‘It was the wound,’ said Rose. ‘It became infected and needed cleaning out with hot water. Luckily we caught it in time and I think the worse is over.’
‘Are you a Medicus?’ asked Dragus.
‘No, sir, but there was a slave in the palace who was training to be one and he used me to practise on.’
‘Lucky for me he did,’ murmured Dragus.’ So, what happens know?’
‘We can’t stay here,’ said Rose, ‘My friend’s Master returns tomorrow and she can’t risk him finding out.’
Dragus sat up and winced at the pain in his back.
‘Steady,’ said Rubria, ‘The wound is clean but we don’t want to start the bleeding again.’
‘How long have I been here?’ asked Dragus.
‘Three days,’ said Rubria.
‘Three days?’ gasped Dragus, ‘I can’t believe we haven’t been found.’
‘All units are fighting the fires,’ said Rubria, ‘I don’t think they can spare the men.’
‘That won’t last long,’ winced Dragus, ‘They don’t look kindly on the desertion of one of their own. It won’t be long before they instigate a search in every town from Rome to Ostia. We have to get out of here.’
‘I agree,’ said Rubria, ‘And suitable arrangements have already been put in place.’
‘What arrangements?’
‘Rose has arranged passage out of here.’
‘Where to?’
‘I don’t know, but there is a ship that leaves in the morning and Rose has arranged for us to be on it.’ As if on cue, a loud knocking echoed around the cellar and Rose opened the door to a weak chinned man wrapped in a quilted cape.
‘I am Stellus,’ he said, ‘And I understand you seek passage from Rome.’
‘We do,’ said Rose, ‘Come in.’ The man entered the gloomy room and walked over to the recumbent Centurion.
‘Is this the cargo?’ he asked, glancing between Rubria and Dragus.
‘What do you mean, Cargo? gasped Dragus lifting himself up onto one elbow
‘Yes,’ interrupted Rose, ‘Can you help us or not?’
‘I can, but it will cost you.’
‘We can pay,’ said Rose. Stellus walked around her and stared down at Dragus.
‘Who is he?’ he asked.
‘You don’t need to know,’ said Dragus, instantly weary of the man.
‘On the contrary,’ said Stellus, ‘If I am going to hide two fugitives on my boat, the very least I require is to know who it is I am hiding.’
‘You listen here,’ snarled Dragus, but before he could continue Rose grabbed the arm of Stellus and led him to a corner. A whispered conversation took place and a leather purse changed hands. Stellus stared again over to Dragus lying on the makeshift bed.
‘I will return within the hour with two of my crew,’ he said, ‘They will take you to my ship. You will stay in the hold with the rats until we leave the Mare Nostrum. Until then I want the both of you well away from prying eyes.’
‘You mean the three of us,’ said Rubria.
Stellus laughed briefly, tossing the purse up and down in his hand.
‘Three of you,’ he sneered, ‘This pittance is hardly enough to cover you two. No, the slave stays. Take it or leave it.’
‘Agreed,’ said Rose before Rubria could answer and led Stellus from the building. When she returned Rubria was waiting for her.
‘Rose, I can’t let you do this,’ she said, ‘That was your money. I won’t let you stay here. I will stay, you accompany Dragus on the ship.’
‘Forgive me, mistress,’ said Rose, ‘But that is not an option. You have been groomed to live in luxury and would be caught within hours. I, on the other hand will disappear into the city and live amongst the rest of the slaves. I have a much better chance than you.’
‘I cannot do this,’ said Rubria, ‘I appreciate what it is your doing but I will not leave you here. You must go, I will stay.’
‘Do you think for one second that either Dragus or I will leave you behind?’ said Rose, ‘I would rather die first.’
‘But Rose…’
‘But nothing, Miss,’ said Rose, ‘You have to go to ensure the Palladium is nurtured until such time it can be returned to its rightful place, and when that time comes, I will be waiting. Don’t worry about me Miss, I will be fine.’ Rubria stared at the artefact for a moment before looking back at Rose. ‘If you argue, Miss,’ continued Rose, I will disappear until your ship has sailed. At least allow me to stay at your side until we say goodbye.’
Rubria threw her arms around Rose and hugged her tightly.
‘The Holy Mother will bless you, Rose,’ she whispered through her tears, ‘One day we will return and you will be honoured in her temple.’
‘Come,’ said Rose, disengaging herself from the Priestess’s embrace, ‘’We have to prepare him for travel.’ They turned towards Dragus and Rubria bathed his brow while Rose retrieved his clothes.
‘You can’t trust that man,’ said Dragus weakly.
‘We have no choice,’ said Rubria, ‘It is the only ship due to leave Ostia in the next few days. Everything is arranged.’
‘But we have no money,’ said Dragus, ‘How can we pay the fare?’
‘Rose had a purse,’ said Rubria, ‘I hesitate to ask where she got it from.’
‘Perhaps it is better we don’t know,’ said Dragus and laid back to sleep.
An hour later, Dragus was being carried on a makeshift stretcher up the gangplank by two of the ship Master’s men. Rubria and Rose stood together on the quayside saying their goodbyes when a shout rang out across the dock.
‘
Both women looked across at the approaching figure of Stellus. He stormed up to them and faced Rose.
‘The price has changed,’ he said, ‘I want more.’
‘What?’ gasped Rose, ‘There is no more.’
‘Then you are going nowhere,’ snarled Stellus, ‘The word on the dock is that there is a runaway Priestess somewhere in Ostia and a deserter legionary. Now I may not be the most intelligent of men but I am not stupid. If you want these two out of here, then I want more money.’
‘I told you there is no more,’ said Rose, ‘I have given you everything I have.’
He turned to his crew.
‘Get them off my ship,’ he ordered.
‘Wait!’ interrupted Rubria, ‘How much do you want?’
‘Ten times as much,’ he said.
‘That’s ridiculous,’ snapped Rose.
Rubria stared at the captain.
‘If we pay the full fare, we will have full passage?’
‘Yes,’ he said.
‘And better accommodation?’
Stellus’s eyes narrowed.
‘It can be arranged,’ he said.
‘And you will include all our food and water?’
‘Look,’ said Stellus, ‘You are wasting my time. Do you have the money or not?’
Rubria glanced over at Dragus before reaching inside her tunic and withdrawing a necklace.
