Ignoring her jibe, mainly because I wascertain that trying to argue about whether what I had done wasfoolish or not would not end well for me, I did much as I had withmy father’s family, offering up a bare recitation of the facts. Shequickly became impatient because I chose to start with our timeaboard the ship with Motius, and she cut me off.
“I know about that, Gnaeus. Your PilusPosterior Saloninus came here personally to tell me what happened.And then, I got a message from Algaia that your ransom had beenraised by your father’s family. Which,” her voice turned stern, “Icould have contributed to, and I would have gladly given everythingup to raise as much as I could.”
“I know that,” I assured her, and Iwas being honest. “But you’re much farther away than Arelate was,and this had to be done quickly.”
“I assume that you met Bronwen duringyour captivity,” she commented in an offhand manner.
This was when Bronwen inadvertently madethings worse, because she suddenly dropped her head to look at herhands, something that my mother immediately noticed, although itwas me she looked to for an explanation.
Before I could say anything, Bronwen saiddully, “I was used as bait to enable my King Cogidubnus to captureGnaeus.”
“Against your will,” I cut in,forcefully. “You know I don’t blame you for that now that I knowwhy.”
“Perhaps,” my mother said quietly,“you should let Bronwen tell her story, Gnaeus.”
I have no idea whether or not Bronwen wasdeliberately copying me, but she did as my mother commanded, givinga basic recitation of the facts, while I studied my mother’s face.Since we had not discussed this beforehand, there was no way towarn her not to discuss what had happened at Petuar, knowingexactly how my mother would react to this. Consequently, I watchedher features harden as Bronwen told of how I had not only helpeddefend Petuar, but had saved Ivomagus’ life.
When it was clear Bronwen was finished,there was a long silence, and when I glanced at Alex, I could tellhe was bracing for some sort of outburst as well.
“It seems,” my mother finally saidicily, “that your King Cogidubnus is a man totally without honor. Ihope that does not extend to all of the Parisii.”
As I said, I knew my mother would beangry, and in spirit, I agreed with her, but this was too much, andI came to my feet to stare down at her as I struggled to keep myvoice under control. “That’s enough, Mother. Bronwen lefteverything and everyone behind, her father’s essentially beingheld hostage by Cogidubnus, who, yes,” I agreed, “is afaithless cunnus, but if itwasn’t for Ivomagus and Tincommius,” I pointed to Bronwen, “andher, I wouldn’t have made it off that fucking island.”
To my shock, my mother smiled suddenly.
“That,” she said, “was what I neededto know. You truly love her, Gnaeus.” She addressed Bronwen then,and her tone was apologetic. “I was simply trying to make sure thatmy son understood your worth, Bronwen, and now I know.”
Utterly flummoxed, all I could do was dropback onto the couch, shaking my head, glaring at Alex, who wasgrinning broadly.
“Now,” my mother turned back to me,“tell me what possessed you to not return immediately to Ubiorum. Iassume you went to Arelate, but why were you there all thistime?”
This surprised all of us, but it seemednatural for Alex to ask, “Didn’t Algaia’s message tell you whathappened?”
“Yes.” My mother nodded. “She said shereceived word that you and Gnaeus were going toArelate.”
“That’s the only message? Becausethat’s the one I sent when we landed in Gesoriacum,” Alex replied.“But when we left for Alexandria, I sent another message with anImperial courier who was heading for Ubiorum carrying some sort ofdispatch for Germanicus.”
“Alexandria?”I have never seen my mother that surprised. “What on Gaia’s Earthare you saying? That you have been to Egypt?”
“That is where Alexandria is, after all.”
Whether it was the words or the manner inwhich I said it, my mother burst out laughing; once she caught herbreath, she said, “There’s clearly quite a tale here, and I don’tthink I should hear it on an empty stomach. I’m going to tellCarissa to get started on a meal.”
Before we could say anything, she got up andleft the room, and I grinned at Bronwen. “My mother likes you.”
“I like her as well,” Bronwen replied,but she must have seen the doubt on my face. “No, my love, I do,”she assured me. “She did what a mother should do, and that is testthe woman her only son brings to her.”
“I thought she was testing me,” Ichuckled. Then my good humor vanished as I realized, “We haven’ttold her that we’re only staying the night.” Deciding to get itover with, I stood up and followed her into the part of the housethat contained the kitchen, where I found her discussing withCarissa and the pair of slaves who worked as cooks what toprepare.
I waited for her to finish, then I beganhesitantly, “Mama, I need to let you know…”
“What? That you’re leaving at firstlight?” she asked with a smile, albeit a sad one. “I knew that themoment I walked into the villa, my son. You have to get to Ubiorumas quickly as possible, I know that.” She added, “Do you know aboutGermanicus?”
“That he’s not in Ubiorum anymore.” Inodded. “Yes, Carissa just told us.”
Now, for the first time, I saw the anxietyin my mother’s eyes as she asked, “Do you think that’s a goodthing? Or a bad thing?”
My first instinct was to lie, but I did not,knowing how well she has always been able to tell, so all I couldoffer was, “I wish I knew, Mama.”
Once more, she suddenly came to me andwrapped her arms around my waist, burying her head in my chest, andI felt her body shaking as she sobbed silently…and there wasnothing I could say or do to make her feel better.
By the time the meal was ready, anysign of my mother’s distress was long gone; in fact, the moment shereentered the triclinium withme, I am certain that only Carissa and
