Belena was with Auletes and the old Alexandra in the triclinium and told them all about what happened in Antinoe, and how they had ben attacked by the Ala Riders. Alexandra kept blessing herself and Auletes seemed really interested in the outcome of the story, specially on how much did they really know about the Ala.

- I delivered the papyrus roles to the governor today before I came here… I was scared I wouldn’t find you alive Alexandra!

 Alexandra poured a bit of wine to belena and urged her to drink to calm herself.

- Auletes came here just an hour ago to ask me how you did  things go in Antinoe… I had no information to give him, but since he was so worried I let him wait for both of you here. After all, he was one of Lollia’s favorites. She entrusted him wit her own life! But tell us more…

            Belena drank one big gulp of wine continued to talk about the attack, and the way Hadrianus had laid to waist more than half of the attackers as if he had been possessed by something out of this world.

-ºº-

             Aurelianus could see form a far the street in which Alexandra lived. Just one more effort and he would be able to prevent a catastrophe  from occurring. He looked to his left and saw a cloaked men following him with his eyes. He had seen him in the harbor when they had arrived, but had disappeared in the crowds. Now he was there also. 

Aurelianus stopped  and looked around. The cloaked men wasn’t alone. There were several others dispersed among the crowd.

-ºº-

Belena was feeling strange. Like some strange lethargy  was spreading trough her limbs. Auletes had left to bring some food to her, ad she was alone with Alexandra.

- The physician did quite a wonderful work with you Belena! The scar is barely noticeable!- she said  whilst taking Belena’s face in her hands – Alexandros Xantipos was one of the finest  I have ever encountered…

- How do you  know his name lady Alexandra?

Alexandra let go of her face and leaned back. 

- Well… Everyone knew hi I guess. He was the best physician in Antinoe…

Belena’s brain was still working fast,  even tough her body wasn’t. Alexandra had used the past tense two times when referring to the physician, as if he was no more. She leaned clumsily to the cup of wine she had drunk from and brought it to her eye level, as if she was going to drink some more. Through the haze that was invading her mind she could clearly see streaks of  some kind  of white dust in the rim of the cup… Every sense in her body screamed that she had fallen into a trap. She had to act fast… She took the pitcher of wine and leaned foreword, as if she was going to loose balance. The old Alexandra smiled and leaned closer to her.

- It’s starting to take effect isn’t it? You feel it already running hough your veins. You are strong my girl… Much stronger than Lollia was when she was given this…

She didn’t finished the sentence. Summoning what force she still had on her body, Belena smashed the pitcher into the old women’s skull, making her loose conscience.

Now she had to leave that place, fast. If she reached the crowd outside the doors she would be safer. She leaned to one of the walls for support. The world was spinning around her. The door seemed miles away.

-  So you have figured out Belena…- said Auletes laughing. – Did you kill the old whore? If you did congratulations… she was planning on selling you to a brothel, so she could take a profit from you, as she wanted to with Lollia Paulina. But I had a say in that question.

 A knife gleamed in the sun, blinding her for a few moments. It was in his and, and it was intended to her.

- I… Aurelianus will eventually find out… nd he will kill you!

Auletes took her by the arm and dragged her to the courtyard, throwing her to the floor.

- Oh, I’m counting on it! And to make sure that he is really mad at me, guess what I’m going to do to you before I kill you?

He threw himself onto her, but she kicked him. Belena curled up defensively near the fountain, her hair falling loose, fiery, in front of  of her eyes. Auletes backed away with  a wicked smile. The surviving members of the raid at hadrianus’s house in Antinoe had told him she was feisty… Good. He loved a good fight, He lunged foreword, this time more forcefully, and cried out in pain as Belena slashed one of his eyes  with the gold pin she was using to hold up her hair.

Belena tried to crawl away towards the door, but he caught her foot  with his bloody hand, and pulled her back. As she saw the shining blade rising in front of her she closed her eyes and made a silent prayer for her father, wherever he could be.

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