Caeseria walked through the atrium of this splendid palace, trying to avoid looking anyone in the face. She was half dreading, half looking forward to the fact that someone might remember who she was. She had been from Rome for a year or more and was flattered to receive an invitation to the party.

Biting her lip she entered the nearest room and stood inside the doorway, watching the other guests mingle and talk amongst themselves, picking the odd bit of food from one of the platters and laughing. She had forgotten what society could be like - in the provinces it was rare to find a gathering such as this. This was more refined, more glamorous, more dangerous.

It was good to be back. Time to mingle a little, see if anyone remembered the name Caeseria Maximus Valerius.