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‘I will have to conduct myself just so at all times, if you’re going to be watching,’ she added.
‘This is your first thought?’ teased Claudia, kissing her. Her lips were soft and warm. ‘We could gaze upon anyone in existence and your first thought is yourself?’
‘Well, did you?’
‘No, I didn’t. I wanted to, though… just a little bit.’
She motioned with her forefinger and thumb, making a pinch movement, like a crab’s claw.
‘But I didn’t! I was very good!’
‘Hmm. I believe you.’
‘Why, what were you up to? Something sordid?’
‘When am I not?’
‘Weren’t you going to meet Cassius?’
‘I did. He… he was busy.’ Claudia waited for her to clarify, but she didn’t. ‘Go on then, tell me what Marcellus was up to. I’m guessing he was first on your list?’
‘Not a lot. He was extremely tedious, actually. I’ll spy on him again but I’m unconvinced that he organized the attempt against my life. Nor do I think Hieronymus or Damocles are responsible.’
‘Really? You are sure your cousin isn’t conspiring with others?’
‘I saw nothing that persuaded me he is capable of it. It would be short-sighted not to consider other options, in the circumstances. Who else might aspire to rule Rome?’
‘Many people,’ said Gia. ‘It’s not really my scene, but I can see the appeal.’
She gestured at the luxury that surrounded them: the exotic flowers, the banquet of fruit, the amphoras full of wine, the lavish bedspread, the burning fire, the golden trinkets and marble statues.
‘They may want to rule but who is in the position to claim the right, when the emperor’s only living child is standing here?’ asked Claudia. ‘Who would be so brave, yet so foolish?’
‘Do you have any secret half-siblings, by chance?’ said Gia.
‘Gods, I hope not. They might turn out like Decimus.’
‘What about other relatives, or even people who worked with your father? They might still be loyal to him.’
‘Only a great power could’ve extinguished the sacred flame in the Pantheon that day,’ said Claudia. ‘Jupiter must be involved somehow. Perhaps it is someone unseen, someone on the outside, who might wish to take Rome for themselves.’
‘Like who?’ said Gia.
Claudia paused, allowing the idea to settle in her mind.
‘Show me… Prince Darius of Persia,’ she said, reaching out for the shield again.
Once more, the shield glimmered and formed a vision. It was much less clear than the scenes of Marcellus or Dom and Athena, with a grainy, hazy quality, like a sandstorm. The colours were faded, the shapes indistinct. And yet, she could see something.
At first, Claudia could only make out rocks. A tree, a boulder, a jagged cliff with skittering pebbles… and a foot.
A hairy, sandalled foot.
The view pulled back, revealing another foot, a pair of legs, then another, and another, all marching in synchronicity, forming an endless line of men. Soldiers, on the march.
They were not just the legs of men either, but also of beasts: horses, dogs, a leopard, a cheetah, and… elephants. Claudia saw chariots and flags, heard drums and horns, all muddled together to create a noisy, colourful cavalcade, kicking up dust as they charged through the desert.
‘Where are they going?’ she murmured.
