In spite of the mild scandal created by Porcia and Sextus, Cornelia found the current journey to Rome far more pleasant and comfortable than the last two. Those had been fraught with rush, physical and mental anguish. This time it was done at a pace that allowed time for viewing the fresh growing countryside they passed through, easy conversation, and picnics by clear streams.

As was traditional, they stayed in the houses of either clients of the families, or those who were currently allied. Because most inns were not reliable and rarely equipped to deal with such a large party, occasionally the decision was just to spend the night in some vacant field. Like Brogus, many of the attendants were ex-Pompeian Legions, and still proving good protection. Exept when in the mountains, the nights themselves were very perfectly comfortable.

Frequently Cornelia rode back with Pompeius, to play games, go over letters, but as often as not just talk. Other times she rode opne of her horses with Sextus while he continued his schooling on horsemanship and basic tactics with Bibulus.

" You know, he is very much like you Sextus," she said one afternoon, watching Bibulus as he tore through and unsewn field towards a brake of trees.

Sextus perked his eyes in a way very much as his father did before. " Oh? How so? And how would you know?"

"You weren't much older when I married your father, you know."

"Really?" Sextus squinted. " How long has it been?"

"Well, think about it. I married your father while Caesar was still in Gaul. He made his infamous crossing 3 years later. We went to join your father, and then I came home a year later while you stayed. A year after that his accident occured, and its a year beyond. So about 5 and a half years." Cornelia smiled. " You were 15."

Sextus laughed." That's true then. Not much older." He gave Cornelia a sly look." So hold are you then lady?"

It was Cornelia's turn to laugh. "Old enough to have had two husbands."

"Not so old I can;t still play with you like I did when I was younger. My sister was loud, but never so much fun as you could be."

Cornelia grimaced. " Don't ever let anyone in Rome hear you say that. I have such a grim reputation to maintain."

" Don't worry Hecate, your secret is safe with me!" His eyebrows suddenly took on a wicked look." Last one to the big oak is a rotten egg!" and threw his heels into his horse. Cornelia gigged her own horse, one gifted by Pompeius from the east, and was soon past him. She could hear him yelling " No fair no fair. You've got the good horse......" behind her over the wind, and she laughed.

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Now as the were hitting the more populated area around Rome Cornelia aroused to the sound of the Pompeian men starting up a marching song, Brogus taking the lead. It was only a matter of time before the Roman public began to flock to the cavalcade in earnest. Old he might be, Magnus still mattered to a lot of people.

"We had best freshen up before the people come, " she said to Porcia." They'll be upon and we need to look like the women we are.

" What?" Porcia asked absently." That many people.....?"

"Yes. Remember my marriage? Like a triumph."

"Yes. Of course....".

"Well, I don;t care what your father believed, I want you to look the part, for now." Noticing that Porcia still had an odd, slightly vacant look on her face, she inwardly wondered if the return to Rome had undone her somehow.

" Porcia? What's the matter?"