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‘Alas, I have to find out what Marcellus is up to,’ Claudia said, gently pulling back. ‘I think he’s making another claim to become emperor. The streets are full of soldiers venerating him.’
Gia groaned more dramatically this time.
‘I hope I don’t have to fight him for our lives, in the state that I am in this morning,’ she said.
Once they were presentable to the world, which took considerably longer than usual, they stood at the balcony, watching as soldiers gathered outside in the Forum in great numbers. Their red cloaks, helmet fringes and shields matched the red flags and eagle standards they carried. A drummer played as a priest in red robes commanded the crowd.
‘Father Jupiter, as the Sun has born witness, you were not deaf to our pleas,’ cried the flamen priest. ‘You were not blind to our suffering. You have heard us, and you have fought for us. These men, survivors of the battle, dedicate to you our trophies and the armour of our victories.’
The soldiers cheered uproariously.
‘Gods above, we do not pray for peace. Grant rage onto the nations. Bring forth the whole world in arms to war!’
‘All hail Jupiter!’
As they made their way downstairs, soldiers filed into the throne room. Many people turned as she approached, whispering furtively. Claudia knew her appearance at Pappa’s party would be legendary by noon, and that everyone in Rome would know the truth.
‘I gather that you rather enjoyed yourself last night,’ said Damocles, appearing at her side. ‘Which is good, because I’m not sure you’ll have anything to celebrate for a while.’
‘Good morning to you too, Damocles.’
‘The parade is quite a spectacle, isn’t it?’ said Damocles.
‘It is… something.’
‘As far as I can gather, the entire legion has been converted after witnessing some sort of miracle in Britannia. An intervention of the gods, to aid Rome’s victory.’
Claudia frowned, her mind snagging and spooling.
‘I have worse news, I’m afraid,’ said Damocles.
He looked into the throne room, nodding towards a group of three men, who stood in league beside her cousin.
Senators Tacitus and Thelonius, and General Aquinas.
‘We can’t detain them now,’ Damocles said. ‘Even our own soldiers believe them to be triumphant heroes.’
‘Your ability to summon a goddess is the only thing that stood between Marcellus and the empire,’ said Rectina.
‘You think Jupiter intervened in his favour?’
‘If he can demonstrate his ability to do the same and summon Jupiter himself, I fear your reign may end imminently,’ said Rectina.
‘I have the same fear,’ said Claudia. ‘Any advice?’
Rectina appeared distraught, shaking her head as if it were an empty box. ‘An offering to the goddesses?’
‘I have already tried.’
‘Perhaps we should flee, while we still can.’
Claudia looked to Damocles.
‘Unless you are open to marrying your cousin—’
‘Absolutely not.’
‘Then no,’ he said. ‘I am out of ideas.’
