Sextus did not return the apology of Brutus but instead called for the doctor who had been looking after his father since his arrival at Xanthos. Quickly the Greek arrived and was thoroughly questioned by Sextus, ending with the two questions most important to Sextus

"Can my father be moved to Antioch?"

"I would rather he stayed undisturbed for another few weeks just to be sure."

"I understand. I have somewhere else to visit before I return to Antioch."

The doctor wanted to hear where he was going but, reading Sextus's angry demeanour, he decided against asking any questions.

Then Sextus moved the doctor out of earshot of Porcia and Brutus and whispered in his ear.

"I am going to ask you a very serious question and if you do not give me a serious answer, there will be grim reprecussions. Understand?"

The doctor gulped and nervously nodded his head in the affirmative. Sextus stared at him sternly

"Will my father survive?"

"He...he... sssshows no signs of ill-health. The wound on his head is... is healing well and his breathing is strong. It is like he is just in a deep sleep that we cannot wake him from. I cannot suggest a time for him to arise from this slumber."

Sextus ponders this mixed news. He knew what he had to do next. It involved leaving his father for the time being but this was for the good of Rome.

However he still had a day or two before the XXVth arrived and the next stage of his long journey could take place.