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Back Emperor
Chapters (76)
  1. Title Page
  2. Copyright Page
  3. I
  4. II
  5. III
  6. I - INVADER AD 43-70
  7. I
  8. II
  9. III
  10. IV
  11. V
  12. VI
  13. VII
  14. VIII
  15. IX
  16. X
  17. XI
  18. XII
  19. XIII
  20. XIV
  21. XV
  22. XVI
  23. XVII
  24. XVIII
  25. XIX
  26. XX
  27. XXI
  28. XXII
  29. XXIII
  30. XXIV
  31. XXV
  32. XXVI
  33. II - BUILDER AD 122-138
  34. I
  35. II
  36. III
  37. IV
  38. V
  39. VI
  40. VII
  41. VIII
  42. IX
  43. X
  44. XI
  45. XII
  46. XIII
  47. XIV
  48. XV
  49. XVI
  50. XVII
  51. XVIII
  52. XIX
  53. XX
  54. XXI
  55. III - EMPEROR AD 314—337
  56. I
  57. II
  58. III
  59. IV
  60. V
  61. VI
  62. VII
  63. VIII
  64. IX
  65. X
  66. XI
  67. XII
  68. XIII
  69. XIV
  70. XV
  71. EPILOGUE
  72. I
  73. II
  74. III
  75. IV
  76. Afterword

Karus was dismissive. ‘Well, polite people don’t need to live like animals any more.’

Brigonius bunched his fists, but Severa touched his arm. ‘Your grandfather no doubt lived in such a house, lawyer,’ she admonished Karus.

Brigonius deliberately relaxed. Karus nodded, which would pass for an apology, and the moment was over.

Lepidina watched this with wide-eyed glee. Brigonius was sure she knew that on a deep level, if the men had come to blows, it would have been over her.

‘And another thing,’ Brigonius said, determined to keep the initiative. ‘Where do you cook your food?’

Now Lepidina laughed. ‘Nobody cooks for themselves, silly!’

‘They don’t?’

‘You have a lot to learn.’ She grabbed his hand and began to pull him to the door. ‘Come on. I’m hungry. Let’s go see the town.’

‘Not me,’ Severa said. ‘I’m weary, and could do with a nap. You two go and explore.’

Karus said quickly, ‘Oh, let’s make it three!’

He and Brigonius glared at each other. The women watched them, Lepidina with unconcealed delight, and Severa with calculation.

VI

VI

Lepidina led the two men down the stairs to the counter of the restaurant beneath Karus’s home. After being so subdued on the road, she seemed in her element now they were in a town.

‘Let’s leave my mother plenty of time for her “nap”,’ she said heavily.

Karus frowned. ‘What do you mean?’

‘Oh, come on, Karus! You know what a gambler she is. Within the hour she’ll be slipping out to find a bookmaker, and arguing about the odds on the next chariot race. She thinks I don’t know about it. But I don’t say anything, not as long as she keeps winning ... Brigonius, you want to know how we eat? Oh, I have no money. Karus—’

With an elaborate sigh he produced some coins for her, and she turned to the counter.

Brigonius and Karus stood stiffly side by side. Then, as one, they turned to each other.

‘Look, Karus—’

‘Brigonius, I didn’t mean—’

They laughed, broke off, and Karus started again. ‘It looks as if we’re going to be working together, perhaps for years if all goes well. So we shouldn’t let a gorgeous but silly girl lead us both around like two stallions on heat. I mean, it’s not to say that I wouldn’t - if she chose - to tell you the truth I think I prefer the mother, now I’ve met her - that proud bust of hers, and the way she walks -’ He stumbled to a halt. ‘Isn’t she marvellous?’

‘We should keep love and work apart,’ Brigonius said firmly.

‘Or at least we can try,’ Karus murmured.

Lepidina returned with a handful of food. ‘Here,’ she said, handing some of it to Brigonius. ‘You see? You don’t have to cook for yourself, you buy!’