“Was.”
“Ah.What will you do now that you no longer bash other gladiators?”
“Bodyguard,” I said at once.
“Pity.If you’ve been trained by a master builder, I might have a place for you, depending on what you learned from him.You’ve helped me well today, and you know about the business.Consider it.”
I could only stare at him.Gallus had no duplicity in his eyes, and he threw out the suggestion offhand.Very few talked to me as he’d done today, about ordinary things, builder’s things.We’d fallen easily into conversation when he’d asked my opinion on the straightness of a wall, or cracks in the floor.
He might only want me to fetch and carry for him, but the thought of working once more on a builder’s site was mixed.On the one hand, I longed for it.On the other, it terrified me.
Gallus waited for my answer, so I nodded.“I will consider.”
“Excellent.Good day, Leonidas.You’ll find my shop on the Clivus Pullius.”
He waved and breezed out, leaving me alone and troubled.
I ponderedwhat to do next.I’d instructed Celnus not to let Priscus or his son leave his house without summoning me.Celnus did not like me, it was apparent, but he did see that I was useful in protecting his master.
I’d not be protecting him, however, if Regulus whipped up the rumor that I’d murdered Floriana.I needed a way to prove without doubt I did not.
Thoughts spun in my head, and no solutions put themselves forward.Regulus had derided my new life—So this is freedom?he’d said.
At theludus, things had been simple.I trained, ate, slept, did what I was told, and was allowed out on a limited basis, and then only after I’d proved my reliability.
Now I had to worry about too many things at once—who had murdered Floriana, and would I be blamed?Who’d endangered Priscus, and would they try again?How could I, one man, keep him safe?If Nero was so worried, why not send a contingent of Praetorians to watch his every move?
Cassia had told me to ask questions, but ask them of whom?I wanted to hunt up the vigile who’d invaded our house and demand he tell me what he knew—he must have hovered near Floriana’s that morning for a reason.
I also remembered the Praetorian Guard I’d spoken to on the Palatine—Severus Tullius.He’d been friendly, and he might know details about Floriana’s murder, or be able to find out.The Praetorians closely watched all that happened in Rome in order to keep the imperial family safe.
After this inner debate, which came to no conclusion, I decided to walk through the rain to the Aventine, taking streets that skirted the Oppian and Caelian hills, past the great valley of the Circus Maximus, and to the narrow streets at the bottom of the Aventine Hill.I regretted not bringing the cloak now as I constantly wiped rain out of my eyes.
When I reached a fountain where three bronze fish shot water into a broad pool, I turned to a tiny lane and found the sign of twining snakes, indicating Nonus Marcianus, physician.
Marcianus had turned his back on a soft life to treat gladiators, which he said was much more interesting, and set up a small office on the Aventine, where most of his patients couldn’t give him coin for his help.Aemil paid him, but not as much as Marcianus would have made treating the ailments and digestive complaints of people in his own class.
I had no way of knowing whether Marcianus was home or at Aemil’sludusbut the shop was open so I walked inside, ducking under an awning.
Marcia, carrying a basin of water, dropped it when she saw me, and the basin shattered, sending a wave of water over my boots.
“Look what you made me do.”Marcia, who’d always been timid, planted fists on hips and glared up at me.“You’re a lout, Leonidas.”
“Never mind.”Nonus emerged from a cubbyhole in the back, his expression welcoming.“I have another basin … somewhere.”
“I know where it is.”Marcia shot me a scowl and started up a narrow staircase in the corner.
“She’s been a great help to me,” Marcianus said.I wasn’t certain if he meant the words as an apology or a defense of her.
“I came to see Marcia, in fact,” I said.
Marcianus’s good humor faded.“Why?She’s my assistant now, not a bed slave.”
“Not for that.”Not since I’d woken the day of Floriana’s illness had I taken much interest in sating my needs.Even in my dreams I’d not found use for it.“To ask her about Floriana.”
“Oh.”Marcianus contemplated me with less belligerence.“Why?”
“So I won’t be accused of her death.”
