“I don’t intend to be in Rome any longer than necessary.”
“It’d be safer if you stayed out of the city entirely. I’ll make arrangements for you to stay on the outskirts of Ostia and meet you when I’ve completed my commission to the emperor.”
“I make my own arrangements.”
“Stop being a stiff-necked fool and use some common sense!”
“Have I your permission to depart, my lord? Or do you intend to detain me as well?”
Theophilus’ eyes ignited. “You’re free to go where you wish, all the way to Hades if it pleases you.” He stepped back and inclined his head. “But take care lest you drag your son and Rizpah down with you.”
Atretes’ body was rigid, hot blood flooding his veins. He stood his ground, gritting his teeth. “I know someone in Rome who will help us.”
“An ex-gladiator?” Theophilus said, struggling against his own temper and impatience with this stubborn, thick-skulled German.
“Gladiators are more to be trusted than Romans.”
“As Gallus was trustworthy,” Rizpah said and received a black look from him.
“Go and put yourself in the care of your ex-gladiator,” Theophilus said, angry. “Hopefully you won’t find yourself back in the ludus. I warn you now, it won’t be easy for me to get you out of there.”
“I can take care of myself.”
“In the arena, I would agree.”
“Anywhere.”
“He’s only trying to help us,” Rizpah said.
“I don’t need his help, woman, nor have I asked for it.”
“Why won’t you listen to him? He knows Rome. He knows the emperor. He knows—”
Atretes snatched Caleb from her arms and strode off. Frightened and filled with frustration, she stared after him and then turned to beseech Theophilus. “What am I going to do?”
“Go with him. I’ll find you.” He gave a soft laugh without humor. “He’ll make it easy.”
Rizpah caught up with Atretes. Caleb was screaming in his arms. “You’re frightening him.” He thrust the baby into her arms without slowing his pace. She did her best to calm Caleb as she hurried alongside Atretes. It took three of her steps to match one of his strides and she was quickly out of breath.
“I can’t keep up with you!” she gasped, and he slowed his pace slightly, a hand clamped on her arm to keep her with him. “Do you know where you’re going?” she said, feeling less secure as the distance between her and Theophilus widened.
Atretes’ jaw stiffened.
“Theophilus knows his way—”
Atretes stopped and turned on her, his face livid. “Shut up! Do not mention his name to me again! Do you understand? I suffered his presence aboard ship because I had no choice. Now, I do!”
They walked for hours, falling in among the throng of travelers heading for Rome. They kept well to the side and out of the way of the numerous vehicles that sped in both directions. Four-wheeled, four-horsed raeda passed by bearing families. A two-wheeled, two-horsed cisium raced down the road, urged by a wealthy young aristocrat oblivious to the risk of others. There were ox wagons carrying goods, and litters carrying officials, merchants, and wealthy sightseers who were heading for Rome carrying messages, merchandise, or grand hopes of fulfilling their dreams. Hundreds walked; Atretes and Rizpah, Caleb in her arms, were among them.
They paused briefly by one of the milestones that was placed every thousand paces, recording the nearest towns and the name of the emperor during whose reign the roadwork had been completed. Road repairs were also noted on the milestone with each succeeding emperor named during whose reign the work had been done. Atretes could read none of it, and Rizpah only part, having been taught by her husband, Shimei.
Atretes opened the pouch tied to his belt and gave Rizpah a handful of dried grain to eat. He tossed some of the rich mixture into his mouth. Unlooping the wineskin, he dropped it into her lap. “It’s almost empty,” she said, after taking a sparing drink and holding it up to him.
“We’ll get more,” he said, looping it back on his shoulder. “Nurse the child on the way.”
They entered the city as the sun was setting. Outside the gates, merchants grumbled as they were forced to wait until the following morning before entering the city. No wheeled vehicles were allowed into Rome after sunset.
“How far?” Rizpah said, exhausted.
“Far,” Atretes said grimly. He could see the emperor’s palace in the distance and knew they had hours yet to walk before coming to an area of Rome with which he was familiar. Once they found the ludus, he was certain he could find the way to Pugnax’s inn. If not, he would find someone to take a message to Bato, the lanista of the Ludus Magnus. It was too far to go tonight. He could make it, but Rizpah was exhausted.