9. Veneris Day

Villa Stoppabulli

The breakfast table was unusually quiet at the home of the Stoppabulli. Ameila watched her son. Thanks to him, the table was again piled high with the best fruits and sausages. Ruffio reclined on a throne of cheese, but his smile faded as he looked at his master. Ronicus ate, but without his normal zest and talk. She spoke.

"Ron, I've been thinking. Now that we've caught up with the bills, and purchased a new estate in Umbria Picenum to replace the ones we've sold, it is time to look for a horse for you. I've spoken with Senator Possibillis, and he would be happy to help us look. Your Father has always had great confidence in his ability to judge horseflesh."

Ronicus did not reply.

"This is your junior year in the cadet school. It will take time for you to train a horse so that you can rely on it should you be called up. This used to be all you talked about, a horse of your own." When he continued to sit quietly, she changed the subject.

"I think I know what this is about. I am fully able to conduct any family business. Let me talk to her Mother."

"Why? What good would it do?" Ronicus looked up. "Her Father would never consider it."

"Ron, you've restored your family's fortune. Nedius's Father says that the new bread is bringing money in by the talent. You don't have to feel unworthy of her."

"Worth has nothing to do with money!" Ron snapped, bowed his head. "I'm sorry, Momus. You know that Senator P. wouldn't be thinking of that when considering who could see Kimora. Money can't buy honor. Honor we never should have lost."

He looked up. "And why did we lose it? It wasn't Dadus's fault! It was Varro and Paullus who were to blame. Does anyone blame them? Paullus is remembered with honor, and the Senate commended Varro for his actions! He lost the biggest army Rome has ever fielded, and was commended for it!"

For the first time in years her son was crying. "Dadus could have run when they overran the cavalry, but he went with Paullus to assist with the legions. He stayed with Paullus when he refused to flee after the battle was lost. He didn't run; he didn't kill himself; he fought until they drug him down. And for THAT he's disgraced! For THAT he's exiled with the ones who surrendered the camps the next day!"

"No one is braver or more honorable than Dadus. But tell that to Rome! He's lost his honor, and I've lost any hope of Kimora."

Ameila sighed. "Paullus never returned. Rome will forgive a lot in that case. And Varro did what he pledged to do. He attacked Hannibal with everything he had. He fought, if not wisely or too well. After the battle he rallied what he could, and continued to face the enemy. That is what he was commended for. It's not fair, but it is the Roman way."

"I think you misjudge Senator Possibillis. He is a man of great character. I have never known him to be swayed from what he believes to be right. Least of all by any crowd."

"I've got to go, Momus. I'm going to meet up with KP before school. We won't be doing the usual at Bene Kebob tonight." He gave her a kiss and left.

After Ronicus left Ameila sat back down. Her mind went back; to four years ago. The great parade of eight legions as they marched out of Rome to track down the Lion. She remembered how she and Ronicus watched for his Father. He rode at the head of his unit, holding the standard, a charging boar. Cassius, the unit clown, waved at them.

"Watch out, Hannibal. Now WE'RE the horde!"

Forty thousand Romans and that was not all. Another forty thousand Italian allies linked up with them to chase the enemy. Eighty thousand. Varro promised to bury Hannibal under men if nothing else. Everyone waited for news of the final victory.

Then came the news that fateful summer's day. Dust streaked riders; faces drawn carried it through the streets as they made their way to the Senate. Unbelievable losses, inconceivable defeat. No one knew how much of the army was left. No one knew if any of the army was left. It was as if eighty thousand men had marched into an earthquake.

There were not enough litters to send one to the school. So she walked. The streets were full of Mothers, Plebian, Equestrian, Patrician, making their way to take their children home, to give them the news.

Olivia came over as soon as her duties at the Temple would allow. Kimora was already there. They stayed for days, as everyone waited. Senator Possibillis once made a remark on the Senate's prohibition of excessive grieving, and Olivia turned on him with a fury she had never seen any woman use on any man. He apologized profusely

Tears flowed as she recalled the publishing of the casualty lists. Almost the entire unit was listed as dead. The thought of Cassius, barely older then than Ronicus now, was especially hard to bear. For weeks they assumed that Falco had fallen with them.

Then they found out that Falco was alive. He and several other men were captured defending Paullus's body. Why, Falco? As brutal as he is, Hannibal has always been chivalrous toward the dead. Hannibal now had thousands of prisoners to deal with. He offered to ransom them. The Senate refused: nor would they allow the families to deal with the Carthaginians. To pay his men, Hannibal would sell his Roman captives.

Then came glorious news, Falco had escaped! Somehow he had gotten hold of a horse, and even the Numidians could not run him down. The joy was short lived, though. The Senate sent almost all of the officers and men who had survived Cannae to serve in Sicily for the duration of the war. Exile in all but name.

Falco's letters never held a word of complaint or self pity. They worried about the decline of the family lands at the hands of Hannibal's raiders. To keep the household going Ameila had sold those farms at a pittance. What good is the best land if you cannot get any harvest from it? The family was beginning to slip into ruin before Ronicus had turned things around. She had already written Falco, telling him of his son's achievement.

And your son is in love, Falco. At a time when a boy needs his Father, Rome keeps you away. I try to help him, but he feels the need to be a man so strongly that he finds it hard to listen to his Mother. They have always been the best of friends, but is there more than that in Kimora's heart? Does it beat with Ronicus's, or will there be another for her?

Lucius Quinctius Cincinatus High School (It's Date Night)

It was quite a day for the girls at LQC High. The events in Ostia reminded them that there was almost surely a hero in their very midst, even if he was off limits, and one of their own would be dating a bona fide hero that very night.

"Today we will discuss dating." Mrs. Hatchetta droned. "The date is an important part of the arranged marriage system. This is a time to learn about your prospective mate: his family, prospects, and the like. The date gives each party the opportunity to evaluate the other, and then report to the parents."

"So, this is where you find out it you like the guy?"

Mrs. Hatchetta was puzzled. "Miss Possibillis, you have the strangest ideas. Since when does liking or disliking factor into marriage?"

"Mother and Father are the best of friends. They talk about everything. I've heard Mother say that they're soul mates."

Other girls sighed at the notion. Mrs. Hatchetta shook her head. "Patricians often are eccentric. Your Mother being a priestess compounds the matter. It does surprise me that a man with as solid a reputation as your Father has such odd notions."

"Tonight you will compare family histories, accomplishments, political allegiances, all the things your Father will need to know in making his decision, should you be deemed acceptable by his Father. Given that the Elder Scipio is in Iberia, Young Scipio may well make the decision himself, he is of full legal age after all. We will be most interested to hear how things went. It will make a useful point of departure for discussion."

Mrs. Hatchetta, the soul of romance.

SPQR

Centurion Marc Barcus came through the door in unusually good humor. The cadets found the near grin the most terrifying thing they had yet seen.

"Finally! Rome is back on track. You all know about the affair in Ostia, but you don't know why Hannibal has pulled back. The news is much better than a couple of lost catapults—we're besieging Capua!"

The cadets cheered. Barcus nodded. "He may be a genius in the field, but he'll find that that will do him no good against this great Roman weapon." The Centurion reached behind his desk, and pulled out a spade. "And today the class will wield this weapon in the field. Entrenching practice, everyone fall out!"

SPQR

"Ouch, that was not fun." Ronicus was filthy. The boys had dug with vigor, but needed to learn to watch out for each other. "I'm glad Barcus let you girls just watch."

"Just like being back home." Monique smiled. She turned to Kim. "I guess that you'll be going home now. Time to get ready."

"It is." Kim felt a little nervous. School was letting out, but most of the girls were still there. They're waiting to see me off.

"Good luck, Kim."

"Have fun."

"Find out if he has a brother."

"I'm off to the baths. Have a good time tonight, KP. Tell him that if he displeases you, he'll have more than just your Father to answer to."

Kim smiled. "Thanks, Ron. You have a good evening. Sorry about Bene Kebob."

"Oh, it's okay. Ruffio and I will be fine." The mouse looked at Kim, and gave Ron a consoling pat on the shoulder. Then he wrinkled up his nose.

"I can take a hint. Let's go, Ruffio."

Kim opened her locker. A note from the Wadeamedes network was there. She sighed when she read it.

MW

Want to spar tonight? KP has a date, and I'm free.

Ronicus

She hated what she had to do next. Taking out a small parchment, she wrote her reply, the network would get it to him when he got out of the baths.

Ronicus

I'm sorry. I can't tonight. I have a date.

MW

Notes

talent--the actual amount varied, but typically it was enough to support a thousand soldiers in the field for a month. Ron's doing well.

Cannae exiles--this also happened. The survivors of Herdonia were also sent to Sicily. Rome could be very harsh with failure.