The dagger wound is healing but I remain weak and my spirits have been bruised by my recent nightmarish experience in the Syrian Desert. My mind is full of dark thoughts and regrets.

It was fortunate that Incus picked up the kidnappers' trail and AfonsHenri had arrived with his soldiers in the nick of time to capture the kidnappers and to prevent Orodes from carrying me back to Persia.

I had thought that I was gaining the upper hand over the kidnappers until Orodes arrived and resstored order. They were simple men, easily manipulated. I convinced them that I was "delicate" and accustomed to city life and unused to living in the desert. Soon, my captors had opened their sacks of plunder and I was arrayed in valuable silks, gold, jewels so that I resembled a bandit queen. I was no longer kept locked up in that dark cell in the citadel except at night. During the day, under the eye of one of the guards, I was able to stroll outside among the ruins of the upper city. I searched the horizon in vain for a troop of Bedouin herders. Perhaps, I reasoned, somehow I could get a message to Tyleerius through them. A Bedouin group did appear; but to my despair, they moved on when they saw that the scant water in Jawa's reservoirs was unsuitable for watering their flocks.

By now, I had my captors under thumb and making regular trips to the nearest town to fetch me fresh water, fruit, vegetables, and whatever else I desired. I had hoped that the presence of strangers in the area would be noted and that the information would be passed on to whomever might be searching for me. I found out later that this did indeed happen and it was instrumental in leading Incus to the bandit's hideout in the ruins of Jawa.

Several men in the rescue party had been killed and I blame myself for their deaths.

The one good thing that came out of the whole episode was that we now know that Orodes is the person behind the caravan attacks which have been destabilizing the trade in the eastern provinces.

I am thinking about all this as I sit in my garden. I am filled with regret that brave men were wounded or killed while rescuing me from the fix I had gotten myself into. I was foolish to leave the Governor's Palace with only one escort. I had been stupid and rash; and as a result, I had fallen into a cleverly laid trap. I should have known better. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

It all started when I spurned Orodes. He was to be my husband but I ran away, thus dishonoring him and his family. Now, he will not stop until he has either succeeded in killing me or I am back in Persia and under his power. Knowing him, I am convinced that he will strike again. Am I becoming less an asset and more a liability to the Emperor? Perhaps, for the good of the Empire I should resign from my position as Governor of Provincia Arabia. . . .

"My lady . . "

Malichus had appeared silently at my side. He is carrying a shawl.

"My lady, you should come inside. It is dusk and the chill . . . "

"Yes," I sigh, getting up.

"My lady, do you remember Messalina Terentius -- the actress?"

And I remember the beautiful lady I had met in Rome in what seems now like another time.

"Why yes, Malichus. Why do you ask?"

Smiling slyly, he unrolls a parchment. It is a poster advertising Messalina's troupe and their latest production -- Lysistrata.

"I found this in the Cardo this afternoon." he explains. "They are in Alexandria right now. Do you think that we might persuade the Lady Messalina to come to Petra? You know how our citizens enjoy the theatre. They would be an enthusiastic audience for this play."

"Indeed they would!" I say. Noticing that, while the likeness is rather good, the artist has not done full justice to Messalina's fabled beauty. I am convinced that that Petra's wealthy patrons of the arts (especially, those of the male variety) would be her most ardant fans. Besides, I would like to see her again so I respond, "Yes, Malichus, Lady Messalina's fame is widely known so I am sure that Petra will give a warm welcome to her and her troupe. Summon my scribe. We will write a letter inviting her to come."

Malichus hurries to find the scribe, as he nods to the cook and the upstairs maid who have been eavesdropping behind the door, he whispers, "I think that we have found a way to lift our lady's spirits and at the same time give Petra the pleasure of seeing a great actress in a delightful comedy."

The servants smile as they slip away to return to their respective duties.

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