for passes onl to have their names appear on the list the next day and then they are dragged back to the city to be executed."

He shook his head but then steeled himself and met Nefeli's eyes, "I know a man who might be able to help. A few years ago while I was working some contracts in the court for your father I was approached by a man of .. well lets say shady reputation. He ran a Crossroad temple in Surbaia."

Atticus waved Dracius down, "I know, I know, Surbaria is the worst slums in the city a hotbed of crime and the crossroad temples are thinly disguised taverns for cutpurses and worse but I am afraid those are the type of people who might know a way out."

He shrugged his shoulders and continued, "Anyway there was a petition in the city courts to close the Surbaria Crossroad tavern and Dementi asked me to represent him. It was actually an easy case, for all their ill-repute the Crossroads are govered by religious law and the city courts have no juristiction. I made my case and the petition was dropped and Demnti kept his tavern. He still runs it, i am going to go tonight and try and see him. He knows every ally and footpath in the slums, if anyway knows a secret way out I bet he does.'

He turned and gave a hard stare to Nefeli, "Don't try and talk me out of it AND don't think about comming with me. The Surbaria is no place for a respectable woman!"

 

[LingeringDesire]

Nefeli’s eyes held hope as she waited for Atticus to respond. She knew he had avenues that they had yet to explore. However, his news was disheartening to say the least. The shady dealings of others was promising, it was the only thing that held any hope for their escape. She was in her head thinking of what to wear to sneak around in. Her body would need to be showcased in the best way in order to get the right information. She felt eyes on her in the midst of her planning; lifting her gaze from her cup she gave him an innocent look. “Who says I’m respectable?” She gave him a wide smile but understood that it was in her best interest NOT to be seen in Surbaria.

Dracius had wandered off to bed and Atticus off on his own adventure. Having pretended to turn in she now soaked in the tub, candlelight flickered along the stone walls of the chamber. The ones that were currently in danger were few but more than just herself. They had talked about fleeing but Cora was worried it wouldn’t be good with the children. The three small children were as fearful as their wisp of a mother. Hiding in plain sight was not up her alley as well. If only she’d been permitted to be left alone on Markus’ estate then…. Her hand fell flat on the water’s surface, then what?

Wrapping a towel about her form she rose from the tub and made her way to her rooms. She passed the room her brother and his wife resided in. She paused. Soft whispers came from within, her brother trying to sooth his wife’s nerves. Nefeli thought of thought about tapping on the door but knew it was best to allow them their moment since there could be so few left. There were others that didn’t live in their home, another brother. However, he was taken in by another family, a family that was probably in trouble just as much as they.

Sighing softly she continued on and closed the heavy wooden door to her room. Dropping the towel she began plaiting her hair to keep it out of her way before getting dressed. It was a simple fair, a shift placed over her body before a robe was retrieved. The pot of tea sat on her hearth to keep warm, another cup was poured and she sat at the window keeping watch over her family. It was hopeless to wait for death; she had so much more life to give. Several men had inquired of her as a mistress; however she wanted a man that was not married and not younger than she. If she had her way she’d have her choice this time.

Glancing behind her at her large bed she smiled, it had been too long since she’d been wooed or even taken to bed she forgot what it felt like. Loneliness had set in and she hated the feeling. Settling into the chair she dozed, hoping the sound of approaching horse’s hooves would wake her and Atticus would have the decency to inform her of what he’d found.

 

[Strmas]

As soon as the evening sun set, Atticus slipped out of the back gate accompanied by three household servants. They were all dressed in similar, common hooded cloaks. They walked in silence until they reached the first crossroads in the Aventine where they split heading in separate directions. Atticus sent a special plea to the gods that those watching the house would be confused. Atticus hurried down the steep path heading down to the Temple of Saturn but turned abruptly before reaching the temple heading away from the Forum. He tried with all his will to not look back as he headed further away from the forum but in the end he could not resist and made a furtive glance behind him. He swore under his breath as he saw two shadowlike figures following at the far range of his vision. Skirting the affluent Palatine district (whose residents were living in just as much fear as the Aventine) Atticus entered the shadows of the Subura itself. The roads quickly became narrower, the buildings seeming to crowd in against the roadway and the path itself becoming more and more twisted. The sounds and smells of the city changed as well, voices gradually changed from Latin with a smattering of Greek to an eclectic mixture of strange tongues, the air saturated by the aroma of exotic spices and food. It had been a long time since Atticus had been in these dangerous neighborhoods and he worried he would become lost in its twisting maze. Even worse, no matter which way he turned when he looked back the figures which had followed him from the Aventine were always there, not even making an effort to conceal themselves.
Just as he was about to despair of ever finding his destination, or his way out of this maze he stumbled onto a crossroad he recognized from years ago. At the intersection a dark and dank entryway lead into a seedy building. fearing the pursuers he knew more than the unknown denizens of the tavern, Atticus plunged into the doorway. As his eyes slowly adjusted to the dim, light Atticus found himself in a large table filled room dominated by a large bar in its center. The noisy crowd of patrons seemed to take little notice of Atticus as he wandered slowly over to the bar. Suddenly the atmosphere of the tavern seemed to change and the loud murmur that had surrounded Atticus when he entered died abruptly.
"What do you think you are doing here, Sulleni?", challenged a voice from the dark corner of the bar. Atticus's heart pounded in his chest as he thought the man was addressing him but turning he saw the two men who had been following him for the last hour standing just inside the door.
"None of your business citizen", replied the bigger man with a sneer.
A small wrinkled man stepped from the shadows, "Looking for someone in particular, Sulleni", he asked balancing a club in his hands, "or just trolling?"
The big man appeared on the verge of moving forward when a wall suddenly seemed to move in front of Atticus to stand next to the little man. Atticus stood, mouth gaping open as he looked at what was the biggest man he had ever seen. The biggest that is before the building next to him, he made the first giant look like a dwarf. With their long hair and wild looks they could only be Gauls.
"Take your stinking lists and crawl back to Sulla", snarled the small man.
The two thugs turned tail and hurried from the bar. The small man nodded at the two Gauls and they and another half dozen of their mates followed the pair from the bar.
The small man turned and headed back toward the corner when he stopped and peered at Atticus.
"Atticus Icilius?", he exclaimed," What's it been, 5 years? What brings an upstanding man like yourself into the Subura?"
"You are looking well, Sextus Decuminus, I wonder if I might have a moment of your time to discuss a problem?", Atticus said in a low voice.
"Anything I can do to help, Atticus", he said leading the way back to a table. "Lucius, bring us some wine, and not the usual swill you serve", he called to the barman, "we wouldn't have the crossroads if it wasn't for Atticus."
Atticus smiled sheepishly, "I didn't do that much Sextus".
"Bah, no one else would even talk to us, if it hadn't been for you that sanctimonious ass of an urban praetor would have closed every crossroad tavern in the city.", beamed Sextus. he poured Atticus a flagon of wine when the barman set down the jug, "Something to eat Atticus? The cook makes the best roast mouse in the city!"
"No, thankyou Sextus, I don't have long".
"Very well, what is the problem and how can I help?"
Atticus took a deep breath and launched into his tale. Once started he found he could not stop and unloaded all his worries and fears onto Sextus. The little man sat quietly, sipping his wine as he digested Atticus's story and then shook his head sadly.
"I thought it must be those infernal lists that would bring you out here. Right after Sulla was declared dictator I started seeing shady looking fellows, like those two thugs following you, walking all around Rome. First all they seemed to do was stand around outside people's homes and the markets and watching. And then the lists came out and you can bet houses these men were watching showed up on the lists."
"Here in Subura Sulla's proscriptions don't bother as many folk but they reach even here.", he leaned in and lowered his voice to a conspirator whisper, "I'm still afraid for my landlady's son, the Jullia are tied tight to old Marrius."
"You mean young Gaius? He's Jupiter's own priest, surely even Sulla would not risk the curse of the gods by killing Jupiter's personal priest?", Atticus asked surprized.
"Aye, then you hadn't heard? Sulla stripped the boy of his priesthood, said the ritual appointing him was flawed.", Sextus moved closer and said in a voice just above a whisper, "Heard Sulla demanded the lad divorce his wife. Married to Cinna's daughter you know, cutest little thing, still a moon shy of her 12th birthday, but you think young Caesar would kowtow to the old monster? Ha, spit in his eye he did! Turned in his sacred robes, seat in the senate and all, and told Sulla he would never divorce his wife even if he killed him.", the little man sat back smiling obviously proud of his young master's courage. But then a grim look came on his face, "Still Sulla not a man you defy like that. Sulla let him live but ...", he looked down in his cup. "Caesar's sister disappeared a few days later. Me and my brethren finally found her a week later, wandering by the Colleen gate. She never spoke of it, but you know Sulla's monsters. "
"I am sorry Sextus Decuminus, I came hoping you could find away to smuggle my master and his family from the city but I see you have your own problems."
"I could probably get you out of the city Atticus, still possible to get a single person but a group", he shook his head, "draw too much attention. That's why I could never convince Caesar to leave, he won't leave his family behind. Sulla's gold makes too many tongues wag, even here."
"Is there no one we can turn too, Sextus?"
"It would take someone with enormous influence who could defy Sulla. Not anyone in my or your circle, Atticus. i only know one person who might know of such a man. Caesar, he may be young but he knows everything and everyone in Rome. He keeps a small set of rooms above the tavern as offices. He has been ill but is starting to see clients again. Have your master come see him tomorrow. Even if Caesar can't extract himself, he may know who can help your family".
Atticus rose to leave, "Thank you Sextus"
"One last thing Atticus, my master may be young but he doesn't abide fools. Your family will only have one chance, make sure whoever comes has a head on their shoulders".
Atticus thanked Sextus again and hurried off into the night wondering if the last warning meant Sextus knew of Dracius. He was a good boy but a dullard. If only Nefeli were the son! Atticus hurried home, he took a small pleasure in the knowledge that those two particular thugs would not harm his family.
reaching the house he found most of the house dark but light still burning in Nefeli rooms. He thought of waiting until morning but then decided to break what news he had with her. maybe they could think of some way to coach Dracius so he could pretend to be intelligent for an hour.