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Chapter One

Italy—161 AD

The sun beat down on Rufus’s back as he waited outside the mud brick house Inside, and out of earshot, his friend consulted the venerable seer Rufus didn’t believe in fate He lived haphazardly and grabbed whatever opportunities ca, or woh

He paced between the shadows of two fig trees It was taking longer than he thought At last, when the sun reached the highest point in the azure sky and the baking ground heated the soles of his sandals, the curtain, which was draped across the doorway, parted to reveal his friend Felix, his lips pressed into a frown, looked troubled by the consultation

“So?” Rufus asked cautiously

“The oood”

“Oh” His friend’s disappointment was evident in the slump of his shoulders “Why?”

They wandered down the hillside

“The land is poor The seer believes my unfortunate past has drained it of virility”

“I see” He didn’t Priests, soothsayers, oracles: all of the you can do to appease the gods?”

The dust kicked up in front of theolden cloud In the wide valleys ahead of thereat city of Rome

“According to the wise man, I must sow my seeds”

Obviously, if he intended to become a farmer Rufus rested his hand on his friend’s broad back “That is true, Felix”

They’d corains of wheat”

Rufus halted and spun Felix about to face him Now, he appeared a “Your seed?”

Felix nodded “Mine Before the goddesses of fertility”

“You plan to take a free woman with you? Julia? Clementine? They would not take kindly to the climate of the northern isles” Julia was a divine creature, but spoilt, while her younger sister was a talker Both of them lived a life of social frivolity and plenty of sex

Felix shook his head this tie was particular about the girl A native one Comely with hard nipples Bountiful of hair and shaped like the neck of a fine vase around the waist”

Rufus thought the old ination and little practical experience

“And you must claim her to ensure your lands are rin However, Felix appeared sombre once more “You’re not convinced you’ll find such a woman?” Rufus asked “My friend, the walls are covered with your name You’ve never been short of offers”