Antonia had never been shopping in Rome. When Aelia suggested an outing to a certain cloth maker in the subura, Antonia felt a twinge of excitement.

Aeila turns to Maria and Antonia, "There’s a special cloth everyone is talking about. I must have it."

Maria nodded absently, but didn’t say anything. She felt a headache coming on.

"But isn’t the subura dangerous?" Antonia asked.

Aeila laughs, "Noooo. Well, there are dangers everywhere in Rome, but I highly doubt a cloth maker’s shop harbors much danger.

Antonia looked skeptical. She was surprised Aunt Maria hadn’t objected. "Aunt Maria, what’s wrong?"

"Oh, I have the headache. Last night’s festivities were a bit too much for me." Maria offered.

Aeila chattered on, "This is the ultimate cloth merchant. He gets it right off the boat, before any shopkeepers in the Forum. I’ve been to this place before. It will be safe."

"You have? Alone? Without guards?" Antonia drills Aelia.

"Oh yes. Many times," Aeila answers.

Antonia had not often been to the market even in Neapolis. Her mother-in-law had been in charge of provisioning the household. She felt this first excursion could be a fascinating adventure. Aunt Maria was definitely distracted with her own thoughts, and absently consented to the shopping trip.

At the market, Antonia was enthralled by all the activity. She and Maria followed Aeila as if on a long tour with no planned itinerary. Aeila stopped with no other motive than the unhurried delight in the spirit of things.

Antonia looked into every doorway where there was something for sale. She relished the aroma of the spices and oils. She crushed leaves of sage and oregano in the palms of her hands for the pure pleasure of smelling them. Aeila laughed when the smell of cayenne pepper made her sneeze so much.

Then their attention was captured by the urgings of a snake charmer who offered a syrup of eternal love. He was situated between two shops in a small alley. Aeila hesitated and then moved towards him. Antonia did not like the look of the man or the snake. There was a beggar laying in a doorway. She found herself shying away from the place.

She turned away and came face to face with Lucius Flaccus Valerius. His eyes are what riveted her. Dark, sinister, mysterious, enticing, all of which gave him a deceptively wicked glamour.