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‘Empress?’
‘Oh yes, perhaps I should’ve led with that: Claudia has been confirmed as empress, despite his attempts to prevent it. Our plan was successful.’
‘That… is something,’ sniffed Fortuna.
‘It is more than something. It’s exactly what we hoped for – the beginning of a new world. But Jupiter is already moving into position, putting his plans into action. Claudia is still in danger. She needs me. She needs us all.’
‘What plans?’ asked Fortuna.
‘He is recruiting other gods into his cult, to form an opposition. He will soon find a mortal candidate to challenge Claudia. There is a cousin in the picture. A mediocre fellow, but he is best positioned to do Jupiter’s work.’
‘What do you suggest we do?’
‘My father stole his crown through revolution, claiming power by ousting the Titans, and so we shall steal it from him.’
‘You wish to become queen of the pantheon?’
‘Isn’t that obvious?’ said Minerva. ‘Come on, we’ve wasted enough time already. Let us leave the cave of fear and be part of the realm of the living again.’
‘I didn’t ask for you to come looking for me,’ said Fortuna, shying away from her. ‘I am perfectly happy down here, all alone.’
Minerva gazed around. ‘Yes, you do look content,’ she said dryly. ‘Surrounded by rocks and with the face of one who has already given up. How could anyone not be entirely fulfilled and at peace, hiding away in a cave?’
‘There are worse places,’ said Fortuna, ‘like Tartarus, which is where we might be headed once Jupiter regains his strength and pride, if we are lucky.’
‘I didn’t wish to say it, but I see that I must,’ said Minerva. ‘We wouldn’t be here if not for you, Fortuna. You were the one who gave us courage to take action. You called upon us, and organized us. You were the catalyst, and the battle isn’t over yet. You are needed, back in civilization. You are needed by the world. You cannot just walk away and decide that you are no longer involved.’
‘What use is the goddess of fortune if she can no longer see the future?’ said Fortuna, her face downcast. ‘I am no longer what I was.’
‘Is that it?’ said Minerva. ‘Is that the problem? You think you are no longer a warrior?’
Fortuna didn’t answer, though she ceased pacing, her shoulders slumping as she wrapped her robes tighter around herself.
‘You may have lost your sight, but you are still the goddess of fortune. You may not see the future but you can still influence current events. You’re one of the oldest deities, the Superi of infinity. You are even more ancient than my father!’
Fortuna’s face wrinkled in displeasure.
‘A compliment!’ said Minerva. ‘He is ancient of mind, ancient in his ideas and his views, but you are not. You are not ancient, but eternal, in fact.’
‘That’s better,’ said Fortuna.
‘You have always been in tune with modernity. You are the past but also the future, even if you cannot see it.’
‘There’s the leader we need,’ said Fortuna, smiling slightly.
‘Have I convinced you to return?’
‘You will be a fine ruler of the pantheon, some day. I don’t need a prophecy to know that this is true.’
‘Then what are we waiting for?’ asked Minerva. ‘Are you with me?’
‘You were never truly without me,’ said Fortuna.
6. THE CORONATION
The coronation of an emperor depended much on the emperor in question, and the message he hoped to send. Claudia’s father was confirmed via a brief military parade after he was ratified by the Senate, intended to signal that he represented a continuation of the status quo.
Some of the men who came before him had opted for more elaborate victory processions: great carnivals and cavalcades of men and beasts. They were intended to show off their great might and divinity, their connection to the pantheon.
